tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46080296038695545232024-03-13T07:57:49.520+00:00Aneca's WorldA blog mostly about book but also about crafts, movies, Tv series and life in general...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1693125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-75308825013376764842015-01-01T15:13:00.000+00:002015-01-01T15:13:00.199+00:00Happy New Year!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-59448354430498486132014-12-31T16:30:00.000+00:002014-12-31T16:30:00.518+00:002014 Portuguese HF Challenge - The End & Giveaway winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A heartfelt thanks to those who participated in this challenge. I didn't keep up with it as I should and it's nice to see that some of you persevered and continued reading. I really enjoyed reading your suggestions and reviews and while I won't be able to host this challenge next year I hope someone grabs the idea and continues with it.<br />
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<b><u>Book list / Lista de livros:</u></b></div>
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<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/01/verao-quente-domingos-amaral.html" target="_blank">Verão Quente</a> by Domingos Amaral, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/nacao-crioula-e-e-mais-que-o-barco.html" target="_blank">Nação Crioula</a> by José Eduardo Agualusa, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/03/d-afonso-henriques-diogo-freitas-do.html" target="_blank">D. Afonso Henriques</a> by Diogo Freitas do Amaral, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/forno-sem-pao.html" target="_blank">Padeira de Aljubarrota</a> by Maria João Lopo de Carvalho, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/05/ines-de-portugal-joao-aguiar.html" target="_blank">Inês de Portugal</a> by João Aguiar, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/o-meu-porto-e-o-meu-douro-finalmente.html" target="_blank">A Filha do Barão</a> by Célia Correia Lourenço, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/princesa-inglesa-rainha-portuguesa.html" target="_blank">Filipa de Lencastre</a> by Isabel Stilwell, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/olho-fado.html" target="_blank">Segredos de Amor e Sangue</a> by Francisco Moita Flores, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://savvyverseandwit.com/2014/08/the-last-kabbalist-of-lisbon-by-richard-zimler.html">The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon </a>by Richard Zimler, reviewed by SavvyVerse&Wit</li>
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The list of books read for the 2013 challenge can be found <a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/12/2013-portuguese-hf-challenge-end.html" target="_blank">here</a>. A lista dos livros lidos em 2013 pode ser encontrada <a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/12/2013-portuguese-hf-challenge-end.html">aqui.</a></div>
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This year's giveaway winner is Inês Montenegro who can choose an HF title of her choice. Just let me know in the comments which title would you like.</div>
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Thanks again for joining me!</div>
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This year has seen a lot of changes in my life and one of those is that time for blogging has been virtually non existent. I tried by best to keep up but I'm afraid I won't be back in the next few months... Maybe one day...</div>
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In the mean time I am still reading and recording my reviews on Goodreads. I don't have much time to read blogs so I mostly keep up with the series I was reading. And the lack of time has also led me to read "categories" which may be nice reading snacks for when you just have an hour of two to kill.</div>
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I hope to be back one day but as for right now I just don't have the time and the energy. I just want to close the Port HF Reading Challenge and then let's see what the future brings.</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-31160073544848216082014-11-08T14:37:00.000+00:002014-11-08T14:37:03.591+00:00What I've Been Watching <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So is anyone watching the same TV series? </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-70963940153922128222014-11-01T09:29:00.001+00:002014-11-01T09:29:35.755+00:00Eagerly awaiting for...<div class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
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I can't believe we will have to wait till 2015... I totally did not see this heroine coming...</div>
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I the mean time I have been rereading this series.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;">The “smoldering heat, epic romance, and awesome action” of Nalini Singh’s <em>New York Times</em> bestselling series continues as two Arrows find themselves caught in a chilling conspiracy that spans all three races…</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;">Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn’t welcome outsiders.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;">And they must survive. A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows she’s too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; text-align: left;">This time, even Aden’s passionate determination may not be enough—because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken…like Zaira.</span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-22012319531486223482014-10-13T10:30:00.000+00:002014-10-13T10:30:03.121+00:00What I've been reading lately - part 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although I haven't had the time to write reviews I have been reading. It the seem the more stressful the period the more books I grab to read. I have been updating my Goodreads account but I thought of posting them here too.</div>
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So here's what I have been reading:</div>
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<b>Once Upon a Tower - Eloisa James</b></div>
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One can always depend on James for a nice story and this was no exception. Nothing memorable but nice.</div>
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<b>Forbidden Falls- Robyn Carr</b></div>
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The latest books in this series feel a bit like more of the same but I have keeping up and that means they are still working for me.</div>
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<b>The Sins ofthe Wolf - Anne Perry</b></div>
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I don't know why it takes me so long to grab Perry's books because by now I know I am going to love them. This one was very good especially because Hester was in the spotlight and not in a good way. I guess it because they are full of susbstance and make think that I can' t manage one after another. I like to have some time between reads so I can keep savoting them after closing the last page.</div>
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<b>Rainshadow Road - Lisa Kleypas</b></div>
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I decided to give another try to Kleypas contemporaries and while did not love them completely it made for an intereting read. (it's the paranormal element that's holding me back I think). After this one I grabbed <b>Dream Lak</b>e and<b> Crystal Cove </b>and felt the same. My favourite ended up being Alex Nolan because I felt he had the most difficult path ahead of him and quite liked his girl. </div>
