Walking on Sunshine

Audiobook Review: The Gift by Richard Paul Evans

2009-12-22T20:47:00.000-06:00

It is unfortunate that I only listen to my audiobooks for approximately 10 minutes a day when I come across books like this. The Gift is a wonderfully written story of a man, a little boy, and the Gift that God gave the boy, and he passed on to the world. This small sick boy, Collin, is dying. He suffers from cancer and a heart problem. But God chose to bless him with the power of healing.

The miracles in this book are many, but the most important, in my opinion, is the miracle of love. Evans makes the reader believe that anything is possible if love is involved.

My rating: 5/5

Christmas is Coming!

2009-12-19T22:18:00.000-06:00

I'm sure this is no news to those of you who celebrate Christmas, or are exposed to the commercials being shown every 5 minutes here in the states - it's nearly Christmas! This year I'm just not feeling the spirit of the holiday. I'm just ho-hum instead of ho-ho-ho. I've tried Christmas books, Christmas movies, and Christmas music. Truthfully, though, I just can't wait until the holidays are over.

Inside I still feel pretty sad, but I play happy to just about everyone. Take it from me, no one likes a sad girl. Other than the knowledge that Del and I will be trying again very soon, one of the few joys that I have is my work. I know, no one really says something like that about their job. But I have some of the best customers out there. They are caring and sweet, and they all know just how to make me laugh. The really special thing about their compassion is that they are all men. Not meaning any offence to anyone, but men aren't really known for their empathy. But these guys have been so awesome.

This year, for the first time, Del and I are doing something for others at Christmas. Sure, we donate to the bell-ringers and the pet charity at the pet store every year, but I wanted to do more. Thanks to a church that we recently attended, we have been connected with people in one of Kansas City's missions. The church will be serving Christmas dinner. While we won't be able to help serve, we will be providing pie and cookies. This helps me a lot. I bake cookies every year for work, and I have been slacking this year because of how I feel. But now I HAVE to. I can't let the people at the mission down. My plan is to split the cookies between work and the mission, and I know that I'll be making people happy.

So, I'm trying through this Christmas. Other than our big gifts to each other, Del and I have finished our shopping. Wednesday we are going with some dear friends to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert, and I'm sure that will lift my spirits. Thursday evening we get to deliver our goodies, and then we are whisking ourselves away to stay at the hotel at a local casino for Christmas. We'll have dinner, do a little gambling, maybe a drink or two for me. Then when we wake up in the morning, we're planning on seeing a movie or two in their theater - Holmes for sure. Yes, it's unconventional, and we won't be with family. But family is the last thing I need this year. Del is the only family I want or need right now. I can't wait to spend that time together as a couple, no worries, no real life around us, just the two of us.

I hope whatever you have planned, you enjoy your holiday if you celebrate it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.

Book Review: The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson (Kindle)

2009-12-14T20:05:00.002-06:00

For those of you who do not own a Kindle, you might be surprised to learn that Amazon offers a plethora of FREE books for the Kindle. Of course, what may be free today might cost you tomorrow, so you never know if your luck will hold - if you see it free, download it today! But, all this is beside the point.

I was scavenging Amazon for free Kindle books when I came across The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson. This is the perfect book for me, I thought. I'm a sucker for Christmas, and I am definitely a sucker for FREE! So, with the touch of a button, The Christmas Bus became mine.

Since the book cost me nothing at all, I truly was not expecting much. You get what you pay for and all that jazz. Imagine my surprised face when The Christmas Bus wasn't just adequate, but quite good! The book is Christian fiction, which isn't normally my thing, but works quite nicely for a Christmas book. The story centers around a pastor's wife in a tiny town. Christmas won't be the same for her and her husband this year because their children aren't coming home. So, no baking, no huge dinners, no sledding, no fun. Dear Edith takes her husband's sermons to heart - we should welcome people into our homes and share the true spirit of Christmas. For the first time ever, Edith opens up her inn for the holidays.

The Christmas Bus is sure to bring joy to the reader as she gets to know the strange little guests that this Christmas brings: the sullen bachelor, the loving but sad couple, a mother and child, the arguing husband and wife, Mad Myrtle, and, of course, the hippy kids in the Christmas Bus. The book was a joy to read, and can probably teach each of us to open up our hearts a little more during this season and all others.

