tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7228408256245266072024-03-05T14:47:40.916+02:00FantasmagorieseNiecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-91478370171303621792013-11-18T07:36:00.002+02:002013-11-18T07:36:26.220+02:00GIVEAWAY BY THE AUTHOR OF THE MAGICAL DEATH OF THE MAD HATTER - SARAH J PEPPER<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1384752380142_3736">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Hey guys</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">So obviously you know by now that I loved the book, and now the lovely author, Sarah J Pepper has asked me if I would post this giveaway, and I obviously said yes!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">So here you go</span></span></div>
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<img alt="18395230" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1380597032l/18395230.jpg" width="133" /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1384752380142_3734" style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1384752380142_3733" style="line-height: 17px;">***WHITE RABBIT
DOOR PRIZE*** </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">$25 Amazon Gift Card! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">To enter: join the Death of the Mad Hatter's
release day party event and invite as many people as you wish! (here's the
link) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/166792730192034/176985315839442/?notif_t=like" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/events/166792730192034/176985315839442/?notif_t=like</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br clear="none" /></span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1384752380142_3740" style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1384752380142_3739" style="line-height: 17px;">When your friends
join, just follow the instructions in the top post to enter the giveaway! The
person who has the most votes WINS THE WHITE RABBIT DOOR PRIZE!! Thank you for
participating and hope to see you there! :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I think that everyone should enter!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">So just follow the link, and who knows, $25 Amazon Gift Card could be yours!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Merry Christmas!!!</span></span></div>
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Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-91039556036052478992013-11-01T07:29:00.001+02:002013-11-01T07:29:14.934+02:00REVIEW - Death of the Mad Hatter by Sarah J Pepper<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">REVIEW: Death
of the Mad Hatter <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Synopsis:
(From Goodreads)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<img alt="Death of the Mad Hatter" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1380597032l/18395230.jpg" width="212" /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Jack prophesied: If the king loses his head, then the Queen with a Bleeding
Heart would rule the Red Court until Time ceased to move forward. When a second
carried on for infinity, every creature in Wonderland would tip their Hat to
the misfit girl with a Boy’s name (or was it a boy with a Girl’s name?) who’d
end the Reign of Terror. However, it all hinged on the One-Eyed Hare being able
to convince an uninspirable Heir that the impossible was indeed possible—like
stopping time—and that Love was worth a Beheading.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Heads
would Roll…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hearts
would Break…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
the end, would it matter who Reigned<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ms Sarah J Pepper asked me if
I would like to review her book, Death of the Mad Hatter, and how could I
refuse, when I love fantasy novels so much. The cover of the book of course
also captured my attention, which I know isn’t always fare as one should not
judge a book by its cover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So when reading the title of
the book and seeing the cover you might realise that this book has some
relation to the Classic Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I will admit that
this put me off a little as I don’t generally like books that are a remake of a
classic, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It’s not a remake, so
don’t panic, it’s kind of an extension, but not really. Just read it, I bet
you’ll love it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The story is about Ryley
Edward Edgar, a boy that has moved too many times in his life than he would
care for. His father, Robert Edgar, is in an Institution; as he’s gone a bit
mad. So Ryley and his mother live alone and don’t talk about his father’s
history or where he is much. Ryley also has a best friend, Dax, who is the only
other person who knows the truth about Ryley’s dad. Ryley obviously goes to
school, and has a thing for a red haired beauty named Courtney, so as he’s
trying to get her to like him, a new girl enters the picture. Alice Mae is a
bit weird, she doesn’t dress like everyone else and she just seems like she’s
from another world. Ryley doesn’t care for her much at the start, she
infuriates him, drives me crazy, but for some reason he can’t get her out of
his mind. It might be because she’s just plain weird, or the fact that she
knows something about Ryley’s dad, something she’s not sharing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So that’s Ryley’s story, in
the real world. Then there is Alice Mae’s story in Wonderland and the real
world. Alice Mae is a young girl who, after chasing after a rabbit that was
eating at her vegetable garden, falls down a rabbit hole into Wonderland. There
she meets the Mad Hatter, more commonly known as M.H., and all sorts of other
creatures. It is here that Alice Mae here’s the Bleeding Hearts Prophecy for
the first time… “<i>If the king loses his
head, then the Queen with a Bleeding Heart would rule the Red Court until Time
ceased to move forward. When a second carried on for infinity, every creature
in Wonderland would tip their Hat to the misfit girl with a Boy’s name (or was
it a boy with a Girl’s name?) who’d end the Reign of Terror. However, it all
hinged on the One-Eyed Hare being able to convince an uninspirable Heir that
the impossible was indeed possible—like stopping time—and that Love was worth a
Beheading.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Heads
would Roll…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hearts
would Break…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
the end, would it matter who Reigned”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It becomes clear to her that
M.H. wants to kill the Queen of Hearts so that the reign of terror can end. So
some things happen (I don’t want to give it away) and Alice Mae starts working
for the queen for various reasons. Her mission… find Robbie Edgar’s son in the
real world. Thus brings us back the Ryley in the real world meeting Alice Mae.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Her plan is simple, get Ryley
to fall in love with her and then lure him to Wonderland, where the queen will
most probably behead him so that the Bleeding Hearts Prophecy can never come
true. Only problem is that she doesn’t just pretend to fall in love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This book was just so fun to
read. Getting to know the characters, Ryley, Dax, with his kind heart, Mick who
starts flirting with Alice Mae and thinks he’s a knock out, Irwin with his
stutter, Becky the noisy witch, Courtney the beauty with the red locks, Crazy
M.H., Mr Ruth with his one eye, Hearts with her wicked ways, the Joker and his
dangerous toys, Jack without the tongue, insane Robbie in the institution,
Alice Mae’s crazy aunts. There are so many, and all are wonderfully written. I
felt like I could really see all of them, I got to live in this imaginary world
where they all came to life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The story of Ryley and Alice
Mae is such a beautiful one, really. The way the author described their
encounters together sometimes made me blush and wish for that too! Sometimes
authors get really mushy, especially in a young adult book, but Ms Pepper did
it really well. It wasn’t over the top or erotic, it was just blush worthy and
beautiful to read. I admit that when reading my emotions get tangled into the
pages, but I never once felt like rolling my eyes at the antics that happened
between these two characters. I do have to say that the reason I didn’t give
this one 5 stars is that besides what I just said about the way the
relationship between Alice Mae and Ryley went, there were other parts in the
book where I did do a bit of an eye role. Not much, mostly at the beginning,
but it did put me off a little, the way Ryley acted in the beginning. But it
all did improve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I therefore give this book 4
stars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A joy to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-76933137080573262442013-11-01T07:24:00.000+02:002013-11-01T07:24:13.683+02:00REVIEW - The Pegasus Project by Daphne Olivier<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">REVIEW:
The Pegasus Project<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Synopsis:
(From Goodreads)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<img alt="The Pegasus Project" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1363559833l/17592283.jpg" width="212" /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When Jack
Randal lands a job with Bells Biological Research Centre, he sets off for the
remote South African farm, unaware of the dangers lurking behind the high,
electrified fence.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It doesn't
take long for him to uncover a top-secret project. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When a
fellow scientist dies under mysterious circumstances, Jack zeros in on the
Pegasus Project. Tension mounts as he probes the dark secret surrounding the
genetically modified bio-fuel, and the time comes when he must decide whether
to risk his life in order to prevent a global catastrophe.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I was privileged enough to be
asked by the author to read and review her book. It took me some time, sorry
guys, a bit busy with exams at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I really enjoyed the book. It
is well written and a quick read and kept my attention throughout. I do have to
admit that again I had my doubts as the book is set in South Africa and deals
with some illegal type things which I’m not partial to. I prefer books that are
set in another country and that don’t really focus too much on the History of
South Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But the book surprised me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The story is about Jack
Randal, a young man who is looking for a well-paying job in order to save his
family farm after his father dies. He has some experience with farming and
plants, but not much. So he applies for a job at Bells, not really thinking
that he would get the job. He messes up in the interview and after that really
thinks he’s done for. But to his surprise, he lands the job, which will have
him live at the Research Facility which is set up like a bit of a small town
with houses, clubhouse, clinic and grocery store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s only when he gets to the
Research Facility that he realises that there might be some illegal activities
going about. At his first encounter at the grocery store he hears about some
untimely deaths of some of the employees that worked in The Zone, the
mysterious part of the research facility where he isn’t allowed to enter yet.
