Connectedness

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Ever since Google in its infinite wisdom decided to get rid of their Reader, I have been struggling to keep up on my blogs.  I love my Kindle Fire but none of the blog readers would work nicely with it.  This has been rather irritating as I love reading blogs and keeping up with folks through that medium.

Enter my new tablet.  I had won some gift cards from work so I upgraded into a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3.  I still have the 7" version since I toss my tablet into my purse when I head out.  And it does an absolutely wonderful job with my blogs!  And it doesn't hurt that it will sync with my cell phone.  So here I come...

There are days...

When you really don't want to leave the house.  Today is one of those days.  I am pretty sure that fall has decided to make its entrance complete with the gray skies and let's not forget the rain.  And of course, I have errands to run.

I need to go to Costco. And while I love my job and hours, Costo and almost everything else is closed by the time that I get off work.  Now I am sure you are thinking that I could go before work but I actually start at ten in the morning. And there is no stopping before work as I telecommute for work.  Hence having to run out on a cold and rainy day.

Okay now I am done whining.  I wanted to remind everyone to stop by for the 2013 Fall Fashionista Events Giveaway.  It is apt to be cold and rainy then so plan on sticking around the house and entering for all the great prizes.  I will be giving away some jewelry from Shaiha Designs.  Hope to see you then!

Book Review: Into the Dark

The sole survivor of a heartbreaking family tragedy

Claire Bowen, a haunted psychologist, devotes her life to helping troubled women rebuild theirs. But her dream of a family with her new husband, Robert, a pilot and local hero, begins to crumble as disturbing revelations from his past emerge.

And a grieving cop who lures a killer from the shadows

Detective Joe Tanner, struggling to overcome his wife's death while raising their little girl alone, heads the task force formed to stop the monster who has resurfaced with a chilling message.

Race the clock in a life-and-death struggle to save the next victim

In the wake of five cold-case murders across Los Angeles, one of Claire's most promising patients vanishes. Gut instinct tells Tanner the truth is within his grasp, while Claire is torn between guilt and terror over what's to come. As time runs out, both are pulled deeper and deeper into an unspeakable darkness.

* * * * *

 I must have really been craving a suspense novel because INTO THE DARK sure hit all the right spots.  Mr. Mofina did a great job with the characters as well as the pacing.  This book is a real page turner.

What impressed me the most is how all of the characters, regardless of where they fit into the storyline, were flawed.  This caused them come across as people you could meet when you are out shopping or perhaps they resemble a close friend. The conversations and relationships between the characters also rang true.

The pacing and overall storyline of INTO THE DARK is just delicious.  It starts off with a bang and then relaxes as the tension and terror build back up slowly.  By the end of the book, I was devouring the pages on my e-reader at a rather fast clip heading towards the very satisfactory conclusion.

I am not quite sure just what category to place this story in.  Yes there is romance but it is one that is troubled.  It is very definitely a suspense however and one that I recommend to anyone who enjoys the  suspense genre.  I rate it a 3.9.

*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed within are my own.

Bead Porn-Critters

Lately I have been doing a lot of oh! and aahhh as I have been playing around on Etsy.  Then it occurred to me that I haven't shared any of my finds in quite a while.  Today it all about the critters.  To find out more about my finds, just click on the picture to be taken to its page.  Oh and I can't guarantee that the items will still be available.  After all, they are handmade.

And to finish it off....

ABS September Challenge

Autumn from  "The Seasons (series)", 1896

Alphonse Mucha 

Oil on Panel

I just love this painting and am going to have to check out the rest of this series.  There is so much that attracts me to it; the colors, the sensuousness of the woman, the trees loosing their clothing,  the falling leaves and the green ones struggling to hold on.  But I finally was able to narrow into a few items.

I decided to focus on the trees with a beautiful copper focal from Ema K Designs. The green ceramic beads by Tinas BeadMind are to pay homage to the last bits of summer. To round it all out are some orange and brown ceramic rounds given to me by a Bead Soup partner and the chain to symbolize the dancing falling leaves.

Ears to You Blog Hop

Earrings are sooo not my forte.  I can pull out all the needed ingredients (properly measured of course), mix everything as directed, and voila.  Except the lightening never hits.  Yeah not my forte.

So of course I just had to sign up when Amy of Copper Diem decided to put on a blog hop that's all about earrings.  Especially when you consider that all the earrings will be going to charity!  Ears To You provides earrings to girls and women during chemotherapy.  And everyone knows how a new pair of earrings can brighten ones' day.

Did I mention that Amy decided to toss in a twist?  The...well you might call it a theme...is to design for tweens and teens.  Now this is an age group that I really don't have anything to do with.  Yes, I have stepsons but the operative word is sons.  So I am not to familiar with what they are wearing and I was derelict in my research duties.  So I guessed.  Someone please tell me how far off I am.

Will someone please let me know how far off I am.  And now comes the best part.  Be sure to check out the gorgeous earrings that everyone else made.  Just be sure to click here.

Book Review: A Lady Risks All

It would be unwise to mistake me for an innocent debutante as for years I have graced the smoky gloom of many a billiards club and honed my skills at my father's side.

But now he has a new protegee, Captain Greer Barrington, and while my father would see me attract the attentions of an eligible lord I, Mercedes Lockhart, have other ambitions. Even if that means seducing the captain to earn back my father's favor! I know I must avoid falling for Greer's charming smile but his sensual kisses could be worth the risk.

* * * * *

A LADY RISKS ALL is definitely not your standard historical romance and Mercedes is far from your standard heroine.  She knows exactly what she wants which is to play billiards.  Anything else is just a way to accomplish her goals including kissing Greer.  Or so she tells herself.  

I really enjoyed reading about Mercedes and Greer's adventures.  They are both very likable characters that are from opposites sides of the social spectrum.  Mercedes was raised around pool sharks and swindlers, and knowing how to run a con is almost second nature for her.  Greer is actually a Lord and honor is far more then just a word to him.  The clashes between them were enjoyable and frequently amusing.

I do recommend A LADY RISKS ALL to any of my readers that enjoy a historical romance with a twist.  I rate this book a 3.6.

*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions expressed within are my own.

Randoms

• Think that fall is on it's way.  Gray and gloomy today.
• I am attending a wedding/handfasting tomorrow.  Egads it has been years since I have been at a wedding.
• Oh and this is planned to be outside and of course, the weather says rain.
• I just love it when I buy a batch of random beads and one is just perfect for the ABS Challenge for September.
• Goodness I know a lot of Virgos.  I really need to start tracking birthdays so that I can make up gifties and in advance.
• I managed to break my little toe Tuesday nite.  I have it taped to another toe.
• I really need to start carrying my phone everywhere so that I can get more pics.
• Still haven't found those missing beads of mine.
• Wish that this day would go by quicker so that I could be off work.  
• 
  

It's a wonderful day in the Neighborhood.

It's the last day of three day weekend and I plan to spend the majority of it down in my studio.  Before I disappear however I wanted to share a pair of earrings that I whipped up the other day.