Meet Cy’s new grandson
Current mood: fabulous

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Countdown to grandson - surprises

Well, I didn't get to go to RT convention, but it HAS been an interesting week.  Bonnie's blood pressure was up; so the doctor sent her home for bed rest.  Now any mother knows that is a joke.  The 2-year-old just doesn't get it and 6-year-old tries to understand but their world is still about their needs which are meant to be handled by mom. 

So, grandparents takes kids for afternoons and babysitter comes for bedtime routine - their mom's blood pressure comes down, but can't say much for grandma's.  Then Saturday - contractions every hour and finally on Sunday contractions every 5 minutes.  Most of the day expectant mom and pop are at the hospital; only to be sent home again as contractions have moved to 10 minutes.  The grandkids are disappointed a) because they won't be sleeping over at grandma's and b) they want to see their baby brother (Yes, the priorities are from their mouth)

Yes, I have the utmost sympathy for my daughter-in-law!  (but I'm glad it's not me!)  I don't know if I want to know what this week will bring - but I'm still "on call" to take the grandkids when expectant mom and pop go to the hospital.  I'll tell more later.

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Book Review: DAGGER-STAR by Elizabeth Vaughan

Rain fell as Red Gloves and her sword-sister, Bethral, came out of the bog to knock on the door of the only shelter in the area. Josaih begrudgingly offers them the barn with his goats. When he walks in while Red Gloves is washing, he sees her dagger-star birthmark. Red Gloves is a mercenary and follows the 'Way of the Twelve' rather than Lord of Light and Lady of Laughter; so rejects his statement that she is the Chosen of Palins that prophecy says will reunite the kingdom.

Josaih is more than a goat-herder and there is more to the prophecy than being born with a dagger-star birthmark. Although Red Gloves and Josaih have no paranormal talents, we meet Elves, priests and High priestess of Palins, Mages and wild magic.

Bethral, who got Red to take this quest for adventure, finds her own fate unfolding with events. Red Gloves is as aggressive and insolent as you would expect of a mercenary and grief-stricken Josaih begins to heal as the battle strategy unfolds. The fast-action story and the adventure is captivating. The wonderful world and variety of characters make this a book you will find hard to put down.

DAGGER-STAR is on the same world as the Warlands Trilogy, but involves different kingdoms and characters. Except for a storyteller offering to tell the Tale of Xy, there is no connection. Although after you enjoy reading this story you may wish to read her other titles.  The story has the same writing style of developing relationships, quests and subplots with lots of action.   If you had put the 'Warland' trilogy on your keeper shelf, you will want to put this one on your April must-buy list.

Reviewed by Cy Korte

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Countdown to birth - will grandson wait until May 3?
Current mood: content

Hi from Central Wisconsin where it is spring and it is SNOWING here as I type.

Sigh, the things we do for family -- I can’t go to RT convention in Pittsburgh because as of last weekend, I’ve been officially put "on call" to take the other children when my son & wife go to the hospital for birth of their son.  Any talk of me going further than an hour drive away is creates a drama. 

We are starting the countdown to birth of our grandson - the official due date is May 3, but we all know babies have their own agenda.  Bonnie, of course says "soon, please!"  The doctor now has her coming in for a check weekly although the baby hasn’t dropped yet.

Carol is to move into share Sarah’s bedroom once the baby is here.  Since they are doing some remodeling, this won’t be seen by her as caused by the new baby.  Sarah (6) and CJ (9) are looking forward to the event almost as expecting a holiday instead of a baby.  Carol (2) is at the "ME" stage; so we are concerned at her reaction to the new member of the family. 

Meanwhile, life goes on - my other son, Joe and his daughter, Emily have birthdays this month.  When did I get this old?... my baby will be 35 and his baby will be 6.  I’m in the "No idea" category of purchasing gifts for them. 

Probably because I’m going through RT withdrawl -- I’ve been going to conventions as my one personal treat each year and I’m missing it -- the prepartaions and fun of making plans and hoping for suitcases of books!  Oh well, I WILL be going to Orlando in 2009 for RT convention.

Anyone with suggestions on how to get through convention withdrawl?

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Book Review: THE DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES by Linnea Sinclair

Available November 27 ~ List: $6.99 BI Price: $5.60 [Order It!]

After reading this book you will forget your preconceived idea of ZOMBIES! For those who enjoyed the movies MEN IN BLACK and MIB II, you will enjoy this book's humor and storyline.

Bio-engineered creatures called ZOMBIES were originally designed for protection but have turned murderous and it is up to the Interplanetary Guardian Force to seek and destroy.

It's Christmas in Bahia Vista, Florida, USA and Homicide Detective Sergeant Theo Petrakos was not looking forward to the holidays with friends and family match-making efforts. He had one last call before his vacation begins but he wasn't sure weird was an accurate case description. A strangely mummified body went to the morgue and his responsibility is to take some sort of hi-tech computer equipment to the station. The last thing he expected while making a short stop by his home was the appearance of monster and a sassy pint-size lady warrior coming to his aide.

