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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Review: Scotland by Starlight by Nancy Volkers

Back in May I did a review for A Scottish Ferry Tale by Nancy Volkers and the book was just perfect. It was the right blend of romance that appealed to me and had me wanting more of the story of Cassie and Ralph. I was so excited that not only was there a sequel but the fabulous author asked if I would like to review it.



From Goodreads:
Cassie Wrentham is on her way to Scotland again... but this time it's not vacation. She's moving in with Ralph Macnair, the charismatic Scotsman who stole her heart. But Cassie wouldn't be Cassie without doubts. Will she find a job in a tight U.K. economy? Would marrying Ralph now be only for convenience's sake? Will she fit in, make friends, make a life there? Or will it all fall apart? Bursting with a lively cast of characters, all with their own stories and challenges, Scotland By Starlight follows Cassie and Ralph from the new beginnings of their intense relationship to a conclusion like no other.


First off, I have to thank Nancy Volkers for not only asking me to read and review this book, but for giving such delightful characters. Cassie continued to exasperate me here and there with her indecisiveness and her putting up roadblocks, but the character of Ralph was wrote with so much love for Cassie that even when he became unsure it was evident that they loved each other. As the issue of age came up again and again, I started to have a sense of dread fill me. But the relationship continued to grow and the inevitable wedding takes place. However, there is an epilogue to this book and while I won't spoil it for you, my heart broke and I cried through the remaining pages of the book. So much emotion in this book and one that you will not want to put down when you start reading it. Nancy has proven to be a remarkable storyteller and hopefully we get something new from her soon, carrying on in this tradition.

I highly recommend this book, but please be sure to read the first one to get the whole magical love story.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Riddle me this, Batman

I hate clowns.

They skeeve me out. There is nothing fun or cheerful about them. I really want to just sock them in those big ugly red noses.

So explain to me why I love The Joker? He is one of my favorite comic book villains. And I *had* to have this print while I was at San Diego Comic Con this year.



Isn’t it fabulous? I need to find an awesome frame for it so I can hang it up! Joker and Harley Quinn are my favorite bad couple and this picture was too cool to pass up.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Aye, I'm a bad blogger!

I really do intend to update more than I have lately, but I just get so busy with other things...or truthfully just get lazy. Currently I am procrastinating in packing my suitcase for vacation this next week. (Comic Con, I can't wait to get there!) So you get an update! Ha! See how my procrastinating mind works?

I went to see "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 2" on Friday night after work. I love, love the books. And contrary to a friend's opinion that if you love the books, you won't be satisfied with the movie, I absolutely LOVED the movie. I think it wrapped everything up nicely. I mean, let's face it, of course things had to be cut out for time. Hell, there was stuff I wish they had included as well, but they didn't. I enjoyed the movie for exactly what it was and I can't recommend it enough.

We watched these kids grow up...it is sad to know this was the end. (And I cried in this movie, oy, I think my tear ducts dried up from it all.)


(look how cute they were! I always wanted to pinch Ron's cheeks!)



(And now they are such handsome adults! Emma Watson has the best style!)

It was a bit of a rough week. I went on this amazing job interview on Tuesday. I mean, seriously, it was the best and I was stupidly so positive that the job was mine. It was quite the knife in the heart when they called on Wednesday to say they gave the job to someone else. Mainly because they wanted someone that could start right then, I wanted to give my other job at least 48 hours notice as it feels so unprofessional to just walk in and quit. They said there is a possibility of another job in 2 weeks opening and they would love to offer that to me. We'll see. I guess I'm going back to the jaded outlook on it and don't believe it.

Also had some life lessons learned. It is sad when you realize that someone that you used to really admire and respect is so unworthy of those feelings. The day you see the total lack of class spew from their mouths is both eye opening and sad. As equally sad when you realize that the drama that a friend is bringing is going to forever be toxic and it is time to just cut the ties and let it go. But those are what life lessons are for - to teach you, help you grow, and move on. It is, after all, what it is.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy Independence Day!




Happy Fourth of July! I hope you have a beautifully explosive day! My friend Jo posted this on FB and it says it perfectly:

The American flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. It flies from the last breath of each military member who has paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting it. American SERVICE MEN & WOMEN don't fight because they hate what's in front of them, they fight because they love what's behind them. So while you're grilling this weekend & celebrating..remember to thank a service member.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Get on the floor and do the New Kids dance



I am not going to deny (and most of you already know this anyway) that I am a big fan of New Kids on the Block so I was excited to get tickets to the NKOTBSB concert for June 30th. (I am not a fan of Backstreet Boys, by the way.) Originally my friend, Desi, was going with me but due to work had to cancel coming with me so I invited Tina to come along. Twenty years ago, Tina took me to my first NKOTB concert...I have repaid the favor.


(picture from nkotb.com)

About the last month leading up to the concert, I wasn't overly feeling it. I was sad that Desi wasn't coming. We had bought these tickets back in November of last year so we had a lot of planning into the weekend. But I found my interest in NKOTB waning due to the annoying obsessive babble out of a couple of crazed fangirls. It is the same obsessive behavior that deflated my General Hospital loving balloon as well. I am a fangirl, I get that you love your fandoms and you want to share that love with others. But come on, there is more to life than just talking about that fandom and when you can't do anything but talk about it, it wears me out. Anyway, all the way up until the day of the concert I was kind of in a bit of a meh state of mind over it, just putting on the happy face when asked about it.

I am happy to tell you, I got there and the first notes started and all the cuckoo birds were forgotten. We had a great night, dancing, singing, reliving some fun memories. Too bad my sister wasn't there with us. =\



Me and Tina...Twenty years of hangin' tough.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Placing an order:

I want one of these:



Only if it turns into this:



And comes equipped with one of these:



In other words, I went to see "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" today and it was all sorts of awesome!
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