tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44613200517660767262018-02-18T04:58:25.420-08:00Christy Reed BooksReading, writing, and life in between...<br> <br> My book <i>Thorn Changer</i> is out now! Get your copy at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499800232&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Amazon</a> today!Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-73298063618257750322017-11-30T17:36:00.002-08:002017-11-30T17:36:54.323-08:002017 Book Challenge, September Update!Today I'm finally going to share the books I read in September. It was a busy month for me, helping prepare for a wedding, packing for moving, and editing another book (not the sequel to <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1510778096&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a></i>, but another novel series). I read three books this month, two of them by indie authors.<br /><br /><br />1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Super-Immunity-Essential-Nutrition-Boosting-ebook/dp/B004U6WUYE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1510777942&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=superimmunity+fuhrman">Super Immunity</a>*, by Dr. Joel Fuhrman<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dWMWhsPk9k/We6MnkWlRJI/AAAAAAAAAbw/wS5ljmlWxYAazQ0xwA3uohrn5vH56UpXACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0908%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3dWMWhsPk9k/We6MnkWlRJI/AAAAAAAAAbw/wS5ljmlWxYAazQ0xwA3uohrn5vH56UpXACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0908%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />Everyone hates getting sick, but there's no way to stop it from happening. Or is there? In this book, Dr. Joel Fuhrman takes a look at what foods can actually help us stay well, and possibly avoid the colds, flus, and other bugs around us.<br /><br />I love that he bases this book on scientific studies, not just hearsay. I feel like it's all too common in the health/nutrition sector for people to share information and make assumptions about what works, rather than looking at the evidence. It's an interesting read, and if you enjoy reading about nutrition, then I'd check this book out. If that's not really your thing, and you've already read <i>Eat to Live</i> and follow its recommendations, then you might want to skip this one as a good chunk of it is just giving more reasons why you should eat the way he recommends.<br /><br /><br />2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wish-Epic-Adventure-Magic-Mayhem-ebook/dp/B00ALXK9UM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887753&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=wish+an+epic+adventure">Wish</a>*, by C. H. Aalberry<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />When the Wish Stone shattered millenia ago, scattering its fragments across the Seven C's, everyone it touched was blessed with differing gifts. And also cursed with differing gifts. "Wish Monsters" Dak, Lae, and their friends seek the answers of how to become like "normal people" again. Or at least on how not to be hated by everyone else.<br /><br />It was a cute story about friendship, and I enjoyed it. The thing that drove me nuts were the saying common nowadays that didn't feel as if they fit in the story (such as "uhoh Pinnochio"). Each time I read one, it dragged me back out of the book. But the story itself was enjoyable. The characters weren't super original but I think it's a good story for younger kids (I cannot recall a single swear word, or anything really bloody or inappropriate for kids 10 and up).<br /><br /><br />3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Into-Trees-J-Alastair-Nash-ebook/dp/B009KVBC20/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887710&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=into+the+trees">Into the Trees</a>, by J. Alastair Nash<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />The village of Locke is pleasant most of the time for its inhabitants, except for once a year, when giants known only as "Puritans" come to steal any baby born with a defect. When Evan's younger brother is taken, and his family torn asunder, he decides to head into the trees and get his brother back. And hope he can come back from the woods, when no one else ever has.<br /><br />This story was wild, very creative. Parts of it reminded me of an anime series I watched one time, although the story was completely different. There were areas that were a bit macabre for my taste, and considering the hero is just thirteen, it was darker than I'd want my young teens to read personally. As an adult, though, I enjoyed most of it.<br /><br /><br />I've also left reviews on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27489851-christy-reed?shelf=read&amp;utm_campaign=mybooksnav&amp;utm_content=mybooks_cta&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=homepage">Goodreads</a>&nbsp;and Amazon (although probably not for the same editions).<br /><br />It's hard to believe it's already the end of November, and that the year's almost over. Next time, I'll post my October and November Update. I'm combining the two because I didn't get much read in November. I have five books left on my original list (although I might not read <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1510778096&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a></i> after all, since the sequel won't be coming out until next year).<br /><br />Thanks for reading. Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!<br /><br />*For the sake of brevity, I have not included the subtitles of these books.<br /><br />Links to books may not be the same format, version, or edition that I read.Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-4087866271017835312017-10-24T17:13:00.000-07:002017-10-24T17:15:06.543-07:002017 Book Challenge, August Update!Because September and October were busy months for me (I was in a wedding in the beginning of October, and am finalizing my move), I'm a little behind on these posts. Today I will finally be posting what I read in August, and hope to post my September reads next week before October runs out.<br /><br />A few weeks ago, I read something quite interesting, and I'm not sure whether I agree or disagree. A blog author mentioned that he felt it better to avoid posting negative comments on social media. I can agree. Because of the political/social situation in the U.S.A. right now, many of my friends on Facebook post rants about policies, happenings in which all of the facts may or may not have come out yet, etc. Honestly, I find a lot of it rather childish, because most of those posts only serves to pour fuel on the fire, rather than actually looking at constructive ways to fix the situations (and technically, I think I just posted something negative, whoops). <br /><br />He goes on to include making negative comments about someone else's work (which I'm guessing would include products and books), and whereas I can agree with part of that (why on earth would you go online and just rant over how much you hate a book?), another part of me is unsure. I read reviews for different products I'm interested in because I respect the posters' opinions, and want to get an idea of how that product affected that person's life. And although I don't always read book reviews before I get the book, there are some books I've started that I wished I had read the reviews before I picked it up, or that a review had warned me of the content (such as tons of profanities or sex scenes).<br /><br />I agree with him, though, that we need to consider carefully what we post on social media (including blogs and review sites like Goodreads or Amazon). So for now I'll keep writing reviews for books I don't like, but I will try to make them constructive criticism rather than I-hate-it rants.<br /><br />Fortunately for this month, I have no negative reviews to leave. All three books I read I really enjoyed.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_KYo83KBxgY/We6NE5ufw-I/AAAAAAAAAb4/hXjmcET3x34-sattI14WCuzvEWFRQMLnwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0909%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_KYo83KBxgY/We6NE5ufw-I/AAAAAAAAAb4/hXjmcET3x34-sattI14WCuzvEWFRQMLnwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0909%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Revised-Aristotle-Generally/dp/0062414852/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1508880339&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+happiness+project">The Happiness Project</a>*, by Gretchen Rubin<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />Gretchen Rubin embarks on a one-year project to determine whether she can become happier without undertaking a huge life change, and discovers it's the little things which add up in the happiness equation.<br /><br />After reading a couple of her more recent books, I decided I needed to read this one again. I love the simple tips she gives, the cute stories, and the practical applications. Her writing is entertaining, and yet I feel like I'm learning something. If you don't like anecdotes, you might not like this book, because it is full of them. But I find it helpful when people talk about different things they tried, and whether it worked for them or not.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALU9yABr0d8/We6M_YJKSJI/AAAAAAAAAb0/wSAtebBc_NIqadE8ImIOH-r_9AYNBDQ8gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0907%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALU9yABr0d8/We6M_YJKSJI/AAAAAAAAAb0/wSAtebBc_NIqadE8ImIOH-r_9AYNBDQ8gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0907%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Penguin-Classics-Hardcover/dp/0141040343/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887448&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=pride+and+prejudice+book">Pride and Prejudice</a>, by Jane Austen<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />With her father's estate to go to a male cousin after his death and her mother's income not enough to support them, Elizabeth and her four sisters have the best chance of security if they marry well. But Elizabeth is convinced there must be love and respect in a marriage, something which she and a certain gentleman definitely do not hold for each other...<br /><br /><i>Emma</i> is my favorite of Jane Austen's novels, but I love this one too. It teaches the importance of looking beneath the surface. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both mistake the other for being worse than they truly are because they were too quick to judge each other. Both of them judge others either better or worse than they truly are based on surface relationships. And of course, the absolute ludicrous behaviors of certain characters makes this book hilarious in a cringe-worthy way.<br /><br /><br />3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Limberlost-Gene-Stratton-Porter/dp/1619492008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887253&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=a+girl+of+the+limberlost+book">A Girl of the Limberlost</a>, by Gene Stratton-Porter<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />Desperate to go to high school and afterwards college while her mother is either unable or unwilling to help her pay for it, Elnora discovers she can sell moths and other things from the Limberlost Swamp in order to pay her way.<br /><br />I'm honestly not sure why I enjoy this book so much. I've read it three or four times. Elnora's life and situation growing up isn't even one I can relate too. I think I enjoy it because of her sheer determination to find a way to reach her goals, no matter what (something which I definitely can relate to). Although it's a very long book, it engages you throughout Elnora's journey through high school and her growing up.<br /><br /><br />I've also left reviews on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27489851-christy-reed?shelf=read&amp;utm_campaign=mybooksnav&amp;utm_content=mybooks_cta&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=homepage">GoodReads</a>&nbsp;and Amazon (although probably not for the same editions).<br /><br />Thanks for sticking with me as I try to find time to post these. The rest of the year seems like it might slow down a little (haha), so I'm hoping to post my Reading Challenge Updates the first Tuesday of each month, and go back to posting once a week in January. I hope you enjoyed my reviews. Which of these books have you read? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments!<br /><br />*For the sake of brevity, I have not included the subtitle of this book.<br /><br />Links to books may not be the same format, version, or edition that I read.Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-39587657953261003642017-08-15T16:35:00.000-07:002017-09-04T08:56:15.628-07:002017 Book Challenge, July Update!I confess, despite how easy it was for me to keep up with this challenge in the beginning of the year, now I'm finding it to be a little bit of a struggle. I think I'll be fortunate to reach 42 books this year. The last several months have been busy with my nephews, moving, taking care of my cats, and both work and writing. Hopefully I'll be able to read more in September (I think August is going to look similar to July).<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ehdl9AWIi4/WZNTO8QRenI/AAAAAAAAAbE/84gxFlFYxqcN44uKQIAUhYJY8n4zdiG7QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ehdl9AWIi4/WZNTO8QRenI/AAAAAAAAAbE/84gxFlFYxqcN44uKQIAUhYJY8n4zdiG7QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" width="240" /></a>1. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Before-Mastering-2015-03-17/dp/B01JXQD3GO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1502830215&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=better+than+before">Better than Before</a>,</i> by Gretchen Rubin<br /><br />Rating: *****<br /><br />This book explores habits, how we develop them, the different habit-forming personality types, and different ways to strengthen your habit-building skills.<br /><br />Like the other two books by Rubin that I've read, I really enjoyed this book. If you've never read a book by her, I suggest picking one up. This book helped me understand some things about my own personality (like how a stuffed fridge stresses me out, I'm a simplicity lover) as well as the people around me (like my mom's desire to have a full fridge, she's an abundance lover). I'm still not sure about my habit-forming type (when I was younger I was definitely an Upholder, but I'm not sure I still fit that mold). But even if you don't figure it out on first read, you can still pick up several good tips (such as her chart to track progress, I love that!).<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XL-jJNRIPCw/WZNTNux-wfI/AAAAAAAAAbA/wR3Ip3BkO44IpH5CE6H5Ou2oa83mPVADQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XL-jJNRIPCw/WZNTNux-wfI/AAAAAAAAAbA/wR3Ip3BkO44IpH5CE6H5Ou2oa83mPVADQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0871.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>2. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emma-Signet-Classics-Jane-Austen/dp/0451530829/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1502830269&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=emma+signet" style="font-style: italic;">Emma</a>, by Jane Austen<br /><br />Rating: *****<br /><br />Emma Woodhouse has fortune and good position, and no intention of marrying. But when she sees the success of "her matchmaking" between her governess and Mr. Weston, she decides to try her hand at finding young Harriet Smith a husband.<br /><br />This has long been my favorite of Austen's books (and Mr. Knightly, Emma's longtime friend, one of my favorite characters). I love the gentle, not overdone transition of Emma's character from being rather silly to a little wiser although not fully mature. Emma is a character easy to relate to, for who hasn't misread signals of attraction from the opposite sex, and who hasn't said things that they regretted when they thought their words more thoroughly through?<br /><br /><br />3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alices-Adventures-Wonderland-Lewis-Carroll/dp/1503222683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887968&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=alice%27s+adventures+in+wonderland"><i>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland</i></a>, by Lewis Carroll<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />Alice follows a white rabbit down a rabbit hole, and finds herself in a strange land where nothing is quite like she is used to back home. This was the only book I read this month originally on my <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2016/12/2017-book-challenge.html">2017 Reading Challenge List</a>.<br /><br />This book was okay. I don't remember ever reading it before, so I picked it up so I could say I'd read it. I plan on reading <i>Through the Looking Glass</i>*. But I don't think I'll be reading it again anytime soon. Parts of it were confusing, and unless you research the history and culture of the time when Carroll wrote it, you'll likely to be as perplexed as I was. But if you're already pretty familiar with Victorian England, you should be fine understanding the different references Carroll makes.<br /><br /><br />I've also left reviews on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27489851-christy-reed?shelf=read&amp;utm_campaign=mybooksnav&amp;utm_content=mybooks_cta&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=homepage">GoodReads</a> and Amazon (although probably not for the same editions).<br /><br />In order to keep up with everything I have going on, for the rest of the year I might only be posting Book Challenge Updates once a month. If I can, I may post more often, but I would rather say once a month and post more rather than say every week and post only once a month.<br /><br />*For the sake of brevity, I have not included the subtitles of these books.<br /><br />Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-76954473035416472332017-07-27T16:55:00.000-07:002017-07-27T16:55:41.421-07:00Why 15 Minute Work Blasts Are Awesome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NcDI65XU4g/WXp8N6elt8I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/JQoB0ONJ5WwiCPPUBCVRsfm6v-OL6CmTwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0NcDI65XU4g/WXp8N6elt8I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/JQoB0ONJ5WwiCPPUBCVRsfm6v-OL6CmTwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0868.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Usually, I keep my posts book-related, but today I decided to go life-related.<br /><br />A lot of us have goals we want to accomplish, projects we want to work on. Some of us just want to read more. Others of us want to write novels, clear out our bedrooms, start a get buff program, eat healthier, or maybe even just finish our school projects on time.<br /><br />For any of those goals and pretty much anything else I can think of, working in 15 minute intervals can be super effective.<br /><br />Here's some reasons why.<br /><br /><br />1. It's too short of time to psych yourself out.<br /><br />I'm sure you know the dread of having a project to do that you really don't want to work on. This especially happens to me when I'm already tired, or not feeling well. My gut reaction is to forget about it, to get it over with when I feel better. And sometimes this is the case, and we're better of resting and working on the task later. But a lot of the time it's a convenient out, and tomorrow will see the same thing happen if we're not careful.<br /><br />Often, this sense of overwhelm is because we set too big of goal in front of ourselves. It looks huge, and it's so much easier to just say "Forget it, I don't need to do that today."<br /><br />But 15 minutes is so short, it's too easy not to do. Instead the shame factor starts kicking in, where you actually feel ashamed if you don't do it for such a short amount of time. And each set of 15 minutes adds up.<br /><br /><br />2. Usually a start was all you needed.<br /><br />Again with the psychological, it can be hard to get working when the goal is so huge.<br /><br />Writing a book can seem overwhelming. Writing a chapter can also be daunting. But writing for fifteen minutes isn't that scary.<br /><br />And a lot of times I'll find that, when that timer goes off, I'm not ready to quit yet. I've gotten into the zone, and I want to keep editing my novel, or keep writing another chapter, or keep sorting through my back log of email.<br /><br />Last night, I was exhausted and felt sick, and I didn't want to do things as simple as unload and reload the dishwasher, and fold laundry. But I told myself I could do it for a few minutes.<br /><br />This morning I was glad I'd taken the time to just do those tasks.<br /><br />Set a timer, and give yourself permission to quit after 15 minutes. But keep going after it dings if you want.<br /><br /><br />3. You can get a lot done in that time.<br /><br />You probably can put away a week's worth of laundry in less than fifteen minutes. Or pack your lunch for the next day so you don't just eat whatever the nearest restaurant has to offer.<br /><br />I often find it takes only 15 minutes to clean my bedroom. Or do a HIIT workout (and for those of you with joint issues, they even have low impact ones). Or read a chapter. Or draft half of a blog post.<br /><br />I can usually write 500 words in fifteen minutes. If I did that every day, I'd have a 180,000 draft (about the length of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501181005&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a></i>) in a year. A 100,000 word draft would only take about 8 months. Granted, that's still a rough draft, with a lot of editing to do, but that's not bad for just fifteen minutes a day.<br /><br /><br />4. It's super easy to accomplish.<br /><br />Sometimes the goals we set for ourselves are too big to get done all at once.<br /><br />Say you want to get up at 5:00 AM each morning so you can workout before heading to work, but you currently drag yourself out of bed at 7:00 AM. Instead of just setting your alarm for 5, you can work backwards by fifteen minutes every few days to a week until you are waking up at 5, and do a short workout in the time you have (check out YouTube, there are tons).<br /><br />Conversely, if you never hit the hay before 2 AM, but want to start getting in bed at 10 so you're able to get up earlier for classes, you can go to bed fifteen minutes earlier and get up fifteen minutes earlier and reduce the times until you are where you want to be.<br /><br /><br />5. It helps you make use of "useless" time pockets.<br /><br />Sometimes fifteen minutes is all we have before we have to move on to another task or appointment. Often we don't consider that enough time to get any "real" work done, so we fritter it away on Facebook or Instagram.<br /><br />But we've just looked at how much stuff you can actually get done in fifteen minutes.<br /><br />You can make up some flashcards for your upcoming SATs in fifteen minutes (or better yet, study those you already made up). You can put away dishes. You can make a phone call or two. You can arrange your space for whatever task you have after your appointment. You can take a short break from your phone, and just close your eyes and relax (just make sure you set an alarm).<br /><br />Those time pockets don't look quite so useless.<br /><br /><br />Fifteen minutes might not seem like a lot of time to work with. But you can really get a lot done in such a short time. And if you have a smart phone, chances are you already have a built-in timer (though I still love using my large digital timer you see in the picture).<br /><br />So go ahead. Tell yourself you'll work on listing old clothes you no longer want on Ebay, or learning Latin, or getting down the basics of coding, for just 15 minutes each day. And see how much you can get done.Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-45031015870778065792017-07-13T16:51:00.001-07:002017-07-13T16:51:50.606-07:005 Popular Series That I Haven't Read I love to read. If you told me I had to choose between being able to read or having the ability to watch TV, I would choose reading, no hesitation. After all, I get bored with TV after a while. But reading opens up such a wealth of experiences. Unless I find the book uninteresting, I could read for hours.<br /><br />I read a lot, and quite often. However, there are several popular book series that I haven't read. I haven't even seen all the movies or TV shows for them. Here's a list of five of those series.<br /><br /><br />1. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00CJG28U8/ref=sr_es_i_1_1_vsp_B00CJG28U8&amp;qid=1499988911&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=harry%20potter%20series">Harry Potter</a>&nbsp;</i><br /><br />I listed this one first because I imagine it's going to be the most surprising. My friends are surprised when I tell them I've never read <i>Harry Potter</i>. Of all the series on this list, this is the one which appears to be the most popular among children who are just starting to read them and adults who grew up reading them. So why haven't I read them?<br /><br />In all honesty, I did read <i>Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's&nbsp;Stone</i>, and watched the movie based on it. I think J. K. Rowling is a very good writer, and I enjoyed it. It was an interesting read, and it did keep my attention.<br /><br />However, the subject matter doesn't really interest me. I'm not really into books about witches and wizards. And maybe I don't hold the same attachment to them that a lot of other people my age seem to have because I didn't read them as a child. I might pick up the series again someday, because I did enjoy the first one. Right now, though, there's other books I'm interested in reading.<br /><br /><br />2. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-White-Collection/dp/0316243981/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499989101&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=the+twilight+saga+books">The Twilight Saga</a></i><br /><br />This is the second series that's been really popular among my friends. But it's one I've never even turned a page in.<br /><br />I haven't read this series for the same reason I haven't finished <i>Harry Potter</i>, lack of interest. Except whereas I may finish <i>Harry Potter</i> someday, I've no interest at all in picking up <i>Twilight</i>. I've no interest in vampires. They actually kind of creep me out (the reason why I've never read <i>Dracula</i>). Love triangles (such as the one which from what I've heard of the series is between Bella, Edward, and Jacob) actually are kind of annoying to me. What I've heard of the plot just doesn't interest me as well.<br /><br /><br />3. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00CHNOX6A/ref=sr_es_i_1_1_vsp_B00CHNOX6A&amp;qid=1499989200&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=a%20song%20of%20fire%20and%20ice%20book%20set">A Song of Ice and Fire</a> </i>(also known as <i>Game of Thrones</i>)<br /><br />Unlike the first two series, this one does sound interesting to me. I enjoy history-based fantasy stories (my own book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499988789&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a></i>, is <i>very loosely </i>inspired by my readings of the Middle Ages), and from what I've heard, George R. R. Martin works very hard to write his books so they sound like they actually took place. I probably would give it a try, except that my mom has read some of the books, and told me enough about them for me to realize this series isn't for me.<br /><br />From what she told me, Martin has done too good of a job of making these books seem like historical fiction.<br /><br />I'm not a fan of obscenities of any form. I try to keep them out of my own writing, and I try to avoid them in the books I read (and if you've ever wondered why on earth I would mention profanities in my book reviews, that's why: I try to mention them so you can avoid them if you wish to). From what my mom has told me, and from what I've heard other people talk about with this series, there is too much swearing, sex, nudity (TV series), etc. for me to really enjoy it.<br /><br />I don't doubt stuff like that happened back in medieval times. If I'm honest, his portrayal is much more accurate than my own of how life probably was back then (one of the reasons I say <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499988789&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a> </i>is <i>very loosely</i> inspired by those times). But I like to read books that I could read to someone else and not blush during, that I could leave not and not be embarrassed if someone found it and started reading it.<br /><br />Another telling thing: my one cousin was embarrassed to watch an episode of the TV series with her father. I'm more conservative about such things than she is, so I think that's a good sign I should leave it for other people to enjoy.<br /><br /><br />4. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Trilogy-3-Book/dp/B00PMGUR7S/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499989494&amp;sr=8-8&amp;keywords=the+hunger+games+book+series">The Hunger Games</a></i><br /><br />I've seen bits of the movies (though they never interested me enough to actually sit down and watch the entire thing). Because of all the hype, I actually started listening to the first book on my iPhone. But I never finished it, and I'm not certain I'm going to return to the series.<br /><br />Honestly, I'm not into dystopia.<br /><br />I know it's been a hot genre for a while. I know a lot of people who really enjoy this kind of books. But I'm just not interested. Plus, I don't really relish reading about children killing each other. For now, I'll skip this one.<br /><br /><br />5. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00HET2H10/ref=sr_es_i_1_1_vsp_B00HET2H10&amp;qid=1499989797&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=divergent%20series%20books">The Divergent Series</a></i><br /><br />Of all the series I mentioned, I know the least about this one (although I know precious little about <i>The Hunger Games</i>&nbsp;as well). My sister has watched at least two of the movies, so I've seen pieces of them. I've never picked up one of the books. My friends are more into <i>Harry Potter </i>and&nbsp;<i>Twilight</i>. But I know that in the book people are sorted into different groups based on their skills or something like that. And that the main character, Tris (whose name I had to look up), is consider "divergent" because she doesn't quite fit their sorting mold.<br /><br />Based on that, I haven't read them because they don't sound very interesting to me. And since I've found other books I enjoy reading, I haven't looked into them more.<br /><br /><br />Most of these five series I haven't read because of a lack of interest. And whereas I might read <i>Harry Potter</i> in the future, and possibly even <i>Divergent</i> and <i>The Hunger Games </i>(if I can convince myself to try dystopia), I don't plan on ever reading <i>Twilight</i> or <i>Game of&nbsp;Thrones</i>.<br /><br />But like I said, I don't know a lot about them. If there's a reason you love one of these series, please let me know.<br /><br />Have you read any of these series? Do you think I should read them? What about them do you like, and think I might as well?<br /><br />None of the links above are affiliate links (although of course if you buy <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499988789&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a></i>, I get some royalties). I'm not going to try to get you to buy books I haven't read myself and enjoyed. I provide the links so you can find out more about them if you wish (and so I don't have to make this post super long by giving a short overview of each).Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-66171184377994573302017-07-06T16:33:00.002-07:002017-07-06T16:33:50.238-07:002017 Book Challenge, June Update!June was a much better month of reading for me. The craziness of work in May eased into a slightly less crazy beginning of June, with the second half being pretty laid back. I read four books, and continuing my non-fiction trend, they were all non-fiction. I'm really missing fiction, though (especially fantasy), so I'll probably switch back to fiction in July.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV_SswlYgYs/WVrUP7bTZmI/AAAAAAAAAZM/WaSZGqKrj-cLFBmi5qqz5HyDxq8dILrZgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0833%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV_SswlYgYs/WVrUP7bTZmI/AAAAAAAAAZM/WaSZGqKrj-cLFBmi5qqz5HyDxq8dILrZgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0833%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>1.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curated-Closet-Discovering-Personal-Building/dp/1607749483/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886904&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+curated+closet"><i>The Curated Closet</i></a>*, by Anuschka Rees<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />If you never really knew what to wear, or constantly buy things that later you can't stand wearing, Ms. Rees walks you through how to find your personal style and revamp your wardrobe so it reflects your taste. She teaches you how to shop and choose clothes you like so you can always wear your favorite things.<br /><br />This book gave a lot of practical style advice I never heard of (and revisited some things I already practiced, like wearing clothes and styles that I liked, regardless of whether I was "supposed" to or not). The one issue I had with this book was that, of all the example styles and color palettes, there wasn't a single one I liked. In fact, I think all except one I absolutely hated. Granted, this book is about finding your own style and color palette, so the fact that I didn't like any of her samples is irrelevant to the purpose of the book. I just found it really disconcerting that there wasn't a single outfit idea which intrigued me (I shuddered at most of them), and not one of the color palettes would I desire to play with by tweaking the colors. If I would get over that hang up, I think I would find the book very useful.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--l_BwuRvbS4/WVrUbBOAXuI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/ReFPjlowOpoS8WRvunMK_U2UT_hL0cwJwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0832%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--l_BwuRvbS4/WVrUbBOAXuI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/ReFPjlowOpoS8WRvunMK_U2UT_hL0cwJwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0832%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-Dressed-Costume-Designers/dp/1607747065/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886951&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=how+to+get+dressed"><i>How to Get Dressed</i></a>*, by Alison Freer<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />Costume Designer Alison Freer reveals the secrets she uses to help actors look amazing on camera. She goes over what alterations are worth the money and which are not, how your clothes should fit, special tips and tools you can use to make the fit and feel of your clothes better, as well as how to take care of your clothes so they last.<br /><br />I learned some interesting tricks and tips from this book. Some of them (like her use of moleskin and toupee tape) I plan on using this autumn when I'm in a wedding. Others I probably will not use at all (I don't think her trick of finding your natural waist is very useful, because at least on me wearing pants there would be super uncomfortable). Her writing voice annoyed me so much in the beginning that I almost put the book down, but after a while I got used to it and it wasn't so bad. Her washing and stain removal tricks are great. Overall, I think this book is worth checking out (just read a sample before you commit to make sure you can stand her writing voice).<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mka3QIaQPDU/WVrUhs852cI/AAAAAAAAAZY/VnUsocFu0x8S89eDbt4_iEqLrwT873XXACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0827%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mka3QIaQPDU/WVrUhs852cI/AAAAAAAAAZY/VnUsocFu0x8S89eDbt4_iEqLrwT873XXACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0827%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Surprising-Americas/dp/1589795474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886448&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+millionaire+next+door"><i>The Millionaire Next Door</i></a>*, by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />More people are millionaires than you think, and some of them might even live next door to you. Chances are, they are not the people you'd guess. In this book, Stanley and Danko study what qualities millionaires have, the differences between those who accumulate wealth and those who don't, and ways you can work on becoming a millionaire yourself.<br /><br />I enjoyed this book. Even though it's almost twenty years old, a lot of the tips still hold true, and I imagine most if not all of the qualities of proficient accumulators of wealth (which they term "PAWs") hold true as well. It's inspired me to work on my own habits surrounding work and money in order to gain the true financial independence they described in the book (I never thought about it before, but in a way they're right: anyone working for someone else is dependent on keeping that job, unless they've taken steps and precautions in order to ensure they could survive for some time without it). I'd give it a read, and see if there's any areas in your life to work on in order to gain financial freedom.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OO79Z8Rv5Y8/WVrUehxmAbI/AAAAAAAAAZU/EUA5Aa8e1i8TL0AosZ39nBh7egcWLovgACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0828%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OO79Z8Rv5Y8/WVrUehxmAbI/AAAAAAAAAZU/EUA5Aa8e1i8TL0AosZ39nBh7egcWLovgACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0828%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Happier-Home-Self-Control-Experiments-Everyday/dp/0307886794/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499123955&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=happier+at+home"><i>Happier at Home</i></a>*, by Gretchen Rubin<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br /><br />This is my second book I've read by Ms. Rubin (I previously read her <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Project-Revised-Aristotle-Generally/dp/0062414852/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499125555&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+happiness+project">The Happiness Project</a>*</i> and really enjoyed it). I think her tips are wonderful (some of them, like her "suffer for 15 minutes," I'm working on incorporating into my life), and I really enjoy her writing style and voice. I love reading self-improvement books by authors I can relate to, and many of the struggles she shares in the book I can relate to. I found this book a simple yet enjoyable read, perfect for reading before bed or when you want to relax. Yet her tips and suggestions are great for working on your own life.<br /><br /><br />I'm very happy with my progress in June. I wanted to read about a book a week, and I've succeeded in this month. But I'm ready for a shift from nonfiction to fiction, so in July I plan on reading books such as <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> and <i>A Girl of the Limberlost</i>.<br /><br />I've also posted reviews of these books on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27489851?shelf=read&amp;utm_campaign=mybooksnav&amp;utm_content=mybooks_cta&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=homepage">Goodreads</a>.<br /><br />*For the sake of brevity, I have not included the subtitles of these books.<br /><br /><br />Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-87473246567830386292017-06-29T16:34:00.000-07:002017-06-29T16:34:31.583-07:00Writer Life: What's on My Desk?Work spaces interest me. Some people need a pristine area to get stuff done, whereas others thrive in a pile of chaos. On the day he died, <a href="http://time.com/3494553/the-day-albert-einstein-died-a-photographers-story/">Albert Einstein's desk</a> was a mound of papers. I wonder sometimes if this is the creative mind, thriving in chaos, surrounded by things that might spark new ideas (creative people love ideas).&nbsp;<div><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKY9yVnWyYo/WVWOI91wi5I/AAAAAAAAAYw/R3gQtXcVtqYCqcY3Qx2CL4-OOWjLdtKfgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKY9yVnWyYo/WVWOI91wi5I/AAAAAAAAAYw/R3gQtXcVtqYCqcY3Qx2CL4-OOWjLdtKfgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0809.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>Naturally, I'm rather neat and tidy, but that all changes when it comes to my desk. Papers can be scattered all over. I might have piles of books I'm reading, pens, to-do-lists, notes, etc. In the picture, my desk is actually neater than it usually is.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>It's strange, because I don't like mess. I don't like a lot of clutter (I actually hate knick-knacks because they collect dust and never look neat to me). With my desk, however, it's not the same. I've cleared off my desk numerous times, but it always reverts back to being littered with things both random (like the tube of antibiotic cream on it right now) and that make more sense (like a pile of books for my June Update post). And I don't mind it. I actually think I prefer it with some clutter on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe eventually I'll try keeping my desk clear, see if I'm more productive and creative with a blank canvas before me rather than piles, but for now I'm going to embrace it. So here's a list of things currently on my desk.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. A bamboo plant that seriously needs some pruning. It was a birthday gift from years ago, and I love having that bit of nature with me when I work.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. A salt lamp. I got one of these to see if it would help with my headaches from staring at my screen too long, and whether placebo or not it does.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. A stack of books I've already read.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. My surge protector power strip, also my main charging station for everything when I remember to charge them.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. A thermometer and humidity gauge. The time is wrong, and I've been too lazy to figure out how to set it, but I didn't get it for a clock anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. A legal pad with a to-do list on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. A sticky note pad with my list to accomplish this week.</div><div><br /></div><div>8. Two index cards, one with goals for the year, the other with goals for July.</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Another sticky note pad. I love them.</div><div><br /></div><div>10. A pen and highlighter, which I use for my to-do lists.</div><div><br /></div><div>11. My laptop and charger (of course, lol).</div><div><br /></div><div>12. A chronological order Bible. I decided to use this for my Bible Study time and it's quite interesting. I've read the Bible before, but I really like how this one gives you an idea of what events happened concurrently.</div><div><br /></div><div>13. A devotional book with mini lessons compiled by Beth Moore.</div><div><br /></div><div>14. A plastic bin with memory verse flash cards. I find this is the easiest way for me to memorize Scripture.</div><div><br /></div><div>15. An essential oil diffuser that I haven't refilled or used in weeks.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>16. A picture of my first cat, Buffy. I loved that cat (and still do).</div><div><br /></div><div>17. A kitchen timer. I set it to remind myself to take breaks (and to remind myself to get back to work).</div><div><br /></div><div>18. That tube of antibiotic cream I mentioned before. Not sure why I'm leaving it there.</div><div><br /></div><div>19. Owl stickers (because why not).&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>20. A giant snail shell I found on the beach years ago.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>21. An empty Smart Water bottle. For some reason, I love having a water bottle on my desk. I like the aesthetic much more than a glass (and there's not the danger of spilling, I always cap my bottles when I'm not drinking from them).&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>22. A blood pressure monitor I borrowed and need to return.</div><div><br /></div><div>23. A check for the bank.</div><div><br /></div><div>24. A reminder from the dentist.</div><div><br /></div><div>25. A twist tie I usually keep around my phone charger.</div><div><br /></div><div>26. An index card and sticky note with verses and quotes that I love. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>27. A hair band and a bobby pin, to keep my hair out of my face when I work (I feel so Violet Baudelaire haha). Usually, though, the hair band is keeping my hair up already (I have really thick hair which makes me feel almost instantly hot when it's down), and I don't need the bobby pin too often.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm curious about doing an experiment sometime, to see if I work well with a clear space if I keep it clear long enough. After all, maybe my desk is messy because I'm lazy. But certain things I like to have out and right in my face, like that timer and my to-do paraphernalia, because it's right at hand when I need it. I'm also curious what effect putting everything anyway when I'm done working would have.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-26614642067174830822017-06-22T16:00:00.000-07:002017-06-22T16:11:44.469-07:002017 Book Challenge, April and May Update!As I mentioned in my <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/06/2017-book-challenge-march-update.html">last post</a>, March, April, and May were hectic months for me, in which I didn't get much reading done. Because of this, I'm combining April and May, since I only read 3 books total.<br /><br />April:<br /><br />April was a tough month with a lot happening. I finished the first draft of <i>Wind Singer</i>, the sequel to <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1498172495&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a></i> (and it is certainly a rough draft, I have a lot of editing ahead of me). My second nephew was born premature, so I spent some days taking care of my toddler nephew while his parents visited his brother in the hospital. One of our cats, Callie, fell seriously ill. And I spent the first week recovering from being sick myself in March. But I still got 2 books read, so at least it was a little closer to my goal.<br />&nbsp;<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpFGEdqTBV4/WUvjUbhMy5I/AAAAAAAAAYY/bNUs34Ks9ZsfXUk_eheiFlCfyd49FYCpwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0771%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpFGEdqTBV4/WUvjUbhMy5I/AAAAAAAAAYY/bNUs34Ks9ZsfXUk_eheiFlCfyd49FYCpwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0771%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>1. