I recently read The Black Shard By Victoria Simcox, and I have to say this book is amazing.
I also read and reviewed the first book which is called The Magic Warble, I was pleasantly surprised by both books.
In The Black Shard, Kristina returns to Bernovem and her best friend Werrien. She also gets to see Lisheng and Taysha, the talking horses and her pet rat Raymond, who decided to stay in Bernovem the last time they were there, and now he has a girlfriend Lilly.
Unfortunately, Hester and Davina come back with her...it's actually Hester's fault they are back anyway, she played a prank and it went horribly wrong and they ended up back in Bernovem.
Werrien is waiting for them when they arrive and he takes them all back to the castle and when they get there they see a statue that looks like Kristina in the garden...Hester and Davina don't believe that it's Kristina at first. Shortly after they arrive at the palace a party starts up, it's for Werrien's 17th birthday.
After the party Werrien takes Kristina and shows her a room in the castle and also shows her The Black Shard which is hidden in the castle. The Black Shard is a part of the looking glass that Sir Rupert used to show Queen Sentiz what was happening.
Werrien invited Kristina and the other girls on a trip that they are going on the next morning. They are going to visit Tezerel which is Werrien's homeland and the other country that his father is King of. Kristina is very excited and accepts right away. Then, when they get to ship she realizes it's named The Kristina, after her.
During the trip Kristina becomes ill a few times and can't figure out why or how for that matter and one of the dwarfs, Elzwur, isn't making things any easier for her. He seems to be mean to her and rude as well, but she can't figure out why.
During the trip they stop and her and Werrien get to spend some time alone, swimming and having lunch together. And he shows Kristina that he took the Black Shard and in it he shows her the city of Ezeree, the town center and all the places he was going to take her.
Once they get to Tezerel, Werrien take Kristina for a horseback ride and they go and see all his friends in Ezeree. Once they reach the top of The Hills Of Norel things start to change and soon Werrien and Kristina realize things are once again, not as they seemed.
I'm not going to give away all the secrets, for that you'll just have to read the book yourself, but I will tell you I loved this book and can't wait for the 3rd to be released
Victoria Simcox is an amazing writer, the main character in the books is her own daughter Kristina and she does all of the illustrations herself...which I think are really good, better than anything I could ever do.
Here's the link to the first review
http://randomosityblog.com/?s=The+Magic+Warble
Disclaimer: I was given this book in exchange for this review. However all opinions in this review are mine and are 100% truthful to the way I feel about this book.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
One For The Money
One For The Money is a book written by Janet Evanovich and it is the first in the Stephanie Plum Series.
In One For The Money, we are introduced to Stephanie Plum, who is an out of work lingerie buyer. She lives in The Burg which is a part of Trenton New Jersey where every family is Italian. Stephanie is half Italian, half hungarian.
Stephanie lives alone in a small apartment full of the newlywed and nearly dead. She does have a sort of roommate, his name is Rex and he is a hamster.
You also meet a bunch of other people who end up being in all the other books, too. Like Connie, Ranger, Lula and Grandma Mazur
In this book Stephanie swallows her pride and takes a job from her cousin Vincent Plum, as a bounty hunter. She is asked to find Joe Morelli, the man she lost her virginity to and then ran over with a Buick. Joe was arrested for murder and bonded out by Vinnie for $100,000. Joe is out there trying to prove that he was innocent. Yes, he shot that man, but it was in self defense.
After her first failed attempt she asks Connie, the 100% italian receptionist, who she should ask for help. Connie recommends Ranger, a cuban bounty hunter who only does high-risk bonds, the ones for the big money. Ranger helps her and kinda tells her the ropes to being a bounty hunter.
Joe agrees to team up with Stephanie, if she helps him out, he will make sure she gets her 10% of the bond. However she doesn't really believe that he will let her capture him. So when she gets her chance she tricks him and takes him in anyway.
The eventually prove that Joe is innocent of murder and there is a happy ending.
In One For The Money, we are introduced to Stephanie Plum, who is an out of work lingerie buyer. She lives in The Burg which is a part of Trenton New Jersey where every family is Italian. Stephanie is half Italian, half hungarian.
Stephanie lives alone in a small apartment full of the newlywed and nearly dead. She does have a sort of roommate, his name is Rex and he is a hamster.
You also meet a bunch of other people who end up being in all the other books, too. Like Connie, Ranger, Lula and Grandma Mazur
In this book Stephanie swallows her pride and takes a job from her cousin Vincent Plum, as a bounty hunter. She is asked to find Joe Morelli, the man she lost her virginity to and then ran over with a Buick. Joe was arrested for murder and bonded out by Vinnie for $100,000. Joe is out there trying to prove that he was innocent. Yes, he shot that man, but it was in self defense.
