Member: Joles

Jolene!

Thank you so much for the lovely review! I'm so happy you liked The Tory Widow! I'm now working on the sequel where Jack and Anne's story continues. It's titled Hearts of Oak, and plenty of action, adventure and a little romance will ensue - but not until next August 2010.

Cheers!

Chris Blevins

posted by chrisblevins at 9:36 pm (EST) on Apr 22, 2009

On Hearing an Eolian Harp
by Peter Bayley

Sure 'tis the voice of choired saints that flows
Along the billows of the softened breeze. . .
And now, in falls and dying symphonies,
So sweet it glides, that forth my rapt soul goes
To join those hymnings, ta'en from all her woes.
Yet once more, and once more, ye minstrelsies
Of power, my stormy spirit to appease,
With some dissolving dream my thoughts compose. . .
Again your strains float, sinking on the wind,
Soft, wild, and mournful all; now melt away,
Faintly perceived, like some expiring ray
Of memory that trembles o'er the mind,
Lovely in its departure, still enshrined
As the blest relic of a happy day.

posted by theoldman at 11:34 am (EST) on Mar 16, 2009

Oh, and I forgot to mention it in my post just now, but I love the quote up on your profile-- I have the B&N tote with that quote on it! (When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes.)

I got it as a Christmas present last year (my family knows me very well by now!) and I've been using it ever since-- though sparingly, and only in 'clean' places (so if I go to a restaurant, or something like that, I won't take it in with me) so I don't ruin it. :D

posted by The_Book_Queen at 5:50 pm (EST) on Mar 12, 2009

I've been trying to my hands on a copy for a while now, but either the store has been out of stock or my wallet has! LOL. I really want to read it though-- not only does it sound good (and the cover is really beautiful too) but I've heard so many good things about the book! And after hearing how much you loved it, comparing it to Twilight like that? Well, I'm going to have to just put a dent in my account and go splurge on it ASAP!

Tell me, have you read any other ones lately that you would suggest? Although my pile and list are really long as it is, enough is never enough! :D

Thanks for the book nudge!
TBQ

posted by The_Book_Queen at 5:47 pm (EST) on Mar 12, 2009

I read Midwife of the Blue Ridge from your recommedation and really enjoyed it. Wish I had as much spirit and courage as Maggie Duncan.
Bethwerkhoven5104. Thanks again.

posted by bethwerkhoven5104 at 9:39 am (EST) on Jan 5, 2009

Hi Jolene -

I wanted to thank you for the lovely comment and the great review! I'm so happy you enjoyed MIDWIFE OF THE BLUE RIDGE, and I really appreciate the good buzz.

I will have new book coming out in April titled THE TORY WIDOW - a historical adventure that takes place at the onset of the American Revolution - like MIDWIFE, it's jam-packed with action and a love story set against the backdrop of history. You might like it.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday!

Happy reading!

Christine Blevins

posted by chrisblevins at 12:43 am (EST) on Jan 4, 2009

I'm so glad you like the books! The Lymond series is one of my favorites.

My Christmas was wonderful, and I hope yours was, too. Happy Boxing Day!

Liz

posted by aviddiva at 3:36 pm (EST) on Dec 26, 2008

Midwife is a good book, isn't it? I loved the period detail and "authentic voice" of the author. I read two other really good historical fiction ARCs this year - The Heretic's Daughter (forget the author) and Stealing Athena by Karen Essex. You would probably enjoy both of them.

posted by karenmarie at 6:11 am (EST) on Dec 16, 2008

thanks! I added it to the blog. I can't wait to start this challenge!

posted by VictoriaPL at 3:01 am (EST) on Dec 16, 2008

I couldn't find your 999 thread, it's probably on the second page and it won't load, even when I click 'next'. Are you able to get to it? Will you send me the link? Also, if you want author rights on the blog leave me your email address in a private msg.

posted by VictoriaPL at 8:51 pm (EST) on Dec 15, 2008

I even find myself saying "liberry" instead of "library" now. But this is not necessarilly because of how the children say the word. Their parents say "liberry" as well. Yay for Ebonics!