Since the Tresh Border War ended, Commander Jorie Mikkalah is part of the Guardian Force. She is dealing with shipboard politics which includes an ex-lover who has given her questionable evaluation and Captain Pietr who pits one officer against the other. Finding her way on a nil-tech planet whose strange language is similar to Vekran is not the easiest duty, but a friend assigned to Earth has not made contact and she feared he was dead. While attempting to recover the T-MOD and escape from ZOMBIE attack she transports Theo with her to her ship.

Although Jorie presents her suspicion that there is more than ZOMBIES on Earth, Captain Pietr is not convinced. After some tactful arguments, the Captain agrees to allow Theo to work with Jorie and her team to resolve Earth's ZOMBIE situation. They soon find the true extent of danger and must work with what and who is available despite regulations. Amidst distress and damage, these unlikely partners discover they are more alike than expected.

The fast-paced, unfolding of danger and melding of their efforts builds a believable adventure with a sly humor. The characters respect for duty and chain-of-command and frustration over its limitations as well as snippets showing differences and similarities in their relationships present a well-rounded troop. The humorous perceptions of Earth by Jorie and her rescue team added to the actions and reactions of Theo, his friends, family and neighbors build layers and details that readers will appreciate.

For further reader enjoyment, Ms Sinclair has links a video book blurb and the song DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES available for fans who visit her web site.

Reviewed by Cy Korte
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Currently reading : The Down Home Zombie Blues By Linnea Sinclair Release date: 27 November, 2007

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TREATS FOR DAWN [Fundraiser for author Dawn Thompson]

TREATS FOR DAWN
[from October 30 thru November 16]
http://ebookisle.net/4Dawn.htm

Author Dawn Thompson aka Dawn McTavish
Dawn recently had a bad fall and is in the hospital. She is on a fixed income and as a new writer has to wait for nearly a year to start receiving her royalties. She doesn't have family to help her and has a lot of needs not being covered by her insurance.  

How can you help?
 Buy this month's book order from BOOK ISLE using their SPECIAL ORDER FORM.   At no cost to you - BOOK ISLE will donate 5% of the sale to Dawn for medical and other needs.  

 YES, PRE-ORDERED November book releases qualify in this "fundraiser book order"
 YES, there is a "DONATE" button on the TREATS FOR DAWN page if you wan to send money direct to her.

Money will go to help her pay for medicine not covered, and other needs arising from her recovery.

SHARE THE NEWS and make your order count for more.

OTHER EVENTS:

 Visit Deborah Macgillivray Raffling off editors for a worthy cause!
 Visit Joy Nash is offering drawing for free Raffle ticket to Debrah's event.
 Visit Rowena Cherry on Internet Voice Radio Show 

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Bold adventures in everyday technology

I probably represent most of USA population over 50 - I learn what technology is needed to get what I want.  Rather than being 'techno savvy', if it doesn't touch my real world, it is only peripheral information.  [my son is family IT department head and he has had infinite patience with me so far]  So, I think you will enjoy hearing of my newest want and learning experience.

Recently a customer comes into the store with her MP3 player – in my unqualified POV, it's an upgrade of a Walkman.  BUT as a fellow book addict, Mrs. EG snared my attention by expounding on how easy it is downloading audio books from library and popular web sites that fill the 'need to read' with audio books.

Because of this, I went to buy an MP3 player – specifically the one Mrs. EG showed me as she also showed me how it worked [Yep, free trial is another type of 'word of mouth'].  The one Mrs. EG recommended was out-of-stock; so I got an RCA PEARL at only 2¢ higher price.  You guessed it, this MP3 Player didn't function quite the same as the one demonstrated; so I was forced to drastic action – yep, I read the manual! 

The first thing I learned is that I have fat fingers – or most likely, I  am uncoordinated with those darn little buttons.  The next is that I can roll the MP3 player in T-shirt sleave just as my dad used to with his pack of cigs.  Do you think this retro-style holder will catch on? 

The MP3 Player came with free intro offer from AUDIBLE and eMUSIC which each included a free audio book [music? OK, I may download songs for background while I'm reading, but I want books!]  So, I'll admit that maybe 2 free audio books made the frustration worthwhile.  Also, McMillan Public Library [Wisconsin Rapids] is part of South Central Library System who used OVERDRIVE site for download of audio books [DRM is accepted by this MP3 Player] … more free listening to audiobooks!  

So, I start with EMUSIC.com where I downloaded Lois McMasters Bujold's A CIVIL CAMPAIGN [for those who read the Vorkosigan Series, this is when Miles ineptly courts his bride].  Unlike AUDIBLE where the download is one or two files, this is more like ripping a CD with many short files [for those who must interrupt listening to books for real life obligations, short files ARE an advantage when returning to story!] 

