Sunday, 17 February 2013

РАЗКАЗВАЧ НА ПРИТЧИ

Петър Стоянов

Един млад мъж със завидна творческа биография, който в последните години активно заявява арт присъствие далеч извън ареала на града, в който твори и живее – Видин. Петър Стоянов освен член на СБХ, вече е пълноправно вписан в творческата карта на художническите гилдии в Плевен и Пловдив. Неговият ярък талант е ангажирал и впечатлявал ценителите в 9 самостоятелни изложби до момента. През 2011-та е одобрен сред 10-те творци, участвали в Живописен пленер на историческа тематика, иницииран от кмета на Пловдив. 2012-та Петър Стоянов започва с 10-та си самостоятелна изложба в своя Видин, обобщена в заглавието „ПЪТУВАНЕ“. Зрителите се насладиха на последните му творби, обединени в няколко цикъла и всички носещи духа на майсторската виртуозност и творчески заряд на художника. Надали има ценител, докоснал сетивата си до негово платно, който да не е останал запленен от колорита и уникалните фонови игривости, до яркия разпознаваем стил и дух на творбите му. ПЪТУВАНЕ е експозиция-покана за среща с творческите рожби на Петър Стоянов, родени през последните три години (2010, 2011, 2012 г.).
Маслото е любимото средство, с което Стоянов създава светове, изпълнени с многопластови разкази, в които вплита етномотиви. Те притчово водят зрителя към едно ПЪТУВАНЕ. Пращат го в миналото – малко тъжно, носещо спомени, но и изпълнено със светлите акценти оптимизъм. Неотдавна в интервю големият телевизионер институция Кеворк Кеворкян каза: „Няма къща без покрив, а покривът е миналото…“. А при Петър Стоянов няма артистичен импулс без докосване до миналото. Сякаш за да ни увери, че стъпвайки на традиция, на изконното и на уникалната ни идентичност, не бихме имали бъдеще. Затова той с охота се завръща в платната си към българското село, към къщата-храм, към каруцата – постоянен другар на човека в труд, в делник, в празник. Каруцата като символ на живота, съмишленик на човека в пътя му земен. Ту уморена, ненужна и захвърлена, ту лъскава, шарена и готова да поеме своя път напред. Обича противопоставянията Стоянов, обича да ни хвърля и в тъмните дебри на размислите, и към светлите петна върху платната си, от които струи оптимистична импресия. Прави го искрено, с порива на творец, който не просто рисува, а демонстрира живост и постоянно развитие в този толкова интимен диалог между автор и платно.
ПЪТУВАНЕТО на Петър Стоянов ще ви заведе и сред циклите „Терасата“ и „Прозореца“. Те внасят трептенето на магично-митичния му поглед към онова навън – светлото и отразяващо човешкия порив. Накъде? Ще си отговори зрителя, заставайки срещу платната и оставяйки се с лекота да пътува там, сред маслените светове на видинчанина.
Със сигурност 10-та изложба на живописеца изненада ценителите, разказа много за живота, за таланта му и най-вече за онзи поглед, който ни е нужен – искреният ОТ и ЗА нещата. Онези неща, които често задъхани не осъзнаваме, забравяме да усетим и изразим – добротата и любовта.
Елате сред творбите на Петър Стоянов, изживейте, отдадени на изкуството, това ПЪТУВАНЕ.

Донка Колева
арт мениджър на ДПХ


Friday, 15 February 2013

Sod Houses on the Great Plains






Rounds, Glen. Sod Houses on the Great Plains. New York: Holiday House, 1995.

A very brief look at the sod house that was often the first home for many pioneer families on the frontier of the Great Plains. The author has included some useful information, but the illustrations are not captivating and the ending seemed a bit abrupt.  Still, this book has some value in showing a child whose ancestor may have lived in such a house what the home would have been like.

This is part of the Friday series on children's literature and genealogy.

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Cover Reveal + Giveaway

I am so excited to be a part of this cover reveal for this amazing book coming soon from Spencer Hill Contemporary.

Remember when I did a cover reveal for this book called Camp Boyfriend by my awesome friends Karen and Joanne Rock (JK Rock) well there is a prequel! Oh YES! I am excited too.

And here is the cover...

