Of Blood and Bone (Chronicles of The One, #2)

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brilliant, it picks up with Fallon on the Eve of her 13th birthday. As promised she goes to train with Mallick and makes new friends. She also gains the owl Taibhse, the wolf Faol Ban and the alicorn Laoch as companions.

Together with her family Lana (Mother), Simon Swift (Father) and brothers Colin, Travis and Ethan they go to New Hope where she teams up with Duncan and Tonia (Katie's twins) together they destroy nuclear weapons. But to late they discover that Petra, one of the cult members Duncan and Tonia rescued isn't what she seemed. The twisted and crazed child of Eric and Allegra she attacks New Hope with her parents when they least expect it leaving Duncan's best friend Denzel dead.

By combining forces Duncan, Tonia and Fallon are able to seriously wound Eric and Simon delivers the killing blow. But Petra and Allegra escape.

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Pages I Colored

Dining Room Flowers

 This basket was a Housewarming Gift when we moved here over 25+ years ago. The flowers were looking a bit worn though so I went to Michaels and got some new in the color scheme I am using. The garnet red, dusty lilac, icy green, white and indigo echo the color palette I choose to use for the Kitchen and Dining Room.

 This vase is new and the left over flowers when in it. I thought of leaving it on the dining room table but it wasn't very practical as we use the table frequently and it was in the way.

 I had to arrange the flowers in the basket several times before getting it right.

On the other hand the flowers in the vase came together perfectly first try. And the vase looks great in this corner. The table it's on is going to be painted the Tempered Gray from my color scheme.

Kitchen Light and Dining Room

 Bo had this light custom built for the kitchen it matches the cabinets perfectly.

I love the combination Emerald Ice (top) Urban Sunrise (trim) and Flood Tide (Bottom) in the Dining room. 

And finally in July it was ready to have the furniture put back in. I love how well everything looks together. 

 I just love the way the light looks in here.

~Alasandra

War of the Wolf (The Saxon Stories, #11)

War of the Wolf by Bernard Cornwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would have probably given it 5 stars but I am annoyed that he killed off Stiorra and that her death didn't get more attention. She deserved a more dramatic death then the few paragraphs he gave it.

Uhtred was summoned to AEthelstan's aid under false pretenses. AEthelstan didn't send for him and didn't need aid. To late he discovers it was a plot by Skoll to ensure he wasn't at Jorvik (aka Eoferwic) when Skoll attacked. Uhtred learns that his daughter (Stiorra) lead the defenders of Eoferwic (as Sigtryggr was away at King Edward's behest) and that she was killed by Skoll and his son.

King Edward summoned King Sigtryggr to a Witan and AEthelstan suggested that Uhtred be there. Uhtred assumes that AEthelstan is going to ask him to swear allegiance to him again, but instead he proposes a different bargain. AEthelstan ask that Uhtred kill AEthelhelm (AElfweard's Uncle) upon King Edward's death in exchange he promises not to attack Northumbria as long as Uhtred lives. Uhtred agrees to this bargain, which gives AEthelstan a better shot at becoming King upon his Father's death. King Edward marries Sigtryggr off to Eadgyth (King Edward's daughter and AEthelstan's twin sister).

Sigtryggr and Uhtred discover where Skoll lives and take their armies to avenge Stiorra. To late they realize that attacking Skoll's fortress was a mistake. Badly injured Sigtryggr and Uhtred try to find a way for some of their men to escape when Skoll's wolf warriors attack, Sigtryggr and Uhtred's disciplined armies are able to defeat the undisciplined wolf warriors and thanks to a stroke of luck Uhtred is able to snatch victory from certain defeat.

Uhtred's man Berg had taken his family's flag into battle as his family was known for their fierce warriors, it was his hope the flag would frighten the wolf warriors who knew his family's reputation. When he was separated from Uhtred during the first attack Uhtred feared he was dead or taken prisoner, but the truth was even stranger. Berg's elder brothers found him and he convinced them to switch sides. So after Uhtred and Sigtryggr defeated the wolf warriors the Snaelanders kept the North gate closed so Uhtred and Sigtryggr were able to finish off the wolf warriors and then opened the gate for Uhtred, Sigtryggr and their men and turned on Skoll. Uhtred fought Skoll in single combat and defeated him, he took Skoll's sword from him and allowed Sigtryggr to kill him.

Now Uhtred waits at Bebbanburg for King Edward to die...

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The Backsplash Finished & K-Cups

 I love the backsplash it accents the granite counter top nicely. And I am very pleased with the metal border it ties in with the stainless steel appliance nicely.

 I love the rugs I found they complement the colors in the Kitchen and Laundry Room wonderfully.

And I love this drawer for my K cups.

Vendetta (Catherine Ling, #5)

Vendetta by Iris Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Questions for Book Club

1.) Were you surprised at the lengths Rachel was willing to go to, in order to stop Max Huber?
2) Who was your favorite character in the book and why?
3.) Did the identity of Nemesis surprise you? Do you think they can be trusted?
4.) Is Cameron's "gift" believable? Did it add to your enjoyment of the book or detract from it?
5.) Rachel's relationship with her Father is complicated, by the end of the book do you think she understood the choices he made better?
6.) Why do you think Hu Chang is so important to Catherine and Rachel?
7.) Do you think Claire was telling the truth about Venable being alive?
8.) Did you enjoy the book? Do you feel like you were able to read it and enjoy it without having read the other 4 books in the series?
9.)Who was your favorite couple in the book Brandon and Rachel or Catherine and Cameron? Why?

When Venable is killed his daughter, Rachel becomes the target of Max Huber. Thankfully Venable sent Brandon to save Rachel with his dying breath. Unfortunately Brandon arrived to late to save most of the members of the medical team but he did manage to save Rachel.

An alliance is formed to bring Max Huber and Red Star down once and for all. Rachel will go to extreme lengths to rescue Maria and make sure Max and his plans are finished.

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