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Affluenza-All-Consuming-Epidemic-John-Graaf/dp/1576753573/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1498145300&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=affluenza"><i>Affluenza</i></a>*, by John De Graaf, David Wann, and Thomas H. Naylor<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />This book studies the "too much stuff" disease (aka "Affluenza"). It tells you what common symptoms are (like "Swollen Expectations"), probable causes, as well as treatments to try in order to rid yourself of this "disease" (including a chapter on political solutions).<br /><br />It was intriguing how the authors compared having too much stuff to a disease. I'd never heard that comparison before, and they had some good advice. I feel like some of their suggestions are not super practical, but you've got to start somewhere, and being aware of and learning to control your "need" of more things is a good start.<br /><br /><br />2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Goblin-Puffin-Classics/dp/0141332484/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i>The Princess and the Goblin</i></a>, by George MacDonald<br /><div><br /></div>Rating: ****<br /><br />With her father away much of the time, Princess Irene is under the guard of the servants of his manor house next to a mountain mined for his service. The mountain is filled with goblins, banished only by song. But when the goblins plan to overthrow the kingdom, Irene and the miner boy Curdie must rely on the aid of her magical great-great-grandmother to save the kingdom.<br /><br />I've read this book several times, and I still enjoy it, even though the writing style is much different than that of books written nowadays. I think young children would enjoy it, but would likely need someone to read it to them in order to understand it. Children 10 and older would be fine reading it on their own, and even though it's written for children, adults would enjoy it as well (I certainly did).<br /><br /><br />May:<br /><br />May is the busy season at my work, necessitating long days to get everything done. My second nephew was still in the hospital for part of it, so I had days of babysitting my other nephew. Callie died near the end of the month (a surprise, because she had been doing better). I had to pack up a lot of my things for moving (and I can tell you, after just packing up my personal belongings, I am definitely interested in becoming some form of minimalist). I watched more Netflix than was healthy. Because of all this, I only read one book.<br /><br /><br />3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Curdie-Puffin-Classics/dp/0140367624/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i>The Princess and Curdie</i></a>, by George MacDonald<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />The sequel to <i>The Princess and the Goblin</i>, Irene and her father have gone away to the capital city, and while Curdie was asked to come along, he has stayed behind to help his parents. However, everything is not right in the capital, and Irene's great-great-grandmother tasks him with setting it right. Given the ability to tell by the touch of a hand whether a human is becoming more depraved and animal-like, or whether an animal is becoming less depraved and more human-like, Curdie sets off to the capital city with Lina, a woman who became an animal and is now trying to grow better and become human again. Things are indeed seriously wrong in the capital, and it will take all of Curdie's courage to set it right.<br /><br />I don't like it quite as much as <i>The Princess and the Goblin</i>&nbsp;(I'd probably rate it three and one-half stars if I could get a half-star), but it is still a very good book. I was very disappointed by the very ending, though (the ending of the main tale was wonderful, the main tale wrapped up beautifully, albeit almost exactly as I pictured so not much surprise in the book). If the last page or so was cut out, it'd be a much better story. If you read it to children, I suggest not reading the last couple of paragraphs, as I don't think they'd really understand why they were tacked on the end. Honestly, I'm not quite sure why they were myself, but I think MacDonald wanted to make an allegory out of this book (although I don't think it suits well for a children's book). The rest of the book is definitely worth reading.<br /><br /><br />I've counted up how many books I've read from my Book Challenge list, and it looks like I'm almost halfway through it. Granted, there are a couple I didn't finish, and am not counting in my read quota, but I think I've found enough others to replace them. I'm a little surprised that I've read so many of the nonfiction books already, since I usually lean toward Fantasy. But most of that genre I have on Kindle, and it's easier for me to read paper copies sometimes (like if I read before going to bed), so that might help explain it.<br /><br />I'll also post reviews of these books on my&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27489851?shelf=read&amp;utm_campaign=mybooksnav&amp;utm_content=mybooks_cta&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=homepage">GoodReads</a>&nbsp;Account.<br /><br />*For the sake of brevity, I have not included the subtitle of this book.Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-68145757550524771452017-06-15T16:00:00.000-07:002017-06-22T08:19:33.189-07:002017 Book Challenge, March Update!If you want to read about how I did on my <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2016/12/2017-book-challenge.html">Book Challenge</a> in <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/2017-book-challenge-january-update.html">January</a> or <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/03/2017-book-challenge-february-update.html">February</a>, the links will take you to those posts. Today I'm posting about how March went for reading, and what books I read.<br /><br />I'm a little behind in posting updates (as well as posts in general) because of a lot of life changes, including getting ready to move, taking care of a sick family member, several projects at work, and taking care of sick cats. I plan on regularly posting again, and this post and the next will talk about my reading through May, and get us all caught up (because of time constraints, I didn't read much in either month, so I'll be consolidating those reviews into one post).<br /><br />March was a chaotic month for me, which you'll notice in the fewer number of books (one was a little longer, but the others were rather short). I spent a lot of my free time this month helping out my ill family member and taking sick cats back and forth from the vet, as well as dealing with illness of my own (which for some reason, I have a hard time reading when I'm sick, anyone else?). But I was pleased to see that, even under those time constraints, I still was able to read four books.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-l2zFeWCXI/WUE4TpRoEfI/AAAAAAAAAYA/a0rDOpWd5cUQQYQ3Ccfa2hp50Lxc0QT2ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0769%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-l2zFeWCXI/WUE4TpRoEfI/AAAAAAAAAYA/a0rDOpWd5cUQQYQ3Ccfa2hp50Lxc0QT2ACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0769%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>1. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Less-Minimalist-Declutter-Organize/dp/1452155186/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887072&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+joy+of+less">The Joy Of Less</a>*, by Francine Jay<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />In this book, Francine goes through and teaches you how to organize, declutter, and simplify your life, and helps challenge your current thinking so you realize why you would want to.<br /><br />She has a wonderful way of looking at things. From challenging you to think about what you would actually pay to replace if it was all lost, to encouraging you to realize how much you already own when you feel the need to buy more (she suggests trying to number your things when you think you don't have a lot), Francine works on challenging your rationalizations for why your stuff matters, and encourages you to get rid of those things which don't.<br /><br /><br />2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lilith-romance-George-MacDonald-ebook/dp/B0082S6AJW/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482888101&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=lilith+george+macdonald">Lilith</a>*, by George MacDonald<br /><br />Rating: **<br /><br />A young man finds himself trying to save children and the woman he loves from her mother, who is bent on destroying them all.<br /><br />I wanted to read this book because I've read others by him (such as <i>The Wise Woman</i>, my favorite by him), and enjoyed them immensely. Add while this book was intriguing, it was hard to follow in places, and although I finished it, I probably won't read it again. MacDonald goes into rambles sometimes that draw away from the story (although, as this is a book from the 1800s, it probably was typical of these types of books of its time). I would recommend his works for children (such as <i>The Princess and the Goblins</i>) before this one.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bB3_Dkde68/WUE4B-y4zRI/AAAAAAAAAX4/r0gBAj9Ts9oGzU92Zm15GI1EQzvodzt-wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0773%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--bB3_Dkde68/WUE4B-y4zRI/AAAAAAAAAX4/r0gBAj9Ts9oGzU92Zm15GI1EQzvodzt-wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0773%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>3. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/More-Less-Finding-Under-Everything-ebook/dp/B015BCX0X0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1492473859&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+more+of+less">The More of Less</a>*, by Joshua Becker<br /><br />Rating: *****<br /><br />After realizing he spent the day cleaning his garage when he could have been playing ball with his son, Joshua and his wife Kim decided to try downsizing their possessions and see what they really can do without.<br /><br />I loved this book. Joshua gives some wonderful tips for downsizing, and reasons why. I love his idea of experiments, trying for 29 days to live without something to see if you really need it (I'm currently trying that with sweets, and so far it's been going great!). He also put forward some ideas for minimalism I hadn't come across before, such as having more time to volunteer and give to others in need. There's a lot of books on minimalism out there, but this was the first one I've come across which seems to be written from a Christian's perspective, and as a Christian myself, I enjoyed his connecting minimalism with Biblical principles (but if you are not a Christian, you don't need to worry about this book being "preachy").<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mGLNwQJ_epI/WUE4Kq_Yl3I/AAAAAAAAAX8/4uLyLGNVYJY62MJY-pkGbaYukm04dLgOwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0770%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mGLNwQJ_epI/WUE4Kq_Yl3I/AAAAAAAAAX8/4uLyLGNVYJY62MJY-pkGbaYukm04dLgOwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0770%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>4. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/100-Thing-Challenge-Everything-Regained-ebook/dp/B003ZSHULG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1492473892&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=the+100+thing+challenge">The 100 Thing Challenge</a>*, by Dave Bruno<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />Overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in his and his family's house, Dave decides to experiment and see what it is like living with less by getting rid of almost all of his personal belongings and committing to living for one year with 100 or less things.<br /><br />I confess, I am not at all interested in living with just 100 things (I was, until I decided to number my stuff just for the fun of it and found out I have over 100 things in my bathroom alone, if you count small things like extra razor blades). I am working on downsizing what I do have, though, and using up my extras (like my 15 little notebooks, for example). I was intrigued with how he did it, and how his year went. I appreciated how open he was with his struggles about living with less, as well as the joys he found in it. There is some swearing in this book.<br /><br />As you can see, two of the books listed here were not part of my list for my original challenge. I'm pleased to be finding other books I want to read besides those 42 I listed. And even though I did not read much in April or May, I feel pretty good at this point that I'll be able to read 52 books this year.<br /><br /><br />I've also posted reviews of these books on my <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27489851?shelf=read&amp;utm_campaign=mybooksnav&amp;utm_content=mybooks_cta&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_source=homepage">GoodReads</a> Account.<br /><br />*For the sake of brevity, I have not included the subtitles of these books.Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-3888383846585370722017-03-09T16:56:00.001-08:002017-03-09T16:56:28.929-08:00Book Talk! My Thoughts on How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7We5AUOdeTw/WLhY5gw_QaI/AAAAAAAAAXg/kIxPfu-XEsMbrIFyWedRwEP3Snr0OmwyACPcB/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7We5AUOdeTw/WLhY5gw_QaI/AAAAAAAAAXg/kIxPfu-XEsMbrIFyWedRwEP3Snr0OmwyACPcB/s320/IMG_0718.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I gave a quick review of this book in my <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/03/2017-book-challenge-february-update.html">February</a> Book Challenge Update, but I wanted to talk more about it as I really enjoyed the book. It contains a lot of information people should know, so they can make their own decisions about what they want to eat.<br /><br />Dr. Greger recommends a pretty much completely vegan diet, but I urge you to read this book even if you never want to give up your chicken nuggets. Whether you want to follow a plant-based diet or still eat meat every day, the information he provides in this book is to arm yourself with knowledge so you can make informed choices about your diet, no matter what those choices are.<br /><br />The main organization of the first part of the book is to divide it into chapters talking about how to prevent and possibly recover from the leading causes of death in the U.S.A. (such as heart disease). I like this format because if you have a particular health concern now, or have a history of the disease in your family (such as colon cancer and breast cancer, which my biological grandmothers died of), you can go straight to reading about it right away, instead of having to hunt for it through the book.<br /><br />The second half talks about his personal diet recommendations, and goes into more depth about each of the points on his checklist app (which I love, and when I got it was free. Check out Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen for Android or iOS). I think the app is amazing, because it gives you an idea of what to shoot for each day in eating, but in a positive way rather than in the normal dietary negative (with recommendations such as add 1.5 cups of beans rather than don't eat potato chips, although he doesn't encourage those either). At least for me, the addition mindset works a lot better than the subtraction one, because instead of bemoaning the loss of ice cream and other yummies from my diet, I can focus on adding a lot of delicious stuff (and honestly, if you eat everything recommended on the checklist, you're probably not going to have a lot of room left for junk in your day anyway). His app also has an exercise recommendation, but personally I just use it more to make sure I moved my booty in some way rather than getting all of his suggested workout time in.<br /><br />One of the biggest things I love about his book is that he goes straight to the studies to see what they say about certain foods, which diets prevent more diseases, which foods help reverse which diseases, and what the studies say about extracts and isolated vitamins versus the whole foods themselves. He even goes as far as to recommend one type of Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) as opposed to the form most recommended among natural health circles (methylcobalamin) because isn't enough evidence that the other forms really work (Greger &amp; Stone, 2015)*.<br /><br />And the amount of studies he cites is enormous. At the back of the book, his footnotes section is almost one half inch thick (and yes, I did measure, haha). Granted, some of the studies are listed more than once, but that's still a huge amount of peer-reviewed studies.<br /><br />Many times when you read posts or books about health and nutrition, they're based on the author's assumptions or only a few studies (at least the ones I've read). And a lot of times, those people are also hawking their own supplements. Maybe I'm just overly paranoid, but I get suspicious when the people who are telling you a certain supplement is good for you are also the ones trying to sell it to you. Dr. Greger recommends a few supplements, but doesn't even give you suggested brands to buy. In a way, it's nice because you know he must have reasoned from the research he's conducted that they are actually beneficial, and he's not making any money off it. At the same time, it would be nice to know which brands he uses personally, but if he did tell us, then that same no-kick-back-possible factor wouldn't be there.<br /><br />A word of warning, though. His book does read in a sarcastic way similar to his videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddn8dUxYdgJz3Qr5mjADtA">YouTube</a>. Personally, I adore sarcasm (probably a little too much) so that was just a bonus for me. If you're not such a fan, I still recommend reading it, but maybe read the sample on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1489005487&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=how+not+to+die">Amazon</a> or borrow it from your local library before you buy it.<br /><br />In short, I love this book, you should read it, and then make decisions on what to eat based on being fully informed of the benefits and consequences of those choices.<br /><br />To learn more about Dr. Greger and his work, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://nutritionfacts.org/">http://nutritionfacts.org/</a>.<br /><br /><br />*Greger, M., &amp; Stone, G. (2015). How not to die: Discover the foods scientifically proven to prevent and reverse disease. New York: Flatiron.Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-32413420423698193222017-03-02T16:00:00.000-08:002017-03-03T10:29:03.814-08:002017 Book Challenge: February Update!Today I'm sharing my February update on my&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2016/12/2017-book-challenge.html">reading challenge</a>. I'll list the books, and give a short review of each one.<br /><br />Here's the books I read:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7We5AUOdeTw/WLhY5gw_QaI/AAAAAAAAAW4/3WwGMXz3BnQenb3pYM_sUEpd8wfgCglMgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7We5AUOdeTw/WLhY5gw_QaI/AAAAAAAAAW4/3WwGMXz3BnQenb3pYM_sUEpd8wfgCglMgCLcB/s320/IMG_0718.JPG" width="240" /></a>1.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1488416294&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=how+not+to+die"><i>How Not to Die</i></a>*, by Michael Greger and Gene Stone<br /><br />Rating: *****<br /><br />What causes disease? Should we blame it all on genetics? Or is there something we can actually do about it? Dr. Greger looks at numerous nutritional studies and based on the results, gives his dietary advice.<br /><br />I have long been a fan of Dr. Greger's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/NutritionFactsOrg">YouTube channel</a> (I love his sarcastic sense of humor), and when I heard he had written a book, I knew I had to read it. To my utter delight, it reads exactly like he speaks in his videos. Another thing I really appreciate is that all his dietary recommendations come backed by studies. He doesn't just pull ideas out of unicorn land and say "hey, eat this way." Rather, he goes to the studies themselves and sees what dietary guidelines work best.<br /><br />If you love sarcasm and nutrition based on peer-reviewed research, I highly recommend his book and channel. If you don't, then don't get this one.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8yx2uml6Gs/WLhZDsmi6CI/AAAAAAAAAXI/lQBQignhtjo6x8R-Ho-3h1AEQVqRbdbFgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8yx2uml6Gs/WLhZDsmi6CI/AAAAAAAAAXI/lQBQignhtjo6x8R-Ho-3h1AEQVqRbdbFgCLcB/s320/IMG_0720.JPG" width="240" /></a>2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Overdressed-Shockingly-High-Cheap-Fashion/dp/1591846544/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886523&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=overdressed+the+shockingly+high+cost+of+cheap+fashion"><i>Overdressed</i></a>*, by Elizabeth L. Cline<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />If you've ever wondered where your clothing came from, and whether $5 for a top was really a good deal, this is the book for you. Ms. Cline discusses the history of the clothing industry, and the dangers our new fast fashion world hold.<br /><br />Honestly, my gut reaction was to make all my own clothes after reading this, but it's since transformed into caring better for what I have and being willing to pay more for quality (although I am intrigued with the idea of learning how to sew more than I ever was in the past). It would have been nice if she provided a resources list though. I'm an eco nerd, so I already have a good idea of where I could buy more fairly and sustainably (and trust me, organic cotton is the way to go for socks and panties. Try it, you'll thank me). Those not as well versed as I am, though (and I consider myself a beginner yet) may feel lost without suggestions of where they might be able to shop.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4CID6lr7HY/WLhZFz9ATrI/AAAAAAAAAXM/GEvD5_US6G0MRSS2NscnLuiRs361RN8VQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4CID6lr7HY/WLhZFz9ATrI/AAAAAAAAAXM/GEvD5_US6G0MRSS2NscnLuiRs361RN8VQCLcB/s320/IMG_0719.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/More-Dirty-Looks-Products-Cosmetics/dp/0738213969/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886599&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=no+more+dirty+looks"><i>No More Dirty Looks</i></a>*, by Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />We've heard a lot about the dangers of what's in our food, but what about the chemicals of what we put on our face? This book gives a quick overview of some chemicals to avoid, and guides you in replacing your toxic toiletries with those that will actually be good for your skin.<br /><br />I really liked their delivery style, although some if it seemed a little put on playful (is that how you describe it?). For example, some of their cutesy jokes and wordplay felt a little overdone. But their material was good, and they really provide some wonderful suggestions if you're just getting into the natural products game (including a warning to take heed before picking up just any product that claims to be natural).<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWILo3mGDZM/WLhY8Zcv6MI/AAAAAAAAAW8/r5BV52JNRJ8UqyaML2v-EOPyLuJliDCdwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWILo3mGDZM/WLhY8Zcv6MI/AAAAAAAAAW8/r5BV52JNRJ8UqyaML2v-EOPyLuJliDCdwCLcB/s320/IMG_0721.JPG" width="240" /></a>4.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Joy-Illustrated-Organizing-Tidying/dp/1607749726/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886724&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=spark+joy"><i>Spark Joy</i></a>*, by Marie Kondō<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />This book takes the concepts of <i>The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up </i>and adds fun illustrations as well as some extra tips (such as how to fold your clothes properly, I really struggled with that, and the illustrations help a lot).