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Book Review: Touch The Dark by Karen Chance

Touch the Dark by Karen Chance



The blurb from the back cover:

Cassandra Palmer can see the future and communicate with spirits - talents that make her attractive to the dead and the undead. The ghosts of the dead aren't usually dangerous; they just like to talk ... a lot.

The undead are another matter.

Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with vengeance on his mind, she's forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.

The undead senators won't help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire - and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay ...

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book, really I did, but in the end it was just okay. Which was kind of disappointing since I had read her short story "Day of the Dead" (which can found here - http://www.karenchance.com/books_dayofth...) and liked it.

While reading this book I felt like I was missing something and found myself confused for the most part. The constant explanations and descriptions in the middle of conversations and actions between characters contributed to that. I know they are necessary to set up the world and characters in the first book of a series but I found my eyes glazing over on more than one occasion. I may have even nodded off a time or two as well! I did keep reading however, hoping it would improve and it did slightly, mostly towards the end.

Despite my so-so experience with this book, I will read the next book in the series, and hope that it does indeed get better as I've heard.

View all my reviews >>

What I've been reading ...

How to Murder a Millionaire by Nancy Martin


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a fun read. I like a bit more romance with my mysteries but what there was picqued my interest enough to search out the rest of the books in this series.

3.5 stars

View all my reviews >>

Sorry, still no stitching.

Perhaps ...

"Reading With Camels" may be a more appropriate name for this blog right now! That is all I appear to be doing at the moment - if you are a member of Goodreads, you may have noticed that!

I can't remember the last time I picked up a needle and thread, all I know is that it has been a while. I'm sure the desire to stitch will eventually return but right now I'm content in my world of books :) I'm currently having fun re-organising my bookcases and entering my books into an Excel spreadsheet (I'm sure it would go a lot faster if I could just stop getting distracted by the blessed things!). A lot of the books I read are part of a series or the author is quite prolific, and I need to keep track of what I have and what I need to buy so I don't double up. It is also giving me a chance to put aside a pile for the second-hand book store. I don't like to part with my books but I have a few that I couldn't get into and didn't finish, and I'd rather have their spaces taken up with books that I do enjoy and will read again.

Unfortunately, all this reading hasn't included keeping up with my Google Reader and I'm very much behind on what's been going on out in the stitching/blogging world. I shall just have to keep trying to read a few a day to catch up!

Books, books and more books!

I have become obsessed with them! I've read 13 books so far this month (I'm a recluse - I don't go out much and sleep is highly over-rated IMHO :)). I've been making my way through the pile I bought home from the US but I'm also becoming very well known in my local Border's :) I'm sure the security guard thinks "OMG, she's here again!!!" every time he sees me walk in - lol. Well, I am in there at least twice a week while the kids are at their guitar lessons - the music school is in the same shopping centre and very conveniently within a five minute walk to Border's - and I invariably walk out with at least one or two (or more!) books to add to my collection.

I blame my obsession on Goodreads :) Keep discovering new series and authors, and more recently, monthly challenges that peak my interest which then sends me on yet another quest to Border's. At the moment I'm fantasizing about turning our guest bedroom into a library - wonder what DH's reaction to that would be, LOL?

I haven't completely abandoned my stitching though. I've been making slow progress on Plum Gothic and Dark Cherry but not much else. Will upload pics in the next day or two.

So, there you go. I'm around, just have my nose stuck in a book and in some alternate reality :)

Sorry ...

Karin and Diane, but I can't oblige with a stash photo. Can you believe that I bought NO stash while in the US? Nada, not a thing, didn't even enter a store selling anything resembling needlework nor did I came across one (wasn't actively looking though).

Very sad state of affairs :)

Wanna see how many books I bought home?

I think I've forgotten how to stitch!

