tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33080944371289308012024-02-19T04:48:19.693+00:00Read, Write, BlogSchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-46467384518832503342013-07-25T17:22:00.001+01:002013-07-25T17:22:31.865+01:00Favourite Books of July<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It would appear that I found my reading mojo... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="259" data-width="194" height="259" id="rg_hi" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ18L0Xwbv6f3oQ17Gz1SXlMBC3LIzAZIYhNbwM5Oc0C37Iqv3_vg" style="height: 259px; width: 194px;" width="194" /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to my Goodreads, I'm currently reading my 10th book of the month. Who knows what has spurred me on, maybe it's a life thing?! When things aren't going right many people bury their heads in the sand... Me? I prefere to bury mine in a book! There's nothing like a bit of escapism to get you through.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="191" data-width="264" height="191" id="rg_hi" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" style="cursor: move; height: 191px; width: 264px;" unselectable="on" width="264" /></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, here just a few of my favourites of the past couple of months:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PARANORMALCY </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">by Kiersten White</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, #1)" id="coverImage" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1341040322l/7719245.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Blurb: (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Via Gooodreads</span><span style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></strong><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText17567001792520891636"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.<br /><br />But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.<br /><br />So much for normal.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Notes:</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">**** out of *****</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Trilogy</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Protagonist is believable, sulky teen at times but shows strength. Loved her 'lingo' - Really felt she was a teen talking in those pages... </span></span><br />
<span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Interesting concepts/ideas</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Story flows smoothly</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Characters intersting and mostly well fleshed out, some I would have liked more - i.e. Evie's best 'mermaid' friend</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Want to read the next instalment</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Game of thrones</strong> (A song of Ice and Fire book 1) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">by George R. R. Martin</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)" height="320" id="coverImage" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1369520317l/13496.jpg" width="210" /></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Blurb (<span style="font-size: x-small;">via Goodreads</span><span style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></strong><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText12973074046568172390"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first volume of A Song of Ice and Fire, the greatest fantasy epic of the modern age. GAME OF THRONES is now a major TV series from HBO, starring Sean Bean.<br /><br />Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.<br /><br />As Warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty.<br /><br />The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, the vengeance-mad heir of the deposed Dragon King has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities. He claims the Iron Throne</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>Notes:</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">**** out of *****</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Series</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Incrediable... Breath taking scenes</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Staggering amount of work into character backgrounds/creating a whole word setting</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Not sure if I would have kept up with who's who without the help of watching the series...</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Demonblood (A Demon Made Me Do It) </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">by Penelope King</span></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Found free on Kindle*</span></strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12135215-a-demon-made-me-do-it"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="A Demon Made Me Do It (Demonblood, #1)" height="320" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1364833014l/12135215.jpg" width="210" /></span></a><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Blurb (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Via Goodreads</span><span style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></strong><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText316581027204587362"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some girls share clothes, a bathroom, or a bedroom. Seventeen-year-old Liora Greyson has to share, too. Only she shares her body--with a demon.<br /><br />Liora just wants to survive her final year of high school unscathed, her dark secret intact. But the walls she’s carefully constructed to keep people away crack wide open once she meets the sexy and mysterious Kieron, and he lights her world on fire. She can’t let him know she transforms into a demon named "Lucky" at nightfall—a demon with an entirely separate personality who passes out Torment, Justice, and Revenge like Halloween candy.<br /><br />Turns out Kieron is the one who should be afraid once Lucky discovers his true identity and motivations. Liora wants to love him, but Lucky thinks he’s public enemy number one. And having a demon with a vendetta show up during a romantic date puts a serious crimp in any relationship.<br /><br />Fighting your demons is one thing. Having one that fights back, messes with your guy, and leaves you with nasty hangovers is quite another.<br /><br />Being bad has never been so good...</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Notes</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">**** out of *****</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Trilogy</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Was very well written with an intersting concept: Liora - Human - has body through the day. Lucky - Demon - has body through the night. Characters had completely different personas.</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Interesting characters, well fleshed out.</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Humourous, witty dialogue</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Demons, romance, action, adventure, sexy, incubus hellhound 'Bones'... (Swooooon)</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">*I've already read the next book "Fire with Fire" :0)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>3rd Sight </strong><span style="font-size: small;">by Ian Woodhead</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17230810-3rd-sight"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="3rd Sight: A Horror Novel" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1366040442l/17230810.jpg" /></span></a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The blurb (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Via Goodreads</span><span style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adrian Winters is unaware that a newborn demon has chosen him to be its watcher. The one who links its evil to this world. With time running out, will Adrian be able to save himself before his family and friends, the people he loves, become mere sustenance for the monster inside of him? Or will he be forced to witness their gruesome deaths?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial;"><br />
<span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Notes</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">**** out of *****</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*If you dont like scary, gory stories... best leave this one alone...</span></span><br />
<span><span style="color: black;">*Very clever "out of mind sequences"... what's real?</span></span><br />
<span><span style="color: black;">*Gritty, rugged characters</span></span><br />
<span><span style="color: black;">*Shocking, absorbing and page turning</span></span><br />
<span><span style="color: black;">*The only reason this book failed to get five stars out of me was the ending... Well rounded but for me personally, finished too fast. May be there is room for a sequel here?</span></span></span></span></div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-6704010166274427502013-02-17T13:12:00.000+00:002013-02-17T13:12:43.911+00:00BOOK REVIEW:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT81NgeNe_o_xop_lc9cech5FXBc9GW0ClRhgOk_auuAB6NlUPB" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="281" data-width="179" height="400" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT81NgeNe_o_xop_lc9cech5FXBc9GW0ClRhgOk_auuAB6NlUPB" width="254" /></a><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">172 Hours on the Moon</span></strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">By Johan Harstad</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">~Si-Fi, horror, supernatural, creeeeeepy~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span itemprop="bookFormatType"><strong>Paperback</strong></span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">368 pages</span></span></div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Published</strong> April 5th 2012 by ATOM <nobr class="greyText">(first published 2008) </nobr></span></div>
<div class="buttons">
<div class="uitext" id="bookDataBox" style="margin: 10px 0px;">
<div class="clearFloats">
<div class="infoBoxRowTitle">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>ISBN</strong></span></div>
<div class="infoBoxRowItem">
<span style="font-size: small;">1907411518 <span class="greyText">(ISBN13: <span itemprop="isbn">9781907411519</span>)</span> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="clearFloats">
<div class="infoBoxRowTitle">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Edition Language</strong></span></div>
<div class="infoBoxRowItem" itemprop="inLanguage">
<span style="font-size: small;">English</span></div>
</div>
<div class="clearFloats">
<div class="infoBoxRowTitle">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Original Title</strong></span></div>
<div class="infoBoxRowItem">
<span style="font-size: small;">Darlah - 172 timer på månen</span></div>
</div>
<div class="clearFloats">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">* * * * * out of five stars</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">The Blurb: <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Via Goodreads)</span></span></strong><br />
<span id="freeText4168707990308178057">It's been decades since anyone set foot on the moon. Now three ordinary teenagers, the winners of NASA's unprecedented, worldwide lottery, are about to become the first young people in space--and change their lives forever.<br />Mia, from Norway, hopes this will be her punk band's ticket to fame and fortune.<br />Midori believes it's her way out of her restrained life in Japan.<br />Antoine, from France, just wants to get as far away from his ex-girlfriend as possible.<br />It's the opportunity of a lifetime, but little do the teenagers know that something sinister is waiting for them on the desolate surface of the moon. And in the black vacuum of space... no one is coming to save them.<br />In this chilling adventure set in the most brutal landscape known to man, highly acclaimed Norwegian novelist Johan Harstad creates a vivid and frightening world of possibilities we can only hope never come true.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">My Review:</span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am very selective and wary about giving anything five stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Especially when that said something has such a mixed review going for it) </span>But the way <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">172 Hours on the Moon</i></b> captured my attention and imagination, it leaves me little choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I just wanted to start with getting one niggle out of the way. Throughout the story the whole concept of NASA sending teenagers to the moon seemed way over the top and unbelievable. If you can get past this and just accept the fiction as it is, then this is definitely a book worth the reading.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whilst browsing my local discount book shop, they <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had one of those "three for a fiver" offers and <strong>172 Hours</strong> appeared semi- interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought the cover work was very well done and after reading the story even more so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The image of a girl looking down at clasped hands with her reflection looking at the audience with somewhat of a scowl, is very intriguing. Offering that the girl is not all what she appears to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really enjoyed how the book was put together; using imagery from space missions and floor plans of the space station on the moon. As a reader, I can sometimes find conjuring up places in my mind quite difficult, often forgetting the layout and where characters are placed, so this was really helpful to me personally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">though some people have written that they felt the characters weren't very well written, i would have to disagree. The book introduced characters and backgrounds thoroughly and systematically.too much more and it would have been tedious. I felt the teens were really well described at the time of life they were experiencing. Their thoughts, emotion and reactions to situations were believable. The romance between characters was somewhat predictable, but also fit very well into the plot. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I began reading, I have to admit that I was in two minds as to whether this book was going to be for me, but I really enjoyed the style of writing and the flow of the story unfolding. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mia in particular stood out for me. More or less our heroine of the hour, but when I first started reading about her, I really didn’t like her. She was whining and selfish. Self-obsessed and down right irritating. But there were also strengths in her that the other characters needed and responded to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I didn’t expect the level of horror in the book. But the moon proves to be the perfect setting. Dark and desolate. The intensity of the mood as the author adds more layers is perfect for growing fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps I was too closed mined when I first started reading, I mean; what else could a writer possibly bring to the table about Space other than little green men chasing the characters around the moon? I can’t go into much detail here in fear of spoiling it for other readers, but the horror in this story is woven into the plot very well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They definitely find something up there and you really don’t want "that" making its way down here... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s chilling. I think what was very interesting about Harstand as a writer, is the way he built his work of fiction around snippets of fact. It gives the story... for want of better words... another level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What really gives this book five stars for me personally, was that it took me back to reading horror for the first time as a young reader. I was totally absorbed in the story and couldn’t put it down. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quote: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Page 167 (Mia) “...<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This was followed by a thought – she had no idea where it had come from – but if forced its way into her consciousness and scared her to death: In space, no one can hear you scream.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a reader it is hard to find a book that gives a satisfying ending. With <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">172 Hours on the Moon</b>, I was thrilled with the plot twists and and the finishing touches that Harstand provides his readers. I would say to anyone, give it a go. It might just surprise you. It did me!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-45468070013119884882012-12-10T01:54:00.000+00:002012-12-10T01:54:28.041+00:00Finding the Christmas Spirit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Not So Good News</span><br />
