Cleffairy's Blog, page 213

God will provide…

There's been quite a few changes in my life lately. Alot things happened and made me ponder and reflect. Seriously speaking, I'm struggling a little bit where money is concerned, especially when the old junk car is constantly giving me problems and my husband is studying again.

But that does not really bothers me much because I believe that God will provide. I am sure He will. I have faith in Him that he will not make me endure more than I could. It's not blind faith, mind you. My husband and I have been working very hard too, and so, I believe, God will bless our family and provide for us and make things easy for us soon.

Cleffairy: Dear Father in Heaven, please make things easier for us and guide us all the way.

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Arabian Knight

Well, not exactly Ariabian knight, but an Arabian cuisine night. Not long ago, I went to have these at Wadi Al Nile with Smallkucing's family as well as our new blogger friend, Angel Bear.

Arabian mint tea.

The tea was nice and refreshing.

For starters, Paparazzi ordered hummus. Hummus is a is a Levantine Arabian dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. It is a popular food throughout the Middle East.

Gigantic Mulawah bread for just Rm4 to go with the Hummus. The bread is similar with our own roti canai or roti prata, except that it's way bigger, flatter, crispier and is usually sprinkled with black sesame seeds. And instead of having it with spicy curry, the Arabians usually eat Mulawah bread with hummus, or potato stew.

Two scoops of ice cream with cherry on top each for the kids.

As usual, I go for my favourite Kabsa chicken rice.

My rice comes with tomatoey potato stew as well as special made chilli sauce. My boy loved the potato stew very much that he couldn't help but asked for extra from his Auntie Mamarazzi. >.<

I had sparkling fruit drink known as Fayrouz. It was really nice. I liked the taste very much.

Angel Bear on the other hand, had Kabsa rice with lamb. Huge portion too. And just look at the generous chunks of lamb. She said it was nice and had no lamb smell whatsoever.

Mamarazzi ordered Mandi/Mandy Rice with grilled lemon flavoured chicken. To her surprise…the portion was really huge. And it's enough for 4 full grown adults to eat!

Check out the size~! It's so huge, and just for Rm15! I nearly faint when i saw it.

There was also Lamb Akhdah, an Arabic dish where lamb are cooked in tomatoey sauce and spices as well as sliced potatoes. It was really yummy. It's one of my favourite that night, and would definitely order this again next time.

We had Banana Masoob for dessert. Masoob is a traditional Hijazi Dish and is basically bananas, (sometimes dates) and ground bread all mashed up together, served with honey. It's a very nice dessert, and the portion was very, very huge too.

Drooling and wanna try some Arabic cuisine for a change? Well maybe you can give this restaurant a try.

Wadi AL-Nile Restaurant,No 72-0, Block J, Platinum Walk, No. 2, Jalan Langkawi, 53300 Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. Tel : 03-41312356.

Cleffairy: Opps, there's no belly dancing or dances of seven veils here. Only seductive food. Thank you to Paparazzi and Mamarazzi for the generous dinner treat. And it's nice to finally meet you, Angel Bear. Pictures are not mine. They're all courtesy of Mamarazzi and Angel Bear.

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Undignified…

I am not quite sure if I ought to use 'Undignified' as a title for this blog entry, but recently, I had a conversation with an 'in' and 'popular' blogger who is the direct opposite of me as she enjoys the spotlight and the glamour the blogging world have to offer. She enjoys the attention that the world gives her and she also would do anything she can to earn more from paid posts from her blog.

Now, this blogger is an acquaintance of mine, and she asked me how much do I make from my blog per month, in which I answered, not much as I do not socialize with advertisers/ advertising agencies or purposely beg for an opportunity for blog campaigns and whatnot.I told her, the money that I earned from paid posts is not even enough for me to buy myself a tub of Haagan Daaz ice cream. Most of my paid posts comes from oversea companies like Paid Per Post that pays peanuts.

You see… I'm a bit of a recluse and I can be very selective in selecting advertisements for my blog. I have no interest in being attached to local advertising companies like Nuffnang or Advertlets. I found that they are very restrictive in many ways and if I were to write posts for them, I will be forced to follow their rules and regulation. (International advertisers from US and UK emphasizes on honest feedbacks and reviews…local advertising companies on the other hand, does not exactly encourage negative or constructive reviews…so there… enough reason for me to not be attached to them!)

