tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41527714918396524592024-03-13T18:35:06.031-04:00Shhh.... Not While I'm Reading“To feel most beautifully alive means to be reading something beautiful, ready always to apprehend in the flow of language the sudden flash of poetry.” - Gaston BachelardWildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.comBlogger573125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-34797973382618898292018-02-14T11:32:00.001-05:002018-02-14T11:32:26.757-05:00Review - The Apothecary's Curse by Barbara Barnett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Title</b>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apothecarys-Curse-Barbara-Barnett/dp/1633882330/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457895155&sr=8-1&keywords=apothecary%27s+curse">THE APOTHECARY’S CURSE</a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Author</b><b>: </b><a href="http://www.barbarabarnett.com/">Barbara Barnett</a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Publisher</b><b>: </b><a href="http://pyrsf.com/">Pyr Books</a><b> </b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Pages</b><b>: </b>345</div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Genre</b><b>: </b>Historical Fiction/Gaslamp Fantasy/Urban Fantasy</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esD0HTQtfZw/WoNbuDXdViI/AAAAAAAABS8/T_engesSWF8fyuVDM41zUfFdrpzQpuDkQCLcBGAs/s1600/getPart.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esD0HTQtfZw/WoNbuDXdViI/AAAAAAAABS8/T_engesSWF8fyuVDM41zUfFdrpzQpuDkQCLcBGAs/s320/getPart.jpeg" width="212" /></a><br />
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This Bram Stoker Award-nominated urban fantasy mixes alchemy and genetics as a gentleman physician and a brilliant apothecary try to prevent a pharmaceutical company from exploiting the book that made them immortal centuries ago.<br />
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In Victorian London, the fates of physician Simon Bell and apothecary Gaelan Erceldoune entwine when Simon gives his wife an elixir created by Gaelan from an ancient manuscript. Meant to cure her cancer, it kills her. Suicidal, Simon swallows the remainder—only to find he cannot die.<br />
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Five years later, hearing rumors of a Bedlam inmate with regenerative powers like his own, Simon is shocked to discover it’s Gaelan. The two men conceal their immortality, but the only hope of reversing their condition rests with Gaelan’s missing manuscript.<br />
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When modern-day pharmaceutical company Transdiff Genomics unearths diaries describing the torture of Bedlam inmates, the company’s scientists suspect a link between Gaelan and an unnamed inmate. Gaelan and Genomics geneticist Anne Shawe are powerfully drawn to each other, and her family connection to his manuscript leads to a stunning revelation. Will it bring ruin or redemption?
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I was excited to read the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29236424-the-apothecary-s-curse?from_search=true">The Apothecary's Curse</a> by Barbara Barnett for a couple of reasons. One, I love all things Victorian. I am fascinated by the time period and I love books and movies that are set during that point. And two, I am a very amateur herbalist. I love that plants can become medicines and I've been trying to learn everything I can about how to use them. So this book seemed a perfect one to read.<br />
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The story is told in two different time periods, jumping back and forth frequently between the two. At first I thought that would be confusing, even with the headings at the beginnings of the chapters (because I sometimes miss those), but it isn't. The story moves pretty fluidly between modern day and Victorian era.<br />
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There are two main characters in this story. Although it begins with Simon seeming to be the principle, Gaelan ends up, to me, being the more interesting and fleshed out. He's certainly the more sympathetic of the two.<br />
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Simon has lost his wife, yes, in a horrifying and terrible way. But he manages to summon her ghost some time after she's passed during a seance and refuses to will her away so that her spirit can rest in peace. She's amiable at first, loving, like in life. But the longer she's forced to endure when she'd rather be at rest, the angrier she gets until she finally tells Simon, more or less, that if he thinks she's going to spend eternity with him after he finally manages to die he's crazy.<br />
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Gaelan quite literally has his wife and his child torn from him during a time when he seems to be the only one who can help them both. Never to see them again. Alive or in death. Despite his tragedy he manages to find love again after enduring years of unending and unimaginable torture that would break the soul and spirit of any other man. Only to have to leave her behind when he goes to America. Knowing that while she would grow old as life intends, he would not, and they both would come to resent one another.<br />
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Anne is a character introduced late in the scheme of things, but she finds her place in it all pretty quickly. She's got a good moral compass about her and she brings life back to Gaelan when he seems to have been just floating on, surviving day after day. She's fierce and determined and I think she is a wonderful addition to it all.<br />
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The whole thing ends up suspenseful in a way I had not expected. The story jumps back and forth in time in the most perfect way to set about the climax. I have not reviewed, or finished a book for that matter, in what seems like a very long time, and I think this was the perfect one to jump back in with. It's exciting and tragic and as I said before, I absolutely love all things Victorian. It's a heartbreaker, but definitely worth a read.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FfAsMYynP0/WoOS5WjzzGI/AAAAAAAABTg/y5E19_mb9Lgl_gxcoAHX94xXLZHsRsBYgCLcBGAs/s1600/Barbara%2BBarnett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FfAsMYynP0/WoOS5WjzzGI/AAAAAAAABTg/y5E19_mb9Lgl_gxcoAHX94xXLZHsRsBYgCLcBGAs/s320/Barbara%2BBarnett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Barbara Barnett is author of the Bram Stoker Award-nominated novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Apothecarys-Curse-Barbara-Barnett/dp/1633882330/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457895155&sr=8-1&keywords=apothecary%27s+curse">The Apothecary’s Curse</a> ( <a href="http://pyrsf.com/">Pyr Books</a>), an imprint of <a href="http://prometheusbooks.com/">Prometheus Books</a>. She is also Publisher/Executive Editor of <a href="http://blogcritics.org/">Blogcritics Magazine</a> (blogcritics.org), an online magazine of pop culture, politics and more, for which <a href="http://blogcritics.org/author/barbara-barnett/">she</a> has also contributed nearly 1,000 essays, reviews, and interviews over the past decade. She published in-depth interviews with writers, actors and producers, including Jane Espenson, Katie Jacobs, Doris Egan, David Goodman, Jesse Spencer, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle, Lana Parilla, David Strathairn, Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner, Elie Atie, Wesley Snipes, and many, many more. <br />
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Her book on the TV series House, M.D., Chasing Zebras: THE Unofficial Guide to House, M.D. is a critically-acclaimed and quintessential guide to the themes, characters and episodes of the hit show.<br />
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Always a pop-culture and sci-fi geek, Barbara was raised on a steady diet of TV (and TV dinners), but she always found her way to the tragic antiheroes and misunderstood champions, whether on TV, in the movies or in literature. (In other words, Spock, not Kirk; Han Solo, not Luke Skywalker!) It was inevitable that she would have to someday create one of her own.<br />
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She is an accomplished speaker, an annual favorite at MENSA’s HalloWEEM convention, where she has spoken to standing room crowds on subjects as diverse as “The Byronic Hero in Pop Culture,” “The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes,” “The Hidden History of Science Fiction,” and “Our Passion for Disaster (Movies).” Most recently, she gave a lecture at MENSA “The Conan Doyle Conundrum,” which explored the famous author’s life-long belief in fairies.<br />
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Barbara is available for signings and other author appearances as well as radio, print and television interviews. She also loves to speak at writers and other conferences! <a href="http://barbarabarnett.com/contact/">Feel free to contact her directly!</a>
She is represented by Katharine Sands at the <a href="http://www.sarahjanefreymann.com/">Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency</a> in New York City. You can reach Katharine at katharinesands@nyc.rr.com.<br />
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<b>WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:</b>
<a href="http://www.barbarabarnett.com/">WEBSITE</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/B_Barnett">TWITTER</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BarbaraBarnettAuthor">FACEBOOK</a></center>
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<b>ORDER YOUR COPY:</b><br /><i>
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<b>Book Excerpt:</b><br />
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My<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>dear<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>friend,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>hold<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>fast<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>doctrine:<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>when<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>all<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>impossibilities<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>are<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>eliminated,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>what<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>remains,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>however<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>improbable, must be the truth. Nothing could be so improbable that I must now and forever address you as <i>Sir </i>Arthur!”</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Dr.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>Joseph<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>Bell<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>stood<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>head<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>dining<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>table<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>before<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>twenty assembled guests, offering a robust toast to the guest of honor, his student and friend, the newly knighted Sir <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Arthur </span>Conan Doyle, in London<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>first<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>time<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>since<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>honor<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>had<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>been<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>bestowed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>him. His<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>confidante<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Jean<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Elizabeth<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Leckie<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>side.</div>
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“Do<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>tell,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>Sir<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">Arthur,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>Wilder<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>said<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>giggle,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>“is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>true that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>our<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>dear<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Joseph<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>actuality<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Sherlock<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Holmes?”</div>
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“Indeed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>not,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Wilder!”<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>author<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>twisted<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>mustache<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>bit more<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>each<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>mention<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Holmes’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>name.</div>
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Miss Leckie patted Conan <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Doyle’s </span>arm <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">tenderly. “My </span>dear, your mustache<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>shall<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>soon<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>fine<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>strand<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>silk.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>Besides,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>well<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>know he<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>is!<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>They<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>even<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>smoke<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>same<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>sort<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>pipe!”<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">entire</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>table<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>joined her<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>laughter,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>despite<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Doyle’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>protestations.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;">“Ah,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>interrupted<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>Joseph,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>coming<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Doyle’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>rescue.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">“Alas,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>I do<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>share<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Holmes’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>preference<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>cocaine,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>nor<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>does<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>mind<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>crave the constant stimulation of work. I am quite at peace come Sunday afternoons<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>nothing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>do<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>read<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"><i>Times</i>.”</span></div>
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“I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>wish<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>consulting<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>detective<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>could<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><i>rest</i><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"><i> </i></span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">peace.”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>Doyle scowled at Wilder, as she inquired when a new Holmes story would<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>published.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>“Did<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>read<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>‘The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>Final<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Problem,’</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>dear<span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span>Wilder?<span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span>Holmes<span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span>died<span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span>Reichenbach<span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span>Falls!<span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">However,</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span>since<span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"> </span>no one<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>allow<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>him<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>rest”—he<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>sighed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>dramatically—“I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>can tonight<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>announce<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>new<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>adventure<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><i>Strand</i><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"><i> </i></span>come<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>next<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">year.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>‘The Empty<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">House,’</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>called!”<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Doyle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>laughed,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>yet<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>darkened with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>unmistakable<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>note<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>vexation.</div>
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“But<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>how<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>should<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>him<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>come<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>back,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>Sir<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>Arthur?”<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>Cranford<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>inquired.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">“If</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>he<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>indeed,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">say,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>dead?”</div>
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“Do<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>let<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>us<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>change<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>subject,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Cranford.”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>Doyle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>lifted his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>glass,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>taking<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>long<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>draught<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>wine,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>eyes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>closed.</div>
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Miss Leckie<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>smiled.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>“Oh!<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>I’ve<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>something!<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Have</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>heard<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>that apothecary?<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Lentine<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>name.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">In</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Covent<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Garden.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>line<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">enter </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>shop<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>goes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>on.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Can<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>imagine?”</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“And </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">why </span>might that be, Leckie?” Conan Doyle asked. “Why,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>amazing<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>Reanimating<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>ftercuric<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Tonic,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>course!<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;">To</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>hear his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">patter,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>medicine<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">‘shall</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>restore<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>life,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>even<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>event<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>sudden death!’<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Can<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>imagine?<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>An<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>apothecary,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>all<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>ludicrous<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>things!”</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Mr. </span>Cranford laughed. “They should hang them all, the thieving rogues.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>I’ve<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>never<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>met<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>one<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>can<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>trust,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>always<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>trying<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">hawk</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>latest patent<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>medicines.”</div>
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Gaelan<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>Erceldoune<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>glared<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>ftiss<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>Leckie,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>dark,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>mirthless<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>eyes hard<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>basalt.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Beside<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>him,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>companion,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Joseph’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>cousin<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Dr.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Simon Bell,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>laid<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>calming<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>hand<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>sleeve,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>urgent<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>plea<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>forbear;<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>Gaelan snapped his arm<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">away.</span></div>
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With<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>peevish<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>edge<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>voice,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>Gaelan<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>steered<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>topic<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>the dubiousness<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>apothecary<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>trade.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>“What<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>if<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>consulting<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>detective <i>cannot</i><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"><i> </i></span>die?”</div>
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Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>Doyle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>stared<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>him<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>down.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>“Whatever<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>do<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>mean—<i>cannot </i>die?”</div>
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Simon worried a loose thread in his linen napkin, his hands knotted with tension.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;">“Yes,” </span>Gaelan continued, ignoring <span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Simon’s </span>disquiet. <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">“Well, </span>after Reichenbach,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>Holmes<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>is,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>course,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>presumed<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>dead,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>body<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>found. Unsurprising,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>given<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>terrain,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>assume<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>new<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>story<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>finds<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>him quite well. ftight you not suggest, therefore, that <span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Holmes’s </span>invulner- ability extends beyond the intellectual—that he, in fact, <i>cannot </i>die<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>by any<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>natural<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>means,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>improbable<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>though<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>may<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>seem?<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>Already,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>have toyed<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>notion—your<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>Sorsa<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>‘The<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>Ring<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Thoth.’</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;">You</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">needn’t </span>ever be explicit of course; allow your readers to speculate and draw their<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>own<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>conclusions.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Holmes’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>devotees<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>so<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>elated<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>none shall<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>even<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>question<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>how<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">possible.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">He </span>mimed a vaudeville marquee with his hands high above his head, commanding the attention of the <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">entire </span>table. “The immortal Sherlock Holmes lives on in a new <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">series.” </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">At </span>once self-conscious, Gaelan thrust his deformed left hand into his trouser pocket. “He’ll live<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>forever,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>Jove,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>creation<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>shall.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Perhaps</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>long<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>after<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>you,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.8px;"> </span>have gone to your<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">grave.”</span></div>