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<b>A Very Long Engagement - Sebastian Japrisot</b></div>
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A great premise but a not so great execution. I never warmed up to the main character, thought that a more substantial eplanation was needed for what had happened and felt the ending was a bit meh.</div>
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<b>Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh</b></div>
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Loved this one. Yes it's similar to Heart of Obsidian but I quite enjoyed it nonetheless. Looking forward to the next book!</div>
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<b>The Escape - Mary Balogh</b></div>
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It is not a good thing that a few weeks after having read it I can barely remember the story. I am a bit Balogh fan and I haven't enjoyed her latest books as I used to I'm afraid. Gone back to me notes and I can say it was an ok read (much like the James I mentioned earlier) but I am always hoping for more from her.</div>
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<b>Haven - Kay Hooper</b></div>
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I really disliked this one. The main characters change in the middle of the book ( or at least that how I saw it) and I felt a bit manipulated by what happened.</div>
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<b>Angel's Peak - Virgin River</b></div>
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A really good one with a secret baby plot. Not my usual favourite but it worked out ok.</div>
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<br /></div>
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There's more to come but I'll save it for another day. The fact that I organise my reads wth Fictfact has made me read more series books than stand alones and I still have lot's of them to catch up with.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-77771534735600674942014-09-14T09:50:00.002+00:002014-09-14T09:51:39.244+00:002014 Desafio Ficção Histórica Portuguesa / Portuguese HF ChallengeAnd here is another update for this challenge.<br />
<br />
E cá está outra actualização deste desafio.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf7QB0lJkzj4eaVjNMLGsOIiMiwK96093jXpEz92LJKzn9cKeZ3pc_HlssKITMbhnzpXuGzy254D61ObW6iRkCAOu8DRRsNR6VIOA-nhrujMeK2zqxiEPxe_16ptoAyDAyrvqLYYaZ94/s1600/desafio.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf7QB0lJkzj4eaVjNMLGsOIiMiwK96093jXpEz92LJKzn9cKeZ3pc_HlssKITMbhnzpXuGzy254D61ObW6iRkCAOu8DRRsNR6VIOA-nhrujMeK2zqxiEPxe_16ptoAyDAyrvqLYYaZ94/s320/desafio.jpg" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
8 books read so far for this challenge. / 8 livros lidos para este desafio até ao momento</div>
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***</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b><u>Book list / Lista de livros:</u></b><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/01/verao-quente-domingos-amaral.html" target="_blank">Verão Quente</a> by Domingos Amaral, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/nacao-crioula-e-e-mais-que-o-barco.html" target="_blank">Nação Crioula</a> by José Eduardo Agualusa, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/03/d-afonso-henriques-diogo-freitas-do.html" target="_blank">D. Afonso Henriques</a> by Diogo Freitas do Amaral, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/forno-sem-pao.html" target="_blank">Padeira de Aljubarrota</a> by Maria João Lopo de Carvalho, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/05/ines-de-portugal-joao-aguiar.html" target="_blank">Inês de Portugal</a> by João Aguiar, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/o-meu-porto-e-o-meu-douro-finalmente.html" target="_blank">A Filha do Barão</a> by Célia Correia Lourenço, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/princesa-inglesa-rainha-portuguesa.html" target="_blank">Filipa de Lencastre</a> by Isabel Stilwell, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/olho-fado.html" target="_blank">Segredos de Amor e Sangue</a> by Francisco Moita Flores, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://savvyverseandwit.com/2014/08/the-last-kabbalist-of-lisbon-by-richard-zimler.html">The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon </a>by Richard Zimler, reviewed by SavvyVerse&Wit</li>
</ol>
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<div>
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<br />
<div>
Reading suggestions for this challenge can be found<a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/01/portuguese-historical-fiction-challenge.html" target="_blank"> here</a> I'll update the list as I find more titles. </div>
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***</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Algumas sugestões de leitura para este desafio podem ser encontradas<a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/01/portuguese-historical-fiction-challenge.html" target="_blank"> aqui.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The list of books read for the 2013 challenge can be found <a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/12/2013-portuguese-hf-challenge-end.html" target="_blank">here</a>. A lista dos livros lidos em 2013 pode ser encontrada <a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/12/2013-portuguese-hf-challenge-end.html">aqui.</a></div>
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</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-37419234098014650172014-09-04T12:05:00.002+00:002014-09-04T12:05:59.412+00:00What I've been WatchingThings have been hectic around here lately and I haven't read that many books. I do plan to record here the ones I did read even if with shorter reviews. In the mean time here's what I have been watching:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLokKvLcUeiNHaBLtOswNy9_4JR4J6sYe-YnbXRdpP394j3IhaGPfkCtPgCoYrVYJll6q1Jrj-kXr1Ni9Z7pJ8VbkKtSlHn0jSJCJJNSL0ZJ7XzOnZUtjyp3yEYa0kH5c03SYHGKAcks/s1600/91N949BfHwL._SL1500__event_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLokKvLcUeiNHaBLtOswNy9_4JR4J6sYe-YnbXRdpP394j3IhaGPfkCtPgCoYrVYJll6q1Jrj-kXr1Ni9Z7pJ8VbkKtSlHn0jSJCJJNSL0ZJ7XzOnZUtjyp3yEYa0kH5c03SYHGKAcks/s1600/91N949BfHwL._SL1500__event_main.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsKKOh0XzCUGy0Ne_PpGdZn2QGebbjNOV0ytu0YTqp8Eb15oU7Y8_NSrriZ6wqjCk98g03j1tnPzKg1P1D8XDVRbz8sz1RVgtwWzF1b8MMqvkduZGkQFWmnZTSlKCjAFYMXZK_HVleoo/s1600/arrow-season-2-blu-ray-cover-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsKKOh0XzCUGy0Ne_PpGdZn2QGebbjNOV0ytu0YTqp8Eb15oU7Y8_NSrriZ6wqjCk98g03j1tnPzKg1P1D8XDVRbz8sz1RVgtwWzF1b8MMqvkduZGkQFWmnZTSlKCjAFYMXZK_HVleoo/s1600/arrow-season-2-blu-ray-cover-51.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rwwt_kS4CQqOB2iXOdXkyGU8hPgwMPdxuRKl2N0dhbUye_4FVLz1udhehoqRmrN2d5v7n8Px5sRd2eQKYHOE0a34iz54q0k2kUA4IjyxMYMwrFujUBxXdM5CfSZKf0ptN5pLCp0X3YY/s1600/9033_en.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rwwt_kS4CQqOB2iXOdXkyGU8hPgwMPdxuRKl2N0dhbUye_4FVLz1udhehoqRmrN2d5v7n8Px5sRd2eQKYHOE0a34iz54q0k2kUA4IjyxMYMwrFujUBxXdM5CfSZKf0ptN5pLCp0X3YY/s1600/9033_en.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seasons 7 to 14</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y3OcEoGrQksekYnXvt2Hi9HbsK1pFSBt7MwLzo2Z25hkPPKXUWNW6S_6nlColXeFC8ldWafd2c-2Z1cfBOY1EuqkiFc3QIoTMXEzoMsVrqHnQ9KXdVJsm8UL6Qkqc1u-XWZE47yUHsM/s1600/call_midwife_season_one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y3OcEoGrQksekYnXvt2Hi9HbsK1pFSBt7MwLzo2Z25hkPPKXUWNW6S_6nlColXeFC8ldWafd2c-2Z1cfBOY1EuqkiFc3QIoTMXEzoMsVrqHnQ9KXdVJsm8UL6Qkqc1u-XWZE47yUHsM/s1600/call_midwife_season_one.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3ToEJkCbNtdNa8fQjiSyOlEoFQ9j3dwrZkM8W0FNjoZOHMW1sSpndGMaH34y61dRCNm6Q7bYSE05etY1VuN5yrLRtFmw0vqCSkGfj3yEU56dPX2NgvDcpn0NDh-X4jV-B3ov8czHVoQ/s1600/CallTheMidwife_S2_DVD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3ToEJkCbNtdNa8fQjiSyOlEoFQ9j3dwrZkM8W0FNjoZOHMW1sSpndGMaH34y61dRCNm6Q7bYSE05etY1VuN5yrLRtFmw0vqCSkGfj3yEU56dPX2NgvDcpn0NDh-X4jV-B3ov8czHVoQ/s1600/CallTheMidwife_S2_DVD.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-3279506588016046652014-07-31T10:49:00.003+00:002014-07-31T10:49:50.719+00:002014 Desafio Ficção Histórica Portuguesa / Portuguese HF ChallengeAnd here is another update for this challenge. It hasn't had as many entries as I hoped for and I have been considering whether to continue with it or not. I have decided to go on and keep it going till the end of the year. <br />