This of course peeks his interest and he digs a bit deeper, finding out that Mr
Ruben Brandt, the head of Bells, is working on a special project, The Pegasus
Project, presumably some type of Bio Fuel that will change the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Then Jack befriends his
neighbour, Ben Ferguson, and the neighbour’s daughter, the beautiful Maggie,
and he eventually falls in love with Maggie (a bit too soon I would say, but
still it makes for a bit of distraction from the more serious topic going on in
the book). Ben is a long-time friend of Arthur Bell, the founder or the Bells
Research Centre, and the things that Ben starts telling Jack of course makes
Jack even more curious about this new place he is living and working at. It’s
when Ben dies in a bit of a mysterious car accident and when strange cases are
seen at the Clinic where Maggie is the head nurse, that Jack and Maggie really
start digging around, and what they find is horribly shocking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There is a bit more to the
whole research farm too, like the fact that Ruben Brandt married Mr Arthur
Bell’s daughter, Ruth, just to get the chance to be the head of the firm and to
create this extraordinary Bio Fuel that will make him rich and famous. The
relationship they have is tumultuous and I really started feeling sorry for
Ruth, until she showed that she had some balls to get back at her husband.
There’s also the story of Arnold Mason, second in command, but treated more like
a minion in the firm by Brandt. He has a daughter, who is severely mentally
challenged, and you really feel sorry for this man, he seems to have no self-worth,
but he also surprises everyone in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The characters were well
written, described well, which I always like as I love to imagine what each
person looks like, the sound of their voice, the colour of their skin, hair,
clothing etc. it wasn’t a dull description at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So I won’t give away the
whole story there. Just know that it really captures your imagination. I’ve
mentioned before that it was a quick read, because the story really flows well.
I can’t really think that there were any dull parts in the book, and also no
storylines that didn’t really make a lot of sense. Everything gelled together
well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I enjoyed the book very much
and will give it a 3.5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-70250742152920334812013-10-25T10:49:00.002+02:002013-10-25T10:49:54.128+02:00I'm moving<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://maijasmommymoments.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/were-moving1.jpg" /></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey everyone...</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just to let you all know, I have been approached by a good friend of mine from the blog Sugar&Snark to be a guest reviewer on her blog. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm going to take this oppertunity, but just wanted to let you all know.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A link will be posted soon on her blog, and I will post links on my own blog as well to all reviews.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please keep sending me your requests, I'm happy to read and review your material, but we feel that you will get more exposure on the Sugar&Snark blog than over here.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, this is not goodbye, but more like a "gone fishing" type of hiatus. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To all my loyal followers, thanks for all the support, and please keep supporting me on the new blog too!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Much Love</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Niecole</span>Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-2503410271510379932013-10-25T10:41:00.000+02:002013-10-25T10:42:37.558+02:00REVIEW - Operation: Genocide by Yvonne Walus<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">REVIEW: Operation:
Genocide<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Synopsis:
(From Goodreads)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<img alt="Operation: Genocide" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1375141174l/18269827.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">An inhuman
agenda…<br />
<br />
In 1982, Annette Pretorius lives a life of privilege afforded to those of
European descent in South Africa, but when her husband is murdered, she
discovers a shattering secret: he’d been commissioned by the whites-only South
African government to develop a lethal virus aimed at controlling the growth of
the black population--already oppressed under the cruel system of apartheid.<br />
<br />
A clandestine organization…<br />
<br />
The murder came with a warning to Annette from a secretive organization: keep
our secrets or you too will die. Captain Trevor Watson, Annette’s former
boyfriend, is appointed to lead the investigation. Watson’s loyalty is tested
as the evidence stacks against his high school sweetheart. <br />
<br />
And the killing isn’t over yet…<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
When the investigation points in a terrifying direction, Annette and Watson
face a wrenching choice: protect those they love or sacrifice all to save
innocents from racial extermination.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: x-small;">I was again privileged that
the author sent me the book and asked me to do a review for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: x-small;">In some of my previous
reviews you would notice that I don’t really love reading books about South
Africa, especially when they involve serious political contexts. Thus I have to
admit that I didn’t really go into this book with a total open mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The book is set in 1982 South
Africa, which is 3 years before I was even born. I don’t have a lot of
knowledge about what the country was like back then, I’m not a fan of apartheid
and I don’t care much for that in any way. I know that it is a major part of
our history and that the book had to depict it as such, but it’s not one of my favorite subjects to read about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The story involves a secret
society, where men receive a white unicorn to show that they are in the
society, a society who wants to make things “better” for the future generations
in South Africa, by poisoning the water of the less fortunate (black) people.
So here is this rich man, who seems to have the perfect family, he is a
renowned scientist and part of this secret society. But then one day he decides
that he doesn't want to be a part of it anymore, he wants out, and then a
couple of days later he is dead. It looks like suicide, but turns out to be
murder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: x-small;">Then something in the story
happens. The detective that is sent to investigate is the ex-lover of the
bereaving wife. And it turns out she’s not so bereaving as you would think. Now
don’t get me wrong, if you are a fan of the soppy romance dramas then this is
right up your ally, but I thought the book was about a murder mystery? So this
spoiled it for me a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There are also a lot of
twists and turns in the story line and not all good, it does get a bit
confusing. And the way the author writes makes me wonder if she really did a
lot of research about the South African people, not only the “white folk” in
the book but also the “black”. I felt that it was very poorly written.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: x-small;">I did keep on reading and
felt that I wanted to finish the book because the story was interesting; I
wanted to know who was behind it all. I wanted to know what was going to happen
and why some other things had happened. But thinking back to it all now I can’t
even remember what really happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What really peeved me was the
grammar and language use in the book, it didn't feel like the way that South
Africans would talk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Other than that the story was OK I did finish the book and I’m not sorry that I did. The story line was OK
like said before, it did grab me, but I didn't care for it that much. There
were so many different scenarios in the book that it became a bit confusing.
There were so many suspects, and in the end I just didn't care about who had
done it anymore, which I think is a major fault in this book, as it’s supposed
to be a suspense and murder mystery, and that would be the point, to make the
reader wonder who had done it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgi7Brgx5ol5_TBKIltyZlOtZYYvXn8c4_dkUGnHFaNicVpx_9J5aCdg" /><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgi7Brgx5ol5_TBKIltyZlOtZYYvXn8c4_dkUGnHFaNicVpx_9J5aCdg" /><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgi7Brgx5ol5_TBKIltyZlOtZYYvXn8c4_dkUGnHFaNicVpx_9J5aCdg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I did give the book 3 stars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was better than a lot of
other books I’ve read, so I had to give it that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-80234717276503899822013-10-25T10:39:00.000+02:002013-10-25T10:39:09.095+02:00REVIEW - Deadly Harvest: A Detective Kubu Mystery<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">REVIEW: Deadly
Harvest: A Detective Kubu Mystery (Detective Kubu #4) by Michael Stanley Synopsis:
(From Goodreads)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<img alt="Deadly Harvest: A Detective Kubu Mystery" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358750481l/16248198.jpg" width="212" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Girls
are disappearing in Botswana. The rumor is they're being harvested for muti, a
witch doctor's potion traditionally derived from plants and animals—and which,
some believe, can be made more potent by adding human remains. Detective David
"Kubu" Bengu joins the investigation with the police force's newest
detective—and only woman—Samantha Khama, for whom the case is personal.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Soon
one girl's father, convinced that his daughter's death is linked to the recent
popularity of a political candidate, takes the law into his own hands. After
the father flees, what Kubu and Samantha find in the politician's home confirms
their worst fears: muti containing human DNA is real.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now
Kubu and Samantha are thrust into a harrowing race to stop a serial killer or
killers—and those who would pay for their special, lethal muti.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I was privileged enough to be
asked by the authors of Deadly Harvest to review their novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Their novels are based in
Botswana and features Detective David “Kubu” Bengu, his nickname Kubu meaning
Hippo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As some of you might know,
I’m not always keen on reading books set in South Africa or Africa, as there is
always some political twist which I don’t really care for. But when the authors
asked me I couldn’t refuse, as they tempted me with the fact that this was a
murder mystery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The book started off very
well and was easy to read. It grabbed my attention from the get go and I found
that I didn’t want to put it down. The book had very little political interest
and centred more on a problem that most African countries struggle with – Muti
Killings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The characters were also well
thought out, and the way they were described to the reader you could really get
a clear mental picture of who they are and what they look like. I was drawn to
a couple of characters to tell you the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The dialect of the book was
also not disappointing. Many authors sometimes don’t really know how the local
folk talk, but these authors sure had done their research and the story just
flowed, you really got the sense that you were there, in Botswana, with the
locals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We get introduced also to a
new detective, Samantha Khama. At first you might think she’s a bit of a loner
and wants to impress everyone by doing things herself, but then the author
gives you a glimpse into her past, and you grow to really like her. I loved the
way they connected her with the rest of the story. This is also the first in
the series where detective Khama is featured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, if you’ve read the book
you would know there is also an election involved in the storyline, and you
might ask me but how could I say the book had no political connotations? Well,
these authors were great, they made the elections a part of the story, but also
didn’t overshadow anything else in the book with that. The major focus is the
unit in the police who are investigating the disappearance of the young girls
around the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Another really great thing
about the book was how there were so many twists and turns. I literally
sometimes felt that I had it all figured out, and then I would read a little
further and be flabbergasted to see that I was totally wrong, not just a
little, but a lot! It keeps things interesting and that’s another reason you
just won’t be able to put the book down, you want to know what the heck is going
on and who is behind it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There was one lose end for me
in the book, and not a major one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The father of one of the
missing girls goes on a mission by himself to find out what happened to his
daughter. He goes on quite a rampage and thinks he knows what’s up (and he is
very nearly right), but then he does something stupid and ends up on the run.