<br /><br />I thought the illustrations really added to the book. Although some of Ms. Kondo's methods are a little out there for me (such as thanking your things like they're alive, honestly that just kind of freaks me out), her tips on the order of decluttering and how to go about it really resonate with me. While I have not Konmari'd my life yet, it's a process I am definitely interested in trying out. I'm glad it's working for so many people.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />5.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Women-Clothes-Sheila-Heti/dp/0399166564/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886788&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=women+in+clothes"><i>Women In Clothes</i></a>, by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, and Leanne Shapton<br /><br />Rating: *<br /><br />The authors spoke with several women about how their clothes shape them, and how they go about choosing what to wear and their relationship with clothes.<br /><br />I didn't end up finishing this one. The concept was great, but the execution was poor. The book was disjointed, with the formatting confusing at best. It read like they threw stories in willy nilly without any planning or proper organization. It's sad, because I think the concept was a wonderful one. I wish the authors had taken the time to develop it properly.<br /><br /><br />6.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-How-Luxury-Lost-Luster/dp/0143113704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887032&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=deluxe+how+luxury+lost+its+luster"><i>Deluxe</i></a>*, by Dana Thomas<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />This book chronicles the journey of luxury brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, and how they transformed from companies producing quality for the wealthy into mainstream conglomerates marketing to the middle class.<br /><br />After reading this book, I am longer saving up my money to buy a high end bag, because as Ms. Thomas reveals, these bags aren't that high end any more, and they might not even be made where they claim to be made. If you are a lover of luxury brands, then I don't recommend reading <i>Deluxe</i>, unless you're trying to curb a spending habit. If I understood the book correctly, there is still some quality in luxury brands, but it sounds like anyone who is okay without the name brand is better off searching for a quality lesser priced alternative.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0UoO-RH4Ek/WLhY_P9qh5I/AAAAAAAAAXA/zSPs-hhQxGwJRIPyt-cJiC8btVK2ZIlCgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v0UoO-RH4Ek/WLhY_P9qh5I/AAAAAAAAAXA/zSPs-hhQxGwJRIPyt-cJiC8btVK2ZIlCgCLcB/s320/IMG_0716.JPG" width="240" /></a>7.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/I-Capture-Castle-Dodie-Smith/dp/031231616X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482885987&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=i+capture+the+castle"><i>I Capture the Castle</i></a>, by Dodie Smith<br /><br />Rating: ****<br /><br />Their fortunes as derelict as the castle ruins they rent, Cassandra, Rose, and their family appear to have a bleak future, until an American gentleman inherits the estate.<br /><br />For some reason, I had an idea this was a fantasy story, but it's not. Cassandra's whimsical view of the world and the changes that come over her thinking as she grows up are endearing and bring you to her side almost immediately. Although I wasn't expecting a romance when I picked this book up, I enjoyed it a lot. The only part I have issues with is the ending, which was disappointing when I excepted it to wrap up all those loose ends.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkfdryJ8w1g/WLhZBQY26KI/AAAAAAAAAXE/Oyo11htvsP4la0WwPqfifpBb6hoAKkZUQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkfdryJ8w1g/WLhZBQY26KI/AAAAAAAAAXE/Oyo11htvsP4la0WwPqfifpBb6hoAKkZUQCLcB/s320/IMG_0717.JPG" width="240" /></a>8.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Surprising-Americas/dp/0307409155/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1488416294&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=how+not+to+die"><i>How Not to Die</i></a>*, by Jan Garavaglia<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />Medical examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia recounts the strange and horrible ways people have ended up dead in her morgue, and suggests how you can avoid a similar fate.<br /><br />I actually found this book when I was searching for Dr. Greger's <i>How Not to Die*</i>, and the idea intrigued me. If I could stand the sight of blood, I would have considered becoming a ME myself. Some of the deaths she describes are truly heartbreaking, since they were seemingly so preventable. She gives a lot of good advice, although she follows strict medical ideals (such as getting flu shots, which if I have heard correctly, are not as effective as once thought, something to research and check with your doctor about). While I will not be following all of her advice, I am incorporating some of her suggestions into my life (just got to hope that I'm not mistaken about ignoring the rest, haha).<br /><br />Total read: 7.<br /><br />Unfinished: 1.<br /><br />Read so far: 20.<br /><br />Unfinished so far: 2.<br /><br />Again, I was pleased with my reading progress in February, as most of these were longer books (some were shorter, and some were very easy reads, so that helped).&nbsp;I was pleased to find two books this month to replace the two I didn't finish. Only 32 left to reach 52 books read!<br /><br />Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Do you agree or disagree with my ratings? Let me know in the comments.<br /><br />I also left the reviews for all of these on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27489851-christy-reed?shelf=read">GoodReads</a>.<br /><div><br /></div>*For the sake of brevity, I have not included the subtitles of these books.Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-90610980967747068802017-02-16T16:00:00.000-08:002017-02-16T17:47:23.656-08:00My Life According to My Cat: The Pill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkTZ-SFyPzo/V_wqGNtR54I/AAAAAAAAAU8/Yvg35bndZuwJMLK3bOICP-cRKEwO3mDrACPcB/s1600/100_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkTZ-SFyPzo/V_wqGNtR54I/AAAAAAAAAU8/Yvg35bndZuwJMLK3bOICP-cRKEwO3mDrACPcB/s320/100_0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's morning, but early yet. There is no sun peeking through the curtain, though the sky is gray tone instead of black. I close my eye again, curled comfortably into my little warm ball of fur. For anyone reading this who is not a cat, I feel sorry for you. Because you have no idea of the delights of being able to curl into a ball and be surrounded by warm fur, and because you are not a cat (you can take comfort that you are not a dog, though).<br /><br />A door creaks open. Her. It's always her this early. Trying to be stealthy, to sneak out here quietly to where I'm cuddled up on the couch. I would laugh if it wasn't so pitiful. Humans really have no idea what loud creatures they are.<br /><br />Footsteps. You'd think an elephant taught her to walk. She must have learned how to be stealthy from a dog. I would teach her better, but that would be annoying. Plus, it is more convenient this way. No need to listen hard to figure out where she is. I curl tighter into my ball, closing my eye again. I'm almost back to sleep when I hear that hideous noise: "FEESH! Hun-nee!" What possessed her to think "feesh" was a good nickname for me? If she was going to call me something delicious, couldn't she at least pronounce it correctly, "fish" instead of "feesh"? She's no better than a kitten.<br /><br />It is laughable, though, that she thinks she's whispering. The other humans must be deaf not to hear her.<br /><br />"There you are, my love!" a hand musses up my fur before I have a chance to turn around, as the couch cushion next to me sinks. She's faster than I thought she would be. But then, it's only because I'm still practically asleep. I open my eye again. There she is, smiling that smile which means danger. Sure enough, as she pulls me onto her lap, I see the disgusting pill in her other hand.<br /><br />My mouth is open and it's going down my throat before I can claw my way free. Bleugh! It tastes awful, like that time I licked my fur after going through some cobwebs. Bitter and sticky. I glare at her as she proceeds to run her hand over my fur. It was clean. "There, now you sleep until it's time to eat."<br /><br />I'd scratch her, but that would be rude. Although as she continues to hold me, the temptation is strong. I squirm, and she finally gets the hint and deposits me back into my nice warm spot. As she gets up and heads into the kitchen, I consider chasing after her to bite her ankle. But it's not worth the trouble. I'll trip her later when she's getting my food ready.<br /><br />I curl back into my spot, but now the blanket is messed up. I claw at it until it's adequate, and lay back down. She'll leave me alone for an hour now, before she comes back with my food. I run my tongue over my paw. I'll sleep again. But I'll need another bath first.<br /><br /><i>To learn more about why MeMe needs medicine, you can check out <a href="https://slayingtheserpents.blogspot.com/2016/10/faith-and-gray-cat.html">this post</a> I wrote on my other blog.</i><br /><br /><br />Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-80575810820212409882017-02-09T16:00:00.000-08:002017-02-09T16:00:14.689-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Five Part Four, Last One!<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a><i>If you missed&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five.html">Part One</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five_7.html">Part Two</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five_8.html">Part Three</a>&nbsp;of Chapter Five, go ahead and follow the links. Today, I'm posting the last part of Chapter Five, a very short scene. This completes the sample chapters I'll be posting for&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>. However, please read through to the end of the post, because that announcement&nbsp;I promised Monday is coming up.😊</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer</i><i>&nbsp;page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey swung her feet, kicking the leg of the bench, as she waited for the cook to finish her mutterings about “no-good vagabonds” and “feed bags with a dozen holes for every inch” and bring her the bowl of stew she so grudgingly ladled out. Her stomach was complaining, gnawing at itself. It didn’t like its long fast. It’d been three days now since she’d eaten anything but some wild berries she’d found growing on a bramble bush by the roadside. Raspberries, she would’ve said they were, save that it was too late in the year. Whatever they were, there’d been far too few of them. Skey wished the cook would be as fast in getting that stew over to her as she was in using her tongue.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“It appears you’re not too fond of minstrels,” she made an attempt at a joke, as with a sour look the woman set the bowl before her. “Is it the sound of their voice grating along on notes? Or their harp strings tuned ten years ago?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“It’s the way they fill their bellies as though eating for ten or twelve.” The cook scowled. “You’re all alike. Nothing but empty sieves.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey laughed, as she dipped her spoon into the bowl. What an old fool. The steamy smell of vegetables and beef rising from the stew made her even hungrier. “It certainly feels that way sometimes. Either I’ll be feeding my belly, or else it’ll be eating itself.” She grinned at her, “But maybe it looks that way to you because your cooking smells so good. If you’d cook worse, I think you might solve the problem.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The woman blushed. Yes, those charm lessons did come in handy. “But if you’ve a troublesome lover,” she continued, “you might get rid of him just as easily. I’ve no experience, but they say the way to change a man’s heart’s to change your cooking. But if it fails, it’s nothing some hot spice can’t take care of. Or some hemlock.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The kitchen woman laughed. She gave Skey a playful box on the ear. “Aye, you’re not only a minstrel, but a scalawag as well. If I had the bad luck of being your mother, I’d be driven well-nigh frantic by you.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The warm stew in her mouth was cold and tasteless. She forced herself to swallow. “Aye, you would’ve been,” she said, as the cook went off to tend her pots. She sighed. “My own mother couldn’t handle it.”</div></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>That's the end of Chapter Five. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Okay, so my announcement: right now, </i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1486668536&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i> is on sale on Amazon for 99¢. If you want to snag a copy at this price, head on over to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1486668536&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Amazon</a>. This sale will only last around a week.</i></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Thank you so much for reading these chapters. I hope you found them interesting!</i></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Next week, I'll return to posting once a week on Thursdays.&nbsp;</i></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-54733725240474652402017-02-08T16:00:00.000-08:002017-02-09T17:15:48.704-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Five Part Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a></div><i>If you missed&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five.html">Part One</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five_7.html">Part Two</a>, go ahead and follow the links. Today, I'm posting Chapter Five Part Three of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer</i><i>&nbsp;page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Yes, yes, I believe so,” Sieku laughed at Lord Gredlo’s comment. “The minstrels have been keeping Foaie at a standstill, or so I hear. Hopefully His Majesty will figure out how to defeat the Iezomen for good soon.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“My lady?” she heard a voice at her elbow.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sieku looked at her steward. “Yes? What is it?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Forgive me for the interruption, but would you care to have the minstrel play now? She’s quite ready to do my lady’s bidding.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sieku smiled. It would never do to admit she had eavesdropped. “Ah, so you did find a minstrel? And a woman, at that?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“No, my lady…she’s but a child. But her skill makes up for it.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Are you sure she’s good?” She laughed, “I can’t have a bad singer. You know the talk it’d make.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He shook his head. She smothered a giggle. What if it rattled loose from his neck… “No, no, no, my lady. I assure you she plays well. Very well. She may even rival Farer.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Well, then, she must be skilled.” To hear a minstrel besides Farer, after all this time… “Yes, I believe we’re quite ready for some music,” looking around to the guests. “Would you care to hear the minstrel now, or shall we wait a while longer?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Many nods went around the room. “Yes indeed, whenever you wish is fine,” Lady Meyka said, closing her fan. “I would like to hear a minstrel’s voice after so many weeks.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sieku turned back to the steward with a smile. “Very well, you’ve heard the decision. Fetch this young minstrel of yours.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The doors of the great hall opened. All was silent as a yellow-haired girl walked into the room, and straight to her.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">So this was the minstrel. The steward wasn’t exactly right when he called her a child. Though she wasn’t grown up either. Around fifteen, sixteen, she’d say. The girl gave a sweeping bow, and looked up at Sieku with confident green eyes. The kind of eyes she’d always imagined the fae had. “Greetings, my lady. Am I to have the pleasure of playing for you and this merry company tonight?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sieku laughed. She liked politeness in a minstrel. “Yes, indeed.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The lass straightened up. “Very well. Tell me, what shall I play for the pleasure of my lady’s ears?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Such good court manners. It was like she had spent years as a royal minstrel. “How about ‘The Chalice of Nairve’?” Sieku took her chair at the head table. Gredlo and Meyka sat on either side of her, as the peasants in the great hall followed suit.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The girl dropped to one knee before her table. “If that’s my lady’s pleasure.” Her fingers glided over the strings. She bowed her head. In a low clear voice, she began:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">“Many tales have been told</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Of Zennure, and the cup of gold,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The treasure of the glad fairies,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Not for men’s eyes to see,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Chalice of Nairve.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Her father a shepherd,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">She watched the flock, as a small bird</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sung softly, sweetly in a tree.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">There appeared a lady</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Shroud in fine misty gray.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">She tried to run away.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The lady said, ‘Don’t be afraid.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">I need your help to find something</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Dearer than anything</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Any tongue’s words can say.’</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">‘What, Lady?’ Zennure asked.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">‘If I can, I’ll complete this task.’</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The lady told her the whole tale</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Of that cup of gold pale.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">And Zennure didn’t stay.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">She started out to find</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The cup whose tale was in her mind.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">It is too long to tell of here,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But by hill and stream clear</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">She made her winding way.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">At the cave said to hold</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">That Chalice of such lovely gold.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A fierce dragon stood on guard,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">With sharp fangs and scales hard,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Keeping Zennure away.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">She charmed it with a song</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Of spring, and summer days so long.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The dragon sighed, and fell asleep.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Zennure softly did creep,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">And took that of Nairve.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">She came back, but she found</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The lady was nowhere around.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">She couldn’t find her anywhere.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">So she watched with it there,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The Chalice of Nairve.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The words faded away, as the girl ran her fingers once again over the strings, and was silent. Sieku sat still, and didn’t say a word, though many cheers went up from every side of the room. The child told it almost as if she had been there, had lived through the legend. Never had she heard it so well told. She gazed down at the girl as she tuned her strings and brushed off an imaginary speck of dust. Maybe she was fae, after all.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">It was just a song, couldn’t be real, yet she couldn’t help asking every time she heard it. “What ever happened to them? What became of Zennure, and the lady?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The girl looked up, and smiled. “I don’t know. But I hope the lady returned one day, and took Zennure back with her to her fair kingdom.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Was that bitterness she detected? Why? She peered closer at her. Where did this girl come from, anyway? She didn’t quite look Beolkin or Mekain…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Now, Seili,” the steward’s voice cut into her thoughts, “sing that song you sung earlier. You know, about the tear. You’re certain to be pleased with this one, my lady,” he turned to Sieku.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She sighed to herself, and nodded to the girl. She would have to ponder this all out later. Seili ran her fingers over the strings:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">“But a drop, but a tear,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But a second in a year.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But what things are revealed</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">In naught more than a tear…”</div></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Five Part Three. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Five&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five_9.html">Part Four</a>&nbsp;will be available tomorrow.</i></span></span></span></div></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-87702982321543757832017-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002017-02-08T16:56:57.614-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Five Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a></div><i>If you missed <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five.html">Part One</a>, go ahead and follow the link. Today, I'm posting Chapter Five Part Two of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer</i><i>&nbsp;page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The steward rubbed his chin as Skey finished speaking. He ran his eyes over her torn clothes. “Well, you certainly won’t do like that. But you know the songs Lady Sieku loves.” He snapped his fingers. “We’ll soon put all to rights,” he continued as a maid entered. “New clothes can be part of the pay. The rest, say two silver coins, plus dinner and a bed afterwards?