Teaser from Caught by Harlan Coben

by Carol9 Comments
"Am I missing something?" she asked. "Like I said before." Grayson tossed the cigarette and never broke stride. "You don't have a clue." (pg. 212, Caught by Harlan Coben) Hopefully I'll have a review for this one up sometime in the next few days. Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. The rules are easy and I only cheated a little. Grab your current read, open to a random page, and give us two teaser sentences. Remember, no spoilers. I borrowed my copy from the library....
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Short Story Monday: The Making of Mac’s by P. G. Wodehouse

by Carol5 Comments
"The Making of Mac's" by P. G. Wodehouse is a short story that made me smile. Mac's restaurant in Soho is popular, despite a lack of advertising and it being off the beaten track. The narrator learns that the head-waiter, Henry, had been at the restaurant since the beginning and asks Henry to tell him what gave the restaurant its start. Henry tells of Old Mr. MacFarland who started the restaurant, but died leaving a college-aged son, Andy, and adopted daughter, Katie. Andy comes home and takes over the restaurant, but shortly after Katie announces that she is going to dance on the stage. Andy forbids her, but she tells him good-bye and pursues her dream. She's a success and starts to bring the theater crowd to the restaurant for dinner in the evening, even though Andy totally ignores her. Mac's chef is delighted with the rush and cooks delicious food for them; Henry and his waiters provide excellent service; the...
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Review: Muppet Robin Hood by Tim Beedle

by Carol5 Comments
(Suggested reading level: Grades 4 and up) I actually learned one thing from this comic- I need to read Robin Hood. Apparently all I actually know about Robin Hood comes from cultural references and the Disney movie where Robin Hood is a fox. Of course, I'd like to see that movie again too. I wonder if our library has it. Anyway, the story was cute enough. Robin is of course Kermit and the merry men are an odd assortment of Muppets. Maid Marian could be none other than Miss Piggy. It's fun, but not my favorite of the Muppet graphic novels I've read. The art in this one, done by Armand Villavert, Jr., just wasn't my cup of tea. Some of the characters, especially Gonzo and Sam the Eagle, just didn't look right to me. It was an enjoyable read though. And I do love the Muppets. Muppet Graphic Novel 112 pages Published 2009 3 out of 5 stars Purchase at Amazon or an Indie bookstore. I borrowed...
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Complete: Fairy Tale Challenge

by Carol5 Comments
So, I've completed Tif's Fairy Tale Challenge. Here's the list of what I read/saw, but I'll definitely be sharing more fairy tales during my Friday posts. I'm hooked. "The Ice Maiden" by Hans Christian Andersen The Ballad of Belle Dorcas by William H. Hooks "Vasilissa the Beautiful" retold by Post Wheeler "Bearskin" by The Brothers Grimm "The Story of the Three Little Pigs" by Joseph Jacobs "The Gingerbread Man" "Beauty and the Beast" by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont "The Story of Tuan Mac Cairill" told by James Stephens Red Riding Hood (2011) "The Sea-Maiden" by Joseph Jacobs Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault, translated by Malcolm Arthur "The Pedlar of Swaffham" by Joseph Jacobs...
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Flash Fiction: “At the Gate”

by Carol11 Comments
Dottie at Tink's Place has a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge that I'm enjoying. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. At the Gate by Carol 398 words Cian hated the gate. Téodóir’s Gate had been standing here in the forest for as long as anyone could remember. And it was beautiful, even he could recognize that. The gate was massive, reaching toward the treetops, gold glinting through the vines twisting around it. The sun, which couldn’t penetrate the ancient wood, warmed the clearing and a pleasant breeze embraced him. The villagers believed the gate held a protective enchantment, keeping them safe from invaders and enemies. Cian understood. There had been peace in their land since the time of his ancestors and as generations passed on, the stories became legends and the people felt safe. But Cian’s grandmother had remembered and believed. Others called...
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Friday’s Tale: The Pedlar of Swaffham by Joseph Jacobs

by Carol7 Comments
The only bit of magic in this tale comes in the form of dreams. A peddler, who lives in Swaffham in Norfolk. "He'd much ado to make his living, trudging about with his pack at his back and his dog at his heels, and at the close of the day's labour was but too glad to sit down and sleep." One night he dreams about the London Bridge and hears that if he goes to the bridge he will learn good news. when he wakes up, he dismisses the dream, but he has the same dream the next night and the third night. He can't ignore the dream any longer, so he travels to London and stands on the bridge for two uneventful days. On the third day, however,...
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