43. A Shade of Blood by Bella Forrest

A Shade of Vampire #2
read on my iPhone
2013, CreateSpace

296 pgs.

YA Fantasy
Finished 8/4/16
Goodreads rating:  4.01 ratings - 26,356 ratings
My rating: 1.5

My comments:  I don't even know why I'm reading this...it's pretty awful and all the reasons I disliked Twilight are twofold here.  The tiny little bit of plot that seeps through the repetitiousness of the stereotypical characters is somewhat interesting and the last bits of information given make one wonder wher the story's next (small) twist wil go.  There are seven in this series before the "saga" of Sofia and Derek is concluded....I doubt if I'll be reading much more.

Goodreads synopsis:  Having been delighted by the bestselling debut, A Shade Of Vampire, readers are begging for more. In A Shade Of Blood, Bella Forrest transports you deeper into a unique, enthralling and beautifully sensitive story. Prepare to be lost in its pages...
     When Sofia Claremont was kidnapped to a sunless island, uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet, she believed she'd forever be a captive of its dark ruler, Derek Novak.
     Now, after months of surviving an endless night, the morning sun may soon rise again for Sofia. Something has possessed Derek's heart and he offers her a gift no human slave has ever been given in the history of his cursed island: escape. 
     High school, prom and a chance to move on with her life now await her. 
     But will she be able to forget the horrors that steal her sleep away at night? ... or the feelings that haunt her for that tormented prince of darkness?

44. Raymie Nightingale by Kate diCamillo

listened to on Audible
2016, Candlewick Press
272 pgs.
Mid Grade CRF
Finished 8/4/16
Goodreads rating: 3.94 - 6,527 ratings
My rating: 4.5
Setting:  Contemporary central Florida

First line/s:  "There were three of them, three girls."

My comments:  This is a really hard book to rate.  There were many hugely depressing parts to the story, which I personally look down upon if it's a book for kids and there's an overwhelming amount of sadness.  However, there was humor and humanity and some really beautiful language, including high level vocabulary.  I loved listening to this, because the reader was just wonderful.  Talk about a quotation mark voice!  This book was plump full of voice, and the reader accentuated that.

Goodreads synopsis:  Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways. 

42. Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

#3 Comoran Strike
listened to cd while driving
2015 Mulholland Books
492 pgs.
Adult murder mystery
Finished 8/4/16
Goodreads rating:  4.2 - 73,514 ratings
My rating:  4
Setting: Contemporary London

First line/s:  "He had not managed to scrub off all her blood."

My comments:  I love the escapades that Cormoran and Robin find themselves in, and I like having to guess and figure out connections in the mystery as I read/listen.  This third-in-the=series did seem to labor on a bit too long (months of surveillance on five different people helped me stay mightily confused at times), but it certainly kept me entertained on the road - 15 cds worth of entertainment.  Most of the time I greatly enjoy the reader of this book, but sometimes I think he makes Cormoran come off more like Hagrid than a charming 30-something.  A cliffhanger-type ending makes me wonder in what direction Galbraith/Rowling is going with the Strike/Ellacort relationship.,,,

Goodreads synopsis:  Cormoran Strike is back, with his assistant Robin Ellacott, in a mystery based around soldiers returning from war.
       When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman’s severed leg.
       Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past who he thinks could be responsible – and Strike knows that any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality.
       With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike is increasingly sure is not the perpetrator, he and Robin take matters into their own hands, and delve into the dark and twisted worlds of the other three men. But as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out for the two of them…
       Career of Evil is the third in the series featuring private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott. A mystery and also a story of a man and a woman at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives.

41. A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest

#1 A Shade of Vampire
read on the Kindle
2012, 152 pgs.
YA Fantasy
Finished 8/1/16
Goodreads 3.83 - 37,463 ratings
My rating: 2

My comments:  I don't even know why I'm reading this...it's pretty awful and all the reasons I disliked Twilight are twofold here.  The tiny little bit of plot that seeps through the repetitiousness of the stereotypical characters is somewhat interesting and the last bits of information given make one wonder wher the story's next (small) twist wil go.  There are seven in this series before the "saga" of Sofia and Derek is concluded....I doubt if I'll be reading much more.