From here, yes, the storyline does make sense, but it was a bit lose fitted for
me to really go with. It did however not spoil anything in the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I must say that it’s been a
long time since I’ve picked up a book with and African plot and mind-set and
not been disappointed. This book (and I bet the series) could compete with any
international crime drama or murder mystery. There was almost nothing that disappointed
me about this book, and for that I want to say to the authors, well done!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgi7Brgx5ol5_TBKIltyZlOtZYYvXn8c4_dkUGnHFaNicVpx_9J5aCdg" /><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgi7Brgx5ol5_TBKIltyZlOtZYYvXn8c4_dkUGnHFaNicVpx_9J5aCdg" /><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgi7Brgx5ol5_TBKIltyZlOtZYYvXn8c4_dkUGnHFaNicVpx_9J5aCdg" /><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSgi7Brgx5ol5_TBKIltyZlOtZYYvXn8c4_dkUGnHFaNicVpx_9J5aCdg" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I gave this one 4 stars.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Definitely one of my new
favourites. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-13567752481454902122013-09-30T15:16:00.000+02:002013-09-30T15:16:02.155+02:00REVIEW - House Rules<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">REVIEW:
HOUSE RULES BY JODI PICOULT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Synopsis:
(From Goodreads)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<img alt="7924837" height="320" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1322391420l/7924837.jpg" width="205" /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When
your son can't look you in the eye...does that mean he's guilty?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Jacob
Hunt is a teen with Asperger's syndrome. He's hopeless at reading social cues
or expressing himself well to others, though he is brilliant in many ways. But
he has a special focus on one subject - forensic analysis. A police scanner in
his room clues him in to crime scenes, and he's always showing up and telling
the cops what to do. And he's usually right.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But
when Jacob's small hometown is rocked by a terrible murder, law enforcement
comes to him. Jacob's behaviours are hallmark Asperger's, but they look a lot
like guilt to the local police. Suddenly the Hunt family, who only want to fit
in, are directly in the spotlight. For Jacob's mother, Emma, it's a brutal
reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her
family. For his brother, Theo, it's another indication why nothing is normal
because of Jacob.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And
over this small family, the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit
murder?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m sorry for those who loved
this book, but I just could not finish it. Therefore, please note that this is
not a full review, only my opinion on what I’ve read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As my previous reviews have
stated, I have come to love the work of Ms Picoult. It’s for that very reason
that a good friend of mine sent me this book for Christmas last year. I love
receiving books as gifts, and she’s such a dear friend, but how was she to
know. I was ecstatic that it was another Picoult book I could sink my teeth
into.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But what a disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At first I just couldn’t get
into the book for various reasons, I was studying, I was reading something
else, I didn’t really have time to focus on it. I really thought these were the
reasons why I couldn’t get into the book. But the fact is that the book didn’t
grab me at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Look, the storyline is pretty
compelling when you read the synopsis. A kid with Autism (or Asperger’s) who is
committed of murder? I really wanted to know who really did it and how this kid
was involved. But due to boring chapters of unnecessary information I could not
finish this one. Each chapter is written in the voice of a different character.
Interesting you’d think. The only mess up was that some things were repeated in
each chapter, just in the view point of the different character. This was my
first hang up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Second hang up. There are so
many facts about autism in this book that I really got bored with it. Please
don’t get me wrong, I’m not dissing this illness, I totally support it. I’ve
even been a part of a community initiative for kids with autism. But the book
overloads you with the same information over and over again. I became rather
boring after a couple of chapters you know?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Third hang up. The chapters are uninteresting. Yes there are
obviously some that are not, and which grab you, but then there are the ones that
just keep dragging by. Some of the characters also just didn’t do it for me,
which leads to point number four. I get that when you’re a parent of a child
with a mental disability you are different to other parents, but the way the
mother was written just makes her seem uninvolved with her other son and a bit
of a fridget bitch towards people in general. The only way she seems to really
communicate in a civil way with people is through her self-help column. I
really didn’t like her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The fifth hang up was that
the book never seemed to get to the point! It was the same thing over and over
again… but never getting to an answer. There are some storylines in there that
just hang in the air, some that don’t fit in, obviously this would be even more
true because I didn’t finish the book, but really… it was difficult for me to
stay focused when all I wanted to do was skip a couple of chapters and get to
the point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So I’m sorry Ms Picoult, but
this one just didn’t do it for me. But I love her other work and would recommend
it to anyone who likes an emotional type of book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-33121280441960075522013-09-30T15:13:00.000+02:002013-09-30T15:13:05.025+02:00Review - Die Naamlose<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">REVIEW:
DIE NAAMLOSE DEUR MARIëL LE ROUX<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Synopsis:
(Van Tafelberg Publiseerders)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href=""><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img class="mainImage" src="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4615519068423495&pid=1.7" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Carli
Botha is amper sewe jaar oud toe haar Italiaansgebore moeder, Bella, sterf
tydens die geboorte van haar wanskape, breinlose [anensefaliese] boetie. [Dis
'n katkoppie, Baas, het Carli vir Lena, die jarelange huishulp in Grootvlei se
plaashuis, by die kraambed hoor se.] Sy word agtergelaat in die sorg van haar
dranksugtige pa, Wilhelm Botha, wat haar treiter. Dora, wat ook soms in die
plaashuis help, kom bedags tot Carli se redding. Sy was 'n sterk vrou en sy het
'n swaard gehad om oor die baas van Grootvlei se kop te hou. Sy het die plaas
se geheime geken reg van oupa Maans se tyd af, en sy sou praat, dit het Wilhelm
Botha geweet.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Carli woon op die plaas
Grootvlei saam met haar pa, Wilhelm Botha. Haar ma is dood toe sy amper 7 is,
met die geboorte van haar misvormde boetie. Haar ma en pa het nie die beste
verhouding gehad nie, alles as gevolg van haar pa se ma wat stories fluister in
haar pa se oor wat hom laat betwyfel dat sy vrou regtig is wie sy sê sy is. Dit
help natuurlik glad nie dat haar ma, Bella, van Italiaanse afkoms is, met
donker hare en vreemde gelaatstreke wat glad nie die norm is in die geweste
nie. Carli word ook dan met die donker hare gebore en die dat sy gereeld in die
son is, brand sy natuurlik ‘n pragtige blas velletjie, wat die tonge verder
laat klap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Met die stormagtige
verhouding tussen haar ma en pa is Carli se enigste toevlug wanneer haar pa
slaap en sy en haar ma na die rivier toe gaan met ‘n pic nic mandjie en net
mekaar se geselskap geniet. Dis dan wanneer haar ma haar vertel van die plek
waar sy vandaan kom en hoe sy eendag op ‘n reendag weer vir Carli daarheen wil
wegneem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Wanneer haar ma sterf word sy
agtergelaat met haar pa wat nie juis die beste ouer is nie, hy drink gans te
veel en begin Carli mishandel, totdat haar getroue huiswerker Lena, haar pa
dreig met die waarheid as hy weer sy hande teen Carli lig. Maar dit keer hom
nie om te drink nie, wat beteken Carli moet basies vir haarself sorg wanneer
dit donker word en Lena na haar eie huis gaan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Dinge raak bietjie erg en die
mense op die dorp begin natuurlik praat, waarna Carli deur die Welsyn weggeneem
word van haar pa en op die dorp by die dominee gaan woon. Sy gaan nog naweke
huistoe waar sy ‘n geheime romanse begin met een van die plaaswerker kinders
wat daar woon. Gerugte loop ook dan hoog wanneer een van die meisies wat saam
met haar skool gaan die twee verliefdes uitvang. Haar pa is natuurlik glad nie
ingenome met die verwikkelinge nie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Die stories is werklik
pragtig. Soms kry mens dat elke Afrikaanse boek een van twee storielyne in
neem, of die van die pragtige jong meisie wat verlief is, seerkry, weg trek en
dan op die ou einde tussen twee mans moet kies, of die storie van Apartheid en
die geskiedenis van die land en die “struggle” word holrug gery. Die Naamlose
is ‘n vars storie wat mens herhinner aan die boeke wat jy op skool in die warm
Afrikaanse klas in Matriek gelees het. Nie net het dit my aangegryp nie, maar
dit het my geboei om die boek klaar te lees, ek wou so graag wee twat met Carli
sou gebeur en of haar pa sy verdiende loon sou kry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Natuurlik wil ek nie te veel
van die storie weggee nie, maar Carli verlaat wel die plaas en gaan met
vakansie na die plek waar haar ma vandaan kom, daar waar haar ma haar altyd wou
geneem het. Die storie gaan natuurlik verder as dit, maar ek sou dit weggee as
ek verder vertel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ek kan net verder verklap dat
Carli uiteindelik die geheime van die plaas agterkom, en verstaan waarom haar
ouma so snedig was en haar ma en pa van mekaar wou verdryf. Ons leer saam met
Carli hierdie geheime, en waarom haar oupa later nie meer wou praat nie, en
waarom Lena altyd ‘n sagte plekke vir Carli in haar hart gehad het.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pragtige Afrikaans geskrewe
werk, wat ek nie sou omgee om weer te lees, of met vriende te deel nie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-43867348205491071482013-08-29T12:21:00.000+02:002013-08-29T12:21:54.723+02:00REVIEW: THE SHINING GIRLS BY LAUREN BEUKES<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">REVIEW:
THE SHINING GIRLS BY LAUREN BEUKES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Synopsis:
(From Goodreads)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<img height="320" src="http://davebrendon.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/the-shining-girls-sa-cover.jpg" width="209" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">THE
GIRL WHO WOULDN'T DIE HUNTS THE KILLER WHO SHOULDN'T EXIST.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
future is not as loud as war, but it is relentless. It has a terrible fury all
its own." <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Harper
Curtis is a killer who stepped out of the past. Kirby Mazrachi is the girl who
was never meant to have a future.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kirby
is the last shining girl, one of the bright young women, burning with
potential, whose lives Harper is destined to snuff out after he stumbles on a
House in Depression-era Chicago that opens on to other times. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At
the urging of the House, Harper inserts himself into the lives of the shining
girls, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He's the ultimate hunter,
vanishing into another time after each murder, untraceable-until one of his
victims survives.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Determined
to bring her would-be killer to justice, Kirby joins the Chicago Sun-Times to
work with the ex-homicide reporter, Dan Velasquez, who covered her case. Soon
Kirby finds herself closing in on the impossible truth . . . <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">THE
SHINING GIRLS is a masterful twist on the serial killer tale: a violent quantum
leap featuring a memorable and appealing heroine in pursuit of a deadly
criminal.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Wow, what can I say? Beukes
is one amazing author! I can’t believe this is the first book of hers that I’ve
read. I feel rather ashamed, as a South African, to be stating that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When you read the synopsis
you might think you’re about to read some science fiction novel, but don’t let
this fool you, this story is much more than that. There are now weird and
wonderful gadgets or time machines built in the basement of someone’s house.
