Teaser from Murder on the Orient Express

by Carol9 Comments
By the step leading up into the sleeping-car stood a young French lieutenant, resplendent in uniform, conversing with a small man muffled up to the ears, of whom nothing was visible but a pink-tipped nose and the two points of an upward-curled moustache. It was freezingly cold, and this job of seeing off a distinguished stranger was not one to be envied, but Lieutenant Dubose performed his part manfully. (Tuesday Teaser from pg. 3 of Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie)...
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“Bronsky’s Dates with Death” by Peter David

by Carol4 Comments
"Bronsky's Dates with Death" is an unusual story. Bronsky is a retired salesman. He's a talker, but he always tells the truth, tells his honest opinion. He can't help it, even if he might hurt someone's feelings. And now he can't help talking about death. He's fine with it, with the knowledge that he's nearing the end of his life. It doesn't bother him, but his constant talk about it is wearing thin on his wife and grown daughter. And making Death uncomfortable, too, which leads to the "dates" of the story's title. The story has some very funny moments and Bronsky's a great character. The end however was quite touching, if a little long. You can read it on-line here. Published in the July/August 2011 issue of Fantasy and Science Fiction 4 out of 5 stars John hosts Short Story Monday at The Book Mine Set. Head over there to see what he and others have been reading. I read my copy online and...
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Monday Morning

by Carol15 Comments
Okay, I know it's actually the afternoon now, but I've been kinda slow getting going today. We dropped Amber off at camp yesterday, so she's not home for the week. Of course it's going to be miserably hot anyway, so I probably won't get much done. Here's the stack of books I got since my last list. Mailbox Monday is taking a blog tour. This month’s host is Gwendolyn of A Sea of Books. Bought for me: The Daily Writer by Fred White The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood Bought for Amber, but I'm hoping she'll let me read them too: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Magic and Other Misdemeanors by Michael Buckley The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin From Harlequin Ambassadors: The Best Laid Plans by Sarah Mayberry Should be some good reading. It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I posted a couple of reviews last week and talked about a Native American tale I had never heard before. "Three Blind Mice" by Agatha Christie "The...
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Game Night Quote

by Carol1 Comment
Every once in a while I like to share a quote I've found about a boardgame. Today's is from The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente. "Death, I don't know what to do." Death climbed up into her lap, sitting primly on her knee, which had already begun to darken and wither. "It's very brave of you to admit that. Most knightly folk I happen by bluster and force me to play chess with them. I don't even like chess! For stategy Wrackglummer and even Go are much superior. And it's the wrong metaphor entirely. Death is not a checkmate . . . it is more like a carnival trick. You cannot win, no matter how you move your Queen." "I've only ever played chess with my mother. I wouldn't feel right,playing with you." "I cheat, anyway. When their backs are turned, I move the pieces."  (pg. 149, ARC)...
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Make a Difference

by Carol6 Comments
According to the American Red Cross, a pint of blood can save up to three lives. I didn't need to know the statistics to know that donating blood is a good thing, a way to help others that really, in all truthfulness doesn't take much time, energy, or money. So why had I never donated blood before? I'm a wuss and a scaredy-cat. Every year our VBS supports a charity and this year it was the Red Cross. The kids brought in donations, heard about all the work the Red Cross does, from blood donations to disaster relief, and encouraged to tell their parents about a blood drive that was held at our church on Thursday of that week. So, I was already going to be there, Amber would get a prize, I figured I should do it. I do have to thank two wonderful women at our church who told me what to expect, and really gave me the kick...
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