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Conan <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Doyle’s </span>enthusiasm seemed tepid at best. But Gaelan pressed<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">further.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;">“As</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>well,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>do<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>imagine,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>whilst<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>giving<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>new<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>life to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>most<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>popular<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>creation,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>might<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>also<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>draw<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>upon<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>truest passion—the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>supernatural<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>world?<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">Would</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>not,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>were,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>killing two<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>birds<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>one<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>stone?”</div>
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“Ha!”<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>Doyle<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>pointed<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>accusatory<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>finger<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>Gaelan.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">“<i>You</i>, </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>sound<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>too<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>much<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>like<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">publisher.”</span></div>
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Joseph<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>broke<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>in.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>“Please,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>ladies<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>gentlemen,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>let<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>us<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>go<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>through<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>to the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>drawing<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>room.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;">We</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>might<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>continue<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>our<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>conversations<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>there<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>more comfort—”</div>
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But<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>Doyle<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>stopped.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">“In</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>moment,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Dr.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Bell,” </span>he<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>said,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>holding<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>up<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>hand<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>forestall<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">company.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>“I’ve<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>question for <span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">ftr. </span>Erceldoune. Our dear Joseph made mention that you are an apothecary?”</div>
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Simon backed farther into his <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">chair, </span>cursing himself that he had disclosed<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>even<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>small<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>fact<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>ever-curious<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>cousin.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">He</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>twisted<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>his napkin,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>eyes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>pleading<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Gaelan<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>still.</div>
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Gaelan leaned toward Conan Doyle, a vague threat in the set of his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">jaw.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>“That<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>am,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">why</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>concern<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>or<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>anyone<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>here this<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>evening?<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>Do<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>mean<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>put<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>me<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>place<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>amongst<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>same company as Lentine, whom Miss Leckie has just now vilified—and with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>ample<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>cause,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>might<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>add?”</div>
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“I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>mean<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>no<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>disrespect,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>nor<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>dishonor<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>amongst<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>fine<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>physicians<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>table.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>curious,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">all.”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>Doyle<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>paused a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>moment,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>if<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>consider<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>something.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>“I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>understand,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>many apothecaries<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>eras<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>past<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>were<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>adept<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">alchemy,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>even<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">magic.”</span></div>
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Gaelan settled back into his chair by a degree, coiled as a snake. “That,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><i>may</i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"><i> </i></span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>been<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>more<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>case,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>say<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>centuries<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">ago—a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>blurring of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>lines.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">However,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>Sir<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Arthur,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span><i>I</i><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"><i> </i></span>possess<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>no<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>personal<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>knowledge,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>for example,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>any<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>apothecary<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>or<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>druggist<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>nowadays<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>claiming<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>hold<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>in his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>hands<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>secrets<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>life<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>through<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>alchemical<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>abracadabra,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>if<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>is what<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>are<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>suggesting.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>As<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>myself,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>quite<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>well<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>tutored<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>chem- istry<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>toxicology,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>disciple<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>Paracelsus.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">ftany</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>dicta<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>still ring<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>true<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>me.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><i>Sola</i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"><i> </i></span><i>dosis</i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"><i> </i></span><i>facit</i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"><i> </i></span><i>venenum</i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"><i> </i></span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>dose<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>makes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>poison. Paracelsus<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>coined<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>sixteenth<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>century—today<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>axiom of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>modern<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">pharmacy.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">He</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>both<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>apothecary<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>alchemist— and<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>physician.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>would<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>consider<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>myself<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>esteemed<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>company<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>asso- ciate<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>myself<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>understanding<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">alchemy.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">He</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>had<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>neither<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>desire to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>make<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>gold<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>lead,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>nor<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>find<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>elusive<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>lapis<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4px;"> </span>philosophorum, but<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>only<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>reveal<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>medicinal<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>science<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>concealed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>its<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">art.”</span></div>
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Conan Doyle leaned forward confidentially, as if the rest of the company<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>had<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>vanished.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>“I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>no<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>desire,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>offend<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>you.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>Forgive<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>me if<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>questions<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>seem<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>more<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>interrogation<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>than<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>polite<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>dinner<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>conversa- tion.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>first<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>foremost<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>journalist,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>ardent<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>interest<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.9px;"> </span>per- sonal<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>much<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>do<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>curiosity<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>about<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>occult,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>may have<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>guessed.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>quite<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>sad<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>think<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>about<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>how<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>much<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>ancient arts were lost or have gone into hiding, along with their knowledge. Our<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>ideas<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>must<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>broad<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">nature</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>if<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>they<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>are<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>interpret<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>nature,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>and if<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>ideas—no<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>matter<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>how<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>unusual<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>they<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>seem<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>our<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>modern<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>sensibili- ties—are<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>destroyed<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>visionaries<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>burnt<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>either<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>literally<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>or<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>metaphori- cally<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>stake,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>we<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>stand<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>chance.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>And<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">way,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">sir.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>must<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>aver that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>are<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>only<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>one<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>very<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>few<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>read<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>‘Thoth.’”</div>
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“But to your point regarding our natural fear of the . . . unusual</div>
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. . . On that, sir, at least,” Gaelan said, “we might agree.”</div>
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“Let<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>us,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>then,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>if<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>we<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">may,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Sir<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">Arthur,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Joseph<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>repeated,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>clearing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>his throat,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">“go</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>through<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>drawing<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>room.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>ftiss<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>Leckie,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>would<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>do<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>us the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>honor<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>leading<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>way?”</div>
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“But<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">course,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>she<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>agreed,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>patting<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>Conan<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Doyle’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>hand<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>affection<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">ately.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>“Shall<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>we,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>dear?”<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>She<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>rose,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>rest<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>company<span style="letter-spacing: -0.5px;"> </span>followed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>her<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>room.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Gaelan</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Conan</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Doyle</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">found</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">themselves</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">in</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">secluded</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">corner</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">of the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">large</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">drawing</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">room</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">the</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">other</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">guests</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">mingled.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Simon</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">stood</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">nearby,</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">gesturing</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">with</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">growing</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">disquietude</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">that</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">they</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">should</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">leave,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">and</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.399999976158142px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">quite</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">soon.</span> Gaelan turned his back on him as Conan Doyle leaned in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>again.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 7px;">
“By<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">by,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>do<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>recognize<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>unusual<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>name—Erceldoune—I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>have come<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>across<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>occasion<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>research<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>into<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.1px;"> </span>Otherworld—”</div>
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“The Otherworld.”</div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 7px; margin-top: 1.6px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 17.9px;">
“Indeed.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>Where<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>fae<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>folk<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>rule.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>I’ve<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>heard<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>Erceldoune<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>associated<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>legends<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>old,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>certain<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>Thomas<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>Learmont<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>de<span style="letter-spacing: -1.2px;"> </span>Erceldoune, a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>relationship<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">Tuatha</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>de<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Danann,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>the—”</div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 7px; text-align: right; text-indent: 17.9px;">
“Fairy<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>folk,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Sir<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Arthur?”<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Gaelan<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>managed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>laugh.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">“You,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>hold me<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>exalted<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">company,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>sorry<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>disappoint<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>you,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>however—” <span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">“It</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>said<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>man<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>Erceldoune<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>had<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>book<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>possessing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>great <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">power,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>given<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>him<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>Airmid<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>herself,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>Celtic<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>goddess<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>healing,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>gift<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>for</div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 7px;">
his act of kindness. Have you not heard the tale?”</div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 7px; margin-top: 1.6px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 17.9px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">“My</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>family,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>old<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>though<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>may<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>be,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>Sir<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Arthur,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>boasts<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>neither<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;"> </span>connection<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>goddess<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>Airmid<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>nor<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>any<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>her<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>folk—the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">Tuatha</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> </span>de Danann,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>if<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>indeed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>they<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>ever<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>existed.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>Besides,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>Airmid<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">Irish </span>fairy?<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>And<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>am,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>are<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>you,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Scottish<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">blood.”</span></div>
