Book Review: A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway

A Study in Silks by Emma Jane HollowayMy rating: 3 of 5 starsEvelina Cooper's world consists of steam-powered machines, fancy-dress parties, and the mysterious death of a servant in her best friend, Imogen's, house. This is Evelina's year to come out in Victorian society, that is, Victorian society of the steam-powered, speculative variety. All she should be concerned with is obtaining an invitation...

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Book Review: Winter Shadows by Casey Bond

Winter Shadows by Casey BondMy rating: 2 of 5 stars- I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.This review is painful for me to write because I always try to be as nice as possible to authors, especially new ones. But, I just could not get into Winter Shadows. There was nothing to grab me, not the heroine, not the hero (either one), and none of the secondary characters....

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Book Review: Burning Sky: A Novel of the American Frontier by Lori Benton

Burning Sky: A Novel of the American Frontier by Lori BentonMy rating: 5 of 5 starsRead Chapter OneWhen Willa Obenchain is kidnapped by Indians at the age of fourteen, she expects to never see her parents again. She adapts to her new culture with the Wolf Clan, her new life. She even eventually marries and has children. Then, in practically the blink of an eye, she loses everything and is left adrift....

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Book Review: It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne GistMy rating: 5 of 5 starsCullen McNamara is frustrated as all get-out with his father for securing him a place at the Chicago World's Fair. Always a clever boy, Cullen invented an automatic sprinkler system for houses and barns. The Fair is everything he ever imagined it would be, but it turns out that his location in the Machinery Building is nearly deafening....

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

 The mountain smoked beneath the moon. The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom. They fled the hall to dying fall Beneath his feet, beneath the moon. - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit I spent the last year waiting for December 13th. It sounds absurd, but not a week went by that my thoughts did not turn towards Middle Earth and the journey of a hobbit and thirteen dwarves to reclaim a...

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A Plethora of Christmas Ornaments!

All right, so I promised at least a few people to post photos of my tree, so here you have it! I don't use garland anymore, but strings of gold beads. You'll probably see them up-close in the next photos. Meet Jack Frost! He's the newest edition to my ornament collection, a gift from my sweet sister because I love Rise of the Guardians so much. She even gave him to me early this year! I'm...

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LOTR Blog Party Tag Questions

So, yes, I am participating in two blog parties at once. Good thing school is mostly over! But how could I resist one for The Lord of the Rings? I mean, come on, I've lived the last twelve years salivating to participate in one of these! Nine tag questions to rule them all.......

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Winter Wonderland Blog Party Week 1: A Merry Little Christmas

I'm participating in Natalie and Anna's Winter Wonderland Blog Party. Instructions on how to join are on both their blogs! But even if you don't join, I hope you'll have fun reading my posts. :) 1. What Christmas tree ornament holds the most sentimental value for you or the most memories? It's a glass Hershey's Kiss ornament with a little goldish heart on one side, tied with a red ribbon. A friend...

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December 4th - The Nutcracker with Mikhail Baryshnikov

I was four-years-old the first time my mother took me to the ballet. It was in late November, and we went to see The Nutcracker. I've been smitten with the story ever since. Don't ask me who the dancers were because I have no idea, but the face of the Nutcracker Prince for me has always been and will always be Mikhail Baryshnikov. I had three heroes when I was a child: Macgyver, Luke Skywalker,...

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Veronica Roth, what are you doing to the world!!! a.k.a. When reviews ruin the ending!

I don't know whether to be furious or grateful to this one Amazon reviewer for totally spoiling the ending of Veronica Roth's Allegiant. But because I'm a nice person, I won't go into details about the spoiler that smacked me upside the head.Have you ever stumbled on a review that completely ruins your desire to read a book? I mean, I haven't even had a chance to read Insurgent yet because of school,...

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Happy December 1st, My Darlings!

All right, so the way this works, I'm going to post something every day up until Christmas. Something that I find inspirational about the holiday season. Who knows, maybe I'll even snatch a photo of my sweet kitty being all cute and lovey-dovey under the Christmas tree. But for the moment, we'll start off with Elvis singing "If Every Day Was Like Christmas." Why this song? Because he's right....

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Book Review: A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano

A Talent for Trouble by Jen TuranoMy rating: 4 of 5 stars- I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.Felicia has spent four years of her life, mainly those between 20 and 24, pretending to be something she is not. The facade she presents to society is that of a demure young lady with atrocious taste in clothes who yearns to marry a minister. Turns out, that's...

