Gypsy's Journey

Nine Kingdoms Trilogy by Lynn Kurland

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:31:24 GMT

The Nine Kingdoms Trilogy by Lynn Kurland is a most engaging fantasy romance featuring the master assassin Morgan through her journey from skillful killer to graceful dignitary. Book 1 finds Morgan forced to carry a singing magical sword to the king. An easy task for some, a loathsome task for Morgan as she hates the King and abhors magic in general.

The only enjoyable part of this journey is her motley group of companions and her new attractive acquaintance, Miach. Morgan is funny, fierce and enjoyable. Her companions are Ha-Larious and the sweet relationship between Miach and Morgan is three dimensional, realistic, familiar and comforting; like wearing your favorite sweat pants drinking hot cup of coffee and sitting by the fireplace with a good book. It is Miach's point of view of the relationship that makes my stomach flutter.

Don't go into this trilogy looking for “Lord of the Rings”, instead, let yourself be wrapped up in a warm tale reminicent of a Kristen Britain or Robin Hobb. Lynn Kurland took me on a journey and I enjoyed every darn minute of it.

What a Pirate Desires by Michelle Beattie

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:24:23 GMT

Pirates are sex-ies that I obsesses over more so in movies than books. I think I've read 3 or 4 pirate romances in my lifetime, my favorite of which is “The Care and Feeding of Pirates” by Jennifer Ashley. Since we have already reviewed that particular yumminess let's move on to “What a Pirate Desires” by Michelle Beattie.

Samantha Fine watched a pirate murder her entire family when she was just a blossoming girl. She escaped with her life and her Father's best friend, representing the only ties she had left to her family and her past. Revenge is her only passion, yet she can not achieve her goal alone. The only way to get what she wants is to make a deal with someone who represents everything she hates, Luke Bradley, a pirate. Samantha is uncertain if she can trust that her new “partner” will honor their bargain, she is quite certain that she will cut him down if he crosses her; no matter how tan,strong, and attractive he may be.

I loved the action scenes in this book and Michelle Beattie gives great sensual tension. I also love the depth of these two characters. Luke Bradley and Samantha Fine are wonderful to read and I was easily sucked into their world. I had a great time reading this story and literally found myself cursing out loud when Samantha.....well never mind, you'll find out.

A good Fantasy Novel!

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:28:45 GMT

I finally finished reading Dhampir by Barb & J.C. Hendee.

Magiere is a woman with a lonely past who has made quite the reputation for herself as a powerful vampire slayer. Her life has become unmanageable and it is time for her and her business partner to find a peaceful existence. With being outsiders in a new town, lethal strangers stalking them, and constantly being attacked by vicious insane villagers...peace is just a dream, or is it?

I loved it! This is a great fantasy novel with some predictable twists and some surprises but great action sequences and good humor. All in all an enjoyable read.

I create the dead. Episode 2

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:55:24 GMT

I heard the barely audible rustle of my captors' wings before I felt the rush of wind announcing their arrival. The blood flowing down my arm felt warm. A drop fell from my hand splashing onto the stage near her black leather boot. Her foot seemed to have appeared out of thin air but I knew better.

The roar of the crowd had ceased and the drummer sat frozen with arms up ready for the down beat. I allowed my eyes to drop from the drummer once again taking in the black high heeled leather boot that wrapped around her calf as if she were born with them on. I followed the zipper on the outside of the boot up to her thigh where the shoe ended and her silken skin was revealed.

Her muscular thigh was inviting and the color of light coffee. Wide hips were covered in short leather shorts that continued up her flat stomach. I followed her body line to her nearly flat chest, deceptively dainty shoulders and long neck. The satisfaction of seeing such a creature brought most to tears at the first glance of her perfectly angular face, high cheek bones and almond shaped eyes.

Shalah, Master Commander of the Death Consortium. The perfect beauty and the perfect weapon stared through me waiting for me to attack. I did not.

“Baylor, you have run out of places to hide.”

I stayed silent.

“Release the heart, half breed!”

I did not respond.

“SURRENDER!”

The air around us sparkled as if glitter had fallen from the sky, flowing together and apart with the signature of grey magic, the magic of the dual minded; the magic of half breeds.

Shock and understanding gave me courage and renewed faith in my mission. Shalah realized too late how easily she gave me the information I needed to succeed. Her break in concentration created a ripple through her spell and I slid through the hole it created.

