The Queen continued, “Though we have overlooked your many dalliances in the past, we are not prepared to continue doing so.” Only because she, like the Queen, was so immune to his wiles. Though he’d spent the better part of the last year traveling and hadn’t seen Lady Sophie since she’d fallen out of a tree in his gardens, he’d often found himself thinking of her. Well, all except for Lady Sophie Wolcott, who seemed to share the Queen’s particular distaste for his reputation. And one he couldn’t charm away, as he could with other ladies. Unfortunately, the irate look in her eyes was one Devlin was becoming all too familiar with. Though slight in stature, Queen Victoria sat across from Devlin in an ornately carved high-back chair, her back ramrod straight, wearing an expression that told all who looked upon her that she was not to be trifled with. If we did not know of your shrewd business acumen, we would think you nothing but a halfwit who was led around by his nether regions!” “The obvious lack of respect you hold for your title is easily witnessed by all. Indeed, the lady seated in front of him was the only person he was actually obliged to listen to, and regrettably, she was elaborating on her seemingly favorite topic: his bachelor status and her subsequent displeasure in it. Devlin Markham, the eighth Duke of Huntington, slowly reclined back in the gold brocade chair and resigned himself to being lectured.
0 Comments
When I first found out about the new series I was over the moon with anticipation. I love how she draws you in to her worlds. It’s no secret I am a huge fan/supporter of Dannika Dark’s work. I used my credit for this story, and kinda wished I had waited to see if it would have been offered as a whispersync deal or on sale. I loved all the different accents she gave the characters. As usual, Nicole Poole does an excellent job narrating. For Dannika Dark fans, this is probably a must listen, but I'm on the fence if I will be continuing the series. I really liked her other series Seven Years, and absolutely loved Risk. I was hoping for more romance, chemistry and attraction between the character, but instead there was a lot of dialogue and drama. The romance between Raven and Christian Poe was lacking, and I really didn't feel like it was going anywhere. The story is dialogue driven, slow to develop, and it felt more like a YA story. Dannika Dark has a created a unique world of mages, vampires and interesting characters however, I was a little disappointed with this spin off. I didn't feel it was a solid follow up to the original series. Non-fiction: Wahine Toa, Ned & Katina - a True Love Story. Through an analysis of the 1986 novel Potiki by Mori writer Patricia Grace, Rask Knudsen looks in other directions than those catalogued by postcolonial. Every page pays homage to the wayi which they live as a community and rituals that centre their ancestors and themselves. Books for children: The Kuia and the Spider/Te Kuia me te Pungawerewere, Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street/Te Tuna Watakirihi me Nga Tamariki o te Tiriti o Toa, The Trolley, Areta and the Kahawai, Maraea and the Albatrosses. Potiki drips with Mori sentiment and cultural practices. Short story collections: Waiariki, The Dream Sleepers and Other Stories, Electric City and Other Stories, Selected Stories, Collected Stories, The Sky People, Small Holes in the Silence. Previous novels by Patricia Grace: Mutuwhenua - The Moon Sleeps, Potiki, Cousins, Baby No-eyes, Dogside Story, Tu. Patricia was born in Wellington and lives in Plimmerton on ancestral land, in close proximity to her home marae at Hongoeka Bay. Her children's story The Kuia and the Spider won Children's Picture Book of the Year. We are the largest supplier of books and eBooks to Public Libraries and Schools in Australasia. She won the New Zealand Fiction Award for Potiki in 1987, and was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2001 with Dogside Story, which also won the Kiriyama Pacific Rim Fiction Prize. Wheelers provides an entire world of books in a few clicks. She has published six novels and seven short story collections, as well as a number of books for children and non-fiction. Patricia Grace is one of New Zealand's most celebrated writers. When asked what he would want for Christmas, the boy doesn’t choose anything from Santa’s bag. It seems like it is a lucky day for our hero since he is selected. How excited the youngsters are with all of them hoping that they would be picked. In a ceremony held in town-square and in the elves’ attendance, Santa would gift the first gift that Christmas to one lucky youngster. The children are treated to goodies on their journey to the north pole where they are to meet Santa. Excited about the magical train, the boy climbs in and finds other youngsters having the time of their lives. It stars a young boy who wakes up on Christmas Eve only to discover a train right outside his house. The Polar Express is a children’s book that is sure to bring the Christmas spirit to young ones and adults alike. Currently, Allsburg lives in Rhode Island with his wife and children. His best works include The Polar Express, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, and Jumanji. He also worked in the Rhode Island School of Design as an instructor before delving full time into writing. The talented author has two Caldecott Medals to his name as well as a host of other notable awards. While Allsburg seemed to shine in math and science while in school, it is amazing what he has done with the arts so far. Chris Van Allsburg is a children’s books author born on a farm in Michigan in 1949. |