After her first failed attempt she asks Connie, the 100% italian receptionist, who she should ask for help. Connie recommends Ranger, a cuban bounty hunter who only does high-risk bonds, the ones for the big money. Ranger helps her and kinda tells her the ropes to being a bounty hunter.
Joe agrees to team up with Stephanie, if she helps him out, he will make sure she gets her 10% of the bond. However she doesn't really believe that he will let her capture him. So when she gets her chance she tricks him and takes him in anyway.
The eventually prove that Joe is innocent of murder and there is a happy ending.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Don't Clog The Blog- Ebook Review
I am very new to writing a blog...and I am learning....VERY...slowly. When I was asked to review this Ebook I jumped at the chance...I can use all the help I can get!
It is very easy to read and understand, it is straight forward on what to do and what not to do..which is helpful for me. There are only 16 pages which makes it simple to read in one sitting. I could have loaded it on to my Kindle, but instead I loaded it on to my Kindle app on my computer. Had I been able to access the Internet on my phone I would have read it on there.
I have never read one of Sadie's Ebooks before, but now I am wishing I had, she makes things very simple to understand and that is something that is very important. Normally I am a visual learner, meaning I have to see it done to understand it and pick it up. But I don't really think blogging is something you can learn from watching.
If I didn't already get the book, I would definitely purchase this book. If you are a blogger..new to it or are an expert blogger, I recommend this book to you. In my opinion and experience you can never know too much about your job or hobby.
Disclaimer- I was given this book in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and they are 100% true.
It is very easy to read and understand, it is straight forward on what to do and what not to do..which is helpful for me. There are only 16 pages which makes it simple to read in one sitting. I could have loaded it on to my Kindle, but instead I loaded it on to my Kindle app on my computer. Had I been able to access the Internet on my phone I would have read it on there.
I have never read one of Sadie's Ebooks before, but now I am wishing I had, she makes things very simple to understand and that is something that is very important. Normally I am a visual learner, meaning I have to see it done to understand it and pick it up. But I don't really think blogging is something you can learn from watching.
If I didn't already get the book, I would definitely purchase this book. If you are a blogger..new to it or are an expert blogger, I recommend this book to you. In my opinion and experience you can never know too much about your job or hobby.
Disclaimer- I was given this book in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and they are 100% true.
Monday, February 6, 2012
F is for Fugitive
Kinsey Milhone is hired by the father of a young man who was convicted of murder. His father is convinced of his innocence, but he has escaped from prison, which doesn't look good for him.
Everyone believes that Bailey Fowler strangled his girlfriend Jean, but at the same time they don't want to answer Kinsey's questions...why? As is her habit, she keeps digging and digging, because she just has to know the truth.
Instead of answering her questions she ends up uncovering more questions and plenty of secrets in this small town.
While staying in the hotel that Bailey's parents own and his sister runs someone breaks into Kinsey's room to see what she knows and to see how close she has come to the truth of who really killed Jean Timberlake...and it wasn't Bailey...
After plenty of digging and button pushing Kinsey finds out who the true killer is...will it be who you think it is?
Everyone believes that Bailey Fowler strangled his girlfriend Jean, but at the same time they don't want to answer Kinsey's questions...why? As is her habit, she keeps digging and digging, because she just has to know the truth.
Instead of answering her questions she ends up uncovering more questions and plenty of secrets in this small town.
While staying in the hotel that Bailey's parents own and his sister runs someone breaks into Kinsey's room to see what she knows and to see how close she has come to the truth of who really killed Jean Timberlake...and it wasn't Bailey...
After plenty of digging and button pushing Kinsey finds out who the true killer is...will it be who you think it is?
Sunday, January 29, 2012
D is for Deadbeat
Alvin Limardo asks Kinsey Millhone to deliver a cashier's check to a 15yr old and she's wondering why he wants her to do it since it's so simple. But since she has bills to pay she does it anyway. Then his retainer check bounces and she goes looking for him and finds out his real name is John Daggett and he's an ex-con.
He's got 2 wives, a drinking problem and more than a handful of people mad at him and ready to kill him. So, now she's out $400 and in hot pursuit of him. Then he turns up dead and she starts getting worried. How is she supposed to deliver this check and how is she supposed to get justice for a man that everyone hated and no one misses?
But in true Kinsey fashion she continues the job and does both those things...but not without angering a lot of people along the way.