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E cá está outra actualização deste desafio. A adesão não tem sido a esperada e ponderei desistir. Mas resolvi continuar até ao final do ano e esperar por melhores dias.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf7QB0lJkzj4eaVjNMLGsOIiMiwK96093jXpEz92LJKzn9cKeZ3pc_HlssKITMbhnzpXuGzy254D61ObW6iRkCAOu8DRRsNR6VIOA-nhrujMeK2zqxiEPxe_16ptoAyDAyrvqLYYaZ94/s1600/desafio.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf7QB0lJkzj4eaVjNMLGsOIiMiwK96093jXpEz92LJKzn9cKeZ3pc_HlssKITMbhnzpXuGzy254D61ObW6iRkCAOu8DRRsNR6VIOA-nhrujMeK2zqxiEPxe_16ptoAyDAyrvqLYYaZ94/s320/desafio.jpg" /></a><br />
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8 books read so far for this challenge. / 8 livros lidos para este desafio até ao momento</div>
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***</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b><u>Book list / Lista de livros:</u></b><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/01/verao-quente-domingos-amaral.html" target="_blank">Verão Quente</a> by Domingos Amaral, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/nacao-crioula-e-e-mais-que-o-barco.html" target="_blank">Nação Crioula</a> by José Eduardo Agualusa, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/03/d-afonso-henriques-diogo-freitas-do.html" target="_blank">D. Afonso Henriques</a> by Diogo Freitas do Amaral, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/forno-sem-pao.html" target="_blank">Padeira de Aljubarrota</a> by Maria João Lopo de Carvalho, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/05/ines-de-portugal-joao-aguiar.html" target="_blank">Inês de Portugal</a> by João Aguiar, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/o-meu-porto-e-o-meu-douro-finalmente.html" target="_blank">A Filha do Barão</a> by Célia Correia Lourenço, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/princesa-inglesa-rainha-portuguesa.html" target="_blank">Filipa de Lencastre</a> by Isabel Stilwell, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.pt/2014/07/olho-fado.html" target="_blank">Segredos de Amor e Sangue</a> by Francisco Moita Flores, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
Reading suggestions for this challenge can be found<a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/01/portuguese-historical-fiction-challenge.html" target="_blank"> here</a> I'll update the list as I find more titles. Recently a portuguese publisher has announced a series called the<a href="http://www.saidadeemergencia.com/especial/novidades-o660/?sort_by=available_days%2B&fz=Filtro+por+Cole%E7%E3o&alt0_attr=colection&alt0_value=A+Hist%F3ria+de+Portugal+em+Romances" target="_blank"> history of Portugal in romances</a> that I think might be interesting</div>
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***</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Algumas sugestões de leitura para este desafio podem ser encontradas<a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/01/portuguese-historical-fiction-challenge.html" target="_blank"> aqui.</a> Acrescentarei mais titulos à medida que os for ncontrando. Recentemente a Editora Saida de Emergência anunciou uma coleção chamada a <a href="http://www.saidadeemergencia.com/especial/novidades-o660/?sort_by=available_days%2B&fz=Filtro+por+Cole%E7%E3o&alt0_attr=colection&alt0_value=A+Hist%F3ria+de+Portugal+em+Romances" target="_blank">História de Portugal em romances </a>que me parece poder ter alguns titulos de interesse.</div>
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<br />
The list of books read for the 2013 challenge can be found <a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/12/2013-portuguese-hf-challenge-end.html" target="_blank">here</a>. A lista dos livros lidos em 2013 pode ser encontrada <a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/12/2013-portuguese-hf-challenge-end.html">aqui.</a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-8656026234290475422014-07-08T09:11:00.001+00:002014-07-08T09:11:45.169+00:00Reading and Blogging Pause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtPX0hP3UpNBcVsh7SPMtft6xG9Z_Rtlru6Tgp1PDpOm4hgXTX8nfOzoybDtjnH92vJvGphW03sv-wRa71yNfT7pdDbiRKwQRbUgX40DA1tzTkeQfSRlemNm6_25pN_KvVnoIU4DPijc/s1600/transferir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtPX0hP3UpNBcVsh7SPMtft6xG9Z_Rtlru6Tgp1PDpOm4hgXTX8nfOzoybDtjnH92vJvGphW03sv-wRa71yNfT7pdDbiRKwQRbUgX40DA1tzTkeQfSRlemNm6_25pN_KvVnoIU4DPijc/s1600/transferir.jpg" /></a></div>
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I am so sorry for this unexpected pause in my reading and blogging. Sometimes life happens and our daily routine changes. My professional life has been full of ups and downs lately and I am trying to make something of it. </div>
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I'm afraid I won't be able to post much in the near future but I hope to came back to it eventually. I will post an update on the Portuguese Historical Fiction Challenge soon. It hasn't exactly been a success this year but if someone would like to pick it up and continue it just let me know.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-2570301429959713312014-05-28T11:42:00.000+00:002014-05-28T11:42:25.524+00:00Turn My World Upside Down - Maureen Child<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312062319l/128163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="128163" border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312062319l/128163.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Josefina 'Jo' Marconi's world just shifted out of orbit. Both of her sisters are pregnant, she's facing finals in her quest to at last get her college degree, the man who traumatized her in college is running for a Senate seat, and she has to move back into the family home and watch over the boy whose very existence shattered her nice little world. Ten-year-old Jack is the product of an affair her father had while her mother was dying of cancer. Ever since Jo found out about this, she and her father have been walking a wide berth around each other. As if that wasn't enough complication, Cash Hunter--the man known as "The Woman Whisperer"--has moved back to town. He has a reputation: once a woman sleeps with him, she's completely satisfied, and she immediately heads off to save the world. As Jo becomes more and more interested in Cash, she learns that he's determined not to sleep with any woman he wants to stick around--especially not Jo. And Jo becomes just as determined to seduce him and prove that she's the one woman who will stay by his side. Together, Jo and Cash have to teach Jack and each other the true meaning of family and trust.</span></blockquote>