Oh, and by the way, I read 13 of those books while away too :)

In Washington, DC

Niagara Falls was awesome! We stayed on the Canadian side and had a fantastic view of both the Horseshoe and American Falls from our hotel room. We had one really nice day where we took a tour and checked out the tunnels beneath the Falls, and went up the Skylon Tower. The Maid of the Mist wasn't yet running - too early in the season. Unfortunately, our last full day (Friday) was rather wet and miserable but we managed to explore the main tourist area in Clifton Hill and take a turn on the Sky Wheel.

We arrived in Washington yesterday to an absolutely beautiful day and LOADS of people!! Our taxi driver informed us that the Cherry Blossom Festival was on this weekend. I don't think I've seen so many people in one place!! We awoke to another beautiful day today and after a slow morning we walked down towards the White House, the Washington Monument and then headed towards the Lincoln Memorial. Couldn't get near for the amount of people so we decided to try again later in the week.

Off to Niagara Falls tomorrow!

Another spur of the moment thing :) Three nights in Niagara Falls and then we head to Washington.

We spent our last day in New York today at the Ripley's Believe Or Not Odditorium. We arrived just as they were preparing to unveil a likeness of President Obama made out of gum-balls and they asked the kids if they wanted to help unveil for the press conference. It was pretty cool. CBS Worldwide were there too so family and friends in Australia and Dubai might see them. The marketing and PR ladies took our details and said they would email us any pics and/or articles. I think the experience will be a highlight of the kids' trip :)

We wandered back to our hotel in Times Square via Fifth Avenue where DH did a little shopping. Had hoped to get to Strand Books (thanks for the tip, Megan) but we'll have to save it up for next time. We all enjoy New York so I'm sure we will be back again :)

Hello, New York!

Yes, I'm in the Big Apple! It was a spur of the moment idea DH had about a month or so ago and the last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind of organising dog/house-sitters, passports (had to renew the kids' passports before we left), etc, but here we are.

The weather has been a bit chilly but the first couple of days have been clear at least so we managed to get some great views from the top of the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. Today was foggy and rain has been forecast this afternoon so we decided to just do some exploring on foot. DS wanted to find a Games Workshop outlet as well as a new scooter. I just wanted to find a well-stocked bookstore (I've been reading a lot more than stitching lately). We've walked quite a bit today and weren't very successful with DS's mission but I managed to find a Borders and cross off several books of my wish-list. I tend to read a lot of series (ie. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter, Julia Quinn's Bridgertons, Keri Arthur's Guardian, Cheyenne McCray's D'Anu/Tuatha D'Danann series) plus a few new-to-me authors through Goodreads that I'm keen to discover :) I do have a regular bookstore in Dubai but frustratingly they will be missing a vital volume and I am quite anal about reading my books in order. Anyway, I've filled in a few gaps today and hope to find a Barnes & Noble or some other bookstore tomorrow to fill in a couple more that I couldn't today. DH's expression when he saw my armful of books was priceless - lol. I don't think he quite believes on how serious I am on hitting another bookstore tomorrow :).

Well, I must go and see if anyone is interested in dinner :)

The reason for my absence ...

My SIL and nephew stopped over with us for a few days on their way through from the UK to visit family in Australia. J was born in August seven weeks early - he's six months old now and is just adorable :)

Progress!

Don't you just love those pouty lips?!

I've been working on Dark Cherry and The Encounter too but just haven't got around to taking up-to-date progress shots yet. It is SAL weekend for Dark Cherry so I will wait until that's finished before taking another pic.

Ruth asked how it is that I find over one stitching to be soothing - lol. I honestly don't know :) I get into a zone where I can just leave everything behind, be it a crappy day or worry over a family member or friend, and head off to daydream land for a couple of hours. If something's bothering me I've usually thought out a solution after a stitching session too :) And, it always amazes me that after hours of stitching tiny little crosses, it will take just one and suddenly an eye or a mouth, or a turret of a castle or a tiny little flower or leaf, will appear.

Or it could be that I'm just bonkers - lol!