“Stop him!”

I ran past the collapsed corpse of my victim and placed his heart safely in my shirt running to the parking lot. I jumped in the passenger side of my waiting vehicle. My driver sped off, looking back and forth from my shirt to the road.

“She’ll simply reanimate him; I don’t understand the need to take the heart.”

I offered no explanation, so we rode in silence while I avoided the glare from the young man behind the stirring wheel. A glare through all too familiar almond shaped eyes.

I create the dead. Part 1

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:27:25 GMT

The music played in a seductive rhythm as the crowd filled the outside amphitheatre moving in the direction of the stage with the frenzy of suicidal lemmings off the cliff’s edge. The sweat flowed off their bodies causing their skin to glisten. The voice of the lead singer poured over the crowd. The audience responded to the band’s performance with passionate cries of approval and glassy eyed looks of adoration.

The mass of disappointed minions huddled outside of the venue, weary of begging for tickets from less dedicated late attendees. Tears streamed down the faces of the zealots who reeked of seasoned body order and fresh marijuana and had obviously followed the band on tour.

I watched all of them from my perch on the wall separating the amphitheatre from the rest of the surrounding farm land. I felt their need, their passion. I tasted it on the wind and let the pulse of their combined heart beats fill my senses.

I felt the presence of those hunting me. It had taken them many days to catch up, my prey is too close for me to be taken before I make my kill.

The lead singer posed on stage, arms wide and his silhouette looming over the audience. The lights pulsed to the beat of the song while the audience sang all the words clapping on cue. Their chosen savior seduced until the audience could no longer remain clothed, flinging shirts and underwear like offerings on an alter.

I gathered my legs beneath me and flung myself toward the stage. The 300 foot drop was no challenge letting the wind guide my approach. My prey recognized me. The taste of his fear on my tongue was delightful. Flexing my claws I made sure the stage lights caught their full length, I moved swiftly toward the lead singer. Accepting me as special effects of the show the clueless audience cheered in the same rhythm as the still beating heart in my hands.

what a difference a year makes

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:31:26 GMT

The truth is that this past year has been difficult. It has been a great time for me to study human behavior and to also study my goals, state of mind and to attempt to define my place in the world.

I have so many emotional suitcases to unpack and I am still in the throws of that personal exploration.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day....we shall regroup soon.

hey there

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:08:02 GMT

it has been forever and i'm sure most of you think i fell off the face of the earth. wellllllll i feeel like i did. I'm crawling my way back and this month has been difficult. I've lost contact with some family members and through other people i know they are ok but i also lost some friends well, people i thought were friends. so it's just the universe's way of keeping me humble. to remember some lessons she taught me long ago.

anyway, I have moved and i'm in a new city and starting a new life. new beginnings all around. so on with the show.

oh where oh where have you been

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:13:28 GMT

Life has been interesting to say the least I am back my lovelies and I have lots of books to read and post about and lots of music to post about. I will keep you up on my shenanigans shortly

SEXY SATURDAY BACK WITH A VENGENCE

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:46:26 GMT

Hello my lovelies. I am back and so is Sexy Saturday so here you are. Drool at your leisure!

MUSIC MONDAY

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:40:10 GMT

Hello Lovlies! I'm just feeling rather nostalgic this morning...so here you are, no need for an article of who this band is. Click the image to get your fix!

welcome to sunday funnies!

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 22:29:03 GMT

I couldn't resist....it's my favorite part o the movie...

Creepy Accurate Color Quiz

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:13:20 GMT

This thing was SOOO accurate, scary accurate Ummm like I can't believe i'm posting them accurate. BUT thought you'd each like to take it. UM yeah, we won't mention my results BUT...take the test :)

SEXY SATURDAY

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:33:38 GMT

Hola Lovlies, Holidays over, I'm back on schedule today. New year is coming up. I'll hit you with a reading list from this year, maybe you'll see something that you wanna check out....Ok, enough talk...Here's your hottie for the day!