Yes there is some time traveling involved, but the way Beukes did it is genius,
in such a way that you might start believing that time travel, in this way,
might actually be possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One of our protagonists, Harper
Curtis, I down on his luck, he really doesn’t have much going for him, Living in
the depression era in Chicago. Until he happens to find a key to an apartment
which possesses some sort of power which enables him to open the front door to
a different era. Curtis is not only amazed by this “gift” that he has received,
but he is emerged into the hunting of the “shining girls”, those girls who have
that something inside of them, the light that he has to shut off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thus Curtis “hops” around in
time, going on his killing spree of these young girls with the brilliant potential.
Each time he kills one of them, he takes a token from each, which he travels
with in time to place on the body of the next. But one shining girl escapes
him. Kirby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kirby is a feisty one. Not
the dull would be damsel in distress that you would expect, but a real fire
cracker. She was attacked by Curtis, along with her dog. But what Curtis did
not realise was that he didn’t kill Kirby. He didn’t make quite sure that she
was really dead. Kirby survived, and she has made it her mission to track down
her killer, no matter what. She therefore decides to start working for the
local paper, where she delves into the archives to track down a trail of her
attacker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The story is brilliant,
because once Kirby realises how her attacker is traveling, who is going to
believe her right? She has to get her story straight, but luckily for her she
has a trusty older colleague there to support her. Things don’t exactly go off
with a bang for these two at first, but eventually he is the one to help her,
to convince the police of how the killer is traveling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The writing is so well done,
and everything flows in such a seamless manner. You never get bored with this
book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-44790446955927289872013-08-29T08:07:00.000+02:002013-08-29T08:07:13.171+02:00Review - PLAIN TRUTHS BY JODI PICOULT<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">REVIEW:
PLAIN TRUTHS BY JODI PICOULT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Synopsis: (From
Goodreads)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<img alt="Plain Truth" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1291551198l/9832577.jpg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Picoult
now explores the complex choices of the heart for a young Amish woman -- the
compelling journey of discovery for an urban lawyer who befriends and protects
her. The small town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, is a jewel in Lancaster County
-- known for its picture-postcard landscapes and bucolic lifestyle. But that
peace is shattered by the discovery of a dead infant in the barn of an Amish
farmer. A police investigation quickly leads to two startling disclosures: the
new-born’s mother is an unmarried Amish woman, eighteen-year-old Katie Fisher.
And the infant did not die of natural causes. Although Katie denies the medical
proof that she gave birth to the child, circumstantial evidence leads to her
arrest for the murder of her baby.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">One
hundred miles away, Philadelphia defense attorney Ellie Hathaway has achieved
an enviable, high-profile career. But her latest court "victory" has
set the sands shifting beneath her. Single at thirty-nine and unsatisfied with
her relationship, Ellie doesn't look back when she turns down her chance to
make partner and takes off for an open-ended stay at her great-aunt's home in
Paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Fate
brings her to Katie Fisher. Suddenly, Ellie sees the chance to defend a client
who truly needs her, not just one who can afford her. But taking on this case
challenges Ellie in more ways than one. She finds herself not only in a clash
of wills with a client who does not want to be defended but also in a clash of
cultures with a people whose channels of justice are markedly different from
her own.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Immersing
herself in Katie Fisher's life -- and in a world founded on faith, humility,
duty, and honesty -- Ellie begins to understand the pressures and sacrifices of
those who to live "plain." As she peels away the layers of fact and
fantasy, Ellie calls on an old friend for guidance. Now, just as this man from
Ellie's past re-enters her life, she must uncover the truth about a complex
case, a tragic loss, the bonds of love -- and her own deepest fears and
desires.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Moving
seamlessly from psychological drama to courtroom suspense, "Plain
Truth" is a triumph of contemporary storytelling. Jodi Picoult presents a
fascinating portrait of Amish life rarely witnessed by those outside the faith
-- and discovers a place where circumstances are not always what they seem,
where love meets falsehood, and where relationships grow strong enough to span
two worlds.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><i>I've</i></span><i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> become quite a fan of Jodi Picoult in the last year. Thus to my surprise this
gem was available at my local library. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">The story starts off with a murder
of a new born, but the twist comes when you realise that the murder has taken
place in an Amish community. Now for those of you who have not watched
“Breaking Amish” or ever heard of such a community, the Amish are highly
religious people who would never think of hurting the proverbial fly, let alone
kill a baby. Thus this murder that has been committed is an utter mystery, and
who ever does know the truth isn't speaking about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">The synopsis pretty much
gives you a great idea of what the book is about. I’d like to tell you how this
book gripped me, how I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days. The
facts in the book are not some boring reading material that you just want to
skip, no, everything in this book makes you more intrigued with the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">You get to know this Amish
Family, how they work and how their religion isn't only part of their lives,
but part of their being. You get to see how Ellie evolves from a bit of a cold
lawyer to a warm cousin wanting to support her family. She grows on you, you
know? At first I didn't really like her, she seemed a bit fridget. When she
volunteered to live with Katie and her family I really thought this would be
the end of the story, there would be no way for the Author to save it now, but
she did, she made Ellie seem more human by her interaction with Katie. You also
get to learn how strong these Amish women really are. Yes sure, in their
religion they seem to be submissive to their husbands, but they each have a
strong will and fight for them in their own silent way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The story also shows you the
love of a father and mother towards their child, even when they know that this
child is guilty, and what lengths they will go to, to protect this child.
