David M. Brown's Blog, page 81

#FlashFiveFriday – Strength

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This month Mr B and I are taking part in #FlashFiveFriday run by The Indie Exchange.

#FlashFiveFriday is a weekly flash fiction / flash blogging prompt.

The rules are very simple if you’d like to take part:

1) Write for no longer than five minutes

2) No upper or lower word limits

3) You must write something new

4) You can prepare your post ahead of time but the 5 minute limit still applies

5) If you add your blog post to the weekly linky you must visit five other blogs that week too to show your support

This week’s #FlashFiveFriday post

 

#FlashFiveFriday – Strength

Dave

When I think of strength I imagine both physical and emotional strength. At school some us are athletes, well-toned and full of energy, others are scrawny and perceived as weak, our strength may lie in our minds. There are many memorable tales of physical prowess such as those competitions for the world’s strongest men where they pull aeroplanes across runways and lift tyres and weights. However, I think emotional strength is by far the most admirable quality we can possess.

The thing with physical strength is that it doesn’t last forever. Inevitably we grow older, our bodies deteriorate and we lose much of the sharpness we once had. It’s the natural course of life. Emotional strength is different though. I believe that no matter how old we get we can always be strong emotionally. It’s this part of us that helps us to overcome many of the trials of life be it the stressful world we inhabit or the unwanted pain of grief when we lose those we love.

As with physical strength, some of us are stronger emotionally than others but when I think of people that endure so many upheavals and still can find reason to smile at the end of the day I can’t help but admire from afar.

 

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Donna

Strength is a funny thing. The picture shows what we probably automatically consider when we think of strength: muscles, heft and weight, something very physical, very tangible. In fact, I find the invisible strength that people call on every day far more impressive.

Whether it’s someone keeping a family together during difficult times, helping someone through an illness, working through their own illness or troubles, people draw on their own remarkable strength every day and probably never realise just how strong they are. Those that keep going when everything seems against them have the real weight and heft behind them.

I have never been swayed by pictures of muscle men (or women!). Someone helping an old man across a road, cuddling a stray kitten or comforting a child? That’s the strength of character that reaches out to me.

 

Related articles (external)

#FlashFiveFriday: #14 – Friendship
#FlashFiveFriday on The Indie Exchange: Friendship
The Indie Exchange #FlashFiveFriday: Friendship
#FlashFiveFriday Friendship
Best Friends

#FlashFiveFriday – Strength | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Book Review: Designing Woman – Elaine Raco Chase

About Designing Woman (2004)
[image error] The romance for every woman who’s never had the nerve – a rousing passionate battle of the sexes takes place as each tries to outdo the other in a witty, erotic contest of wills!

Griffen St. Clair hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on the couple, but who could help not listening as the gorgeous woman was telling her companion that their affair was over. Griffen found he applauded her new-found values – until she turned her considerable attributes on him!

Brandy Abbott decided to teach St. Clair a lesson when he assumed to know so much about her and pronounced her the queen of seducers. Outraged, she chose to play it to the hilt, and found herself loving the part. What she didn’t count on was the fact he was soon to be her boss and her lover – And a man who needed to be taught a lesson about women.Soon she was thrown into emotional chaos and forced to choose between two of the sweetest things life offered – surrender and revenge!

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Review: Designing Woman

Designing Woman brings together astute businessman Griffen St Clair and feisty designer Brandy Abbott. Griffen is proud and stubborn, quick to leap to assumptions. Despite playing the daring temptress, Brandy is actually much less wild than her countenance and actions suggest but having baited Griffen she has to try and rise to the challenge – and is stunned by how much she enjoys this.

This is the second romance by Elaine Raco Chase that I’ve read (full review on Dare the Devil to come soon) and she can certainly create chemistry between characters. I love romance – I love a great balance of misunderstandings, drama, hot-headedness and chemistry and Raco Chase is certainly aware that those are vital elements.

The problem – for me – was that Designing Woman felt ever so slightly dated and there were some things that stopped me from feeling fully immersed in the story. As a romance reader, I want to imagine that I’d be swept off my feet too and Griffin just didn’t do it. He smoked, for one thing. It seems a small thing but as an ardent non-smoker, you may as well tell me he has a dead kipper pinned to his lapel for what it does to his sex appeal. And he’s a litter bug! I was just enjoying a touching scene between Brandy and Griffen and he threw his cigar towards the sea! It sounds stupid, perhaps, but these are the details that can easily jar a reader from happy contemplation to… ‘huh?’

Nonetheless, I did enjoy the read and this – combined with my experience of Dare the Devil – is enough to convince me that I will certainly read more of Elaine Raco Chase’s work in future.

