Sunday, September 30

A Dream Pang by Robert Frost



A Dream Pang
by: Robert Frost


I had withdrawn in forest, and my song
Was swallowed up in leaves that blew alway;
And to the forest edge you came one day
(This was my dream) and looked and pondered long,
But did not enter, though the wish was strong:
You shook your pensive head as who should say,
‘I dare not—too far in his footsteps stray—
He must seek me would he undo the wrong.

Not far, but near, I stood and saw it all
Behind low boughs the trees let down outside;
And the sweet pang it cost me not to call
And tell you that I saw does still abide.
But ’tis not true that thus I dwelt aloof,
For the wood wakes, and you are here for proof. 


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<3CaroleRae

Saturday, September 29

Cast That Book: The Highlander's Touch



~'Cast That Book' is a weekly meme created by moi. This is just something I came up with, to share everyone who I would cast if a certain book became a movie. I got the idea from storycasting.com, so check them out! My secret dream is to be a casting director and this allows me to live it for just an hour or two. Anyone can join! You don't have to pick thebook I picked. Any book, any genre! However, I would LOVE to check out who you casted, so share the linkie to your post down below.~




Happy Saturday. Yet again I have finished a "cast" for one of Karen Marie Moning's books. Click THIS to be transported to my review of this book. 

Anyways, sorry for the lack of posting this week. School and work and other random life things have limited my free-time to blog and read. *sighs* Once I get everything better balanced and sorted out, I promise I'll be more active. Hope your week was better then mine. Hope you like my "cast" for The Highlander's Touch.


  


CAST
Lisa - Emma Stone






















Circen Brody - Chris Hemsworth (*fans self off*)


















Adam Black - Jamie Dornan




















Robert the Bruce - Clive Owen




















Catherine - Susan Sarandon



















Morganna Brody - Reese Witherspoon




















The Fairy Queen - Deborah Ann Woll












last minute add, but I love this picture of her! It is SO what the Fairy Queen would wear

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<3CaroleRae



Wednesday, September 26

Wordless Wednesday & SMPH

(I deleted the first picture, because it appears "broken" sometimes, so eh)

(*fans self off* Nate)




~*~



Welcome to the Social Media Party Hop brought to you by Charisma Media!

 Are you ready to party?! This party does not require an invitation because everyone is invited! Are you looking to improve your social media reach? Looking to make new friends and fans? Why not link up to our 4 way social media hop!

We're looking for bloggers and book reviewers! Charisma Media membership is open and free to join! We offer friendship, networking, blog hops, review opportunities (books and product), giveaways opportunities and more! Meet our featured Charisma Media member: Courtney of Optimistic Mommy!
  Link up your Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest! Don't forget to like/follow and love on those who have linked up above and below you! Be sure to share our hop and feel free to re-post on your blog! To join just enter your blog name and the type of social media link. For example: (1) Your Blog Name (FB) or (2) Your Blog Name (Twitter)





Charisma Media Network
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<3CaroleRae

Tuesday, September 25

News & Bookish Blog Hop Party!

Well, I have nothing to really post today, so I'll just post this today due to the fact that school starts today. Yayy *sarcasm*. I am excited, however, that I have first official teacher class! That means I'm a wee bit closer to my goal of becoming a teacher. ^.^ Here's a list of the class I'll be taking this semester:

~Intro to Education (woot woot!)
~Intermediate Algebra (last math class) 
~Prin Macroeconomics (...)
~International Relations (eh)

Wish me luck! I fear that this semester is going to kick my rump a wee bit. I shall apologize now...I fear my posting and reading free-time will be diminished slightly. Never fear though. I shall not abandon you all. 







Make sure to leave your bookish link below in the appropriate area! We have linkies for book posts (ie book reviews, author interviews, etc), your goodreads account (or any other book website), and a link to your book giveaway or a friend's book giveaway.
This is open for one week! 9/25 - 10/1




Brought to you by


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<3CaroleRae

Monday, September 24

Friday Flash Fiction: Sunday Free-for-All #18


Every Monday Dottie over at Tink's Place 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.

