Welcome to Table Talk Tuesday (1 of 2)

Welcome to the first Table Talk Tuesday meme, hosted by yours truly. 

I have been having so much fun with the recent memes I have found whereas you get to know a little bit more about the blogger behind the screen.  I have met so many nice, funny, kind, caring people in the past 8 months and have said on many occasions, how I wish we lived closer and could meet for coffee, lunch, and yes..even dessert.  That is the premise of this hop.

<a href=http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com target="”_blank”"><img alt="Cmash Loves to Read”=" height="196″/"src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz257/mash1195/MEMES/thHot_Tea_Art3violetset012909-1-1.jpg" /></a>

Grab one of the buttons (or grab all 3 so you can change it up every week).  Post 3 tidbits, questions and/or comments on your blog and add your link here..  Then you are on your way to meeting new and old bloggers for coffee. 




<a href=http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com target="”_blank”"><img alt="Cmash Loves to Read”=" height="196″/" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz257/mash1195/MEMES/005d051Kfei-1-1-1.jpg" /></a>

Your 3 tidbits can be, for examples, tell us something interesting about you that we don't know, ask a question of your gal/fellow blogger that you would like to know, share something that may have been exciting that happened to you this week, or something you are looking forward to, or share a how-to, or maybe ask about a how-to, or talk about something that annoys you, your opinion about a certain issue, a comment about something that was in the news this week and your opinion,  or maybe ask advice, etc., etc., the list is endless.  You get the idea.  Just as if you were meeting a friend over coffee.  And the conversation begins.



<a href=http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com target="”_blank”"><img alt="Cmash Loves to Read”=" height="196″/" src="http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz257/mash1195/MEMES/ttt-1-1.jpg" /></a>

After you post your 3 conversation tidbits,  come back here and link up, start visiting other blogs, answer their questions or respond to their comments.  Then meet another blogger for coffee at their place, maybe have another piece of pastry while talking (and just think...this has 0 calories!!!)

Hope you join in, tell your friends, get to know more about old friends, meet new friends (possibly even becoming a new follower of their blog...if you do...leave that in your responses so that they know and hopefully will follow you back), get to know more about old friends, meet new friends and more importantly.....HAVE FUN !!!  So lets grab a table, sit down, order a coffee and start gabbing !!!!

My 3 Tidbits:

1.  How do you take your coffee?

2.  Are you artistic, can you draw/paint?  I'm not but have always wished I had that talent.

3.  I am not a big tv watcher, but one night I was surfing the programs and found a show, I think, it is called Hoarders...have you seen it?  I was amazed and found it so interesting as to the conditions these people live in, their thought process, how could they live like that.  I try my best to have my house in order, neat, etc, but sometimes things get a little messy but after watching that show, I won't be complaining about my house again.

After adding your link,  don't forget to leave your comments.  Also check out the 2 current giveaways for this week !!!!

Teaser Tuesday (posting 2 of 2)

TUESDAY

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Joe won't pick up, she said, His phone's out. Please.  For a second, the wind lapsed, and quieted. I'm worried, she said, with perfect clarity.

page 178

I'm Hosting A Blog Hop Meme!!!

Hi Everyone!!!!

As you all know, I love memes, especially blog hop memes.  And in the past couple of weeks I have become addicted to memes that "get to know" other bloggers, both old and new friends.  I have mentioned to quite a few bloggers that I have met over the past 8 months, how I wish we could meet, have a cup of coffee, maybe even a piece of decadent dessert.  So it got me to thinking...........

