From Jody Hedlund's Blog: 5 Elements Sigh-Worthy Romance Novels Must Have

I usually don't share posts from third parties, but this one I absolutely must share! Jody Hedlund is fast becoming one of my favorite romance writers, but apart from her fiction, her blog is absolutely brimming with useful tips for folks like me who write, but aren't yet published. I agree wholeheartedly with 4 out of the 5 components that she lists. And because she inquires after opinions regarding...

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Book Review: The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

The Dancing Master by Julie KlassenMy rating: 2 of 5 starsWhen Alec Valcourt, famed dancing master of London, arrives in the little berg of Beaworthy after his father's death, he never anticipated that he would be moving to the only town in England that had an unspoken rule against dancing. This is the height of the Regency era, and Alec's sole expertise is as a dancing and fencing master. His mother...

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Book Review: Dear Mr Knightley by Katherine Reay

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine ReayMy rating: 4 of 5 starsI am not one to read all of those "extra" Austen novels that are suddenly flooding the market. I'm quite content with the stories Austen herself wrote, thinking of my own writing and how much I would hate to have someone use one of my beloved characters almost 200 years after my death. However, my opinion is in the minority because these "extra"...

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BBC Sherlock (2014): The Sign of Three

Change isn't always easy or fun. Sherlock doesn't always adapt well to change, but in this 3rd season of Sherlock, he's at least trying. Episode 3.2, The Sign of Three, involves a lot of change for Sherlock and John. Why? Because John Watson has finally found the love of his life, Mary Morstan, and this episode covers their wedding. In other words, John's leaving for a new life. This season is...

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CCLE Book Review: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1958)

“There is no escape if love is not there," Hannah had said. Had Hannah known when she herself had not even suspected? It was not escape that she had dreamed about, it was love.” - Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird PondIt is January once again, and like last January, I am participating in the Classic Children's Literature Event! If you want even more details about the event, just...

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How to Know if an ISFJ Cares

I'm getting hits with ISFJ questions! This is so absolutely exciting! Q: How can I tell if an ISFJ genuinely cares? A: The ISFJ isn't like other personality types. Our top two functions are Si and Fe, meaning traditional memory/sentimentality and compassion for the emotions of others. We have a very high rate of compassion, with the only personality types higher being the ESFJ and ENFJ....

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BBC Sherlock (2014) - The Empty Hearse

Imagine living 2 years without your best friend. Everything points to that person being dead. You've finally managed to move on, although life doesn't have quite as much excitement or meaning as before. Then, on a seemingly normal evening, you take your girlfriend out to dinner, planning to propose, finally meet the eyes of your waiter, and discover that it is none other than Sherlock Holmes, risen...

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ISFJ and INFP . . . or a study on Sharon Raydor and Rusty Beck

For those of you unfamiliar with Sharon and Rusty, they are the lead characters in Major Crimes, a sequel crime drama to the hit program, The Closer. Sharon Raydor is captain of the Major Crimes division of the LAPD. Rusty is a witness to a crime, and since he's under-age and his parents are not in the picture, Sharon is his guardian. The two shows intersect because the crime Rusty witnessed happened...

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Things to Know about an ISFJ

This is essentially a manual on what not to do to an ISFJ unless you are a heartless, well . . . you know what. ...

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Happy 79th Birthday, Elvis!

Elvis Aron PresleyHappy 79th Birthday!  January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977 “Before Elvis, there was nothing.” - John Lennon Today, I went to lunch with one of my dearest friends who is old enough to have actually seen Elvis in person while he was filming It Happened at the World's Fair in Seattle. We settled into a booth at Carino's, ordered Coke products, and when the waitress brought...

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Movie Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

  The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013, PG13) Starring: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Kevin Zegers, Robert Sheehan,  Lena Heady, Jared Harris, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers For once in my life, I'm thrilled that I didn't read a book before seeing its movie counterpart! I've heard nothing but negativity about the Mortal Instruments series from various people, even my sister,...

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Book Review: A Match Made in Texas by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Carol Cox, and Mary Connealy

A Match Made in Texas by Karen WitemeyerMy rating: 4 of 5 starsIn "A Match Made in Texas," Dry Gulch has its very own matchmaker. It is the year 1893, and three different women find themselves matched by a mysterious, compassionate hand. In the last novella, the matchmaker meets her own match in the most unlikely source. To be fair to each of these authors, I will review their novellas individually."A...

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CCLE Book Review: The Light Princess by George MacDonald (1864)

"One day he lost sight of his retinue in a great forest. These forests are very useful in delivering princes from their courtiers, like a sieve that keeps back the bran. Then the princes get away to follow their fortunes."- George MacDonald, The Light PrincessIt is January once again, and like last January, I am participating in the Classic Children's Literature Event! If you want even more details...

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