Goodreads synopsis for Book 1:  On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.
     A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.
     She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.
     Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.
     Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.
     Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

Postcards Received from Luxembourg

2901.  Gentoo Penguins

We live at a very quiet (and some people say "lonely") area, surrounded by nature.  I have a very large garden, and grow everything on  fruits and vegetables we eat (and mostly still enough to give to the kids) - This garden keeps me busy and fit, and the same do our 2 little dogs.  And even though I'ma a bit far away from "social" life, I never feel bored.  I'm more than happy.  All the best, Monique.

1223.  Luxembourg

Hi!  I live in Lux only for one year and I noticed that the most common animal here is a cow.  They are everywhere.  Different colours, sizes, fluffiness.  I love them!  Also dogs are very popular and sheeps!  Be Happy! February 2018

757.  Itzig, Luxembourg

I am Dan, 52, lives in a little town called Itzig in Luxembourg/Europe.  Best wishes and Happy Postcrossing with Stan and Ollie!

510.  Luxembourg, August 18, 2016

 A Postallove Card!

Dear Chris, I send you the postcard from Luxembourg-city.  My hobbies are art, photography, and travelling to Paris (only 2 hours by high speed train).  I wish you all the best.  Many greetings!  

Jean Moni

Postcards Received from Slovakia

2064.  Bratislava, Slovakia

14 May 2021

I hope you will like this card with old window.  I like traveling and collecting postcards and fridge magnets.  Martin

1234.  Povazska Bystrica, SLOVAKIA

Best regards from Slovakia:)  I hope you like this card - picture of Castle nearby my hometown, Povazska, Bystrica.  Best wishes and Happy Postrossing!

905.  Slovakia

Traditional Windows

Ahoj!  Greetings from Slovakia, small country in the heart of Europe.  My name is Alena, I love to take trips with my family, hiking, collecting postcards and gardening.  Kind regards, Alena

638.  Greetings from Slovakia

Hello Chris!  I'm sending kind greetings from Slovakia, small country oin the heart of Europe.  

Best wishes!  Alena

493.  Piestany, Slovakia

Hi!

My name is Olga.  I live in Slovakia in spa town.  I like flowers, dolphins, parrots, towns, and sew.  Happy postcrossing.

Postcards Received from Massachusetts

2055.  Hello from Boston! 

I lived in Maine for a bit myself, and my grandparents played Bluegrass music in Maine (GM is 90 now and tone deaf, poor thing!)  I am 44 and have a daughter who is 11.  We like to hike and explore and ride skateboards.  Covid career change has found me now delivering the mail in my zipcode, which is more fun than I expected.  I love the people on my route!  Hope all is well.  Headed to ME this week to see GM, we are all vaxxed!  Cheers, Harley

1278.  Boston

LOL!  Funny Postcard Mania

Hello Chris!  Hope your spring is off to a wonderful start.  

"Today I will live in the moment, unless it is unpleasant in which case, I will eat a cookie!" - Cookie Monster

1271.  New England Aquarium

Rockhopper Penguin

"Rockhopper penguins are popular for their punk rock hair of wild yellow feathers.  Rockhoppers get their name from jumping over boulders and across cracks on the coasts of their native South America.

Received from suepier/CA in a swapbot postcard swap called "Two Good Movies #1

481.  "Awkward Family" Newburyport, MA

Hi, Chris!  I'm Nathan and it's nice to meet you.  This is a funny card I got out of a set.  They habe a very funny wibsite, too.  Have a good rest of the summer!

Nathan

Postcards Received from Romania

477.  My Romania - Bucharest

Dear Chris,

This is one of the eight UNESCO painted churches in Romania, unique for the 500 years old paintings all ove their external walls. 

Regards, Marius

591.  Postcrossing Bucharest Meetup, 25 September 2016, The Botanical Garden

ROMANIA

Signed by many at the 20th Postcrossing Meeting, Bucharest!

Postcards Received from Lithuania

1310.  Sand Dunes at Nida

Labas, Chris!  or Hello!  Greetings from Lithuania, a small country in the middle of Europe.  I'm Renata, 17-year-old girl, and I'm sending you a card with a view from UNESCO World Heritage site - the Curonian Spit, half of which belongs to Lithuania (my note - the other half belongs to Russia).  I've added a small map, so that it'd be easier to imagine.  The Curonian Spit is famous for its dunes - those you can see on the other side of the postcard   Since you like facts, while  (can't read/obliterated) Have a great day!  Renata 

924.  Lithuania

I didn't have any kind of card from your card list.  But I thought that this card pretty much represents my country.  I am writing to you from Lithuania.  My country is famous for green anture but you can see it's kinda colorful.  And also I love to read!  Now I am reading the Jane Austen book "Pride and Prejudice."  I saw the movie, so I decided to read the book!  Best wishes, Iveta

839.  Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius University (Largest in Lithuania)

Hi!  Greetings from Lithuania's capital Vilnius!  I'm sending postcards after five years break.  This postcard is very old, here is main library at our capital's University but description is written in Polish language here.  One I have translated is book of Nicholas Sparks "At First Sight."