Katie’s father becomes more human as the book progresses and I even found
myself feeling sorry for him. He’s a hardworking farmer. He’s already lost his
youngest daughter to death and his son to shunning. I started imagining what
that must feel like for a parent, and then your only “surviving” child is
committed of murder. How he deals with it is tremendous. Unlikely to feel sorry
for him, but I dare you not to by the end of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">The book was really an eye
opener to what goes on in these communities that we don’t know much about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Great read, I would recommend
this one to all my followers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">I rate it 4 stars.</span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-15314924712621648082013-01-18T10:51:00.000+02:002013-01-18T10:51:00.555+02:00Review - The Kingmakers Daughter<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The Kingmakers
Daughter by Phillipa Gregory<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<img alt="The Kingmaker's Daughter (The Cousins' War #4)" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332688725l/12326644.jpg" width="214" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Plot: </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spies, poison, and curses surround her...</span></em></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br />Is there anyone she can trust? </strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The Kingmaker's Daughter</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> is the gripping story of the daughters of the man known as the "Kingmaker," Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick: the most powerful magnate in fifteenth-century England. Without a son and heir, he uses his daughters, Anne and Isabel as pawns in his political games, and they grow up to be influential players in their own right. In this novel, her first sister story since </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The Other Boleyn Girl</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">, Philippa Gregory explores the lives of two fascinating young women.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /></i></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">At the court of Edward IV and his beautiful queen, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne grows from a delightful child to become ever more fearful and desperate when her father makes war on his former friends. Married at age fourteen, she is soon left widowed and fatherless, her mother in sanctuary and her sister married to the enemy. Anne manages her own escape by marrying Richard, Duke of Gloucester, but her choice will set her on a collision course with the overwhelming power of the royal family and will cost the lives of those she loves most in the world, including her precious only son, Prince Edward. Ultimately, the kingmaker's daughter will achieve her father's greatest ambition.</span> </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Characters: Anne Neville<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Isabel Neville<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Kind Edward<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Richard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> George<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Queen Elizabeth
Woodville<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I’m a huge
Historical Fiction fan, ever since I read The Other Boleyn Girl by Gregory,
she’s made me fall in love with the English court. I've read a couple of her
books, and also enjoyed the rest of the Cousins War series such as The White
Queen, The Red Queen and The Lady of the Rivers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">This one did
not disappoint. The Kingmakers Daughter is the story of Isabel and mostly Anne
Neville, the daughters of the Earl of Warwick, nicknamed The Kingmaker. Warwick
had put Kind Edward of York onto the throne, Warwick actually being the more
powerful man, but then Edward goes and marries the widowed Elizabeth Woodville
in secret, messing up some of the plans Warwick had. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Warwick still
has much ambition and still wants to put one of his daughters in the position
to be queen or to have a grandson on the throne. So he uses his two daughters
as pawns in his game to become the ruler of England.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Isabel marries
the brother of the King, second in line to become ruler of the country and her
father hopes to keep it that way, but the Queen is very fertile and seems to
have a new baby every year. Warwick then had his daughter Anne marry Edward,
the son of King Henry VI, whom she had grown up believing was the “bad ones”.
But Edward dies and she gets sent to live with her sister Isabel, whose husband
is their mothers favorite and along with his mother spreads rumors that his
brother the King is a bastard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Also there are
the rumors that the Queen is a witch who used sorcery to get the King to fall
in love with her. Strange things start happening and when Isabel and her young
infant son die Anne is sure it is the Queen’s doing. But her new husband is the
youngest brother of the King, Richard, and he is the faithful brother who does
not want to believe such accusations against his brother. But when George gets
more and more suspicious believing that it is the Queen who poisoned his wife
Richard starts to question it too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">In the event
George is arrested for treason against the King, and is set to be executed for
his allegations. Richard becomes worried that the Queen wants to put her
extensive family in all the favorite spots of the court, placing them all in
high positions, creating a court with her family. When the King dies, Richard
becomes the new ruler after placing the Queens sons in the Tower of London,
with Anne as his Queen, just as her father had always wanted. But there is a
new uprising, that of the Tudors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The story is
told from another side of the cousin’s war, with the first parts being told in
The White Queen and The Red Queen. You see the side of the York’s, not from
that of Elizabeth Woodville and her King, but more of his brothers and their
wives, the Nevilles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">I really
enjoyed the book and found Anne to be a great character. It is of course only
fiction based on the truth, but of the series and the women who tell their
stories in it, she is by far my favorite We get to know her (and Isabel) as a
child, see her grow up and become only a player in her father’s game. She grows
from a fearful child to a formidable young woman, who finds love and then
grief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">All I can say
is well done to Gregory for another fine novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-37260881697666794972013-01-16T10:47:00.000+02:002013-01-16T10:47:00.144+02:00Review - Hornet's Nest <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Hornets’
Nest by Patricia Cornwell</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<img alt="Hornet's Nest (Andy Brazil, #1)" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1223624697l/1624993.jpg" width="212" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Plot: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> <o:p></o:p></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i>It's a city of ambition and pride, a city long ago dubbed "the hornet's nest of America." A swarming symbol dominates the badge of the police department that protects it—the image of a darting, restless fighter: the whirling dervish of a hornet. Like the violence that swirls around Charlotte during a long, hot summer, the hornet traces a dark, anfry path, touching down unexpectedly, bringing stings of surprise wherever it lands.</i></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patricia Cornwell's brilliant new novel carries its own surprises. The creator of Kay Scarpetta, the most fascinating character in contemporary crime fiction, now cunningly reveals the heart and soul of a metropolitan police department. With Charlotte as her simmering background, she propels us into the core of the force through the lives of a dynamic trio of heroes: Andy Brazil, an ambitious young reporter forThe Charlotte Observer and an eager—sometimes too eager—volunteer cop; Police Chief Judy Hammer, the professionally strong yet personally troubled guardian of Charlotte's law and order; and her deputy chief, Virginia West, a genuine head-turner who is married to her job. To walk the beat with Hammer, West, and Brazil is to learn the inner secrets of police work—the tension and the tedium, the hilarity and the heartbreak, the unexpected pump of adrenaline and the rush of courage that can lead to heroics... or death.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like no one else before, Patricia Cornwell strips away the façade of the badge to lay bare the lives and motives of ordinary mortals in extraordinary circumstances. Hornet's Nest is as real as tonight's police blotter and as page-turner as Cornwell can be.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Characters: Virginia West<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Andy Brazil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Judy Hammer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I love a good
crime drama, and Patricia Cornwell just never disappoints. I’ve read most of
her Scarpetta books and had this one lying about. The Hornets’ Nest isn’t part
of that series, so I’ve been leaving it on the shelf the whole time. Very glad
I finally picked it up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The story is
basically about the 3 main characters in the book, namely Virginia West, the
tough Deputy Chief of the Police force, Andy Brazil, the young and talented
reporter who also happens to volunteer for the police force, and Judy Hammer,
the beautiful yet Steel Magnolia type Chief of Police.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Andy Brazil is
a reporter for the local paper, but he is also a police volunteer, who gets
teamed up with West to get some stories first hand. The two of them have a
strange relationship, I don’t know if one can really call it a brother sister
relationship or what. Anyway, so Andy gets to drive along with West, who is not
impressed by this as she’s a deputy and no longer does street patrols. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">West is a tough
as nails deputy who admires her chief of police, not because she’s also a
woman, but because she’s tough too, she gets what she wants and knows how to do
it. West is single, living alone with her neurotic cat Niles. She doesn’t let
anyone get too close to her, but Andy is something else, he seems to get under
her skin, even when she tries really hard to keep him out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">A relationship
of sort’s forms between them and West finds out that Andy still lives with his
mother, who happens to be an alcoholic. He is also being harassed by a women
phoning him and leaving steamy messages on his phone. The two of them are
together when West gets a call about a murderer that has struck again, leaving
an obscene orange “hour glass” figure on the genitals of his victims, who all
happen to be middle aged men. Andy digs right in on writing the story,
promising West that he would only release such stories on the following day,
but then for some reason the stories always get out before this. This is where
they uncover that there is an informant in the police leaking things to the
press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">To me there
wasn’t really a true story line to the book; it was more of a “get-to-know-the-characters”
kind of book. You get to see what kind of person Andy Brazil is, caring for his
mother, but knowing that he needs to get out before she ruins him. West, the
tough deputy with a soft side when it comes to her cat Niles and it seems when
it comes to Andy, and then Chief Hammer, who seems to have everything under
control, yet no one knows what her life is like when she goes home to her obese
husband whom she doesn’t love anymore. Tragedy strikes and you get to see how
wrong she really was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">All in all a
great book, I really enjoyed it as a stepping stone into the series, I feel
that I really know these characters now so the rest of the series should be a
fun read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-74311900888036793752013-01-15T10:42:00.000+02:002013-01-15T10:42:00.068+02:00Review - The Hobbit<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Hobbit by
JRR Tolkien</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<img alt="The Hobbit" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353852111l/5907.jpg" width="205" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Plot: <i>Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit
who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came along
with a band of homeless dwarves. Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing
evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse unknown dangers. Finally, it
was Bilbo-alone and unaided-who had to confront the great dragon Smaug, the
terror of an entire countryside . . .<br />
<br />
This stirring adventure fantasy begins the tale of the hobbits that was
continued by J.R.R. Tolkien in his bestselling epic The Lord of the Rings<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Characters: Bilbo Baggins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Gandalf<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Thorin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Smaug</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The Hobbit has
always been one of my favourite books that I read at school, it was far more
interesting to me than The Lord of the Rings (which I just could not read for
it was utterly boring to me).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I was lucky to
receive a copy of this favourite from a dear friend of mine, Lauren Smith, for
my birthday. I therefore started reading it again, seeing as the movie too
would be making its appearance soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The first parts
went well, I could remember reading it about 13 years ago at school, but as it
progressed, it unfortunately became more boring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">So Mr Bilbo
Baggins is a little hobbit living in the Shyer, a relaxing life without any
excitement, just as he likes it. But one day he is overwhelmed with dwarf
visitors, and the great Wizard Gandalf. Gandalf has tricked Bilbo into
accompanying the dwarves on their journey to the Misty Mountains to retrieve
their stolen treasures from Smaug the Dragon. How was he tricked? Well by a
clever little note upon his door declaring that he was a wonderful thief,
exactly what the dwarves needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">So they set off
on their adventures and meet a great deal of people, goblins and trolls and
humans and elves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I am not going
to retell the whole story, but I will give my humble opinion on it. I’m not
sure why I loved it so much when I was still at school, but the book didn’t
grab me this time. It gave me nothing, I couldn’t feel excited to read it even
if I tried, and I’m so sorry to say this as JRR Tolkien is a great writer.