She always manages to catch her man, but sometimes she cuts it a little close and puts herself in serious danger and she continues to do it over and over again. She also intentionally pushes buttons, but either way, she gets what she needs.
He's got 2 wives, a drinking problem and more than a handful of people mad at him and ready to kill him. So, now she's out $400 and in hot pursuit of him. Then he turns up dead and she starts getting worried. How is she supposed to deliver this check and how is she supposed to get justice for a man that everyone hated and no one misses?
But in true Kinsey fashion she continues the job and does both those things...but not without angering a lot of people along the way.
She always manages to catch her man, but sometimes she cuts it a little close and puts herself in serious danger and she continues to do it over and over again. She also intentionally pushes buttons, but either way, she gets what she needs.
C is for Corpse
In C is for Corpse Kinsey Millhone is trying to solve a murder attempt on 23yr old Bobby Callahan, there's only one problem, he lost a good portion of his memory when his car was run off the road.
Kinsey isn't sure how to go about this because there's only two clues, an address book and the name 'blackman'. He can't remember who he gave the address book to for safekeeping and the name doesn't really mean much to him anymore. Basically she is working blind.Then, Bobby is in ANOTHER car accident, only difference is, this one does what the first didn't, it kills him.
Now, she's trying to find out why he was killed and who killed him. She soon realizes that he had a secret. A secret worth killing for and while she's busy uncovering his secret, she's also stepping on the toes of the person who killed Bobby, making them think she needs to be eliminated, too.
Another amazing read from Sue Grafton
Kinsey isn't sure how to go about this because there's only two clues, an address book and the name 'blackman'. He can't remember who he gave the address book to for safekeeping and the name doesn't really mean much to him anymore. Basically she is working blind.Then, Bobby is in ANOTHER car accident, only difference is, this one does what the first didn't, it kills him.
Now, she's trying to find out why he was killed and who killed him. She soon realizes that he had a secret. A secret worth killing for and while she's busy uncovering his secret, she's also stepping on the toes of the person who killed Bobby, making them think she needs to be eliminated, too.
Another amazing read from Sue Grafton
Thursday, January 26, 2012
B is for Burglar
In B is for Burglar Kinsey Millhone is offered a case that she isn't sure she wants to take, even though she could use the money.
Beverly Danziger hires Kinsey to find her sister claiming that she needs her to sign some form so they can get a small inheritance. She thinks this sounds a little off, but takes the case anyway. While looking for Elaine, Kinsey finds out about the brutal murder of one of her bridge partners. While she is digging instead of getting answers she just gets more questions.
The last time Elaine was seen she was headed to Boca Raton, so Kinsey hops a plane to go and see if that's where she is. Instead of Elaine, she encounters someone who claims to be a friend of Elaine's and that Elaine is allowing her to sublet her condo for awhile. Which is odd because that is against the rules there. Another odd thing is that they can't find Elaine's cat, which according to all accounts was much loved and never left alone. What happened to this woman? Kinsey Millhone will find out....but not before she makes some people very nervous.
Beverly Danziger hires Kinsey to find her sister claiming that she needs her to sign some form so they can get a small inheritance. She thinks this sounds a little off, but takes the case anyway. While looking for Elaine, Kinsey finds out about the brutal murder of one of her bridge partners. While she is digging instead of getting answers she just gets more questions.
The last time Elaine was seen she was headed to Boca Raton, so Kinsey hops a plane to go and see if that's where she is. Instead of Elaine, she encounters someone who claims to be a friend of Elaine's and that Elaine is allowing her to sublet her condo for awhile. Which is odd because that is against the rules there. Another odd thing is that they can't find Elaine's cat, which according to all accounts was much loved and never left alone. What happened to this woman? Kinsey Millhone will find out....but not before she makes some people very nervous.
A is For Alibi
In A is for Alibi P.I. Kinsey Millhone is hired by Nikki Fife who was arrested and convicted of killing her husband 8yrs ago. She recently got out of prison and she hires Kinsey to find the person who actually killed her husband.
She was convicted because there was evidence that her husband was cheating on her and since that gave her motive the police decided she had means, motive and obviously opportunity, so she was convicted. But, through the whole 8yrs she maintained that she was innocent, so once she was out she decided to find out who really did it.
Kinsey decides to take the case even though she doesn't think she'll find anyone who really did it, but hey, money is money, right? But, what Kinsey doesn't realize is that someone else really did kill Nikki's husband and once she gets close to figuring it out they want to kill her, too.
In the end, she finds out who it is and survives a mad killer who is after her. She also goes on to say that she is happy that she found the real killer so people would know that Nikki Fife wasn't really a murderess.