Verdict: 3/5

(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)

Book Review: Designing Woman – Elaine Raco Chase | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Book Review: Twice Bitten – Joe Perrone Jr

About Twice Bitten (2012)
[image error] While in prison, Ron Trentweiler, a petty thief, is befriended by an itinerant preacher and gets “religion.” Upon his release, he founds a small, storefront Pentecostal-style church in his native, rural Alabama. Enter Winona Stepp, a visitor at one of his services who seems to know all about “Brother Ron,” as he has taken to calling himself, yet insists upon keeping her past to herself. Things go smoothly for the pair, that is until Winona suggests using venomous snakes in their “act” and all hell breaks loose. Eventually, they make their way north into Matt’s “backyard,” where things take a murderous twist. What secrets are hiding in Winona’s closet? Is Brother Ron exactly who he appears to be? Is he a religious convert or just a con man? These and other questions confront Chief of Police, Matt Davis, along with the usual cast of characters in the new Matt Davis Mystery, TWICE BITTEN, as he once more comes face to face with murder in the sleepy village of Roscoe, NY. 

Twice Bitten is the third in the Matt Davis Mystery Series.

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Review: Twice Bitten 

Many years ago, I remember watching an episode of UK crime drama Taggart where someone was planting venomous snakes in people’s houses and this book brought it all back. Approaching Twice Bitten, the third Matt Davis Mystery, I was under no illusions that snakes may have something to do with the storyline given the cover and the title too. Naturally, I was intrigued.

Twice Bitten has different narratives running through the story. One is a third person narrative of Ron Trentweiler who finds religion in prison and begins preaching on his release. He soon hooks up with Winona Stepp and together the couple begin making a profit from their church. Things change when they begin to incorporate snakes into the services and their actions lead to one or two of the locals dying. The other narrative is the first person perspective of Matt Davis, a Police Chief in Roscoe, who is investigating the death of a local, Billy Stillwater, found dead in his car. We also get a narrative of Billy’s movements in the run up to his death but how do these threads all link together?

Perrone does a good job of having these narratives running together without the reader losing track of what is going on. While Matt Davis investigates Billy’s death in the present, we are taken through Ron’s story over a period of time until it reaches the same point as Matt’s investigation. Billy’s actions are in the days leading up to his death and though you’ll have a fair idea who is responsible you’ll have to wait to find out the motives. Aside from the crime and investigation, Matt Davis has the additional problem of his wife Val who is diagnosed with breast cancer and their world is turned upside down. Matt is a dutiful husband and supports his wife throughout but will her treatment prove successful?

Ron and Winona are a lustful and conniving couple, a great team that know how to make money from the unsuspecting. Their church activities are embraced by the local community, even when they begin using venomous snakes in the services and so loved are they that they receive the odd payment from parishioners left in their will, substantial sums of money as well. Ron and Winona eventually find their way to Roscoe while Matt is busy investigating Billy’s death. Are Ron and Winona responsible? Will Matt solve the mystery? What is the significance of the snakes Ron uses in church?

Twice Bitten has a fascinating back story for both Ron and Winona which has shaped them as individuals in the present. Their characters seem somewhat more developed than Matt but I put this down to the book being the third entry in the series and my first experience of Matt Davis. My perception would certainly have been different if this was my third experience, I have no doubt. This is still a fast-paced and good read throughout with a few surprises and revelations along the way.

Twice Bitten is an effective mystery thriller with good characters and background histories to go with them. The side story of Val’s battle with cancer is a welcome addition to the overall narrative and demonstrates the loyalty and priority of Matt Davis who, although focused on doing his job well, never forgets what is most important to him. I’ll certainly be going back to read the other books in the series – As The Twig Is Bent and Opening Day and will look forward to future instalments too.

Verdict: 4/5

(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)

Book Review: Twice Bitten – Joe Perrone Jr | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Book Review: Hazardous Choices – Joseph Rinaldo

About Hazardous Choices (2011)
[image error] After surviving life in a violent Chicago street gang through his high school years, Darnell Jackson’s future appears promising. A football scholarship gives him the chance to escape the thug lifestyle. 

During his first year in college, Darnell safely resides in a small Kentucky town, playing Division Two college football and trying to make something of himself. Adjusting to the new surroundings proves tough, but a teammate and a girl give him hope that his future will be better than his past.