posted by LiberryTeacher at 3:13 pm (EST) on Nov 21, 2008

Thank you Jolene! No, just a whiny liberal. :b

posted by vq5p9 at 4:07 pm (EST) on Nov 14, 2008

Sorry for the muddled comment - I think what I meant is that I liked Ill Wind (book 1) the best, followed by Chill Factor (book 3), with Heat Stroke (book 2) last. I haven't followed up with the rest of the series, so no advice there.

posted by malcontentdiary at 11:23 pm (EST) on Nov 12, 2008

hey again! I think our kids like getting scored like competing and even though they lost, they still had a good time. Last year they didn't do as well as this year, so have learned how to lose.

I'm a pretty firm believer in winners and losers - I remember when my daughter was in soccer when she was 7 and the league had just decided to not score the games so the feelings wouldn't get hurt, but I can tell you that EVERYBODY except the referees kept score - and there were lots of different scores among the kids. Everybody was very tense that season. Losing is tough, but we all have to learn how to do it gracefully. At these competitions the kids win enthusiastically and lose quietly, but I haven't been to one yet where there was bad sportsmanship (there may have been some, but I didn't see it or hear of it).

Good lock with your performances - and wow! the USS Intrepid. Very exciting. We're pretty small peanuts compared to that with our little AA band, but our kids have heart and talent and it's quite wonderful.

I don't think we have many political problems with band parents although I'm new to the game this year, but I may be mistaken. Mostly we just want more people to get involved and need more ways to earn money for new uniforms. Everybody seems to get along well and we don't interfere with our band director's calls regarding the program or what he does with/for the kids if that's what you meant - mostly we just provide money, food, bodies for props and pit, trucks to haul props and trailers and enthusiastic support at games and competitions. Our Band Director is Eugene Cottrell, 2005 winner of the Mr. Holland's Opus Award. He's so good and the kids will do anything for him - he's inspiring and a good teacher. My daughter's in Jazz Band too (extracurricular) and pretty much worships the ground he walks on.

Whew! Lots of words, but it's a subject I'm passionate about.

karenmarie

posted by karenmarie at 1:22 pm (EST) on Nov 4, 2008

Hey! Reporting on Saturday's competition - First in Visual Effect, First in Colorguard, Second in Drum Major, Marching, General Effect. Overall rating Superior 88.5. And after all that it was a letdown because we got 2nd in class, not first. But on the bus drive home the director worked on the kids to see that 4 superiors and 3 Best of Class and 1 2nd Best of Class was perfectly respectable. They had a bit of a letdown/cockiness issue, apparently. They performed beautifully, just a tad *off* from the week before. And, their major competition from the week before stepped it up a bit.

Thanks for asking! We're done competing. There are 3 Christmas parades to perform in and the Band Banquet, a few more UNC concessions to work, then we're basically done with marching for the year. My first 5 months as Treasurer, so it's been a roller coaster. I'll be better prepared next year.

karenmarie

posted by karenmarie at 6:05 am (EST) on Nov 4, 2008

Thanks! I hope it comes soon too!! I'm glad to hear it's a good one. :)

posted by Cigani at 3:21 pm (EST) on Sep 11, 2008

I haven't read Prey but I will put it on my wishlist now. I like short stories that can give you the creeps too. Something that stays with you and creeps up on you in the middle of the night on your way to the bathroom, or even in the daytime when you are home alone. It's the sign of a really great story.

posted by Jodyreadseverything at 1:43 pm (EST) on Aug 23, 2008

1408 was in the Stephen King book Everything's Eventual and it is a very creepy story, but the film, meh. I was so excited to hear it was out, and starring John Cusack too, but disappointed in it when I saw it.

Everything's Eventual has quite a few very good, very creepy stories in it, so it's well worth the read.

posted by Jodyreadseverything at 1:28 pm (EST) on Aug 23, 2008

I'm so excited! Thanks for introducing me to the website! I can't believe there's a place where I can just go on and on about BOOKS. Ack. It's fabulous.

posted by MollieRitaBook at 7:05 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2008

Hey, did you ever get around to reading "Two Brothers"? If so, what did you think?