I am in the process of creating Table Talk Tuesday !!  It will be a blog hop and this is the premise.  You post 3 tidbits on your blog, then sign up with McLinky here and start hopping as if you were meeting bloggy friends for coffee.  Every Tuesday you can list any 3 things you want.  It could be something we don't know about you yet, or maybe you would like to ask someone a question that you would like to know about your gal/fellow blogger, or it could be exciting news you want to talk about that has happened this week, or exciting news that you are looking forward to in the future, or maybe share a how-to or ask about a how-to.  The list is endless!!!  Then you meet others for coffee at their blog, answer their questions and/or respond to their comments.  Then on to the next blogger's place, another cup of coffee, another piece of yummy dessert (and just think...0 calories)

I have been working on 3 buttons to choose from (but as you know, not being computer savvy, it has taken me quite a few hours.  Still trying to get it all set up.  So stop by tomorrow and see if the coffee shop is opened, but in the meantime, start thinking about what 3 issues you will be talking about when you meet the blogger behind the computer screen. 

Hope you have the coffee on and join us.  I apologize in advance if there are kinks you may encounter and that still need to be worked out but will try to figure them all out asap.

Musing Mondays (meme 1 of 4)

MONDAY

Hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading

Today's Question:
How often do you actually put into practice what you learn from reading nonfiction books (if you read nonfiction, that is)?

My Answer:
Today's question is an easy one, yet a boring one when it comes to me.  The answer is No.  I don't read self-help books.  I did read one many years ago, can't even remember the title so I guess I didn't "put it into practice"  lol.

What about you.  If you want to join in the fun, link provided above.

Mailbox Monday (meme 2 of 4)

Hosting for August is Shanyn from Chick Loves Lit

WooHoo!!!  I just love this meme, but the past 2 weeks, couldn't post because my mailbox was empty.  Well....there were bills....but none of those envelopes that you know there is a book inside, but which one?   Here are the books that came into my house this week:

Tuesday  08/24   Won from Booking With Bingo

Saturday   08/28   Purchased EBook

Saturday   08/28   From Reagan Arthur Books and a tin of lemon candy

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (meme 3 of 4)

Hosted by Sheila at One Persons Journey Through A World Of Books

This is a meme to list the books completed last week, the books currently being read, and the books to be finished this week

COMPLETED LAST WEEK:

CURRENTLY READING:

UP NEXT:

Meet Me On Monday (meme 4 of 4)

Hosted by Java from Never Growing Old

I love memes!!! I have so much fun blog hopping, finding new blogs, getting to know about bloggers that I follow and meeting new blogging friends. So I thought this meme would be fun and am now partcipating. I found it via Vicki from Reading At The Beach. Link provided above if you want to join in on the fun !!

Meet Me on Monday!!
From Java's Blog:
   Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?" I know them...but yet I don't know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other!
   Every Sunday I will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!
   "Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better....one Monday at a time!!!"....as quoted by the Chacogirl!!
   I will make this SIMPLE and FUN!!!

Questions:
1. What is your favorite kind of potato chip?
          BBQ  Soy Chips


2. Do you make your bed everyday?
          Yes


3. How often do you go to the hair salon?
          Every 6-8 weeks for hair   Every 2 weeks for nails


4. What do you dip your French fries in?


5. Do you shop with coupons? 
          Most of the time
 

Giveaway "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake" 08/29 to 09/05 (posting 1 of 3)

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

by Aimee Bender

Giveaway August 29th to September 5th

Synopsis: (borrowed from Barnes & Noble)

   The wondrous Aimee Bender conjures the lush and moving story of a girl whose magical gift is really a devastating curse.
   On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein, a girl at the periphery of schoolyard games and her distracted parents’ attention, bites into her mother’s homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother’s emotions in the cake. She discovers this gift to her horror, for her mother—her cheerful, good-with-crafts, can-do mother—tastes of despair and desperation. Suddenly, and for the rest of her life, food becomes a peril and a threat to Rose.
   The curse her gift has bestowed is the secret knowledge all families keep hidden—her mother’s life outside the home, her father’s detachment, her brother’s clash with the world. Yet as Rose grows up she learns to harness her gift and becomes aware that there are secrets even her taste buds cannot discern.