Camp Kiss (Camp Boyfriend #0.5)
J.K Rock

Release Date: March 26, 2013

The Camp Kiss That Started It All…
Lauren Carlson, a fourteen-year-old expert on the cosmos, superheroes, and science fiction trivia has a crush on her longtime camp friend, Seth. Last summer she’d dreamed about upgrading their relationship to BF/GF status and this year she has a plan… if only her well-meaning cabin mates wouldn’t interfere before she’s ready. She hasn’t even adjusted to her new braces yet, let alone imagined kissing Seth with them. When a dare pushes her out of her comfort zone, will she and Seth rocket out of the friendzone at last? There’s only one way to find out….



Isn't it gorgeous? I absolutely love it! And I cannot wait to read this series. I know it's going to be crazy awesome!

Now, because JK Rock is crazy awesome, they are giving away a prize pack. 
Check out the awesome prizes...






Now to enter to win this awesome prize pack just leave a comment and a winner will be randomly selected from the comments.

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Saturday, 9 February 2013

Cover Reveal: The Other Tree by DK Mok

So this cover reveal happened about 9 or so days ago and because of University I just haven't had time to post anything... I know... *sad face*
But I am so crazy excited about this book that I just had to do a post anyway even though you've all probably seen it.

This is another book from Spence City, the Adult Urban Fantasy imprint of Spencer Hill Press... now you see why I'm excited? You all know I am obsessed with anything to do with Spencer Hill Press!
Now are you ready for the awesomeness?
Are you sure? Coz it is like EPIC!


*squeal*
I know right?!?! Isn't it just epically beautiful? I love everything about this cover... the colours, the tree, the snake, the key... I just need to read this book... like RIGHT NOW!
I am dying for it and I am so excited that I am on the arc list for it *happy dance*

The Other Tree is due for release December 3rd, 2013... oh YES you read that right THIS YEAR! I am so beyond excited for this book... it's just going to be awesome! I cannot wait.

Blurb:

It’s been four years since Chris Arlin graduated with a degree that most people think she made up, and she’s still no closer to scraping up funding for her research into rare plants. Instead, she’s stacking shelves at the campus library, until a suspiciously well-dressed man offers her a lucrative position on a scientific expedition.

For Chris, the problem isn’t the fact that they’re searching for the Biblical Tree of Life. Nor is it the fact that most of the individuals on the expedition seem to be fashionably lethal mercenaries. The problem is that the mission is being backed by SinaCorp, the corporation responsible for a similar, failed expedition on which her mother died eleven years ago.

However, when Chris’s father is unexpectedly diagnosed with inoperable cancer, Chris sees only one solution. Vowing to find the Tree of Life before SinaCorp’s mercenaries, Chris recruits Luke, an antisocial campus priest undergoing a crisis of faith. Together, they embark on a desperate race to find Eden. However, as the hunt intensifies, Chris discovers growing evidence of her mother’s strange behaviour before her death, and she begins to realise that SinaCorp isn’t the only one with secrets they want to stay buried.

Doesn't it just sound awesome? I seriously cannot wait for it!
What do you think?

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Friday, 8 February 2013

Apples to Oregon






Hopkinson, Deborah; ill. by Nancy Carpenter. Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (And Children) Across the Plains. New York: Atheneum, 2004.

This well-illustrated story of a girl named Delicious whose family travels from Iowa to Oregon taking along their beloved fruit trees. While the story does mention some of the hardships faced on the trail such as river crossings and mountains, the main focus of the book is on getting the trees across rather than the family. I think my greatest problem with the book is that the father seemingly placed a greater importance on his beloved fruit trees than upon his own family. This would be a good read for a young reader whose ancestors traveled the Oregon Trail, but I'd want to tell the child that his own family cared about the fate of the children making the venture than upon the possessions. The story itself is based in part upon a family that did take trees from their former home to Oregon.

This is part of the Friday series on children's literature and genealogy.

Thursday, 7 February 2013

Blog Tour: Soul Avenged


Hey Guys,
I am so excited to be a part of the blog tour for Keri Lake's new novel Soul Avenged.
I am sorry to say I have been unable to read this book yet but I did get to interview the amazing Keri. First let me tell you some more about the book.


Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath #1) 
Keri Lake

Publication Date: February 6, 2013
Genre: Adult - Paranormal Romance/Dark Urban Fantasy
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Blurb:
Passion is blind in vengeance and love  …
Ayden’s suburban home was invaded by a pack of Lycans.
The brutal attack is the only memory she carries of her former life.
Now, one motive burns in her soul:
KILL THEM ALL.
The Sons of Wrath—a brood of vengeance-dealing warrior demons—band with Ayden to hunt the Lycans on Detroit’s most deadly feeding grounds.
Kane Walker should’ve been her easiest kill.
Unfortunately, the newly bitten Lycan has something she wants—clues that may finally lay her past to rest.  To reach them, she must be willing to submit to the sensual pleasures awakened by his touch.
Time is running out.
In seven days, Kane will become what Ayden despises most.  She can halt his transformation but the antidote requires the ultimate sacrifice.  As the beast takes hold, Kane becomes more of a threat.
Ayden must choose between her lust for revenge, or surrender to her enemy and discover a horrible truth.
Doesn't it sound incredible? I'm so sad I haven't had time to read it yet. I cannot wait to get to it. So now please welcome the very amazing Keri to the blog. -->
Hi Keri,
Thank you so much for being on K-Books today.
When did you first discover that you wanted to be a writer?
Thanks so much for having me on the blog, Kay!
I’ve been storytelling and writing since childhood.  Being a ‘writer’ though never really crossed my mind until later in life.  I enjoyed penning short stories, poetry and flash fiction, but had never sat down to write a novel until after I was nice and cozy in my career (right out of college).
Most of your books are in the paranormal genre. Did you always want to write in this genre?
Yes, I don’t know what it is about paranormal/gothic stories that speak to me more than the non-paranormal variety.  Dark and twisted is what I do best, I think.  That’s not to say that I wouldn’t venture out and try something else, but I’m pretty comfortable in this genre.
What genre book do you enjoy reading?
Definitely paranormal romance and urban fantasy.  I’ll pick up an occasional YA but I mostly enjoy the adult romances.
Do you have any authors that you look up to or that inspire you?
My staples have always been Anne Rice and Poe.  But as paranormal romance and urban fantasy goes, I like Kresley Cole, KMM, Jeaniene Frost, Nalini Singh.
Your book Soul Avenged is due for release. What was the inspiration behind that story?
Probably a craving to write a badass female protagonist.  Haha!  I had just released Somnium and was working on the sequel, Requiem when I got smacked upside the head with Soul Avenged.  It didn’t take long for the story to dominate my thoughts and after a while, it was all about getting it onto paper as fast as I could.
How do you feel about unleashing this story into the world?
You know, I actually hadn’t planned on publishing Soul Avenged at first!  It was what I considered ‘just a distraction’ that needed some attention.  When I finished the first draft of it, I set it aside and figured maybe once all of the Halos books were published I’d revisit it.  It wasn’t until I chatted with another author friend, that I decided to edit, polish and get this thing out quicker.  I’m really excited to share Ayden’s story with readers.
Do you take any personal experiences and adapt them into your writing?
Absolutely!  I think every author sort of bleeds themselves into the story, which is what makes it such a unique experience for the reader. 
Are there any particular scenes that you enjoy writing more than others?
Actually, kissing scenes are probably the most fun to write.  I like the stomach-in-knots-uncertainty sensations leading up to it … and then of course all that follows (wink).  Action scenes can be fun too, but sometimes exhausting to keep track of flailing limbs and punching targets.
And finally what can we expect to see from you in the future?
Book 2 of Sons of Wrath is written and ready for edits.  I’ve also plotted a couple of novellas and will begin book 3 sometime this summer.  I’m also working on prepping Requiem (Halos, #2) for publication later this year.
Getting to Know You – Quick Fire Round
Hardcopy or E-Book?  Hardcopy
Bookmark or Dog-Ear?   Bookmark
Book or Movie?  Book
Chocolate or Vanilla?  Dark chocolate
Summer or Winter?  Definitely summer
Ice-Cream or Cake?  Ice cream
Coffee or Tea?  Coffee
Nice guy or bad boy?  Hahaha, in books?  Bad boy.  I’ll save the nice guys for real life.
Thank you so much for being here on K-Books with us today.
 
How awesome is she? I know... I love her too.
 
 Meet Keri Lake

Keri Lake is a married mother of two living in Michigan.  She writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy and loves a good, tragic love story.  Though novels tend to be her focus, she also writes short stories and flash fiction whenever distraction manages to suck her in to the Land of Shiny Things.When she isn’t toiling away on plots and protagonists, she enjoys reading, music and travel.  If she could create mystical powers for herself, she’d have the ability to flash to anywhere in the world.  And if she could flash to anywhere in the world at this very moment, she’d be staring at the ocean from her adirondack chair on the shores of North Carolina.  