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 8:18 am (EST) on Aug 19, 2008

Thank you for joining the Twilight Group. I hope you enjoy the group and if you have any problems, please don't hesitate to email me or post a message on my profile

posted by csm52494 at 9:00 pm (EST) on Aug 12, 2008

Thanks for the comments - I am one of the few humans on the planet who has managed to stay away from the Harry Potter series, and lucky enough that most other series I read have not yet ended (with the exception of Stephen King's Dark Tower Series, which I felt had the correct, very King, ending).

posted by youthfulzombie at 8:25 pm (EST) on Aug 10, 2008

I like your quote from Erasmus!

posted by LOTRminasturiel at 9:03 am (EST) on Jul 3, 2008

I'd be interested to know, looking at your list, what Barry Manilow wrote and Hector Berlioz for that matter if we're talking about books and not music. Just a bit flabbergasted that's all.

posted by hazelk at 3:37 am (EST) on Jun 30, 2008

Thank you, Jolene!

~~Robin

posted by cranmergirl at 11:28 pm (EST) on Jun 26, 2008

Hi Jolene,
I'm the one who might be related to the 'outlaw' (Thomas Cranmer)! You said you played at the fair in Wrightstown (PA, right? That's very close to me.) I was wondering if you know any string quartets or other types of groups who might play at memorial services. Sadly, my 91 year-old dad just died. He had a great and long life but it's still such a hard thing to lose a parent. I luckily never knew before now. My parents lived down at the Jersey shore and we're planning a service for Aug 16. I would like some very special music at the church but I don't know where to start. Do you have any leads or ideas? I know this is a weird thing to ask on LT but I just thought maybe since you're in the field, you might know something. Thanks!

~~Robin

posted by cranmergirl at 8:34 pm (EST) on Jun 26, 2008

hello! =]

posted by LOTRminasturiel at 4:52 pm (EST) on Jun 25, 2008

Hi Jolene!

I saw you were interested in The Inverted World, by Christopher Priest. I still have your address from the last mailing and will send you one today!

posted by MWeldon at 9:21 am (EST) on Jun 25, 2008

Hi, thanks for your comment! I looked at all the stories in I Am Legend, and didn't like any of them. I don't remember Prey in particular. I'm not a horror fan, and having read Somewhere In Time and What Dreams May Come, I was expecting something completely different from Richard Matheson. So it goes.

posted by LydiaHD at 1:19 am (EST) on Jun 21, 2008

Unfortunately the description you left doesn't ring any bells. It's historical fiction? Or is it historical romance?

Either way, I'm not much help... I've got a rather small historical fiction collection and an even smaller romance collection - only one or two historical romances at all!

I hope you find what you're looking for! If it was a romance, I'd suggest going to Smart Bitches Trashy Books (http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/i...) and asking for their help. Occasionally they will post a reader's pleas and her description of a book's contents/cover/stepback/really hot love scene, and the readers of the blog are generally pretty good at finding the original title of the book.

posted by ankhet at 4:53 am (EST) on Jun 20, 2008

Hi!

I work with the publisher of Forever a Soldier: Unforgettable Stories of Wartime Service, and I saw that you were interested in reading it. Please forward me your address and I will be able to send you the galley! I hope you will enjoy your copy!

posted by MWeldon at 3:40 pm (EST) on Jun 18, 2008

Ah - those are the words to the song "Join Me" by the Finnish Band HIM in your profile picture! Do you like them?

posted by lenoreva at 6:03 am (EST) on Jun 16, 2008

Unfortunately, Will in the World is spoken for.
Thanks for asking, though!

posted by monarchi at 5:49 pm (EST) on Jun 11, 2008

I finished Lisey's Story this morning, and I really loved it. It's not one of King's best, but it's my personal favorite. For me, a lot of the book was like looking into myself. AND I love his description of collective conscious. It's a love story the way only Stephen King could write it, boy loves girl, girl loves boy, monster is trying to kill boy.

posted by thekoolaidmom at 9:29 pm (EST) on Jun 7, 2008

Your profile page is too organized! shock I'm doing good if I remember to change the "currently reading" section on mine. The "shortlist" idea has become more of "some books I might or might not read in the next few months" section.