This blogger was aghast cuz she told me that she could make up to thousands in a month just through blogging and it is such a waste that I did not fully utilize my blog for advertising purposes. She was offering me tips on how I can fully utilize my blog. I was not interested, even though right at the moment, some extra cash could in my pocket could be handy.

Why was I not interested? Because she told me I could only earn more if I 'localize' my blog and just concentrate on blogging on my niche. I am not interested in localizing my blog. Why should I do that? I have more international readers than local readers. If I were to localize my blog, it would be a complete rubbish as my international readers couldn't possibly understand the articles!

I don't mean to sound cocky, but it's a little bit beneath me to localize my blog by using improper English. I am who I am and you cannot change that. I will not, and will never change myself for the sake of others. I will only do that for myself whenever necessary. I want to be a better version of me. Not the other way around. I am a woman with principal, and I can't exactly be bought. I may write about sex tips and safe sex and whatnot, but that does not mean I am cheap. I don't accept advertisements that encourage drinking liquor or advertisements that's religiously offensive in nature.

I may responded to my readers' comments by using improper English or localized English, but that is only because I want them to feel welcomed in my blog  and be comfortable with me, not because I want to earn more money.

I do not wish to be restricted and I would like to go far. If I were to write, I would want to write something that is my own opinion. And I wouldn't be very comfortable in promoting or campaigning what I do not believe in or what I'm uncomfortable representing.

It is no secret that I do accept paid posts and earning from my blog… but if you're telling me to go backwards or imitating others just to earn money, then no thank you. I'm not interested. I am not that undignified. I am sure most bloggers who utilize their blogs to generate revenues have their own principals as well, and their principals too, ought to be respected.

Cleffairy: Why bother imitating others and be a pirated version of someone else while you can be original version of yourself? And why succumb to peer pressure when you can stand out just by being uniquely you?

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The Naked Truth

Title: The Naked Truth

Publisher: Carina Press

Pub Date: 13 June 2011

ISBN: 9781426891755

Author: Cain, Lilly

'The Naked Truth' by Lilly Cain is not only highly sensual and sexy, but it's highly captivating and emotional. The plot is rather complex, but it's not complex enough to put me off. The book was beautifully written and I could relate myself to the main character and I feel for her.

I understand how it feels like to be accused of something you did not do and how frustrating it gets when people believe in beautifully crafted lies as well as sugarcoated words instead of truth.

Very nice book to read. My only complain is that it is too short and I couldn't get enough. The pace is fast and definitely a keeper. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any ways for writing this review.

Book description:

Captain Susan Branscombe was the victim of brutal torture at the hands of terrorists. Though rescued, she's now facing an equally brutal accusation: treason.

The only way she can prove her innocence is to allow Asler Kiis, a Confederacy Examiner, to delve into the depths of her mind. Asler is Inarri, the alien race that made contact with Earth just months before. His duty is to find the truth, but when he explores Susan's mind he can't resist drawing her into a more intimate experience.

Susan takes comfort in Asler's heated sensuality. Their erotic sensory exploration chases away the darkness and her body aches for more. But as their desire reaches new limits Susan finds it difficult to suppress the memories she is desperate to forget.

Is the passion they share enough to let Susan push aside her fear and trust Asler, not only with her mind and body but with her ever-opening heart?

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Tangled Past

Title: Tangled Past

Publisher: Carina Press

Pub Date:13 June 2011

ISBN: 9781426891687

Author: Braemel, Leah

'Tangled Past' by Leah Braemel is a very odd erotica. Well, maybe it is not odd, considering it's an erotica. Maybe I'm not just familiar with a threesome or a few way sexual relationship.

Anyway… as I said, it's an erotica and you can expect all sort of explicit scenes in it. It's steamy and hot enough to burn. But one thing that I admired is that the main character of this story, is that Sarah is a very strong character in her own right. She did not feel sorry for the decisions that she made and instead of getting people to sympathize with her…unfortunate condition, she finds a proactive solution instead; something that I think alot of people should learn.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press via Netgalley.

Book description:

Forced to marry a man she just met, Sarah McLeod clings to the hope that she' ll finally find the love and acceptance she' s always craved. Her tenuous dreams of a happy life on the frontier are in danger of being dashed by the one thing she can' t change—her husband' s love for another man.

Jackson Kellar' s determined to do right by his bride, yet he' s torn between his newfound love for Sarah and his still-burning desire for Nate.