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey nodded. Nobles paid more, too. But then that was to be expected. After all, hadn’t the emperor paid her well until she was thrown in prison? “Deal. But wouldn’t you like a sample of my music first?” She smiled, “Free, of course.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The steward smiled as well. “Yes, indeed. You’re rather sensible for a minstrel.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey smiled to herself. Yes, she still remembered Zeino’s charm lessons. Too bad they hadn’t been able to get her out of the Tower. She strummed her harp gently. “What do you wish?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The steward glanced at the great clock in the hall. “How about the… No, that’d never do… Maybe the ‘Song…,’ no, too long…”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey smiled. She knew just the song. “Would you like me to choose for you?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He sighed, and nodded. “Very well,” he leaned back against the wall, “play something. Preferably not common.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Most certainly not. I only sing tales fitting of the ones attending at such grand occasions.” Her fingers glided over the strings, changing the tune to one richer and fuller:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">“But a drop, but a tear,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But a second in a year.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But what things are revealed</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">In naught more than a tear.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A revealer of woe,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Cold as ice, and as snow.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">What the heart longs to know</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Not at all: such is woe.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A revealer of rage,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Of a war which you wage</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Within your soul. On the page</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Of your life: such is rage.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A revealer of fear,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Of the darkness creeping near,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Or of the flame that’ll sear</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">What it can: such is fear.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A revealer of love,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">White and pure as the dove.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">A tender mother’s gentle shove</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">From all harm, such is love.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But a drop, but a tear,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But a second in a year.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But what things are revealed</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">In naught more than a tear.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">As the last notes faded, the steward was silent. She studied the strings. Didn’t he like it? There was no way he couldn’t have. Hadn’t she spent almost four years playing for Emperor Rokiye?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Well,” he said slowly. “I’ve never heard anything like it. What skill, what grace, what beauty.” Skey looked up. He stared at her. “Lady Sieku will be pleased.” Something clattered in the hall. He shook his head. “Now, then, back to business. What would your name happen to be?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey froze a moment. Should she tell her name, with Cinote looking for her? “I call myself Seili.” She stood up. “Shall I go prepare myself for the party?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Oh, yes.” He waved to the maid still standing there. “You’d best go right away. I believe we’ve some clothes that’d fit you.” He turned to the maid. “Take her to the tailor. Make sure she’s ready in thirty minutes.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He looked back at Skey. “She’ll take care of you. I’ll see you afterward, to give you the money. Forgive me for my rudeness, but I really must go to greet my lady’s guests.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey smiled. Those silver coins would come in handy if she ended up taking a ship to Mekai or Friiakan. And maybe there would be more… “Certainly, Lord Steward.”</div></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Five Part Two. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Five&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five_8.html">Part Three</a>&nbsp;will be available tomorrow.</i></span></span></span></div></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-49007023788546531352017-02-06T16:00:00.000-08:002017-02-07T16:48:10.268-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Five Part One<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a><i>Last week, I posted Chapter Four&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-4.html">Part One</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-four.html">Part Two</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-four.html">Part Three</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>. This week, I'll be posting Chapter Five. This is the last chapter I'll be posting. This chapter consists of shorter scenes than the other chapter, so each of the four posts will be short. I'll post them today through Thursday (when I'll have a special announcement, so please make sure you read Thursday's post).&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer</i><i>&nbsp;page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">CHAPTER FIVE</span></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sieku paused a moment and turned to the door, her brush poised to make another pass through her hair. “I was sure I heard something,” she murmured, as only silence sounded in the hall. “Surely it wasn’t—”</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Thump.</i>&nbsp;“There it is again,” she rose from her chair. “I’m definitely not hearing things. What could it be?”</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She slipped to the door, and bent her head to the key hole. There was hurried whispering outside, “They’re supposed to be here any minute.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“But we can’t have the party without a minstrel. You know that my lady loves to listen to their tales more than anything else. She didn’t say find one, but you know it’s always been understood that we were to.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“What can we do?” her steward replied. “It’s almost the hour. There’s no time. We’ll just have to make do with the rest.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Someone sighed. “I know, but Lady Sieku loves the tales so much… I hate to disappoint her.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“I wish we could’ve found one for her, but with the Iezomen, the king sent most of them to the border. Wandering minstrels are rare in these times.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Both voices hushed as footsteps came down the corridor. “Steward, there’s a lass downstairs wanting to see you. Says something about being a minstrel.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Ah, wonderful. Tell the lass I’ll be down shortly. Ask her if she knows ‘The Chalice of Nairve.’ It’s one of Her Ladyship’s favorites.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">A giggle. “I believe she does. When I left, she was humming it.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The voices died away, as footsteps sounded down the hall. Sieku went back to her chair. She began to brush her hair again. “So there’s a minstrel not at the borders after all.” She studied her reflection in the mirror. “I didn’t expect there to be any so close to Miagulo Castle, not with Farer around. I hope she’s not a deserter.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">No, that was silly. All of the minstrels placed at the border knew the seriousness of their duty. And no deserter would dare come so close to the seat of the kingdom. Each one knew the penalty…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her hand stopped. She placed the brush back in its place, and began to braid the locks next to her face, pulling them back and braiding them together down her back. She turned to view her handiwork in the mirror. “Perfect. It was a good thing I watched Meilee so often. Now I can do it while she’s ill, poor dear.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She applied a tinge of pink to her lips, a slight bit of powder to her face, and dabbed on some perfume. She rose from her chair, and straightened the skirt of her pale silver gown. “There,” as she surveyed herself in her mirror. “That’ll do. It’s an informal party, after all.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She sighed. Not all of her guests would be there. “It’s too bad they can’t come. But what they’re doing is important.” She smiled. She’d known the king since childhood, and his nephew since he was a baby. “Ah, they’re a funny pair, to be sure. Kotua is so much like his uncle was at his age. Oh well,” turning toward the door, “maybe next time.”</div></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Five Part One. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Five&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five_7.html">Part Two</a>&nbsp;will be available tomorrow.</i></span></span></span></div></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-20644502445655001052017-02-02T18:14:00.001-08:002017-03-02T14:48:36.992-08:002017 Book Challenge, January Update!Today I'm sharing an update on my <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2016/12/2017-book-challenge.html">reading challenge</a>. I'll list the books, and give a short review of each one (except the Chronicles of Narnia series, which I'll group together).<br /><br />Here's the books I read:<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Fantasy</u></b><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCB9NwT3Zxk/WJPeLut4T0I/AAAAAAAAAWE/m9EDJv7g1E42KWJH64cAVOEkAor9uFZzgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCB9NwT3Zxk/WJPeLut4T0I/AAAAAAAAAWE/m9EDJv7g1E42KWJH64cAVOEkAor9uFZzgCLcB/s320/IMG_0688.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />1. <i>Chronicles of Narnia</i>, entire series, by C. S. Lewis<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Witch-Wardrobe-Chronicles-Narnia-ebook/dp/B001I45UFC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482888145&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=the+lion+the+witch+and+the+wardrobe"><i>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i></a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I45UFW/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_4"><i>Prince Caspian</i></a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I45UEI/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_5"><i>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i></a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DNWQ34/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_6"><i>The Silver Chair</i></a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I45UF2/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1"><i>The Magician's Nephew</i></a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I45UFM/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_3"><i>The Horse and His Boy</i></a><br /><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I45UE8/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_7">The Last Battle</a></i><br /><div><br /></div>Rating for all seven books: ****<br /><br />This series follows the adventures of various children from our world who visit the land of Narnia, a strange and magical place created by a lion named Aslan. If you've never heard of the series, it's loosely an allegory based on Christianity, with Aslan representing Jesus Christ.<br /><br />I've read this series several times since I was a kid. While the story reads like it was written for 8-11 year-olds, I still like it very much as an adult. The books I have are all old editions (from the 1970s, but I believe the text itself wasn't changed from the original for each book), and so they do use a few words which we consider mild swear words. I have never read a newer edition, so the publishers may have updated the language to reflect our times.<br /><br /><br />2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragonfly-Prophecy-Jacquelyn-Castle-ebook/dp/B007K4RSO0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887934&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=the+dragonfly+prophecy"><i>The Dragonfly Prophecy</i></a>, by Jacquelyn Castle<br /><br />Rating **<br /><br />Even though she has been ill and keeps having these horrid dreams about dragon flies, Lexi is excited to see William again. Her boyfriend she met during her year studying abroad in Great Britain, William is coming to the States for the summer. But as her falling and fainting spells grow worse, she finds out her life is not quite as perfect as she once thought.<br /><br />Although I found the plot interesting, I just never grew to like Lexi. There would be parts in the book where she would go on about how wonderful she was, phrasing it as "not bragging," but at the same time she would be very immature or stupid while she bragged about being incredibly smart. The story also had a love triangle between her and two guys who just both seemed too good to be true, who both adored her and put up with whatever childish thing she did (so maybe they were the idiots?). Throughout the book, Lexi stays as immature as always, despite her struggles (though most were very superficial). I feel this whole book could be summed up like this: immature, supposedly brilliant girl has to choose between two boys who each declare their undying love for her, coddle her in even her most ridiculous moments, and constantly stoke her ego while she accomplishes tasks and learns new skills with disgustingly little effort.<br /><br />Did I mention that she lives with a filthy rich aunt, who spoils her at every moment? And that one of the guys who adores her is some super-powerful gifted one?<br /><br />It was a nice little read, but Ms. Castle should've taken more time to develop the story, and especially work on her main character. What started out as an intriguing story was overwhelmed with cliches and references that didn't make much sense, not to mention a protagonist that you wanted to see fail. And even though the end finally explains about the dragon flies, it still didn't make sense to me why Lexi was dreaming of them.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Historical Fiction</u></b><br /><br />3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Then-Begins-Lord-Baugham-ebook/dp/B004GXAVK6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887657&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=love+then+begins"><i>Love Then Begins</i></a>, by Gail McEwen and Tina Moncton<br /><br />Rating: *<br /><br />I didn't finish this book. I read the first book in this series, and really liked it (it reminded me of Jane Austen's novels), and thought I would enjoy the second one. However, while the first one was a sweet story about two people falling in love, this book read like erotica or a porno, with explicit sex scenes I wish I'd been warned about (I must confess, though, I went back on Amazon and found out erotica is one of the categories it's listed under, but when the first book had barely a lewd reference this total lack of decorum left me quite shocked). Granted, they're a married couple, but still, shouldn't some stuff be left to the reader's imagination? Nothing was. I tried skipping past, but with another "amorous moment" happening between them every few pages, the story lost all appeal to me. I wish the authors had kept the same style they had used in writing the first book.<br /><br /><br /><u><b>Nonfiction</b></u><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MpI89FIdIZc/WJPeQKYOjpI/AAAAAAAAAWM/v6b0uscI7xAhlgTpp-hABQFB4ay_-PI-gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MpI89FIdIZc/WJPeQKYOjpI/AAAAAAAAAWM/v6b0uscI7xAhlgTpp-hABQFB4ay_-PI-gCLcB/s320/IMG_0690.JPG" width="320" /></a>4.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Worn-Stories-Emily-Spivack/dp/1616892765/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886557&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=worn+stories"><i>Worn Stories</i></a>, by Emily Spivack<br /><br />Rating ***<br /><br />This was a cute, short book where different men and women talked about a piece of clothing they owned and why it was special to them. It was interesting getting these little glimpses into their lives: a favorite memory of a parent, persevering through tough times, saying goodbye to a boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.<br /><br />5.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wear-No-Evil-Change-Wardrobe/dp/0762451270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482886992&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=wear+no+evil"><i>Wear No Evil</i></a>*, by Greta Eagan<br /><br />Rating *****<br /><br />If you have been seeking a way to buy clothes that are kinder to the earth and to the people who make them, this is the book. A fashionista by birth and training, Eagan has provided numerous resources to help you be stylish while "greening up" your wardrobe, as well as detailed reasons why you should care. Although many of the companies she recommends are rather pricey, and her description of what you should have in your wardrobe is probably overkill for all of us but the most dedicated style lovers, she gives good tips on how to shop, and also provides some companies which are not super expensive and a lengthy list of resources. Sadly, she's decided not to keep up her fashion blog, which made me really sad, but the book is a wonderful guide.<br /><br /><br /><u><b>Horror</b></u><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rBRmzTh9e1c/WJPeN_4TBJI/AAAAAAAAAWI/jQLo-NHsyHE8YBsKDswcJBR6_jYWXqONwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rBRmzTh9e1c/WJPeN_4TBJI/AAAAAAAAAWI/jQLo-NHsyHE8YBsKDswcJBR6_jYWXqONwCLcB/s320/IMG_0689.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />6.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sanctum-Asylum-Madeleine-Roux/dp/0062221000/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887133&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=sanctum"><i>Sanctum</i></a>, by Madeleine Roux<br /><br />Rating ****<br /><br />The sequel to <i>Asylum</i>, Dan visits his former roommate who tried to kill him the summer previous, and is sent on a quest back to Brookline to continue unraveling the mystery behind it.<br /><br />I enjoyed it, but the horror aspect was almost too much for me. I feel like this was a little darker than the first book. While a good sequel (which is hard to do, so I applaud her on her success), it left too many loose ends that were never resolved. There are some swear words FYI.<br /><br />7.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catacomb-Asylum-Madeleine-Roux/dp/0062364065/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887173&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=catacomb+asylum"></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catacomb-Asylum-Madeleine-Roux/dp/0062364065/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887173&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=catacomb+asylum"><i>Catacomb</i></a>*, by Madeleine Roux<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />The sequel to Sanctum, Dan, Abby, and Jordan road trip down to New Orleans, where Jordan will attend college and live with his uncle. But they discover someone following them on their journey. And when they arrive in New Orleans, things take a sinister turn.<br /><br />While a good story on its own, it didn't work as a sequel. Instead, it felt like something Ms. Roux tacked on at the end, trying to get another book out of the series. A lot of new information is brought in, which wasn't even hinted at in the first two books. In all fairness, the front cover does call it "an <i>Asylum</i> novel" instead of a sequel, but I think it would have been better off as the beginning of a new series involving Dan and his friends, or even just a standalone book. Like <i>Sanctum</i>, I felt it left a lot of questions unanswered. There are some swear words FYI.<br /><br />8.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Asylum-Madeleine-Roux/dp/0062424424/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482887217&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=escape+from+asylum"><i>Escape From Asylum</i></a>, by Madeleine Roux<br /><br />Rating: ***<br /><br />This book tells of Brookline in the 1960s, when Ricky is sent to be a patient after a series of disagreements with his mom and her husband leads to him attacking his step dad. Having been to other asylums, he thinks it will be easy to get out, until he learns that Warden Crawford has a special experiment in mind for him.<br /><br />While a really good story depicting the horrors of Brookline in its active days, parts of it didn't fit. Ricky keeps seeing things, and the story never really explains why (they're not all ghosts, because one person is still alive). It makes you wonder if he wasn't sent there only because he's bisexual, but because he hallucinates. However, the book never mentions him seeing things before coming to Brookline. There are some swear words FYI. <br /><br /><br />Total read: 13.<br /><br />Unfinished: 1.<br /><br />I did better than I thought I would in January, although the <i>Chronicles of Narnia </i>books are very short. Maybe I will be able to read 52 this year.<br /><br />Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Do you agree or disagree with my ratings? Let me know in the comments.<br /><br />I also left the reviews for all of these on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27489851-christy-reed?shelf=read">GoodReads</a>.<br /><br />*For the sake of brevity, I have not included the subtitles of these books.Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-27253218955260386182017-02-01T16:00:00.000-08:002017-02-06T16:47:02.651-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Four Part Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a></div><i>If you missed Chapter Four&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-4.html">Part One</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-four.html">Part Two</a>&nbsp;</i><i>of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>, go ahead and follow the links</i><i>. Today, I'm posting Part Three. This is the last scene in Chapter Four. If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He pulled his cloak over his head, snapping the cord that fastened at the neck. He cast it to the ground as he turned and surveyed the group of soldiers that had appeared in the great hall behind him.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">More than four-fifths of the men with the long jagged scars down the left side of their faces had made it back with him.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Most of them had wounds that, thanks to the power of the Iezo, would heal quickly.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">All of them would be ready for battle within a week.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">All of them were brainless fools.