My rating: 4/5

Book Review: The Abbot's Ghost by Louisa May Alcott (Kindle)

2009-12-12T16:10:00.000-06:00

Are you looking for something a little different for your holiday season? Well, how about a little ghost story? Louisa May Alcott tells the story of a well-to-do family, their scandals, their lovers, and their ghosts. It was a short read, but the characters and plot were in-depth and wonderful. The genius of Louisa May Alcott is apparent in every word.

My rating: 4/5

Book Review: I'm Your Santa by Lori Foster, Dianne Castell and Karen Kelley

2009-12-12T16:01:00.000-06:00

I do love a good Christmas anthology, and I am crazy about Lori Foster. Thank heavens her story was first in this trilogy! The Christmas Present, by Lori Foster, was delightful, as I expected. Main characters Beth and Levi are quirky and sexy.

Selection #2, It's a Wonderful Life by Karen Kelley was a little unbelievable, and wrapped up too nicely at the end, but I still enjoyed the story.

But everything went downhill with Home for Christmas by Dianne Castell. The story was outlandish, as were the characters LuLu and Sebastian. Her little story brought my rating all the way down to a 2 for the book! So, if you pick the book up, you might save yourself and stop after It's a Wonderful Life. You won't miss much!

My rating: 2/5

Good News Rescinded

2009-12-01T08:18:00.000-06:00

So much for my good news. Hubby and I are sad to report that I had a miscarriage 11/15. We'll try again in the new year, but we're feeling the loss pretty heavily right now.

Needless to say, I didn't feel to thankful on Thanksgiving, and I'm having trouble getting into the spirit of Christmas. But, we attended church again for the first time in a year and a half on Sunday. Although I have a lot of anger issues (yes, I know I shouldn't be angry at God, but so be it), I plan on continuing to attend until I am as well emotionally and spiritually as I am physically.

On a side note, I have gotten some reading done, and hope to get some serious blogging done soon. We'll see - time seems to be so short! Truth is, I am terrible at managing time!!!

Finally!

2009-11-07T13:13:00.002-06:00

OK, yeah...the blogging frequency will probably keep going down for a bit. I just found out that I'm pregnant! Hubby and I have been trying for 10 months, and the day is finally here!!! So, if I don't post so much, please forgive me. This is our first baby, so it's just a whirlwind of activitiy and knowledge gathering for me!

Movie Review: Zombieland

2009-10-10T12:45:00.002-05:00

My birthday was this week, so hubby and I decided to take in a movie. I'm very particular about what I will see in a theater, even if it's an afternoon show for $5 a ticket. Movies I go to see either need to have a lot of action, or be something that I have been wanting to see for a very long time. So, the movie that fit the bill on my birthday was Zombieland. Birthdays are all about fun, and Zombieland is that kind of movie.

Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg star in this little romp, along with Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin. A virus has overcome the earth, and these four people are surviving in a post-apocalyptic zombie world. Jesse's character, Columbus (for Ohio - where he is from), is a college student trying to make it from Texas to Columbus. He has never been a brave guy, so you might find it odd that he is among the few survivors. Columbus has made it in this bizarre new world because he lives by his own steadfast set of rules, which he shares throughout the movie. Some examples: Beware public bathrooms. Don't be a hero. Cardio.

Columbus runs into Harrelson's character, Talahassee, and the two decide to travel together for a while. Talahassee is nothing like Columbus. He takes life as it comes. He really likes killing zombies. He wants a Twinkie. Along the way, Talahassee and Columbus run into sisters Wichita and Little Rock (are you seeing a pattern here?). The four of them make their way through zombie kills and mayhem.

So what is the point to this film? There isn't one. It's just a fun, kill the zombies before they kill you kind of movie -- which I highly recommend. Please keep in mind there will be blood, gore and violence along the way. This is a kill or be eaten kind of thing, you know. So go out, have a fun couple of hours. As for myself, I can't wait until it comes out on DVD so I can have mindless entertainment whenever I want it. My rating: 5/5

Worst Blogger E-V-E-R

2009-09-29T19:55:00.000-05:00

Yeah, so I apparently haven't blogged in nearly 2 weeks. I haven't been following my friends' blogs, wither. In fact, I won --- and then lost --- a book because I didn't see that I won it in time! * sob* I'd like to say that I was travelling out of the country, volunteering at the homeless shelter, crocheting gifts for loved ones, but I wasn't.

So, what was I doing??? That's what I have been scratching my head trying to figure out. Let's see, I played about 2,000 games of Bejeweled. I watched TV, football, and a few movies. I made cookies! I ate cookies. :( Ummm..... nothing else comes to mind. I am a sloth and do not contribute to society once I reach my humble abode.

