Review: Fire by Kristin Cashore.

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her. Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next.

This edition includes an article by and an interview with Kristin Cashore, as well as a sneak peek at her next book, Bitterblue!

A young half human, half monster child named, “FIRE”. She was beautiful with hair of red, orange and pink highlights. Her beauty defied all other humans and monsters of her type. Her mother was human and her father a monster. In the Dells is where she was born of parents who loved her. Her father (Cansrel) was a cruel monster, who enjoyed doing evil and cruel things to humans. He had the gift of controlling people’s minds and making them do and see things his way. He was an evil creature, but the monsters had a power over all humans; they were beautiful and the humans couldn’t control themselves and instantly fell in love with monsters if they did not get control over their own minds.

Cansrel taught his daughter Fire how to use her powers to over take others and to do evil things, but Fire was not like him. She was kind and didn’t like the thought of harming others. She was a loving monster and used her powers for good and not deceit.

This book was an interesting read, but I must say that I enjoyed Kristin Cashore’s book “Graceling” more than this read. It was hard to follow in the beginning, the monsters and the different colors of the monster bugs and the powers that the monsters had were a bit beyond my imagination. I really did have to do some thinking and self creativity while reading this book. I enjoyed the love portion of the book, but it was kind of obvious who was going to fall in love with whom.

I did enjoy the part of the book where her best friend, Archer, was her first love and he loved her to no end, but still yet visited other women’s beds because he knew that Fire would not love him the way he loved her. She accepted him and in the end only loved him as a dear and true friend. Everyone hated her father, Cansrel, for they knew he was always up to no good. Fire loved her father, for he was very kind and loving towards her.
One of the big events in the book was when we find out that Fire, despite her love for her father, ended up controlling his mind and had him killed by his own ferocious monster pet. She made it look like he committed suicide; but in fact, she set up the whole incident.

She loved her father, but she knew she had to kill him in order for Brigan to live, for her father was trying to overthrow the kingdom and kill Brigan and his Brother Nash –the reigning king. She knew if her father lived, he would bring misery and pain to everyone in the land. A terrible thing for Fire to do, but she did it for the good of the people. I admire her for doing such a thing. She lived with that pain and memory all her life, but in the end she knew it was for the best.

I personally wouldn’t read the book again, but I’m glad I did read it because there was a Graceling in the story who was able to control people with his voice and what he said to them. I’m pretty sure there will be another book to elaborate on Immiker- the graceling.

Really quick, he tried to join forces with Fire, and his desire was to overthrow the King and take over doing evil and gaining power for himself. Fire was not impressed and sought to kill him, but he got away, and thus I can tell that he will come back in one of Cashore’s books.

Review: Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson.

What happens in Vegas . . . doesn't always stay there.

Autumn Haven's Las Vegas "to-do" list said to catch a show and play the slots—not wake up married to a sexy jerk like Sam LeClaire. The first moment she saw him eyeing her like a luscious piece of the dessert buffet, her usually responsible self told her to run. And she did—right into the wildest fantasy weekend of her life. But Monday morning jolted her back to reality, and before she could say "pass the coffee," Sam was gone.

Now a successful wedding planner, Autumn hasn't clapped eyes on the heartbreaking hockey superstar for over two years . . . until she organizes his teammate's "Special Day," where Sam makes a big play to pick up where he left off! But she has vowed any man of hers plays for keeps. Is Sam the man for her or does she banish him to the sin bin forever?

Another hit from Rachel Gibson. Autumn Haven, red head, green eyed and young and out for fun finds herself a week in Vegas having the time of her life. She stumbles upon hot and gorgeous Sam LeClaire. He instantly finds her attractive at the night club and Autumn can’t believe he’s actually looking at her.

Her time in Vegas was all that she hadn’t imagined or had on her TO-DO LIST. Everything was off her list once she met Sam, a hot hockey player out in Vegas for a wild ride with his buddies. They both had the time of their lives which ended in marriage at the Traditional Wedding Chapel. It was the happiest day of Autumn’s life, but ended quickly when she realized Le Claire was gone the next morning and she was left alone!

I enjoyed this book because to me, it was realistic. Autumn was your ordinary girl who went to Vegas by herself to get away and take a vacation. What she didn’t know was that she was going to fall head over heels for Sam LeClaire. Their love struggle was very real to me. She hated Sam for all the right reasons and then at the same time she couldn’t control herself when he was near her. I can sympathize with women who were dumped by hot hunks, athletes that just left them out high and dry. The heart is a terrible thing to mess around with. If we’re not careful, the heart can take over and cause so much mischief, heart ache and an emptiness that sometimes cannot be filled.