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I have to admit I was a bit worried about reading Jo's book because reading the blurb Cash didn't seem the least bit appealing (woman whisperer???) but I have to give it to Child. Despite a few problems I really enjoyed reading this. In fact it may well be my favourite.</div>
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There was a lot going on in this story. Jo's past for one. We finally find out what happened to her that shaped he in who she is today and it is not pretty. While I cheered when she finally dealt with it I am not sure all that bonding is totally believable.</div>
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That she is the way she is is what keeps her from forgiving her father as fast as her sisters and what keeps a barrier between her and her half brother Jack. I did like it when she finally addresses those situations and feels free to move on.</div>
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Seeing as Jo had so many baggage I really don't think we needed a hero with the same amount of problems but there you go, that what Cash was. I loved how he bonded with Jack and how despite their sparring he and Jo manage a friendships of sorts over the boy. That he was there to support her when she needed was really well done and while I think it took him almost to long to see reason it didn't bother me too much because I knew he would turn up eventually.</div>
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I read somewhere that Child is Irish. That is funny because these books feature a very loud and proud Italian family. Sometimes I felt they were a bit too loud and proud but, not being Italian, I hesitate to say if it's overdone or not. That they love each other and fight with and alongside each is a wonderful testament to any family and I couldn't help appreciating that.</div>
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Grade: 4/5</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-64386820717155327782014-05-25T16:23:00.001+00:002014-05-25T16:23:47.241+00:00The Countess Conspiracy - Courtney Milan<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363009130l/13489925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="13489925" border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1363009130l/13489925.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Sebastian Malheur is the most dangerous sort of rake: an educated one. When he’s not scandalizing ladies in the bedchamber, he’s outraging proper society with his scientific theories. He’s desired, reviled, acclaimed, and despised—and he laughs through it all.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Violet Waterfield, the widowed Countess of Cambury, on the other hand, is entirely respectable, and she’d like to stay that way. But Violet has a secret that is beyond ruinous, one that ties her irrevocably to England’s most infamous scoundrel: Sebastian’s theories aren’t </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">his.</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"> They’re</span><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"> hers</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">So when Sebastian threatens to dissolve their years-long conspiracy, she’ll do anything to save their partnership...even if it means opening her vulnerable heart to the rake who could destroy it for good.</span></blockquote>
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It took me a long time to write this review because I really had a hard time collecting my thoughts about this book. I wanted to love it. The idea of female scientists in the past appeals to me and I would love to see them recognised. I also liked the idea of someone as steadfast in his feelings as Sebastian apparently was. The thing is, I didn't really like Violet!</div>
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I'm thinking that it might be because I felt little empathy with her character. I couldn't help feeling sorry for her and her past but I never warmed up to the character.</div>
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On the other hand I loved Sebastian. I loved his sense of friendship, how strong his love for her was and how that made him better person. I couldn't understand why he had fallen in love with her but I liked him.</div>
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Surprisingly I also liked Violet's mom very much. I only realised it more than halfway through the book but she was very intelligent lady and with the courage required to save herself and hr daughters.</div>
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I am curious about the next book but I am not sure if I will be in a hurry to get it as Milan's heroines don't seem to work well for me.</div>
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Grade: 3/5</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-91650322923046275482014-05-21T12:24:00.001+00:002014-05-21T12:24:18.792+00:00What I've Been Watching: Castle - Season 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiEFVXn1wFzdgWO3MEq87dJDHUuIzwVpRQqFdx-xoXI1Nf8jVHKl9eVZwjp3bV_uSoN1SqXt2uVu6cfesHrkoWAnhcRZJ5ASUDiXOA0vV_mMfqNqDjLwNCGamIg0PZ_CBn46SqQg_o_WSXSUwoLmOd6iQpB_OM=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="fullScreen" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lo4DlCCKL.jpg" style="height: 287px; margin-top: 10px; width: 216.742px;" /></a></div>
As I've mentioned on my review of the 4th season of castle I was wondering if they could successfully continue the series after that final twist.</div>
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I have recently finished the 5th season and I am very happy to say that I enjoyed it very much and in my opinion they did a good job. A lot can go wrong when you no longer have the tension of unrequited love but I think Castle and Beckett manage really well in their new relationship. Castle is less immature but still funny and open minded and Beckett is less troubled but still sharp and focused on her job.</div>
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I did like the mysteries presented in each episode and the relationship between the main and the secondary characters, both those in the precinct and Castle's family. I actually think the secondary cast is part of what makes the hole thing work. </div>
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And we are treated to another twist in the final episodes. I won't say I was completely surprised by it because I think Beckett really deserves something more but I am curious to see who they will make it work.<br />