To make things worse for the few people interested in what I have to say, I am on vacation next week. Hubby is too (it's our anniversary, and my birthday!), and we plan on going places and doing things and being generally happy married people of 10 years.

I have books to review. I have giveaways I should host. But, I can't say when that will happen. Gotta go for now, more slothiness is calling me.

Wordless Wednesday - 09/16/09

2009-09-16T19:19:00.000-05:00

What Are You Reading? Monday

2009-09-14T20:52:00.000-05:00

Huzzah! I am triumphant! I have finished books this week and feel like an honest to God READER!

Books I Completed Last Week:
Through a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen
Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Piccoult (Kindle edition)
Dance on a Sinking Ship by Michael Kilian

I owe you all reviews on these, I know. Bad, naughty book blogger. I'm trying, really I am. I am really waiting for some inspiration. Maybe I can even get a contest or two in there?!?!

Books On Tap This Week:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (at home reading)
The Briar King by Greg Keyes (Kindle Edition)
Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran (work reading)
Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway by Dave Barry, read by Dick Hill (audio)

I have high hopes that I might finish The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and my Dave Barry book. But, I know myself well enough to say that I may be stretching things to accomplish that!

Make sure you check out what everyone else is reading at J. Kaye's Book Blog!

Winner! Winner! Winner!

2009-09-10T13:46:00.000-05:00

Congrats go out to Wanda!!! She will be receiving a copy of Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran!!! Wanda, I'll be e-mailing you shortly, please respond back by Saturday morning, or I will have to pick a new winner!

For everyone else, keep your eyes open for a new giveaway! I should be posting it later today or tomorrow!

Wordless Wednesday - 09/09/09

2009-09-09T19:53:00.000-05:00

Check out other Wordless Wednesday participants!

Audiobook Review: Angels of Destruction by Keith Donohue

2009-09-07T17:03:00.003-05:00

I finished listening to Angels of Destruction by Keith Donohue on Thursday, September 3rd. I was so excited about getting my hands on this book. I was crazy about The Stolen Child, Donohue's first novel, giving in a 5/5 when I read it in 2007. So I ripped open the audio, which is read by Cassandra Campbell.

The premise is promising. On a cold winter's night, Mrs. Margaret Quinn opens the door to find a young girl. The little girl claims to belong to no one, and Margaret can't refuse her admittance. After all, Margaret is alone in the world herself. Her daughter ran away ten years earlier, and her husband, Paul, has passed away.

It's understandable that Margaret feels for the child, but what could possess her to pass young Norah off as her long-lost granddaughter? Especially since Norah doesn't seem to be a normal little girl. There's just something magical about her.

Sounds interesting, right? Mysterious girl shows up and turns the world upside-down. However, what I got was blah. That's right, lots of blah and boring. I considered not finishing the book, but I was so hopeful that the next chapter would turn around. It never did, I never got my shocking or surprising turn of events. I just felt left down, to be honest. My rating: 2/5. Whatever happened, Keith Donohue?

What Are You Reading? Monday

2009-09-07T12:53:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh! J.Kaye is going to be so proud of me! I actually finished a book this week!

Completed this week:

(CD)

If the laziness doesn't take hold, I'll post my review later today.

In the meantime, I am reading:

Dance on a Sinking Ship by Michael Kilian

(Kindle)

I think I might have a good shot of finishing all three this week, let's keep our fingers crossed! I plan on starting a new audio tomorrow, but haven't decided which one!

Check out what J. Kaye and everyone else is reading at J. Kaye's Book Blog!

Irish Fest!

2009-09-06T00:18:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I made our annual trek to the annual KC Irish Fest at Crown Center with our friends Shaunesay and her hubby Scott. Here are a few of the sights:

Isn't hubby handsome?

They even did up the fountain!

As you can see, several men were rockin' the kilts today. However, it apparently brought out flowers in the hair and overalls! Not to mention this lady (and several others) with fairy wings, and this tiny tot dressed as a pirate!

Congrats Jenny N!

2009-09-03T19:50:00.000-05:00

We have a winner of Guilty Pleasures and Wedding Season!!! Jenny N. is the new proud owner of these two books! Jenny, I have sent an e-mail to you, please reply to it by Saturday, 09/05/09 with your address! If I don't hear from you in time, I will have to choose a new winner!

The consensus seems to be that I should go ahead and give Harry Potter a try. You read that right, I haven't read any Harry Potter. So maybe I'll finally give in!