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The fabric tore under his boot as he ground the cloak into the stone. He’d failed. Again. Any other kingdom he’d gone against, the city had crumbled within days. But now he had been forced to flee, and not by a king, but by a mere scrap of a lad.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Your bones will feed my dogs yet, whelp,” he muttered.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He should have brought more power, drove these soldiers harder. It wore them out faster, but they could recover. If these pathetic creatures could actually think for themselves, instead of merely being mounds of fleshy pawns, they would have spotted and attacked the minstrel themselves.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He smiled. But maybe the defeat was worth it this time. After all, he’d finally caught her. After Foaie had been trying to for so many years. Even Naircre hadn’t been able to find the girl. “They will be pleased,” he murmured, waving his hand behind him. “To your guard posts. Bar any intruders.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He didn’t need to look behind him to know the soldiers moved as one. He could tell from the tramp of their boots that they turned and headed to the doors in unison, working their way through like water through a narrow stream. They would surround the wall, stopping intruders from entering. The captains would watch them from there. It was convenient that these brainless creatures didn’t need the same rest and nourishment those not under the Iezo’s power did.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He strode through the hall to the doors in the back. He shoved them open. The room behind was really more like a wide corridor than a room. Doors stood directly across from the ones he had just passed through, leading into Foaie’s private chambers. The walls here were shelves piled with scrolls. A small, lean man, his head shiny and hairless, sat behind a desk scratching letters onto parchment with a goose quill pen. Sodoma stomped up to him, slamming both hands down on the wood. “Where’s Foaie?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The man looked up, and raised an eyebrow, his green eyes smirking. “In quite a temper, aren’t we? Are you sure you wouldn’t rather see him when you’ve figured out an excuse for this failure?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He scowled. If there was someone he hated more than the idiot who sat on Miagulo’s throne, it was Jekgaul. “I asked where he was, scribe. I don’t need your nonsense.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Jekgaul’s lip curled. “Very well. He is in there. Don’t expect him to be happy with your news though.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma ignored him, giving the desk a vicious shove and almost upsetting the ink bottle as he strode toward the doors. He knocked, his fist making the doors sound hollow.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Enter.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Even though he’d expected it, something still ran a cold knife through him when he heard the voice. He eased the door open, and scowled at Jekgaul’s smirk as he stepped inside.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The room itself wasn’t out of place in an old castle. Tapestries hung over the walls, depicting some old legends about the Beolkins. Some he recognized from the stories his sister used to tell him and his brother, hiding under the covers in her bed, trying not to hear the wails of his mother. Others he had slowly learned as he went through Beolki, destroying city after city. The furniture was all old and carved from mahogany and oak, good solid wood that lasts lifetimes after the carvers are dust in the earth.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">It was the cloaked figure staring out the window that caused another shiver to run through his belly.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He fell to one knee, and bowed his head. “My liege, I am here.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Excellent,” the cloak rustled, as Foaie turned around. Sodoma swallowed, and forced himself to look up into the red eyes of his master.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Foaie smiled, his almost-transparent skin stretching around almost transparent teeth. His white hair fell to his waist, partly falling over his left cheek, the cheek Sodoma knew the Friiakans had burned the paw print off long ago. “Now, my general,” with a wave of his hand motioning him to rise, “what news of Mokayi?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma got to his feet, a scowl taking over his face. “My lord, we were driven from the city. That accursed brat prince has gotten better in the game of war. Even with the dark hawks, we were powerless against the song.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Song?” Foaie raised a pure white eyebrow. “Mokayi had no minstrel. Our spy made sure of that. Didn’t you attack unawares?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma scowled. “Yes, my lord. But somehow they sent word to the castle. A messenger was spotted by my men. The idiots must’ve let him escape.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Foaie turned to the window. Sodoma bit his lip hard to keep from shouting. To keep it from quivering. The strange Friiakan was always the eeriest when he was angry. Unlike others, unlike his own father, Foaie would never explode. His anger was more like a cobra…swift, silent.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Dangerous.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“It’s disappointing,” Foaie finally said, looking back at him. “I didn’t think you of all people would fail me so many times.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma dropped to one knee, his head bowed. “It won’t happen again, Sire. Next time the prince and I meet, he’ll rue it to his grave.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“If he doesn’t then meet it, if I know you correctly, Sodoma,” Foaie smiled at him.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma looked up, and grinned. “My lord knows the ways of his servant very well.” The Friiakan was right. If he had his way, there wouldn’t be enough left of the prince to feed the valley vultures.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“But, my lord, to make up for my blunder, I caught the lass.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Foaie started, and then smiled. “Where is she?” he beckoned him to rise.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma did so, allowing himself a smile. Skey’s capture would more than make up for his blunders. “In your dungeons. Brainless lass walked right into my camp.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Foaie smiled. “Guards.” Two soldiers, long scars running down their faces, entered. Foaie waved at them. “Fetch me the prisoner.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The soldiers bowed, and went out. Foaie looked at Sodoma, interest in his eyes. “How did you manage to catch her? I admit, she managed to escape me only days ago.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma smirked. “My Maenian father may have been a worthless drunk, but at least he taught me some of his magic.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Ah, yes,” Foaie almost purred. “I remember. The man who used to beat you, and starve you. The one Naircre saved you from.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The bitter taste filled his mouth again. He could still feel the clammy coldness of his sister’s hands, see the glassy sheen of his mother’s glazed-over eyes… “Aye. He got what he deserved.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">A knock sounded. The taste faded, as Sodoma smiled. The guards were back with Skey. Foaie turned to the door, the tips of his canine teeth showing through his colorless lips. “Enter.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The soldiers entered. One held a cloak in his hand. There was no sign of Skey.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma bit his lip. Either the disk was weakening, or something was terribly wrong.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Foaie frowned. “Well? Where is she?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma snatched the cloak away. Orange glimmered on it, and a few sparkling flecks fell to the floor. “Confound it. She wiped the seal off. This is her cloak.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Foaie folded his arms, and tapped his fingers against his arm. “Well, my general, it appears even with Naircre’s strength your magic is not omnipotent. Where do you suppose she is?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma threw the cloak on the ground, and stomped on it. “The brat could be anywhere by now. With that skill of hers, she could have gone all the way to Friiakan or Mekai.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“No, she couldn’t have. Not yet, anyway.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma looked back at him. Why was Foaie smiling? Uneasiness pricked at his stomach again. “My lord?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Don’t think you were the only one working, Sodoma. I too have seen our elusive little friend. She is wounded, and her Arilian habits won’t let her survive in Beolki’s cold. She’ll be looking for a nice warm castle to hide away in until spring. And we both know what she’ll be posing as.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sodoma smiled slowly. Foaie returned it. “Yes, my general. I will send out my spies. Tell Gerto he will lead the army in your absence. Ready yourself. It’s time you did some treasure hunting. Starting with a visit to our dear friend Prince Kotua.”</div><div><br /></div></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Four Part Three. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Five&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-five.html">Part One</a>&nbsp;will be available on Monday.</i></span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-75921808894002721582017-01-31T16:00:00.000-08:002017-02-01T16:23:35.737-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Four Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a></div><i>If you missed Chapter Four&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-4.html">Part One</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a>, <i>you'll find it by following the link. Today, I'm posting Part Two. If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her shoulder throbbed. She grimaced and sat up, a hand to her head. Something orange glimmered in the corner of her eye, on her cheek. She wiped her hand over it, and the orange slippery glitter rested on her palm. She wiped it on her cloak, and then scrubbed her face with the edge of the fabric. Light peeped in from the tent opening. No guards outside, no shadows across the tent. She reached into her belt pouch and started to put on her metal-studded gloves. The cloak began to glow brightly. She tore it off her, and threw it. It vanished before the fabric touched the ground. She shivered. Was that dark magic?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She rose to her knees, and rubbed the back of her aching head. “He sure can hit hard.” Her lips stung. Her probing fingers stopped as they felt the crusty blood. She shook her head, and almost wanted to laugh. “Looks like you’ve got yourself into something, Skey. Who knew Cinote was so smart? I didn’t think those idiots could find their own feet, let alone that map I dropped. But how did they get here so fast? Unless Cinote had them here in the first place.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Was that it? Had he known what she planned to do from the beginning? Had someone realized the map was missing?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She shook her head. If they had, they wouldn’t have let her keep it. Maps weren’t cheap, and definitely weren’t something you let prisoners have.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">How would he have known to send men to Beolki anyway?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She bowed her head and sighed. Oh well. She’d just have to figure out another way to escape him. If she could just get to one of the Beolkin nobles’ castles… Once there, she could disappear. At least for a while. Right now, though, she’d do better to make up a plan for getting out of this camp.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Miagulo. Yeah!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her head jerked up. “What was that?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Miagulo.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Steel clanged. “Why, they’ve been attacked,” she scrambled to her feet. Her harp rested by her. She snatched it up.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Cloth ripped. The beam of light widened as she turned back to the door, only to be darkened as a man’s form ducked in. “Ah,” he halted. “What do we have here? A lassie, it looks like.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey stood up, and slung the harp over her shoulder. “A minstrel,” the soldier laughed. “Well, you’ll come in handy. You can write a song about our victory.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“I write songs for no one unless I choose to.” How could she get by him?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The burly soldier chuckled. “Ah, you’re a feisty one. That’s good. They write the best songs.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Try this for a song,” Skey struck him right below the jaw.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He let out a roar. Another when she kicked his legs out from under him. She darted past him, but he seized her ankle. She fell, and kicked herself free. She jumped up, and ran. He was right behind her. “Get the lass.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey darted around the tents. Soldiers were ducking in and out of them, shredding the fabric with their blades. Too busy to notice her. Now where was that gate? There. She ran towards it, and skidded to a halt. Two soldiers had just swung it shut.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The soldier seized her arms. Fire rippled through her right shoulder. She kicked him hard. He grunted, tightening his grip as he looked about. “I can’t keep hold of her.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">A soldier and a captain ran towards him. One grabbed her legs, while the captain drew his dagger. “I’d be still, if I were you.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey froze as the cold metal brushed her throat. The captain nodded to the burly one. “You take charge of her. Keo, watch her, keep your blade drawn. We’ll see what the prince has to say.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Keo relinquished his hold, and drew his own knife. Skey tried not to swallow as the steel touched. The captain watched her a moment, then sheathed his blade. “Much better. March.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey scanned the camp as they headed toward the center. There had to be another way of escape. The soldier holding her laughed. “You’re meek enough now, lassie. Tired?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Maybe your face finally got to her, Paylor,” the other soldier teased.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The first glared at him. “Most like to be your face that scared the tongue out her, Keo.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Perhaps she’s the wisest of you blockheads, keeping her mouth shut that I don’t yell at her like I am at you,” the captain glared back at them. “Now shut up.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">They reached the center of the campsite. On the other side of it, a lad not much older than she was sat tall astride his horse as he talked with two soldiers. The general?&nbsp;<i>He’s awful young,</i>&nbsp;she tried not to smirk as he ran long fingers through his spiky orange hair, then folded his arms across his chest and laughed.&nbsp;<i>He doesn’t look much like a general.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Prince Kotua,” the captain waved, stopping Skey a few yards away. “We’ve a prisoner.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">His ice blue eyes sparkled as he turned to them. “A prisoner, you say? Well, she sure isn’t a prisoner I’d expect to find here. In the Iezomen army camp.” He smiled. “A minstrel, are you? Since when does General Sodoma have a minstrel in his camp? He must’ve gotten a better sense of humor since I last met him.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey didn’t answer. What a stupid grin. As if he didn’t expect her to reply, Kotua went on. “What shall we do with you? If only my uncle could see you. I’m sure he’d find you like no other.” He rubbed his chin. “Maybe I should bring you with us. My uncle might like another minstrel for his castle. Maybe he’d give me a break from looking at those state papers.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“I sing for who I choose, and no other,” Skey jerked away from the soldiers. They reached for her, but Kotua held up his hand. “I was seized for no cause. I demand you release me.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The prince laughed. He laughed way too much. “So you can talk. I was beginning to wonder, you know.” He shook his head. “A mute minstrel. That’s like a blind artist. Or a deaf scribe.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Will you release me?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“You remind me of my uncle. He acts the same way, you know. All business, no fun. Or at least when he has a game to win. Which’s been often lately, considering the war and all.” He shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t. I’ll have to take you with me, in case you’re a spy or something like that. But, not to worry. A few days in the dungeon and you’ll be as free as one can be. That being, of course, that you don’t know anything that’d warrant you being dead instead.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her jaw clenched. She wouldn’t be imprisoned again. “You’ll not have an easy time of it.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Easy or not, I still have to do it.” He looked to her captors. “Bind her.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey struck the one called Paylor as he tried to seize her, and gave Keo a sharp kick in the side. The captain caught her about the waist. She elbowed him sharply in the ribs. Kotua swung down from his horse, his eyes not as laughing as they’d been. “You’ve a temper like my uncle, too.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He grabbed her wrist. Her fist came in contact with his jaw. He rubbed it with his other hand, but his grip didn’t loosen. “You sure hit hard for a little kid.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey’s teeth clenched. “I’m not a little kid.” A sharp kick hit his shin.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He winced. “And you kick hard, too.” The laughter changed to a scowl. Her other hand was trapped with her first one, as his arm seized her about the waist. “I don’t have time for fooling around, lass. I’ve papers to look to when I get back.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey struggled to get her hands free. She drove her elbows backwards into his ribs. “You’re getting there without me.” She wrenched away, and sprinted towards the horse. It squealed, almost rearing as she threw herself into the saddle. She forced it down, digging her heels into the creature’s flanks.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The steed took off as its hooves struck the ground. “Stop her.” She glanced over her shoulder. Kotua stumbled after her, one hand gripping his side. A blood-drenched bandage peered through the tatters. “Don’t let her escape.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She kicked down a soldier who grabbed at her foot, and charged on. The gate was still closed, but it and the walls weren’t much taller than the prince. This horse could jump over it, given a running start. She drove her heels harder into its sides. Her heart kept time with its hooves. The horse had to make it. “Come on,” she whispered in its ear. “You can do it, boy. It’s only a little jump.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“To the gate. Come on. It’s closed. She can’t possibly escape.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Didn’t he realize the power of his own horse? Good thing she had taken it then.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The gate loomed up in front of them. The horse stiffened. “You can do it, boy.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Make sure the gate’s secured,” the prince was still behind her. “I don’t want her slipping through.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“I know you can. Just don’t think about it.” The pupil of its eye grew wide as they neared the gate. “Just jump when I say. Okay?” Her eyes scanned the wooden structure, the only barrier between her and freedom. “Ready?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The horse’s eye grew wider, but he didn’t slack his pace. “Stop her.” Skey smiled at the dismay in the prince’s voice. So he finally realized what she planned to do? Took him long enough.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She leaned closer into the horse. The time had come. “Jump.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">They were flying through the air, the wind whipping against their bodies. The hooves struck the ground hard on the other side of the gate. She clenched her teeth against the jar, her rear bouncing hard against the saddle. “Now run,” Skey hissed.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">There was no need. The speed the horse had built up kept him going. The gate burst open. She glanced back over her shoulder. A group of horsemen urged their steeds after her, at their head Prince Kotua. No smile on his face now.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“She must be a spy, or a deserter. We can’t let her get away.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She spurred her horse on faster, towards the city looming up ahead. Smoke and char wafted from the blackened ruins visible through the sagging gates. She coughed, her eyes watering. So that general had attacked this city. But he’d lost. Those chasing her now weren’t the same that captured her before.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">They were gaining. Foam gathered on her horse’s mouth, flying back and spattering her cheek. Its sides heaved under her, its gait slightly off. It wouldn’t be able to go much farther. She glanced up at the city. They were almost there. If they could only make it. “Come on, my friend. You’re tired, I know, but we’re almost there. Just a little farther, and you’ll be able to go where you please. They’ll never find me in there.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“We’re gaining on her,” Kotua’s voice was close enough to make her uneasy. “Come on, only a little farther.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She turned her eyes to the wall. The moments passed like hours. “Come on. Only a few yards more.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The wall reared itself up but a yard in front of them, broken here and there but mostly still intact. Skey wheeled the horse from it, and jumped off. Her fingers clawed at the rocks, as she scrambled up over them. She lost her footing when her hands reached the edge, and she hung there for a moment until she was able to scramble onto the top. “She’s on the wall,” Kotua grabbed the reins as the riderless horse bucked and reared. “Easy, boy, easy. After her,” he waved his men on. “If she escapes, it’ll not be well for the one who caused it.