Ranch owner Nate Campbell loves them both. He hates to see Jackson' s loyalties so divided, and doesn' t want Sarah hurt either. How can they fix the tangled mess they find themselves in? Nate suggests a possible solution—a permanent threesome.

With the open frontier closing in around them, is Nate' s solution their path to happiness—or will others destroy what they' ve found together?

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Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure

Title: Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Imprint: Bonneville Books

Pub Date: 8 October 2011

ISBN: 9781599559117

Author: B.K. Bostick

When I was a little girl, I used to read wonderful stories where a group of young children get stranded on a mysterious island or where're they're kidnapped or they go for an adventure without adults supervision. It was a blissful form of escapism for me when I was a little girl. I wish I'm one of the book characters and I was the one who is on an amazing adventure instead.

Unfortunately for me, Young Adult or Children fiction these days has lost such charms and authors tends to write stories more on paranormal side… a darker side.

Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure is a very rare book… I mean, it's a gem. The story reminds me of books I used to read when I was a little girl. Very nostalgic and I enjoyed it very much. I'm very pleased that I finally found a book that's not tainted by the darker side of children storytelling.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Cedar Fort Publisher via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any ways for writing this review.

Book description:

When his grandfather dies, Huber Hill is devastated—until he opens Grandpa Nick's mysterious box. An old gold coin and directions to a hidden Spanish treasure send him and his friends off on an mind-blowing adventure, but he's not the only one on the hunt. Filled with dangerous animals and cryptic puzzles, this book will have you on the edge of your seat until the last page.

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Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten

Title: Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!

SubTitle: The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf

Publisher: Capstone

Imprint: Picture Window Books

Pub Date: 1 August 2011

ISBN: 9781404866737

Author: Trisha Speed Shaskan

'Honestly Red Riding Hood Was Rotten' written by Trisha Speed Shaskan was a highly entertaining and humorous picture book aimed for young readers.

It's a fairy tale with a twist, where the story was told from the Big Bad Wolf point of view.

In this story, the wolf was portrayed as a vegetarian wolf who haven't been eating as food is scarce while Red Riding Hood was portrayed as a little vain pot, just like her grandmother.

Very humorous kind of book, really, and a very refreshing approach to the classic fairy tale. It was beautifully illustrated as well with the wolf looking pitiful and the Red Riding Hood looking vain and annoying as ever.

I've loved stories like this; where the story is told from the bad people point of view. To me, there's always two side of the same story and you ought to not just listen to the 'good' people's version of the story. For what it's worth, the villains are just poor, misunderstood characters.

I enjoyed this book very much, and highly recommended as a bedtime stories for both boys and girls age 5 years up.

I received an ARC of this book from Capstone publisher via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any ways for writing this review.

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Attitude, attitude!

I don't mean to sound uptight all the time, but you know something? I really can't stand the behaviour… or rather misbehaviour of some people. I'm not exactly an angel or a saint and therefore, my patience and my generosity does have bounds.

You see… I'm an avid reader. You know… I read those printed rectangular thing… they're commonly known to the world as books. I read an average of 10 books per week and my books are my treasure. They are very dear to me.

I like lending my books to people, especially to bookworms who knows how to appreciate what's inside the book. I'm fine with lending books to people as long as they return it to me when they have finished reading or reviewing it.

But what I do not like is when people do not make an effort to return what is mine.Wait… 'do not like' is too mild of a description. Loathe and despise is a much more accurate description of how I usually feel when people made no effort to return what actually belongs to me.

Just yesterday, I have the urge to read one of my Enid Blyton book. It's a classic and no longer in print. In other words, it's a rare book. Very rare book. A collector's item.

I remember that a friend has borrowed it quite some time ago. I've double checked in my personal library, and I was right, it's not where it's supposed to be and so I contacted this friend of mine and ask her to return it to me at the earliest convenience. I expected that my friend is done with the said book, considering that it's been ages. But much to my chagrin, my friend made no effort to return it to me. I am not sure if she's lost it or the book is no longer in good condition, but she kept delaying and giving me all sort of excuse…busy and no time and stuff. It made me wonder if my friend is really busy or just giving me excuse.

I really want my book back since I can no longer buy it from the bookstores as it's no longer in print. I hope my friend would be compassionate enough to return the book to me, and if she had lost it, or the book is no longer in a good condition, I can still forgive her as long as she's honest with me and I can take it as my misfortune.