Sigh

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:00:24 GMT

I could not tell you how I felt My fear was too consuming You gave me so many chances

I could not tell you how I felt I was too embarrassed of who I was Though you gave me second glances

I saw the look inside your eyes You loved another There was no disguise

I tried to bring you to my side To see in me what I felt inside I never took the chances

I turned from you I ran away I never knew just what to say

Now I sit here All alone Perhaps I’ll dial the telephone

Would you speak to me Should I dare Would someone else pick up

Are you there? I’d try to say Hopeful you would turn my way

The time has past The chance is gone I realize now I’m not the one

I see the thing that you’ve become That’s not my fault I try to say

You bring me back To that fateful day We are all responsible just for us

I almost crumble But I am tough I know that I’m worthy of love

You are beautiful No one could deny I pray to all that you do not hide

Your gifts are many Your trust is few But now I know

That we are through

WRITTEN WORD WEDNESDAY

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:57:48 GMT

Today, I want you all to think about how are supporting the writer's strike. We are all entertainment addicts and the movies we quote would not have been there to influence our world without the people who wrote it!

Tanya Huff has a video on her Live Journal that lets me know just how the writers themselves feel about us buying DVDs from the studios that aren't paying them. I have not bought any DVDs for Christmas this year. Everyone's getting a book or videos produced and distributed by Non American Companies!

Head over to Tanya Huff's LJ (and puff) and have a GREAT Holiday season!

TUESDAY TOONS AND TELE

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:26:56 GMT

Hey lovlies...there are lots of web comics online...today, I had to go with one of my tried and trues. if you click the comic you'll be taken to the first "episode" Tim is a little cracked...but that's what we like about the comic.

MUSIC MONDAY

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:45:22 GMT

Hey Y'all! How are you paying it forward days going? I love hearing about all the things people are doing...it's so much fun. i know we live out lives like this everyday but part of what lifts my spirits during the holidays is hearing how people are being nice to each other, not only by being nice to folks. hmmm not sure if that made sense but I hope you get my meaning. so head over to Colleen's blog and read how other people are doing...it's fun!

TODAY IS MUSIC MONDAY!!!

I thought I'd focus on one of my favorite Japanese artists today, the fabulous artist Miyavi! He is such a cutie and an excellent guitarist. He is 26 years old and is so eclectic I can't even put him in a genre. I guess for generic purposes he's rock..but....ah well. He has such a fun spirit and his music never ceases to make me smile. As always, here's a pic that will send you to his official site (the one in (english) and a video...I chose a rather "universal" pop song to introduce him to you and plus...this video has a little vampire action heh heh heh Have a great Monday my lovelies!

Sunday Funnies

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:02:16 GMT

So I missed sexy saturday... and today is sunday funnies soooo I thought I'd combine them with a hilarious commercial with some hotties in it....this may be considered a little more mature than pg13, I just thought I'd warn you it does have implied nudity but none shown. OKAY.... and away we go!

SUPPORT THE WRITERS STRIKE

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:05:40 GMT

http://www.fans4writers.com/participate.shtml

FAVORITE AUTHOR FRIDAY

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:51:10 GMT

I couldn't wait to do this post today. I sat in line for several hours to see this gentleman this year on one of his few tour dates in the U.S.
Mr. Terry Pratchett. This man was the first author that I followed with geeky admiration. His Disc World series was just the ticket for a young girl with a library card and a need to graduate from L'Engle and was still having a hard time grasping Tolkien. Mr. Pratchett doesn't write in chapters because, well, life doesn't happen in chapters. (he has succumbed in a few of his books but most of them remain chapter-less) He announced on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with early Alzheimer's and I will let his words tell you about that. All I will say is buy every book you can from the man because his brilliance is unparalleled!

You know the drill...Click on the Pic and you'll be sent to the goodies

11th December 2007

AN EMBUGGERANCE

Folks,

I would have liked to keep this one quiet for a little while, but because of upcoming conventions and of course the need to keep my publishers informed, it seems to me unfair to withhold the news. I have been diagnosed with a very rare form of early
onset Alzheimer's, which lay behind this year's phantom "stroke".

We are taking it fairly philosophically down here and possibly with a mild optimism. For now work is continuing on the completion of Nation and the basic notes are already being laid down for Unseen Academicals. All other things being equal, I
expect to meet most current and, as far as possible, future commitments but will discuss things with the various organisers. Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful, because I think there's time for at least a few more books yet :o)

PS I would just like to draw attention to everyone reading the above that this should
be interpreted as 'I am not dead'. I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as
will everybody else. For me, this maybe further off than you think - it's too soon to tell.
I know it's a very human thing to say "Is there anything I can do", but in this case I
would only entertain offers from very high-end experts in brain chemistry.