:-D

posted by thekoolaidmom at 8:43 pm (EST) on Jun 3, 2008

Hi Jolene,
Well, it's been a few years since I read Raising the Griffin. I don't really remember too much about it but I can tell you it's kind of like a coming of age thing for a boy. He leaves his life and friends behind to go to a new land to become a prince. He doesn't want to go at all but there are things he doesn't know about his family. I liked it.
Hey, I read that you teach music...if you get a chance go to YouTube and search for 'Juliana sets Fire'....it's a little acoustic project my son and a few friends are doing. Look for the song Only You and Me and tell me what you think. My son is wearing the blue tee.
Thanks!
PS..I also see that you read the Outlander series. It is my new obsession!! I even made an Outlander Fans page on MySpace. I'm such a geek.
MD

posted by MDLady at 7:48 am (EST) on Jun 2, 2008

Hi again Jolene,
No, my daughter doesn't really play the violin anymore unfortunately. She stopped when she graduated from high school. Although she claims she'll pick it up again eventually. She likes it and does seem to have some natural talent. (Her grandfather (hubby's dad) almost went to Juilliard but at the last minute decided to go to med school instead.) Too bad she's on the lazy side! LOL
I see you like vampire lore also! I love it. Your library will give me some good ideas on that score. I think I read Interview with a Vampire when I was your age and loved it, but I can't be certain that was the book I'm thinking of. Maybe I'll try the Twilight Series even though I know it's YA. I think Meyer is very talented but to me, The Host was just too long for what it was.
The Secret Bride looks good. How is it? I also love reading about the wives of Henry VIII, especially Anne Boleyn. I read everything I could get my hands on about her when I was a teen. My ancestor is supposedly Thomas Cranmer, Henry's first Archbishop of Canterbury who was burned at the stake by "Bloody Mary."

posted by cranmergirl at 9:27 pm (EST) on Jun 1, 2008

Thanks for the add! I see we tend to read a lot of similar interests! If you'd like to, come join us at "Book of the month" group. It just catalogs what all of us in the group read per month. It's given me a lot of amazing suggestions. Love to have you!

posted by Hollister5320 at 10:44 am (EST) on May 30, 2008

Football's big because all "manly-men" like football. It's kinda of like a status symbol if you know about football, which I don't. It's pretty annoying.

Music - Well, hip-hop, rap, R & B and reggae are the main genre's of music. I like some hip-hop, but most of it is really repetitive and overused beats. I really like R & B and I kinda like the reggae/hawaiian mix songs.

Books - Here, it's cool not to read. Most people only read if they have to, but the some that have discovered the joy of reading like Harry Potter, Twilight, Bra's and Broomsticks (I've never read it but the title kinda of makes me think of it as a shallow teenage romance novel), The Lightning Thief, and Eat, Pray, Love. (oh yeah, and the Alanna series: Song of the Lioness)

posted by miss_chievous at 12:52 am (EST) on May 29, 2008

I live on Kauai (ka-wa-ee). It's by far, my favorite out of the islands, it's called The Garden Island because it's so green. My second favorites island is O'ahu. It has the biggest city, Honolulu, and it's also pretty green on the North Shore. It's got the best waves, and one of the most well-known surf spots: Pipeline. I don't surf there though, it's HUGE.

What are the most popular sports in Pennsylvania? Here it's surfing and football.

posted by miss_chievous at 4:48 pm (EST) on May 28, 2008

I am REALLY enjoying singing and guitar. Singing kinda runs in the family on my dad's side, but I don't really like the stage/opera performances my grandmother, aunts and cousins like.