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You can find the DVD<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009RX7IX8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009RX7IX8&linkCode=as2&tag=aneswor-20&linkId=DWCVXXUEGC2NSGVB%22%3ECastle:%20Season%205%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=aneswor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B009RX7IX8%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank"> here </a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"><b>"The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright" by Tessa Dare</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Because of a foolish mistake in her youth, Miss Eliza Cade is not allowed "out" in Society until her three older sisters are wed. But while she's trying to be good, Eliza keeps bumping elbows--and lips--with the notorious rake Harry Wright. The passions he stirs in her are so wrong...but she just can't resist Mr. Wright.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"><b>"The Misbehaving Marquess," by Leigh LaValle</b></span><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337730182l/14288458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="14288458" border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337730182l/14288458.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Having awaited the return of her husband for half a decade, Catherine Raybourne, the Marchioness of Foster, has no intention of reconciling with her misbehaving marquess. But when he insists he needs an heir--immediately--she must confront her own lingering desires. Can she protect her heart while attempting to win his once again?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"><b>"The Lady Always Wins," by Courtney Milan</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Railway financier Simon Davenant has waited seven years for a second chance with his childhood sweetheart and best friend. He isn't about to let his impending financial ruin destroy the opportunity. This time, he'll do anything he can to secure her hand in marriage--even if it means losing her heart for good.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"><b>"Solomon's Wisdom," by Carey Baldwin</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Bad-boy-turned-pediatrician Charlie "Drex" Drexler returns to Tangleheart, Texas hoping to reconnect with his old flame--but Anna won't cooperate, his dark past resurfaces, and his best friend's baby disappears. How will Drex and Anna mend their broken hearts while dodging bullets and racing to bring baby home safely?</span></blockquote>
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Another anthology I had in the TBR pile and decided to pick up when I had an afternoon free. My favourites were Tessa Dare's and Courtney Milan's. They were both interesting with developed characters and while none were characters I liked they were readable stories.<br />
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The other two weren't as interesting to me and, especially, the last one felt bit disjointed.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-61965916396914813282014-05-14T10:21:00.001+00:002014-05-14T10:21:08.967+00:00Night Broken - Patricia Briggs<br />
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379437095l/17562900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="17562900" border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379437095l/17562900.jpg" width="132" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.</span></div>
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I was looking forward to this book ever since I first heard about it. I haven't been tempted by the other Briggs series but this one and the A&O set in the same world are real favourites.<br />
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This story follows closely the same plot lines that has been developed in the previous books: Mercy is living with her mate and his pack but the pack, or at lest certain members have a hard time adjusting to Mercy and she is given a hard time. While it didn't stop me from enjoying the book I think it's time to give it a rest.They should either accept Mercy or go away before this starts to be boring instead of just annoying.<br />
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Besides said pack members in this story Mercy has to deal with Adam's ex-wife who is on the run from a monster. I didn't much like Christy. She is manipulative and self centered. But I never really felt Mercy was threatened by her because Adam did a good job of not allowing her to play him like she did some of the others. I wouldn't have minded to see live elsewhere though.<br />
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The monster Christy is running away from is based on an interesting mythology and I really liked that. I also liked the new character - Gary - and was a bit disappointed in Coyote. He and Christy would have made a good match.<br />
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I was sorry not to see Bran though...<br />
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Grade: 4/5<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-61907533276383707352014-05-12T11:56:00.000+00:002014-05-12T11:56:07.679+00:00That Holiday Feeling - Anthology<br />
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1313662782l/6422471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="6422471" border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1313662782l/6422471.jpg" width="126" /></a><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Silver Bells</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"> by Debbie Macomber</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">In this classic story, Debbie brings those Manning men and Manning sisters home for a mistletoe marriage when a single dad finally says "I do."</span><br />
<em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">The Perfect Holiday</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"> by Sherryl Woods</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Will bachelor Trace Franklin become a groom-to-be by Christmastime? He sure will ... if Savannah Holiday's aunt Mae as anything to do with it.</span><br />
<em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Under the Christmas Tree</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"> by Robyn Carr </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">When the folks of Virgin River discover a box of adorable puppies under the town's Christmas tree they call on local vet Nathaniel Jensen for help. But it's his budding romance with Annie McCarty that really has tongues --- and tails --- wagging!</span></blockquote>
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I usually save my Christmas books to read during the Holiday Season but I wanted to continue with the Virgin Rover series and this one included one of the short stories.</div>
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I did read the other two stories but the one I enjoyed the most was the Virgin River one.</div>
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<b><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Silver Bells</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">, by Debbie Macomber</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">This was an OK story but it is part of a series and I feel that if I had read the series I would probably have enjoyed it more. As it is it was just ok and a bit too short for me to actually get to know and root for the characters.</span></div>
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<b> <em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">The Perfect Holiday</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">, by Sherryl Woods</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Owning a B&B is one my oldest dreams so this had an added interest for me. I did feel that I had to suspend my disbelief for a while as I don't thinks I would have stayed in the same house as someone I didn't know but other than that it was sweet and christmasy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><em style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Under the Christmas Tree</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">, by Robyn Carr</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">As I've mentioned this was my favourite from this books. Most of it is not really set in VR but some of the characters and Jack's bar do appear and I did like the cosy atmosphere Carr manages to show in her books. I really liked Nate's interaction with Annie's family and she seemed like a real nice and grounded person.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Overall grade: 3.5/5</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-76845638163288384222014-05-08T12:07:00.000+00:002014-05-08T12:07:00.737+00:00Inês de Portugal - João Aguiar<br />