THANKS TO JUDY AND THE

FANTASTIC PEOPLE AT DOUBLEDAY

I HAVE TWO (2) COPIES OF THIS

GREAT BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO

THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE

Slapdash Sunday Topic: Nostalgia (2 of 3)

SUNDAY

Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element

Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week 'leftovers.' Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn't worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!
Today's Topic:  Nostalgia
   I hope you don't mind that this week is not a book/blog topic but will explain why this came to mind and wanted to share with you!!
   The past few weeks, I have mentioned that hubby and I will soon be empty nesters.  Our youngest (24 yrs old) moved out of state (5 hr drive away) this past November.  This week, our oldest (26 yrs old) will be closing on a house he bought, which is also out of state (90min drive) and will be moving out within the next few weeks.  We are so very proud of both of them especially seeing the "men" they have become.
   Friday night, I started reading The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender.  The first chapter began with 9 year old Rose arriving home from school finding her mom starting to bake a lemon cake for Rose's birthday.
   And it got me thinking to when my boys were that age and their birthdays.  To this day, their friends from when they were in elementary school, will tell me how they couldn't wait for the boys to open their lunch boxes.  Their friends, knowing of this tradition would wait to start on their own lunches until the boys opened their lunch box to see if I had done it again!!!!
   On their birthdays, from kindergarten to high school...yes high school, I would pack their lunches in a certain way.  You would think, when you hear what I did, that they would be embarrassed, especially in high school but they have told me since it wouldn't have been their bday if I hadn't done it.  They have also told me that they will be passing on this tradition when they have children.
   I would make their sandwich, wrap it in wax paper, and then placed in a baggie.  But it didn't end there.  I would then wrap that sandwich package in birthday paper and attach a bow.  The same with their snack, which was always a cupcake, wrapped in birthday paper with a bow and same with their drink, which was always a soda, the only day they were allowed a soda for their lunchbox drink, wrapped in birthday gift wrap and another bow.
   So today's topic/question is this.  Did you have a special tradition with your kids?  Or maybe even a tradition that your mom started and has been a pleasant memory for you.  Would love to hear your nostalgic story!!!  So today is not a slapdash discussion but a slapdash memory and/or story !!!
 
 

Getting To Know You (3 of 3)

Hosted by Mannland5

This is a new meme, and you know I love memes, that I found and looked like fun so am joining in.

From her site:

To play..copy the questions..answer them..then come back here and link up for a fun fun time.*

The Q's.
1. If you accidently knick a car in a parking lot..Do you leave a note or do you get the heck out of there?
     It would depend if it was a lot of damage, if it was a brand new car, but I would probably leave a
     note, especially now a days with so many video cameras, I would be more afraid of "leaving the
     scene of an accident"
2. Love your body or plastic surgery?
     LOL  At my age, there are the problems of the thighs, having a bit of excess weight (am on diet
     as I type lol)etc, but, I have had approx. 13 operations, need  3 more, due to medical problems 
     that my body already looks like an atlas due to all the scars.  So I would say I can learn to 
     like what I have.   
3. What about your favorite blog(s) continues to drive you back?
     Mainly content, personality behind the blog and honesty.  I follow many blogs, so I refresh my 
     google reader often and if I see something of interest, I head on over.
4. What percent of your blog is BS just to make your life seem more interesting than it really is?
     0%..that is a trait (lieing/bsing) that I don't like in real life so what you see on my blog is the
     real me, however boring as it might be. 
5. If you had to give up one type of meat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
     This one is easy.  I gave it up as a child when my grandmother tried getting me to eat it and told
     me it was steak.  It wasn't,  it was liver and have never tasted it again!!!
6. How often to you eat out?
     At least 1, sometimes 2, times a week.  Hubby and I don't do movies, casinos, etc for
     entertainment, but he enjoys going to different restaurants(atmosphere), having a couple of
     glasses of wine...a date night.
7. Skinny jeans or boot cut jeans?
     Both
8. If you caught your spouse cheating would you forgive, divorce, or plan your kill?
     It would depend on the circumstances, remorse, if it was a one time mistake (which we all make)
     We have been married for 29 years, a lot of years to throw away so will say try to forgive.
Want to join in, let your followers/visitors get to know you?  Link provided above.  Or you can  leave your answers here so I can get to know who is behind the blogs I follow.
    