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Gaelan glanced around the room again, finding <span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Simon’s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.3px;"> </span>anxious eyes<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>beseeching<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>him<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>end<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>exchange.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“We’d</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>best<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>join<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>rest<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.6px;"> </span>the <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">company.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>see<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>dear<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>friend<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>Simon<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>quite<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>unsettled,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>we<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>ought soon set off<span style="letter-spacing: -1.9px;"> </span>for—”</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">“It </span>is a book of great <span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">healing,” </span>Conan Doyle continued. <span style="letter-spacing: -0.3px;">“All </span>the diseases<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>world—and<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>their<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>cures—held<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>singular<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>volume,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.5px;"> </span>said to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>written<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>her<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>very<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">hand.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 7px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 17.9px;">
Gaelan<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>paused,<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>petulant<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>sigh<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>escaping<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>lips.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>“I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>cannot<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>say<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1.4px;"> </span>can recall<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>its<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>mention,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>even<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>amongst<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>family<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">lore.”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>His<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>lips<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>tightened<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>into<span style="letter-spacing: -0.8px;"> </span>a tense<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>line<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>he<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>stood.<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">“Now</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>if<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>excuse<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>me,<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1px;">sir,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>grow<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>tired<span style="letter-spacing: -1px;"> </span>and fear<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>time<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Dr.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><i>Simon</i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"><i> </i></span>Bell<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>return<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span>his<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2px;">flat.”</span></div>
WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-73164189241283555012017-06-06T04:30:00.000-04:002017-06-06T04:30:58.911-04:00Review - The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1308432658l/9917879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1308432658l/9917879.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When Alex finds out he is Unwanted, he expects to die. That is the way of the people of Quill. Each year, all the thirteen-year-olds are labeled as Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Wanteds get more schooling and train to join the Quillitary. Necessaries keep the farms running. Unwanteds are set for elimination. <br />
<br />
It’s hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate—until he discovers that instead of a “death farm,” what awaits him is a magical place called Artimé. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation. <br />
<br />
But it’s a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be divided between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artim that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate magical battle.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
I read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9917879-the-unwanteds">The Unwanteds</a> by Lisa McMann back in February. Like I said in a previous review, I haven't really been up for typing up reviews, but I'm on a roll today so I figured I'd get this one in as well.<br />
<br />
Now, I am a Girl Scout leader for a troop of Juniors and we did a Reading badge that month. One of the requirements for the badge was to bring in one of your favorite books and explain what you enjoyed about it. One of my scouts brought this in. It sounded like a fun read so she offered it to me for a week and away we went.<br />
<br />
This particular story is kind of like a cross between the Hunger Games and Harry Potter and Divergent and The Giver... loosely, but that's all I can think of to compare it to. I loved reading it. It's one of those stories that sounds like it has every amazing thing you could have ever thought up as a child thrown in to it.<br />
<br />
It doesn't start off well, but by that I mean there's a group of 13 year olds that have been deemed Unwanted by their society and they're being shipped off to what they believe is a death farm for elimination. To be labeled Unwanted, all you have to be is creative. The society that Alex lives in doesn't want people who sing or draw or dance. They want people who are easily manipulated... who can be turned in to soldiers for their "Quillitary". Anyone not completely void of emotion and ambition is simply seen as insufficient and is sent away.<br />
<br />
I loved that each "unwanted" child finds strength in the things that they love doing the most. That their talent lies chiefly in the very thing that made them unacceptable to "society". It shows kids that just because they're different doesn't mean they're less. That they can be celebrated for doing the things that they're wonderful at doing. It shows that even if it doesn't feel like it, there are people who will appreciate them for things that other people might not, and that they should have the confidence to be who they are.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9917879-the-unwanteds">The Unwanteds</a> was a fantastic read. And since it was a Middle Grade novel it was an easy one that I'd recommend for absolutely anyone. Children and adults alike.WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-36169608988104336912017-06-03T09:31:00.000-04:002017-06-03T09:31:01.259-04:00Review - Outlander by Diana Gabaldon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402600310l/10964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="305" height="400" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402600310l/10964.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.<br />
<br />
Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.</blockquote>
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<br />
I'm going to be honest. It's been a while since I read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10964.Outlander?ac=1&from_search=true">Outlander</a> by Diana Gabaldon. I haven't really had it in me to write reviews lately, but I put a new one up today and decided that maybe it's time I write one for this too. Although, I have read 4 out of the 8 novels in the series since December, so details kind of blur together.<br />
<br />
I will start off by saying, that I completely love this series. It is 100% one of my favorite series of all time and I love it to pieces. It did take me a bit to really get interested... the first bit of the first book was a little slow for me. But as soon as Claire goes through the stones and ends up in 1743... that's all she wrote for me. I couldn't put it down.<br />
<br />
I have a bit of Scottish (and Irish!) heritage and I am married to a man with Scottish heritage. So this series has been particularly interesting to me. The way that Diana writes and the history that's just infused in every detail is amazing. I've never seen the TV show (don't have STARZ *sad face*) but I've seen clips on youtube and was able to read the stories with faces for the characters and voices to go with them.<br />
<br />
Every scene is so descriptive and, apart from the very beginning, kept me completely enthralled the entire 2 weeks it took me to read the entirety of book one.<br />
<br />
Since it's been such a long time since I've read the story, I won't go in to too much detail (like I said, they blur together). But Outlander is amazing. It's descriptive (and I mean DESCRIPTIVE) and wonderful. Claire is so incredibly smart and strong and resilient. Jamie is just heartbreakingly beautiful in every possible way imaginable. Although his family is frustrating (and by family I mean Dougal and Colum) it adds to the plot and pace of the story in just the perfect way.<br />
<br />
The chemistry between Claire and Jamie is felt immediately. And the love that grows between them is so incredibly palpable that it's hard not to become thoroughly invested in their relationship so much so that you would see Claire forsake her first husband absolutely for the devotion of her second.<br />
<br />
If you enjoy historical romances (LOTS of romance) then definitely read this series. It's captivating and wonderful and you won't be sorry!WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-41449502921066361222017-06-01T08:47:00.000-04:002017-06-01T08:48:05.865-04:00Review: Starting Over at Steeple Ridge by Liz Isaacson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487007835l/33972120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="400" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487007835l/33972120.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Tucker Jenkins has had enough of tall buildings, traffic, and business meetings to determine the next app that will change the world. He's sold his technology firm for billions and traded it for Steeple Ridge Horse Farm in rural Vermont.<br />
<br />
Missy Marino has worked at the boarding stable and farm since she was a teen, and she's always dreamed of owning it. But her ex-husband left her with a truckload of debt, making her fantasies of owning the farm unfulfilled.<br />
<br />
When she meets Tucker, she starts having a new kind of fantasy—one where they work with the horses together. Tucker didn't come to the country to find a new wife, but he supposes a woman could help him start over in Steeple Ridge. Will Tucker and Missy be able to navigate the shaky ground between them to find a new beginning?<br />
<br /></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Sometimes I love romance novels. They're a nice break from what I usually read. So when I saw the description for <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33972120-starting-over-at-steeple-ridge?from_search=true">Starting Over at Steeple Ridge</a> (and let's face it, the cover got me too) by Liz Isaacson, I didn't think I could pass it up.<br />
<br />
Missy had to say goodbye to her friend and mentor and, she thought, any dreams of owning the farm she's ridden/worked at for two decades. A city boy has swooped in and purchased the farm, sight unseen, and now she's working for him. Tucker, the city boy, really had no idea what he was getting himself into when he bought Steeple Ridge but he's definitely out of his element in the Vermont country.<br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
I enjoyed both main characters. But unfortunately I felt like I didn't really get to know them. Even when they were getting to know each other it seemed like it was only ever skimming the surface. Neither was too interested in telling the other about their past and we didn't really see a lot of development in them individually.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I did like the story. But I felt like it was incredibly rushed. Their was no fleshing out of their relationship. First they didn't like each other.... then magically (and very suddenly) they did. I understand that stuff like that happens... but it didn't really make sense in the book for me. Like I said, everything seemed to only skim the surface. All the other reviews that I've read said it was a short, simple and sweet romance novel... and they're 100% correct. It was all of those things. I just wish there had been more to it.<br />
<br />
With that being said, again, I did enjoy it. Despite what I've mentioned above. I love horses. I love the country. And I would give anything to have been in Missy's position (working on a farm... not the falling in love with a billionaire city man). The small town feel and the friendliness of the people in Missy and Tucker's life is something I've desired in my own life.<br />
<br />
Tucker was the gentlemanly, chivalrous cowboy type even before he was a gentlemanly, chivalrous cowboy. And Missy was dedicated and passionate and I could completely understand her feelings toward the farm and her horses. The two of them made a wonderful pairing, I only wish I had seen more buildup to the relationship.<br />
<br />
If you're looking for a clean, easy, quick read this is definitely for you. If you love the country and/or horses then this is for you, too. If you are looking for a book you can sit out on the back porch and read while you drink tea or coffee, grab this one. It's a very lighthearted and sweet read.WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-3683226606761509342017-04-01T22:21:00.000-04:002017-04-01T22:21:14.699-04:00Review - Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482205421l/33518790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482205421l/33518790.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“This woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures of this world; and she did now throughout her whole trial discover herself to be such a one. Yet when she was asked what she had to say for herself, her chief plea was that she had led a most virtuous and holy life.” —Reverend Cotton Mather, 1692<br /></i>
USA Today Bestselling author Heather B. Moore brings the life of her 10th great-grandmother to center stage. Susannah North Martin, accused of witchcraft in 1692, joins five women in the Salem Jail, all sentenced to death for their crimes. Amidst tragedy, Susannah finds hope and compassion as she remembers a well-loved life, and readers discover that love reaches far beyond the grave as Susannah faces the magistrates in Salem. </blockquote>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33518790-condemn-me-not">Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft</a> by Heather B. Moore is an interesting historical fiction book in that it is based on the true story about the author's own flesh and blood.<br />
<br />
Susannah North Martin was arrested for witchcraft and tried and hanged in 1692 during the witch hunting frenzy that was the Salem Witch Trials. Now, you know, and I know, that the accusations hurled at these women, men, and yes... even children, were complete and total crap. But reading this story sort of takes you out of time and places you in 1692. It gives you a kind of behind the scenes look at how these trials were conducted and what the accused had to endure and eventually what condemned them to death. Ridiculous accusations. All of it.<br />
<br />
The absurdity of the examinations and trial are broken up, thankfully, just about every other chapter with Susannah in her younger years. We meet her as a 25 year old aspiring spinster as new neighbors come in to her life, immediately ruining her hopes of remaining alone forever. We also meet her (future) husband George, along with his ailing sister Eve, and, his daughter Hannah. Eve is friendly and kind and becomes fast friends with Susannah while Hannah is quiet and reserved, taking a considerable amount of time to warm up to Susannah. George... George is fantastic. And wonderful. And just.... just.<br />
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He's essentially the most eligible bachelor in Salisbury and everyone is fawning over him. Except Susannah. While I knew, based on the parts of the story that were told from the point of view of Susannah at age 71, that the two would eventually marry, reading about the two of them in younger years still made me want to ring her neck. Every time she avoided him or got angry at him. Every time she assumed his intentions or affections toward the other women in the town. The growth in their relationship was wonderfully written in my opinion and I absolutely loved watching them fall in love.<br />
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I've always been mildly curious about the Salem Witch Trials, knowing a little about the accusations toward the women who would eventually be sentenced to death. And knowing a little about their accusers. This story broke my heart though. Especially since I can't imagine how the author felt putting it together, know that Susannah was related to her and such horrible things were said and done to her. Yes, they are separated by more than 300 years, but to learn that a family member met such a fate at the hands of such evil people had to be a hard pill to swallow and subsequently turn in to the story it's become.<br />
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If you've any interest in the Salem Witch Trials or just that time frame in general, I'd suggest reading this story. While fictionalized, it is based heavily in truth and that makes it all the more compelling. WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-8372935235549896502016-11-15T00:00:00.000-05:002016-11-15T00:00:00.198-05:00Review - The Weaver by Emmi Itäranta<div style="text-align: center;">
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Inside the Book:</h2>
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<strong>Title:</strong> The Weaver<br />
<b>Author</b>: Emmi Itaranta</div>
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<strong>Release Date:</strong> November 1, 2016</div>
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<b>Publisher</b>: Harper Voyager</div>
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<b>Genre</b>: Dystopian</div>
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<b>Format</b>: Ebook<br />
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The author of the critically acclaimed <em>Memory of Water</em> returns with this literary ecological tale in the vein of Ursula K. Le Guin and Sheri S. Tepper, in which an innocent young woman becomes entangled in a web of ancient secrets and deadly lies that lie at the dark center of her prosperous island world.<br />
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Eliana is a model citizen of the island, a weaver in the prestigious House of Webs. She also harbors a dangerous secret—she can dream, an ability forbidden by the island’s elusive council of elders. No one talks about the dreamers, the undesirables ostracized from society.<br />
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But the web of protection Eliana has woven around herself begins to unravel when a young girl is found lying unconscious in a pool of blood on the stones outside the house. Robbed of speech by her attackers, the only clue to her identity is one word tattooed in invisible ink across her palm: Eliana. Why does this mysterious girl bear her name? What links her to the weaver—and could she hold Eliana’s fate in her hand?<br />
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As Eliana finds herself growing closer to this injured girl she is bound to in ways she doesn’t understand, the enchanting lies of the island begin to crumble, revealing a deep and ancient corruption. Joining a band of brave rebels determined to expose the island’s dark secrets, Eliana becomes a target of ruthless forces determined to destroy her. To save herself and those she loves, she must call on the power within her she thought was her greatest weakness: her dreams.
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weaver-Emmi-It%C3%A4ranta-ebook/dp/B014PRF6K2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478024543&sr=1-1&keywords=the+weaver+by+emmi+it%C3%A4ranta"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USyUmNiJNZo/V2-8rOxho8I/AAAAAAAAJP8/OiJVMNstcTQlTfnDNX2wQUkS17Fw_dH5gCKgB/s1600/amazon.png" /></a>
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My Review:</h3>
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The Weaver by Emmi Itäranta is a fantastic book. I've not read much fantasy lately and this was just the book I needed to jump back in to the fantasy world with both feet. It was mysterious and magical and wonderful, even if sometimes in a bad way.<br />
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Eliana, at face value, is a dutiful weaver. She does what she's told when she's told and never seems to veer from the course that the rest of her House is on. Until a girl appears and flips her world completely upside down. Then she realizes that there is so much more than what she's told to say and do and not say and not do.... and not all of it is as it should be. The secrets she keeps aren't as secret as she thinks anymore either.<br />
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There are so many characters in this story that are just amazing. Eliana, Valeria, Janos, Alva... all magnificent and strong and willing to put their lives on the line to save those who need to be saved. There are also so many frustrating things going on... people happy to be kept ignorant... to believe everything they're told because it's easier than thinking for themselves. Even if it means people they know and love are going to be ripped from them and taken somewhere horrific and terrible for the rest of their lives. Sometimes ignorance is bliss... but not for everyone.<br />
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The Houses of Crafts were intriguing. All the different districts and positions... A place for everyone and everyone it their place kind of thing. Everything was described in so much detail at all times that sometimes I lost the actual purpose of what I was reading, but still... the imagery was beautiful and haunting and downright terrifying in spots.<br />
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I couldn't put this book down. I just couldn't. Read it in less than a day. If you're looking for a suspenseful and fantastical read with absolutely beautiful imagery, I highly recommend you pick up The Weaver.<br />
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Meet the Author:</h2>
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Emmi Itäranta (b. 1976) was born in Tampere, Finland, where she also grew up. She holds one MA in Drama and Theatre Studies from the University of Tampere, and another from the University of Kent, UK, where she began writing her debut novel <em>Memory of Water</em> as a part of her Creative Writing masters degree. She later completed the full manuscript in both Finnish and English. The novel won the Fantasy and Sci-fi Literary Contest organised by the Finnish publishing house Teos. It was published to enthusiastic reviews in Finland in 2012 under the title <em>Teemestarin kirja</em>. In 2015 the English language version, <em>Memory of Water</em>, was nominated for the Philip K. Dick award in the US and the Arthur C. Clarke award in the UK. Translation rights to the award-winning novel have been sold in 21 territories to date. Itäranta’s second novel <em>Kudottujen kujien kaupunki</em> was published in 2015, and it won her the Tampere City Literary Award. In the UK the novel is known as <em>The City of Woven Streets</em>, and in the US as <em>The Weaver</em>. Itäranta’s professional background is an eclectic blend of writing-related activities, including stints as a columnist, theatre critic, dramaturge, scriptwriter and press officer. She lives in Canterbury, UK.</div>
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<strong>Connect with Emmi: </strong><a href="http://www.emmiitaranta.com/"><strong>Website</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/emmiitaranta/"><strong>Facebook</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/emmi_elina"><strong>Twitter</strong></a></div>
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<strong>Tour Schedule</strong></h2>
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<strong> Monday, November 7 </strong></div>
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Guest blogging at <a href="http://staceyschneller06.wordpress.com/">Books, Dreams, Life</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://thedarkphantom.wordpress.com/">The Dark Phantom</a><br />
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<strong>Tuesday, November 8</strong></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://www.literalexposure.com/">Literal Exposure</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://theliterarynook.blogspot.com/">The Literary Nook</a><br />
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<strong>Wednesday, November 9</strong></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://www.atitlewave.com/">A Title Wave</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://asthepageturns.blogspot.com/">As the Pages Turn</a><br />
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<strong>Thursday, November 10</strong></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://voodooprincess40.blogspot.com/">Voodoo Princess</a><br />
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<strong>Friday, November 11</strong></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://www.thebookwormlodge.com/">The Bookworm Lodge</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://allinclusiveretort.blogspot.com/">All Inclusive Retort</a></div>
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<strong>Monday, November 14</strong></div>
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Book reviewed at <a href="http://www.imshelfish.com/">I'm Shelf-ish</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://eccentricbookaholic.blogspot.com/">Confessions of an Eccentric Bookaholic</a><br />
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<strong>Tuesday, November 15</strong></div>
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Book reviewed at <a href="http://notwhileimreading.blogspot.com/">Shhh...Not While I'm Reading</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://mybookishpleasures.blogspot.com/">My Bookish Pleasures</a><br />
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<strong>Wednesday, November 16</strong></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://mellojune.com/">Mello and June</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://harmoniouspublicity.blogspot.com/">Harmonious Publicity</a><br />
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<strong>Thursday, November 17</strong></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://cbybookclub.blogspot.com/">CBY Book Club</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://writeandtakeflight.blogspot.com/">Write and Take Flight</a><br />
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<strong>Friday, November 18</strong></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://www.bound2escape.com/">Bound 2 Escape</a></div>
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Book reviewed at <a href="http://www.chocomeiske.com/">Cover2Cover</a></div>
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Book featured at <a href="http://www.arbookcorner.wordpress.com/">Authors and Readers Book Corner</a></div>
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<br />WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-27034211122172646512016-08-20T16:46:00.000-04:002016-08-20T16:46:54.159-04:00Review - The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="freeText1803009768384452658"><em>Nothing living is safe. Nothing dead is to be trusted.</em><br /><br />For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey… and is certain she is destined to kill him.<br /><br />Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></blockquote>
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So, I was stuck flying during the whole Delta debacle when the computers went down and flights were delayed and cancelled and everything was just ridiculous. Luckily, I'd brought some books. And luckily, one of those books happened to be <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17378527-the-raven-king">The Raven King</a> by Maggie Stiefvater. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17378527-the-raven-king">The Raven King</a>, book 4 in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/73675-the-raven-cycle">The Raven Cycle</a>, is one of the most beautifully written stories that I think I've ever read. While I have come to expect nothing less from Maggie Stiefvater, this one went above and beyond anything else I've picked up by her. <br />
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Everything was just so magically descriptive and fantastical that I couldn't manage to put it down. It really did save my trip up to Maine to pick up my daughter. Flights and accommodations were significantly less than stellar so it helped to have something that could completely remove me from the situation I was in and transport me somewhere else completely. The book was terrifying and haunting and heartbreakingly sad and beautiful all at the same time. <br />
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It was nice to be able to come back to Fox Way and see Maura and The Grey Man again. To be able to follow Ronan and Adam and Gansey and Blue around one more time. Learning more about Blue's father was a bit shocking, but seemed absolutely fitting considering Blue. There were also some other great plot twists that perhaps I should have seen coming but didn't, i.e. Cabeswater. <br />
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I loved the inclusion of Henry and his bee. Henry, someone who had been on the outside and absent for 90% of the story telling played such a wonderful part in this last story. I loved that I got to see Ronan for who he really was. Not just some jerk who liked to fight and piss people off. But someone who loved, and who wanted to BE loved. Who wanted to protect and to fight FOR people... not just fight people. Maybe he was that way the whole time, but the development of a certain relationship in this final installment of the story just made him so much more... Ronan... to me. <br />
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Fantastic. <br />
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That's really all I can say to sum up how good this book was. Well, fantastic and wonderful and beautiful and all of the other synonyms of all the words. If you've read the rest of the series, please finish it out and pick this one up. If you haven't, then start. The story and the journey they go on will amaze you. WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-47580515051522016322016-05-20T12:51:00.000-04:002016-05-20T12:51:08.677-04:00Review - Splintered by A.G. Howard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence.<br />
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Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.<br />
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When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.