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The story of the love of Pedro and Inês is one of the most famous and tragic love stories in the history of Portugal. There are several books on the subject - last year, for this challenge, I read<a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/05/ines-de-castro-maria-pilar-queralt-del.html" target="_blank"> one other</a> - and since João Aguiar is an author I have been meaning to try I couldn't resist picking this one up.</div>
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I really enjoyed how the author chooses to approach the legend. When the story begins Inês is already dead and Pedro is king! His search for her murderers has ended and he is about to sentence them. It is through the eyes of Alvaro Pais that we get to know the king and through the kings memories that we get to know his affair with Inês.</div>
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The story doesn't follow a chronological order as it goes back and forth depending on the events being related or remembered. I quite liked Pedro's description as an obsessed man and found this a very intense reading.</div>
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I really enjoyed it!<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-39309277510513122752014-05-06T11:57:00.001+00:002014-05-06T12:13:04.946+00:00What I've Been Watching - Midsomer Murders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TP8HakrSSYlGRiW8QXnN3A7vWuzj7LFEDBz3WU1iQ8GGpoUsjizIqg0LsaGLQwTE3ceXI10HBwp8xnqpHY7zHQ1JcE9AkvWAN8YHo47mDspAsuVR4o9f_ohwNoKph5mcdkfyH_0eUac/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TP8HakrSSYlGRiW8QXnN3A7vWuzj7LFEDBz3WU1iQ8GGpoUsjizIqg0LsaGLQwTE3ceXI10HBwp8xnqpHY7zHQ1JcE9AkvWAN8YHo47mDspAsuVR4o9f_ohwNoKph5mcdkfyH_0eUac/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
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One of my aunts really enjoys this series and although she has tried to get me to watch it in the past I was always deterred by the fact that each episode is about 2 hours. Since I'm always on the run and watch TV mainly while I'm doing house work or otherwise occupied I usually watch shows that last for an hour tops. But I've been having more free time and one of these days I decided to sit down and watch an entire episode.</div>
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I loved it! It felt a bit like a Miss Marple mystery (that I do so love) because it is set in the British countryside - Albeit a fictional one - and there are plenty of senior citizens around, often with major knowledge of human nature or at least the latest gossip, thus leading DCI Tom Barnaby in the right direction to successfully find the murderers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj857yuXkBGt-3Tiu5FRHtP3HcM5MImpMjzdtp2TTd_QAuLkGnAga6axTXfgsAQkQdyQEnFsV0ape1FFp77dBeg_mShKw-5llfoDxqbAPbQBZvgTto1KLQzJTtqSxmki8ej2VX8mHGU3Kg/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj857yuXkBGt-3Tiu5FRHtP3HcM5MImpMjzdtp2TTd_QAuLkGnAga6axTXfgsAQkQdyQEnFsV0ape1FFp77dBeg_mShKw-5llfoDxqbAPbQBZvgTto1KLQzJTtqSxmki8ej2VX8mHGU3Kg/s1600/download+(1).jpg" /></a><br />
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The plots of this "whodunit" TV series deal mostly with the way of life of the small villages that populate the fictional Midsomer County. It's mostly a rural setting and the landscapes and buildings are truly enchanting. Exactly the place where any nature lover would like to live except for the fact that is does seem to have such a high crime rate. :-)</div>
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There are several reruns on TV at the moment and I've been watching episodes of the first 6 series but the TV show is still growing strong in the UK with season 17 set to air in December 2014.</div>
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The main characters are DCI Tom Barnaby and his Sergeant, Troy but Barnaby's family is also prominently featured in every episode.</div>
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I highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys cosy British mysteries!</div>
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You can find the DVDs for sale at Amazon:</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEBJCF2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CEBJCF2&linkCode=as2&tag=aneswor-20&linkId=CLXGD7MZZELS5E2Z%22%3EMidsomer%20Murders:%20Series%201%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=aneswor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00CEBJCF2%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Series 1</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEBJC84/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CEBJC84&linkCode=as2&tag=aneswor-20&linkId=OE3BYEL2EDCBVG6E%22%3EMidsomer%20Murders:%20Series%202%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=aneswor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00CEBJC84%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Series 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLF81Z8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CLF81Z8&linkCode=as2&tag=aneswor-20&linkId=F4Z4WB5K2P3EDPEH%22%3EMidsomer%20Murders:%20Series%203%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=aneswor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00CLF81Z8%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Series 3</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEBJCBQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CEBJCBQ&linkCode=as2&tag=aneswor-20&linkId=E6EQYL54JIVOSIEL%22%3EMidsomer%20Murders:%20Series%204%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=aneswor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00CEBJCBQ%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Series 4</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEBJC3Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CEBJC3Y&linkCode=as2&tag=aneswor-20&linkId=GRO6MQZ5UXZ36LQL%22%3EMidsomer%20Murders:%20Series%205%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=aneswor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00CEBJC3Y%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Series 5</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GAH87RK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GAH87RK&linkCode=as2&tag=aneswor-20&linkId=DSZDJY3U3QVEW5HN%22%3EMidsomer%20Murders:%20Series%206%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=aneswor-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00GAH87RK%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Series 6</a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-10117568661557506292014-05-02T13:38:00.000+00:002014-05-02T16:26:35.980+00:002014 Portuguese Historical Fiction Challenge April Reviews / Desafio Ficção Histórica Portuguesa Criticas de Abril<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf7QB0lJkzj4eaVjNMLGsOIiMiwK96093jXpEz92LJKzn9cKeZ3pc_HlssKITMbhnzpXuGzy254D61ObW6iRkCAOu8DRRsNR6VIOA-nhrujMeK2zqxiEPxe_16ptoAyDAyrvqLYYaZ94/s1600/desafio.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf7QB0lJkzj4eaVjNMLGsOIiMiwK96093jXpEz92LJKzn9cKeZ3pc_HlssKITMbhnzpXuGzy254D61ObW6iRkCAOu8DRRsNR6VIOA-nhrujMeK2zqxiEPxe_16ptoAyDAyrvqLYYaZ94/s320/desafio.jpg" /></a><br />
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4 books read so far for this challenge. / 4 livros lidos para este desafio até ao momento</div>
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<b><u>Book list / Lista de livros:</u></b><br />