And the winners are...........

For The Recessionistas by Alexandra Lebenthal......

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2     6     11

Timestamp: 2010-08-28 22:09:42 UTC

Bookventures said... 2   I follow you on twitter and GFC

Kristin said... 6   I am a GFC follower.


Anonymous said... 11   If I won the lottery, I would immediately buy a new computer and sign up for a high speed connection! No more waiting forever for something to post. Might sell this house and buy another one in a cooler place-maybe. Give a sizable gift to the nearest children's library. Oh-lots of things. Would probably have to make a list, priotrize it but after I buy a new computer and get a high speed connection!

An email has been to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing information or another winner(s) will be chosen.

Award Time

It is a such a beautiful day in New England.  Warm but without humidity.  But it just became sunnier.  I just received a comment from my friend and mentor, Vicki at Reading At The Beach, stating to stop by her place an pick up an award.  She presented me with this:

It is so humbling whenever she presents me with an award.  For those who follow this blog know that it is because of Vicki, that my blog is what it is today.  She has inspired me, mentored me and encouraged me from day one and more importantly, has become a friend.  So Vicki....the words thank you just don't seem to be enough as to how much I appreciate everything you have done for me....but...will say from the bottom of my heart, Thank you!!!

Now for the criteria in accepting this award:

Rules:

Pass this on to five great blog neighbors
I define a great blog neighbor as someone that consistently comments on your posts and responds to questions or comments that you have.
I am now passing this award on (in no particular order):

Julie from Reading Without Restraint

Kristin from Always With A Book

Lesley-Ann from Bookventures Book Club

Marce from Tea Time With Marce

Dolly from XmasDolly

I hope you enjoy this award as much as I have !!

Review "With Friends Like These" by Sally Koslow

With Friends Like These by Sally Koslow (ARC)
Published by Ballantine Books
ISBN 978-0-345-50622-1
At the request of Pump Up Your Book, a PB ARC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from book): A novel following four New York City women's complicated friendships across a span of twenty years.
  When Quincy, Jules, Talia and Chloe become fast friends despite their drastically different personalities. Now, nearly twenty years later, their lives have diverged as much as they possibly can within one city: Quincy is mourning a miscarriage and lusting for the perfect Manhattan apartment; Jules, a woman with an outsize personality, is facing forty alone; Talia, married and the mother of a four-year-old, is her family's reluctant breadwinner; and Chloe faces pressure from her hedge fund manager husband to be more ambitious. As these women grapple with the challenges of marriage, motherhood, careers, and real estate, they can't help but assess their positions in life in comparison to each other-leading them to envy and disillusionment.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary chick lit novel, maybe even more so, because of recent personal issues, namely empty nesting. Lately I have been thinking about the past 20+ years, reassessing, recalling memories, taking inventory of life's ups and downs and what I have learned from them in my own personal life. The same premise as this book. I could relate to many experiences that these 4 very diverse women with different personality traits encountered in their lives. I could also compare them to my friendships that I have been lucky to have, for many years, and how each of us has changed but still maintained that special friendship bond. Ms. Koslow has written a very emotional, touching and thought provoking novel that has an outcome that will have the reader, at least it did for me, taking stock of our own lives and friendships. What makes friendships endure for years? Even when there are times where intentions aren't truly genuine and/or have even a little bit of envy. The plot is profound and meaningful, whereas the author, creates 4 characters that experience so many real life emotions, trials and tribulations and through her written words, allows the reader to palpate each and every sentiment. A poignant must read !!!

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,

in exchange for my honest review.

No items that I receive

are ever sold...they are kept by me,

or given to family and/or friends.

A Bit Of Me

SATURDAY

                                             

Hosted by Danielle at There's A Book

From her blog:
We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.
This Weeks Question: Who is your favorite female character, in a book or on a TV show/movie? Why?