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Yay for book birthday presents! <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12558285-splintered">Splintered</a> by A.G. Howard is a book that I've been wanting to buy for a long time but for some reason kept putting it off. Until my birthday last month. Thank you to my husband for buying it for me. <br />
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First of all, the cover art is absolutely stunning. And I probably would have gotten it based on that alone (yeah I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I can't help it), but the premise of the story was pretty interesting as well. I don't need to say much in summary since the book blurb thingy pretty much sums it up. <br />
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Alyssa is kind of morbid. But for good reason when you find out that she hears bugs and plants talking to her. Her mother is in a mental facility and she really doesn't want to end up there too so in an effort to silence the voices she turns bugs into art. She's got a pretty groovy sense of style. From synthetic dreads to tutu-like skirts to ass-kicking boots, but all of it is to try and squash any resemblance to her mother. She's got a lot of internal battles going on and, in this story, definitely a lot of external foes to fight as well, but she is courageous and strong and is determined to fix things her great-great-great grandmother messed up to free herself and her mother from the curse she believes she's inherited. <br />
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Jeb is, at first, the annoyingly intrusive but protective big brother to Alyssa. Butting in to her life and conspiring with her father to keep her "safe" and look out for her. Which is what big brothers are supposed to do. But he's something much different to Alyssa and is seemingly completely ignorant of it until their journey through the looking glass and in to Wonderland. Although, his appearance there is quite by accident. He's chivalrous and charming and everything you think a strong protector would be. He's prepared to sacrifice everything for Alyssa, even though she doesn't need him (or want him) to. <br />
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Morpheous was hard to pin down for me. The mysterious childhood friend of Alyssa's is both seductive and enticing while being suspicious and conniving at the same time. Dangerous combinations. His stated motives for bringing Alyssa to Wonderland and his actual motives are not exactly in line with each other, something Alyssa finds out too late. But while his intentions aren't exactly pure, he does care for Alyssa. So, there's a bit of redemption for him in that at least. <br />
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This story was kind of Tim Burton-esque for me. It was more like what I imagined his movie version of Alice in Wonderland should have been. The creatures were absolutely hideous and grotesquely wonderful and seeing all the characters in true form (the "Mad Hatter" was one of my favorite) was lovely. Nostalgic and yet... not. Old friends but complete strangers at the same time. We find out that the descriptions given by Carroll of Alice's adventures in Wonderland was very skewed and incredibly tame compared to the actual inhabitants of that world. <br />
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I loved the book. And I can't wait to read the next one. If you like "re-tellings" (although this wasn't a re-telling per se, it was more a modern day continuation), you should definitely grab this and give it a read! <br />
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WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-52074895575004108972016-03-07T16:48:00.000-05:002016-03-07T16:48:13.957-05:00Review - Four: A Divergent Story Collection by Veronica Roth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. Here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child.<br />
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Newly christened “Four,” he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though; Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future—and the future of the entire faction system.<br />
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Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.<br />
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth comes a companion volume to the worldwide bestselling DIVERGENT series, told from the per-spective of the immensely popular character Tobias. The four pieces included here—THE TRANSFER, THE INITIATE, THE SON, and THE TRAITOR—plus three additional exclusive scenes, give readers an electrifying glimpse into the history and heart of Tobias, and set the stage for the epic saga of the DIVERGENT trilogy.
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My 13 year old daughter bought me <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18126198-four?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true">Four</a> by Veronica Roth from her school book fair for Christmas. It was a super thoughtful gift because she knows how much I loved the original set of novels. I know that I'm a bit behind the times, since this debuted in 2014, but hey, better late than never right?<br />
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I'll keep this short and sweet. I loved the story. It was from Four's/Tobias's perspective and it was pretty awesome to be able to read everything from his point of view. We get his back story and a look in to the feelings he has and the things he's experiencing even before Divergent takes place. It was fun to see Tris through Four's eyes. To see their journey together. To see the kind of battle going on in his head when it came to his feelings for her.<br />
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We got a better look at Marcus and what a waste of breathable air he is. And kind of an extra sneak peak in to things between Four and his mother.<br />
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I really wish that we could see the entire series through Four's point of view. This novel brought back the excitement and the thrill of reading the first 3 books and I kind of wish it didn't have to go away. It made me rewatch the movies and since I hadn't JUST read the books when I watched them the second go around, I was able to enjoy them more.<br />
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So, if you liked <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent">Divergent</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11735983-insurgent">Insurgent</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17383918-allegiant">Allegiant</a>, you should definitely read this one too!WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-43925778902303330412016-02-29T20:32:00.000-05:002016-02-29T20:32:02.845-05:00Review- Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote>
For centuries, the elite of the world have sought the Pimpernel everywhere. Some want to kill him, others want to hire him, but Jack Cavanaugh knows that the love/hate relationship comes with the job title. <br />
<br />
At present, Jack is trying to dismantle an investment scheme centered in Las Vegas, but "trying" is the operative word. It's been a month since he put the face of the scheme behind bars, yet the scam is still going strong. As Jack tries to uncover who has stepped in as the new head, what miniscule evidence there is all seems to point him back to Claire Ramsey, an introverted PhD student studying at UNLV. <br />
<br />
If ever there as an unlikely head of an investment scheme, Claire's it. She has a genius IQ, but from all Jack has seen, Claire’s intelligence is as much a blessing as a curse when paired up with her acute OCD. Claire can barely make conversation with the cute guy down the hall, which makes it hard to believe she could be the charismatic salesperson who is getting international businessmen to invest $5—50 million a pop. <br />
<br />
So what is Jack missing? What is the real story behind Claire Ramsey? And once Jack learns it, will he be able to walk away?</blockquote>
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<br />
<span id="freeTextreview1563708566">I am a huge fan of the 1930s movie version of The Scarlet Pimpernel. I will admit, I have not read the original book, but the movie is one of my favorites. You can imagine, then, that I was super excited when I saw <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28231595-pimpernel">Pimpernel</a> by Sheralyn Pratt was available for review. <br /><br />Claire is obsessive compulsive. But in a way that is needed at the beginning of the book. She's been forced in to defrauding millionaires out of their money because she thinks it is the only way to keep her mentor, and the man she thinks she loves, alive while he's in jail for a crime he can't possibly have committed. <br /><br />At the risk of spoiling the book, I won't say too much on the plot. But Claire has definitely bitten off more than she chew when it comes to her mentor. She finds herself pulled in to a world of theft and trickery and manipulation. <br /><br />I liked Claire. As OCD as she was, it served a purpose in the story and gave her incredible dimension. She's quiet and shy and kind of pathetic when we first see her but she transforms throughout the story in to someone incredible.<br /><br />Jack, Margot, and Ren are great characters. Each with their own specific specialties and quirks and faults. They mesh well together and they've always got each other's backs. It was incredibly refreshing to read a story with characters who made promises and did everything they possibly could to make sure they were kept. I wish we had seen more of Margot's and Ren's back stories, but it was fascinating to learn Jack's.<br /><br />I will definitely say that there were no lulls in this story. It was action packed and fast paced and exciting. The characters were written well and everything flowed really nicely. Now, with that being said, and this may be because I've only seen the movie and not read the book, I was kind of disappointed that I didn't really see any mention of or correlation to the Pimpernel until preeeetttty far in to the book. I don't think it detracted from the story really, but I just expected.... More. <br /><br />However, I really enjoyed this one. A lot. You really feel for the characters and their heartaches and frustrations. And you'll be totally impressed by their operations and how they manage to pull off what they do. If you're looking for an exciting story I would definitely recommend this one.</span>WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-90098725510467532132016-02-24T12:51:00.001-05:002016-02-24T12:52:10.713-05:00Review - Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It's a better life, a fresh start--and a heaven-sent second chance. Founded by three Amish sisters determined to put misfortune behind them, Promise Lodge is a colony where faith's abiding promise can be fulfilled--and love can make all things new…<br />
<br />
Energetic widow Mattie Bender Schwartz is working day and night to get Promise Lodge going. She's also hoping the change will help her son Noah's heart to heal after his broken engagement. But his former fiancée, Deborah, is looking for a fresh start too. Filled with regret, and cast out by her dat for a reason she can't yet reveal, Deborah can only pray Noah will forgive her foolishness. <br />
<br />
Deborah is the last person Noah expected to show up at Promise Lodge. But with her cruel words still ringing in his head, he's reluctant to accept her apology--even if the Old Order ways demand he try. If only he could obey Christ's most important commandment: love one another. But one thing is certain--his mother and aunts, and their beloved Preacher Amos, will do their best to help him get there.