This was meant to posted earlier today, but I forgot to schedule it. Hahaha.  Well, here's my FFF for an older picture. When I seen it, I knew I had found a picture to go along with my tale of Lady Chou. This story is special to me and perhaps one day I'll share her whole story with the world in the form of a novel, but for now I shall just give you this little bit. Hope you enjoy.


Lady Chou
by: CaroleRae


“My son, Isao, has dishonored you and this family. I am truly sorry Lady Chou.” Said the honorable Lord Hiroshi Hideki.

Lady Chou sat in silence for a moment. Her stare bore into the table. All her plans were dashed. Everything she worked on was finished. Everything she hoped for and worked wholeheartedly for was over. Where did that leave her?

Finally she took a deep breath, she never moved her eyes, but she softly replied trying to not cry, “Honorable Lord Hiroshi there is no reason for you to apologize. I shall pack my belongings and return back to my father. He has missed me.”

Lord Hiroshi gave a weak, “You do not need to leave right away.”

With a nod Lady Chou replied, “Thank you Lord Hiroshi for your hospitality. You have been ever so kind to me. Please do excuse me, for I would love to walk in the gardens.”

He nodded and waved her away. She stood up and as gracefully as she could manage left the room and made her way to the gardens she so loved since the moment she came here. All the past Lady Hiroshiss added to the garden. The garden was one of largest gardens in all of the kingdom. She would bet it was one of the most beautiful too, perhaps a good contender to the Emperor's garden. Certainly she would miss this garden. With all the different colored flowers and all the lovely butterflies and other winged creatures that visited her on her walks. Sure she would miss the garden with all her heart, but she would mostly miss him...she stopped herself before she thought of him.

With a sigh she picked a flower and smelled it. It helped temporarily eased the pain in her heart from the destruction of her plans due to Isao and his betrayal. She knew she wasn't the most beautiful girl in all the land. Her nickname had been Lady Ga, Lady Moth. They said she wasn't pretty enough to be named after the butterflies. Sometimes she was still called that by others, even though she was an adult and so were they. She took another whiff of the flower before letting it fall to the ground. She turned and found her face to face with him....the man she wished was Isao, but he was unfortunately the second son and not the first son.

“Hasimoto-san” Eiji bowed and looked up at her with a shade of sorrow in his eyes.

“Hiroshi-sama, it is an honor to see you again.” She bowed in return.

Dropping the formalities Eiji grabbed her hands, “Chou, I am so sorry. I know how hurt you must be.”

She smiled, “Eiji...I am fine. I will go home and see if I Lord Komatsu will reopen negotiations for my hand in marriage.”

Eiji frowned, but said nothing. They looked at each other. Since she had arrived two months ago she has been oddly drawn to him. At first she thought it was just friendship and soon to be brother and sister bonds, but she found she truly liked him. In the back of her mind the word “love” swam around. Yes, she was everything she looked for in a man. He was tall, strong-shouldered, strong featured, and with kind eyes that lite up with laughter. He was one of the few who could make her truly smile and giggle. The only thing that kept them apart was the fact that he was the second son, not the first.

“Well, I must begin packing. Good day.” Chou tried to pull her hands away from his, but he tightened his grasp. She looked away. She prayed he wouldn't try to persuade her to not try and marry the elderly Lord Komatsu who was nearly sixty.

“Chou...”

“What?” She snapped and looked at him.

His eyebrows came to gather and watched her for a minute. Like she, he was very observant, so when the blush grew on her cheeks, she tried to pull away again. However, he didn't let go. Instead he bent down and brushed her lips with his lips. Unintentionally she moaned and stepped closer to him. Eiji deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her. Chou allowed herself a few minutes of pleasure, because she doubted any man could make her feel like this. Feel like she was floating in the sky. Feel like her knees would give way. Make her feel like all those lines in the love poems she highly enjoyed.

Finally, she pulled away. If she wasn't in love with Eiji she would smack him. She wanted to say something witty, but she could only gap like a fish, so she ran off. As she reached the house, she slowed her pace. With a deep breath, she gained her composure and entered the house that was suppose to be hers when Isao returned from business in the north. However a different lady would walk these halls and it would belong to her. Chou felt more helpless then ever, but she would remain strong and find another husband who wasn't Eiji and made her feel such feelings.

