Friday, December 21

Book Review: Wuthering Heights


Author: Emily Bronte
Title: Wuthering Heights
Genre: Romance, Classic, Gothic, Historical Fiction
Pages: 464
First Published: 1847
Where I Got It: my shelf (Goodwill)

"Wuthering Heights is a wild, passionate story of the intense and almost demonic love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a foundling adopted by Catherine's father. After Mr Earnshaw's death, Heathcliff is bullied and humiliated by Catherine's brother Hindley and wrongly believing that his love for Catherine is not reciprocated, leaves Wuthering Heights, only to return years later as a wealthy and polished man. He proceeds to exact a terrible revenge for his former miseries. The action of the story is chaotic and unremittingly violent, but the accomplished handling of a complex structure, the evocative descriptions of the lonely moorland setting and the poetic grandeur of vision combine to make this unique novel a masterpiece of English literature."

This is about the fourth time I've read this novel. However, its been a while and I was having an itch for it, so I picked it up and began reading it. Within hours I was done. I just can't get enough of this book. Now I'm desperately on the hunt for the movie with Tom Hardy (he's so yummy). The nearest one is some random town a couple hours away, so I have to sit here and wait. Gah. Patience is not my virtue...however, I would want an eon to watch the movie. Not only is Tom Hardy yummy, but this story makes me happy as a clam.


Anyways, I hate pretty much every character in this book, but I still adore it. I love the hate-love that is formed between Catherine and Heathcliff. I feel that after he runs off like an idiot and then came back to seek his revenge that the romance bloomed more. Yes, love shouldn't be like that, but for them...it worked. They are both crazy and rather mean people and when they had some hatred mixed in with their love it just seemed fitting. 

Though Heathcliff did have valid reasons as to why to hate Catherine, Hindley, and even Linton, I was angry that he took his revenge on the innocent. Yes, take revenge on those three. That is fine, but when he turned his focus onto Miss Linton and the next generation, that was going too far. I don't want to ruin anything for anyone, so I shall not go into detail. I shall say though...that Heathcliff went waaaaaaay to far though. Oh well, it was entertaining to see how far he would go.

This certainly is a classic and a masterpiece that will live on throughout the ages. I pray that my children will love this book as much as I do.

In the end, I love this book more then I can say. Not only is there a tragic romance, but it is filled with revenge, mystery, and a ghost. It is a Gothic novel, just as a heads up to those that don't fancy  the genre. I would recommend this to everyone. Everyone should read this because it is a classic and its just a generally good story. I shall stamp this with 5 stars, of course. ^.^

Favorite Character(s): Nelly (the rational one of them all), Linton (yeaaaah, I just felt so bad for him), Heathcliff (I have a love-hate thing with him. I love to hate him. bahahaha), and Young Hareton.
Not-so-Favorite Character(s): Catherine (I don't understand why ever Tom, Dick, and Harry loved her), Heathcliff (love-hate), Hindley (a drunken fool), and Lockwood (useless human being)
Favorite Quote(s): "My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary." Catherine, page 74 (one of the most famous quotes, but I sure do love it)

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<3CaroleRae


Monday, December 17

Music Monday


Happy Monday everyone! How was everyone's weekend? Mine was simply and utterly joyful and I couldn't be more happy right now. It was just so much fun that's its made this mundane day seem awesome. Haha. I'm rather upset that I didn't get to see The Hobbit like I was originally suppose to on Sunday, but oh well. 

The first video is a lyric video of a new song I'm highly addicted too. 'Ever After' by Mariana's Trench. ^.^




My friend Sam found this...it's Maroon 5 covering the song 'Pure Imagination' from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Good lord... more like pure seduction. I LOVE YOU ADAM LEVINE! Hahaha.



And that is all I have for this week. Hope the rest of the week is wonderful for not only me, but for all of you guys. 

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<3CR
 


Friday, December 14

Book Review: Temptation in a Kilt


Author: Victoria Roberts
Title: Temptation in a Kilt (Bad Boys of the Highlands #1)
Genre: Historical Romance, Adventure
Pages: 352
First Published: September 4th, 2012
Where I Got It: my shelf (won it)


"She's On Her Way to Safety

It's a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong's desperation that she's seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn't care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control...

He Redefines Dangerous...

Ciaran MacGregor knows it's perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he's stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he'll be ready to show her how he really is...on and off the battlefield."

Took me an eon to read, but I am finally done. Huzzah! There were a lot of reasons why I had a hard time finishing this. Life got in the way, finals, and the middle of the book felt like stagnant water. I hate to say the middle was boring....but it was....well....boring. However, the beginning and end were stuff-filled with action and love and it was hooten good time. ^.^

The cast of characters were fun and I liked all of them (even the evil Campbells). I really loved how Rosalia wasn't a stick of lass and was not at all perfect. As you all know I can't help myself when a story has an imperfect hero or herione. Now Ciaran was the opposite of Rosalia...he is perfect. So perfect I wanted to bang my head off the wall. Not only is he "sexy as Hell", but he's a good guy and a perfect gentlemen. Yes, he did host a mistress for a while, but the moment Rosalia appeared he bid a fond goodbye to the hussy. However, he expected nothing from Rosalia. He was annoyingly perfect. I want my Highlander lairds possessive and dominating. Oh well. I really liked his brothers and James. I hope James gets his own book!

Victoria Roberts did a wonderful job with her first novel and I'm looking forward to her others. The way described everything was great. I'm very visual and I could see everything and I FELT like I was there. I also adored how well she used the Scottish dialect in the dialogue. Made everything just better. It wasn't overly used or cheesy, she really captured 17th century Scotland. Kuddos!

In the end, the middle was a drag and Ciaran was annoyingly perfect. Everything else was fantastic and it didn't seem like Victoria Robert's debut novel. Again....kuddos. I will probably check out her future books. Hopefully she give James some love and gives him his own book. Out of five stars I stamp this with 3 stars. It's more like 3.4, but I rounded. Sorry for the short review.

Favorite Character(s): James (awwwwww), Declan (though a horrid rogue, I liked him), Rosalia (a strong woman with real flaws), Asling (bahahaha, she was great), and Aiden (poor man married to the Iron Woman, aka Asling).
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Ciaran (mmm), Rosalia's mom (bitch), The English Beast, and The eviiiiiiiil Campbells (just eviiiiiiil)

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<3CaroleRae

Friday Flash Fiction

Every Monday Dottie over at Tink's Place (or Carole Rae/me) posts a picture and on Friday we share a story to go along with the picture. The story has to be about 350 or so words.

Happy Friday everyone! Don't be shocked, but I actually have a FFF this week. Huzzah! I'm so proud of this piece...its a little on the lengthy side, but I adore it! Be warned...there is quite a twist at the end. MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!


The Red, Red Rose
by: Carole Rae

The years trickled past like rain drops, but it never stopped her from coming. It never stopped her from planting the roses he so loved. Though the blistering, desert sun withered the roses to dust she still squandered her money and time to plant the red, red roses he so loved.

The years trickled past like rain drops, but still she came this year. Her hair was now streaked with gray and it was harder for her to pull herself out of the carriage that took her to this spot. Once upon a time ago she was able to ride her horse to this dusty spot. Like natural, her beloved horse passed and time has withered her bones.

Stepping out of the carriage, she looked up at the dark sky. This was an odd occurrence for it seemed rain was coming. Once she was out of the carriage, she grabbed her lacy and delicate parasol. Though it would barely protect her from becoming wet, it was a comfort for her. Though most of everyone knew of her odd travels to this spot in the desert of the West and of why she came to this spot every year on the day, she was still embarrassed of her obsession of planting the red, red roses. Taking a deep inhale, she began to walk to the spot. She always made sure that she had to walk the last few feet to the spot for it made her guilt ease its pull on her heart for a while.

The moment she reached the spot, she looked down and tears began to form. She hugged the pot of roses to her chest. The little thorns cut right through her skin and little drops of blood fell down into her bodice. Surely her white chemise was now ruined, but that concern was millions of leagues away from her mind. Without aid, she slowly knelt down. Quickly, she removed her white gloves and began scrapping at the arduous and dust-covered ground. With the pain of the digging, her tears evaporated. This was normal...pain always made the heart-ache and guilt disappear as the stars fade when the sun comes across the sky.

Once the hole was dug, she gently placed the red, red roses into the ground. She filled in the remaining of the hole with soil. She rubbed her blood and dirt covered hands onto her dress. Now that the pain of digging had ended, tears welled up in her eyes. A rain drop fell onto her face and mixed with the tear. Quickly, she lifted her parasol for the rain was surely on its way. As if stroking a newborn's head, she smoothed one of the red, red petals out and a sob escaped her lips, “I...am...so....sorry, Miles. I wish...I wish I could take it back. Oh God.”

She allowed herself a few moments of tears and for the guilt to eat at her soul.

A few moments....that was all.

