Review: Darkfever

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning


My rating: 3 of 5 stars




This book was a little slow. It was drawn out until the end and left many empty spots. Lucky for me there are four more to read and I always try not to judge first books too harshly as a good deal of it could be world building. I'm very interested to know what happens to Mac & Jericho and to find out WHAT Jericho is. I also LOVED Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series (What I have read so far) and will definitely be moving on to the next book in this series.






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And finally a post that ISN'T a book review . . .

I have finally finished the first of my 15 items for my Crazy January Challenge. It is Lizzie*Kate's "Cinderella is Proof" and is too cute.  I also had my first WIP framed for the year in time for it to be entered into the Osceola County Fair where I have been told it received a blue ribbon. All of us from my LNS are going down there on Wednesday evening so I'll take pictures.  Then (yes there's more) the chart came in for the Scottie Dog models we stitched for JBW Designs. Mine was NOT picked for the chart itself but all of us that submitted a model were named on the chart. I thought that was so awesome! I am now concentrating on knitting another baby hat for Caps for Good Charity as they are due before the end of February.
Please check out the link for more information.

Review: Kiss of Midnight

Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well, I haven't been able to put this one down at ALL. Yet another Vampire series, based in today's modern world where there are Vampires and Rogues. Vampires are good and the warrior's kill the blood crazed rogues every chance they get. Enter beautiful heroine with a dark and twisty past and a scary yet sexual male vampire to complicate her life further and we have the whole book. But who can resist a good, twisty, easy read with a ton of heat thrown in? Certainly not me! Yet another series I'm in for. Will this ever end? Probably not. May you enjoy this as much as I did.



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Review: To Tame a Highland Warrior

To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I am absolutely smitten with this series. As I was listening to the AudioBook, the narrator (once again) was putting in just enough of the Scottish brogue to wish you were the heroine of the story and that it wasn't a story etc, etc, etc. Needless to say I got through this book so fast because I couldn't STOP reading about Grimm and Jillian. Super, Super book. Great love story. Explicit detail without being totally "XXX" rated.



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Review: The Way of Shadows

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well, I picked this one based on a recommendation and someone needs to remind me to give her hell about it. This book was emotionally draining and way complicated. It's been a long time since I've read anything that I've had to pay that much attention to or that I've been that emotionally invested in. But I am definitely going to move on to the next book in the series. If you love Sci-Fi/Fantasy and complex story lines, then this is a good book for you.



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Review: Dark Protector

Dark Protector by Alexis Morgan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is definitely a series I am going to continue reading, once I'm done with the dozens of other books I have down for challenges. It was nice to read a story where the damsel in distress is actually an independent woman who can take care of herself (for the most part) and where the manly man isn't a total hard-ass just because he doesn't want to seem weak. Set in modern day times with a few otherworldly twists, this is yet another book I would recommend.



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:: O M G :: I have a piece completely finished . . .

I am sooo excited. My "Earth Gatherer" by Shepherd's Bush is done A N D framed.

This is the only decent picture I have as I was rushed taking it at my LNS before it left to be entered in the local fair (fingers are crossed). This is the first time I've ever entered anything and this piece took me forever and spent the majority of it's life so far as a much neglected UFO.

I also have made quite a bit more progress today on my SAL piece ("Jingle Bell Christmas Tree Farm" by The Victoria Sampler). 

Especially considering I spent half the day organizing the stash I bought at my LNS's Superbowl Sunday Sale. Tell me, who can argue with 30% off charts, supplied, fabric and everything else? Definitely NOT me!

I saw a picture of one of Little House Needlework/Crescent Colours "Once Upon a Time trio. It was the fairy (Believe). Now I have seen this pattern at my LNS before, a few times in fact, and never really took the time to look at it because of how the cover picture looks.

But then, on my LNS's FaceBook page, a fellow stitcher posted a picture of her finished piece and it was beautiful. The  chart picture not only doesn't do it justice, but is quite off-putting (in my unprofessional opinion) and now wish that the designers could take the time to have stitched models every time, or afford to use photos for each chart. Whatever the reasons for the pixelated pictures, I get it, I just don't prefer it. Anyway, now I am sooo excited to stitch these 3 together along with the remainder of my ever increasing stash pile. I am so falling in love with LHN and Carriage house Samplings, and more in love with Lizzie*Kate designs. (As if you couldn't tell).

Well, it's late and I'm tired. I just really wanted to share this with you.

Till next time . . .

♥ H U G S ♥

First Completed Christmas Ornament

Did I mention that I'm also trying to complete a Christmas Ornament each month?
Well so far we are good for January - YAY!!!