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey scrambled away from the edge, and catapulted herself off towards the guard house roof. Arrows whistled in her wake, and struck the wall by her as she clawed at the edge of the roof. “I didn’t say I wanted her dead,” Kotua voice rose over the wall, over the sound of men running towards the steps down and other running through the city gates. “I want her alive, unhurt, if possible.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Like that was going to happen. No more dungeon days for her. She scrambled onto the roof, and scuttled across the shingles, making for the lower part of the roof. She jumped down, and took off to the other side of the city. Armor clanked and men yelled right behind her. If she could escape them long enough to hide… She’d give them the slip come nightfall.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“There she is.” She glanced back. They were barely a score of yards behind her. They were fast, even in mail. She bowed her head to the wind, and ran even faster.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The gap widened as she veered left. An alley loomed up ahead. She sprinted to the opening, slipping in just as the guards rounded the corner. She pressed herself against the shadowed wall, and held her breath as they passed by. As their footsteps sounded down the road, she let out a sigh of relief, trying not to breathe in the rotting vegetables and human filth. She was safe. For now at least.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Green filled her vision, the pin feathers sprouting. A dingy gray sparrow hopped about for a little, pecking at the ground, and then flew up and away from the war-marked city of Mokayi.</div></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Four Part Two. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Four <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-four.html">Part Three</a>&nbsp;will be available tomorrow.</i></span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-2892365269609528812017-01-30T16:00:00.000-08:002017-01-31T16:39:51.570-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Four Part One<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a><i>Last week, I posted Chapter Three&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter.html">Part One</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_24.html">Part Two</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_25.html">Part Three</a>, and <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_26.html">Part Four</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>. This week, I'll be posting Chapter Four. I struggled with how to divide this chapter, because it consists for three scenes which are all about the same length. They're all a little longer than I like for a post, but none of them have a clear spot where they could be split. I decided to leave each scene intact, even though the posts will be a little long. I'll post the three parts today, Tuesday, and Wednesday because I want to post my January Update of my <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2016/12/2017-book-challenge.html">Book Challenge</a> on Thursday.&nbsp;</i><i>If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer</i><i>&nbsp;page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">CHAPTER FOUR</span></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kotua squinted against the glare of the late afternoon sun. He hoped they were in time. He wouldn’t miss a chance like this for anything. “How much farther?” he asked the young soldier who rode by his side.</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Only a few more miles, Your Highness,” Keo replied, his face covered in sweat. Did he fear a run-in with those dark hawks he’d been talking about? “It should be just up ahead.”</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The soldier, no matter how crazy he was to believe those tales of the Arilians, was right. The city wasn’t more than two leagues distant, surrounded by the enemy army. His heart sunk. Then he whooped. The stronghold in the center still stood.</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“On, men, we’ll save it yet.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Hooves pounded like thunder as they narrowed the distance. Kotua leaned close to his horse, urging him on. One and a half leagues…one…one half…one quarter…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Farer, stay here and get ready to sing. A few of you stay to guard him. The rest, after me. To the city,” he spurred on his horse, taking a deep breath of earth and sweat, throwing back his head into the wind. “Yeah!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Within ten minutes they were on top of the enemy army. Though he couldn’t make out the words, Kotua could hear Farer’s voice swelling above the battle roar. He urged the soldiers on. “They’ll be weakening soon. To the stronghold. Make way. Clear the enemy scum from the streets.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He drew his sword, and struck down the nearest soldier. The Iezoman staggered back before swinging his sword at Kotua. The song was having an effect. Blood rushed through his veins. This was much better than state papers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Clear out. Out,” the cries of his soldiers carried on the wind. “Miagulo. Miagulo.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Onward, my blood hounds,” Kotua threw back his head and howled. Wait until his uncle heard about this. “Let’s clear this city of these miscreants once and for all.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Miagulo. Miagulo. Yeah!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Keo stopped short. His face had gone ashen. “There.” Three dark figures loomed up ahead of them. “There. The dark hawks.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua halted as the huge creatures came toward him, eyes piercing green, beaks as sharp white spears. His spine stiffened. His uncle hadn’t mentioned how large the beasts were.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He spurred his horse on. “Onward. Are we going to let some over-grown chickens stand in our way? Never. Miagulo. Yeah!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Horses pounded after him. “Miagulo. Miagulo. Yeah!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua charged straight at the center creature, sword gripped in his hand. He pulled to the side as the beak lashed out. He caught it on his blade, and was shoved back. He needed a clear shot of the heart. And he’d only get one chance.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He smiled. He almost burst out laughing. What would his uncle say if he could see him right now? It’d be something like,&nbsp;<i>Kotua, you’ve more brawn than brains. Though I’ve known that for quite some time now. Rushing in to be eaten alive isn’t exactly what I’d call good strategy.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua’s smile widened as he shook his head. No, his uncle wouldn’t approve at all. Good thing he wasn’t there to say so.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">There was no time to think about it. Forest wouldn’t go any closer. Every time Kotua tried to urge him on, the horse took a step backwards. “Fine then,” he jumped off his back, and slapped his sweat-slicked rump hard. “Get out of here. I don’t need any distractions.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">As the horse galloped off, the wind whistled. Kotua sprang aside just as the beak of the hawk tore through the air. He grasped the hilt in both hands, and lunged at the monster, driving the point in between its eyes.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The bird screeched. With a swipe of a wing it threw Kotua to the ground. He picked himself up. He clamped his hand to his throbbing sticky side. He glanced down. Three giant claw marks oozed there. Since when did hawks have claws on their feathers? This bird just kept giving him more reasons to dislike it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">&nbsp;The bird shook its head. The sword tumbled to the ground. Kotua caught it right before it landed. Not dead yet? This was no normal beast. He slashed at the bird’s neck as it lunged for him, the blade biting deep through the feathers. It shuddered, and fell to the ground. A long shriek. Green mist flew from its beak. Then it didn’t stir.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The soldiers had taken care of the other two. Kotua grinned. He was pretty good at this kind of thing. “Onward. Let’s free the city. Miagulo.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Miagulo.” The doors of the stronghold burst open. A rush of soldiers poured out. “Your Highness,” Keo shouted. “They’re breaking out.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Charge the enemy. We’ll run them out the gates.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Farer’s voice filled the air. The enemy army wavered. “Go on,” Sodoma’s shout arched over those of the soldiers. “Attack them.” The Iezomen stood still, and then started to retreat back to the Darklands. Some of the Iezomen pressed towards Kotua and his men. But Farer’s song made them weak enough to battle with.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua struck an Iezoman down, grinning as he caught a glimpse of the general through the fray. “Not even you can make them stand up to the song, Sodoma.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The Mekain glared at him, his long hair streaming out behind in the wind. “Next time will be different. Lord Foaie will crush this worthless kingdom.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua threw his spear at him, but Sodoma jumped aside. “At least we have one prize to take with us.” The glove on his right hand began to glow orange as he disappeared over the top of the hill. “To the Iezo.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The Iezomen stopped fighting as one, and followed Sodoma. Kotua seized the bridle from his footman, and swung up onto the retrieved horse’s back. No, he wouldn’t let him get away. He wouldn’t let any of them get any. “On, soldiers. On.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">A flash of orange filled the sky. Kotua dashed up over the hill, his heart pounding. No, they couldn’t escape. Sodoma couldn’t do this…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Not one Iezoman was in sight. And of course Sodoma wasn’t either. He drew his horse in. “No. Confound it, no.” That cursed magic…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He sighed as he sheathed his sword, and started to turn back. Only the remains of the old outpost that had been abandoned when Mokayi was built remained on the other side of the hill.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">But it looked different, somehow. Could Sodoma have been using it as his camp?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“That must be it.” He grinned. Now he’d get to plunder a camp as well. Forget Sodoma, and whatever nonsense he’d been spouting. He could deal with him later. This chance was too good to pass up.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“To the camp,” he pressed the heels of his boots into his horse’s sides. “Onward, my men. To the camp.”</div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Four Part One. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Four&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-four.html">Part Two</a>&nbsp;will be available tomorrow.</i></span></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-41486968500021922612017-01-26T16:00:00.000-08:002017-01-30T16:31:37.989-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Three Part Four<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a><i>If you missed Chapter Three <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter.html">Part One</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_24.html">Part Two</a>, or&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_25.html">Part Three&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a>, <i>go ahead and follow the links. Today, I'm posting Part Four. This completes Chapter Three. If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The sun had risen again over the distant hills when the thrush finally landed. Soon Skey replaced it. She rubbed her shoulder. The ache was there, but less than after her last flight.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Another poultice or two, and she’d be out of herbs.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">But her shoulder should be fine to heal on its own then.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She stared back the way she’d come, scanning the edge of the woods far behind. Her heart was playing a rapid song in her chest. She wiped the sweat from her brow, and let out a misty sigh. He’d been the same man who’d stopped her in the market square.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Maybe he’d get lost in that forest for good.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Or maybe he’d keep following her.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She shook her head. He couldn’t follow her now. You couldn’t track a bird through the air. Even if he did somehow pick up her trail again, by the time he and his men made their way out of the forest, she would’ve disappeared into the countryside of Beolki. She might even be hidden away in a lord’s castle as his minstrel. Why worry about it?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">But her heart was heavy. Cinote must have found that map. How had he sent men here so quickly though? Even if they had boarded that ship, it wouldn’t have reached the harbor before she had. And that man had already been in the market, as if he had been waiting…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She strode on. Her boots whispered as they crunched the snow. A message of hope? Or was it one of despair? She shivered again. Only this time it wasn’t from the cold.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Eventually, her steps led her to the top of a tall hill. A city sat in the valley below. It was sure to have a tavern that’d be interested in her playing. She went down the hill, and started toward the speck of a city in the distance.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">There were no cottages or little farms here. Was she nearing the border? Who knew in this weird place? Besides the city, all she could see was a white desert of snow. She shivered as a wind came up, and huddled deeper in her cloak. She took off her metal studded gloves, and shoved them into her belt pouch. She definitely would have to find some place to stay until winter was over. She would never make it to the north coast in this weather. It was much colder here than in Arilan.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The sun was past the middle of the sky. In places, the snow had turned into damp slush, churning up the smell of earth. It wasn’t a city, or even a town. It looked like a barricaded army camp. What on earth was it doing there? Was it a settlement for a new city? Or a prisoner camp? Oh well. It didn’t matter. It actually made things all the better. The soldiers probably were bored out of their wits. They’d look forward to her songs, and be grateful. And grateful ones always gave more.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">A line of guards stood along the outer wall. She stopped, and ducked behind a tree. She studied them. Why would there be so many soldiers guarding it, unless something was wrong? Maybe she’d better turn back.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her jaw tightened. She strode on toward the gate. No, she wouldn’t give up this chance to make a few coins, and maybe a dinner. Her stomach growled, and gnawed at her in its protest of the almost two-day fast. Maybe there were robbers hiding in this lonely plain. Or that man Foaie the tavern owner had been talking about. That’d be reason enough to increase the guard.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Burning wood and some sort of stew reached her as she sauntered toward the gate, and waved a hand as she drew near. How you acted in army camps couldn’t be much different than the way you did in taverns. “Greetings. Be there any interest in the songs of a minstrel at your camp?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The guards at the gate ignored her, and stared on ahead. That was weird. Not to mention rude. Maybe they hadn’t heard her. “Excuse me,” she stopped right in front of the one on the left. “Would your camp like to hear the music of a minstrel?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Still no answer. She looked from one guard to the other. Each had a long angry scar running down their left cheek. Their eyes looked almost glazed over. Were they dead? Or maybe asleep?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She tugged on the right one’s sleeve. Maybe the captain would like to hear a song or two. “Excuse me, where could I find your captain?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“I am the general.” She froze, and turned to the voice.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Sharp gray eyes met hers, staring out of a weather-roughed face. Ice-blond hair streamed to the massive shoulders. Was he a Mekain, or a giant? She bowed stiffly, and held out her harp. Her elbow twitched. “I am a minstrel. I was wondering if you would care for some music?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He folded his well-muscled arms across his mighty chest, and surveyed her. Had his freezing stare turned her to ice? “So I see. Are you any good?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey forced a laugh. Why had she stopped here? Her left hand reached up to brush back her hair. “Well, I suppose I am. I’ve never—”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The general seized her about the waist with one arm while his hand clamped onto both her wrists. “Shut the gates.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The soldiers sprung to life. The gates banged closed. Skey struggled to loosen herself. Why had she stopped here? “This isn’t the way to treat a minstrel!”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He laughed. “Oh, don’t worry, you won’t be harmed, Skey.” His smile grew cruel. “At least not if you cooperate with Lord Foaie’s wishes.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey slipped a hand free, and struck him across the face. “I know nothing that you or Foaie would want to know.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He wiped away the blood from his lip. “Ah, that’s what you think, lass. You’ve much to learn.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“I’d prefer different teachers,” she kicked him hard in the shin.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">His grip slackened. Skey broke free, and struck him again. She darted toward the back of the camp. There had to be another way out.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Seize her.” Metal clanged against metal. But no shouts. Skey glanced behind. Maybe they weren’t—several guards were yards away. She ran faster. Every face she had caught a glimpse of had the same strange scar running down it. Were these the Iezomen?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">There was the gate, straight ahead of her, with not a guard in sight. And still open. She ran faster. Sweat dripped down her brow, racing down her face as she raced to the gate. Metal clanged closer. Behind her the general shouted something. An orange light flashed by her head, the warmth grazing her cheek. She had to get to that gate.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The orange light struck the closing gate. Two bounds brought her there. It wasn’t fast enough. The gates banged shut just as she reached them.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She whirled about. Those strange scarred soldiers blocked off her path. Splinters dug into her shoulder blades as she braced against the gate. How could she escape this? The sea of soldiers parted, as the general strode forward. His right hand was gloved, and glowed with the same orange light. Was that magic?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Green filled her vision. The general shook his head. “You are clueless, aren’t you?” His gloved hand shone brightly. The leather cracked across her face. Orange light shoved out the green, acrid anise and cinnamon flooded her nose as cold earth surrounded her knees. Everything blurred and faded. “Foaie has much to talk to you about,” his voice rang out as if from a distance. His image blended with the rest. Everything went dark.</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></h2><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Three Part Four. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Four&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter-4.html">Part One</a>&nbsp;will be available on Monday.</i></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-86027388314011824362017-01-25T16:00:00.000-08:002017-01-26T16:34:15.366-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Three Part Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a></div><i>Yesterday, I posted Chapter Three&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_24.html">Part Two</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>. Today, I'll be posting Part Three. If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua stared at the paper in front of him, tongue in cheek. He never did understand all the fancy terminology in the letters sent to his uncle. Why couldn’t they just use regular everyday words? Like “How you doing? I’m good,” or “Heard about the attack yesterday, you guys okay?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He smiled and shook his head. “What am I thinking? Even I don’t talk like that, and he’s always correcting me. If they all started talking that way, he’d have to give up being king, and become their full-time tutor.” He grimaced. “Leaving me to do all his paperwork.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He leaned back in the chair, and crossed his arms behind his head. He almost put his boots up on the table, until he remembered what his uncle had said the last time he’d done it,&nbsp;<i>Kotua, you know that’s not how a crown prince should bear himself. I don’t believe that would make a good impression on the emperor.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He sighed at the pile of papers. He pulled a face as he mimicked his uncle. “As crown prince, you really should look at these, Kotua. They’re state papers. Examining them should give you some needed experience.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He’d rather gain some experience in the field of dancing than of paperwork. At least he wouldn’t have to stay locked up in this stuffy room. He gazed out the window at the fields, just dusted in last night’s snow. He wished he had to gain experience in riding Forest over that plain…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He sat up with a smile. Why didn’t he just take a break? He could always come back after a ride outside. The horse could use the exercise as much as he could. His glance fell on the papers again, and his smile faded. It was an awfully tall stack. And he really should work on it. Four days, and he was barely an eighth of the way through. Maybe it’d be better to work a little longer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">But that grass… He turned back to the window. It was so green despite the snow, calling to him… The room grew stuffier.