Read more: http://www.theresabook.com/category/a-bit-of-meme/#ixzz0xu1eNXjH
My Answer:
This week's question is very hard for me to answer.  I have been thinking about it for days (Danielle posts what the question will be in advance).  I am not a big TV or movie person.  The only thing I watch and/or listen to when it comes to TV is one of the 24/7 cable news station.  Yes..I am a cable news junkie!!  As for movies, I would rather read and form the imagery in my mind as if I AM watching a movie.  Female character in a book?   That would be the character in whatever my current book is.  If I can relate to a character at the time of reading, then that's my favorite character. 
Not sure if you learned a little bit more about me with this question, but had to answer it honestly.  What about you?  Any favorite female character?

Giveaway Greeting Cards

I am so excited about this giveaway!!!  Especially if you are like me!!!!  Do you run to the store at the last minute because you remembered you needed to send a greeting card?  A Get Well card, Birthday card, Thinking Of You card?  You get the idea.  Wouldn't it be great to have these cards at your fingertips?  Then this is the giveaway for you!!!!! 

UPrinting.com also offers custom greeting cards and commercial printing.

UPrinting.com has generously offered to give one of my followers and/or visitors a chance to win 50....that's right......50!!!!  assorted greeting cards.  No more running to the store at the last minute.

The lucky winner will receive the following:

GIVEAWAY PRIZE:

50 7x5 Folded Cards with Plain Envelopes

14pt Cardstock Gloss

4 Color Front, Blank Back

4 Baronial Blank Envelopes

Half Fold (Scoring only)

HURRY!!!!  THIS GIVEAWAY IS FROM AUGUST 27th to SEPTEMBER 3rd!!!!

CLICK HERE TO BRING YOU TO

THE GIVEAWAY ENTRY PAGE

DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive
are ever sold...they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.

Aloha Friday (1 of 3)

FRIDAY

   

Hosted by An Island Life

From An Island Life:
   In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.
   If you’d like to participate, visit An Island Life answer the question and then post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My Question:

Favorite shoe(s) and/or style of shoe(s)?

My Answer:

When at home, I usually wear slippers.  Favorite style is definitely clogs.

Friday Book Blog Hop (2 of 3)

Hosted by Jennifer from CRAZY FOR BOOKS

   In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!
   The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!
   Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.
   If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!
Today's Twist:
Do you use a rating system for your reviews and if so, what is it and why?
My Answer:
Yes.  I have a rating system, which can be seen on the left side of this blog, from 1-5.  I feel it is a cyberuniverse system with 5 being FANTASTIC.  Some sites require the a rating system so feel that I should post it across the board.  I think that the wording may be a little different from other bloggers, but the majority that use the 1-5 scale are typically the same rating.

Friday Fill-Ins (3 of 3)

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

And...here we go!

1. You do your thing; I do mine and sometimes we will do things together.
2. Wanting to do fall cleaning, but can't, is what's been on my mind on and off all day.
3. Remember when life was simple and stress free.
4. Reading, blogging and ice cream sundaes are three of my favorite obsessions :-)
5. During the last year I have experienced both good and bad.
6. My family puts a smile on my face.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing and reading, tomorrow my plans include my computer to-do lists, sitting by and in the pool reading and Sunday, I want to definitely sit by and in the pool reading since summer is almost over!

Booking Through Thursday

THURSDAY

http://btt2.wordpress.com/

Today's Question:
If you’re not enjoying a book, will you stop mid-way? Or do you push through to the end? What makes you decide to stop?
My Answer:
Unfortunately, yes and more so since accepting requests for reviews.  I find myself, when not enjoying a book, either putting off picking it up to continue reading or going into a reading slump because of it.  That happened on a few occasions so I revised my review policy that I will at least read up to 100 pages in hopes that my opinion of the book changes or the storyline grabs me.  If not, I have to put it aside and on to the next. 