There is nothing wrong with the way the book is written, he had immense talent,
I will admit, but the book comes across as a bit childish to me now, and with
too many details that I do not care to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Even with this
said, I am looking forward to seeing the movie, although I do not know how they
can manage to make a trilogy out of this book when it is a much smaller book
than even one of the LOtR books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-33370652645040023022013-01-14T10:38:00.000+02:002013-01-14T10:38:00.142+02:00Review - Petals on the Wind<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Petals on the
Wind by Virginia Andrews</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> </span><img alt="Petals on the Wind (Dollanganger, #2)" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356458392l/12751616.jpg" /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Plot: <i>For Carrie, Chris and
Cathy, the attic was a dark horror that would not leave their minds, even while
they built bright, promising new lives. Of course mother had to pretend they
didn't exist.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">And
grandmother was convinced they had the devil in them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">But
that wasn't their fault. Was it? Cathy knew what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">She
now had the powers she had learned from her beautiful mother. She knew it in
the way her brother still yearned for her, in the way her guardian touched her,
in the way all men looked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">She
knew it was time to put what she knew to the test. To show her mother and
grandmother that the pain and terror of the attic could not be forgotten...
Show them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Show
them—once and for all.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Characters: Cathy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Christopher<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Carrie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Henny<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Mother (Corrine)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Grandmother<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Bart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Julian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">So, for those
of you who regularly read my reviews, you would know that I read the first
instalment of this series in two days and could not put the book down! So
naturally I had to go to my local bookstore immediately and get the second book
so that I could find out what would happen to these children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The second
book, Petals in the Wind, did not disappoint at all. Again I could not put the
book down and was intrigued by everything that took place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The last book
ended with the escape of Cathy, Chris and Carrie from the horrible Foxworth
Hall where they were kept captive by their own mother and grandmother. Their
mother had married again, her father had died and she would inherit a fortune,
but for one thing, she could not reveal that she had children with her first
husband (who also had been her half uncle) and could not have children with her
second husband, Bart Winslow, either. So she kept her “darlings” locked up, her
youngest son had been poisoned, and the siblings decided they had to escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Petals in the
Wind starts with the children being outside, searching for their escape, trying
to figure out what they had to do. They find their salvation in a big black
women called Henny, whom happens to be a mute, but also the housekeeper of a
doctor, Paul. Paul helps the children and cares for the ill Carrie, who has the
same poison in her body as her late brother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The story
progresses with the children blossoming under the care of Dr Paul and Henny,
Cathy attending a dance school, Chris achieving his goals of becoming a doctor,
but Carrie never growing taller. Cathy starts having an affair with Dr Paul,
but eventually marries her dance partner Julian, becomes pregnant, but he dies
before she has given birth to their son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">But in the back
of Cathy’s mind there is always the revenge she wants to inflict on her mother
for the terrible things she had done to them. She goes to great lengths to
achieve this, although her beloved brother Chris, does not want any part in
this, this only fuels Cathy to go ahead with her plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">She sets out to
ruin her mother by making her mothers’ new husband fall in love with her. She
begins an affair with Bart Winslow and becomes pregnant with his child before
revealing her true identity at a Christmas party being held by her mother. The
night ends in tragedy with a fire breaking lose, killing her grandmother and
dear Bart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Cathy
eventually marries Paul, but he suffers a great stroke and shortly after dies.
In the end she ends up with the one man who has always loved her
unconditionally, her brother Chris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The story is
very strange, with incest always peeking through. Although Cathy has
relationships with various people, her brother Chris can never get over her,
begging her to marry him instead because he has never stopped loving her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Cathy as a
character also to me is a bit strange, I don’t know if I should hate her or
love her. She is filled with hatred and seems to think of herself more
beautiful than any other women; she uses this against men who truly love her,
out of spite and wanting revenge on her mother. She herself realizes how much
she actually is like her mother, and grandmother, nothing like her gentle
father. I know that her circumstances from the past has made her what she is,
but it still gets a bit much when she uses her sexuality all the time, it makes
me think of her as a bit of a whore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I feel terribly
sorry for Carrie, who gets described as beautiful but her head being too large
for her body. I found this hard to imagine without thinking of something in the
alien realm. Carrie has not grown because for 3 years she did not receive any
sunlight. She also is in ever depression because of the death of her twin
brother, Cory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">The story is truly
a great one, I feel for these children, but sometimes it does sound a bit far fetched to me. But that being said, I look forward to reading the rest of
the series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-23946410275425960652013-01-13T10:34:00.002+02:002013-01-13T10:34:54.190+02:00Review - Flowers in the Attic<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Flowers in the
Attic by Virginia Andrews<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<img alt="Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger, #1)" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328232803l/12034772.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Plot: <i>Such wonderful children.
Such a beautiful mother. Such a lovely house. Such endless terror!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">It
wasn't that she didn't love her children. She did. But there was a fortune at
stake--a fortune that would assure their later happiness if she could keep the
children a secret from her dying father.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">So she and her mother hid her
darlings away in an unused attic.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Just for a little while.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">But
the brutal days swelled into agonizing years. Now Cathy, Chris, and the twins
wait in their cramped and helpless world, stirred by adult dreams, adult
desires, served a meager sustenance by an angry, superstitious grandmother who
knows that the Devil works in dark and devious ways. Sometimes he sends
children to do his work--children who--one by one--must be destroyed....<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> 'Way upstairs there are<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> four secrets hidden.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Blond, beautiful, innocent<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> struggling to stay alive....<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Characters: Cathy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Christopher<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Carrie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Cory<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Mother (Corrine)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Grandmother<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Grandfather<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Father<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Let me just
tell you all that I've been wanting to read this book so much since the day I
came across the many reviews of it on Goodreads. I was searching through book
recommendations that the site generates when I stumbled across the reviews, and
they intrigued me so much, yet I never actively went out to look for a copy of
the book. Only recently when I was doing
some Christmas shopping did I notice a copy of “Flowers in the Attic” at my
local bookstore, and I grabbed a copy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">The book kept
me so interested that I finished it within 3 days (and I didn't even read that
much per day), I probably would have finished it sooner if I wasn't too busy.