Thanks to all who entered, and good luck to those of you who are entered in the contest for Cleopatra's Daughter!

Super Special Giveaway - Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran - CLOSED

2009-09-01T21:36:00.001-05:00

I have a super-special giveaway for all of you lads and lassies in bloggy-land. The lovely and talented Michelle Moran has a brand spankin' new book coming out September 15th! The author of The Heretic Queen and Nefertiti is now bringing us Cleopatra's Daughter.

Here's what Publisher's Weekly has to say:
Moran's latest foray into the world of classical history (after The Heretic Queen) centers upon the children of Marc Antony and Cleopatra . After the death of their parents, twins Alexander and Selene and younger brother Ptolemy are in a dangerous position, left to the mercy of their father's greatest rival, Octavian Caesar. However, Caesar does not kill them as expected, but takes the trio to Rome to be paraded as part of his triumphant return and to demonstrate his solidified power. As the twins adapt to life in Rome in the inner circle of Caesar's family, they grow into adulthood ensconced in a web of secrecy, intrigue and constant danger. Told from Selene's perspective, the tale draws readers into the fascinating world of ancient Rome and into the court of Rome's first and most famous emperor. Deftly encompassing enough political history to provide context, Moran never clutters her narrative with extraneous facts. Readers may be frustrated that Selene is more observer than actor, despite the action taking place around her, but historical fiction enthusiasts will delight in this solid installment from a talented name in the genre.

I am so excited about this book. I love historical fiction, and I have been obsessed with Cleopatra for as long as I can remember. Cleopatra's Daughter? Count me in! I just can't wait to dive into this book!

So, I said super special giveaway, didn't I? You wanna know what makes it special, don't you??? Well, for starters, this isn't a pre-read book like I normally have. No, this book is brand-new! So new, in fact, that it isn't in stores yet!!! And, the best part, in my opinion, is that Michelle Moran is going to sign the winner's copy!!! Huzzah! An autographed copy of the not-even-in-stores-yet Cleopatra's Daughter!

Since this giveaway is super special, it's gonna be a quicky. A winner will be drawn using Random.org on 09/09/09. Michelle wanted to make sure the winner knew they were getting the new book before they ran out and bought it. Not that she would be offended if you all ran out and bought copies for your friend's twin sister's cousin's neighbor's babysitter -- and everyone in between!

To enter, all you have to do is comment about a period in history you would like to read about. Don't worry, it's not market research, I'm just nosy!!!

But you probably want a few extra chances, right? I don't blame you, it's an awesome prize. To get your extra chances you can do any or all of the following:

Be a current follower or become a follower.
Subscribe to my blog through e-mail or a reader.
Follow me on twitter (@jezebelsk). (Comment w/ your ID)
Tweet about this giveaway. (Leave a link)
Post about the giveaway on your blog. (Leave a link)

Once again, this is a world-wide giveaway. 'Cause we all love books, right?

Wordless Wednesday - 08/26/09

2009-08-26T21:03:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesday - 08/25/09

2009-08-25T19:49:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

'"It's nearly three in the morning."
"Yes, well. It often is, if one stays up long enough."'

- p. 124,Dance on a Sinking Ship by Michael Kilian

Picture This! - The Boudoir

2009-08-24T20:48:00.000-05:00

It's time for my weekly event, Picture This!

I love photography, but I know that sometimes it's hard to come up with a subject. So every Monday I'll give us all a little nudge by posting a new Picture This! theme and photo.

All you have to do is post your own photo that fits the theme in your own way. Though it isn't required, I'd love it if you posted a little blurb about the photo, too! And please don't forget to link back to this original post and comment below with a link to your photo! You have all week to post your themed photo, so you can find just the right one to share.

Today's theme is The Boudoir. Take a picture of your bedroom or your bed, the reading corner in your bedroom, the shoe rack, the closet, whatever you would like that specifically says MY BEDROOM.

This is a partial picture of my bed. There's a story behind this bed. No, not that sort of story, gutter-minds! The thing is, this was my grandparents' bed. They bought it when they were first married in the early 1930s as part of a set. I actually have the whole set. It is a little worse for wear, and I hope to one day refinish the entire set and bring it back to it's original glory. You have probably noticed that it is a double bed. That's right, my husband and I are one of probably only 12 couples in America that sleep on a full-size bed. I never intend on 'upgrading' to a larger size, either. My grandparents slept on this bed for 50+ years of marriage, so it must be lucky, right? Besides, take it from experience that it's very difficult to stay angry with someone who is laying mere inches from you!!!

Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds

2009-08-22T20:41:00.000-05:00

That's right, folks. Brad Pitt is a basterd. Let me be the first to announce it. OK, I know I'm not really the first to announce it, since the trailers have been all over our televisions and movie theaters for months. But I like saying it anyhow. Brad Pitt is indeed a Basterd. (No comments on the spelling please, I am following writer/director Quentin Tarantino's lead.)

Tonight hubby and I took a little matinee cruise north of the river here in KC to the Armour Screenland movie theater. It is a cute little theater with an old-timey feel. It is quite unusual for KC as it has only two screens. The owners have also jumped on the bar/restaurant/theater bandwagon that seems to have swept our area. I have to admit, it was nice to indulge in a margarita during the film. Warning to people who attend alcohol-friendly theaters: your fellow attendees may imbibe a trifle more than you, and they might find certain parts of the movie hilarious - in a very loud way. Regardless, the atmosphere was lovely. The inside of the theater had these beautiful murals showing people from earlier eras attending the theater, as well as great depictions of the local scenery. Unfortunately, my picture didn't come out so well.

Enough of the theater, on with the show...

I haven't seen anything that Tarantino has directed except for two episodes of CSI. Indeed, I have lived my life without Pulp Fiction, the Kill Bill films, and even his Grindhouse double feature. But, I was aware of his larger than life reputation. He has lived up to it, in my opinion. Inglourious Basterds is big, mind-blowing entertainment. The explosions, the blood, the writing - it was all brighter and better than I could have imagined for a movie about Nazi-occupied France. Tarantino even managed to include humor. Yes, Nazi comedy has not been enjoyed like this since Hogan's Heros.

Pitt's character, Lt. Aldo Raine, has gathered a group of Jewish American soldiers to drop into Nazi-occupied France. His only demand is that each one of them commit to bringing him 100 Nazi scalps. Yeah, no kidding. These are your basterds. But the basterds are only a part of the film. To me, the star of the film is the character of SS Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). He is terrifying, and yet highly entertaining from his first scene to his last. He really makes the movie for me, though I think this may have been some of Pitt's best work as well.

Most of the actors in the film are foreign actors who were new to me, with the exception of Diane Kruger (National Treasure). A few who made me stand up and take notice are Daniel Bruhl, Til Schweiger and Melanie Laurent. However, there was truly fantastic acting all around. Tarantino sure knows how to pick 'em!

I really don't want to say too much about the film, I'm afraid I'll ruin some of the joy of discovery for you. I think it's a great movie, worth seeing at the theater. But I would advise against kids watching it. There were some pretty graphic scenes that had me cringing. A couple in front of us brought their 12 or 13 year old son, and I imagine they were re-thinking that choice by movie's end. I will definitely be buying this one when it comes out on DVD. My rating: 5/5

My Life According to Books I've Read

2009-08-20T20:21:00.004-05:00

I found this fun little Meme over at So Many Books, So Little Time. It wasa crazy-hard, but a lot of fun. It helped me remember some great reads this year!

Using only books you have read this year ( 2009), cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a book title. It's a lot harder than you think!

* Describe Yourself: The Reader by Berhard Schlink
*How do you feel: Curse the Darkness by Lesley Grant-Adamson
*Describe where you currently live: One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell
*If you could go anywhere, where would you go: A Season in the Highlands by Jude Deveraux, Jill Barnett, Geralyn Dawson, Pam Binder & Patricia Cabot
*Your favorite form of transportation: Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie
*Your best friend is: The Innocent by Harlan Coben
*You and your friends are: Going to the Dogs by Dan Kavanagh
*What's the weather like: Foul Play by Janet Evanovich
*Favorite time of day: After Glow by Jayne Castle
*If your life was a : Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton
*What is life to you: Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen
*Your fear: The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
*What is the best advice you have to give: Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
*Thought for the Day: Killer Boy Was Here by George Bagby
*How I would like to die: Booked to Die by John Dunning
My soul's present condition: Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

Wordless Wednesday - 08/19/09

2009-08-19T19:09:00.000-05:00

WINNER of Kirkland Revels

2009-08-18T20:28:00.002-05:00

Congrats and HUZZAH to WANDA who will be receiving my copy of Kirkland Revels and her bonus book! The e-mail is on the way, please e-mail me by Thursday with your address, or I will have to choose another winner.