What about you?  Do you push through or stop midway?  Would love to hear your thoughts on this topic?

Guest Author Sharon Donovan (1 of 2)

What a treat!! Today we have an author stopping by while on her tour, talking about her latest novel. So please help me welcome Sharon Donovan to our group.

About Sharon Donovan

   Sharon Donovan lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her family. Prior to the loss of her vision, she was a legal secretary for the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations. Painting was her passion. When she could no longer paint, she began attending creative writing classes and memoir workshops. After a long and winding road, a new dream arose. Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words.
   Sharon writes stories of inspiration and suspense. She has certificates in business and medical transcription. She is a published author with The Wild Rose Press, White Rose Publishing, Whimsical Publications and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Echo of a Raven received a CTRR award for outstanding writing, and The Claddagh Ring is a 2009 CAPA nominee. To read excerpts and reviews of Sharon’s books and to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website at http://www.sharonadonovan.com/.

About Mask of the Betrayer

   When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim?
   Deep in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago–all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio. And when Margot realizes she is married to the killer, her life becomes a living nightmare.

Read the Excerpt!

Reaching Carlos DeVeccio’s bedroom, she got a little thrill as old memories surfaced. Just a few more seconds and she’d fall into the arms of her lover. She smiled to herself. She had returned to Vegas for a reason. She was flat broke. But after tonight, Michael would be her ticket back into the lap of luxury. Then she’d be mistress of the manor once more. And more to the point, she’d have access to his billion dollar bank roll. With a devious smile, she shoved her way through the heavy mahogany door. Crossing the threshold, she entered the house of horrors. Carlos DeVeccio had been a real nut, one straight out of the books. But with her fetish for face masks, she loved his collection and had often come into his wing just to admire them. What a thrill it had been to have sex in the coffin, howling along with the werewolf. Some might think it a bit kinky, but they didn’t know what they were missing. Calling out to her lover, her pulse quickened a beat. “Michael, are you here yet, darling?”


That’s when she heard it, manic laughter coming from the final circle of hell. A slither of fear trickled down her spine, releasing a wild gush of adrenaline. Carlos?

She thought about the death of Lacy Diamond. Two Ninja assassinations were no coincidence. Sensing danger, she felt for her sword. It was gone. Panic soared through her. Where the hell was it? The laughter got louder and louder, moving in closer and closer. It seemed to be bouncing off the walls. She couldn’t tell from which direction it was coming. Just then, the bell in the tower gonged, thundering off the walls like cannon balls. Instinctively, she covered her ears with her hands. Where the hell was Michael? Evil eyes from the face masks followed her every move. She had to escape before it was too late. She couldn’t think over the loud gonging of the bell. Every few seconds, the werewolf howled at the moon. She screamed, although she knew no one would hear her. Disoriented by the darkness, she floundered about, searching for the door. Her arms swam in mid air, like a person drowning, searching for an anchor. She had to find a way out of this mausoleum of the living dead.

Perspiration drenched her skin. The chilling laughter got louder, ringing in her ears, louder and louder, closer and closer. The gonging of the bell broke through the last filament of her sanity. The werewolf opened his mouth and howled at the moon. Where was Michael? He was a master swordsman. His fencing skills were extraordinary. He could wield a Ninja star through the air with his eyes closed and hit the mark. Where the hell was he?

Blood thundered in her ears, but not loud enough to block out the manic laughter. It was close but she couldn’t see a thing. She wished she had her sword. She went to run but it was too late. She heard a distinct click. The killer had just depressed the button on her Zorro sword, unleashing a thirty-seven inch blade. His psychotic laughter reached an ear-splitting crescendo just as the bell in the bell tower gonged out its last chime. From the dark shadows, Valentino pounced, her Zorro sword gleaming in the moonlight.

“Surprise!” he thrust the sword straight through her heart. “I promised to make you scream. Darling Candace, let me hear you scream.”

 

Look for my review in the coming weeks.