The fact is that the book had so much going for it that I didn't want to put it
down!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">The story
starts out pretty normal, with a happy little family living in ordinary
suburbia, a handsome father, beautiful mother, older brother and sister and
twin boy and girl rounding it all out. We meet Cathy, Christopher, Cory, Carrie
and their parents and they all seem so loving towards each other, the mother
seeming eternally in love with the father, the children adoring their parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">But tragedy
strikes and with Corrine having no other way of getting her family out of their
dire situation they leave in the night to end up at Corrine’s childhood home of
Foxworth Hall, where her mother is a cruel old women, and her father is an
ailing old religious man. But there is one catch. Corrine’s parents are
stinking rich, but the only way for her to get her hands on these riches are to
pretend that her children do not exist! So she lets her mother lock them in a
single room with steps to the attic, and this is where the horrors begin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Cathy and Chris
grow up in this place, but the twins seem to be stagnating while the other two
bloom. Shut up in an old dreary attic for about 3 years, no sunlight, no wind
brushing against their cheeks, no feeling of the rain tumbling down onto their
heads. The children receive rich gifts from their doting mother, until this too
stops and she becomes less interested in her children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Secrets are
exposed, lies are told and terrible things happen to the children. The book is
filled with fear, drama, horror, intrigue, love and beauty. I would recommend
this book to anyone looking for an easy read, although it being rather intense,
it still is easy to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Next I’m
purchasing the follow up to this one called Petals on the Wind…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-6761559199707678772012-10-30T19:13:00.000+02:002012-10-30T19:13:25.691+02:0050 Shades of GreyFinally, I'm going to blog about Fifty Shades of Grey...<br />
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<img src="http://www.dertrendsetter.de/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/220px-50shadesofgreycoverart.jpg" />
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<br />
It's been a while since reading the book, but I've been seeing a lot of posts about it and comments flying around all over the place, so I thought I'd put in my two cents too.<br />
<br />
Let me start by saying I wasn't all that keen to read the books in the first place, but I'd heard so much about it that I did eventually get intrigued, and in the end I got copies of the books (yes all 3) from a friend of mine...<br />
<br />
The first book read very quickly. I entered into the second book and finished that in a bit more time than the first, and currently busy with the third. I would just like to add that I'm not sure why people are comparing these books to the Twilight series, as there are no vampires etc involved at all.<br />
<br />
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars<br />
Synopsis:<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">This book is intended for mature audiences.</span></span></i>
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<br />
So Anna is this young student, very conservative etc, and she gets to interview Christian Grey, whom is a gorgeous, rich mogul... mmmmmmm sounds just right doesn't it?<br />
Of course Mr Grey falls in love with Anna, and she feels very unworthy as she's not as attractive as her friend and not as talented, blah blah blah... but still they end up together, and Grey ADORES her...<br />
<br />
The thing is that this book wasn't really a literary power house, you only read it to get to the "kinky" bits... you didn't really care about how he would buy her gifts and do things for her. I totally just read it because of what people have said about the book. And I must say that this book did NOT dissapoint!! I read it at work on a pdf and had to get up a couple of times just to "cool" off lol. It makes you want to do things with someone, whether it's your partner or not! It really does. I've recommended this book to so many of my married friends and they LOVED it, telling me how it's really spiced up their love life.<br />
<br />
So for that, the book was great, story line? Not so much. You can see on my review that there wasn't much to say about the literature part of the book. (A little like Twilight I must admit)<br />
I'm just also going to mention that I've read the other books, but the first one was much more exciting than the others. Will post my reviews as soon as I'm done :)<br />
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<br />Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-23974762774437844582012-10-30T19:05:00.003+02:002012-10-30T19:05:21.197+02:00Positive changes <span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>2012 has NOT been my year...</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been thinking of getting a tattoo for a really long time, but only recently I've decided to actually do it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why you may ask have I only decided this now?</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, 2012 has been an incredibly sucky year for me... I have this friend who always talks about spreading cheer and unicorn poop, well I have none of that... I don't even know how to be completely happy anymore.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2012 has not only meant physical struggles for me, with my weight and then having a very painful experience with my wisdom teeth being removed, but it's been incredible emotional, personally and professionally. I've changed jobs (in the same department, but different bosses) which has been emotional and stressful. I've ended 2 relationships this year, one of 7 years, the other of a couple of months, but both pretty sad and hard to deal with. I've had ups and downs with my mental stability and I've just struggled overall with keeping my head above water. I've had great advice all through the year about being positive and not think of any negative things, but as much as I've tried, I just have not been able to do it. So I've decided on a good change, so that 2012 can end of in a good way, with me being happy and welcoming the new year.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So hear are some of the things I've been thinking of doing:</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Firstly, new hair.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the moment my hair is longer than shoulder length, but I was thinking of getting it like this...</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHnwkBU_uC9N-MsUNEDQ4zaNYun8ceNEh4HkhezA9bKA8h8X-_Xi2QeLJ_AuQLoZV2QEYYLWUGEz-eqhm3pg7J-dbMziPCEBluH8m_CTUYzzrENRnBAnQ91jlPpAHb7yJFDNL4fS-r036/s1600/Hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHnwkBU_uC9N-MsUNEDQ4zaNYun8ceNEh4HkhezA9bKA8h8X-_Xi2QeLJ_AuQLoZV2QEYYLWUGEz-eqhm3pg7J-dbMziPCEBluH8m_CTUYzzrENRnBAnQ91jlPpAHb7yJFDNL4fS-r036/s200/Hair.jpg" width="164" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I should mention that I'm blonde. I just love all of these styles!!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've heard from many people that any style really suites my face... which is lovely of them :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My other change is losing some more weight. I have to also say that I've lost about 15kg already, but it's been hard!!! Just want to kick the healthy eating into gear, and when you feel depressed, it really is very hard to do! So any advice would really be great.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily I have a couple of friends who are always willing to jump into this with me...</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Third change (and I'm really excited about this) is getting a tattoo!</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to get a non-permanent one first before I totally decide... but here are my ideas so far. (again, it is important to mention that I'm a Harry Potter freak and love literature so it will have to be something to do with that :))</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good" - Harry Potter</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. "Mischief managed" - Harry Potter</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and my total favorite!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lumos - on one wrist (The spell for making your wand light)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nox - on the other wrist (The spell to make your wands light die down)</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some font ideas...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So now I'm wondering, what do you all think of a good change when you're feeling totally bumbed out? Does it work?</span>Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-47382293278296802442012-09-24T07:46:00.002+02:002012-09-24T07:46:29.489+02:00The Sunflower Fund - <div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey guys,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As those of you who read my blog would know, I'm an avid supporter of the Sunflower Fund.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These guys are truly amazing!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But for those of you who don't know who they are, let me give you a bit of info:</span></div>
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<em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.383333206176758px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Sunflower Fund</strong></em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.383333206176758px;"> was formed in 1999 in support of the</span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.383333206176758px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">SABMR</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.383333206176758px;"> and was inspired by Chris Corlett and Darren Serebro’s heroic struggle against leukaemia. It was formed by parents whose children had contracted leukaemia, and in some cases had lost their battle against it. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20.383333206176758px;">Their aim was to secure financial support in order to increase the number of bone marrow stem cell donors in South Africa. With the odds of finding a donor being 1:100 000, the idea is to expand the registry to at least 100 000. You can help by joining the </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.383333206176758px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">SABMR</em><span style="line-height: 20.383333206176758px;">. All you have to do to be registered on the </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.383333206176758px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">SABMR</em><span style="line-height: 20.383333206176758px;"> is to give two tubes of your blood. We need your fast response and long-term commitment.</span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20.383333206176758px;">The Sunflower Fund</span></strong><span style="line-height: 20.383333206176758px;"> aims to educate and recruit a viable source of well-informed potential bone marrow stem cell donors who are ethnically diverse, in an effort to save the lives of those needing a transplant when suffering from life-threatening blood disorders. It strives to maintain the associated donor records of the</span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.383333206176758px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">South African Bone Marrow Registry.</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.366666793823242px;">So these guys are really amazing and they need all the support they can get.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.366666793823242px;">In South Africa we have a National Bandana Day on 12 October 2012. You can purchase your bandana from any Picks & Pay store and wear it either on the day or when ever you feel like it. All proceeds go to funding the tests that need to be done by the Fund to secure donors.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.366666793823242px;">Please also visit their website for more info. You can register as a donor or even support them with a donation</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.366666793823242px;">.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za/">Sunflower Fund</a></div>
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Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-833207245272171922012-09-24T07:13:00.001+02:002012-09-24T07:13:32.909+02:00Summer Hair Trends<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Summer 2012 hair trends...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm just loving the braids this summer. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My hair is pretty straight, so with this look I can create the curly, messy (yet cute) look without having to put any curls into my hair! Plus the romantic feeling of the braids are working for me too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What do you guys think?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are some of this summer trends that you really love?</span></div>
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This is a cute and easy one, just a side sweep with the rest hanging loose.</div>
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Scarlet looks lovely with the braid over her head.</div>
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I really adore this one, the messy feeling makes it feel softer and more romantic...</div>
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Another lovely pick. The braid comes from one side, all the way over to the other side into a back bun.</div>
Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-11679063514252462522012-09-24T06:55:00.000+02:002012-09-24T06:55:00.932+02:00Book Review - The Shining by Stephen King<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>REVIEW - THE SHINING</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>Synopsis: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Danny is only five years old, but he is a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of an old hotel, his visions grow out of control. Cut off by blizzards, the hotel seems to develop an evil force, and who are the mysterious guests in the supposedly empty hotel?</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11588.The_Shining" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Shining" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1249804065m/11588.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11588.The_Shining">The Shining</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3389.Stephen_King">Stephen King</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/85698897">3 of 5 stars</a><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Wow, I read this book a while ago, only updating everything now.<br /><br />Stephen King is just one of those authors that write a good book, well most of the time. My first encounter with Stephen was Rose Madder, loved it so much I had to read it again!<br /><br />I've heard a lot about The Shining from fellow book lovers and friends of mine, and I must admit that I have not seen the movie. This, I think, was to my advantage as I prefer reading the book first before watching the movie. <br /><br />This book did not disappoint... I had to read it during the day as it did freak me out a little. <br />I'm sure you all know what it's about, but for those who don't, it's about Jack Torrance and his family that go to live in this Hotel as Jack is the new caretaker during the winter season. This means that there are no guests at the hotel and Jack, his wife and their young son are there all alone. Already this should set of warning bells right? The Hotel starts to kind of possess Jack and strange things start to happen. His young son Danny also has a gift, The Shining, and can see things that his parents cannot.<br /><br />I don't want to go on too much, as that would give it away to those who have not read it.<br />Stephen's writing style isn't always easy to read and there are some bits that I skipped as it was getting a bit boring. But on the whole the book was intense, it was scary and kept me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen!<br /><br />I'm also looking forward to some new movies and books linked to this one that are said to be appearing next year. Not sure how true that is. Stephen is said to be writing a prequel to the book, all about the life of Jack Torrance.<br /><br />If you like suspense and if you like to read about some paranormal activity, then this is the right one for you, it reminded me a lot of the Amityville Horror in a way, another book I enjoyed.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3105943-niecole">View all my reviews</a></div>