751. Lithuania

"Balloons" Kritina Kuodiene

Greetings from Lithuania!  I'm a teacher.  yesterday ended the school year.  STarting time when I can do my favorite things when I want.  Wonderful time!  No matter how many years I have, I feel like the girl on this card.  Zita

685.  Lithuania

2016 . 11 . 08

Sueiki!  Hello!  Greeting from Lietuva, Lithuania.  I hope you will like this postcard.  Have a nice day!  Daiva

474.  Europa MAP from Lithuania

Hello!  Greetings from Lithuania!  I'm Rilo and I live in Vilnees with my family & dog & rabbit.  I like many things but my passion is traveling and exploring new places/countries.  Maps always make the feeling of travelling, right?  I've been in many countries in Europe also visited Thailand and Egyupt.  I wish to go to America as well.!  Best wishes, Rilo

Postcards from Connecticut

2046.  Southern Connecticut

I live in southern Connecticut, about 2 hours from NYC by train.  My region is home to Yale University, New Haven-style pizza, and beautiful views of Long Island Sound.  All the best, Virginia.

519.  "North of Silver Hill in Connecticut, the Appalachina Trail wanders through woods still growing up from 19th century overtimbering"

Card sent from TEXAS

Howdy from Texas.  I picked up this card on our trip last fall - we enjoyed it very much.  We plan to visit Maine and see some of the islands - any suggestions?  Figured we need to hire a bout and driver for part of it.  Enjoy travel - we do and hope to do even more.  Keys in Florida are next.

Cheers, Johny

Postcards Received from Minnesota

2059.  Minnesota

UFFDA!  A Scandinavian expression   used to express compassion, empathy or annoyance.  

You Betcha!

26 May 2021

Greetings from Minnesota!  If you've ever seen the movie Fargo, you've heard this funny expression - we don't all have that accent, but we do all say "Oh ya, you betcha" more often than we'd like to admit - haha!  I live in the sourthern part of MN, farm country.  Best wishes, Melissa.

2053.  Lake George, Minnesota

Hello!  This is a picture I took of Lake George in a park near my house.  In the summer, you can rent a paddle boat or canoe and boat on it.  I love living near this park, especially this year because it was somewhere I could go amid covid restrictions.  I am looking forward to growing plants this summer.  I've started tomatoes and peppers in the house, and soon I'll plant them outside with corn and radishes, too.  What do you like to grow?  Take care!  Madeleine

1807.  Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

Hello from Victoria, Minnesota.  We are a fourth grade class of 27 from Victoria Elementary School.  We are located 45 minutes from the Twin Cities Minneapolis/St. Paul and the Mall of America.  Since we live so close to the cities, our rural community has grown to 4,000 people and 620 students attend our 1-5 school.  We are the VES Lakers, and our school has multi-age communities names after all the lakes in our town.  Did you know the source of the Mississippi River is in the norther part of MN?  The northeastern part of our state is bordered by one of the Great Lakes and the largest freshwater lake in the US - Lake Superior.  MN also borders our neighbor country to the north - Canada.  We love the changing seasons here and are looking forward to our first snowfall of the year!

807.  Chisholm, Minnesota USA

Day of the Dead

"A male skeleton dressed in a charro outfit wielding a machete, accompanied by a drunken skeleton."  Illustrations by J. Posada, 1910

Hi Chris,  Our gardening season is in full swing!  It is good to have fresh food from the gardenand look forward to enjoying the surplus - canned or frozen - in the winter!  Enjoy your summer away from triple digits and fires.

617.  Where the Jackalope Roam! 

Much like the stories of Sasquatch sightings, legends of the elusive Jackalope continue to haunt Western lore even in modern times.

Hello Chris,

     Greetings from central Minnesota.  I picked up this card last fall when we visited Mt. Rushmore.  I have lived in Pittsburgh and Tucson.  I would move bacdk to Tucson in a heartbeat!  Parts of Pennsylvania are beautiful though.