This is a Lizzie*Kate from Tiny Tidings XII # 132. I just love when I have progress to blog about.

Review: Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was going to skip reviewing this book as it was a decent book, but occasionally a tad bit slow. However, as I listened to it on audiobook - I wanted to put my recommendation out there as the narrator is none other than Jennifer Ehle who played Elizabeth Bennet in my favorite version of pride & Prejudice. She does a fantastic job and if you are interested in YA/Magic and Mystery then this would be a good book to read.



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Stitch-A-Long

So I managed to push cross-stitching onto my co-worker and now she has become an absolute fiend :-D  Even though she has only been cross-stitching for four weeks or so, she really (REALLY!) wanted to stitch Vitoria Sampler's "Jingle Bells Christmas Tree Farm". Having never done speciality stitches she was intimidated but determined. So we are doing an unofficial, 2 person SAL.

She was so excited that I just couldn't say no, even though I have 15 "Crazy January" projects to work on plus 15 "Up For A Challenge" WIP pieces to finish. Oh no, I'm not stressed, not at all!!!! Here's what I have done so far since we started on Saturday . . .

Not much, but we had house guests, I didn't work on it Yesterday and am too busy blogging tonight to have gotten started yet. Not to mention I feel like I've been hit by a freight train. My head is all congested, I'm sneezing about twice an hour, and I just overall feel like crap. Stitching when I feel like this just invites the frogs over to visit! Till Next Time . . .

Review: Undead and Unwed

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Queen Betsy is hilarious, and I really enjoyed this first book in the series. It is a pleasant change from all the deep and Serious books I've been reading lately. Of course, there is still danger and daring, but with tons more humor.



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Review: The Darkest Night

The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Not one of the most amazing books, but the narrator was really good, and the story line was being built and I will be continuing this series at some point in the near future.


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Review: Tempt Me with Darkness

Tempt Me with Darkness by Shayla Black


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well, I can't wait to start the next in this series as this one seemed to end so abruptly. Although, I don't know about anyone else, but when I'm reading ebooks, I tend to lose track of how far into a book I am. I think this is the only issue I have with my Nook. With an actual book you can see how close you are to the end of the book with each page turn, with my Nook, unless I remember to look, I just keep reading and reading and then, poof!, I'm done and wondering why it's already finished. :-D Anyway, good book, can't wait to hear more about Marrock and Olivia.


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Review: Beyond the Highland Mist

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


OMG - I am now more in love with Scotland & Highlander than ever before. Wow! When I first started this book I was thinking to myself, "just ignore the Scottish accent and it won't be so bad". Well, the narrator was awesome, the Scottish brogue was exquisite, and I can't wait to read more in this series. Oh, and thanks to Answers.com, the difference between a Brogue and an Accent is . . . Nothing, same definition but brogue just sounds better. If you have NOT read this yet, I so totally recommend it - it is such a fun read. Enjoy!


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Only 2 days left . . .

Today is December 29th, and I ask you, where in the heck did the rest of 2010 go?

I have 2 days left and still haven't completely decided on what I want to stitch for the Crazy January Challenge. I have my 15 projects but would rather stitch other things that I will hopefully be picking up today or tomorrow from my LNS.

The Goodreads Book Challenge for 2011 that I decided to join is ready to start, all books have been chosen (small YAY!).

I have ALSO challenged MYSELF to finish current WIP's throughout 2011. We will of course just have to see how that fairs.

I have followers - I should have probably announced this first, as I am honored and pleased to say that I now have THREE followers. Thank you to Jessica, Gracie, and Minna for taking the time to read this wild ramble. Now if Cheryl can just figure out how to "follow" that would take my number up to a whopping FOUR.

I also want to successfully complete a knitting project (or more than one) as I have started leg warmers, socks, and wristlets . . . Once I get a flow going on the other projects in January, then I can start that back up.

In the meantime, I am finishing up my second Snowman '10 by Lizzie*Kate, this one is flipped so that when finished I will have a pair that are looking at (or away) from each other instead of in the same direction.

I will probably have to change the rules completely for my Pay It Forward as I don't have any responses yet, and just post what is sent and to whom. I haven't totally decided that yet.

I can't wait until Victoria Sampler's new designer, Linda Rosser, (previous owner of my LNS and an absolutely wonderful person) is released. She hasn't been able to show any of us what it is, as it is for The Victoria Sampler, so it will be a big surprise when it is released.  There is a sneak peek on Thea's newsletter if you are interested.  It will be warming up here in Florida for the New Year and I cannot wait. I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year.