Have You Noticed What's Going on In Europe Lately? Maybe it's Time You Did.

When I started my blog in the latter part of 2009, my purpose was a comprehensive one. I planned to cover the world of books, writing and life issues. As the title indicates, my purpose in writing this blog was and is to be a blessing to others. Eventually, the blog evolved into a book and review blog more than anything else and that's cool, but I'm taking note of some world developments that I want to pass on to the followers of this blog and to those casual passers-by.
Every so often, as I feel the need, I'm going to post on thought-provoking issues that are occurring overseas. I think I'm going to call it The European Update. My goal is to prick your conciousness and give you food for thought, give you something to contemplate. Make of these posts what you will. Your thoughts and beliefs are entirely your own. My mission is simply to state the facts. How you interpret them will be up to you. So, let us begin, shall we...

There's a crisis occurring in Europe that is impacting the countries that make up the European Union. The European Union consists of 27 countries. Of these 27 countries, 17 make up a monetary union called the Eurozone. These Eurozone countries use a single currency: the euro.

A number of the countries have spent more money than they bring in and are in tremendous debt. We're going to focus on Greece. The leaders of the Eurozone created a bailout package that Greece was expected to accept. If you were following the news developments, you saw that the Prime Minister of Greece, George Papandreou infuriated the eurozone leaders by his decision to put the bailout package before the people of Greece for a vote. He quickly reneged and resigned his position as Prime Minister two days later. Note this. All this drama because he had the "gall" to want the people to vote to accept or reject an economic package that was going to have a severe impact on their future.

I don't want to get too technical, but suffice it to say, ultimately, the people didn't vote and a new leader was installed as Prime Minister. The people didn't vote for a new leader, one was installed in the position. Think about that. That's not the democratic way. What do you think that is? Think about it. And start paying attention to what's going on in Europe.

Toodles!

My Selection for Waiting on Wednesday: On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane.

Waiting on Wednesday is a great way to learn about new books coming out. It was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. This week I'm looking forward to reading On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane. Check out what it's about...


The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over.
I would learn a lesson I wasn't prepared for.
And Death would be my willing teacher. 

Five years ago Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her lucky break came at the expense of her mother's life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death--by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky--she would never be normal again.

Now she's the target of Death's Ravens and an innocent boy's life is on the line. When Nate Holden--Abbey's secret crush--starts to climb Alaska's Denali, the Angel of Death is with him because of her.

Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets.

The cover of this book caught my attention right away. It has a stark, Gothic quality. "A boy made of clouds and sky"...I love the use of language...The tale has an odd, other worldly sensibility to it. At least I don't have to wait. It's out now!

On a Dark Wing released December 20, 2011 by Harlequin Teen.

Toodles!

Switched: A Trylle novel by Amanda Hocking: A Success Story.

Book One

Amanda Hocking is a self-published success story. So much so, that a major publisher, St. Martin's Press took notice and decided to offer her a deal. Nothing beats a proven success. Check out the new version of her trilogy, the Trylle series. The first book, Switched will be published 1/3/12! As a gift to readers, the book includes a never-before-published bonus story. This is what the book is about...

SWITCHED… at birth:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right.  She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her.  Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit.  But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth:  Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.   

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening.  And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become...

I absolutely love the house in the book trailer below--LOVE IT, I tell you! Lol...

And the Winner of Daughter of Smoke and Bone is...

My goodness. I have never taken so long to select a winner for one of my giveaways. This was madness. Life has a way of interfering with the best laid plans...Well, someone will get this great book as a Christmas present! I did give a copy to a friend who's a voracious reader and I know she and my winner today will enjoy it. So, without further ado, the winner of the awesome Daughter of Smoke and Bone is...

Chey!!!

Congrats! Please email me with your address, so I may get your unexpected Christmas present to you!

Happy holidays, everyone!

Toodles...

Somebody Killed My Baby!!!

I can't believe I have to write this, but I do. Some murderous, psycho, idiot, killed my beautiful Sweetie. My husband found her lying on the ground outside the back door yesterday morning. She usually sits atop the stair railing, meowing loudly when she wants to come in. I wasn't home and when my husband got up at about 6 AM, he looked out the back window as usual to look for her, but didn't see her in her usual spot. When he opened the door to call for her, there she was, lying on the ground. He called me and told me she had a heart attack. He figured it must have happened while she was on the railing and she collapsed.

Sweetie being beautiful

That didn't sound right because we had just had the greatest time with her the night before, laughing, playing and feeding her her favorite meal of fresh crab legs...those crab legs would make Sweetie talk! *sigh*...My cat was not sick! I just posted shots of her on this blog a few weeks ago at her annual vet visit! I told him to examine her more closely. Sure enough, he called me back and told me she had been shot. He found a bullet wound in her back and it went out through her leg. We assume she went out the gate, came into the path of some demon who shot her and she managed to make her way home before dying.                                                                                                  

My husband made a casket for her and made a little cushion out of some of his shirts. He went into my drawer and placed a pair of my socks on her feet. I'm crying so hard now I can barely see, but I'm pressing on...He wanted a little piece of us to go with her. He buried her in the front of the yard where she waited for him everyday to come in from work. My husband cried so hard. He kept saying over and over how she slept on his chest from the time she was a baby. We had her from the time she was born. She would have been 13 years old in April. I always suspected her mothers unexpected death a little over a year and a half ago very suspicious too, but we didn't find any conclusive evidence.

This is so hard for me. Honestly, I thought I was going to go a little crazy. I really loved that cat. She was my baby, I'm telling you. She was such a gentle, timid cat to have died so violently...So, now once again, I have to say good-bye to another one of the sweetest girls, ever, my beautiful Sweetie. We love you so much, my girl and just like your mother, you'll never be forgotten and will remain forever in our hearts...

I'm going to end with the words of God which is the only thing helping me keep it together right now...

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away--Revelation 21:4

 

 

 

Sweetie's last photo with her mom, Boozie 2 weeks before Boozie's death, 4/21/10

Amen.

Breaking Dawn: The Twilight Saga. Just a few words...

Of course I had to go see Breaking Dawn. I've only read the first Twilight book. I think I read half of New Moon, but I'm not sure. I saw the movie and keep getting what I saw on film and the book mixed up! I'll probably have to start the book again.

I went to Barnes and Noble to get the movie edition of Breaking Dawn. I like that the movie-connected versions of the books are smaller and take up less space. I enjoyed the movie, but did find it a bit depressing and somber. Considering the subject matter, that makes sense. Still, it's one of the better movies in the series. I like that they emphasized the couples sexuality and didn't hold back on it. I didn't read the book yet, so I don't how that plays out there, but I think the movie was a realistic depiction and tastefully done.

What happened to Edward's hair?!...lol..I miss that thick mop he used to have. You can definitely see everyone is getting older. Robert Pattinson remarked in an interview a couple of years ago that they better hurry up and shoot these films because he wouldn't remain looking like 17 for too long. I chuckled looking at the film because a couple of cast members have put on a few pounds. Carlisle, papa Cullen isn't looking as lean and predatory as he did in 2008 and brother Emmett is looking a bit stockier...lol..Even my husband remarked on Bella, asking me how old she was. She has matured, most definitely. He noted how Twilight really put Kristin Stewart on the map--and this is from a man who gets all his updates about pop culture from me! He could care less, otherwise. I make it my business to ensure he stays in the Twilight loop! Lol...

The first Twilight will always be my favorite, though. Even though the make-up was pretty bad, the magic of that first introduction is hard to beat :-)

Toodles!