She was convicted because there was evidence that her husband was cheating on her and since that gave her motive the police decided she had means, motive and obviously opportunity, so she was convicted. But, through the whole 8yrs she maintained that she was innocent, so once she was out she decided to find out who really did it.
Kinsey decides to take the case even though she doesn't think she'll find anyone who really did it, but hey, money is money, right? But, what Kinsey doesn't realize is that someone else really did kill Nikki's husband and once she gets close to figuring it out they want to kill her, too.
In the end, she finds out who it is and survives a mad killer who is after her. She also goes on to say that she is happy that she found the real killer so people would know that Nikki Fife wasn't really a murderess.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Kindle Review
I have wanted a Kindle since they first came out because I LOVE to read...if I could read all day long every day, I would. It is something that started as a kid, whenever I was in timeout, which was often, I was given a book and that turned into a love of reading.
My kids also love to read, and that would be my fault. I read to them while I was pregnant and I read to them now. I think that reading is an amazing thing, it gives you a chance to travel to another world and meet new people and live a different life, as long as you are reading.
The Kindle makes this so much easier. I can now carry HUNDREDS of books, magazines and newspapers in my purse at one...I used to carry two books in my purse and it made my purse really heavy.
My Kindle has over 200 books on it right now, and I read like crazy, for some reason it seems like you're not reading as much as you are with the Kindle. In the last month I have read over 14 books and I really don't think I read that much. But, I must have.
The Kindle is extremely user friendly. My four year old has mastered how to use it...even though he isn't supposed to touch it. It also marks your place, which I think is amazing since I can't remember what page I'm on in a regular book. Mine has Wi-Fi so I can connect at any hot spot and order books that way. The battery life on it is amazing, with as much as I have used it this past month I have only charged it twice. It only takes 3 hours to charge from dead to completely full and turning the Wi-Fi off preserves the battery even more. You can also change the text size to so big that there are only a few words on the screen to extremely tiny, depending on how you like it. There's also the text-to-speech feature which means you turn it on and it reads to you. You can pick either a male or female voice and how fast you want it to read. You can change the view from portrait to landscape if you want as well. It comes with two dictionaries loaded onto it already so you can look up a word if you aren't sure of the meaning, you can also highlight text and make a note, kinda like in a regular book when you make a note in the margin.
They say you can read it in the sun like you can a regular book and this claim is 100% true, I read mine in the car while waiting for my oldest son to get off the bus, I read it outside while the kids play...it's amazing.
If you are an avid reader like me I would HIGHLY recommend a Kindle, even if you only read occasionally I would recommend one for you. Just because the Kindle is a must have for anyone who reads.
My kids also love to read, and that would be my fault. I read to them while I was pregnant and I read to them now. I think that reading is an amazing thing, it gives you a chance to travel to another world and meet new people and live a different life, as long as you are reading.
The Kindle makes this so much easier. I can now carry HUNDREDS of books, magazines and newspapers in my purse at one...I used to carry two books in my purse and it made my purse really heavy.
My Kindle has over 200 books on it right now, and I read like crazy, for some reason it seems like you're not reading as much as you are with the Kindle. In the last month I have read over 14 books and I really don't think I read that much. But, I must have.
The Kindle is extremely user friendly. My four year old has mastered how to use it...even though he isn't supposed to touch it. It also marks your place, which I think is amazing since I can't remember what page I'm on in a regular book. Mine has Wi-Fi so I can connect at any hot spot and order books that way. The battery life on it is amazing, with as much as I have used it this past month I have only charged it twice. It only takes 3 hours to charge from dead to completely full and turning the Wi-Fi off preserves the battery even more. You can also change the text size to so big that there are only a few words on the screen to extremely tiny, depending on how you like it. There's also the text-to-speech feature which means you turn it on and it reads to you. You can pick either a male or female voice and how fast you want it to read. You can change the view from portrait to landscape if you want as well. It comes with two dictionaries loaded onto it already so you can look up a word if you aren't sure of the meaning, you can also highlight text and make a note, kinda like in a regular book when you make a note in the margin.
They say you can read it in the sun like you can a regular book and this claim is 100% true, I read mine in the car while waiting for my oldest son to get off the bus, I read it outside while the kids play...it's amazing.
If you are an avid reader like me I would HIGHLY recommend a Kindle, even if you only read occasionally I would recommend one for you. Just because the Kindle is a must have for anyone who reads.
E is for Evidence
I just finished reading E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton. The books she writes are called The Alphabet Mysteries because they go in order of the alphabet and each book is a letter of the alphabet, like A is for Alibi, B is for Burgler, C is for Corpse, etc...
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