My lovely readers, the weekend didn't have a great kick-off. It started on Friday with some unsettling health news for a loved one, the very same day, when I went out to clean out my bunnies, I found my beloved giant bunny with her eyes swollen shut and having difficulty breathing. We rushed her to the vet but my poor girl was diagnosed with suspected <strong><a href="http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/understanding_myxo_feb06.htm" target="_blank">Myxomatosis</a> </strong>and so didn't come home with us... Needless to say; though I am certain we made the right choice for her, I am feeling a little bruised on the inside.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyy0NHct1nqdKJRvhjbza4gkR3HA2OHv4OchTCz8H21NCDEUmBdzqvIgD2nVR-4MMshNx8clhPB1Z6p9s9zzA34lJogjzmJIgwdXqKMb5boywnFJN8Wf0FqtXIqgO_msBobObLMAQoyls/s1600/Holly.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyy0NHct1nqdKJRvhjbza4gkR3HA2OHv4OchTCz8H21NCDEUmBdzqvIgD2nVR-4MMshNx8clhPB1Z6p9s9zzA34lJogjzmJIgwdXqKMb5boywnFJN8Wf0FqtXIqgO_msBobObLMAQoyls/s200/Holly.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>~My Girl: Holly~</em></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong>Gettin' in the spirit</strong></span><br />
In desperate need of a pick-me-up, I had my hair done and treated myself to some new leggings and leg warmers on Saturday. (I have never owned a pair of leg warmers in my life.. but these were soooo cute, I couldn't resist. Totally rocking the legging/warmer/skater shoe look!)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBPjHaDrlkIdVQAptoawQEpb5jGPC1IenG9EdRB6W6qqJi8yAlzQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="225" data-width="225" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBPjHaDrlkIdVQAptoawQEpb5jGPC1IenG9EdRB6W6qqJi8yAlzQ" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>~Cute and warm..</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>A similar design to mine...~</em></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today has marked the official beginning of getting in the festive mood, and it's been a busy day full of shopping and decorating. We have navigated our way through the throngs of people, been patient in queues whilst other people (who are old enough enough to know better) tutted and huffed, wrestled with a tree and untangled lights... Oh don't get me started on the lights. Urrrrraaagh! I swear there are Christmas light imps that just love to tangle them and leave them in a state... <em><u>and </u></em>there are never any spare bulbs in the colour that's required...<br />
And there is still a million things left to do... cards, presents to <em>find</em> let alone buy and wrap, food, all the little extras, organising when to see everyone... <br />
<br />
It's left us (and probably a lot of people out there) feeling a little like this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7lCQGYl87yZ8JQwYEG2ehQ-q05PperM0QUUSJhIAYnkQyJ04sFChuXMFGuJGtToG0d-ThQtwJfvlIXa2KvjF5iwkdw6pbk8ZUH9BWgrDrnCySv8e02ATrewsqaTFsn9vOGeR0nMopfJE/s1600/xmas+pud.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7lCQGYl87yZ8JQwYEG2ehQ-q05PperM0QUUSJhIAYnkQyJ04sFChuXMFGuJGtToG0d-ThQtwJfvlIXa2KvjF5iwkdw6pbk8ZUH9BWgrDrnCySv8e02ATrewsqaTFsn9vOGeR0nMopfJE/s1600/xmas+pud.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>~The tea cosy can also be... A hat!~</strong></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Yep, this is a pic of my son with a Christmas pudding <em>tea-cosy</em> on his head... When the going gets tough, there's nothing like burying your head in the s... Pudding?!<br />
<br />
(Seriously. Who uses tea cosies now? This came down from the attic with the rest of the x-mas gear and was a gift three or four Christmases ago..)<br />
<br />
Though things were manic and a little stressful, we had lots of fun today and OJ made us laugh with his tea-cosy-on-the-head game. Little baby Z, now more confident in toddling around, was into absolutely <em>everything.</em> He kept running off with things he shouldn't with such a mischievous look about him that we couldn't be mad as it was so funny.<br />
I can't help but feel proud of the patience my children showed today. They were rushed around, in and out of the car, stuck waiting in queues, waiting for us to "just finish this last thing" etc. <br />
It's so easy to get buried in the pressure to get everything done but it was wonderful just to take a precious moment here and there to absorb our children's wonder and excitement. <br />
<br />
I won't get up on my soap box and ramble on about remembering the meaning, joy and hope of Xmas, but just to say that I really hope that if you guys are getting a little stressed out that you still mange to find lots of fun and laughter in the count-down to the 25th December.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSoIp9EuLYIov08j5A_sKDvaKZxY5YhZDvmvsO7u3Yr5Z6MxhxWabiCazGtMeVaEUcRfR1a4FDdhPLepXTcTSCk9j2dL_cr3i9wjdNEnwbBVEOGh6gp4GBeUFOiDbbzxvrynj0alww74z/s1600/xmas+tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSoIp9EuLYIov08j5A_sKDvaKZxY5YhZDvmvsO7u3Yr5Z6MxhxWabiCazGtMeVaEUcRfR1a4FDdhPLepXTcTSCk9j2dL_cr3i9wjdNEnwbBVEOGh6gp4GBeUFOiDbbzxvrynj0alww74z/s1600/xmas+tree.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>~There is a tree under all those lights... Honest!~</em></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-63795498216756818692012-11-26T00:50:00.001+00:002012-11-26T00:50:12.610+00:00Normal Service Resumed?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Yoooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooo!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
I have been away from the blogspere for what feels like forever... To write a complete catch-up post would be rather long and boring so I will keep it brief.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRjZJ8ivyCfsCbz8TykcW8R1wUWgtHiLcl-Uij3PM3Hl25U-QBfGg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="217" data-width="232" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRjZJ8ivyCfsCbz8TykcW8R1wUWgtHiLcl-Uij3PM3Hl25U-QBfGg" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So what happened?!!</span></strong><br />
No, I didn't slip into a wandering vortex, or get abducted by space monkeys; nor did I fall into a uncovered manhole. I simply had a bad case of what I like to call, "upset life rhythm".<br />
<br />
I wish I could report my absence as being a result of an agent "realising my potential" or that I have been busy hammering at the keys to complete my first novel, but alas, it's simply because I have returned to work.<br />
<br />
Since returning to work, it's been a hard slog. New role, new staff, new distractions... NO READING OR WRITING!<br />
<br />
*knocks head on keyboard repeatedly*<br />
<br />
Days have slipped from one to the next and it's left me feeling unsettled and in a dreamlike state. You would think that reading and writing would put you permanently in a dream world, but on the contrary, reading and writing seems to ground me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTzWYIZhHOaY7Hmy__2wTrZrXNyWDtWi5KtntSLaPYuP2T7e87g" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="181" data-width="278" height="130" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTzWYIZhHOaY7Hmy__2wTrZrXNyWDtWi5KtntSLaPYuP2T7e87g" style="height: 181px; width: 278px;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The lows</span></strong><br />
Hmm...I don't like to dwell on it but it's been <span style="font-size: x-large;">STRESSFUL</span>with members of staff off sick. Trying to keep up with demand, workload etc etc has been a tough juggling act. <br />
Not only has it meant minimal reading and writing, it's meant minimal sleep and I am exhausted. This has led to a number of weeks without running... So I'm not feeling great about that either. Returning to work has had an impact on everything.<br />
<br />
Our fair fish (Bubbles to those who knew of him through older posts) died last night and as a parent, this is rather hard to explain to an angry little boy who is demanding that we get Bubbles back...<span style="font-size: large;"><em><u> right now</u></em></span>... and he's <strong>"not even kidding you!"</strong> (OJ's newest phrase)...<br />
<br />
There have been plenty of tears, tantrums and sickness in the household of late, and today was the icing on the cake when I suffered verbal abuse from a woman on the phone. To cut a long story short, I regretfully had to change my mind about taking on another rabbit... I expected a little frustration from the seller but not complete and utter outrage. It was not my intention to madden the woman, it was a genuine regret... Sheesh. If I had intentially wanted to waste her time, I would just not have bothered to show up at the agreed time! I can't write what she said but lets just say she might want to work on her vocab as well as her people skills...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvJJz4nxscA5l4IeZbNy4vM5Tm-7VslbVrSZVhzPvNytXjSdOcUw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="232" data-width="138" height="232" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvJJz4nxscA5l4IeZbNy4vM5Tm-7VslbVrSZVhzPvNytXjSdOcUw" style="height: 232px; width: 138px;" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scary sh*t...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The highs</span></strong><br />
<br />
OJ STARTED PRE-SCHOOL!!! (and then was off the second week due to illness but we shall sweep past that part..) <br />
<br />
We have six cute bunnies.We now have two Rex, two giant Flemish and two Netherland cross... more pics and stories to follow I'm sure. (Oh you lucky people!)<br />
<br />
My hubby celebrated his 30th birthday this month and we shared a lovely afternoon together whilst nan-nan insisted on babysitting. It was great to take a walk, hold hands and appreciate a quiet meal. It was a wonderful reminder that we are still the same people even with being preoccupied wih our two little blessings!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What's next?</span></strong><br />
<br />
I'm just trying to get my routines back on track, which means more efforts to get back to reading, writing and blogging. <br />
<br />
For now it's attempting to sleep before one of my boys wake from coughing fits or bad dreams!<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. I know it's only been a month but that is quite some time in the blogspere, so thank you to all my lovely followers for staying with it over here.<br />
<br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-15636036275279478852012-11-25T23:01:00.000+00:002012-11-25T23:01:52.939+00:00REVIEW:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350503301l/16092630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yorick" border="0" height="400" id="coverImage" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350503301l/16092630.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350503301l/16092630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Yorick</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By Vlad Vaslyn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~ Horror, humour, supernatural, short fiction~</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="row">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span itemprop="bookFormatType">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">90 pages (Kindle edition)</span></span></div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Published October 28th 2012 by Vlad Vaslyn <nobr class="greyText"> (first published October 28th 1012) </nobr></span></div>
<div class="buttons">
<a class="left inter actionLinkLite" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16092630-yorick#" id="bookDataBoxShow" style="display: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">more details...</span></a><div class="uitext" id="bookDataBox" style="margin: 10px 0px;">
<div class="clearFloats">
<div class="infoBoxRowTitle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="infoBoxRowTitle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="infoBoxRowTitle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">* * * * *</span> <span style="font-size: large;">out of five stars</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Blurb (</span><span style="font-size: small;">via goodreads</span><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>Poor Roberta. She's aging, has lost everyone she's ever
loved, and now she lives out her sad, lonely days feeding on bad convenience
store food and faded memories of happier times. She wants nothing more than to
join her loved ones in the afterlife, but then a gruesome discovery along the
banks of the Merrimack River changes everything. Roberta knows she'll never be
alone again</strong></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>My review<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are a fan of short, snappy horror with a dash of
humour to compliment it, then you must read <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yorick</span></i></b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was invited by Mr Vaslyn to read the first chapter or so
to see if I would be interested in reading and reviewing it. One of the things
I distinctively remember thinking as I read the first paragraph was: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Where on earth is the author going to
take this?!</span></i></b> But that sold it. I was so intrigued and pulled in by
Vaslyn’s descriptions and punchy introduction, I found myself compelled to find
out.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vaslyn is brilliant at building character, whilst developing
atmosphere and story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I instantly liked and felt sympathy for Roberta. She was the
kind of character that you pray you don’t become in old age. She is all of our fears
about growing old in one character.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story is mainly set up around Roberta and her “discovery”.
With some supporting characters giving Roberta more depth and background into
how she is perceived in her community.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vaslyn uses humour skilfully in this work of horror, something
that I feel can be tricky to nail in a horror story. Humour can break a horror
story down (in my experience) but truthfully, the humour in this was brilliance.