In the summer after his freshman year, he returns to the old neighborhood to be with his mother. The gang reasserts its hold on him, and the leader orders Darnell to kill a member of a rival gang. Nearly dying in a gang fight, Darnell shoots an enemy gangbanger. This forces Darnell to re-evaluate his future. As a result, he lies to the mercurial leader of his gang, claiming he completed his assignment. After “doing work” for his gang, Darnell receives permission to head back to school and the security of small-town life.

When the head gangbanger learns of Darnell’s lie, the small Kentucky town isn’t so safe anymore.

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Review: Hazardous Choices

Hazardous Choices tells the story of a former street gang member trying to make good in a new life in a small Kentucky town. With a place on the football team, new friends and a chance to start over, things are looking up for Darnell. However, in the Summer he returns to his former neighbourhood and becomes embroiled in gang ‘politics’ and hazardous choices transform Darnell’s life once again.

There are aspects of the book that make for a well written story. Despite some very poor choices, Darnell does come across as quite a sympathetic character, embroiled in a culture that originally seemed to offer security but which quickly becomes a burden. There’s an incredible weight of expectation on this young man and Rinaldo does manage to get the message across that the walls seem to be closing in on his bright new future and the panic that that creates in Darnell’s world.

There were other aspects of the books I found harder to connect with. There is quite a lot of jargon about football and even though this is a huge part of Darnell’s world I did think it was sometimes overplayed within the book. Additionally, sometimes I did feel that the book was slightly repetitive or circling. At 279 pages, some of it felt a little like ‘filler’ and it could have been stripped down.

Rinaldo shows promise with this title and does seem to have an aptitude for character development and a good storyline. While the book didn’t rock my reading world it was an interesting story.

Verdict: 3/5

(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)

Book Review: Hazardous Choices – Joseph Rinaldo | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Book Review: Cops, Crooks and Other Stories in 100 Words: 101 Tales – Mark Bacon

About Cops, Crooks and Other Stories (2012)
[image error] A woman makes a daring escape from a bank robbery–with help from a cop. A detective sergeant outwits his inspector and solves the murder at a snowed-in manor. Two con men meet unexpectedly when they’re both plying their trade at the same resort hotel. These are some of the seemingly complex stories begun and resolved in exactly 100 words.

Seven of the stories in this collection have been published in five different online magazines: Stymie Magazine, 101 Words, Flashshot, 100-Word Story and MicroHorror.

Other stories include a man who discovers–and loses–his long-lost love at a ball game. A hit man receives an unusual request and is unable to comply. And a woman confides in a friend that she suspects her husband of indiscretions. But does she have the facts right?

Each entry is a complete story, most with a protagonist, a challenge and resolution. Here are 101 mini mysteries, mini puzzles with unexpected, satisfying endings. 

Crime/mystery and law enforcement-oriented stories make up about half the collection. Also included are love stories, humor, dramas and “Twilight Zone”-style speculative fiction.

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Review: Cops, Crooks and Other Stories in 100 Words: 101 Tales

Short stories are challenging. I have written a few in my time but I prefer novels where I have a lot more freedom to tell my stories. This collection of short stories from Mark Bacon comes with an added complication. They have to be exactly 100 words only! You might think this isn’t possible and I had my doubts but not only does Bacon set out to prove it, he gives us more than 100 examples that it can be done!

The title gives you an idea that crime is one of the main themes in the book but there are other tales thrown in too, such as speculative fiction and even a historical setting at one point. The stories abide by the 100 word rule and are very much flash fiction, hurling you very briefly into a moment before dragging you back as quickly as you were immersed.

Given the brevity of the stories this is not a long read and you may even get through it in one sitting. The stories themselves are a mixed bag. There are a lot of themes covered here and some work better than others. Bacon does a good job of putting 100 stories together in so few words but the challenge may seem too much for some readers. I don’t mind a brief story but I prefer to get to know the characters and be fully immersed in the story. You never really get that in this book which is a shame.

That said, there are some good stories here. One of my favourites was the opening one involving two men breaking into the same house. Another was a husband visiting a hit man and requesting his wife be murdered only for the hitman to say he is unable to do so! There are some surprises such as a conversation which seems to be between a vet and a pet owner but takes an unusual turn. You have to applaud Bacon for the multitude of ideas but also for sticking to the 100 word rule.

Cops, Crooks and Other Stories in 100 Words is a good collection and ideal for busy readers who want to dip into a book for a really quick read. The brevity of the stories will not appeal to all readers and while I prefer longer stories I still felt that these were well done.

Verdict: 4/5

(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)

Book Review: Cops, Crooks and Other Stories in 100 Words: 101 Tales – Mark Bacon | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Infographic: The Past Of Madame Tussauds

These days Madame Tussauds is a global phenomenon. An exhibition and experience that everyone around the world has heard of, and many have visited. Movie stars and celebrities are the main focus, but there’s also a different type of exhibition at the heart of the London Madame Tussauds.