~*~

“Damn him.” Groaned Chou. All night she was tossing and turning, but she couldn't sleep. The moments in his arms kept flashing in-front of her eyes. She jumped when a voice responded to her curse.

“Thats not very nice Hasimoto-san.”

She gasped, “What are doing here!? In my room!”

Eiji smiled at her and set his cup down, “I'm here to convince you of your foolish plans. I can support you. I maybe a second son, but I have my own earnings. Though it is a little less, it is better then nothing.”

She glared, “You may try, but you will fail Eiji.” Chou could barely believe that she was encouraging this! Her ancestors must turning in their graves.

~*~
“Hasimoto-san.” Bowed Eiji.

Lord Hasimoto looked at Eiji, “Ah. It is good to see you young Eiji. The last time I seen you you were just a little baby. Barely a month old.” He chuckled and motioned for Eiji to sit. The chuckle turned to a cough, “You seem very distraught my boy.”

Eiji looked down and took a deep breath, “I am. I am...I will not waste anytime. But Lady Chou must not marry Lord Komatsu.”

Lord Haimoto lifted an eyebrow, “And why ever not?”
“She, well, she....she must marry me.” Eiji looked up after a moment into the kind eyes of Lord Haimoto. Eiji didn't understand where Chou got her serious demeanor from, because her father was cheery man and was more bound to laugh then get angry.

With a chuckle, “I agree. However, my little Chou is bent on marrying the old fool. I can force her to remove herself from this path if you give me a good reason.”

“I love her.”

“And? Love means little when it comes to life.”

“I have money and I can support her.”

“Yes, so? Lord  Komatsu can support her and love her too.”

“I...she...I do not mean to dishonor you or Lady Chou. But I must be honest. I love her and want her. She gave herself to me, so I must make it right and marry her.”

“Figured as much. Though I am disappointed that she used you thus, I shall deny her marriage Lord Komatsu and have her marry you. You were brave to come here with such honesty. Lucky I am not a vengeful man and she doesn't have brothers, so the worst punishment I can bestow is Chou's anger, because you are to be the messenger and inform her. Hope she doesn't kill the messanger.”

Eiji grinned widely, “Thank you so much Hasimoto-sama!”

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<3CaroleRae




Saturday, September 22

Cast That Book: To Tame a Highland Warrior



~'Cast That Book' is a weekly meme created by moi. This is just something I came up with, to share everyone who I would cast if a certain book became a movie. I got the idea from storycasting.com, so check them out! My secret dream is to be a casting director and this allows me to live it for just an hour or two. Anyone can join! You don't have to pick thebook I picked. Any book, any genre! However, I would LOVE to check out who you casted, so share the linkie to your post down below.~




Happy Saturday everyone! I have another "cast" done for the Highlander series by the talented Karen Marie Moning. ^.^ The more "casts" I do, the more I want to do this for real. Maybe I'll research on how to accomplish this dream. Anyways, here is my cast for the second book of the Highlander series....To Tame a Highland Warrior. If you want to check out my review for this click HERE.




CAST

Grimm - Henry Cavill





















Jillian - Alona Tal



















Quinn - Chad Michael Murray 



















Ramsey - Eric Bana















Ronin - Sam Neil (I could see him as Balder too.)



















Balder - Tommy Lee Jones (I could see him as Ronin)



















Hawk - Chris Pine (grey eyes of course)















Adrienne - Amy Smart












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<3CaroleRae

Friday, September 21

A Late Thursday Book Teaser: To Catch a Wolf

Thursday Book Teaser is a Carole-version of all the other book teaser memes out there. Every Thursday, I'll share a little tease of a book I'm currently reading. I'll randomly pick a page or I'll give some random number and flip to that page. I'll just share a few sentences to try and tease you. Anyone can join in! Just remember ...no spoilers! By the way this picture I found on Google and edited it myself.

Sorry about being late with this post. I completely forgot about it yesterday. I was so busy with work and then coming home to do chores and whatnot for my bonfire on Saturday. I'm surprised I remembered today to have this posted! Oh well. ^.^ At least I remembered. 