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Discovering Man's (and Woman's) Great End

Have you ever noticed how the hustle and bustle of the world in which we live sometimes interferes with the spiritual side of our life? The car needs an oil change, the kids have three different activities a week, dinner needs making, laundry needs washing; we go, go, go all the time. And the one thing that gets forgotten is our time with God. I'm just as guilty of it as the next Christian, probably...

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Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (1.1)

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (1.1): Down the Rabbit Hole I'm in love, head over heels gone about this show! Maybe it's the Knave's snarky sense of humor. Or it could be that my little romantic heart goes pitter-pat at the adorableness of Alice and Cyrus. Or maybe it's their bringing in Jafar from Arabian Nights complete with snake staff. Or it could just be that I love...

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Book Reviews: The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

The Governess of Highland Hallby Carrie TuranskyRated (3 out of 5 stars)   Podcast interview with the authorWhen ill health forces the Foster family to return to England from their twelve-year mission trip to India, daughter Julia must do everything within her power to offer her parents monetary support. Since she is trained as a teacher, the logical choice is to become a governess, and...

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The newest incarnation of Sleepy Hollow

Hmm, okay, how do I say this? I'm conflicted. It feels like I've been here before. Not here here, like a modern interpretation of Sleepy Hollow here, but there are definite elements that Tim Burton already used that this new show is utilizing. And that, my friends, isn't setting all that well with me. Still, you want to know the best thing so far?...

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Join me for an Impromptu Afternoon Tea!

Why impromptu? Because I like to fly by the seat of my pants and make my life totally complicated! Just kidding, but seriously, doing what I did this afternoon is not always the best method for having an afternoon tea. But I had one of the best excuses, a visit from a family friend who deserved to have an afternoon tea in her honor. On the Menu Cucumber, Crab, and Olive Tea Sandwiches Sweet...

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My September Movie List

I know, I know. I just wrote that I didn't want to discuss movies that much on my blog anymore, but I can't help it. So, instead of writing a gajillion movie posts, I'll consolidate them into one post. Easy to skip for those not interested and easy to find for those who are. Hidden behind this lovely break are my thoughts on Elysium (2013), World War Z (2013), Dredd (2012), and Treasure Island...

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Elegant Blogger Award

First of all, thanks Lizzie, for nominating me! :)  The rules: When you receive the award, link back to keepcalmandsparkle1099.blogspot.com and the blog that nominated you:  His Redeemed Child. Display the award button in the post  Answer all of the 12 questions given in this post (do not make your own questions)  Nominate 8 bloggers (see below) Notify them that they...

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When I graduate this December . . .

. . . that pair of socks I started knitting last year will get finished. Those two library books I misplaced somewhere in the house in March will be found. My story about Francie and Trey will finally get edited. The hoards of books in my library stash will get read. The furniture in my room will be dusted and shined. The carpet will get a thoroughly deep cleaning. I will finally qualify for those...

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Belated Birthday Shout-Out to Tony Denison of Major Crimes!

My delicious Silver Fox, I love you even when your character is being a complete and total a**hole. Many happy return...

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Book Review: Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

Rebellious Heart by Jody HedlundMy rating: 5 of 5 stars- Received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.Susanna is the typical young lady to be found in the Americas just before the Revolutionary War. The daughter of a clergyman, she seeks to do good as the Lord desires, treating the downtrodden with compassion, but still maintaining loyalty to England. That is, she is loyal...

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Book Review: Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Reckless by Cornelia FunkeMy rating: 5 of 5 starsA part of me wishes that I could hold my hand over my reflection in a mirror and vanish to another world. Cornelia Funke works her magic once again with this new fairy tale series about Jacob Reckless, treasure hunter extraordinaire, who lives in our world, but vanishes for months, even years, at a time behind the mirror. The Mirrorworld's inhabitants...

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Jane Eyre musical - starring James Barbour

All right, I don't usually condone bootlegs, but what are you going to do when musicals are never, ever put on official DVD? So forgive me, but I don't care! I am in LOVE with the musical of Jane Eyre. My heart sings along with the performers and I never once imagined being able to see it live. Until my darling, sweet sister found this one, lone person on Youtube who had posted almost the entire...

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Book Review: Severed Trust by Margaret Daley

Severed Trust by Margaret DaleyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars- I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.In the small town of Summerton, life is normal. Kids go to school, parents go to work . . . and people pop prescription pills for fun. Kelly discovers the hard way that being accepted into a pill party isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when another...