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<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" 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Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-85704537924678271572012-07-31T20:08:00.000+02:002012-08-02T10:16:14.581+02:00Funky Summer trends - Nails<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey guys... so in SA summer is nearly here again... and there are some really cool trends that are hitting us this year...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you, and today I'm sharing some funky nails</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love a great nail color and I love having cool pictures and things on nails...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of my favorites.</span></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LASIhKgF4bc/TehP6utsQ5I/AAAAAAAABtI/r1iHmr4Dhhc/s400/Digital_Nail_Art_Printer.jpg" width="394" /> </div>
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<img height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qqz6zMgpDLw/T6VwlOp1BBI/AAAAAAAAB0c/my3sU-SKG_g/s320/410.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"> I love the Spongebob themed nails!!</span></div>
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<img height="319" src="http://tipsbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/14-funky-watermelon-nails-large.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Oooh very cool watermelon!!!!</span></div>
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<img height="240" src="http://www.funkyfashiontrend.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/panda-nail-art-design04.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">This is so darn cute!!</span></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E0yr2cBqremOdVGMq10NlfyrXeUCA3Dl_IVOcsab_-Rcs8mEyWGN9Q_y36UASMH0JPFCKG32NN7GrnVu_PK5cQ0_Gh_foyQzQ2Vkopg-MWt28jxsB-jf_U3WpY0WYG-DnJtTxhkev9o/s1600/funky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252Bfunky-nail%252B.jpg" /> </div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-size: large;">These are my favorites!!!!! I really love these nails</span></div>
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<br />Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-43231328523519985602012-07-29T19:54:00.003+02:002012-07-29T19:54:34.983+02:00Cover Characteristics - Beaches<br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Cover Characteristic - Beaches</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3650" height="196" src="http://amugglesmagicalbookblog.co.za/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/cc2-300x196.jpg" title="cc2" width="300" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a new meme hosted by my friend Lu at A Muggles Magical Book Blog.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Each week she's posting a specific characteristic that can be found on many books and then she'll list her 5 favs! So I just naturally had to join the fun.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You don’t even need to participate, just stopping by and saying hi would be great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">Today’s cover characteristic: beaches</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here we go...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><img alt="A Salty Piece of Land" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172602558l/196766.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">I really like the lighthouse in the picture... looks really serene </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">4.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><img alt="Wish You Were Here" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179190889l/887007.jpg" width="130" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Makes me want to take a holiday!!!!!! Oooooh love it</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">3.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><img alt="Beaches" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267397146l/7315518.jpg" width="131" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Loved this movie, love this cover... don't you just want to take a stroll on the beach there???</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">2.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img alt="Seeing Julia" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308371033l/11428788.jpg" width="129" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Really beautiful cover and it caught my eye immediately, looks very haunting too</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">And the top one is....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><img alt="Beach Trip" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320508938l/6325827.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">This picture looks so cool!!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Looks like they are having a ton of fun on the beach... immediately made me think of 4 really great friends having a cool break away...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So tell me what are your favorites?</span></div>
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</div>Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-22571813968493556672012-06-20T07:42:00.004+02:002012-07-29T19:53:11.157+02:00Cover Characteristics<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Cover Characteristic - Beaches</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3650" height="196" src="http://amugglesmagicalbookblog.co.za/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/cc2-300x196.jpg" title="cc2" width="300" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a new meme hosted by my friend Lu at A Muggles Magical Book Blog.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Each week she's posting a specific characteristic that can be found on many books and then she'll list her 5 favs! So I just naturally had to join the fun.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You don’t even need to participate, just stopping by and saying hi would be great!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">Today’s cover characteristic: beaches</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here we go...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><img alt="A Salty Piece of Land" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172602558l/196766.jpg" />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">I really like the lighthouse in the picture... looks really serene </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">4.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><img alt="Wish You Were Here" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179190889l/887007.jpg" width="130" />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Makes me want to take a holiday!!!!!! Oooooh love it</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">3.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><img alt="Beaches" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267397146l/7315518.jpg" width="131" />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Loved this movie, love this cover... don't you just want to take a stroll on the beach there???</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">2.</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><img alt="Seeing Julia" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1308371033l/11428788.jpg" width="129" />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Really beautiful cover and it caught my eye immediately, looks very haunting too</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">And the top one is....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">1.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><img alt="Beach Trip" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320508938l/6325827.jpg" />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">This picture looks so cool!!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">Looks like they are having a ton of fun on the beach... immediately made me think of 4 really great friends having a cool break away...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So tell me what are your favorites?</span></div>
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</div>Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-86585425005856632362012-06-02T15:20:00.001+02:002012-06-02T15:20:09.448+02:00Queen Elizabeth II - Diamond Jubilee!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><b>My Favorite Royal is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee</b></span></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you who know me... well you know I'm a Royal freak :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love the royals, all of them, and one of my favorite monarchs is celebrating her DIAMOND JUBILEE!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really do love Queen Elizabeth II, I think she's a stunning women and that she's one </span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">kick-ass Queen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So Happy Diamond Jubilee your majesty!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are some great pics for your pleasure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img height="400" src="http://mediaweek.com.au/storage/TIMEMay25.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337916202935" width="301" />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Goodness me, I had to get myself a copy of this Time Magazine... I love the cover!!!! What an amazing women.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img height="213" src="http://i1.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article858910.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Queen+Elizabeth+II+accompanied+by+Prince+Philip+waves+to+the+crowd,+02+June+1953+after+her+coronation+" width="320" />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What a beautiful wedding picture... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/sites/www.thediamondjubilee.org/files/styles/lightbox/public/listings/queens%20life%20baby.jpg" />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cuty pie little girl with her mother and father, who could have guessed that the lovely Queen was once an adorable little girl!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/sites/www.thediamondjubilee.org/files/styles/lightbox/public/listings/camsp2be2fa%20v2_0.jpg" />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of my favorite photos of all time (and of any subject)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think the Queen was a very attractive young women who turned out to be one of the most successful monarchs in history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img height="290" src="http://www.instablogsimages.com/1/2012/05/31/andy_warhols_queen_elizabeth_ii_portrait_1xzuv.jpg" width="320" />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What a cool Andy Warhol portrait of Queen Elizabeth II</span></div>Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-722840825624526607.post-30044442558224140112012-06-02T15:08:00.001+02:002012-06-05T13:15:00.978+02:00Cover Characteristics - Bridge<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>Cover Characteristic - Bridge</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="" height="185" loaded="true" original="http://amugglesmagicalbookblog.co.za/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/cover-char.jpg" src="http://amugglesmagicalbookblog.co.za/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/cover-char.jpg" title="cover char" width="269" /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a new meme hosted by my friend Lu at </span><a href="http://amugglesmagicalbookblog.co.za/wp/?p=2395"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Muggles Magical Book Blog.</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each week she's posting a specific characteristic that can be found on many books and then she'll list her 5 favs! So I just naturally had to join the fun.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don’t even need to participate, just stopping by and saying hi would be great!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today’s cover characteristic: <b>Bridge</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here we go...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img alt="The Colonel of Tamarkan: Philip Toosey and the Bridge on the River Kwai" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1187810274l/1757421.jpg" width="144" /> </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The cover is pretty striking don't you think?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The bridge looks beautiful.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img alt="A Passage To India" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173383361l/280681.jpg" width="120" /> </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The bridge is beautiful, I love the domed building to the right.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img alt="Oracle Night" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171309189l/96059.jpg" width="125" /> </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I love, love, love Black and White covers, and this one does not disappoint! The lights of the city in the back really rounds off the picture beautifully.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img alt="Great Expectations" height="200" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171928620l/127128.jpg" width="134" /> </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Good golly, what a great cover for a great classic!!! I love it, enough said.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And my number one cover goes to...</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img alt="Bridge of Sighs" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320397300l/107821.jpg" /> </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Isn't this beautiful!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The color firstly is amazing. the blue and creamy white just makes you want to pick up this book. Then the split cover with the two bridges, breathtaking!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Let me know what covers are your favorite...</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Post your link at the comment below.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>Niecolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07355731675008856861noreply@blogger.com0