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
I was so excited to get a chance to review<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25810160-promise-lodge?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true"> Promise Lodge</a> by Charlotte Hubbard. I am a huge fan of her other series, of all of her characters from Willow Ridge and Cedar Creek. I've read so much of those that I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the characters from<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25810160-promise-lodge?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true"> Promise Lodge</a>, but just as with the other books, the people in this story felt like instant friends.<br />
<br />
Since this is a brand new book, I will try not to give too much away. <br />
<br />
Rosetta, Mattie, and Christine have left Coldstream, along with Preacher Amos and their children, to start fresh at Promise Lodge. Their former Bishop's son is causing all sorts of problems back home and his inability or unwillingness to hold him accountable for his behavior has definitely overturned some apple carts. On top of that, all 3 sisters are single or widowed and are just looking for somewhere peaceful and serene to reside. They're also looking to make a place for other women like themselves AND create a new colony for anyone likeminded who might come along after them. <br />
<br />
Deborah has been sent away from Coldstream by her father but is hesitant to tell everyone all the details. The only problem is that her ex fiancé lives in the very place she's run away to. She'd do anything to mend fences and repair their relationship but it doesn't seem that he'll be having it. His heart is still broken and he doesn't trust that Deborah won't just up and break it again. <br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
As with all of Charlotte Hubbard's novels, I loved this one so much. I absolutely love the sense of community that I always find in her stories... the willingness of everyone to help anyone who comes along. I love how her characters always band together to make the most wonderful things happen. But no matter how fantastic her characters are, they are always human. They make mistakes. They mess up. They jump to conclusions or assume things they shouldn't. They're never made out to be better than anyone else. Sometimes they're wonderful, sometimes they're frustrating, sometimes they're mean. But always human. And no one is ever unredeemable. <br />
<br />
Deborah is a wonderful character. Even with the heartache of being cast away from her home and the seemingly unwillingness of Noah to want to have anything to do with her, she makes the best of the bad situation she's found herself in, thanks to her friends, and makes a home at Promise Lodge. She jumps in with both feet to help them ready the apartments and the cabins and offers up her baked goods for them to sell at the produce stand they're looking to make. She's hiding a secret that she's sure will turn everyone sour, but she's strong and she's kind and I just thought she was a beautiful character. <br />
<br />
Preacher Amos was a fantastic man. An Amish Preacher who was willing to leave the community he was chosen to preach to, he sold his farm and left with the sisters and their families to seek out the peace of Promise Lodge and the hope that it could be turned in to something magnificent. He never tried to assert the power of his position to his own advantage and he never used the fact that he was a man and a preacher to force the women of Promise Lodge to "obey" him. He was firm in his beliefs and his teachings but he was gentle and he was quick to guide when guidance was needed and a calmer head was required. <br />
<br />
At the risk of giving away too much of the story, I will stop with those characters. <br />
<br />
I will say, though, that the concepts of sexual assault and domestic violence in this story hit very close to home for me but I think that they were handled pretty realistically and with care. And I appreciate that very much. <br />
<br />
I cannot wait for the next <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25810160-promise-lodge?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true">Promise Lodge</a> adventure. Because I'm sure that's what it will be. And I was happy to see at the end that there were recipes from Rosetta's kitchen that I will definitely be trying. These books are always so inspiring. Whether they make me want to crochet more, bake more, try my hand at soap making or some other kind of wonderful craft or trade, they always make me want to DO something. To BE something. They make me long for the kind of community that I read about within the pages and to be the kind of person and neighbor that these characters always are. <br />
<br />
Grab a copy and give it a read. It's brand new... just hit shelves. It's a wonderful story and if you liked reading about <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/79726-seasons-of-the-heart">Willow Ridge</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/79725-home-at-cedar-creek">Cedar Creek</a> then you will DEFINITELY like reading about <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25810160-promise-lodge?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true">Promise Lodge</a>. WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-90770279734771164222016-01-01T18:17:00.000-05:002016-01-01T18:17:39.183-05:00Review - A Healing Spirit (Riverview #2) by Melissa A. Hanson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A freak ski accident brings nineteen-year old Mia Kinney within minutes of death. Hurt and scared, Mia is calmed by the southern drawl and clear green eyes of her rescuer. <br />
<br />
Twenty-one year old Dylan Blackburn is one of the first Ski Patrol members on the scene. As his patient is airlifted to the local trauma center, he can’t shake her from his thoughts.<br />
<br />
As Mia fights for her life, Dylan, is haunted by the blond hair beauty, and knows he needs to make sure she’s going to be okay. <br />
<br />
With a troubled past Dylan has vowed never to completely open himself up to another girl, but Mia continues to knock down every wall he’s constructed. When his past arrives at his front door and threatens once again someone that he loves, will Dylan be able to save Mia yet again? Or will he be too late this time?<br />
<br />
A story of love, friendship, and the determination to turn a horrible experience into something worthwhile.<br />
<br />
"A Healing Spirit" is book 2 of the Riverview Series, however each is a standalone story.</blockquote>
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<br />
I don't generally like to review a novel that's not first in a series without having read books before it. But <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26111361-a-healing-spirit">A Healing Spirit</a> by Melissa A. Hanson, book 2 in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/168489-riverview">Riverview</a> series, is a standalone novel so I didn't have to worry about not being caught up with the story. <br />
<br />
The long and short of it is this: Mia is seriously injured and has to be hospitalized and undergoes a few surgeries to try and fix all of her broken bits. Dylan is a member of the Ski Patrol and, along with his friend, saves Mia's life. Mia fights to come back from her accident but she can't get Dylan out of her head. It was his voice that sort of grounded her after her accident, kept her from giving in to the pain, so to speak. And Dylan can't get her out of his head. They kind of fall for each other but Dylan has a past he doesn't want Mia to know about. <br />
<br />
I liked the story. It was very sweet. Dylan is a pretty stand up guy and Mia isn't some frail little girl who is begging to be rescued. Her friends are fantastic, even if one of them fancies himself more than a friend. What I liked about that was that it never really became a love triangle. Like a decent person, he realized Mia didn't feel the same way about him and he let her go. What a breath of fresh air. <br />
<br />
Dylan is a wonderful, chivalrous, knight in shining armor without being completely egotistical about it. And instead of curling up in a ball and letting what happened to Mia overcome her, she's determined to try and use her experience to make a difference in the lives and safety of other people. I don't see that combo a lot in the stories I read. It made this story different and new. <br />
<br />
Their families (well, part of Dylan's at least) are wonderful and accepting and friendly. There are no boyfriend/girlfriend/hateful family conflicts like I see a lot. Our main characters are pretty likeable so, in turn, everyone likes them. Yes, Dylan holds back a part of his life that inevitably puts a few lives in danger (the part of his life, not that he holds it back....) but he does everything he can to make it right, and Mia doesn't hold it against him. <br />
<br />
The story seems extremely real. Not like it's a story. More like it's a narrative of things that are really happening. Completely believable. It even switches perspective quite a bit so we get to see inside a lot of the characters, rather than just the main 2. Everyone plays a part in the story so everyone gets a chance to tell part of the story. I was worried that switching back and forth and all over would get confusing, but it didn't. And it's loosely based on a true story.<br />
<br />
I would definitely recommend this book to just about anyone. It's romantic, but not heavy. It's sweet but intense at times. And it's a pretty quick read because you get sucked in to the story from the word go. So check it out! WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-37739691774522280912015-09-01T01:00:00.000-04:002015-09-01T01:00:01.842-04:00Review - Promises Kept by Scarlett Dunn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Lady of marriageable age with two young boys, in need of husband.<br /><br />
I am a good cook and hard worker.<br /></b>
Victoria Eastman grew up in a Texas saloon—an experience that made her tough, resourceful, and determined to forge a new life. So she places an ad in a gentleman's newspaper... and soon finds herself a suitable arrangement on a farm in Promise, Wyoming. Only problem is that her would-be husband turns up dead the day she arrives.<br />
<br />
Rancher Colt McBride is known for his true grit and business smarts. Yet when it comes to his new neighbor, Victoria, he's stumped: Who is she, really? She's lovely to look at, of course, and has proven herself a gentle soul. She's even causing him to question his staunch bachelorhood. But any kind of future may be shattered when a stranger reveals a secret about Victoria's past—one that could destroy them both. Unless, together, they can take a leap of faith—right into each other's arms...
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
I love Historical Romances like <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22891455-promises-kept?ac=1">Promises Kept </a>by Scarlett Dunn. I love being able to see how things used to be even if through the eyes of a fictional romance. It's fun and it lets me forget the kind of world we're in now for just a little bit.<br />
<br />
Victoria Eastman is a strong woman. For much of the book it seems like she doesn't even fathom just how strong she is. And to be honest, while I love the cover, according to the descriptions of her in the book it does her no justice. So here we have this gorgeous woman who tries like hell to hold her own and provide for her boys. She's willing to go so far as to advertise her need/want of a husband. Someone who can help take care of her and the kids. <br />
<br />
Colt McBride is the dreamy sort of cowboy that every woman, or at least a lot of them, fantasize about at least once in their lives. The kind that will step in and defend you. The kind that will take care of you. The kind that will treat you with the utmost respect. And the kind that will make you melt like a popsicle on the pavement in July. He's a hard worker and he's a good, kind man. He takes care of people and they love him for it. <br />
<br />
But both of them are stubborn as hell. And it gets frustrating at times. Victoria has sworn off cowboys all together and Colt swears that he's never going to get married. Ever. Haven't fictional characters figured out yet that they shouldn't do that sort of thing? I suppose it's good that they did, or else we'd not have fantastic stories like this to read. <br />
<br />
Not everything is biscuits and gravy though. There's a man in town who wants the land that was left to Victoria, and all of the land around it, and has decided he will stop at nothing until he owns it all. This includes stealing and killing off cattle... and people. He even goes so far as to try and "court" Victoria but things turn sour and she's not sure how to save herself, or her boys. <br />
<br />
I loved this book. I think I may have mentioned that already. I love period novels. Just love them to death. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22891455-promises-kept?ac=1">Promises Kept</a> delivers the window in to history along with the romance and the suspense all rolled up together. There are a lot of wonderful characters that we get to meet and see fleshed out quite a lot. Even if they seem like they're just background, they're not. No one is just a "bit part". I think that's wonderful. Lots of well rounded people to love and read about. <br />
<br />
If you love historical romances, this is definitely the book for you. If you love Christian or inspirational fiction, this is the book for you. Even if you don't, this is still a wonderful story to read because it's not an overwhelming aspect of the book at all. <br />
<br />
I am definitely looking forward to reading others in this series!
WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-36359132693851141732015-08-18T11:59:00.001-04:002015-08-18T11:59:35.932-04:00Review - Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Dead girl walking”, the boys say in the halls.<br />
“Tell us your secret”, the girls whisper, one toilet to another.<br />
I am that girl.<br />
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.<br />
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.<br />
<br />
Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.<br />
<br />
Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
It's been a couple of months since I wrote up a review. And a couple of months since I read this <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5152478-wintergirls?from_search=true&search_version=service">Wintergirls</a> by Laurie Halse Anderson. It's not a novel that's easy to review to be honest. I've read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/781110.Fever_1793">Fever 1793</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/439288.Speak">Speak</a> by Anderson and while <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/439288.Speak">Speak</a> was by no means a happy story to read, Melinda's ordeal was one that I was, unfortunately, familiar with... so it made it easier. <br />
<br />
Lia and Cassie have eating disorders. But we don't see much of Cassie at all in the story. At least not in a conventional way. She's more... haunting... than anything else. She sort of manifests as one of Lia's demons. <br />
<br />
The writing in this book is definitely different. Not told in solid story form but mainly through the jumbled thoughts of the main character. And I can tell you, it was so frustrating to read. So frustrating that I KNEW all this girl needed to do was eat... and so frustrating that she REFUSED even though she knew that was what she needed, too.<br />
<br />
But eating disorders are never that easy. You can't just look at someone with bulimia and tell them to stop throwing up their food. You can't look at someone with anorexia and say "Here, have a sandwich," and expect everything to get better. It's a battle. And not a battle between you and that person, but a battle between that person and whatever demons are waging battle in their heads. Clearly Lia had many. And it was sad. <br />
<br />
I'd seen a movie like this once. Long ago and far away. Best friends become anorexic... they literally compete to see who can eat the least and get the skinniest and then... one of them dies. The other is left with the guilt on top of the disease and her family's insistence that she seek treatment and "get better". <br />
<br />
Lia has a family who knows what she's doing... in a way. They know she has a problem. And they believe they're monitoring it correctly. But Lia lies and manipulates her way in to "seeming" normal. The anger and irritation at seeing her lie conflicts with the sadness and the heartache of "watching" her waste away... <br />
<br />
It's a hard book to read. <br />
<br />
If you've read any of Anderson's other novels... I'd suggest giving this one a go. I'd probably recommend it for highschool and up because unfortunately, I know how easy it is for younger kids to read or see something like this book and "identify" with it to the point where they think they're experiencing the same issues... again, something I'm familiar with personally, sadly. So... less easily influenced minds are probably better suited for this particular type of story. WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-76018219164543850302015-06-24T13:02:00.000-04:002015-06-24T13:02:26.922-04:00Review - Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote>
<b>found.</b><br />
Cole St. Clair has come to California for one reason: to get Isabel Culpeper back. She fled from his damaged, drained life, and damaged and drained it even more. He doesn't just want her. He needs her. <br />
<br />
<b>lost.</b><br />
Isabel is trying to build herself a life in Los Angeles. It's not really working. She can play the game as well as all the other fakes...but what's the point? What is there to win?<br />
<br />
<b>sinner.</b><br />
Cole and Isabel share a past that never seemed to have a future. They have the power to save each other and the power to tear each other apart. The only thing for certain is that they cannot let go.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Ok, so I finished <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18406862-sinner">Sinner</a> by Maggie Stiefvater almost 3 weeks ago but I was putting off actually getting online and typing up a review because I am exhausted. Well, I'm less exhausted now than I was before... but still. So, sorry there hasn't been much activity on the blog as of late. <br />
<br />
I was super stoked when I heard <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18406862-sinner">Sinner</a> was coming out. I loved the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/46586-the-wolves-of-mercy-falls">Wolves of Mercy Falls</a> series and I was so sad when it was all over. I was even more stoked when I learned that this one would be following Cole and Isabel. I love the Grace/Sam story with all my heart, but I wanted to know where Cole's story went. <br />
<br />
Cole has gone to Los Angeles to find Isabel. In the process he's also supposed to be filming some kind of reality show and making a new record with a new band. Or at least, mostly new. Isabel is happy to see him, and she isn't happy to see him at the same time. She doesn't want to fall in love with him because she doesn't want to be hurt and she thinks that Cole is definitely the kind of person who is going to hurt her. <br />
<br />
I have to admire Cole and his persistence. And the fact that even in the face of blatant temptation he didn't let his former addiction overcome him and cause him to undo all of the things that he's accomplished since becoming a wolf. I loved his carefree attitude and I loved being able to just be inside his head. He was trying so incredibly hard with Isabel. <br />
<br />
Isabel kind of ticked me off a bit, but then I had to remember that she was putting up with a lot when it came to Cole's reality show. A lot that she didn't really have to put up with at all. And she was doing so quite well for the most part. I cut her some slack even though a few things she did still irritated me. Like insisting that Cole was doing things he shouldn't without really giving him a chance to plead his case. <br />
<br />
She'd put up a wall though. One that she wasn't sure she wanted to put down for Cole. Well, in a way, she desperately wanted him to bust right through it and sweep her off her feet and carry her off in to the sunset with his mustang... but the rational part of her wanted to keep the wall in place because the lifestyle he was accustomed to (and she wasn't) was one that normally would have lead him to tear her heart to pieces and leave her broken on the ground. He had to prove himself. Over and over again. And I think he did that with flying colors. I love Cole. I really do.<br />
<br />
And it doesn't hurt that when I read his chapters I hear Dan Bittner's voice in my head. <br />
<br />
This was a great installment in the series. A definite deviation from the normal back and forth between Sam and Grace and their sort of ... innocence. Both Cole and Isabel are world weary and tired of the phoniness of people and the hurt they've gone through where as Sam and Grace were full of hope. Cole and Isabel hold each other up, though. They kind of find a new strength in each other and it makes the world not seem as bad. <br />
<br />
If you've read the rest of the series, you should absolutely pick this one up. It's a fantastic read. WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-20180409791232456212015-05-21T19:33:00.000-04:002015-05-21T19:33:33.701-04:00Review - Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.<br />
<br />
Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.<br />
<br />
The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.<br />
<br />
Friends can betray.<br />
Mothers can disappear.<br />
Visions can mislead.<br />
Certainties can unravel.