I live on the most northern island in Hawai'i, so it's the most rainy. It rains at night and is sunny in the day. Our winters are really mild, but when it gets down to 70 degrees, everyone's getting their ugg boots and jackets on.

I'm in High School, but I'm home-schooled since the local HS doesn't have much to offer.

The Historian is good, but it's a little slow in some areas. I really like how the author uses letters and songs and books to build the story. I am almost done, and I'm going to read Katherine after. Borders just shipped it in and I'm gonna go into town(I live out in the sticks, so "town" is where the small malls are) and get it today.

posted by miss_chievous at 6:19 pm (EST) on May 27, 2008

Thanks for all of the info, after I'm done reading the Historian, I'll read the Host. But my to-be-read list is really long, so I might put it off for a little while.

What do you teach: singing, instruments, music theory, etc.?
My dad's teaching me to play guitar and I've been in a singing group for about a year and a half.

What's it like in Pennsylvania? I've never been to the East Coast.

posted by miss_chievous at 5:01 pm (EST) on May 26, 2008

You really know how to stand up for Twilight during discussions. You leave everyone speechless. ^_^ I wish I had your 'way with words.' I love the Twilight series too, I can't wait for the 4th book to come out!

Have you read The Other Boleyn Girl and/or The Host? I was wondering whether I should read them or not.

posted by miss_chievous at 4:34 pm (EST) on May 25, 2008

That is very true. Some of the 'true romances' that authors write today are not really.. satisfying? If you know what I mean.. some of the characters, you can't help but think, they don't seem to match, etc. And then you get some that you absolutely love! But for the most part, paranormal is now my favorite- both in adult romances and teen books.

I might have to read the Outlander series! It sounds interesting! :)

posted by The_Book_Queen at 2:15 pm (EST) on May 25, 2008

Yes, but what can you do, right? We can't exactly change every parent's point of view on things-- if we could, why stop there, right?

Yeah, our's has the 'SuperCenter' of the front, but it's still fairly small, though it is nice to have it up here at all! They do have some books, I agree, but not all of them.

I know! I am sometimes happy when Audiable.com gets a certain book on there for my MP3 player, and then I hear the person narrating, and I can't stand them!

I've never really tried Amazon simply because I don't like buying too many things over the internet-- my parents don't like to use their credit cards online unless they have to, and sometimes I agree with them. We've had problems with other online stores taking more money out than they should have before, so...

posted by The_Book_Queen at 1:30 pm (EST) on May 23, 2008

Yes, that is all true. But most parents just don't see it that way.

Yeah, I live in such a small town (which I love, don't get me wrong!) that the closest book store is over 60 miles away. That is the ONLY reason I leave the quiet country side is to go there. We have a Wal Mart closer, but it is also small (compared to the city ones) and I've noticed there are not as many good books there, and if they EVER get them, its' usually months later. I already mentioned that I cannot wait that long! Borders is also great, but it is just as far away as Barnes and Nobles. I've had a membership card there for over 5 years, and within the first 2 months it's paid for itself for years to come, as often as I use it!

posted by The_Book_Queen at 1:12 pm (EST) on May 22, 2008

Well, if you want to-- but that would be a while, isn't it? I like Hardback better (usually) because it is so much easier to take care of them-- takes more to damage them. My Twilight is paperback and between all the times I have read it and loaned to friends and family, it's very battered--- need to get another one soon!

posted by The_Book_Queen at 8:26 pm (EST) on May 20, 2008

It was great!I loved Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange is not by any stetch of the imagination fail to live up to Wicked Lovely's greatness! Yes, it is about the dark faerie- sort of... Not going to say anymore-- you'll just have to read it! :) Promise you won't be dissapointed!

posted by The_Book_Queen at 8:22 pm (EST) on May 20, 2008

What I read of Good Masters, Sweet Ladies I enjoyed, but it was due back to the library before I finished it and I couldn't renew it. One of these days, I'll borrow it again, or maybe even buy it.

posted by Storeetllr at 10:10 pm (EST) on May 18, 2008