The Chamber of Horrors displays figures of famous villains and criminals, and you should beware as some of these figures may be real. Live shows are a big part of this scare fest, and many people wonder why it is included in an exhibition that also displays the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

The reason for this lies in the fascinating history of Madame Tussauds. VisitBritain have put this history together into one interesting infographic. Take a look, and discover the past of Madame Tussauds.

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Infographic: The Past Of Madame Tussauds | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Guest Post: Charlie and Pet Portraits – Joy Malin

We’re delighted to welcome Joy Malin to the blog today. Joy joins us to share the story of her dog, Charlie, and how she began her passion for pet portraits. 

Charlie and Pet Portraits – Joy Malin

I have been a working artist for almost forty years now. There are two things I have constantly loved, art and animals. [image error]

I have always had amazing dogs in my life. I moved back to New York City with my two year old Yorkshire Terrier, Charlie, eleven years ago. It was just after 9/11 and all my children were grown and also living in the city. They always say to follow your  instincts, and I did.

The art business at that time and really ever sense, has been difficult. But, I really knew nothing else, so I continued to paint and the universe seemed to help. Every moment I had Charlie at my side. He is so sweet and takes such good care of me. I remember thinking that there would be no way I can ever thank him for being so wonderful.

It was my daughters birthday and I had no Idea what I could give her. Maybe she would like a painting of her dog ? I never painted a dog before, but I found it really fun and easy! Heather loved her birthday gift! So did everyone that saw it! I started to get commissions for dog paintings!

I love painting peoples pets. I have many times had someone come by to pick up their painting, and just burst into tears when they saw the painting for the first time. I hope it’s because I’m good, but I also know that the tears are because they love their pet so much. This makes ME want to cry!

My “Pet Portraits” have come a long way sense that first birthday painting. ”The New York Times” wrote a lovely article about me and I have been covered by several other great papers.

[image error]A year ago last August, my little Charlie was diagnosed with diabetes. He was very sick for a while. But, thank God I live in New York and the very top diabetes specialist has an office right down the street. I am more then happy to say that Charlie is doing great! I now have the opportunity to pay Charlie back for all the love he has shown me over our years together. I tell him every day, “thank you”, thank you for unconditional love. WOW!

I know that not every dog is as lucky as Charlie. I can not change the world, but I am trying to do what I can. Ten percent of every “Pet Portrait” I do goes to the rescue organization of the purchasers chose. I also donate a painting to pet charities that have fund raisers.

I have met the most wonderful people this way, and all the money goes straight to the rescue organization.

About Joy Malin
[image error] Joy Malin is an artist and art instructor based in New York City’s East Village. A working artist for more than 40 years, Ms. Malin creates art objects using a variety of media, including oil on canvas, watercolor, drawing and collage. Her style incorporates both classical techniques and experimental approaches to artistic expression and construction. As an art instructor, Ms. Malin provides a foundation of mechanical skill while mentoring and encouraging students to discover their own unique artistic presence. Ms. Malin has also worked as a fine art broker and consultant for private clients and corporate collections throughout New York and New Jersey.

Website

Guest Post: Charlie and Pet Portraits – Joy Malin | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Game News: LEGO The Lord of the Rings – Trailer and Screenshots

Warner Bros have unveiled a new launch trailer for LEGO The Lord of the Rings, due for release on November 23rd.

Trailer: LEGO The Lord of the Rings

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About LEGO The Lord of the Rings(2012)

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Based on The Lord of the Rings motion picture trilogy, LEGO The Lord of the Rings follows the original storylines of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, taking players through the epic story events reimagined with the humor and endless variety of LEGO play. Trusted with the dangerous task to destroy an ancient magical ring that threatens all that is good, Frodo is forced to leave his peaceful home. But the ring wants to be found and the road to Mount Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed, will be perilous and riddled with Orcs and fouler things. To help Frodo, a Fellowship is formed —Aragorn the Ranger, Gandalf the Wizard, Legolas the Elf, Gimli the Dwarf, Boromir a Man of Gondor, and Frodo’s Hobbit friends Sam, Merry and Pippin. Players relive the legend through the LEGO minifigures, as they explore wonders, solve timeless riddles, and overcome endless foes in their quest to destroy the Ring. 