</blockquote>
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<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17378508-blue-lily-lily-blue?from_search=true&search_version=service">Blue Lily, Lily Blue</a> is book 3 in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/73675-the-raven-cycle">Raven Cycle</a> by Maggie Stiefvater. And, as I love all things Maggie Stiefvater, I had to read this. Although, I have put it off because book 4 is not scheduled to come out until February of 2016 so I didn't want there to be a million days in between reading this and reading that but... as with all things... I am impatient. And I had to stop procrastinating and get to reading. <br />
<br />
Blue and Co. (Or Gansey and Co. however you want to look at it) are so close to finding Glendower's tomb that they can taste it. Sort of. But Maura is gone and there are curses on caves and Greenmantle is now teaching at Aglionby and Adam has to go to court to testify against his father and things just aren't working out the way they're supposed to be. <br />
<br />
Some finagling has to be done to gain access to certain places and to make other things go away... it's getting scary. They're getting so close but everything is upending and they're not quite sure what to do next. <br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
That was the best summary I could give without giving much away. As this is still a relatively new book. <br />
<br />
First of all, I would like to say that I would love Blue's sense of style. I really would. But unfortunately I am the type of person that can really only rock jeans and t-shirts and still look like some semblance of a human being. <br />
<br />
Moving along. This book has a lot of surprises in it. Some interesting. Some incredibly sad. One in particular I didn't see coming at ALL. Not at all. I guess that's kind of how surprises work though. You don't see them coming. <br />
<br />
I didn't want to put this one down. I brought it with me to babysit, to dog sit... I brought it to read while I was waiting for my daughter's band concert to start... I read it outside, inside... everywhere and anywhere and all the time. That is how magnificent this installment is. It's also frustrating in a way. Everyone seems so stubborn and no one seems to give anyone the credit that they deserve. <br />
<br />
The crew makes some new friends in this story. One I enjoyed immensely and I thought was just absolutely fantastic. Another was... different. Although I'm not sure yet whether or not that's a bad thing. I guess we will have to wait for the 4th book to find out for sure. <br />
<br />
I loved Blue Lily, Lily Blue. But then, I love all of Maggie's books. It's fun to read about stories that are set close to home with names of places that I've been to. It had enough suspense without making the entire thing one big ball of "Oh my gosh what's going to happen!?" and the characters (Blue especially) had enough sass to keep things funny. We get a look at how strong they can truly be when bad things happen, and boy do they happen in this one. We also get to see just how magical things are the closer they get to their goal. It's pretty incredible. And I'll just warn you now, you'll get a punch to the gut in the end. Just saying.<br />
<br />
If you've read the other 2 in this series, you HAVE to give this one a go. If you haven't, I suggest reading books 1 & 2 first before even attempting this one. You'll be completely lost if you're not all caught up on things. I can't wait for <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17378527-the-raven-king">The Raven King</a> to be released! WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-74120057584790450372015-04-21T20:29:00.000-04:002015-04-21T20:29:49.728-04:00Review - Just Like Elizabeth Taylor by LuAnn Brobst Staheli <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote>
Twelve-year-old Liz Taylor has known for a long time that she would escape—escape the abuse against herself, and against her mother. She just didn’t know how or when. <br />
<br />
Then the perfect opportunity comes—money left of the table by her mother’s abuser—and Liz is on the run. But a girl her age doesn’t have many options when it comes to hideouts, making a K.O. A. Kampground and a nearby middle school her perfect choices. <br />
<br />
If only she can keep to herself, Liz, now using the name Beth, knows she can make it on her own, until things change, and she realizes she must face her situation head on if she is to save herself and her mom.</blockquote>
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<br />
I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23209145-just-like-elizabeth-taylor">Just Like Elizabeth Taylor</a> by LuAnn Brobst Staheli. It was not a long winded book so I quickly found out the meat of it shortly after beginning. <br />
<br />
Liz and her mother are being abused. Her mother by her boyfriend, and Liz by the boyfriend's son. Liz can't understand why her mother doesn't leave, but she won't. Liz decides she can't stay anymore and so she takes the boyfriends money and takes off. She parks herself at a KOA and enrolls in the school nearby. She's never reported missing. No one ever comes looking for her. She sets up camp in a shed at the KOA and does odd jobs in order to keep her money supply up so she can buy food, clothing, and things like a space heater to keep her warm during winter months. <br />
<br />
She originally planned on keeping her head down and keeping to herself. But things don't always end up as planned. <br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
My heart absolutely broke for Liz. And for her mother. But mostly for Liz. I know what it's like to be in an abusive relationship and so while I can relate to her mother... it makes me angry that she put her daughter in that situation with no real intention of getting her out of it. It makes me mad that Liz, who is the same age as my oldest daughter, would have to get herself out of harms way and live all by herself in an area completely foreign to her. No one to help her. No one to take care of her. No one to really care. <br />
<br />
It's sickening. <br />
<br />
BUT... I was kind of peeved at Liz too, for not telling her mother about the abuse from the son. Who knows. Her life could have been completely different had she said something. Maybe mom would have snapped out of it and decided her daughter was worth more than being in a relationship just for the sake of not being alone. But then again, maybe not. You never know. <br />
<br />
She was so strong. Liz was. So much stronger than I think I ever could have been at her age. Having to go through what she did and then having to fend for herself for the better part of a year. Not falling apart despite all she'd been through. Knowing that no one had cared enough to even report her missing. Not that I think she should have gone back to that hell hole... but just the fact that it seemed no one wanted her. <br />
<br />
I'm glad she was able to make a friend. Even if she didn't want to at first. Everyone needs a friend. Not a lot. But one special one. Liz was lucky enough to make two. Well, three by the end of it all. And every one of them played a part in saving her. Helping her truly save herself. <br />
<br />
It was a very short story. Easy to read. Length wise. Subject matter is another story. It was good. It definitely hit close to home, but it was good. And kudos to LuAnn for being able to pack such a story in such a short time and still manage to develop all the characters thoroughly and satisfactorily. <br />
<br />
I'd recommend this book to readers age 12-13 and up. But with the younger end of the spectrum I'd definitely set aside time to warn them about what they were about to read and then talk to them about it. It's not light subject matter. In the slightest. Liz goes through some horrible things. <br />
<br />
But she's so brave. To go through what she did and come out on the other side mostly in tact. She had more courage than most adults would when faced with the same type of situation. But she was also able to realize and understand that sometimes it was ok to rescue and it was also ok to accept a rescue. <br />
<br />
WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-56748716700670213862015-04-07T18:26:00.000-04:002015-04-07T18:27:33.686-04:00Review - Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It's late summer 1793, and the streets of Philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever. Down near the docks, many have taken ill, and the fatalities are mounting. Now they include Polly, the serving girl at the Cook Coffeehouse. But fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook doesn't get a moment to mourn the passing of her childhood playmate. New customers have overrun her family's coffee shop, located far from the mosquito-infested river, and Mattie's concerns of fever are all but overshadowed by dreams of growing her family's small business into a thriving enterprise. But when the fever begins to strike closer to home, Mattie's struggle to build a new life must give way to a new fight-the fight to stay alive.
</blockquote>
I picked up <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/781110.Fever_1793">Fever 1793</a> by Laurie Halse Anderson because of the cover originally. And the author. The blurb on the back totally sucked me in. I love historic fiction. Absolutely love it. Even a story as sad as this one. <br />
<br />
Mattie's town is stricken with yellow fever. Her mother falls ill and orders Mattie out of the house and out to the country. Her grandfather, ever the military man, promises to deliver her to her destination and protect her with his life. But not long after leaving Mattie's grandfather also appears ill. They're kicked out of the wagon that's supposed to drive them and it takes off with everything but the clothes on their back. <br />
<br />
Mattie, too, becomes extremely ill but manages to pull through to find that her grandfather is, more or less, well and ready to journey on. They decide to go back home to find Mattie's mother, but she's gone. And there's no way to find her. With so few people even willing to come out of their homes there's not even anyone to ask. So they find themselves back in the coffee house waiting to see what happens next.<br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
Like I said, I love historic fiction. I love period stories with a passion. And <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/781110.Fever_1793">Fever 1793</a> was fantastic. It's got enough in it to keep you turning page after page and before you know it, you'll be finished with it. The story is based on the actual yellow fever epidemic that swept through Philadelphia and displaced thousands of people, killing thousands more. <br />
<br />
I love the actual history peppered throughout the entire book and how well it was fused with the life of Mattie Cook and her family. We got to see the plague through the eyes of someone who was there. Fictionally speaking, of course, but how many girls like Mattie lived in Philadelphia at that time? How many people had to go through the things she went through. The prospect of first love. The loss of a friend. Having to leave home after finding out she may also lose her mother. Her bird disappearing. Falling ill but recovering only to lose her grandfather during a burglary. <br />
<br />
That was the part that got me. That hit me the hardest. <br />
<br />
It was sad when her mother sent her away. When all she could see, hear, and smell around her was pestilence and death. But it broke my heart to pieces when her grandfather left her. Absolutely broke it to pieces. Big, mushy, blubbering pieces. <br />
<br />
He had such a big heart. He was such a hero to Mattie. And she was a hero to him. He loved her so much and was determined to protect her and care for her with everything he had in him. I'm glad that this wasn't a story where the teenage main character was irritated and horrible to the grandparent that was only there to care for them. I think that would have been horrible.<br />
<br />
But Mattie, she loved her grandpa every bit as much as he loved her. She rescued him every bit as much as he had rescued her. Unfortunately, for both of them, the last rescuing took too much of him. I cried. I will admit it. And it was bad because it was in the dentist's office. So I'm sure I looked like an idiot, but that's ok. Books that can pull emotion out of nowhere are the best books to read. <br />
<br />
I liked that this book did not really end with a "and they lived happily ever after". As sad as that is. No one bounced back to where they'd been before the fever hit. It took its toll on everyone. Young and old. Strong and weak. It was realistic in its portrayal of the survivors. While I would have loved a happily ever after for some of the characters, life isn't always like that. Mattie found out how strong she was, despite her young age. Eliza, her friend and the cook for the coffee house, was able to move up in life to a position not many people of her color were able to reach during that time. Mattie no longer seemed scared of herself or worried about how to behave properly. She no longer worried about whether or not people viewed her as a child. She had found her place and earned her right to be where she was in the end. She worked hard. <br />
<br />
I think that was about as happy as it could end. Through horrible illness and loss, she found out who she could be and how strong she was in the process. She became herself, instead of trying to fit everyone else's image of a girl her age. <br />
<br />
This was a middle grade book. One that I might have read in 5th - 8th grade. It's definitely age appropriate, and I believe it's got enough in it to keep even the most reluctant reader reading. I'd recommend this to people of any age though. Not just children. Like I said, it's based in actual historical fact so you just might learn something you never knew before if you give this one a go! WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-57190294821335590922015-03-25T01:00:00.000-04:002015-03-25T01:00:06.938-04:00Review - Wind Catcher by Jeff & Erynn Altabef<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Juliet Wildfire Stone hears voices and sees visions, but she can’t make out what they mean. Her eccentric grandfather tells her stories about the Great Wind Spirit and Coyote, but he might as well be speaking another language. None of it makes any sense.<br />
<br />
When she stumbles upon a series of murders she can't help but worry her grandfather might be involved. To discover the truth, Juliet must choose between her new life at an elite private school and her Native American heritage. Once she uncovers an ancient secret society formed over two hundred years ago to keep her safe, she starts to wonder whether there’s some truth to those old stories her grandfather has been telling her. <br />
<br />
All she wants is to be an average sixteen-year-old girl, but she has never been average—could never be average.<br />
<br />
Betrayed by those she loves, she must decide whether to run or risk everything by fulfilling her destiny as the Chosen.</blockquote>
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<br />
First of all, I would like to say how much I love the cover for <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23497656-wind-catcher?from_search=true">Wind Catcher</a> by Jeff and Erynn Altabef. It's bright and the colors are stunning. It's what got me interested in reviewing this story right off the bat. I'm a sucker for a pretty sunset and the twisting arrows in the center were an interesting (and integral) element.<br />
<br />
Juliet seems stuck between two worlds. The Bartens world, where she doesn't feel she fits in. To them she's "Indian Trash" and won't ever be labeled as anything else. Not by the "popular" kids at least. And the world she left behind when she went to Bartens. The world with her friends, her not-boyfriend Troy, and her grandfather.<br />
<br />
The gruesome torture and subsequent murder of one of her grandfather's friends sets a giant snowball rolling down hill and she's powerless to stop it. All she can seem to do is stand in front of it and wait for it to pick her up and take her with it. She finds out that she's part of an ancient... prophecy... if you will. She is "the Chosen" and the fate of the world, quite literally, is in her hands.<br />
<br />
But no one wants to be honest with her. Her mother and grandfather have lied to her her whole life. And now Troy isn't being honest with her either. Teachers are keeping secrets. Friends of friends... everyone knows something that they don't want to tell her. It's driving her up the wall. All she wants is to understand what's going on.... and then leave it behind. She wants no part in it. She doesn't want to be "the Chosen". She wants to be normal.<br />
<br />
She can't ever be "normal" again.<br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