Now we find the techie glitch – when I start MP3 Player it begins on file 181 instead of 001.  So, I have to figure how to sort through the menu, etc. and get started at the beginning of my MP3 audioBook.  Then I find what I consider the next glitch – the battery lasts for estimated 15 hours – BUT unlike a cell phone and some more expensive players which you plug in to recharge, RCA PEARL uses AAA batteries.   Now, I have no trouble with that as I have 'recharge' batteries even if not with the plug-in ease of phone or laptop.  Also, it's only ONE little battery… but if I'm listening to an AUDIBLE book, I start at the beginning [no fast forward to find my place] and it is 'hit or miss' returning to last listened to file in EMUSIC [but a MUCH better option – much like standard CD audio books]

So, for those who have enjoyed learning my adventure in MP3 and audio technology, yes, I'd recommend an MP3 player for audiobook listening.  BUT for the future I am looking into including MP3 ability as part of my phone upgrade.  Presently I have a Kyocera which is phone/PALM which I read books, so why not add listening to books?

I hope others will share their adventures in everyday technology.  Who knows, I might be inspired into another adventure.

Currently reading : A Civil Campaign By Lois McMaster Bujold Release date: 01 August, 2000

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Life’s Choices: by fate or schedule
Current mood: contemplative

Although a calendar may set New Years Day for new beginnings and resolutions, most of us have a personal calendar where personal inventory as well as professional goals is re-evaluated and we focus on where life & fate are leading.

September is the month I celebrate my birthday; my wedding anniversary and the launch of eBookIsle [even though the first web site for Book Isle was Dec 1997, we consider establishing eBOOKISLE web domain in September as our partnership anniversary rather than Book Isle's first web presence] So, September is a time of evaluation which shows blooms of change in my life by fate or schedule.

I've often credited (or blamed) my son's get-well gift of Internet access for enabling my addiction as a book addict. So it is easy to state most of my internet relationships began in 1997 as most are book related and have made an interesting 10 years!! Needless to say, as the internet has changed; so have my online relationships.

Now e-Books are popular and make reading easier.  No more $30 instead of $7 for large print books [or waiting for large print edition to be published], just change your reader to the font size that is most comfortable to read your downloaded book!  If you really go for the techno, just load an e-Book onto your cell phone to read!  If audio-books are your thing, you can download them, too – instant reading pleasure. Hurray for techno and its continued growth!

Life is change but not all is good... Online previously when new programs came out, there was exhilaration in learning something new where now it seems the need to protect from mischief-makers, worms & viruses removes the fun.  Originally those you met online you could trust to work with as friends; although now there is even Insurance Company selling protection from identity theft.

And on land, life goes continues... watching in joy as my family grows or in grief when a member leaves this world, brings the focus of the "Circle of Life" and I recognize I have made ripples (hopefully most for good) when I touched others lives. Circumstances often move one from "A list" to "D list" - even occasionally off the list - but they can not deny your accomplishments and contributions and true friends will not desert you. 

1997 to 2007 online - Ten years – looking at past and future - there is a mix of accomplishment and expectations with plans.  So, stay tuned to see what changes are to come.  Many are private but some you will see at eBOOKISLE -- and TIA [thanks in advance] for your encouragement and support.

Currently reading : Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned By Alan Alda Release date: 12 September, 2006

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After the holidays - a book sale

Now that the holiday is over, work is keeping me busy.

BOOKISLE is having a FRIDAY 13th NEWSLETTER SPECIAL - 5% additional discount on ALL JUNE, JULY & August booksordered

This includes these 'don't miss' titles:
Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq. Kirsten Holmstedt [Non-fiction]

NEFERTITI. Michelle Moran [HISTORICAL: Ancient Egypt] [RT Top Pick]

UNTIL THE DAY YOU DIE. Tina Wainscott[Thriller/Suspense]

CODE NAME: BIKINI. Christina Skye [Romantic Suspense] [RT Top Pick]

EMBRACED BY DARKNESS (Riley Jensen, Guardian 5) by Keri Arthur [Dark Paranormal]

.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._:*~*:._

With the HARRY POTTER movie starting this week and the final HARRY POTTER book coming out next week, I've been watching previous movies and listening again to the stories as I have the series on CD audiobook.  I refuse to play "let's guess" on the finale as such vanity would only lead to frustration.  I'd rather wait with gleeful anticipation.  And wait I will because our store did not meet the "minimum order" for guaranteed delivery on release date. 

Currently reading : Code Name: Bikini (Code Name) By Christina Skye Release date: 01 July, 2007

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Wisconsin Rapids tornado/severe storms

Thursday [6/07/2007] we had tornado/severe storms in Wisconsin Rapids. There was a tornado sited south of Wal-Mart [about 2 miles from our home] but no note of it touching down. Chuck's mother lives a mile from Wal-Mart and she had only rain and no damage.  Stevens Point [next area in storm's path] and BOOKISLE reported only severe rain and no damage.  Within a half-hour, it was like there was no storm - sun shining and 80* -- except for picking up the pieces.

Currently reading : Sworn Upon Fire By J, A Ferguson Release date: 21 March, 2007

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