Keri's Links:
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Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Waiting On Wednesday


I haven't done a Waiting On Wednesday post for months. I really wanted to get back into it at the beginning of 2013 but well January was just... awful so I'm finally getting back into WoW now and let me tell you what an awesome one it is to kick of this year (well it's MY first of this year).

This is another Spencer Hill Press book due out this year and I happen to know the author and let me tell you... she is one crazy awesome woman. I absolutely love her!
 I hear ya... you're going well what it it?
Okay... here it is


Perfection
JL Spelbring

Published By: Spencer Hill Press
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
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From Goodreads:
The personification of Aryan purity, Ellyssa's spent her whole life under her creator's strict training and guidance; her purpose is to eradicate inferior beings. She was genetically engineered to be the perfect soldier: strong, intelligent, unemotional, and telepathic.
Only Ellyssa isn't perfect.
Ellyssa feels emotions--a fact she's spent her life concealing. Until she encounters the epitome of inferiority: a dark-haired boy raised among renegades hiding since the Nazis won the war a century ago. He speaks to her telepathically, pushing thoughts into her mind, despite the impossibility of such a substandard person having psychic abilities.
But he does.
His unspoken words and visions of a place she's never visited make Ellyssa question her creator. Confused and afraid her secret will be discovered, Ellyssa runs away, embarking on a journey where she discovers there is more to her than perfection.

Holy crap I am so excited for this book I may like die when I finally get to hold it in my hands. The cover is awesome and I love the butterfly in the eye... it is just really unique. I am such a big love of dystopia and fantasy and this book has bits of both! Dude... did you read the blurb? The Nazi's WON THE WAR?!?!?! WTF?!?!? Like my mind can't even comprehend what the world would be like if that happened. I am so excited to read this as it will be my first Nazi-type book and you know what it has like powers as well... the girl can read minds?!?! WOAH!

Like my mind cannot even comprehend the awesomeness that is going to be this book! I just know it and I need this book in my hands... like right now! It sounds like the most unique book ever! AHHH I am so excited and I am crazy excited that I am on the arc list for this one and ARCs should be shipping this month. THIS MONTH! I can barely breathe I am so excited. Judy is one of the nicest authors you will ever meet and I just know I am going to adore this book!

Add it to your TBRs and add May 7th on your calender people because this book is going to be CRAZY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

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Tuesday, 5 February 2013

В ПАМЕТ НА ЛЕДА МИЛЕВА

In Memoriam
Леда МилеваЛеда Милева (1920–2013)
На 93-годишна възраст тази сутрин почина Леда Милева, писателка, преводачка, автор на стихове и пиеси за деца, съобщиха близки на семейството.
Леда Милева почина на рождения си ден – 5 февруари. Тя е родена в София през 1920 г. Дъщеря е на поета Гео Милев.
Получава средно образование в Американския колеж в София. Завършва Софийския университет. След Втората световна война е ръководител на детско-юношеските предавания в Радио София, главен редактор на списания „Пионерска самодейност“ и „Дружинка“, редактор в издателствата „Народна младеж“ и „Български писател“. От 1966 до 1970 година е генерален директор на Българската национална телевизия.
От 1970 до 1972 г. е заместник-началник на отдел „Печат и културно сътрудничество“ при Министерството на външните работи. До края на 1978 г., е посланик, постоянен представител на България в ЮНЕСКО, Париж. Била е председател на Съюза на преводачите.
Автор e на повече от 30 стихосбирки за деца, театрални и радио-пиеси, превеждани на английски, френски, немски, руски. Tя е автор на една от най-любимите детски песнички - „Зайченцето бяло”.
Написала е книгите "Заю на разходка" (1946), "Няма време" (1949), "Работна Мецана" (1954), "Мустакатият Иванчо" (1957), "Златоперко" (1965), "Влак-юнак" (1967), "Къде е хоботът на слона" (1983) и др.

Източник: ДНЕС.БГ

...а истината е, че „Зайченцето бяло“ днес вече звучи някак тъжно...