I love stories with Native American influence. I love the culture and the heritage. So I loved Juliet's grandfather. And the fact that he was a Medicine Man with stories upon stories that he wanted to tell her. It made me sad that she didn't want to hear them anymore. Because it meant that I didn't get to hear them either.<br />
<br />
The story established the conflict pretty quickly. People dying. Horrible deaths. Juliet's grandfather seems to be involved somehow but no one can quite figure it out, and she won't ask him until she's pieced together enough of the puzzle to get a straight answer from him.<br />
<br />
Ok. So we find things out the slow way. That's fine with me. I like the build up of a good mystery. I like the suspense. I also like plot twists and surprises. I like the idea of an ancient society sworn to protect the coming of the one who would save their world. I liked that the Chosen was Juliet. That the fate of human kind rested, not on a man or an arrogant boy... but a girl who, on the outside, appeared to be just like every other 16 year old girl in creation. Struggling to find her place and figure out who she is in the grand scheme of things.<br />
<br />
I liked her grandfather, Jake... or... Sicheii as she refers to him. I liked that he held on to the traditions of his culture. And that he attempted, however fruitless his attempts were, to continue to pass those traditions on to Juliet. He loved her dearly, and gave everything he had for her.<br />
<br />
Troy seemed to be her rock. The strong pillar in her crumbling world. The one who would always be there for her, even in spite of all of her temper tantrums and the silent treatment. I loved that this story was not fixated on making him her target. Yes, she expressed feelings for him... but the book was NOT about her pining away for him. Or running after him. Or throwing herself at him. There was no insta-love, or love triangle or love rhombus... whatever you want to call it. He was her best friend and, as sometimes happens with best friends, he became a little something more than that. Even if not in an official capacity. And even if she thought he didn't feel the same way.<br />
<br />
I got lost, however, during the detailing of Juliet's dreams. They seemed out of place with the rest of the story. Almost like a completely different story line developed half way through the book. The turn the book took toward the end kind of felt forced. In my opinion, it just didn't mesh with the rest of the story. It was interesting, don't get me wrong. And Juliet totally went from zero to badass in about 10 seconds flat... but her transformation happened so quickly I don't feel like I had enough of a chance to get excited about it before things ended.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23497656-wind-catcher?from_search=true">Wind Catcher</a> hooked me as a Native American YA Fantasy. It took a turn from that and veered more in to the Sci-Fi toward the end. Not that I don't like Sci-Fi... I just think that maybe that element should have been woven a little bit more in to the earlier story to better integrate the two ideas and keep the flow of the story more smooth.<br />
<br />
With that being said, it is definitely an interesting story. And like I mentioned, I'm sure a LOT of people can identify with Juliet in the beginning. If you're looking for a new sci-fi/fantasy read I suggest this one. If you're looking for a good, suspenseful mystery I suggest this one. Just hold on to your seat and be prepared for some twists and turns you're not expecting!WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-52696640203053262822015-03-09T01:00:00.000-04:002015-03-09T01:00:00.671-04:00Review & Giveaway - Harvest of Blessings by Charlotte Hubbard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The tranquil little town of Willow Ridge is facing a startling challenge. Wealthy Nora Glick Landwehr is determined to make it her home again--and put her past to rest. Cast out by her own family, Nora can't reconcile with Old Amish ways or her strict father. But she'll do anything to help her community embrace the future . . . and make amends to the daughter she had to give up. So, she certainly has no time for her reckless new neighbor Luke Hooley. They disagree about almost everything. And how can she trust him if he always seems to believe the worst about her? Somehow, though, his unexpected support and passionate heart are helping her find her own way in faith. And Nora will discover that even in the face of insidious lies and unyielding judgment, God creates unexpected chances for forgiveness--and love.</blockquote>
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<br />
I'm so glad I got to read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22538974-harvest-of-blessings">Harvest of Blessings</a> by Charlotte Hubbard, book 5 in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/79726-seasons-of-the-heart">Seasons of the Heart series</a>. True to form, it was fantastic. Just like the rest of the series.<br />
<br />
Unlike the other books, though, this centered, NOT on a member of the Lantz family, but on Preacher Gabe Glick's estranged daughter, Nora Landwehr. When Preacher Gabe found out his daughter was pregnant he demanded she name the father, so that he could be held responsible. She refused to name him and was sent away to live with her aunt. After giving birth her baby girl wound up in Willow Ridge, but she did not.<br />
<br />
For 16 years Nora lived an English life and even married an English man. She's moving back to Willow Ridge because she's decided the flashy, expensive English life she'd been living was not for her. She desired a more Plain existence but also to reconnect with her family... and the little girl she dropped on her brother's doorstep 16 years before.<br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
Leave it to Hiram to be at the center of the drama in this story. Nora actually buys his home on Bishops Ridge but Hiram believes that entitles him to WAY more freedom than is actually allowed of a business transaction. He's no longer just committing sins unbecoming of a Bishop in the Amish culture, but things that are bordering on abusive and illegal in all sorts of ways. Yuck.<br />
<br />
Nora is a different kind of character. In many ways, more experienced in the world than her Amish counterparts, having lived English for half of her life. I like that she goes home though. That she decides the English life isn't what she wants. And I like how persistent she is trying to patch things up with her family. She's a strong woman who, even though EVERY OBSTACLE POSSIBLE was placed in front of her, never gave up hope. Not truly anyway.<br />
<br />
Millie was just like her mother. Kind-hearted and strong in ways she couldn't have understood for someone so young. She sacrificed time she could have spent running around having fun, deciding whether or not the Amish church was something she wanted to be a part of, and dedicated herself to taking care of her grandparents.<br />
<br />
Luke Hooley... definitely not his brother, Ben, but not bad in his own respect. Still not a member of the church in his 30s, and really not in the mood to settle down with anyone. Until Nora comes along. Then it's like someone has hit him with a sack of potatoes and Nora is all he can think about. And good thing, too. It seems that Luke has a habit of showing up in places at just the right time, manages to rescue Nora from nasty Hiram several times. Messes up once... but sometimes that is what happens when you fall for someone and get jealous.<br />
<br />
I wasn't too fond of Ira Hooley at first. He seemed too dismissive for Millie. And when he saw Nora it was like Millie didn't exist to him at all. Forget that he was twice her age. He redeemed himself though. Which was surprising. And he was extremely good to Millie when her world was turned upside down. Or, as they say in the book, her applecart was overturned.<br />
<br />
The story had some shocking twists and revelations. And like I said, Hiram pushed the envelope QUITE a bit. But I loved how Willow Ridge, for the most part, rallied around Nora to help her. Even some of the decisions she made weren't exactly in line with the Amish way of thinking. Makes me wish the town were a place I could actually go visit. And it was great to see all the familiar names from Cedar Creek (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/79725-home-at-cedar-creek">One Big Happy Family</a> & <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/100897-one-big-happy-family">Home at Cedar Creek</a>) pop up quite a few times. I miss them.<br />
<br />
The book was lovely. Ms. Hubbard's books are never without their share of drama and excitement and are always uplifting. They have a way of making you feel better just for the fact that you've read them. They become stories that you hate to close the book on because you've known the characters so long they almost feel like friends. And you don't want to say goodbye. So, as always, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22538974-harvest-of-blessings">Harvest of Blessings</a> is a highly recommended read. Whether you've read the other books in the series or not. I suggest that you DO pick up the other books, but it's not necessary. Just makes things that much more enjoyable.<br />
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Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Charlotte Hubbard (a.k.a. Naomi King) writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her new Seasons of the Heart series. Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people—to share hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle, and the foundation of her earlier Angels of Mercy series. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.</blockquote>
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Excerpt from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22538974-harvest-of-blessings?from_search=true">Harvest of Blessings</a> by <a href="http://www.naomikingauthor.com/">Charlotte Hubbard</a></h4>
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When Nora swung open the restroom door, she nearly ran into Hiram Knepp before she saw him in the shadowy hallway. He was leaning against the wall as though he’d been waiting for her to come out. He shifted quickly, so he was blocking her exit.<br />
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“Looking good,” he murmured with a devilish smile.<br />
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Nora somehow contained her irritation. “Hiram,” she said with a curt nod. “If you’ll excuse me—”<br />
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“Oh, there’s no excuse for you today,” he quipped as his gaze roamed the length of her. “You and Hooley are as mismatched as a thoroughbred racehorse yoked to an ox. What do you see in him, anyway?”<br />
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Nora didn’t try to break past him, because that would bring her into contact with the arm he’d planted against the wall, right at her chest level. “You’re entitled to your opinion,” she muttered, “but—”<br />
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“But I’m really here with a proposition,” Hiram interrupted. “A business proposition, that is.”<br />
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As he moved closer, Nora had nowhere to go but backwards, into the deeper shadow. As her back found the wall she instinctively bent one leg up, so her knee was in a strategic position. She remained silent, making Hiram talk while she figured out how to get out of this trap he’d set.<br />
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“Several friends have told me how excited they are to be consigning items to your new store,” Hiram continued. “What a shame it would be if your business went belly-up. Most small businesses—especially those owned by women—fail within the first year because they’re undercapitalized. I’d like to help prevent that.”<br />
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I just bet you would, Nora thought, but she kept her mouth shut. Anything she said would give him more ammunition.<br />
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Hiram smirked. “Miriam Hooley and Andy Leitner can attest to that,” he stated. “They couldn’t keep their doors open if they didn’t have a benefactor who owned their buildings and relieved them of all that overhead. So what if I bought my barn back?” he asked. “What if I became your silent partner, Nora?”<br />
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“No way,” she muttered. “I don’t care to pay the sort of interest you’d expect.”<br />
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Hiram’s chuckle echoed in the small hallway. “Nora, my dear,” he protested in a silky voice. “You misunderstand my—”<br />
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The door to the mens’ room swung open so hard it hit the wall. <br />
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“The lady said no, Knepp,” Luke snapped as he stepped into the hallway. “I’ve got zero tolerance for snakes, so you’d better slither back into your hole. Got it?”<br />
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Hiram backed away from her. His jet black goatee rippled with his grin as he pointed first to Nora and then to Luke. “There’s just no accounting for taste, I guess,” he said with a shake of his head. “If you care to reconsider my offer, Nora, my door’s always open.”<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.charlottehubbard.com/seasons-of-the-heart-series/harvest-of-blessings/">HERE</a> for another excerpt and links to buy the book!</center>
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WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-4352331026162721012015-02-26T17:00:00.000-05:002015-02-26T17:00:41.174-05:00Cover Reveal - Belong to Me by Laura Howard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br style="line-height: 1.22em;" />Belong to Me by Laura Howard <br style="line-height: 1.22em;" />(A Moore Crossing Novel) <br style="line-height: 1.22em;" />Publication date: March 31st 2015<br style="line-height: 1.22em;" />Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance</div>
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Kate and Noah thought they had the kind of love that could last through anything. Until their world crumbles out from beneath them.</div>
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After months of separation, the tragic death of Jack, Kate’s twin and Noah’s best friend, throws them back together. As they try to heal from the horrific loss, will they be able to overcome old wounds or are they destined to live separately forever?</div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.22em;">Goodreads: </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17980025-belong-to-me?ac=1" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.22em;" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17980025-belong-to-me?ac=1</a></div>
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<b>Preorder:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TXNRL0C" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.22em;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TXNRL0C</a> </div>
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<b>AUTHOR BIO:</b></h4>
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Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.</div>
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<b>Author links:</b> </div>
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Website: <a href="http://www.laurahoward78.blogspot.ca/" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.22em;" target="_blank">http://www.laurahoward78.blogspot.ca/</a></div>
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Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6653788.Laura_Howard" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.22em;" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6653788.Laura_Howard</a></div>
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Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LauraHoward78" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.22em;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/LauraHoward78</a></div>
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Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/laurahoward78" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.22em;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/laurahoward78</a></div>
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WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-51411515823228958762015-02-21T17:00:00.000-05:002015-02-21T17:00:06.191-05:00Review - The Shadow Catcher's Daughter by Carla Olson Gade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Eliana has secrets. Daring Eliana Van Horn aims to make her mark by joining her father as his photography assistant--disguised as a young man--on a survey expedition to the remote Four Corners.<br />
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Living in the shadows of his native heritage, trail guide Yiska Wilcox is thrown off course when the shadow catcher's daughter opens up the uncharted territory of his heart.