I won’t go into detail here as not to spoil it for potential readers, but look
out for the conversations Roberta has with her discovered skull. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are somewhat innocent, normal yet so bizarre.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a sweeping statement, I am not a fan of short stories;
they somehow don’t quench the thirst I have for background, back story and
explanation but Yorick as thrown my thoughts on short stories completely. The pace
maintains interest whilst the ending is satisfying. It comes together but also leaves
just enough room for speculation as to what might’ve happened next. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will definitely be looking out for more from
this promising and talented author.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dark, twisted and creepy; a real little gem of a horror.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yorick is definitely worth a cosy eve in on the sofa...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well... It’s not every day you are going to
read about a little old lady wondering around with a skull tucked under her arm...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">**A brief message for Mr Vaslyn**</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t know how you stumbled upon my blog, but I’m sincerely
glad you did. Thank you.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-64109785984987248872012-10-14T14:17:00.000+01:002012-10-14T14:17:01.140+01:00Post via Ipad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Don't get excited... It's a borrowed iPad, we don't have that kinda money - I just had to get a post out there before I went crazy from withdrawal!<br />
I also wanted to see how easy it was to use to post with this thing... Typing seems O.K. so I'm in business!<br />
This quick post goes out to those who are in potty training battle....<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b>The Potty Training Games</b></span><br />
<span id="goog_740852527"></span><br />
I started potty training OJ in August, for two amazing weeks he had it cracked. No accidents and no reminders to use the potty. He took it in his stride. I couldn't believe my luck... and I was right to be suspicious of it! It has since been a huge struggle and a battle of wills. I've tried various reward systems but it continues to be unsuccessful with OJ seeming to choose if he uses it or not..<br />
Yesterday, I could feel that my fuse was getting shorter. I was on shaky ground. After OJ proudly told me that he had wet his training pants again in the space of half an hour (and after asking him every 5 minutes if he needed to use the potty) I finally snapped. Whilst changing him, I asked him how weeing in his pants made him feel, expecting him to offer some remorse for his actions. He looked at me thoughtfully and replied: "<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">soggy</span></b>"<br />
<br />
Well, I couldn't help but laugh which relieved all the tension.<br />
<br />
It got me thinking as to why I have put so much pressure on myself to get OJ past this milestone. Why am I so intent on making him grow up so quick? Maybe on some level I thought people would judge me if I hadn't got my son out of nappies. In wanting to support OJ with this learning experience, I have only succeeded in stressing us all out. Time for a change of plan.<br />
<br />
OJ has had his fair amount of change to contend with, with me going back to work and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">being expected to be a "big boy". I have caught our little lads' behaviour regressing in other areas too. Such as wanting to crawl about, wanting his dummy (when he has only had the thing at night since forever) and wanting to climb back into his high chair. He is in his own battle of dependence and independent. It may even be a spot of jealousy of his little brother.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Whatever it is, I think we are going to have to go at OJ's pace and hope for the best. He is supposed to be starting pre-school soon so I am a little concerned about what other parents and staff are going to think. But whatever. As long as OJ is happy, he will come around in his own time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I just wanted to pass this experience on to others and, if </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">you and your tot are going through potty training - hang on in there!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-51481953155212547342012-10-08T00:29:00.000+01:002012-10-08T00:31:42.170+01:00Snapshot Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a week</span> where I have focused on the wrong things. That is, I have caught myself being rather negative. This is the offending phrase:<br />
<br />
"But I don't have enough time to..."<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>read</strong></span>- I don't know about you, but one of my most favourite and comforting places to read is snuggled in bed. So, after a hard day at work (I won't go into it, it was just he said, she said cr*p) I snuggled down under the duvet with my Kindle. Hubby kindly offered to make tea, by the time he came back up with it he found me asleep... on my kindle!</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-size: large;">write </span></strong>- When you are that tired, you can't even squeeze a drop of inspiration from the brain...</li>
<li><strong><span style="font-size: large;">blog</span></strong> - Because I haven't had time to read, I couldn't even finish a book to review... Rather disappointing...</li>
</ul>
As I sat down to write tonight, I could feel the Sunday night blues creeping in and I didn't want to do that to my readers yet again. I thought that instead, I would share some fun events of the week, things I'm looking forward to and things that have just stuck in the mind...<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">"Baby Brain" Moments</span></strong><br />
<br />
One of the things I was warned about when I had my boys was that I was going to have more "baby-brain" moments, that is, forgetfulness. I'm sure I have read debates as to whether or not this is proven, but it stands to reason that as a mum, you have so much more to think about and get done, that you are naturally going to forget more.<br />
<br />
I have noticed that since returning to work, I have more "funny moments" and they have made me laugh at myself. (Like, no way did I just do that?!) This morning for instance. I learnt that trying to get too many jobs done at once can result in some silly happenings. Whilst getting the washing and breakfast done, I went to put the detergent bottle in the fridge! <br />
I also seem to find myself upstairs wondering what it is that I have gone up there for!<br />
<br />
I was just wondering if any other mums have any funny baby-brain moments they would like to share?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Thinks by bitterjug - Thought cloud from the facilitation set" id="Thinks" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/169421/thinking.png" /><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Brotherly Love</span></strong><br />
When the chips are down, I can count on one thing. My boys will melt my heart and remind me why life is such a blessing. <br />
I don't use TV as a back up very often, but one particularly hectic afternoon, I decided that an episode of Thomas the Tank would be Okay. (Goodness knows what was going on, I probably had to preform an emergency hoover or something!) Anyhoo, the theme tune came on and baby Z crawled up to OJ, and using the TV stand, pulled himself to stand next to him. Whilst OJ was singing, baby Z started to sway and bop along! Oh my word. I was nearly in tears! It was just so, so cute!<br />
OJ can find his little brothers presence somewhat irritating but just lately he has been a sweetie pie... Hmm... Most of the time...<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Ice cream</span></strong><br />
We have been looking at the family's diet and are very careful about treats. We aim to cut the snacking through the week but choose a nice treat to have at the weekend. Hubby brought back some ice cream from he supermarket for this week's treat.<br />
It was Heaven in a tub... Peanut Butter Crunch. Wow. Whoever put that together is a genius.<br />
<br />
<img height="300" id="il_fi" src="http://images.mysupermarket.co.uk/ProductsDetailed/96/237896.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="244" /><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Celebrations</strong></span><br />
There are two celebrations I am looking forward to this month. The first is baby Z's <strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">1st birthday</span></strong>. I know every parent must say it, but WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?! And I swear that the first year passes even more quickly with the second child. I am both excited and a little saddened. I'm a little unsure as to why I am saddened by reaching this amazing milestone..<br />
It's going to be quiet affair. I will get some decorations up and bake his cake; but we shall see what the day brings!<br />
<br />
The second is Halloween... (Or Samhain) I love this time of the year. There is something almost magical about it. I celebrate each year by lighting a candle in honour of those that are not with us now. It's just a nice opportunity to reflect. This year however, I plan on making a bit more of a celebration out of it. I have bought a few decorations, plan to buy a pumpkin and have got some costumes (not scary) for the boys.<br />
<br />
I also hope to review a scary book or two during this month and to write a post... Fingers crossed!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://asda.scene7.com/is/image/Asda/5053120293185?hei=382&wid=305&resmode=sharp&op_usm=1.1,0.5,0,0&defaultimage=default_details_George_rd" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" id="il_fi" src="http://asda.scene7.com/is/image/Asda/5053120293185?hei=382&wid=305&resmode=sharp&op_usm=1.1,0.5,0,0&defaultimage=default_details_George_rd" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't these the cutest? Baby Z has a little pumpkin costume to with these booties... <br />
Yep. I'm in trouble when he's old enough to look back at the photos...<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Fish Update</span></strong><br />
Yes folks. Those who read the earlier post would have read that we have a pet fish thanks to the fair and despite my worry of having to explain about fishy heaven to OJ, Bubbles the fish is alive and well. I am also considering getting the little fellow a "proper" tank with a pump.. He's moving on up in his little fishy world...<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Perils of Running</span></strong><br />
I promise, this is the last thing to share...<br />
<br />
I've been back at work for two weeks and I have only been able to run at the weekends. Operation "Lose the baby weight" has slowed down somewhat as a result. Though a little disappointed, I still recognise that to keep it going for this long is an achievement in itself. I have set further goals and find these are good motivation for getting warmed up, jogging between 12-17 minutes and then feeling like I'm about to have a cardiac arrest for my troubles. I have promised myself a new pair of trainers if I hit my first target weight and a new pair of jeans for reaching the second. I would also like to achieve this before Christmas.... Realistic? Hmmm.<br />
<br />
I would like to point out that running is a dangerous kind of pastime. So far I have nearly been run down by a cyclist, nearly ended up on my a$$ by an assassin slug and today, I was attacked by a great, hulking, wet faced dog who wanted to play... Sheesh. If only I had room for a running machine... Nah. I would probably do something stupid and break the machine... or myself!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="194" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRut94CQrQrcWnC_1fR9vr2V_m0SO8TiQmcisIWSjndJTDk0q0P" style="height: 194px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 259px;" width="259" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assassin Slugs<br />
Slippery booby-traps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever you guys are up to,have a fab week! </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">~Thanks for reading!~</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-8100895296885910272012-10-02T00:08:00.000+01:002012-10-02T00:08:12.315+01:00Autumn Brings the Fair<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For me, I absolutely adore <strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">A</span><span style="color: orange;">u</span><span style="color: yellow;">t</span><span style="color: lime;">u</span><span style="color: blue;">n</span><span style="color: purple;">m</span></span></strong>.<br />
<strong>Autumn means</strong>: hot chocolate and marshmallows, apple and blackberry crumble and cooler weather that excuses more snuggling up in cosy jumpers and extra blankets! It means carnival, fireworks and I am also a bit of a Halloween fan too! Nature just does something wonderful with colour and change. There really is something about this season that generally makes me very happy. <br />
<br />
Autumn also becomes more official for me with the arrival of the annual fair.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="177" data-width="284" height="177" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmgfGd0Oao5_gBKX_V0GPhufJcYmc4ZVJWzILSP3dYm8FRMyfF" style="height: 177px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 284px;" width="284" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridgwater Fair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It comes to our town the last Wednesday to Saturday of September. I thought I had outgrown the candy floss and excitement, but it turns out that having children of our own has reignited that all over again.<br />
<br />
So, we took the tiddlers to the fair on Thursday and again on Saturday.<br />
<br />
OJ was quiet to start with. I don't blame him. I knelt down with him at one point to get a feel for what he was experiencing, and man, you have to be pretty tough to be a two year old with all that loud, buzzing atmosphere going on around you. All you could see were legs at his level! Mind you, it didn't take the little nipper long to get into the swing of things. He wanted to get on all the rides, (he even took mummy on the carousel!) he wanted to play hook the duck (he won a monster tube of bubbles and a a soft toy duck for his his little bro') and of course, he decided that Daddy should win him a fish...<br />
<br />
And so, we have ended up with this little beauty:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja565OjtU-fZhak3EvnuvRx_-moptFqUKgYgEE5et-6tUYCvaYWdValMhoFKwbhE9tbNok9o-ldMpOfUhmCNJBdflO_EcT1dc8BhIGjPoq_oDzgfV3XAy-2uemmrT8ejjGNg1EuejNaGDn/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja565OjtU-fZhak3EvnuvRx_-moptFqUKgYgEE5et-6tUYCvaYWdValMhoFKwbhE9tbNok9o-ldMpOfUhmCNJBdflO_EcT1dc8BhIGjPoq_oDzgfV3XAy-2uemmrT8ejjGNg1EuejNaGDn/s1600/untitled.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
He's kinda cute as far as goldfish go. OJ has decided to call him "Bubbles" (though the hubby wanted to call him: "<em>Lieutenant Shiny Sides</em>" after a Family Guy sketch... best not ask...) and though a bit of a predictable fish name, it works!<br />
Can you believe I have never owned a goldfish before? So this addition to the family will be interesting. He is also therapeutic to watch...<br />
<br />
I have been warned not to get attached to the little critter as being a Fair fish, his chances are slim. (Something to do with the fact they have probably been bred as "feeder"fish and are subjected to a hell of a lot of stress) but, he's been with us since Thursday and appears happy enough!<br />
<br />
We shared some really special, family moments over the weekend. Ones that will stay with us. There is something wonderful about sharing hot doughnuts on a breezy, autumn afternoon and watching the little 'uns wonder at the world.<br />
<br />
And our little Zman? He dealt with things in his own way... <br />
<br />
Asleep!<br />
<br />
What do you guys love about Autumn?!</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-9521394465066749922012-09-30T00:43:00.001+01:002012-09-30T00:43:46.896+01:00Getting Back to Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">Flumps into computer chair</span></strong>.*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well. That was certainly a bumpy kinda week!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="200" id="yui_3_5_1_3_1348955822078_266" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3132/4557248609_5f29db0537.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in the hot seat...</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sakanami/4557248609/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image source</span></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's sooooo good to be writing a post again! It's felt like forever!</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As many of you will know, my year's maternity leave came to an end and I was back to work on Monday. My first week back to work was... Hard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am only going back to 20 hours a week, but believe me, this is more than enough and more than I would like to be doing. But "needs must" as they say and, with a mortgage to pay and hungry mouths to feed then this is just the way of it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going back to work was always </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">going to be difficult for me. I knew that I was going to have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I want to be out there earning a living, I have always worked for what I have, but then on the other, leaving my own children (and so young) to work with other peoples' leaves me feeling rather odd.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also hadn't been realistic about what the impact of going to work was going to have on the me-time I had been carving for myself during maternity leave... I'm just physically and mentally exhausted. So much so </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that by Thursday, I hadn't read a line of my current novel, been anywhere near my running shoes and I hadn't even managed to get a single note/idea down for my writing projects... Withdrawals? You bet!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Confession? I was going to write up this post yesterday, but my own work-in-progress-hoping-to-be-a-novel-someday was calling and I couldn't help but go with it. It felt glorious to sink back into the mind space of my story. Finally. Some normality! (I'm in the midst of re-working chapter three - it really does suck!)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRz44YlnwdyUsPR8oJUUN8Xm4CILQ-UFcTp_uf-sh5jYIkX0WzjLA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="183" data-width="275" height="133" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRz44YlnwdyUsPR8oJUUN8Xm4CILQ-UFcTp_uf-sh5jYIkX0WzjLA" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My week:</span></strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Monday</span></strong> </span>came with butterflies in the stomach and pangs of guilt that threatened to crush me like <strike>a bug under a shoe...</strike> Okay. I'm open to suggestion for similes a little less gross but with the same kinda impact...</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a shaky start leaving the house, I was fine as I walked from my car and through the doors. That was until my colleague looked at me with the same sympathy and concern one would give to a kitten in the rain and that just did it. I ended up an embarrassing, blubbering mess!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was all her fault of course. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah. Way to go on sucking it up and getting on with things Schez!</span><br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="225" data-width="225" height="225" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNcBHjMgBPnCOjkYoJ35ZZywT4ApSp8cDqa8Px2CrmcecHcORAQA" style="height: 225px; width: 225px;" width="225" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But my co-workers were great and let me settle in slowly. It helped that I could flex a bit of the creative muscle and, I was also busy getting to know my new colleagues and children in the nurture group I am now supporting.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I arrived home, there was no gushy reunion. Both my little lads were busy in their own games with Nan-Nan. Cheers then boys!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">( Well, at least I know there are both happy. It would have been so much worse if they had been distressed by my absence)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">When the alarm went off on </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><strong>Tuesday </strong></span><span style="color: black;">morning, it was dark and chilly. It also came with the following realisation: <em>Oh good god, it wasn't a dream. I'm actually back to this...</em></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Wednesday</span></strong> I was home ill. Trust me, you really don't wanna know, but it also must be some kind of <em>"How quick can you get ill after your first day back at work?"</em> record...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Thursday</span> </span></strong>was just stressful. Maybe I shouldn't have gone in, but some weird, determined work ethic makes me do crazy things, so I found myself back in there and praying for home time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucky for me, <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><strong>Friday's</strong> <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">are spent at home with my boys. So that wasn't too bad. I think Friday's are going to be even more precious from here on in...</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I just can't seem to shake how tired I feel. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">As soon as the kids were in bed, that was it. I was out like a light! I actually managed to get out for a run this morning for the first time since Sunday and it was hopeless. I couldn't get around my usual circuit without slowing to a brisk walk several times.Maybe it's just the combination not running for a while, being poorly midweek and generally being absolutely shattered?!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I need to establish better routines so I can reclaim my me-time. All I really want to do at the moment is sleep!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's hoping that things get a bit easier and I get some routine established!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy weekend peeps!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-64367348547855894952012-09-24T00:46:00.001+01:002012-09-24T00:46:52.963+01:00Beating the Sunday Night Blues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh yes</span></strong>, I have them bad. The Sunday night blues. Probably worse than I have had them before. (I feel like the maiden tied to the stake as a sacrifice to the Kraken... Oooh, dramaaaaa!) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="194" id="il_fi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTAYMoqzXDzxPfMlirSYXXSrSbxVB0hJmMQm7rurhJWYazQBlrPG-0PBAky" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="259" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myfreewallpapers.net/fantasy/pages/perseus-vs-kraken.shtml" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A whole years has passed so tomorrow I go back to work. I am so, so nervous. I can't believe the time has gone so quickly. I feel awful that I am leaving my children to return to work. It doesn't seem fair somehow. However, I am blessed to have a wonderful mum-in-law who can't wait for me to go to work so she can spend some time with the bambinos! I know they are in safe hands which is comforting at least.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Funny Weekend Ecard: The best cure for the Sunday night blues is a Dirty Martini. Luckily I've had five so I don't even know what day it is anymore." class="main-img" height="294" src="http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1342998444557_759963.png" width="420" /><br />
<br />
I know lots of people suffer from Sunday night blues; the weekend slipping away and the return to the Monday grindstone as it were, can leave one feeling a little flat.<br />
<br />
So; here's what I did today that helped to cheer me up - maybe you could add some more in the comments box -lets banish the blues!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">1) Hugs! - </span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><u>Never</u></strong> underestimate the power of a hug. It can really help. My boys gave me lots today.... I wonder if it's because on some level they can tell mummy isn't so happy today?! Grab your nearest and dearest and hug it out!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img -="" 1888="" alt="hug by johnny_automatic - from " archive.org="archive.org" circa="" ethel="ethel" id="hug" keepsake="keepsake" s="" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/5324/johnny_automatic_hug.png" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://openclipart.org/detail/5324/hug-by-johnny_automatic"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">2) Retail therapy - </span><span style="font-size: small;">it doesn't have to be much, something small to cheer you up. Today I bought myself a bag of jelly beans and played "Guess the flavour". It's a tasty game, you really oughta try it... </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="140" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3286/2527200986_c22132f7fb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewarchy/2527200986/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">3) Starbucks - </span><span style="font-size: small;">I cant help it, love it! I still have to have decaf as I am still nursing; but it's still just as delicious!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://host2.images.cdn.fotopedia.com/d6buq3p8ercku-pWOpgffSM3g-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A cupful of bokeh." border="0" class="item-image" complete="false" src="http://host2.images.cdn.fotopedia.com/d6buq3p8ercku-pWOpgffSM3g-medium.jpg" style="max-height: 133.33px; max-width: 200px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20xmlns:cc=%22http://creativecommons.org/ns#" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" about="http://i.images.cdn.fotopedia.com/d6buq3p8ercku-pWOpgffSM3g-hd/Paris_and_Vicinity/The_City_of_Paris/13th/Starbucks_Avenue_de_France/A_cupful_of_bokeh..jpg"><span property="dct:title">A cupful of bokeh.</span> (<a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://www.fotopedia.com/users/d6buq3p8ercku">Nathan Hayag</a>) / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/">CC BY 3.0</a></div>" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">4) Read a book - </span><span style="font-size: small;">Seriously! It's great escapism. you can slip into a completely different life and time and have an adventure!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/60247/bookstack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pile of Books by J_Alves - A high stack of books, drawn in Inkscape." border="0" height="200" id="Pile of Books" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/60247/bookstack.png" width="184" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">5) Get Active - </span><span style="font-size: small;">Technically, Sunday is the fay of rest, but a little bit of motivation can help boost the happy levels. It can be anything, running, walking, cycling, dancing around like a loon to your favourite tunes even; just get on it! Today I went for a jog. Though it was hard to get going, but by the end, I was feeling much better.; even more so when I discovered I had beaten my personal best! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/2838/Machovka_bike.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bike by Machovka - " border="0" id="bike" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/2838/Machovka_bike.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">6) Be prepared - </span><span style="font-size: small;">It sounds obvious but getting everything sorted and prepared for Monday will help you feel more relaxed and you will enjoy your weekend a lot more. Thinking about Monday is the last thing you want to do, but leaving it to the last minute is a stress you can do without.</span><br />
<br />
<img alt="list / liste by lmproulx - A lineart of a list" height="200" id="list / liste" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/118645/liste.png" width="137" /><br />
<div class="launchpad">
</div>
<div id="actions-bar">
</div>
<div id="notifications-bar">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">7) Have things to look forward to - </span><span style="font-size: small;">Having things to look forward to gives you something to aim for. It maybe something special for Monday night tea, or maybe meeting up with a fried for example. Just give yourself something nice that you can look forward to getting to by the end of the day.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<img alt="calendar by CoD_fsfe - Calendar/todo/deadline icon Originally developed for www.studenti.unige.it" height="200" id="calendar" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/20496/CoD_fsfe_calendar.png" width="200" /><br />
<br />
<br />
What do you do on a Sunday to beat those blues? <br />
<br />
Wish me luck for tomorrow - Have a great week everyone!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-44365397708481834982012-09-23T00:16:00.002+01:002012-09-23T00:16:49.464+01:00REVIEW:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316120407l/12630771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316120407l/12630771.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="224" /></a><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316120407l/12630771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Spur of the Moment</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By Candace Bowen Early</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">~ Adult fiction, Historical romance, Time travel ~</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="row">
<span itemprop="bookFormatType">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">350 pages</span></div>
<div class="row">
Published February 1st 2012 by Rhemalda Publishing <nobr class="greyText"> (first published January 29th 2012)</nobr></div>
<div class="row">
<nobr class="greyText"></nobr> </div>
<div class="row">
<nobr class="greyText"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">* * * *</span></strong> out of five stars</span></nobr></div>
<div class="row">
<nobr class="greyText"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></nobr> </div>
<div class="row">
<nobr class="greyText"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></nobr> </div>
<div class="row">
<nobr class="greyText"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></nobr> </div>
<div class="row">
<nobr class="greyText"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></nobr> </div>
<div class="row">
<nobr class="greyText"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></nobr><br />
<nobr class="greyText"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></nobr><br />
<nobr class="greyText"><span style="font-size: large;">The Blurb: </span>(Via Goodreads)</nobr></div>
<div class="row">
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;">Best-selling author Bronwyn Chase never quite fit in with the 21st century. On a publicity trip to New York City, a mysterious woman claiming to be a mystic from Bronwyn’s past gives her a silver knights spur. Asked to save Euric, a man she never knew existed, Bronwyn finds herself transported to 12th-century Cornwall. Landing at the feet of an entranced Euric, she discovers the instant connection she feels to him comes from a midsummer rite gone horribly awry on the eve of her birth. Forced to face a dark wicce who plans to use Euric for her own nefarious ends, Bronwyn summons her own mystical birthright to free him.</span></em></strong>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My Review</span><br />
<br />
I'm just going to say it how it is: <strong>I reeeeeeeeeeeeally enjoyed this book</strong>; probably more so than the sequel.<br />
<br />
I instantly liked Bronwyn and thought her character was very well developed. I also felt that the author cared very much for her too. <br />
There was room in the story for Bronwyn to grow; we see how she deals with her past circumstances and also, how she deals with an agent who manipulates and uses her for her own gain. Her realisations, her strengths and her weaknesses.<br />
<br />
Her voice was easy to accept and follow which kept the pages turning.<br />
<br />
Thinking about it, I pretty much liked all the characters; which were well developed and interesting- especially Albert. You definitely need someone like him around!<br />
Even the characters who you were not meant to like were well written. Janelle was perfect as a power mad, crazy bitch! Some the confrontations between her and Bronwyn were wonderfully charged and exciting! (C'mon Bronwyn -Kick her evil little butt!)<br />
<br />
What really stood out for me with this story, is how the author dealt with Bronwyn's going back in time; I found myself giggling at points - there were some genuinely humorous moments; especially concerning language and understanding form both parties! <br />
<br />
As many of you have already read, I am not a huge romance fan, but the story between Bronwyn and Euric was wonderful to watch unfurl. Sometimes, romantic scenes can make me cringe as I feel they are overdone and "movie" style. "Cheesy" But I felt the author was very careful with the love and romance element. (which, pleasantly, resulted in my keeping lunch down! Hehe!) The author was very good at leading the reader down a road with description and leaving it just at the right stage for the reader to fill in the blanks. The interactions, thoughts and feelings were well described and believable.<br />
<br />
There came a point in which the story felt like it had finished... With 40% of the story left to go; I did wonder how the author was going to continue.. But I wasn't disappointed; in fact it was very satisfying and answered a lot of my questions about her future with Euric.<br />
<br />
All this was set in the beautiful, historic and mystic Tinatgel in Cornwall. This was a wonderful story to get lost in.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-51548259644207475412012-09-21T00:24:00.001+01:002012-09-21T00:24:14.996+01:00Review:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1343463185l/15774058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1343463185l/15774058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1343463185l/15774058.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wicked Embers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By Candace Bowen Early</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Adult fiction, Paranormal romance, Fantasy,~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><div class="row">