I am not exactly a monster. Honesty is the best policy. I can tolerate honesty. If you've lost it, then just say it. And if it's spoiled, you can be frank with me and we can arrange some sort of compensation. I can tolerate honesty. I'm not that childish or immature. What I cannot tolerate is people who do so many things to escape from being responsible and pretends as if nothing is going on.

I'm very disappointed. People may call me calculative, but it is my right to ask people to return what actually belongs to me. I may be able to forget it if it's still obtainable in the nearest bookstore, but it is no longer in print. What else am I supposed to do? Dig the author's grave and ask the author to write that particular book for me? Not quite practical or possible, since I'm not a necromancer.

Cleffairy: Isn't it easier to be honest and be responsible than to lie, cheat and not admitting that you're in the wrong? Some people simply have no conscience and courtesy. If adults behaves this way, then how do we expect our children to be responsible for their own action? Or the future generation would be filled will people who have no moral?

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Playing Dirty

Title: Playing Dirty

Publisher: Harlequin

Imprint: HQN Books

Pub Date: 26 July 2011

ISBN: 9780373775897

Author: Susan Andersen

Susan Anderson is a genius. She made me laugh with this masterpiece of hers. 'Playing Dirty' is a rather witty romantic comedy with believable characters who are not above playing dirty to get things that they want. If they want something, they'd get it, by hook or by crook.

Frankly speaking, I think some fictions are not very far removed from reality. As far as I'm concern, alot of people are not above playing dirty to get what they want too.

Unlike reality where more often than not things ended up with devastation, heartbreak or a tragedy when people started to play dirty to get what they want, 'Playing Dirty' by Susan Anderson ended up with a happily ever after, like most fiction do.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 for the sheer reflection on today's society and the nasty nature of some people's heart.

I received an ARC of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not compensated in any ways for writing this review.

Book description:

When old enemies are thrown together, all bets are off…

Way back in high school, golden boy Cade Gallari publicly revealed he'd slept with "fat girl" Ava Spencer to win a bet. Now a decade older and a head turner with her own concierge business, Ava isn't the gullible dreamer she once was— and she plans to prove it when Cade, hotter than ever, breezes back into town with an offer she can't refuse.

A documentary film producer, Cade is shooting a movie about the mysterious mansion Ava inherited. And he  wants her as his personal concierge. She's certainly professional enough to be at his beck and call without giving him everything he wants. Like another shot at having her in his bed. But Ava doesn't count on Cade's determination. Because he's never gotten over her— and he's not above playing dirty to score a second chance at a red-hot future…

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Tell Me More

Title: Tell Me More

Publisher: Harlequin

Imprint: Spice Books

Pub Date: 26 June 2011

ISBN: 9780373605583

Author: Janet Mullany

'Tell Me More' by Janet Mullany is a rather tasteful erotica. It is arousing, but not trashy in any ways like many adult fictions out there. It's all about dirty little secrets as well as secret fantasy with a blend of nasty desires that the world would not approve of.

If you're looking for some naughty read… or some dirty little secret that nobody would ever whisper into your ears for the fear of your disapproval, then this is the book that you ought to read.

Highly recommended for those who are bored or those who have nothing better to do with their boring sex life. This book will surely amuse you… if erotica tickles you fancy, that is.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not under any obligations to write a positive review for this book, and I received no compensation for doing this.

Book description:

Tell Me More…

Tell me every dirty detail….

Jo Hutchinson is obsessed with a man she's never seen—only heard. Her late-night calls from the office to the mysterious "Mr. D." grow increasingly intimate, until they finally become full-blown phone sex. Still, Jo doesn't dare meet him. Instead, she embarks on a series of sizzling sexual escapades with other guys, sharing every sweaty moment with Mr. D. afterward, a passion-by-proxy arrangement they both get off on. But even as she's charting brave new naughty worlds, Jo knows that it's all really for Mr. D. Every pleasure she experiences—eagerly, athletically, vocally—is to please him.

Immersed in fantasy, reality just slips away—even the chance at that elusive combination of love and lust. Her new tenant, Patrick, an Irish hunk in geek's clothing, is totally into her. And in her lucid moments, Jo knows she feels the same. Can she tear herself away from her kinky dreamworld long enough to appreciate what's right in front of her? Or has Mr. D. ruined her for real life?

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