As they travel through dangerous terrain in the mountains and deserts of Colorado and New Mexico, Eliana and Yiska must learn to overcome the barriers of culture, faith, and ideals to discover common ground.<br />
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Though they are worlds apart, will they stake a chance on love?</blockquote>
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I got <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13583947-the-shadow-catcher-s-daughter">The Shadow Catcher's Daughter</a> by Carla Olson Gade, book 1 in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/127298-love-in-four-corners">Love in Four Corners</a> series, when it first debuted... but lost it for a while after I'd started reading it. For a long while. I actually found it just a couple of months ago searching through my mom's house in a pile of books she'd taken off my old shelves and from various corner's of the house. I'm really glad it found its way back to me.<br />
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Eliana is the daughter of a photographer. She's accompanying him on a professional trip but she's disguised as a boy, both to keep herself safe and to try and avoid issues with the team. Before leaving on the expedition she meets Yiska. A "halfbreed" who's both a trail guide and a wonderfully poetic writer. They both become enamored with each other immediately.<br />
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Along the journey Yiska proves an incredible asset to the team, saving Eli several times and protecting the team from attack on more than one occasion. The trip is not without tragedy though... but along with the tragedy comes hope.<br />
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I liked this story. It was WAY too short if you ask me. I wish it had gone on for at least another 100 pages. Yiska was brave and selfless. And as I said before, an incredibly poetic writer. He was a man with dreams that, it seemed, he wasn't sure he'd be able to realize. Until he came across Eliana and her father. Two people who treated him like a human being and not like an animal like it seemed so many others believed him to be.<br />
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Eliana was a very determined young woman. She knew what she wanted and she wasn't going to let the fact that she was female stop her from achieving the goals she'd set for herself. She was also extremely kind and so full of faith. A faith that rubbed off on her trail guide eventually.<br />
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Her father was wonderful. He was protective but not overbearing. He was stern but he was kind and he was generous. Not quick to jump to conclusions or to accuse. He let Eliana be who she wanted to be and accepted Yiska almost as a part of the family, trusting him to take care of his daughter should anything happen to him on their journey. Or even after.<br />
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There wasn't necessarily one defining moment in this story. A peak, so to speak. It was full of mountains and valleys and action scattered all throughout. I love period pieces, especially set in or around this time. The descriptions of their travels and Yiska's stories and journal writings were absolutely lovely. Due to the characters in this story it was not without the issues of prejudice and finding faith. And as I said before, it was not without its tragedy.<br />
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But there was a joy as well. Every cloud has a silver lining right? Yiska was Eliana's every bit as much as she was his. And I thought that ended the book fantastically. I just wish it had been longer. I really do. That is the ONLY bone I have to pick with this story.<br />
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If you like period pieces as much as I do then this is a wonderful story to read. If you like Christian fiction (mixed in with some actual history!) then this is the book for you. If you're interested in reading at ALL then I suggest picking it up. It's an easy book to breeze through and it's such a wonderful story. Carla is a fantastic writer (I've also reviewed her novel <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13613136-pattern-for-romance">A Pattern for Romance</a> <a href="http://notwhileimreading.blogspot.com/2014/01/review-pattern-for-romance-by-carla.html">HERE</a>) and a fantastic person as well and I'm glad that I was able to finally get this story reviewed!WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-91046286588867933752015-02-13T15:24:00.000-05:002015-02-13T15:24:33.711-05:00Review - A Place Beyond by Laura Howard <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The time has come. Allison's quest to save her mother from Aoife's wicked enchantment will test everything she believes in. Who is trustworthy in the land of the Fair Folk, the Tuatha de Danaan? It's up to Allison, along with her ragtag host of allies, to unravel the truth.<br />
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Journey along and discover the power of love and duty as Allison faces the most difficult trial of her life.</blockquote>
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Ah. The conclusion to the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/102990-the-danaan-trilogy">Danaan Trilogy</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22294478-a-place-beyond">A Place Beyond</a> by Laura Howard was a great period to a long and suspenseful sentence.<br />
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Allison finds out that Liam, her father, is not dead as she'd thought, but imprisoned by Aoife... ill and getting worse every moment. His condition, unfortunately, is in direct connection with her mother's who, like Liam, is not feeling well.<br />
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Aoife puts a curse on Allison in an effort to derail Niamh and Aodhan's relationship and to ensure the rule of Tir na n'Og once her own parents have moved on. Meanwhile, things in the human world are falling apart for Allison. All except for Ethan. She has to make the decision to lie and manipulate and trick her friends, or lose her mom and her dad for good.<br />
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I can't say too much about this story, being that it is still relatively new and I don't want to spoil it for anyone. What I will say is that it is super fast paced and fantastic. I love the relationship between Allison and Ethan, how he knows he's not really enough to protect her against her paranormal foes, but he would die trying anyway. I hate that she has to keep lying to her friends and family but completely understand her need for doing so. Even in as difficult a time as they face in this story.<br />
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Aoife is as hateful as ever in this installment and proves that she will literally stop at nothing to win the right to rule... even if it means dozens more die in the process. She seems to care for nothing and no one and plows through the lives of those she deems lesser than her.<br />
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One of my favorite characters is Allison's grandmother. Despite the hardship she's been through, and having to deal with Allison's constant disappearing, she is still super supportive of Allison. She's sweet and kind and caring and even with everything going on around her she still wants to try and help Allison have as normal a life as possible. And she accepts all of Allison's excuses without getting angry at her or demanding too much of an explanation.<br />
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Well, the roller coaster ride is over. It's time to get out of the car. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22294478-a-place-beyond">A Place Beyond</a> was the final loop in the track and was well worth the wait to get to it. Once I finally got a chance to sit down and really get in to the story it moved along quite quickly, not really giving you a chance to relax and take a breath before moving on in to another exciting bit of the book.<br />
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It's kind of sad that it's over. I enjoyed the series immensely. Irish lore has always intrigued me and with this story it was like it had come to life in front of my eyes. I enjoyed watching Allison mature and grow. I enjoyed watching her and Ethan grow together. It was nice to see her "friends" become real and true companions. And... well, I can't say much more.<br />
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If you haven't read the series, I highly recommend it. Start with <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16288155-the-forgotten-ones">The Forgotten Ones</a> and just jump right in. It's a magical world and the descriptions are amazing along with the characters. It's a fun read and an exciting one as well. You won't regret it!WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-46440333262789036072015-02-02T21:47:00.000-05:002015-02-02T21:47:02.105-05:00Review - Huckleberry Spring by Jennifer Beckstrand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nothing gives Anna and Felty Helmuth greater satisfaction than seeing their grandchildren happily married--except for planning their next matchmaking venture. And as springtime comes to Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, the air is filled with promise. . .<br />
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Ever since the Helmuths' grandson, Ben, abruptly broke his engagement and moved to Florida, Emma Nelson has kept busy tending her vegetable garden and raising award-winning pumpkins. She can put her heartache aside to help Ben's Mammi with her own pumpkin patch. At least until Ben shows up to lend support to his ailing Dawdi. . .<br />
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Gardening side by side with pretty, nurturing Emma is a sweet kind of torture for Ben. She could have her pick of suitors who can offer what he can't, and he cares too much to burden her with his secret. Leaving once more is the only option. Yet Emma's courage is daring him to accept the grace that flourishes here, and the love that has been calling him back to Huckleberry Hill. . .</blockquote>
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I've been reading a lot of Amish fiction lately. And unfortunately due to an email mishap I was not able to get this review up when I normally would... BUT we're here now. And <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22215659-huckleberry-spring">Huckleberry Spring</a> (book 4 in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/100920-the-matchmakers-of-huckleberry-hill">Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill</a>) by Jennifer Beckstrand was definitely worth the scramble and stuffing my ears in headphones with movie soundtracks blasting and blocking out any other noise so that I could read straight through until I'd finished it. <br />
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Emma Nelson and Ben Helmuth were engaged and in love. The ideal couple. The type that made everyone else wish they could be them. Incredibly in love. And then it was over. Engagement was broken and Ben was gone. To Florida of all places. Leaving Emma in Wisconsin to mourn and try and put on a brave face so no one scolded her for crying or tried to make her feel better either.<br />
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Anna Helmuth was not easily dissuaded and was bound and determined to put the two lovebirds back together again. She convinced her husband, Felty, that he needed some fixing. Needed to get Lasik surgery for his eyeballs, his deviated septum repaired, plantar warts removed.... all in the name of love. Because if Felty was laid up recovering then Ben would HAVE to come back to help out with the chores until he was up on his feet again. And, it just so happens that at that same time Anna decided she needed a giant pumpkin and that Emma was the only person in the world that could help her to grow one.<br />
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Ben and Emma were thrown together, both wanting to help his grandparents, but neither being able to handle being around each other. Ben wanted Emma to move on. And Emma thought she'd forced Ben away. That she'd disgusted him so much that he had no choice but to leave. Both of them couldn't have been more wrong. Even if it took them forever to figure it out.<br />
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I loved this book. I loved Anna and Felty's relationship. Felty didn't think Anna should meddle in Ben and Emma's lack-of-relationship but loved her enough to do whatever she wanted him to do to keep their grandson in Wisconsin. Even if it meant a root canal and a new false tooth.<br />
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Emma is the MOST accident prone person I have ever "met" in my life. And I thought I was clumsy. She seems to attract problems like a super magnet. It kind of made her endearing though. And it only seemed to REALLY embarrass her when it came to what she thought Ben thought of her, and when people made fun of her for it. Which they rarely did on account of how much everyone loved her. She was kind and helpful and never sought out sympathy for all the trouble she found herself in. Even when the man she loved more than anything left and her best friend deserted her. She was so much stronger than she gave herself credit for.<br />
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Mahlon was her twin, and a wonderful big brother. Even if he was a little cranky. He was Emma's shoulder when she needed one and was hellbent on defending her even when she didn't want him to. The relationship between the two of them was wonderful and comical. And it made me happy when Emma's friend Lizzy came back and Mahlon started paying her more attention. Even if in the beginning it was mostly teasing.<br />
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Oh my gosh this book made my heart ache. Watching Ben and Emma from the outside, knowing the way they felt about each other but Ben being too stubborn it seemed to do anything about it. And Emma thinking it was all her fault that he'd left to begin with. I just wanted to take them both and shake some sense in to them. Make them see how ridiculous the whole thing was. I could completely imagine the pain Emma was feeling every time she thought of Ben. The soul sucking emptiness that she must have felt when he left.<br />
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Three quarters of the way through the book I got a kick in the gut though. One I wouldn't have been able to see coming from a mile away. And one that kind of hits a little close to home. Obviously I won't give it away... you'll have to read it to find out what it is.<br />
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That being said, this book is definitely highly recommended. The characters are wonderful (although Emma's mother and Adam were not high on my list of likes). I was rooting for Emma the entire time and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen the rug got pulled out from under me. There's enough going on to keep you interested and the plot twist will most certainly surprise you. And I don't do this often with books... I may have teared up a bit toward the end. But in a good way. Do yourself a favor and read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22215659-huckleberry-spring">Huckleberry Spring</a>!<br />
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<b>Author Bio:</b></center>
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I grew up with a steady diet of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. After all that literary immersion, I naturally decided to get a degree in mathematics, which came in handy when one of my six children needed help with homework. After my fourth daughter was born, I started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, music lessons, laundry, and two more children, I finished my first manuscript—a Western—in just under fourteen years.<br />
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I have always been fascinated by the Amish way of life and now write Inspirational Amish Romance. I am drawn to the strong faith of the Plain people and admire the importance they put on enduring family ties. I have visited and studied Amish communities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin where I met with a bishop and a minister as well as several Amish mamms, dats, and children. It has always impressed me at what salt-of-the-earth people they are. My interactions with these kind people have been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have a dear Amish friend with whom I correspond in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She helps me keep my facts straight and gives me inspiration for my stories.<br />
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My goal is to write uplifting, inspiring stories with happy endings and hopeful messages. If my books make readers want to give themselves a big hug or jump up and down for joy, I’ve done my job. I am a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers and am represented by Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency.<br />
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There are three Amish romances in the Forever After in Apple Lake Series (Summerside/Guideposts). Kate’s Song, Rebecca’s Rose, and Miriam’s Quilt are all now available.<br />
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I have six Amish Roamish buggymances in the works with Kensington Books. The first and second books, Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Summer, are now available in stores and online. The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill is set in northern Wisconsin Amish country.<br />
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The series, The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, is about an elderly Amish couple who try to find suitable mates for their grandchildren. What could be more fun than throwing two young people together to see if sparks ignite? No one would ever suspect two octogenarian Amish folks of mischief.<br />
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Romantic Times gave Huckleberry Hill 4 1/2 stars and chose Huckleberry Summer as a TOP PICK.<br />
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I have four daughters, two sons, three sons-in-law, and two adorable grandsons. I live in the foothills of the Wasatch Front with my husband and one son still left at home.
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<b>Author Links:</b></h4>
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<a href="http://www.jenniferbeckstrand.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferBeckst1">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniferbeckstrandfans?fref=ts">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5362202.Jennifer_Beckstrand">Goodreads</a>
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WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152771491839652459.post-80619667951571368262015-01-28T10:01:00.000-05:002015-01-28T10:01:21.507-05:00Review - Summer of Secrets by Charlotte Hubbard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer has come to Willow Ridge, but Rachel Lantz is looking forward to a whole new season in her life--marriage to strapping carpenter Micah Brenneman, her childhood sweetheart. When a strange Englischer arrives in the café claiming to be the long-lost sister of Rachel and her twin Rhoda, Rachel feels the sturdy foundation of her future crumbling--including Micah's steadfast love. As the days heat up and tempers flare, Rachel and Micah will learn that even when God's plan isn't clear, it will always lead them back to each other. . . </blockquote>
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I finally got to the FIRST book in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/79726-seasons-of-the-heart">Seasons of the Heart</a> series, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12938035-summer-of-secrets">Summer of Secrets</a> by Charlotte Hubbard! And like the rest, it didn't disappoint.<br />
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It was interesting to read the beginnings of the Willow Ridge crew. To see that at one point Hiram Knepp was at least SOMEWHAT respected in the community. Even if not for long. And to see the first meetings between Tiffany (Rebecca) and the family she never knew she had. She definitely was a surprise (and a shock) when she walked in to the cafe with her spikey "witchy" hair and tattoos with her goth style clothing. But Miriam knew her and loved her anyway.<br />
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Tiffany was the little girl that Miriam lost when she was only 3 years old. Washed away during a flood and thought dead for 18 years. After her "adoptive" mother dies, Tiffany finds out she's not really Tiffany and storms out in search of answers she doesn't feel her grieving father will truthfully provide. The truth, however, is not what she expected and seems to be more in conflict with what's going on once she's met her Mamm and her sisters than she ever was.<br />
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To Rachel's dismay and complete irritation, her honey Micah seems smitten with "Tiffany" and can't stop gawking at her. But, things aren't always what they seem. Yes, Micah was intrigued by the "witchy" girl, but realized that underneath all the hair dye, dark shocking make up, tattoos, and strange clothing, there was someone who was hurting and trying to figure things out. Someone who needed to know her Mamm and sisters, even if she didn't think she wanted to.<br />
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And it's a good thing he persisted. If he hadn't, Rebecca never would have come back to the bakery the day she did. Miriam could have lost her shop. And Micah and Rachel may have been forced to transform their home in to a B&B not too long after marriage in order to bring income in to the family. Not that a B&B is a bad thing... but when you're newly married who wants to share a home with strange people you have to wait on and take care of? Not that they would have minded probably... but you know they wanted to be able to enjoy that time together alone...<br />
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Loved the book. And meeting Rebecca/Tiffany for the "first" time. Even after reading all the other books and liking her a lot for her character and her part in the stories that she was in, this first meeting rubbed me the wrong way. I think I judged her much like most of the residents of Willow Ridge.<br />
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Rachel was prone to tantrums in this one. Something else I wasn't used to seeing in subsequent books. But... I suppose if I was not quite engaged - at least not publicly - to MY childhood sweetheart, I'd probably have been a bit worried TOO if he kept blowing me off to go follow around someone else. Yes, he had his reasons, and they turned out to be honorable... but what young girl is able to see the forest for the trees in a situation like this? She came around, and that was the important part.<br />
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I LOVED this first look at Miriam (not MY first look, but this first look in the series). She's strong and steadfast and SASSY. And she's so incredibly smart. Not one to just roll over and let things happen to her that aren't fair simply because someone says she should. She fought for the right to be independent and to run her business, a business that employed and supplied food and work for MANY Willow Ridge residents. She fought to be able to take care of herself and her children without having to ask anyone for handouts, which I'm sure would have been given if they had been needed because the people in the town loved her.<br />
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Micah was a little sneaky for my taste in this book. At the beginning at least. I was kind of worried that he'd end up breaking Rachel's heart (even though I knew that wasn't going to be the case). Or put himself in a bad situation as far as Rebecca was concerned. The thing I dislike the most in life is a liar. And unfortunately, he lied a bit. Made promises that he knew he couldn't keep. BUT... in the end, like I said, intentions were honorable and ultimately resulted in the happy ending the story had. Were it not for his mild deception things would not have been so great for the Lantzes. So... I'll forgive him for telling a few fibs.<br />
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If you haven't read any of the other books in the series, start with this one. Or don't. It doesn't really matter what order you read them in. They're just as exciting and fun to read OUT of order as they are IN order. I just highly suggest you read them! They're not without their drama and frustration (Hello, Hiram!) but they're lighthearted and friendly and after a while, familiar. Like friends. You won't be sorry!WildIrishRose33http://www.blogger.com/profile/01900152280285174419noreply@blogger.com0