<span itemprop="bookFormatType"></span> </div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span itemprop="bookFormatType">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">280 pages</span></span></div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Published September 1st 2012 by Rhemalda Publishing</span></div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">* * * * out of 5 stars</span></div>
<div class="row">
</div>
<div class="row">
</div>
<div class="row">
</div>
<div class="row">
</div>
<div class="row">
</div>
<div class="row">
The Blurb: <span style="font-size: small;">(via Goodreads)</span></div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div class="row">
<span id="freeText11140897887907684073"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;"><strong>It’s been one year since Bronwyn Chase left the modern world behind, and an ancient evil is stirring in Cornwall ….<br /><br />Bree Peltier is a skeptic. She doesn’t believe in mystics or witches. Between keeping up with her university studies and falling in love with her archaeology professor, her life is complicated enough. When a vengeful spirit possesses her childhood friend and goes on a killing spree, she is forced to re-examine her beliefs. The spirit is out to destroy the descendants of Bronwyn, and Bree is the only one who can stop it. If she believes.<br /><br />Bree is a mystic. If she doesn’t embrace her birthright, she could lose everyone she has ever loved. If she does embrace it, she could lose her soul mate.</strong></span><a class="actionLinkLite" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15774058-wicked-embers#"></a></span></div>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My Review:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
Note: Won an ebook copy through "<a href="http://katysozaeva.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Now is Gone</a>" <br />
<br />
Erm, I have a confession - This is the sequel to "Spur of the moment"... Just this one arrived first. So; whilst I was waiting for that one to arrive, I thought I would just take a quick look at this one.. maybe a page or so to see how it read and I erm, didn't stop reading! So I have kind of done this a bit backwards but I think it says a lot for the authors writing style.<br />
There were references to the previous book, but it doesn't mean that you have read the first one to be able to fully appreciate the story; it was a solid piece of work in it's own right (Phew - good job really after my impatience to get on and read it!)<br />
<br />
In the first sitting I think I managed about 40% which is a huge amount to someone who's reading time is in small windows; the pages just kept turning - the story flowed and it was very easy to settle into the pace of the book.<br />
I thought the characters were well done, though Bree (protagonist) did irritate me at points. I know she was an emotional character and a lot happened to her to warrant her reactions, but it seemed to me she was crying through the whole book.<br />
<br />
I absolutely loved that the author set the book in Cornwall, and in the beautiful Tintagel. It's probably one of my most favourite places - St Nectan's Glen is beautiful. So I could place the characters in their setting. There is a lot of magic, history and folk law surrounding the place so this was a fantastic setting for the story.<br />
<br />
I am not a huge fan of romance, I am wary of it in books as I feel it can be over done, but personally, the romance works very well in this. 'Reece' not only acts as the love interest but a source of strength for Bree which helps move the story along.<br />
<br />
The ideas and concepts for the story are interesting; I particularly liked the way the author explored the ideas of souls and the after life.<br />
<br />
The ending is a bit... Well I don't want to say anything to spoil it but it wrapped things up and was actually quite satisfying.<br />
<br />
I had trouble deciding how to rate this book. I was swaying between a three and a four star rating as there were parts that didn't quite flow or irritated me. I settled for a four overall as it touched on very interesting ideas and was generally a good read.<br />
<br />
I would recommend this to people who like a paranormal romance and, are looking for something entertaining that that can be read quite quickly.</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-42179517980350882872012-09-18T18:27:00.002+01:002012-09-18T18:27:49.776+01:00Tell Me Something Tuesday #12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j467/cambriahebert/tellmesomethingbutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="media" galleryimg="no" height="200" id="fullSizedImage" src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j467/cambriahebert/tellmesomethingbutton.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's been awhile, I've missed some weeks of TMST but I've <em>finally</em> got my act together and I am joining in this week... Hurrah! And not a moment too soon as Cambria will be taking a break from TMST in October.<br />
<br />
For those who don't know, Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely <a href="http://cambriahebert.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Cambria Herbert</strong></a><strong>.</strong><br />
<br />
Each week Cambria thinks us up a question for us to answer and we all post our answers and link up. Simple; but a wonderful way for bloggers and readers to get to know each other.<br />
<br />
On with the Q!<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #a2c4c9; font-size: large;">This weeks question:</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Do you like to read stand alone novels – why or why not? What is the last stand alone novel that you read?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: #a2c4c9; font-size: large;">My answer:</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Oh yes sir-ree I do! <br />
<br />
I love to read. That's the long and short of it. The only thing that matters, is if the author can reach me through their characters, voice and story.<br />
<br />
It's strange. Before blogging, I would read mostly stand-alone novels, but since blogging and getting to read some very interesting and up-to-date booky-type blogs, I have more time for, and interest in, series books.<br />
<br />
That being said, I sometimes have trouble with books as a series. They can be great to start with only to fizzle out, or the writer can seem to "run out of steam". I know that I will probably get beaten with a book for saying this, but "The Hunger Games "was teetering on the edge of this. (Covers head awaiting flung paper backs)<br />
Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed them, but by the end of book three, boy was I glad to get to the conclusion.<br />
<br />
Sometimes a trilogy can really take a nose dive. And I mean, a really bad one. (My brother can vouch for this, he was reading a fantasy series, now I think they may end up as door stops or coasters....) They can start off great, have a long, boring middle and a lame, unbelievable ending. Thankfully, I haven't got any examples to date, it's either that, or the memory is so horrendous that I've blocked it out...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://coolpics4u.com/pictures//2012/04/cool-pictures-000018-tea-cup-and-books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://coolpics4u.com/pictures//2012/04/cool-pictures-000018-tea-cup-and-books.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://coolpics4u.com/tea-cup-and-books-cool-pictures/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can find some real gems in stand alone titles. I like that you have the beginning, middle and end in your hands all at one and not have to wait for the next instalment. It's almost as bad when you are watching a season and they end on a cliff hanger - and you know that you have to wait a whole year for the next bit. I'm not the most patient of people... <br />
<br />
The most recent stand alone novel was Inkarna by Nerine Dorman (<a href="http://readwriteblog-schez.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/review_15.html" target="_blank">read all about it here</a>)<br />
It. was. Awesome! Loved it. It was something completely different an the author concluded it beautifully. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQAEougycoftGn5xoNJzDcVDhQ81tS7_NH-KnurigCeR7Mtz-6rfA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="276" data-width="183" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQAEougycoftGn5xoNJzDcVDhQ81tS7_NH-KnurigCeR7Mtz-6rfA" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is what I think of when I think of great, stand alone titles that I have enjoyed.<br />
<br />
<img height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1335759326l/13569930.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="133" /><img height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327935362l/7749807.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="130" /><img height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://www.waterstones.com/wat/images/nbd/m/978144/470/9781444709032.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="130" /><img height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://images.contentreserve.com/ImageType-100/1567-1/%7BD78E1E7B-FBF7-47D9-A5A4-C03CB381655D%7DImg100.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="149" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-18483765105241450332012-09-17T12:42:00.000+01:002012-09-17T12:42:49.754+01:00On My Kindle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I thought I would do a fast-booky-type-post, dedicated to what's new on my Kindle (Maybe this will turn into a regular meme thing, but I don't like to run with something until I feel I can commit properly...<br />
<br />
I have been collecting some interesting titles for Kindle (and probably some not so great ones, but you have to take a risk to find the great freebies) and so I have some interesting titles to share with you guys; but what better place to start then ebooks that I have won?!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://openclipart.org/people/10binary/1297994203.svg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="happy black moon outrayj by 10binary - With the colors around it. It's easy to see why the face is happy." id="happy black moon outrayj" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/120517/1297994203.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I know, I know; it's rather like tooting ones horn, but hey, this doesn't happen to me very often so I'm ready to toot a bit...<br />
<br />
Toot-Toot-Tooooooot!<br />
<br />
I was lucky to win these over at <a href="http://katysozaeva.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Now is Gone</span></a>; run by the lovey <strong>Katy Zozaeva</strong> (go check it out, if you love books then you will certainly enjoy taking a look around!)<br />
<br />
<br />
Three interesting titles that I am really looking forward to getting into... Next question... When am I going to get time to read them all???<br />
<br />
Ah well, I'm sure I will squeeze them in somewhere... Sleep is not that important right?!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316120407l/12630771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316120407l/12630771.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="freeText17936925259437902940"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Best-selling author Bronwyn Chase never quite fit in with the 21st century. On a publicity trip to New York City, a mysterious woman claiming to be a mystic from Bronwyn’s past gives her a silver knights spur. Asked to save Euric, a man she never knew existed, Bronwyn finds herself transported to 12th-century Cornwall. Landing at the feet of an entranced Euric, she discovers the instant connection she feels to him comes from a midsummer rite gone horribly awry on the eve of her birth. Forced to face a dark Wicca who plans to use Euric for her own nefarious ends, Bronwyn summons her own mystical birthright to free him.</em></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQOHOIH6HxYyM1xQOniOlddWwdNfNy4soo9-jhfJcd1uKWy03tt" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="284" data-width="177" height="284" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQOHOIH6HxYyM1xQOniOlddWwdNfNy4soo9-jhfJcd1uKWy03tt" style="height: 284px; width: 177px;" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Bree Peltier is a sceptic. She doesn’t believe in mystics or witches. Between keeping up with her university studies and falling in love with her archaeology professor, her life is complicated enough. When a vengeful spirit possesses her childhood friend and goes on a killing spree, she is forced to re-examine her beliefs. The spirit is out to destroy the descendants of Bronwyn, and Bree is the only one who can stop it. If she believes.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327283038l/12640689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327283038l/12640689.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="freeText4232552698398842958"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Lust. Anger. Hate. Desire. Love. Happiness. Joy. iFeel. <br /><br />Liv Christianni is isolated, alone, tortured and withdrawn, saddled with the torrential downpour of the world’s emotions. Accepting of her providence Liv has lost all hope, until one day fate steps in and spins the course of her life like a spiralling top. Hunted by a Spirit Stalker, Liv is forced to gain control of herself and her surroundings, threatened by the touch of her immortal love; she must find a way to survive both physically and emotionally as her reality is shaken up like dice on a Craps table. Can she find the courage to accept her true self? Can she love unconditionally cognisant of the condemning consequences? Can she rise from the ashes to become the person she was always meant to be? </em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><br /><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">*Reviews will follow soon guys, any you like the look of/going to add to your own reading list? Anyone read any of these? What did you think?!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Thanks for taking a look!*</span></strong></em><br /></span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-47967184349214035292012-09-15T00:40:00.000+01:002012-09-15T00:40:09.173+01:00REVIEW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jTKquRLGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jTKquRLGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Inkarna</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">By Nerine Dorman</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Supernatural, Mythology, Horror, Occult, Reincarnation~</span><br />
<br />
Paperback, First, 297 pages<br />
Published June 15th 2012 by Dark Continents Publishing<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">* * * * * </span><span style="font-size: large;">out of five stars</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Blurb (</span><span style="font-size: small;">via Goodreads</span><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="googleBooksPreview" style="display: none;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="googleBooksPreview" style="display: none;"><div id="lightbox_content_163713140" style="display: none;">
<div class="viewport" id="googleBooksPreviewViewport">
<span class="loading"><strong><img alt="Loading-trans" src="http://www.goodreads.com/assets/loading-trans-3e04cd6ed6ad31063972e688820d7866.gif" /> Loading...</strong></span></div>
</div>
<a class="lightboxLink" height="610" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/google_preview/13582064" id="googleBooksPreviewLink" title="View a preview of this book" width="650"><strong><img alt="View a preview of this book online" class="inter" src="http://www.goodreads.com/assets/links/google_books_preview-4a68700c569e9caab556fa0677afc60a.gif" /></strong></a></span>
<div id="lightbox_content_163739320" style="display: none;">
<div class="viewport" id="googleBooksFullViewport">
<span class="loading"><strong><img alt="Loading-trans" src="http://www.goodreads.com/assets/loading-trans-3e04cd6ed6ad31063972e688820d7866.gif" /> Loading...</strong></span></div>
</div>
<div class="last col" id="metacol">
<div class="readable stacked" id="description" style="right: 0px;">
<span id="freeTextContainer12641420495153101075" style="display: none;"><strong>Ashton Kennedy wasn't a nice guy. He cheated on his girlfriend, knocked up a powerful drug lord's sister, and abused vast quantities of illegal narcotic substances. Whoever ran him over with a big shiny SUV was doing the world a favour. His very male, tattooed body is the last place Elizabeth Rae Perry--a member of an ancient Egyptian cult--expected to reincarnate i</strong></span><span id="freeText12641420495153101075"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Ashton Kennedy wasn't a nice guy. He cheated on his girlfriend, knocked up a powerful drug lord's sister, and abused vast quantities of illegal narcotic substances. Whoever ran him over with a big shiny SUV was doing the world a favour. His very male, tattooed body is the last place Elizabeth Rae Perry--a member of an ancient Egyptian cult--expected to reincarnate in, instead of the three-year-old girl she'd been promised.<br /><br />Not only must she now come to terms with her new existence in the body of a disagreeable man, and clean up the mess he made of his life, she also has to unravel the mystery of why House Adamastor's chapter house is standing empty and find a way to protect a dangerous secret she had no idea she was supposed to keep. As if fate couldn’t deal her another blow, she has also attracted the attention of a malicious and potentially dangerous ghost. And to top it all off, she must deal with the consequences of finding love in a most unexpected place.</em></span></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span></em><br />