Format: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS/3DS

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Related articles (external)

A Lego Masterpiece Of Rivendell
New Lego: Lord of the Rings trailer gets funny
LEGO Lord of the Rings screens show off the plastic Fellowship
LEGO Lord of the Rings preview: Mega movie trilogy + gigantic game franchise = epic adventure
LEGO Lord of the Rings: from big screen to plastic bricks

Game News: LEGO The Lord of the Rings – Trailer and Screenshots | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Mad Dash for Christmas Cash $1000 Giveaway

Ready to start your Christmas shopping? The Tweedlers have been a little lax this year so we’re playing catch up now. If you’re in a similar situation, this could well be the giveaway for you!

Mad Dash For Christmas Cash Giveaway Event

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Please take a moment and visit our sponsor: RewardIt

In just three months RewardIt has made over 100 people winners and is looking forward to launching very soon so that they can make even more people winners. RewardIt will also allow users to earn virtual currency called Reward$ just by searching the web, playing games, watching videos, redeeming coupons and much more!

One lucky reader will receive a $1,000 Visa Gift Card {or paypal cash}!

Giveaway starts November 12th at 8pm est and ends November 19th at 11:59pm, open worldwide, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Special thank you to our lovely co-hosts: Mom to Bed by 8, Powered By Mom, Real Mom Reviews and Baby Costcutters.

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I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from your own. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

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Mad Dash for Christmas Cash $1000 Giveaway | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave

Book Review: Infinite Sacrifice – L.E. Waters

About Infinite Sacrifice (2011)
[image error] Maya’s shocked to discover it’s not the heaven she imagined;in fact, a life of adventure begins the moment you die.

Zachariah, her faithful spirit guide, explains the rules of the dead: in order to regain complete awareness and reunite with loved ones all souls must review their previous lives.

Maya plunges warily into her turbulent pasts as a sociopathic High Priest in ancient Egypt; an independent mother protecting a dangerous secret in glorious Sparta; an Irish boy kidnapped and enslaved by Vikings; and a doctor’s wife forced to make an ethical stand in plague-ridden England.

All the while, Maya yearns to be with those she cares about most and worries that she hasn’t learned all of heaven’s most vital lessons. Will she be forced to leave the tranquility of heaven to survive yet another painful and tumultuous life? Or worse, accept the bitter reality of having to go back alone?

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Review: Infinite Sacrifice

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading L.E. Waters’ Infinite Sacrifice, the first in the Infinite series. The synopsis seemed intriguing enough with the promise of a trip through some of my favourite parts of history but how vivid would these moments be?

The novel begins with the spirit Maya who believes she has reached heaven only for a spirit guide to inform her the journey is far from over. In order to continue her journey, Maya must relive previous existences she has lived throughout history and find the valuable lessons she has learned from each manifestation. The novel then proceeds to tell four distinct stories taking us to Ancient Egypt, Sparta, Ireland and Denmark at the time of the Vikings, as well as plague-ridden Europe in the 14th century.

After an intriguing opening the novel quickly gets going with the first setting in Ancient Egypt. The idea is that Maya has been a different person in each period of history and that the souls of her contemporaries with distinct features and characteristics also reappear in different times as different characters. At the end of each part there is a table listing the principal characters in each age and their equivalents in the next period of history. Maya is a High Priest in Ancient Egypt that is devoted to religion but not shy when it comes to corruption; she is a devoted mother in militaristic Sparta with a secret to hide; she is then an Irish boy accidentally abducted by Vikings during a raid; in the final life she is a Doctor’s wife who abandons her husband to care for two children in plague-infested London.

Due to the different historical settings and characters the novel does feel like a selection of short stories rather than a continuous narrative. I didn’t feel this hindered the book but other readers may disagree. Having met Maya in the prologue who is our main character, we don’t encounter her again until the epilogue and learn little about her. Although we live through her various incarnations they are very different characters. The settings themselves are fantastic and give you a real feel of the period of history. These are some of favourite areas of history and although I would normally favour the Vikings, I felt the story set in Sparta was the strongest one on offer here. It had me gripped the most of the four.

Infinite Sacrifice was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out or work but I felt that L.E. Waters handled the narrative well and there is clearly a lot of research been done to get the historical periods right. The lack of knowledge about Maya is both a downside and a plus point. On the downside the prologue and epilogue feel weak compared to the rest of the book but at the same time they give just enough information away to make me intrigued and eager to read the next instalment.

Infinite Sacrifice is a terrific journey through four lives and memorable visits to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and two periods of Medieval Europe. I’m a great lover of history and will be more than happy to try the next instalment in this series Infinite Devotion which promises visits to Renaissance Italy and even sailing with the Spanish Armada. I can’t wait!

Verdict: 4/5

(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)

Book Review: Infinite Sacrifice – L.E. Waters | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave