No Promises

by Carol8 Comments
No Promises 403 words I shivered. The Street of the Dead. I knew it was perfectly safe at this time of night, all the occupants were either truly dead, locked away in their vaults, or out hunting far from here, most likely down on High Street where the bars stayed open late and some of the unadvertised spots never closed. There were certainly folks out there making a fortune in the new economy. I wasn’t one of them. What was I doing here, I asked myself for the millionth time, as I paced in front of a particularly elaborate mausoleum with the name Gedding engraved in the marble above the entry. Lightning flashed and I turned to see Jacob walking up the cobble-stoned street. Watching him stride toward me, his black trench coat billowing in the wind, I had to force myself to stand still, not to take off running down the road. Jacob made me nervous, but he was a good client....
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Thursday’s Tale: The Robber Bridegroom by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

by Carol9 Comments
Photo source: SurLaLune Fairy Tales It's October, a time for spooky reads, and as I've learned in the last couple of years, some of the scariest stories are fairy tales. "The Robber Bridegroom," told by the Brothers Grimm, involves murder, cannibalism, and a creepy old woman. The story starts off in a conventional way, a miller decides to marry his daughter off to a rich suitor. The daughter is not happy about this arrangement, but doesn't have much choice in the matter. One day, her fiancé claims she never visits him and insists that she come next Sunday, when he will have guests visiting. He leaves a trail of ashes for her to follow through the wood to her house. The girl, quite rightly, feels uneasy about this but goes on to the house anyway. Stupid! She walks and walks and finally ends up at a lonely house int he middle of the dark wood. It looks like no one is home and...
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Guest Post: Chen Lizra, author of My Seductive Cuba

by Carol16 Comments
I'd like to welcome Chen Lizra, author of My Seductive Cuba, to my notebook. On the last morning of my two months in Cuba, I woke way too early. I was way too emotional to sleep. The Malecón [seawall] was so calm and dawn was breathtaking. I stepped out to my balcony and took some pictures. I am never awake at this time to take in all the beautiful colours. The cars’ lights and street lamps were still reflecting on the water, yet the light already allowed for the pretty sea colours to show through. So calm, so peaceful. I packed my last things, and went to say goodbye to Melba and Alberto, my friends. It was time! On the way I was reflecting on how Cuban dancing has transformed my life forever. With every emotion that I feel deep inside, I explore how to express the feelings outside, and I can feel it changing me. It softens me, makes me more...
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Giveaway: India Black and the Widow of Windsor by Carol K. Carr

by Carol2 Comments
Did you see my review of India Black and the Widow of Windsor by Carol K. Carr? Good news- I've got one copy to give away. From the publisher: Black is back—Her Majesty’s favorite spy is off to Scotland in this new adventure to ensure the Queen doesn’t end up getting killed. When Queen Victoria attends a séance, the spirit of her departed husband, Prince Albert, insists she spend Christmas at their Scottish home in Balmoral. Prime Minister Disraeli suspects the Scottish nationalists plan to assassinate the Queen—and sends the ever resourceful India and the handsome British spy, French, to the Scottish highlands. French will take the high road, looking for a traitor among the guests—and India will take the low road, disguised as a servant in case an assassin is hiding among the household staff. India is certain that someone at Balmoral is determined to make this Her Majesty’s last Christmas... This one's open to the US and Canada only, no PO Boxes. To...
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Review: India Black and the Widow of Windsor by Carol K. Carr

by Carol16 Comments
India Black and the Widow of Windsor is a delightful romp, a mix of adventure, comedy and just a touch of sexual tension. Prime Minister Disraeli believes that a group of Scottish nationalists is planning to kill Queen Victoria while she spends the holidays in the highlands at Balmoral Castle. He sends along French, the sexy James Bond-type spy, and India Black, the madam of the Lotus House who has proved herself a resourceful woman before. French is to be a guest and will keep an eye on the aristocracy; India, on the other hand, is to mingle with the servants, working as a lady's maid for an eccentric, elderly Marchioness. They both have the same goal, though, keep the Queen safe and find the assassin. India is a brash, unrepentant woman. We get to hear the conversations she is a part of, or overhears, but we also are privy to her internal monologues which are biting, sarcastic and practical too. She's...
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Mailbox Monday

by Carol15 Comments
I've decided to share the books I've received once a month instead of every week, so I thought the first Monday in the month would be perfect.  Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of  A Girl and Her Books and is being hosted by Serena of Savvy Verse and Wit this month.    Here’s what I found in my mailbox, or delivered to my Kindle, over the last month of so: Boca Knights by Steven M. Foreman (Won from Tea Time with Marce. Thanks!) Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain (Received from Crown.) Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather  Lynn Rigaud (Won from Palmer's Picks for Reading. Thanks!) Jack The Theorist by Jon Hartless (Won from Freda's Voice. Thanks!) Two and a Half Dead Men by Jason Krumbine (From Pump Up Your Book for blog tour.) Beautiful Outlaw: Experiencing the Playful, Disruptive, Extravagant Personality of Jesus by John Eldredge (From FaithWords via NetGalley) Stories for Nighttime and Some for...
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