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<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/01/verao-quente-domingos-amaral.html" target="_blank">Verão Quente</a> by Domingos Amaral, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/nacao-crioula-e-e-mais-que-o-barco.html" target="_blank">Nação Crioula</a> by José Eduardo Agualusa, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
<li><a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2014/03/d-afonso-henriques-diogo-freitas-do.html" target="_blank">D. Afonso Henriques</a> by Diogo Freitas do Amaral, reviewed by Ana T.</li>
<li><a href="http://talesofgondwana.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/forno-sem-pao.html" target="_blank">Padeira de Aljubarrota</a> by Maria João Lopo de Carvalho, reviewed by Inês Montenegro</li>
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Reading suggestions for this challenge can be found<a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/01/portuguese-historical-fiction-challenge.html" target="_blank"> here</a> I'll update the list as I find more titles. Recently a portuguese publisher has announced a series called the<a href="http://www.saidadeemergencia.com/especial/novidades-o660/?sort_by=available_days%2B&fz=Filtro+por+Cole%E7%E3o&alt0_attr=colection&alt0_value=A+Hist%F3ria+de+Portugal+em+Romances" target="_blank"> history of Portugal in romances</a> that I think might be interesting</div>
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Algumas sugestões de leitura para este desafio podem ser encontradas<a href="http://anecasworld.blogspot.pt/2013/01/portuguese-historical-fiction-challenge.html" target="_blank"> aqui.</a> Acrescentarei mais titulos à medida que os for ncontrando. Recentemente a Editora Saida de Emergência anunciou uma coleção chamada a <a href="http://www.saidadeemergencia.com/especial/novidades-o660/?sort_by=available_days%2B&fz=Filtro+por+Cole%E7%E3o&alt0_attr=colection&alt0_value=A+Hist%F3ria+de+Portugal+em+Romances" target="_blank">História de Portugal em romances </a>que me parece poder ter alguns titulos de interesse.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-23248436005408724102014-04-30T11:57:00.001+00:002014-04-30T11:57:41.653+00:00A Crazy Kind of Love - Maureen Child<br />
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<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1311995397l/785268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="785268" border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1311995397l/785268.jpg" width="120" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Lucas Gallagher is the geek who bought the land Michaela "Mike" Marconi wanted for her dream house. She thinks he's infuriating, annoying and totally rude. Yet, he gets to her more than any other man ever has. But though Lucas may be a scientist, he's the rock star of scientists. His inventions have made him millions, his research is reshaping the study of medicine and he holds patents for numerous technological marvels. But now, when it means everything, he's failed. His younger brother, the family's 'golden child' is dying of cancer and Lucas, despite his brilliance, can't help him. In Chandler, he tries to hide from the world he knows. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Mike tried running away from her problems when she was a kid. When her mother lay dying, Mike ran. When her world crumbled, Mike hid. And she's learned that the only way to win is to stand your ground and keep trying. She doesn't understand what Lucas is talking about half the time, but she knows exactly what he's feeling. And while criticizing his complete lack of architectural ability, and remaking the house he's trying to build, Mike finds herself slipping into Lucas Gallagher's life. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">She wakes him up and he shakes her up: the two of them are complete opposites, and nothing can keep them apart. Until Lucas's brother Justin comes home to die.</span></blockquote>
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A few years ago I read the first one in this series and really enjoyed it. Recently I had the opportunity of grabbing book number two and I couldn't let it pass. I am happy to report that I did enjoy it although I was a bit worried in the beginning.<br />
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Mike is the youngest Marconi sister. She is saving money to buy her dream property when suddenly someone else comes along and buys it. My problems with the beginning of the book was precisely because I couldn't understand Mike and Lucas's relationship. If he was the new owner why did she keep changing his orders for the house and why didn't he do something about it? They supposedly had a business relationship only and it's not very sound for business if you keep thwarting the one who is paying you no matter how much you think you have better ideas.<br />
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Once I got past that - meaning once I felt they had more than just a business relationship - I was OK with how they dealt with each other. I could totally see how Mike was good for Lucas!<br />
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But they both have events from their past who threaten to shadow their lives and their relationship. Once again I enjoyed how they supported each other and helped each other processing what was happening. I think the final twist was unnecessary as I could totally get a HEA without it but it also didn't bother me so all is well.<br />
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This is only my second Maureen Child book but I find that I really like her writing style and that she portrays the relationships in a very realistic way. I can't wait to get my hands on the third book of this series and I'm thinking I must check out the rest of her back list.<br />
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Grade: 4/5<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-46865265356177281652014-04-25T11:36:00.001+00:002014-04-26T12:02:00.510+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-56730962310045318892014-04-22T17:20:00.001+00:002014-04-22T17:20:45.846+00:00The Heiress Effect - Courtney Milan<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Miss Jane Fairfield can’t do anything right. When she’s in company, she always says the wrong thing—and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can’t save her from being an object of derision.</span><br />
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1373761621l/13489922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="13489922" border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1373761621l/13489922.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">And that’s precisely what she wants. She’ll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He’s the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances—and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he’ll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn’t need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn’t need to fall in love with her. But there’s something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can’t resist…even though it could mean the ruin of them both.</span></blockquote>
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I thought I should continue another series and decided to pick this one up. Considering my reading choices so far this year will be the year I catch up on most series...</div>
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I really enjoyed The Heiress Effect! It had strong, interesting characters, both the main and the secondary ones. An unusual story with some really interesting themes in the background. Clearly something out of the ordinary!</div>