Taking a heavy inhale, she forced the monster to return into its cage. If she allowed the guilt to run free for too long, she would lose her sanity forever. Wiping away the tears, she finally had herself in her infamous composure and self-control. The ever present smile returned to her lips and she slowly, but surely stood. Looking out into the distance she took in the scenery. As was normal. However, a dark figure caught her eye. With widening eyes she froze.

The dark figure knowing that it had been spotted, walked towards her. She could not move. Fear penetrated her heart.

After what seemed an eon, the figure stepped out of the fog and revealed its self to her. Her eyes went wide, “Miles....no....nooooo. It can't be! I....I....killed you twenty years ago! How...how is this possible?”

The man, Miles to be assumed, smirked at her, “Oh dear Cynthia. You really think you killed me? Ha.”

“But...oh dear god.” She covered her mouth and sobbed into her hands when she noticed the scar across his throat. She had done that. She had sliced his throat as if cutting into a piece of bread.

His eyes sparkled, “You did nearly have me, my dear.”

“Miles....I'm so sorry. They...they made me! You know I loved you, but it was either your life or my life and our unborn child's life.” Her control evaporated and tears began rolling down her cheek.

With slow steps, he walked towards her and with his thumb ever so slightly wiped away some of the flowing tears that trailed down her cheeks. Miles replied, “I know you are sweeting, but they lied. It was a test to see how much you loved me. Yes, these roses are lovely and sentimental, but you failed the test those many moons ago.”

“Miles...I--” Before she could stammer out another word, blood oozed from her lips. He removed his hand from her face and pulled out the knife he had stabbed into her gut. The place were his child had once been.

With a dark smile, “We are even my dearest Cynthia....but I doubt you'll survive that. Until our next life together.” Turning on his heels, he disappeared in the fog.

She fell to the ground holding her gut. Her body was so in shock all she could do was look at the red, red roses he so loved and think on how the years had trickled past like rain drops. Her world then went black........

THE END


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<3CaroleRae 


Wednesday, December 12

Who, What, Where?

This meme was created by Melissa over at My World in Words and Pages. This meme is a way to share where you are, who you are with, and what is going on in your book. Make sure to not give away any major spoilers. 

Happy Wednesday everyone! How is everyone doing? I'm doing extremely peachy. ^.^ Yesterday, at first, was bound to be a hopeless loss and I seemed destined to be bored and lonely, however a special friend of mine decided he wanted to hang out, go shopping with me, and meet my parents. Just WOW. So the day that was at first destined to be boring and lame, turned into quite an adventure. 

Anyways, this week I'm still reading Temptation in a Kilt

I'm with Ciaran and Rosalia. In 16 century (I believe) Scotland. We just arrived to Ciaran's home after nearly being killed by the eviiiiiiil Campbells. Rosalia met nearly everyone from Ciaran's family. There is a little awkwardness, for I think Rosalia is falling for the man. Hahaha.



Monday, December 10

Music Monday: I'm Back Edition

I'm back! I'm back! Time to do a jig! Huzzah I say, huzzah! *dances* 



As you can see I have missed my blog and posting and my lovely stalkers, I mean followers. ^.^ I know I haven't been gone too long, but it FEELS like an eon since I last posted or visited other blogs. Since it is Monday, I shall post my Music Monday. Time to get back into the flow of things. ^.^ 


Here is a nice colleague of some of the characters from Once Upon a Time. Not only is the video lovely, but the song is fantastic. It's 'Ever After' by Mariana's Touch 




Never thought this combo would work, but it's rather good. Here's a video about King Henry VIII, song 'Whatcha Say', and the song 'Hide and Seek'. 



Haha, a nice way to remember the personalities of the zodiacs. My friend shared this with me. It's so true, it's funny. ^.^

Thanks all I got this week. I feel so GOOD posting again. ^.^ A nice stress reliving. 

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<3CaroleRae

Wednesday, December 5

Life Is A Big, Big Butt

I know I haven't been on in quite sometime, but life has been a totally pain in the ass. Thursday is my last day of the semester and then I'm done for almost an entire month! Huzzah! Huzzah! Not only has school been slashing my free-time, so has work, and other random life things. For example, last Thursday I hit a sink hole with tire. It DESTROYED the rim. All weekend I was running around getting a new one and trying to figure out how to get to work and other places I needed to go. In betwixt this I had to go to the hospital and get a physical and some shots. Why? Well, starting in December I start a new job at the Henry Ford Hospital as a  food server. Huzzah! I proclaim again!

Regular postings will commence after Thursday after this week. ^.^ See you guys then!