Quick Stitchy Update

Have a few things to blog about but have only got time to quickly upload some HAED WIP updates at the moment. Normal (and hopefully regular!) blogging to resume shortly!!

I've recently gotten back into my HAED stitching, I'd forgotten how soothing I find it and it has helped me get through these last few weeks.

First up is a new start, QS Dark Cherry by Ching-Chou Kuik. This is my yearly challenge SAL piece on the HAED BB with monthly SALs on the second weekend of each month. This is what I managed for the January SAL and given that I had family here didn't think this was too bad an effort :) Stitched on antique white 25 count lugana with DMC and PB10 for the sparkles. Started on 10 January 2009.



Next up is my current progress on QS Plum Gothic by Caron Vinson. I was hoping to finish this last year but with one thing and another that didn't happen. This year!



Lastly, my current progress on The Encounter by Ed Beard Jr. This is a full size HAED (36 pages, which is not as big as some). DS chose this chart and wants me to stitch it up for his birthday. He didn't specify which birthday but I'm estimating I may have it done in time for his 21st - lol! Stitched on 25 count white lugana with DMC and PB10 for the sparkles. Can't remember when I started this - early last year I think.

Lovely PIF received!

This arrived in the mail the day before Christmas from Karen - isn't it lovely? An email of thanks is on it's way to you, Karen :)

Since I had no sign-ups I will be sending out random gifts over the next month or so.

My parents are visiting and well, to be honest, things haven't gone well for the start of their trip. However, this post isn't the time or place to go into details. Another time, perhaps.

Merry Christmas!

Been Quiet Around Here!

The second half of November was busy - had a couple of things, stitching-wise, I wanted to get completed. Managed them but only just!

My November ornament:



Tipsy Tree by Charland Designs - Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornament Issue

Stitched on 28 count natural linen with GAST threads

My Thanksgiving ornament for the Seasonal Ornament SAL blog:



Turkey Ornament from Lizzie*Kate's Fall Crazy leaflet

Stitched on mystery hand-dye remnant with DMC threads

I also completed a needlecase (my first ever) for the Monthly Finishing Challenge blog but I'm less than impressed with the finishing so didn't bother taking a pic and will probably ditch it.

I've been doing a LOT of reading over the last few weeks which means very little stitching so far this month! I have got myself hooked on the "In Death" series of books by J D Robb (aka Nora Roberts) in a big way (just check out my Goodreads widget in the sidebar!!)! No sooner have I finished one then I start on the next one even when I should be doing something else!! Not sure what it is about them that gets me in. I guess they have all the elements I enjoy reading - crime, action, humour and in-between-the-sheets action (although not necessarily always in-between-the-sheets!!) which takes me out of my reality for a while :)

I need it because the next few weeks are going to be crazy busy, next week is bad enough!!

My parents are coming for a visit in a week's time so I need to finish getting the guest room ready. The beds are made but I still need to move my craft stuff out of the wardrobe so they have room for their clothing, etc. They are staying for nearly six weeks so I won't have easy access to the room.

DH and I decided to revamp the upstairs activity area for the kids for Christmas. A new bigger tv, wall unit, new couch, get rid of the computer desks, give them more space, trend it up. Since the bigger tv is downstairs they (and their friends) have made the loungeroom their second home which means DH and I have to fight for the remote to watch what we want when we want or even just the chance or space to stretch out on the couch and chill. Another reason I haven't been stitching as much. They do clear out when we tell them too but they wouldn't need to if they had their own decent fun space :)

Anyway, because of that brilliant idea, I've been waiting for goods to be delivered - the wall unit came yesterday but one of the side pieces was damaged so it is still in pieces until they can bring a replacement one on Monday. Because of that I had to re-schedule the delivery and installation of the tv which has put things back a few more days. There is stuff everywhere, which will eventually go into the wall unit, but it is starting to drive me just a little bit batty.