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Book Review: Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering

Rules of Murder by Julianna DeeringMy rating: 5 of 5 stars- I received a free, advance copy of Rules of Murder from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.Drew Farthering, wealthy heir to the Farlinford Processing company, adores murder mysteries. He even has the latest Agatha Christie novel on standing order from the local bookstore. But he never imagined that murder would show...

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Book Review: Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth CamdenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars- Reviewed for Bethany House as a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.Mollie Knox never imagined her precise, orderly world would ever shatter, but shatter it did, on a dry day at the beginning of October in 1871 when fire ignited all of the Chicago skyline. Running her father's watch business might have...

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Make a Difference in Jesus' Name

"Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Matthew 24:35-36 Today I looked into the...

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Major Crimes: Guilty - Chapter 4

Story: Major Crimes: Guilty Chapter: Four Lead Character: Rusty Rating: T for thematic elements (M only in 1st chapter for off-screen abuse of a minor) Summary: One of Rusty's clients catches up with him, and it's up to Sharon to stop him. Moi: I guess I'm making up for not updating in so long! School starts on Monday so let's see how far I can get until then. Also, I'd say this story...

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Major Crimes: Guilty - Chapter 3

Story: Major Crimes: Guilty Chapter: Three Characters: Rusty and Kris Rating: T for thematic elements (M only in 1st chapter for off-screen abuse of a minor) Summary: One of Rusty's clients catches up with him, and it's up to Sharon to stop him. Moi: Please don't roast me for taking so long to update! But consider this, at least now we know Kris is a girl! I wouldn't have known that if...

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Book Review: Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore

Critical Pursuit by Janice CantoreMy rating: 4 of 5 starsTwo things exist in K-9 Officer Brinna Caruso's world: her scent-trained dog Hero and her hunt for child predators. Photos she's dubbed the Wall of Slime cover one section of her office, the faces of those child predators reminding her to be ever vigilant. Why? Because Brinna Caruso was once a six-year-old child, handcuffed to a post at an abandoned...

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Book Review: Trapped: Caught in a Lie by Melody Carlson

Trapped: Caught in a Lie by Melody CarlsonMy rating: 4 of 5 starsGraceAnn's parents graduated from USC and are prestigious and wealthy doctors. She's well on her way to an acceptance letter from Stanford by the end of her senior year. But when her boyfriend, Clayton, breaks up with her, accusing her of being too demanding and high maintenance, her grades plummet for one week, a single week, and in...

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Book Review: Damaged: A Violated Trust by Melody Carlson

Damaged: A Violated Trust by Melody CarlsonMy rating: 5 of 5 starsJust as I was moved to grief by Enticed and Forgotten, Damaged reminds me of how desperately victims of sexual abuse need support and compassion. When Haley petitions the court to live with her dad, she's hoping that this will be the start of new beginnings. Sure, dad has a girlfriend who's closer to her age than his, but it's awesome...

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Fanfiction advice needed! :)

All right, so I've got a gal on my Fanfiction.net account who wants to post this Lord of the Rings story on her community. I've already edited it (I wrote it 10 years ago and it needed help), so give me your thoughts if you wouldn't mind. I rarely ask for feedback on my stories before I post them, but since this one's going on a community, having a few readers first is a good plan, I think....

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Book Review: Out of Control by Mary Connealy

Out of Control by Mary ConnealyMy rating: 2 of 5 starsI don't mind flawed characters in Christian fiction. What I mind are those supposed spunky heroines who don't have a lick of good sense and run off into danger at the drop of a hat paying no never-mind whatsoever to their sweetheart's words of advice. That's what I hate and that's what describes uppity Miss Julia Gilliland. The thing is, I believe...

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Book Review: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Prince Caspian by C.S. LewisMy rating: 5 of 5 stars"Bother!" said Edmund, "I've left my new torch in Narnia."I can't count the number of times I've read this book, but it grows dearer to me with each reading. Like rediscovering a gem I'd half-forgotten. That's the beauty of Narnia.In Prince Caspian, the book follows Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy as they are called back to Narnia, this time from the...

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Book Review: That Dog Won't Hunt by Brandilyn Collins

That Dog Won't Hunt by Brandilyn CollinsMy rating: 5 of 5 starsMy first reaction to this book was "What the?" I'm a long-time fan of Brandilyn's seatbelt suspense, as she's coined the intense adrenaline rushes she puts to paper. This is not those books. Like a few other reviewers I halfway expected an evil villain to show up, threatening, well, somebody! But that doesn't happen. And it didn't need...

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