This week I'll be sharing a little teaser from 'To Catch a Wolf' by Susan Krinard. I literally flipped to a random page, then closed my eyes and let my finger land on a random word/sentence to start on. 



Page number: 234
Starting at Sentence: 8

"...The full weight of Niall's threats pushed Athena deep into the chair, paralyzed her will as the accident had stilled her legs. She could see no way out. If she defied Niall, she would lose everything - all she had worked for, the funding for her charities, the ball, her place in Denver....and Morgan's life as well...."

That's all I'm going to tease you guys with...I feel like a major spoiler lies behind this and I don't want to spoil anything for you or for me (I'm WAAAAY near the beginning).

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<3CaroleRae 






Wednesday, September 19

Wordless Wednesday, SMPH, & Spoilers!


Sir Lancelot 




Captain Hook!

Sleeping Beauty and her prince (played by Sarah Bolger from 'The Tudors')



~*~



Welcome to the Social Media Party Hop brought to you by Charisma Media!

 Are you ready to party?! This party does not require an invitation because everyone is invited! Are you looking to improve your social media reach? Looking to make new friends and fans? Why not link up to our 4 way social media hop!

We're looking for bloggers and book reviewers! Charisma Media membership is open and free to join! We offer friendship, networking, blog hops, review opportunities (books and product), giveaways opportunities and more! Meet our featured Charisma Media member: Courtney of Optimistic Mommy!
  Link up your Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest! Don't forget to like/follow and love on those who have linked up above and below you! Be sure to share our hop and feel free to re-post on your blog! To join just enter your blog name and the type of social media link. For example: (1) Your Blog Name (FB) or (2) Your Blog Name (Twitter)





Charisma Media Network
================================
<3CaroleRae

Tuesday, September 18

Book Review: Through a Glass Darkly


Author: Karleen Koen
Title: Through a Glass Darkly 
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama
Pages: 674
First Published: May 1st, 2003
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library


"Karleen Koen's sweeping saga contains unforgettable characters consumed with passion: the extraordinarily beautiful fifteen-year-old noblewoman, Barbara Alderley; the man she adores, the wickedly handsome Roger MontGeoffry; her grandmother, the duchess, who rules the family with cunning and wit; and her mother, the ineffably cruel, self-centered and licentious Diana. Like no other work, Through a Glass Darkly is infused with intrigue, sweetened by romance and awash in the black ink of betrayal."




This is the second book I've read by Karleen Koen and it technically the second book in her saga. However, this could stand alone pretty well. 


Well, I'm going to divide this review into thirds just to shake things up a bit. ^.^:


The Good



  • Karleen Koen is a good author
  • Great details. I really could envision everything as if I was there
  • Great historical notes. It felt like real events
  • I loved Barbara's POV.
  • Great characters. Even the ones I didn't like. Karleen Koen did such an amazing job bringing these characters to life
  • At times it was a pretty dark, but I highly enjoyed it. 
  • The balance of intrigue, romance, and etc was very balanced. 
  • The ending ended well and I am curious to see what happens next

The Bad and the Ugly
  • Hated Roger and his POV. I'll admit I skimmed his bits quite a bit and even skipped a little bit *hides*
  • The story seemed to drag on and on and on and on
  • At parts I found myself rather bored. :/
  • For a while there I really lost any respect for Barbara. At first she was a strong woman, but for a while she reminded me of her mother.
  • The POV would randomly shift and that highly bothered me. 
  • There weren't many characters I could stand, so it made it a little hard to read at times.
The Conclusion

All-in-all this wasn't as good as Dark Angels, which was Alice Verney's story. I still like Karleen Koen, I really think she is a good writer, however I feel like this wasn't the highlight of writing. I'm excited to read the next one though! Karleen Koen certainly did leave the story with a pretty interesting cliff-hanger and I'm curious to see what is in store for Barbra. Well, out of five stars I grant this one 2 stars.

Favorite Character(s): Barbra, Duchess Tamworth (wish she was my Grandmama haha), and Tony (I really wish Barbra would get with him)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Diana (bitch....don't mind my French), Roger (mmmmmmm), Abigail, Harry (no backbone, but I did feel bad for him), and Phillip.

Photobucket
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<3CaroleRae