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">My Review</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Wow.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">This was a total shot in the dark; take a risk read. I have just
joined NetGalley and was looking through the catalogue. Inkarna had an
interesting looking cover and said “read now” ... So I did!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The opening line reads:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“ Tomorrow will be the first time that I die...“<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></i></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Result? Hooked.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I started reading this with no background knowledge of book
or author. I didn’t read the blurb and I didn’t allow myself to read any other
reviews. This was just me and how the book made me feel whilst reading it.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">There are many strands to the story. The obvious journey to
discover why Lizzie hasn’t woken up in the body of the girl that was originally
planned, the angry ghost of Ash (wouldn’t you be slightly ticked if someone was
in your body?) The romance between Ash (Lizzy) and Marlise and add to that the
background of Egyptian mythology and an inscription that could see souls
severed and lost forever, well, then you have a wonderful concoction for a
story that sits with you long after you have finished the last page!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Initially, it took me a little while to find my footing
within the story. The language and style of voice made me feel that I might not
be able to find my pace etc, but as I slowly started to understand what was
going on the voice became easier to accept. Thanks to</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Nerine Dorman</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">’s</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">clear
and informative writing, this only took a couple of pages and it turns out that
the voice was very well suited to the character.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The ideas/concepts behind the story were very intriguing,
and not something that I have come across. I am very interested in the idea of
reincarnation but this story takes this concept a stage further with an 80 year
old woman (Lizzy) being reincarnated in the body of a 21 year old man (Ash) ...By
accident. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">It turns out that Ash (who had inhabited the body before) was
a bit of an unpleasant character to say the least and Lizzy has to face all
that comes with her new body, including those who are not so happy to see the
bloke walking around again. (Yikes)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The story was set in Africa, and I was unsure as how I was
going to take this in as someone who has never been, but the author was excellent
at setting up a scene, so I could visualise places; or at least have a sense of
the terrain the characters were travelling in.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I very much enjoyed how Dorman develops Lizzy and her voice
within Ash. She combines these characters slowly, and as a reader we observe
how Lizzy takes on more of Ash’s behaviours and lingo.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I also found the relationship between Ash (Lizzy) and his
girlfriend fascinating. Obviously, being a woman before and remembering this,
Lizzy has to disentangle thought and emotion and follow her heart.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I thought the author moved very well between characters –
with a balanced use of speech and description. If I was to be at all critical
of this, it would be to say there were a few moments where I was wishing the
story along a little quicker, but I genuinely feel this was probably more down
to my impatience and the need to find out what happened next.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">And I can honestly say that the ending felt very satisfying;
it left me wondering if the author will consider a sequel to the story. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">If you like mythology, the supernatural and something that
offers something different, then Inkarna will blow you away with its cast of
fleshed out characters and a rollercoaster of story. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
</div>
</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-1175744156922955272012-09-11T00:18:00.002+01:002012-09-11T00:18:36.920+01:00Mumma On the Run!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="background-color: #6aa84f;">*UPDATE*</span></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/58327/woman_running.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Woman running by laobc - A silhouette of a woman running." border="0" id="Woman running" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/58327/woman_running.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After my last post of woe, I thought I would blog about a much more positive aspect of my life right now, and that is my attempt to get some form of fitness into our lives and be a better example to our children.<br />
<br />
I looked at my <strong>Mumma on the Run</strong> page, knowing full well that I hadn't updated it in awhile, but it was still surprising how long it has been. My last entry is July, but hand on heart, I have been keeping up with my running and have managed to go a couple of times each week. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Keeping it moving</span></strong><br />
<br />
I started out on about two minutes, by the end of those two, teeny-weeny minutes, it felt like my lungs were on fire!(Embarrassing much?) But now I am up to twelve, solid minutes and it feels great... Nah, maybe not "great"...<br />
I feel ridiculous running round the neighbourhood, (I'm paranoid that people are pointing and laughing..) I swear I jiggle where I shouldn't jiggle and, by the time I get back to the house I'm a sweaty, exhausted mess. But I feel proud of myself! I've also lost around 5lb (Oh yeah - fist pump!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://openclipart.org/image/90px/svg_to_png/34447/sport_architetto_frances_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="#" border="0" src="http://openclipart.org/image/90px/svg_to_png/34447/sport_architetto_frances_01.png" /></a></div>
<br />
Which isn't as much as I would like but slow and steady means I'm more likely to keep it off.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="#" src="http://openclipart.org/image/90px/svg_to_png/9075/Gerald_G_Fast_Food_Lunch_Dinner_(FF_Menu)_1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Change the attitude...<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></strong></td></tr>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></strong></tbody></table>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Little Life Changes</span></strong><br />
<br />
It's no all about exercise of the body, it's also about the mind and how I feel about food in general. I've never been 'big' but this is probably the biggest I have been. And quite frankly? It sucks. <br />
When I was pregnant with my second, I hold my hands up, I don't think it was all baby weight if you catch my drift. It was more about comfort eating.<br />
<br />
So I've been taking steps:<br />
<ol>
<li><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cut the snacking. Especially at night time Sounds obvious, but it was hard to do... Tuck the kids up an denjoy the peace witht a cuppa and a snack right?!</span></em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Not buying the snacks in the first place - sticking to shopping list... Mostly... Oooh, chocolate buttons are on offer...</span></em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Reducing portion sizes... Step away from the left over pasta...</span></em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Having breakfast - helps to kick start metabolism</span></em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Running a couple of times is pointless if the rest of the time I'm sitting on my a$$... So have increased daily activities - including more walking. If I can make it without the car I do, I park further away from destinations where possible/sensible with two kiddies in tow etc</span></em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Keeping hydrated with water... I'm so rubbish at this one...</span></em></strong></li>
</ol>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Goals and Rewards</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
Goal setting also helps to keep me motivated. I weigh myself each month, this way I can set weight targets without being obsessed by the scales.<br />
And now I have conquered twelve minutes, the next step is to extend my circuit a tiny bit more. It's about realistic goals. If something doesn't work then I just scale it back and try again.<br />
<br />
And rewards? Well, I have to decide that of I can reach a certain weight by the end of this month, then I will treat myself to a new pair of running trainers.<br />
<br />
What makes me smile, is that my healthier life-style is already having a positive effect on my family. My husband and I are more conscience about what we eat, (whilst being realistic) and our 2.5 year old told us that he wanted to wear his "exercise trousers" (his jogging bottoms) so he could run like mummy... he then ran around the living room....<br />
<br />
Heehee!<br />
<br />
Anyone else doing the running thing?! Would love to hear any tips on keeping fit; or easy recipe links for meal ideas!<br />
<br />
Keep happy peeps, thanks for readin'!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-68785342165316898162012-09-10T00:54:00.000+01:002012-09-10T00:54:37.762+01:00An Early "Midlife" Crisis?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Oh $h*t.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<a href="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/46075/stop-watch.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="stop watch by klaasvangend - This is the fixed version of my original stop watch (or chronograph) - I now converted the numbers to curves so it displays on all computers." border="0" height="200" id="stop watch" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/46075/stop-watch.png" width="149" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The count down has begun. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have two weeks left at home with my darling boys; before the dreaded return to work after maternity leave.<br />
<br />
I don't know why, but I somehow convinced myself that it would be O.K. this time 'round, that I would be able to cope much better but I am on official <span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>FREAK OUT</em></strong></span> peeps!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="161" id="il_fi" src="http://thumbs.gograph.com/gg58054096.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="170" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shhh, I'm hiding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's made worse by the fact that I think I am having a midlife crisis of sorts... (Doesn't the term "Midlife Crisis" actually refer to one being in midlife?! I'm not there yet...)<br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Brace yourself, rambled explanation to follow:</strong></span></em><br />
<br />
When I was in school, I decided that I would follow a career in nursery nursing as it would result in a stable job. Being the eldest of six kids and supporting my siblings upbringing, childcare was the natural/obvious route to go.<br />
I worked hard, got into college, (had a fit of rebellion and nearly messed it up) qualified and went into work.<br />
<br />
A couple jobs later (due to bullies making me move on) I settled at my current job. Career-wise, I was finally happy.<br />
<br />
Then my miracles came into the world and suddenly it's all changed.<br />
<br />
Having my own children has made me re-evaluate <em>everything.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Green - Query Icon by ryanlerch - an icon using the triangle shape in the icons by molumen, but using a question mark instead of a exclamation mark." height="200" id="Green - Query Icon" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/1678/ryanlerch_Green_-_Query_Icon.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="192" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where do I go from here?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em></em><br />
It just seems weird to me that I am leaving my own children to go and care for someone else's all day. <br />
It wasn't too bad when I went back to work the first time. I just went back into my usual role, working in the foundation stage of the school (2-5 year olds).<br />
<br />
This time around, a year away has made a heck of a difference. There have been huge staff changes including several new Head teachers. Also, my line manager has gone on long term sick and no one knows if she will return.<br />
I am not even returning to my usual role. I am being placed within a "nurture group". Translation? Year one kids who can't technically cope with year one. <br />
<br />
In reality, this won't be bad. My normal, seeing-things-rationally-self would observe this as an awesome, new challenge. But I can't seem to shift the feeling that the school just didn't know what to do with me, as I wanted part time hours, so I was more of an inconvenience. An: oops, we gotta get her back in somewhere, after-thought.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, nothing makes sense. I don't want this career anymore. I don't want to leave my children... But I have a mortgage to pay and mouths to feed. I have no choice.<br />
<br />
College has been on my mind. But what would I study? Where do I want to go exactly? Could I even leave my job? The thought of leaving to try something else (possibly failing) is daunting. At least with this job, it's term time only, which works quite nicely having children... What is it they say? Swings and round-abouts?!<br />
<br />
It's not just returning to work which has sent my head in spin, it's the thought that we need to move house as this one is so cramped. It's all the decorating jobs left undone...<br />
It's the fact that my eldest boy OJ, is going through so much change himself. He's potty training, got his first "big-boy's" bed and he will be starting pre-school in October (hopefully, if the setting I really want him to go can give him a place.... Stressed much?! *sigh* )<br />
<br />
I'm lucky that my kids are going to be cared for by my mum-in-law, a lady who I adore and have a fab relationship with, but it doesn't stop the pang of jealousy that she will have my boys. Especially the fact she will be supporting OJ when he starts pre-school. At risk of sounding over-sensitive/dramatic, the thoughts have almost brought me to tears.<br />
<br />
I've been tying myself in knots. I just feel that I am missing something. I should be doing something different with my life but I just can't seem to find it. The more I look, the more elusive the answer.<br />
I would love to just read and write all day, but I have to stop the day dreaming and actually construct some kind of realistic, sustainable plan.<br />
<br />
Maybe I should just give in to the crisis...<br />
<br />
I'll get a tattoo...<br />
<br />
(Isn't that what people do when suffering the midlife crisis?)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://openclipart.org/people/ivoermejo/Dragon.svg"><img alt="Dragon by ivoermejo - " id="Dragon" src="http://openclipart.org/image/250px/svg_to_png/168390/Dragon.png" /></a><a href="http://openclipart.org/people/ryanlerch/ryanlerch_Green_-_Query_Icon.svg"></a><br />
<br />
It's that or the leather jacket and motor bike...<br />
<br />
Apologies for the ramble, there is just so much change to deal with. Any thoughts/suggestions welcome!<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! (I feel better!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-63835387509093031822012-09-08T00:44:00.003+01:002012-09-08T00:44:46.715+01:00Blogger Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Hi Bloggers!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>A confession:</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
I am a bad blogger... On the 2nd September Desirae over at: <a href="http://blog.desiraer.com/2012/09/02/bump-and-award/" target="_blank">The Not So Ugly Ducklings</a> popped in to award my little bloggy space with a Liebster Award:<br />
<br />
Ker-ching:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzsCqqYMMJBsdGWdWm8NZcy57Dq_0txQdFG9aCpcJDTWMdOJQrD8xI0XVRU20h2XIGTkDvL6Vpa9rcIa7ZRxUTVFy9rvpBhk0DF3HUZgOmww3O0evfjbFQitmbx5AKDSjEbBrBV0uo5Fe/s1600/liebster-blog-button-pic+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzsCqqYMMJBsdGWdWm8NZcy57Dq_0txQdFG9aCpcJDTWMdOJQrD8xI0XVRU20h2XIGTkDvL6Vpa9rcIa7ZRxUTVFy9rvpBhk0DF3HUZgOmww3O0evfjbFQitmbx5AKDSjEbBrBV0uo5Fe/s1600/liebster-blog-button-pic+3.png" /></a></div>
