Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Seventh Witch by Shirley Damsgaard


Okay, first off.... I HAVE LOVED THIS SERIES SINCE THE BEGINNING.  Having said that, this is supposedly the last book, at least for now. I am NOT happy with that.

I have enjoyed this book more than the others.

It is set, this time, in a North Carolina Appalachian Mountain community amongst extended family and a blood feud reminiscent of the Hatfield's and McCoy's.... sorta. Throw in magic, an unexpected face in the crowd, exposure of a in-the-family feud, spirits, brownies and house fairies, etc., and you're all set.

I will also add, I really loved the ending of this book more than the others. (NO SPOILERS HERE).  I loved, and related to, the interaction of the women in the family. Soooo too close to home, LOL.

If you haven't read her books, and like "cozy mysteries" with a touch of paranormal and magick,  these are a must!

The Young Victoria



This movie was wonderful! Although I was watching it late at night and had to have the volume down a bit to where I didn't hear all the dialog.

I remember when I first heard of the film, I really wanted to see it, and then later thought.... maybe not now---not in the mood. And then when I finally did, I was really glad I had.

History tends to show Victoria as being a bit "stuffy" and "officious". In this movie though, you see that she (as portrayed in the movie... but also in a few books I've read) was really anything but. She WAS stubborn and hard-headed, though with respect, rightfully so.  Her mother was a good bit easily manipulated, and gave over all responsibility to her daughter upbringing to John Conroy (I think that is his name... probably mistaken, please excuse). He was very controlling and expected to "rule" through the mother and thus through Victoria. Victoria did notice often enough, if not all the time, that she was being used by those around her, even those she trusted. Until Albert. It took her a while to realize she "needed" him and how he kept her a bit more "grounded", so to speak. She did manage to throw a few tantrums, though.  But I couldn't help but chuckle through one in particular. "I am the Queen, you will obey me!" type of tantrum.  She was, however, pregnant with her first child when this happened in the movie, and the country and peers were in conflict. So between hormones and stress, it was kind of understood.

I highly recommend this movie, especially for those who like the following kinds of movies:
Historical romances, History (yes, I know that sounds repetitious, but oh well), Biographical, English....

Really highly recommended!  Really!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A Thousand Sisters: My Journey into the Worst Place on Earth to Be a Woman








Just saw a bit of her story on ABCNews tonight and was so impressed that I wanted to know more. So I was glad to hear there was a book out now.  I am looking forward to reading this. 

To me, it is a shame that this type of mindset and action is an anomaly and not an everyday way of life. That we do not value each other enough on a day to day basis.  That this war was one that went primarily unnoticed by the general public, and seemingly no one cared. It should be just the opposite. We in the US pride ourselves on freedom and equality, yet we don't seem to want to make an effort to ensure that it doesn't stop at our borders. At least, not so much anymore. We have become an insular people, isolated and self-serving, as much as we want to believe ourselves otherwise.  


Stories such as Lisa Shannon's, and a few others, are a refreshing light in the darkness. May there be more such as her in the coming days. 

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Long time

It's been a while, huh?  Have several movies to post about, amongst other things.  Will be back with that shortly, I hope.