Best wishes, Jane

537.  "have a Coke and a smile" 

Cologne, MN

(I looked this book up - I'd never heard of it, bad me... First published in 1945, it won an Edgar for best first novel in 1946 and is considered a "classic of crime fiction."  It's a 70-year-old mytery novel...looks like I'm going to have to at least research it more, if not attempt to find it and read it....)

Hi Chris!  My name is JOAN.  I'm writing from Cologne, MN.  I was going to get a box from a 12 pk of Diet Coke and cut it into a postcard but I'm not sure how soon I would get to the store.  Joan

Postcards Received from Scotland

1202.  Edinburgh, Scotland

Hi Chris, how are you?  The card shows a beautiful evening of the city of Edinburgh, capital of Scotland.  How's the weather where you live?  Her we had light snow, but otherwise all right.  February, 2018

630.  Scotland

Scotland has a land area of about 79,000 sq. km., with a total coastline of nearly 12,000 km.  There are some 800 islands, with almost 600 of them lying off the west coast, over 30,000 freshwater lochs and 6600 river systems.  Scotland's population of 5.3 million live in approximately 3% of the total land area.

Hello Chris!  My name is Keith and I send you a map card of my home country of Scotland.  It is beautiful here.  Keith.

522.  The First meeting of Jane Eyre and Rochester by Thomas Davidson

Bronte Parsonage Museum, Haworth

Dear Chris,

Greetings from Edinburgh, Scotland.  I hope you like my choice of postcard.  As a reader, I'm sure Jane Eyre is known to you.  Lovely story.  Edinburgh Book Festival is on at the mment, part of the yearly celebrations.  Best wishes, Pat

Postcards Received from Louisiana

2081.  Jessie Willcox Smith (1863 - 1935)

American Illustrator

Greetings Chris, from a tiny rural community 30 miles N of Baton Rouge, LA.  I live on 3 acres of land and am visited by birds and critters (rabbits, snakes, armadillos, deer, racoon and once a bobcat!).  Some of my favorite books are children's picture books, I Talk Like a River, Our Little Kitchen, When  You Look Up, the Wanderer, If you Come to Earth.  Be well.  Make happy.  Say your prayers and tie your camel to a tree.  Warm regards, Kristine J.  6/14/521 83 degrees.

503.  New Orleans, Louisiana

Hi Chris, My name is Kathy Lea and I live in Louisiana.  I like to travel, read, garden, and postcrossing.  I've never been up north, it is way too cold for me.  I love the tropical weather we have down here.  Hope you have a great day!

Postcards Received from Norway

1929.  Oslo, Norway

PETER SEVERIN KROYER (1851-1909)

Hello Chris, My name is Linda.  I live in a small town near our capital city of Oslo.  I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren, ages 12-22 years.  I retired 6 1/2 years ago and like having more time for my family and my hobbies.  I like books, music, art, the theater, my garden, and traveling when I can.

Best wishes, Linda

1023.  Norway

Card sent from Germany

Dear Chris, I hope you won't be disappointed to learn that I sent you this card from Germany, not from Norway.  I had planned a 3-week-long trip to Norway this summer but unfortunately had to cancel the journey because I got very sick.  I've been learning the Norwegian language for 8 months and hope I can travel there next year of even find a job as a preschool teacher one day.  It's great that you got to spend nost of your life on an island - this would be another dream of mine!  All the best, Silvi

31.10.17

506.  Birkeland, Norway

Hello Chris !  Greetings from Norway.  My name is Inger and I'm a medical secretary who loves reading, glue books, art journaling, cross stitching & trips to our cabin.  I love strawberries, blueberries & blackberries.  There are lots of them around here.

Best wishes, Inger

Postcards from Macao (like Hong Kong, a part of CHINA)

Macao is not a country - it is, as one of my writers below said, a special administrations region of China.

1269.  Greetings from Macao!

Macao is a small city with high population, which is a Special Administrative Region of China.  Since Macao was formerly a Portuguese colony, here you can find the harmonious combination of Chinese and Portuguese buildings.  The picture on the card is A-Ma Temple, which is one of hte famous tourist destinations in Macao.  Hope that you'll like this postcard!   2018.3.21

535.  Greetings From MACAU

Hello.  How are you?  My name is Khaki Catia.  It's a pleasure to meet you.  I love painting and taking photos.  My dream is to send my artworks all over the wolrd.  I hope I can make it.  All the best, Khaki Catia