Music Monday

Happy Monday everyone! I'm in the library at my college and its thundering like mad outside. What a dreary day. My mom and the weather people said it's suppose to be sunny later on. It better! I just bought a new pair of sunglasses and I haven't been able to wear them for two days. Booo! Anyways, shall we play some music?

Many of you know I'm highly addicted to 'Once Upon a Time' and the Mad-Hatter from this show. So, here are two videos featuring my beloved:






This next one is 'Turn Me On' by Nicki Minaj & David Guetta. It's been stuck in my head for a while now, I especially love Nicki's rap part in the middlish end. Fantastic:

Here's another song stuck in my head. It's 'We Are Young' by FUN. The lead singer is cute, but in an awkward sort of way. ^.^ For some reason though...I keep imagining this song being in the supposed third Boondock Saints movie:

Hope you enjoyed my music selections today!
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<3CR

Flash Fiction #4

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 at least 350 words, give or take. 




Happy Friday everyone! I've been dying to be able to share this story! You all know my love for Edgar Allen Poe and here is a story in honor of him and his tales. Enjoy! 

The Raven Queen

by: Carole Rae

Much as happened these many years. I found the love of my life, had to "die" and leave my love, and now I'm the queen of this dark, dark world. I had always wanted this crown and this throne, but alas, I had to leave him. The man that made my life worth living. I was but a child and he was but a child, but we loved with a love that was more than love. However, I "died" and was brought back here to my father's land. The only reason I was given this throne and not my twin sister, Ligeia, was because the blood vow I made with my parents: marry the man my father picked and leave that world forever.  That man my father picked sadly was not the man that owned my heart; he was back in that magic-deprived world. I moaned, "Oh, Edgar." 


An irritating voice questioned, "What was that, my Queen?"


I gave my husband a cool gaze and hissed, "Nothing, my dear husband." Before another fight could formulate, my faithful Councillor, Iago, entered the room and bowed at my feet, "Yes, Councellor Iago?"


"May I speak to you in private, my Queen?" Iago had much of the same looks as my beloved Edgar. Dark featured and strong-featured. I nodded to his request and waved away the rest of the room, including that bastard of a husband of mine. Once the room was clear Iago spoke again, "I have found it" He handed me a piece of paper folded up and old looking.


I grasped the page and tears formed in my eyes, "How ever did you find this?"


Iago smiled, "My Queen, I would go to all the worlds to please you, but we do have some business that needs attending to," I blinked away the tears and motioned for him to continue, "The Count of Usher has revoked his aid for the upcoming war, how shall you punish him? Also Princess Ligeia has put a request in to return to her husband from the Other World, since his new wife is dead." Ligeia, like me, was forced to abandon her true love and my heart bled for her. Since we both agreed that I would wear the crown and give the blood vow and not her, why not allow her to return to her beloved? At least one of us would be happy. 


"Princess Ligeia has my blessing to return to her Other World husband, so as long as she can explain why she isn't dead, "Councillor Iago chuckled at this, "The Count of Usher, on the other hand, and his house will now be cursed forever for this act of betrayal to this land and his Queen. He and his family are now banished to the Other World."


Councillor Iago nodded, "Very wise, my Queen."


I sighed, "Is that all?" I mindlessly petted one of my ravens.

"Yes," he bowed and gave me a look of pity, "but Annabel, you must forget you-know-who and move on. I have known you a long time and I know that you have gained what you so long desired for. We have a war coming and mooning over a lost love will not help fend off King Monrtesor and his army. Now that the crown is yours, you must protect this land." He then walked off and the door slamming behind him caused my ravens to take flight and dance among the room.

His words were true and I knew that I should push Edgar out of mind. However, I could not. My heart and my body ached for him. My soul and his soul are forever twined together, "Oh Edgar, perhaps I'll send one of my ravens to keep you company. You knew how much I adored ravens." I smiled and read the poem that Edgar had written in my honor when I left that world. 


~*~
Have a great weekend everyone!


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<3CaroleRae

Wordless Wednesday: Sneakpeakish

(This a little sneakpeek for this Sunday for 'Once Upon a Time'. It's time for Snow White to eat the infamous apple of doom! Well Prince Charming find a way out of prison?)
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Book Review: Seven Lives to Repay Our Country

Author:  Edward H. Carpenter

Title: Seven Lives to Repay Our Country
Genre: Short-story, Drama, war, Historical Fiction
Pages: e-book

First Published: June 11th, 2011
Where I Got It: My shelf 

"The battle of Saipan pitted US Marines and Allied soldiers against the island's Japanese defenders in one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific War. In this short story written by a US Marine, a pair of Japanese soldiers on Saipan confront the inevitability of defeat in different ways."

 Like other short stories I read...I must give a warning to everyone...this is a short story, so the story will be short. I had to keep reminding myself too. Reviews for these tend to be a little hard, so I'll divide and conquer.

What I Liked:

I love this because it was in the Japanese POV. I love reading different POV especially during World War II. Being a granddaughter to two men who fought on the American side and being an avid fan of movies/books set in this time, I'm very exposed to the American POV. Being able to read the Japanese view in this short story made me happy. I wasn't expected it, even though there is a huge flag on the cover (I'm not the smartest at times). The characters were wonderful. In the short amount of time, I feel like Edward Carpenter did a wonderful job presenting them and their stories!  

Also, I loved how Edward Carpenter went beyond the stereotype and should these men for who they really were. He should that they, like Americans, have a fear of death and not seeing their loved ones. He showed them as the humans they were.

What I Didn't Like:

I wish it was longer and more in depth! I wish I did get to know the characters more and the location more. However, it was short story and thus I'm left with what I am left with. Also, I was bitter about how pretty much every character met their defeat in some way, shape, or form. Yes, I know my history, but it still makes me mad.

Conclusion:

Great short story. Even though I wished it was longer, I still have a high love for this story and stories like it. It reminded me of 'Letters From Iwo Jima', one of my favorite movies/books of all time. I look forward to reading more of Edward H. Carpenter's stories. Maybe he would make a long version of this story. ^.^ Anyways...I would recommend this to those that love war-type novels and a good short story. Out of five stars, I grant this one 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Kawaru and Shinji

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Ummm, didn't really have any.

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<3CaroleRae