This book helped me understand that there are second chances and getting over the past is crucial to move on to the present and the future. Autumn Haven knew her heart and tried desperately to guard it with every force in her body, but when it came to Sam LeClaire she was like putty in his hands. But, she held her own for years and was a great independent woman on her own, and that’s why I enjoyed this book so much. I know love wins all in the end, but knowing that Autumn did her part and in the end subjected herself to love again and released that “Havens don’t forgive and forget easily theory.” I’m glad she did because it made the story a happily ever after.

Thanks for a great read and I look forward to reading other books by Rachel Gibson!

"Karl Strauss Brewery"

Karl Strauss Brewery in Irvine, CA was a pleasant place where Mike and I found to have dinner last night

(Friday, 7-1-11). Their main attraction is their 10 different types of beers brewed at their restaurant. The lighting was dim, the booth was clean and our waitress was absolutely warm and down to earth. She was very knowledgeable about the foods they served and the different types of beer they served.

We started off with Hummus and Flat Bread for appetizers and that was an absolute delight! The flatbread was freshly baked and the hummus tasted fresh with red onion, crushed olives and tomatos on the side of the dish. Mike and I couldn't stop eating the flat bread one after the other and our waitress told us its baked fresh and the wood they use really adds a great taste to the bread- nice!

I ordered the Chicken Mango salad with a citrus vinegerette and Mike ordered their famous Fish and Chips with Cole Slaw. My salad was plentiful and the vinegerette was just right, not too tangy and not too strong. Mikes had 4 pieces of nice sized fish and his cole slaw was very tastey. We enjoyed our meals and did not feel over stuffed but just content and satisfied with our meal. Our waitress brought us 2 shots of beer for our pallots and being that I'm not a drinker Mike had 2 shots. He said the shots were sweet and bitter and enhanced his meal. We didn't order dessert but the shots of beer were good enough for Mike.

I give Karl Strauss and A for good food and good service with a SMILE! We will definitely be visiting their restaurant again when we find ourselves in Irvine or maybe just to entertain friends. Definitely recommend Karl Strauss!

Hasta la Pasta!!

"BNICE AND MIKE'S RESTAURANT VISITS"

My cousin Mike and I have gone to many restaurants around the South Bay Area just trying out new spots that we haven't tried out before. I think we started last year (2010) and have since continued the journey. I believe Mike has been trying out new restaurants long before last year and thus we have created our nights of adventrues to trying out new restaurants and new sites in the surrounding area.

I have the picture of Georges Greek Cafe (Long Beach) posted up because it is my favorite Greek place for some great halumi. (Pita bread, fried cheese and a slice tomato with oils.) What a treat! I was introduced to this appetizer from Mike, of course.

With each new restaurant we try, I'll be posting up what we think about the restaurant and let you peeps know what the great deal or great meal of the day is. So right now, I'm going to just quickly dot down some of the restaurants, cafes or hole in the wall spots that we've ventured to, none in any order of course.

Restaurant from 2010 to the Present are:

The Salt Creek - El Segundo (Salmon is great!)

The Melt - El Segundo (Crepes with chocolate:0)

Canter's Restaurant - Los Angeles (Coffee Cake yum!) - 24 hrs

The Shorehouse - Belmont Shores (Nachos- delicioso!) - 24 hrs

La Strada - Belmont Shores (Fettucine Alfredo)

La Creperia - Belmont Shores (Crepes with Cream)

The Tofu House - Los Angeles (Kim Chee and Rice good stuff- tofu ok) - 24 hrs

Georges Greek Cafe - Long Beach (HALUMI- LOVE IT

Rockbottom Brewery - Long Beach (Shrimp Tacos- yum)

Alberto's - Long Beach (The best Nachos Ever!)

Picarelli - Long Beach (The Best pasta and fried eggplant!)

NY Upper Crust Pizza - Belmont Shores (Pizza and Tiramasu)

CHA FOR TEA - Long Beach (The Ultimate Tea Joint and chinese food)

Yogurtland - Long Beach, Manhattan Beach (Great Yogurt and cheap too)

Cheesecake Factoy - Pasadena (Great location, great food)

OK, so these are just a few hot spots that I can remember that we've tried. I'll eventually add to the list when I remember the other places we've tried. I enjoy trying out new restaurants and Mike doesn't mind driving, so we're a perfect duo to go and sample and the rich, good food the area has to offer. I guess when we run out of places to try, we will need to expand our ventures and start going to different countriels to try out new places; that would be GREAT!

I didn't get a chance to elaborate on each restaurant we visited, but I'll be more faithful in writing down the places we try out and writing up what good deals, good entrees and so forth to try out. Until then Bon Apetit!