WRITTEN WORD WEDNESDAY

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:22:58 GMT

Because all of us LOVE to read so much; I wanted to pass on a favorite site of mine. I run out of books so often and there just isn't always the money to go and buy more and I may not have the time to run to the library to pick up a new one. This site of short stories came in handy! They have sooo much to read!. There are more of these sites but I'll save them for another written word Wednesday.

Click the link ignite the imagination.

There are more lovely stories over at Colleen's website take a gander and lift your spirits

Grief

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:04:13 GMT

I just received an email that a friend from high school died on the 9th of December.

She was beautiful and funny. She was writing a book about her hard road and how she had overcome addiction and all of the things that come with it. When we were in high school, Monique was the one that taught me how to protect myself emotionally and physically. I swear that girl saved my life at least twice. High School in the late 80's and early 90's was not a fun place. Not that high school ever is a fun place.

I want to dedicate this post and this day to friends and loved ones who have crossed the veil. If you could pay it forward some way to someone around, in honor of Monique, for me, buy someone a cup of coffee, she loved coffee.

I will not miss you my friend, Everything you are, you will always be and all that is always shall forever live in me.

No Coward Soul is Mine

No coward soul is mine,
No trembler in the worlds storm-troubled sphere:
I see Heavens glories shine,
And faith shines equal, arming me from fear.

O God within my breast.
Almighty, ever-present Deity!
Life -- that in me has rest,
As I -- Undying Life -- have power in Thee!

Vain are the thousand creeds
That move mens hearts: unutterably vain;
Worthless as withered weeds,
Or idlest froth amid the boundless main,

To waken doubt in one
Holding so fast by Thine infinity;
So surely anchored on
The steadfast Rock of immortality.

With wide-embracing love
Thy Spirit animates eternal years,
Pervades and broods above,
Changes, sustains, dissolves, creates, and rears.

Though earth and man were gone,
And suns and universes ceased to be,
And Thou wert left alone,
Every existence would exist in Thee.

There is not room for Death,
Nor atom that his might could render void:
Thou -- Thou art Being and Breath,
And what Thou art may never be destroyed.

Poem By: Emily Bronte

TUESDAY TOONS AND TELE

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:14:44 GMT

The Pay it Forward Contest is still going on. Colleen made a great point that I would like to echo. We all know that we do nice, giving and amazing things all year and this contest is NOT to blow our own horn or even draw attention to ourselves and it really isn't for the prizes either. It is simply a reason to pause during the hectic season. I have really had a lift of spirit from reading the great stuff that has been going on. the stories are really fabulous. Click the above pic and give the entries a read. I might just brighten your day!

Hey there folks. We had a girl's night out Monday night and I found out that one of my friends had never watched HONG KONG PHOOEY! What?! For those of you who have not been caught by the number one super guy. I will now introduce you to the 70's/80's most fabulous detective LOL....the video is his cool cool opening theme song and the picture is a link to an episode called "green thumb". ENJOY!

MUSIC MONDAY

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:05:53 GMT

Happy Monday my loves!

I think I said Friday that the blog is getting a little more structured. Ah structure. You'd think a Navy kid would have more structure. Anyway, Mondays are now devoted to music, either mine or a favorite band. We will start out with a favorite band of mine. The fantastic and amazing Inkubus Sukkubus.

First I truly love the voice of Candia Ridley. She has such a pure sound, haunting but not grating. It just sort of sneaks up on you and caresses your ears. Their music has become more three dimensional and difficult recently and their growth has been amazing. They are a group of Neo Pagans (WOO HOO) from Britain and have been together since 1988. Their band name has changed a few times and the current name was changed from the "incubus succubus" spelling due to {Numerological Problems} as stated by the band.

My favorite song from them "Gypsy Lament" is so beautiful, and not just because of the name heh heh. I only found a fan video on You tube that I will include here, the fan did a beautiful job. I urge you to visit their site where you can check out their new video; love it!

I hope you enjoy this band as much as I do. Click on their pic to reach the website.

DON'T FORGET TO PAY IT FORWARD WITH COLEEN!

SUNDAY COMEDY

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:44:47 GMT

Happy Day to you all. I thought it was time for a bit of comedy. As we all know the POTC3 video was released this past tuesday so here are your happy bloopers loves!

Drink up me hardies yo ho!