I am very honoured as this is my third nomination and it means a lot; it's a lovely reminder that my blog does really reach people.<br />
<br />
So a <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>HUGE </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;">thank you to Desirae and apologies for not getting this post up quicker!</span><br />
<br />
So without further ado:<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #20124d;">The Rules:</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #20124d;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #20124d;">1) Post 11 facts about yourself</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #20124d;">2) Answer the tagger's 11 questions</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #20124d;">3) Create 11 questions for your own nominees</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #20124d;">4) Tag the nominees and let them know they have been nominated</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #20124d;">5)Nominees must have 200 followers or less, and you can't "tag back"</span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
11 FACTS ABOUT LIL' O1' ME<br />
<ol>
<li>I had my first 'real' job just before my 13th birthday in a green grocers; my interview was: <em>Manager: </em>"Can you lift a bag of spuds?" <em>Me: </em>"Er, yes?!" <em>Manager:</em> "Okay, see you tomorrow"</li>
<li>Autumn is my favourite season</li>
<li>I sing when I think no-one is listening - especially in the car</li>
<li>The muppets make me laugh</li>
<li>... So does Eddy Izzard</li>
<li>I love looking at the stars, I used to sneak to the window to look out at them when mum turned out the light at bed time</li>
<li>I can only eat mashed potato as part of a cottage pie... Can't eat it as is... weird</li>
<li>I'm a daydreamer</li>
<li>I love being at the beach but I'm not brave enough to swim in the sea</li>
<li>I haven't had an alcaholic beverage since 2009 when we started trying for our fisrt baby...</li>
<li>I would love a tia maria and coke ... but still nursing...</li>
</ol>
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>And now Desirae's 11 Q's...</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">1. What is the best book you have read in the last year?</span></strong><br />
It's been a great year so far for books... I truly couldn't choose one... The most recent books that stand out are Redhead by Ian Cook, Swift by R J Anderson, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Jelly Bean Crisis bu Jolene Stockman... And many more...<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2. What was your best holiday?</span></strong><br />
Being from a large family and not a lot of money, holidays are very few and far between, so any holiday is very special. I have treasured memories of breaks in Cornwall, but the best holiday was when my husband surprised me on my 21st birthday with a holiday to Amsterdam. (It was my first time on a plane -Awesome!)<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">3. What is your favourite part about blogging?</span></strong><br />
All of it! I love that I have somewhere to channel thoughts and ideas; I also love that I get to meet like (and not so like) minded people. It's fab!<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">4. What’s the strangest talent you have?</span></strong><br />
Talent? I'm afraid I haven't got any interesting ones... =0)<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">5. What is your favourite movie?</span></strong><br />
Uh-oh... My favourite movie? Erm... I have lots! But I guess "The Crow" is somewhere around the top...<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">6. If you could pick a book you’ve read to make into a movie, which one would you choose?</span></strong><br />
Easy. Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">7. What are the most important 3 things in your life?</span></strong><br />
My family, my books and music.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">8. What is something most people don’t know about you?</span></strong><br />
I record my dreams and don't like driving at night time. It freaks me out.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">9. Are you addicted to any Facebook games? If so, which ones?</span></strong><br />
I am on Facebook but I don't use it very often... <br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">10. What is your favourite social media site?</span></strong><br />
Goodreads.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">11. If a cow laughed real hard, would milk come out her nose?</span></strong><br />
Erm..., No idea but if I had been drinking milk at the time of reading this Q; it may well have come out of mine...<br />
<br />
Now, becuase I'm a bad-a$$ blogger rebel, I am not going to pass this award on.... Only because the blogs I would award haven't changed and I can't award again...<br />
<br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-28272845793631479992012-09-05T23:46:00.000+01:002012-09-05T23:46:29.594+01:00REVIEW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1336993879l/13628085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1336993879l/13628085.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="260" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">Redhead</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">By Ian Cook</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~ Mythology, Horror, Occult, Adventure, Supernatural, Thriller ~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="row">
<span itemprop="bookFormatType">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">360 pages</span></div>
<div class="row">
Published February 1st 2012 by Matador</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">* * * * * out of five stars</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>The Blurb:</strong> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(via Goodreads)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #0c343d;"><strong>Redheads have always attracted attention: desired, envied, pitied, ridiculed, even persecuted. Now the sacrifices begin…<br /><br />In 1921, in the ruined city of Carthage near Tunis, a red-haired French archaeologist hears the cries of long-dead children as he stumbles upon a legendary sacrificial site. Shortly afterwards, he is viciously attacked by a hawk.<br /><br />Back in present-day London, flame-haired journalist Rebecca Burns investigates strange and macabre events which seem to be directed against redheads worldwide. Together with young astrophysicist Dr Jim Cavendish and Professor Larry Burton, an authority on ancient civilisations, she is drawn into an age-old feud…a feud that threatens the very existence of redheads everywhere.</strong></span></em><br />
<br />
<strong>My Review:</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
I was very lucky to receive this signed copy from the author on "First Reads"...<br />
<br />
This book was awesome! I don't think I have come across this kind of plot line. Mr Cook has woven a completely unique/original tale in Redhead. <br />
<br />
It gives extraordinary detail about the myths across the globe surrounding redheads; with a wonderful slice of horror and adventure on the side. The mythological characters are brought to life within the pages.<br />
<br />
The story is fast paced with short chapters that really work and keep it moving. The style is descriptive but not overly, so you don't feel that your wading through miles of description, yet the author still manages to place you in the scene and moment. This works very well with some of the chilling scenes/action.<br />
<br />
The characters are well developed; including the sly Dr Neferatu who you distrust in a matter of seconds of him appearing (rightfully so - he's evil...)<br />
Rebecca is fiery, determined and brave. I really liked her. Jim's character worked as the blossoming romance and the sceptical scientist but, my favourite character had to be Jim's friend Prof. Larry Burton. He was written as a warm, clever and open minded character.<br />
<br />
There are so many wonderful elements to the book; I would say there was some predictability within the story, but this is handled very well by the author and conclusions were satisfying.<br />
<br />
I am so glad to have won this copy, as I don't know if I would have come across it otherwise. The whole package was a great read; very interesting and a unique plot.<br />
<br />
Would recommend to fans of mythology and adventure.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-78309343786543494382012-09-05T00:17:00.001+01:002012-09-05T00:26:44.424+01:00REVIEW:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1335759326l/13569930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1335759326l/13569930.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="266" /></a><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Jelly Bean Crisis </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">By Jolene Stockman</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<br />
~<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> YA/Life/Realistic/Contemporary</span></strong>~<br />
<br />
<div class="row">
<span itemprop="bookFormatType">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">308 pages</span></div>
<div class="row">
Published August 1st 2012 by CreateSpace</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">***** out of 5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Blurb:</strong> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Via Goodreads)</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText10353966739933882327"><em><span style="color: #45818e;">A total meltdown. The whole school watching. Now Poppy’s an ex-straight-A with no Plan B.<br /><br />When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.<br /><br />Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love. The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.</span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>My Review:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
I absolutely loved this book.<br />
<br />
I first saw a review for "The Jelly Bean Crisis" on a book blog, I instantly fell in love with the cover and it got me reading the review. As soon as I got my Kindle it went straight on there! <br />
<br />
And I wasn't disappointed.<br />
<br />
Poppy thinks she has it all worked out. Or rather, it all seems to be mapped out for her. She has her friends, she is a straight A student and to top it off she wins herself a scholarship... That's when she has her melt down and we learn about the jelly bean theory...<br />
We all have systems (especially when it comes to eating jelly beans right?!), Poppy's theory is: eat all the not-so-good ones first so you are left to eat the best ones at the end. This theory also seems to apply to her life. She is getting all the worst bits out of the way first; school, college, etc to get to the best part at the end... A career in finance. <br />
<br />
But she starts to wonder who she is actually doing it for and if she will be happy.<br />
<br />
Stockman's writing style was easy to get into and just seemed to be fluid. I quickly relaxed into the pace and really enjoyed getting to know the characters.<br />
I think what makes the book so great is that the character Poppy is someone who many of us can identify with. At some point in our lives (and for some, it's something that stays with us) we all ask: Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing with this life?<br />
<br />
I thought Poppy's voice and character was believable and had me rooting for her all the way. The scary thing about this book, is how much you can relate to her. I kept finding myself nodding in agreement and determined to keep reading so I could see what she was to discover next.<br />
As the story progressed, I also thought her character did too; she seemed to get stronger and a bit more 'gutsy'.<br />
I particularly liked her grandmother; and I also liked the whiff of romance to the book - which wasn't overdone and was charming to follow alongside all the other events in the book.<br />
<br />
Overall, the book is very well written, a believable and strong protagonist and a wonderful plot line.<br />
It's a great read and I would recommend to anyone who would enjoy an inspirational read.<br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-83524314488745729352012-09-02T19:56:00.000+01:002012-09-02T19:56:17.420+01:00The Long Awaited...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">ASH </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">By James Herbert</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><img height="277" id="il_fi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQJa4SxOxN3BJs5sMD0jla4iyMnoLtQuPJiORqOYFtIKQM6omqA&t=1" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="182" /></span><br />
<br />
IT'S HERE!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">*SQUEALS*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
O.K. guys, first let me apologise in advance if the horror genre is not your thing, it's just I am sooooooo excited about this book finally making it out into the world.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">James Herbert</span></strong> is one of Britain's most successful horror writers, a true master of the genre and I absolutely love his spine-chilling work.<br />
<br />
Not only has James Herbert received an OBE<strong> (Order of the British Empire)</strong> in 2010 for Services to Literature, at Buckingham Palace (I wonder if Her Majesty enjoys his work?!) he was also awarded: <strong>The World Horror Convention Grand Master Award</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">~James Herbert has been awarded The World Horror Convention Grand Master Award. A yearly distinction given to an author who has contributed greatly to the field of horror literature. James was presented with the award in March at the 2010 Convention in Brighton, and joins the illustrious company of previous winners who have included Stephen King, Dean R. Koontz, Anne Rice, Ray Bradbury, Clive Barker, Peter Straub, Brian Lumley, Ramsey Campbell and Tanith Lee... ~ <a href="http://www.jamesherbert.com/news-about-james-herbert.html">http://www.jamesherbert.com/news-about-james-herbert.html</a></span></strong></em><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></strong></em><br />
<br />
After reading "The Secret of Crickley Hall" (2006) I couldn't wait for his next work... The work was due for publication in October 2010... <br />
<br />
<strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">And waiting....</span></u></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></em></strong><br />
And so, as the publication date drew ever closer; I was getting more and more excited. Only when I checked back, I saw that the release date had been pushed back even further to August 2012. I was just a little more than disappointed and the waiting continued.<br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Victory!</span></u></strong><br />
<br />
Finally, August 30th came around and I now have the copy here with me now (strokes the cover)! Haha! ...<br />
<br />
The only problem is, that now I am worried. What if the wait and excitement (not to mention the almost hyperventilation when getting my hands on a copy) just wasn't worth it? What if I just can't get into the story? The characters? The flow? It's a nerve wracking times peeps.<br />
<br />
I am still feverishly finishing two other books so I can start it... (<span style="color: #660000;"><strong>Redhead</strong></span> by Ian Cook and <span style="color: #660000;"><strong>The Jelly Bean Crisis</strong></span> by Jolene Stockman ~ awesome books with reviews soon to follow here on Read, Write, Blog ;0) )<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">BBC turns Crickley Hall into a three-part drama</span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kKfR9At3LFA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I also found this little bit of exciting news for other J.H fans. His fantastic haunted-house novel; <strong>The Secret Of Crickley Hall</strong> is due to be aired by the BBC in time for Halloween. Below is the Youtube trailer.<br />
<br />
Has there been a particular book you have been excited about this year or is there one you are salivating at the thought of?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-73459970015408813312012-08-30T01:27:00.002+01:002012-08-30T01:27:35.965+01:00REVIEW:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>The Dead Girls Dance ~ Morganville #2</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Rachel Caine</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>YA Paranormal/ Urban Fantasy/ Vampire</em> </span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">* * * *</span> 4 out of five stars</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Blurb: (Via Goodreads)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></strong><br />
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZDurtK_TUUTymXSQ5xHh2UjQkVXM3anCefujJ8_IaUZ4arfLnaw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="280" data-width="180" height="280" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZDurtK_TUUTymXSQ5xHh2UjQkVXM3anCefujJ8_IaUZ4arfLnaw" style="height: 280px; width: 180px;" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="freeText12302333272020140903"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"Claire Danvers has her share of challenges---like being a genius in a school that favours beauty over brains, dealing with the homicidal girls in her dorm, and above all, finding out that her college town is overrun with vampires. On the up side, she has a great roommate (who tends to disappear at sunup) and a new boyfriend named Shane, whose vampire-hunting dad has called in backup: cycle punks who like the idea of killing just about anything.<br /><br />Now a fraternity is throwing its annual Dead Girls' Dance and---surprise!---Claire and her equally outcast best friend, Eve, have been invited. When they find out why, all hell is going to break loose. Because this time both the living and the dead are coming out---and everybody's</em> hungry for blood..."</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><div class="uitext stacked darkGreyText" id="details">