I also decided, in a moment of insanity, that the kids' bedroom closets needed a thorough de-cluttering and re-organising - a process which is still ongoing and which probably would have been done by now if the kids were at school. They've been off since the beginning of December for the UAE National Day and Eid holidays. DD goes back to school on Sunday but only till Thursday when they break up again for the winter holiday until January 4th. Due to some program the high school has on next week, which has cause for the majority of teachers and students to be absent, DS is off till January 4th. Apparently there will only be six teachers and the remaining students will be split into groups and doing some sort of "fun" program instead of their regularly scheduled classes. I've given him the option of going to school or staying home and helping me out with the shopping and various other errands and the sorting out of things around the house. He opted for staying at home and helping me only because he doesn't think I'm serious about him helping. Boy, is he in for a surprise!!

Somewhere, somehow in the next few days I need to finish the Christmas shopping! It would be so much easier if I knew what to buy - the kids are easy and are pretty much done - but DH and the parents - bah!! DH, DD and I did a little today and I got a couple of ideas for DH so I'll hit one of the nearby malls one day next week and try to get him sorted out. Of course, it doesn't help that his birthday is three days before Christmas! I do have something in mind for that though, thank goodness! The parents I'm thinking I'll take Christmas shopping when they get here! I also need to figure out what we'll be having for Christmas lunch and start buying the food for that, although that could probably wait until mum and dad get here too. Mum, at least, would probably enjoy the chance to come along and help. I plan to do a quick grocery shop on Sunday for the regular stuff which DS will be thrilled about, no doubt - muwahahaha!!

Somewhere in between things being delivered and the shopping next week, I need to squeeze in a doctor's appointment, take the dog to the vet for her annual check-up and vaccinations, helping out with DD's class Christmas party (for which a date hasn't been set) and get my bicycle to the repair shop. The back tyre has a puncture courtesy of a massive bougainevillea thorn.

I will get it all done but I don't usually leave things like this to the last minute - my usual spark just isn't there this year. DH has travelled for work quite a bit over the last 12 months (and is off again tomorrow!) and I guess I'm just plum tuckered out :)

Well, this has turned out to be longer than I anticipated - if you've made it this far through my ramblings, congratulations and thank you :) I'll say goodnight now and go bury myself in a book!

Great Mail Day!

I was in an Ornament Exchange with another group recently and today I received this lovely ornament from Meari. Thank you, Meari, I love it :)



I also received my order from Needle In A Haystack - yay! I'm off to make myself a cuppa and paw my way through those mags :)

Goofy Girls and Puppy Dogs

I looked up from the kitchen workbench last night and was greeted by this scene at the back door - DD and her friend were clearly bored of playing with the dogs - luckily my camera was close at hand :)



We are dog-sitting a friend's dog while she is away - Rabbit (yes, that's his name) is the brown/black dog on the left. He's a bit of a show-off :)

Pumpkins and Pretty Scissors

Horrified by Just Nan

Stitched on 32 count Summer Khaki Belfast linen
with the called for DMC threads.

I was hoping to have this done in time for Halloween but I was a day late. I finished it up yesterday and popped it in the frame last night. Decided to keep it on display for a bit longer - it is autumn after all :)

I'd seen the pretty Roberta Gingher scissors on a few blogs recently and figured I would add a pair to my collection. The Bianca pair just happened to fall into the shopping cart at the same time :) I ordered them through Mike & Carol's Internet Store a week ago and they arrived on Wednesday - four days to get here!! Brilliant service and given that I have a "thing" for scissors I will definitely purchase through them again.

October Ornament

Snowflake 2007 by Heritage Series
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Ornament Issue Magazine

Stitched on a grab-bag piece of CountryStitch hand-dyed evenweave with Petite Treasure Braid PB10 and white Mill Hill beads. Finished as a frayed edge pillow (a finishing technique I borrowed from Ruth - thanks, Ruth!

Thank you for all the wonderful comments on my Jingle Sparkle Joy finish - ever so much appreciated :)