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">But he had to work on those papers. “A little break won’t do any harm. I’ll just take a short ride, and then I’ll get right back to it.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua had just reached the door when it burst open. One of the footmen charged in. “Prince Kotua,” he scarcely bowed before the words poured out. “A messenger’s just arrived from Mokayi. They’ve been attacked by Foaie.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua forced himself to walk. Yes. Now this was some excitement. “Where’s the messenger?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“In the courtyard. He’s been wounded.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Send him to me.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">After the footman had gone, Kotua almost danced to the audience chamber. His uncle’s advisor wasn’t here either, so that meant he would get to lead the army. What a great day this was after all.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The door opened behind him. The servant entered with the messenger leaning against him. “Here’s the soldier, my prince. He says they need more troops, and Farer, or Foaie will take Mokayi.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Kotua looked at the panting messenger. “How did you leave the city?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“We were in the stronghold,” the soldier gasped out. He looked up, his eyes wide. “I don’t know if they were able to hold it. They have dark hawks.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Dark hawks? His uncle had said something about battling them before, said they were vicious birds, but Kotua had never seen one. “How many?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Three.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">With Farer to weaken the Iezomen, he could handle three dark hawks.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He turned to the footman. “Where’s Farer?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“In the barracks, Sire, polishing that old harp of his.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Good, might as well have it look pretty for the scum. Tell Captain Oise to gather the horsemen. Ready my horse.”</div></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Three Part Three. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Three&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_26.html">Part Four</a>&nbsp;will be available tomorrow.</i></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-87106460409358839352017-01-24T16:00:00.000-08:002017-01-25T16:31:56.334-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Three Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a></div><i>Yesterday, I posted Chapter Three&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter.html">Part One</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>. Today, I'll be posting Chapter Three Part Two. If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She was still traipsing through the forest when night fell. The ground was easier to travel here. Not as much snow had been able to find its way through the tree canopy. She peered into the darkness, wishing she had some tinder to make a torch. Not much moonlight got through either.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">An owl hooted in a tree nearby. Mice and tiny woodland creatures scurried through the undergrowth. Her breath was steam in the faint light that did break through. Skey shivered, and pulled her cloak tighter about her. She trudged on.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The low wail of a night thrush hit her ears. She paused in front of a shallow snow bank, and smiled bitterly. Was it exiled like her? Maybe that was why it was so sad and mournful.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She turned, and took a step. A twig snapped behind her. Too big to have been broken by an animal. She whirled about. A dark figure stood a foot away, arms crossed. “We never did finish.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She took a step back. What was colder, her body or her heart? “Yes we did. I told you I wasn’t interested. Now let me be.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The cloaked figure laughed. “You’ve much to learn if you think such an answer will stop me.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey turned to flee, but stopped short. More dark figures had come up, blocking off every escape. She turned back to her captor. Was that his teeth glinting in the moonlight? “What do you want with me?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">His smile widened. “Ah, Skey,” the words froze her heart, “much more than you know.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The shadow figures edged closer. Skey stiffened. How had he known her name?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She drew back from them, reaching for a handful of snow, as her eyes started to glow. “I’ll never come with you,” she flung it in his face.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He grunted, wiping it away. She drew her cloak around her, and slid into the snow bank. An ice crystal cloud engulfed the shadowy forms as she darted through their circle. Hands reached at her, and tore at her cloak. She kicked at someone’s shin. She almost tumbled to the ground as she broke through. She ran on as fast as her feet would carry her, the pin feathers ready to break out along her spine. Behind her heavy footsteps thudded.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her eyes darted about. Wasn’t there a tree she could slip behind or a bush she could dive into? Anything, as long as it hid her for a second. She sprang, and dove behind a giant boulder. A small thrush flew away as the shadows pounded to the rock.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Catch that bird,” the cloaked figure shook his fist as he ran after her. Orange glowed around it. “Don’t let her get away.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey flew out of the tree she had rested in, and winged her way west. She cringed as the shouts below followed her. She hadn’t been fast enough to hide, to make them believe she wasn’t the bird. She beat her wings harder, wincing at the burning in her shoulder. The sooner she found a noble’s castle to hide in, the better.</div></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Three Part Two. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Three&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_25.html">Part Three</a>&nbsp;will be available tomorrow.</i></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-27648587302946917322017-01-23T12:00:00.000-08:002017-01-24T16:55:07.111-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Three Part One<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a><i>Last week, I posted Chapter Two&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/thorn-changer-chapter-2-part-1.html">Part One</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/thorn-changer-chapter-2-part-2.html">Part Two</a>, and <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/thorn-changer-chapter-2-part-3.html">Part Three</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>. This week, I'll be posting Chapter Three. I'll be dividing this chapter into four parts, which I'll post each day through Thursday. If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">CHAPTER THREE</span></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">“No,” Skey mumbled, tossing onto her other side. “No, don’t.”</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>A scream. The warrior’s sword ran through the lady.</i></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Fire ran through her shoulder.</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">She sat up with a shriek, gripping her shoulder. “No.”</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Darkness filled the loft. Downstairs, snoring. She shuddered. What a nightmare. The throbbing in her shoulder subsided. She undid the bandage. The swelling was down, the skin not such an angry red. She’d only jarred it just now.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She retied the bandage and lay back down, twisting the blanket around her fingers. What an awful dream. Flashes of the man with gleaming eyes, eyes she couldn’t tell the color of, went through her mind again. She trembled, and pulled the blanket up to her chin. No, not again.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">What had caused it? She hadn’t had a single nightmare after a year as the emperor’s minstrel, after a year in that cage. Her life had been enough of one. But now… A low moan escaped her before she could stop it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She should go back to sleep. Dawn would be here soon, and the tavern owner wouldn’t be happy if she was still here. But what if it came again? She shivered, and stared up at the low roof of the attic. Maybe she should just stay awake…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey opened her eyes and stretched, shaking her head. A weak beam of light broke through the roof, straight into her face. She didn’t remember falling asleep again.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She was still tired. She shouldn’t have stayed up so late playing. “Oh well,” she yawned, as she pulled on her boots and picked up her harp. “Might as well get used to it. That kind of thing’s done all the time in the nobles’ castles, I’m sure. It was in Arilan.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She rose from the straw mattress, and crept to the ladder leading down from the loft onto the second floor of the tavern. Snores from the guests broke through the early morning stillness. She snuck down the stairs, and into the main room of the tavern. The barmaid was already up, stoking the fire. She nodded at Skey, and then pointed at a small loaf of bread. Skey smiled her thanks, and picked it up as she slipped out the door into the chill air.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">A thick blanket of snow snuggled the ground. It’d come early this year, at least compared to Arilan. Skey breathed deeply of the chill air, and smiled. All of this snow would be reason enough for her to seek a place in a lord’s castle. But the owner had said… Skey redid her braid as she thought over the man’s words, making sure a big enough chunk of hair was loose to fall over the left side of her face, her headband underneath it. Did minstrels only stay in border towns in this country?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">What country was this, anyway? She shouldn’t have lost that map. It had taken four months to steal it. What had it said…Miagulo, was it? Yes, that had to be it. The song, after all, had been “The War Song of Miagulo.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">That song… A chill went up her spine. Something about it… What was even the word to describe how it made her feel? It wasn’t afraid, but it wasn’t exactly comforting, either. Somewhere in between…maybe it was almost beckoning? Yes, like it was inviting her to come closer, but she was too afraid to.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Another ray of light poured into her face. She shielded her eyes. Even through the snow, a path marked up its center. She shouldered her harp, and started up it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">When she reached the top, Skey stopped, and let her eyes wander around the landscape. She hadn’t realized in the darkness of last night that there were so many houses around here. Several small farms dotted the countryside in front of her, fringing the path she was traveling. As she continued on, sheep bleated impatiently in their folds to be milked. Hens clucked about in irritation, still trapped in the hen house she passed by. On top of the roof a rooster strutted about, ruffling his feathers and preening himself. A proud and graceful king waiting for the freedom of his queens.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She laughed, and then sighed as she turned back and went on her way. All these little farms…they weren’t much different from Arilan. And that city hadn’t been that much different from her father’s own city…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She shoved her fingers through her hair, and then took out her braid once more. Well, so what? Had she really expected them to be different? Houses were houses, cities cities. She started to redo her braid. Why was she thinking about them anyway? They betrayed her.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She picked up her pace, her fingers working furiously. She was free, finally free. She would find some castle, which did not have a minstrel, in this weird country where you were questioned and thought to be a deserter if you weren’t at the border, and just stay there until her shoulder healed enough for the long flight to Mekai, or at least to the coast where she could catch a ship. That empire loved minstrels, or so Zeino had said. And no traitorous…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She stopped short, her fingers frozen. Where had that come from? She wasn’t going to think about them. Her eyes closed, and the day she had been taken to the Tower to play only for the emperor forced itself back through her mind. She bit her lips, and shook her head. But the images, the words, remained.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>Form Changer. Danger. Must be locked up. Will bring harm to everyone. For the best.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Whose best? Definitely not her own.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She fastened the braid, and dashed down the path toward the forest, her boots crunching the snow like the stories of dark hawks crushing victims in their fierce beaks. The story no one would believe.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Someone had traveled the path last night, or at least long enough ago for the snow to melt and harden into ice. Her foot slipped. She fell, and slid through the trees into the outer circle of the forest. She lay there a moment, her face to the ground, the cold soothing her shoulder. She raised herself up on an elbow, and looked around.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her face had made a shallow hollow in the snow. She carefully tried to patch it, then stopped. No amount of filling could repair the crater in her heart. Something glimmered above her head. She looked up into a mirror of ice hanging from one of the trees. She rose to her knees, and shoved aside the hair over her left temple as she undid the wet bandage. The odd birthmark that had been there ever since she could remember still remained.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her eyes traced the purple outline of the eagle, no bigger than her thumb from the first knuckle to the tip. The curves that almost looked like strange letters circling the bird. A strange symbol. A strike against her. When her form changing was more than enough to condemn her. She looked up again. Her reflection glared back at her. The only one who separated her from her family, from the entire world.</div></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i><i>That's the end of Chapter Three Part One. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Three&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter_24.html">Part Two</a>&nbsp;will be available tomorrow.</i></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4461320051766076726.post-80549262765135629342017-01-20T16:00:00.000-08:002017-01-23T12:05:31.967-08:00Book Excerpt: Thorn Changer Chapter Two Part Three<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKcB6kKI0LQ/WFnZSrcHZ8I/AAAAAAAAAVY/3Y0fwS93wH4zWkaAF4KoErE3GiIuVqnSgCPcB/s320/IMG_0634%2B%25281%2529.png" width="253" /></a><i>If you missed the rest of Chapter Two, here is&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/thorn-changer-chapter-2-part-1.html">Part One</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/thorn-changer-chapter-2-part-2.html">Part Two</a>.</i><i>&nbsp;Today I'll be posting Chapter Two Part Three of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>. This completes Chapter Two. If you want to see the copyright/disclaimer page, go to the&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">Amazon page</a><i>&nbsp;and click on the picture of&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;for the Look Inside option, and scroll up (this also gives you a chance to see the beautiful detail of the cover).</i><br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Excerpt from&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer"><i>Thorn Changer</i></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;by Christy Reed</span></h2><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Skey muffled her face with her cloak, and squinted against the snow. Was that a tavern up ahead? She hoped so. Anything to get out of this cold.</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The wind gusted against the door, but Skey won the battle and pulled it open. The snowflakes turned to water drops on impact with the blistering air. She yanked the door closed, and started to the counter. “I wish to speak to the owner,” she caught the barmaid’s eye.</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The girl nodded, only glancing at the dark green strip of cloth pulled low over her brow and temples for a moment before she filled a mug from the tap. But that was nothing compared to what she’d do if she saw what was underneath, on that left temple. She slid it down to Skey, and went to one of the tables. Skey took a sip as she watched her talk to a Beolkin, huge and with hair almost as red as the Arilians. She grimaced, and stared at the mug’s contents. What was this foul stuff these Beolkins drank? It was nothing like the light grape juice and honey the Arilians served.</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">She tried to take another sip, as she watched the maid and the host. They were glancing back at her while they talked. Skey played with the handle of the mug. Did the girl mouth “minstrel”? The host’s face went a shade paler. The beer soured her stomach. Or did it? She kept her face straight as the tavern owner made his way over.</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Well, now, lass, what brings you to these parts?”</span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey tried to look casual. Her heart began to pound. “Traveling. A minstrel needs to find work.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The host’s deep blue eyes went a shade darker. “One would think you’d find enough at the border, what with the Iezomen about.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Border?” What was this? She wrapped her fingers around the mug. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">His eyes narrowed. “No Beolkin is dumb to what’s happening with Foaie. You wouldn’t be deserting your post, would you now?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey swallowed. What had she gotten herself into? Hadn’t that man in the alley hinted at something like this? “Honestly, I’m not stationed at the border. I’m one of the wanderers.” She laughed half-heartedly. “You know, we need to eat too.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">He nodded, but his eyes weren’t friendly. “If you say so. A bed and a meal, but I want you gone before Miagulo’s Guard rides through tomorrow.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey nodded. Why had she bothered stopping? “Deal,” she started to tune her harp. “What songs would you like?”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">She had to stop herself from groaning as his eyes grew more hostile. “Only one song popular right now. We’ll have ‘The War Song of Miagulo’.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Why hadn’t Zeino taught her more about Beolkin cultures? He had taught her all the major songs of Beolki, sure, but not the kingdoms in general… Wait, didn’t she know that one? Yes, he had her pluck it out long ago, when he first taught her to play. And he would sing…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey turned to face the room, her back against the counter. She ran her fingers over the strings.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">“The war may wax hard</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The cold wind of Death may blow.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But still our people will</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Never give in to the foe.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">We will fight on, we will be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Able to live on peacefully.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Though Fire will rage,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">And Pain’s Claw will sink in deep,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Yet we will never be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Silenced, stilled or caused to weep.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">We will battle, we will be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Able to raise our children free.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">The foe mocks and laughs,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">‘They will not escape my grasp.’</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">He may conquer at first,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">But we will vanquish him at last.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">We will conquer, we will be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Free, Forever, Eternally.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Her head spun as the last notes plucked themselves. Her left knee began to shake. Her spine tingled. What had just happened?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The owner started the outbreak of applause. “Well done, lass. Take a break to eat your supper. We’ll want to hear that one again.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Skey’s other knee shook as she turned back to the counter. The ache in her shoulder crept back. She hadn’t noticed it at all while she played. The barmaid smiled as she placed the bowl in front of her. Skey toyed with her spoon, and stared at the bits of cooked carrot and mutton. Something about that song warmed her inside. Why did she feel so cold then? She pulled her cloak over her. The first bite was tasteless. But the song echoed on…</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* * *</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>That's the end of Chapter Two Part Three. I hope you enjoyed it. For right now,&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;is available exclusively on Amazon. Feel free to share this excerpt, just please include all text between the asterisks&nbsp;(* * *), as well as a link to&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer's</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer" style="font-style: italic;">&nbsp;Amazon page</a><i>. This will give your viewers a link to where they can purchase&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Changer-Nairve-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01LXN4GMB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483970399&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thorn+changer">Thorn Changer</a><i>&nbsp;if they're interested. Thanks.</i><br /><br /><i>Chapter Three <a href="https://christyreedbooks.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-excerpt-thorn-changer-chapter.html">Part One</a> will be available on Monday next week.</i></span></div>Christy Reedhttps://plus.google.com/102277827163507115851noreply@blogger.com0
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