<div class="row">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br /></div>
</div>
</span><br />
<div class="uitext stacked darkGreyText" id="details">
<div class="row">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>My Review:</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>My first comment</strong> has to be; wow to Rachel Caine! How did she come up with such a winning formula?! The Morganville series is totally working for me. It took quite a long time for me to actually pick up the series; mainly as I was so sceptical about the hype around the books.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think what Ms Caine has done so well, is the depth of her characters. I absolutely love them and was gripped from the start. Each of the main characters (Claire, Eve, Michale and Shane) feels unique. All four characters have their own voice and style. They each have different levels/dimensions; ones that you like and others that you dislike. It really brings them to life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As the reader, you share in each of the characters development and journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I also love to hate the bad-guys and bullies. For instance, Monica is class 'A' bitch and you can't help but feel "hell-yeah" when Claire gets some shots back at her, and Oliver (vamp in coffee shop) is deliciously evil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Book one left us shocked, and by the end of book two it left me ready to go out at whatever ridiculous time of night it was to get book three... (I think late-night book shops would be an awesome idea...)</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am still unsure if this series will be able to keep it up though. With twelve books published and #13 (Bitter Blood) set for release in November (and then two more scheduled for release in 2013); I am wondering how much more the series has got going for it?! Seriously, can it keep up the pace? How many ways could this go? Can each storyline be completely different etc?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The story is fast paced and picks up where it left off, I'm dying to go into more detail about my thoughts on the first chapter but it would spoil it for those who haven't started the series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But it jumps right in and deals with the issues book one left us with and then and takes us on a rescue mission for Shane. Along the way there are both the Vamps and biker dudes to contend with (and these are somehow meaner; at least the Vamps have some rules) and also a house with a bathroom that transports you to some weird study with the head Vampire... Hmm-mm... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">There was however a point in the story where I wondered about the time scale. It may have just been how I read it, but there was an awful lot of action packed into what should have been a couple of hours, so that didn't quite work - however, this didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have to say, for me personally, the books (so far) are easy reading. I wouldn't say that the writing is spectacular *shock* but it flows very well and the voice and style of the charaters are believable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I also like that there is a "sneak peek" at Eve's diary at the end of the books and we get to see events from her point of view; in this particular instance, it also helped to piece a few things together</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Overall, if you are a vampire fan and looking for something that is fast paced and with plenty of action then Morganville is definitely one to get your teeth into... ;0) (Oooooh... Don't roll your eyes like that - I couldn't resist!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31xwJQdnkpL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></a></div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-61233923631806655082012-08-28T01:53:00.000+01:002012-08-28T01:53:00.621+01:00Books Through The Post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I never...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I wrote a post a couple of weeks ago saying how I managed to win myself a copy Of <strong>Redhed </strong>by Ian Cook. Well, I've finally managed to make my way down the TBR asap pile, to starting it! And then, to my utter amazement, two more books popped through the letter box! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am soooooo excited... Like a little kid at Christmas! Hehehe! What can be better than a good book? Answer? Three free ones through the post - <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">Hooray!</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBz8F7Fb17HXoGKZ9zC_W8IeZ_bzsNL-pfO9NiLjpjUxsX1lUHpveesaI1n9xEJMzFfxW2-5xdJ0gIns7wrV4pO40W7Ll6EhtbAGqjpG6HPlWkrq2rC7iKBav-ex1MhD0U7Olo90LxxPM/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBz8F7Fb17HXoGKZ9zC_W8IeZ_bzsNL-pfO9NiLjpjUxsX1lUHpveesaI1n9xEJMzFfxW2-5xdJ0gIns7wrV4pO40W7Ll6EhtbAGqjpG6HPlWkrq2rC7iKBav-ex1MhD0U7Olo90LxxPM/s320/image.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fantastic Freebies</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) <strong><u>Currently reading:</u></strong> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">REDHEADS</span> by Ian Cook</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Revenant Rising</span> (Book 1: Second Chances) by M. M. Mayle</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Ship of Haunts: The Other Titanic Story</span> by Ellie Stevenson</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep your peepers peeled for the upcoming reviews!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-61092395629799529022012-08-25T11:50:00.000+01:002012-08-29T23:58:00.885+01:00Author I Have Just "Discovered"...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">R J Anderson:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="250" id="il_fi" src="http://www.rj-anderson.com/img/Rebecca6x9_300finSt-Small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="250" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rj-anderson.com/bio.htm" target="_blank">R J Anderson</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<br />
There are times when you stumble across a book that you just wanna shout about and "Swift" is probably one of them.<br />
<br />
I have grown up loving classic tales such as Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia - There is something about R J Anderson's writing in Swift that took me back to that feeling but with an added "edge".<br />
<br />
It was actually my mum-in-law that passed me a copy of Swift, and I'm sooooo glad she did. In fact we liked her story so much that my mum-in-law went out and bought the previous trilogy!<br />
<br />
The story is classed as "children's" but in all honesty, it's an enjoyable read for anyone. What I also like about her story is that her researh in Cornish faery tales shines through her writing.<br />
<br />
If you like a faery tale with a twist then I can't recommend this book enough...<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://images.thebookpeople.co.uk/images/books/medium/ADBJF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://images.thebookpeople.co.uk/images/books/medium/ADBJF.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="209" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Review:</span><br />
<br />
(Via Goodreads)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13516537-swift"><span style="font-size: large;">Swift</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> by </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1330287.R_J_Anderson"><span style="font-size: large;">R.J. Anderson</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My rating: </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/394531414"><span style="font-size: large;">5 of 5 stars</span></a><br />
<br />
<div class="row">
<span itemprop="bookFormatType">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">368 pages</span></div>
<div class="row">
Published March 1st 2012 by Orchard Books </div>
<div class="buttons">
<a class="left inter actionLinkLite" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11693825-swift#" id="bookDataBoxShow" style="display: none;">more details...</a><br />
<div class="uitext" id="bookDataBox" style="margin: 10px 0px;">
<div class="clearFloats">
<div class="infoBoxRowTitle">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Blurb:</strong><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText5493913797559850478"><em>Ivy sensed the stone hurtling towards her and rolled - too late. Heat scored across her back in a blaze of dazzling pain. The ground spiralled to meet her, and she knew it would only be seconds before she hit...</em><br /><br />Ivy is a determined young faery, living in an abandoned tin mine with her clan. In a cruel twist of fate she was born without wings, and she longs to fly like the others. When she meets an enigmatic stranger, he seems to offer an answer. But there is more to him than meets the eye...<br /><br /><strong>My Review:</strong></span><br />
<br />
The book first introduces us to Ivy, a young Piskey born without wings who is about to participate in her first, annual "Lighting celebration". It will be the first time when she will leave the Delve, her home deep in an abandoned mine; but things don't end well when their mother vanishes. It is believed that she has been taken by thin, wispy creatures known as spriggans.<br />
<br />
Five years on and their father has become silent shell of his former self, and spends all of his time working deep in the tunnels. Ivy runs the home and looks after them all, including her brother and sister.<br />
But when another Piskey goes missing; it is assumed Spriggans are behind it... <br />
<br />
When they catch what they suspect is a Spriggan, stories and mysteries begin to unravel and Ivy has to learn who she can trust and fast!<br />
<br />
There were so many things that I loved about this book. I loved the way that the author has developed the scenes and characters. It flowed easily and captured the imagination.<br />
I did find that it took a few pages to really get into it but once absorbed into it; it was so hard to put down and I found myself sneaking a couple of pages whenever I could!<br />
<br />
I really liked Ivy's character and you find out a lot of her background as she does. It is written from her perspective so you learn along with her; who to trust and what piece of the puzzle goes where.<br />
There was a specific moment in the book where there is a realisation about her mother... And it's so cleverly done that you realise seconds before Ivy. I can't say much more without spoiling it but there is plenty of plot twist to keep you guessing.<br />
<br />
This wasn't a predictable, pink and fluffy fairy story. The characters in the book were more solid and well developed then other pieces I have come across; and therefore making them more believable.<br />
<br />
Overall, a very entertaining and well written/thought out book.
Can't wait for the next instalment!</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3308094437128930801.post-69407192118586150962012-08-25T01:39:00.001+01:002012-08-25T01:39:26.070+01:00REVIEW:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Masquerade </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cambria Hebert</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQOgOHGI-XL5yfZeMJaMFu--3avYjYyvU5nvVrt6ym6_bGU_SsHsw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="274" data-width="184" height="274" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQOgOHGI-XL5yfZeMJaMFu--3avYjYyvU5nvVrt6ym6_bGU_SsHsw" style="height: 274px; width: 184px;" width="184" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12964275-masquerade" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Via Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My rating: <span style="color: purple;"><strong>4 of 5 stars</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="row">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span itemprop="bookFormatType">ebook</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">392 pages</span></span></div>
<div class="row">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Published December 16th 2011 by Otherworld Publications <nobr class="greyText"> (first published December 7th 2011)</nobr></span></div>
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heven</span></em></strong><br />
<span id="freeText6303482894755198810"><strong><em><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before. Everything was so much better Before. I wasn’t haunted by nightmares, my place at school was secure and my face was flawless. Now, I’m a freak and everything has changed. The worst part is that I can’t remember the night I was sentenced to the shadows. The memory has been stolen from me and I just can’t shake the feeling that someone, something is out there -watching.<br /><br />Just when I think I have my life handled, Sam, with his intimidating golden stare and shiver inducing voice, makes me realise that I don’t know anything. He makes me see that my scars don’t matter. That they never mattered. I can’t help but fall for him, completely unknowing that he knows exactly how I got this way. Not knowing he was involved.<br /><br />***<br />Sam<br />Heven has no idea how closely death stalks her. She has no idea what I have done to keep her alive. I fear the day she learns my secrets, finds out what I really am. But even then I cannot stop, I vow to make things right. Finally her hunter will be hunted, Heaven and Hell, faith and sin will battle, and we will be victorious. But first, Heven must learn to be what she never imagined. I know her strength is there – I feel it. If we are to overcome all odds, she must push past her flaws - her frailties - to become much more.</span></em></strong><a class="actionLinkLite" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12964275-masquerade#"></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Review</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed Masquerade. If I am honest I don't tend to read a lot of this genre; but this book has probably opened that gate a little wider for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had this perception of the genre being predictable, lovey-mush but Masquerade has totally smashed that entire perception. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was instantly drawn in, could form connections with the characters and couldn't put it down!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story first introduces us to popular and beautiful Heven. But things change one night when she is attacked and left with scars to her face. She recedes into herself and things can never be like before... She needs to discover what and why things have happened to her... evil is right behind her. Cue gorgeous, husky voiced and protective Sam. (I'm not a fan of "gooey", but Sam is dreamy!) The couple get together despite Hevens low self-esteem; but there is more to Sam than meets the eye. If Heven was to discover the truth; it may mean the end of the romance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was swaying between a four and five star rating for a little while; I settled on a four star based on the the fact I felt there was a fair bit of descriptive repetition (and eye rolling) in romantic scenes between the main characters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I felt the writing was strong and the story captivated my interest and imagination. I very much liked the ideas running through the story. The pace was a little slow in places, but I thought that bases were covered in characters backgrounds (something which I like stories; especially if I care about the characters).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The voice of both main characters was strong and believable. I really liked how the story was told from both of their prospectives. I thought it was well thought out and ran smoothly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the charcters seems to be very well developed, in role and in voice. Heven best friend Kimber was one to watch during the story. I started off liking her.. but little snippets of her character kept me re-thinking my evaluation of her. In some respects I could totally see where she was coming from but there were other points were I disliked her. (Can't give much more away I'm afraid!) I especially loved Heven's Grandmother; and her mother shocked me... All done very well!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is plenty of plot twist to keep the pages turning. There were points where I believed I knew what was coming next, only to be delighted with Cambria's twist and new direction.The end of the story demands that you find out what happens next.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys YA paranormal-romance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have now downloaded next book; Charade... ;0)</span><br />
</div>
Schezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12448528071896661731noreply@blogger.com0