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Miss Fairfield is doing her best to avoid marriage. She wants to remain unmarried so she can protect her sister from the misguided good intentions of her guardian. So she behaves and dresses in a way as to repel everyone. Oliver Marshall is trying to rise in politics and to do that he needs to court the favour of some titled men. That and somewhere down the road a wife who can help him gain the favour he needs to succeed.</div>
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You can see how Jane and Oliver seem to be total opposites in terms of what they want and / or need. But Oliver sees something in her he recognises and thus they begin a friendship of sorts.</div>
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This seemed to have everything I enjoy. However, I didn't fall in love with it. I think my main complaint is that I felt, in the beginning, that Jane was acting, playing a role. And then it turns out that she becomes the character she is playing so that Oliver may have an obstacle to face. I felt she became a bit of a caricature while Oliver, with his behaviour, only felt human, with frailties and faults.</div>
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So, I enjoyed the first half of the story a lot more than the second one which lowered the grade I was intending to give to a 4/5.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-89932738409450668572014-04-18T15:17:00.000+00:002014-04-18T15:17:00.650+00:00Happy Easter!<img src="http://www.happyholidays2014.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Happy-Easter-day-Backgrounds-13.jpg" height="225" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="400" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-78926531371844912412014-04-16T15:14:00.000+00:002014-04-21T13:37:28.082+00:00Crown of Crystal Flame - C. L. Wilson<br />
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A Song of Love won her heart.<br />
A Song of Darkness haunted her soul.<br />
A Song in the Dance would seal her fate.<br />
Seers had long foreseen an extraordinary destiny for Ellysetta Baristani. Already she had won the heart of the Fey King--the magnificent Rain, ever her ally, eternally her love. She had saved the offspring of the magical tairen and fought beside her legendary mate against the armies of Eld. But the most powerful--and dangerous--Verse of her Song had yet to be sung. As the final battle draws nigh and evil tightens its grip upon her soul--will Ellysetta secure the world for Light or plunge it into Darkness for all eternity? As she and Rain fight for each other, side by side, will they find a way to complete their truemate bond and defeat the evil High Mage of Eld before it's too late, or must they make the ultimate sacrifice to save their world?</blockquote>
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I was checking my notes and I realised I read the first book in this series back in 2008. It is a wonder I never needed to go back and reread before starting each new book. This is the final novel and we finally get to the big confrontation between Ellie and the High Mage of Eld. I wasn't sure what to expect as Ellie and Rain have faced so many challenges before. And I am quite happy to report that in term of story development I was quite happy with this one.</div>
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It is not and easy book to read as it has much violence and quite a few known characters die but I was happy with Ellie and Rain's development and how they deal with obstacles they find on their way to fighting the war. Their confrontation with the High Mage is also painful to read and Wilson manages to keeps us guessing about their fate for a while. Ok maybe not so much guessing (this is romance after all) but I was reading sitting on the edge of the couch for a while. This is definitely a book filled with tense emotional scenes, some for the good and others for the bad. </div>
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I had a few problems with the pacing of the story. I think at times it was a bit slow and I just wanted to move on and get to the interesting bits. I also think this book left almost as many threads open and closed ones so I'll definitely be reading her next book set in this world. I really want to know more about the girl that helped Ellie's parents - Melliandra, about all those Dahl'reisen and their families, about Ellie's sisters and about Gaelen.</div>
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Since the author has a new book coming out soon but of different series and I can only urge her to write faster!! And I'll be getting that book too.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608029603869554523.post-78532969787778169292014-04-14T15:58:00.001+00:002014-04-14T15:58:27.406+00:00The Scarpetta Factor - Patricia Cornwell<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px;">It is the week before Christmas. A tanking economy has prompted Dr. Kay Scarpetta-despite her busy schedule and her continuing work as the senior forensic analyst for CNN- to offer her services pro bono to New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In no time at all, her increased visibility seems to precipitate a string of unexpected and unsettling events. She is asked live on the air about the sensational case of Hannah Starr, who has vanished and is presumed dead. Moments later during the same telecast, she receives a startling call-in from a former psychiatric patient of Benton Wesley's. When she returns after the show to the apartment where she and Benton live, she finds an ominous package-possibly a bomb-waiting for her at the front desk. Soon the apparent threat on Scarpetta's life finds her embroiled in a surreal plot that includes a famous actor accused of an unthinkable sex crime and the disappearance of a beautiful millionairess with whom Lucy seems to have shared a secret past.</span></blockquote>
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I was bit confused while I was reading this. There seemed to be a lot of bad guys and I sometimes had a hard time keeping up with "who's who " and the "what are they doing and why". There was too much going on I felt - Benton's patient and former colleague, Lucy's relationship, Scarpetta's relationship with the TV channel... I'm finding hard to recognise them as the characters I enjoyed from previous books.</div>
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The only one that I enjoyed reading about was Marino. He seems to be closer to what he used to be in the beginning than in the latest books of the series. I'm not sure where Cornwell is taking us next though. The crimes have ceased to be interesting for me and the main characters I'm not sure I wan't to continue with them if they are continuing as in this one. Besides there seems to be less and less forensic issues and analysis with each books and that was one of the things that I enjoyed.</div>
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Will I read the next one in this series? I have a few doubts, especially as what I read about it is that someone is targetting Scarpetta again. She seems to have so many enemies that it has turned into a boring affair.</div>
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Grade: 2/5</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8"><img width="83" alt="Bookmark and Share" style="border:0" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/sm-share-en.gif" height="16"/></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=xa-4b505e52603fcaf8" type="text/javascript"></script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1