Monday, 4 February 2013

ПОПЪТ И АЛИСОН


Фаблио

ПОПЪТ И АЛИСОН

ГИЙОМ ДЬО НОРМАН


Безброй са тези менестрели,
които песни тук са пели.
Но аз все още за беля
не знам към тях ли се числя.
Гийом е първото ми име
и често се опитвам с рими
да кажа разказ в хубав стил.
Та ето тук съм съчинил
едно приятно фаблио
за продавачката Мао
и щерчицата ѝ Мари.
Те вадеха добри пари,
търгуваха със чесън, лук
и шапки плетени, че тук
ги търсят много край реката,
дето живееше жената,
със малката си дъщеричка,
отрасла волно като птичка.
А хубавица бе Мари,
ще кажеш - с потекло дори,
когато гледаш я така
да кърши хубава снага
от слънце и вода обляна,
беряща лапад край фонтана.

(...)
Но няма тук от вас да крия,
че попът с име Александър
и родом някъде от Ардър
богат бе, имаше пари
и се заглеждаше в Мари,
щом видеше я в риза лека,
издуваща се под елека.
Така не мина много време
таз мисъл се превърна в бреме,
в дюкянчето реши да иде
и пак момичето да види.
Уж щял да си купува нещо.
Макар че там надписват нещо,
това не го интересува.
Успее ли, то ще си струва
за туй да не отваря дума.
Да може само ги придума!
От бога се отрича даже,
ако подкрепа му откаже.
За да наложи свойта воля
навлиза в новата си роля.
със шапка сенчица си пази
и през мочурището гази
към къщата на Марион.
Мао посреща го с поклон,
а капеланът поздравява –
плана си вече изпълнява.
- Добре дошъл, при нас седнете
и от обяда похапнете,
защото го приготвих вече,
и патицата се опече –
реди Мао. Не подозира
кого в дома си тя прибира.
А той върти очи под вежди
и към девицата поглежда.
Дори би искал да заложи
и десет ливри, ако може
с момичето на тази дама,
сами да ги оставят двама,
така че тя да изпълнява,
което той ѝ повелява.
Не бе успяла да премине
дори дванадесет години,
а вече беше тъй красива,
възпитана и приветлива,
макар и още малко плаха.
Но ето масата застлаха,
трапеза сложиха голяма,
че в къщата на тази дама
не се поднасяше шаран,
а гъска, пиле и фазан.

Замислен попът си остана
и за минутка не престана
Мари да гледа – с бяла гушка,
с набъбналата като крушка
моминска гръд. Но толкоз свята,
разумна, строга и прикрита
на Александър се видя,
че той изпадна във беда.
Ала в сърцето му жарава
се бе разпалила. Тогаз реши
със Марион да поспорù –
дано да му даде Мари.
- От страшна болка се терзая
но тук пред вас ще си призная,
че Марион със свойта хубост
ме довела чак до лудост,
в гърдите ми като с ръце
тя къса моето сърце.
Та ето, падам ви в нозете,
едничка нощ ми разрешете
със нея да остана само.
Знам, че съкровище голямо
за вас е вашта дъщеря,
затуй не ще се пазаря
и ще ви наградя богато
с препълнена кесия злато.
Мао изглежда възмутена:
- Какво си мислите за мене,
че срещу някаква предплата
мома, по-чиста от сълзата,
ще купите със тез пари!
Петак не струват те дори!
Вървете другаде, човече,
със подкупите си, че вече
дотегнахте ни с тези думи
за дарове и други глуми!
- Госпожо – моли капелана, –
не става дума за подмяна,
Кажете ми и начаса
парите тук ще донеса,
ако ги искате, вземете,
ала сега си помислете.
Размисли дамата Мао,
ще се възползва тя, охо,
от слабостта на този поп.
Ще сложи в щеркиния джоб
кесия, пълна със жълтици.
Какво пък, нейните косици
и хубавото ѝ телó
дори за кралското легло
достойни са, и за отплата
тя би живяла във палата.
Тогаз му даде обещание,
че пламенното му желание
ще се изпълни някой ден.
Той тръгна си обнадежден.
Не зная някой досега
да са измамвали така.
Приготвила гореща баня,
Мао се моли и се кланя
на бога и свети Евстахи
и сипе купища заплахи,
че като риба ще натика
във мрежите си хубостника.
А после вика Алисон,
жена от публичния дом,
с изящно, слабичко телце.
(....)

А виждайки нощта да пада,
очакващ близката наслада
мечтаеше за Марион
и сякаш бе разплоден кон,
представяше си как я яха.
Напред мечтите му летяха
към прелестите на момата,
запалила му тъй главата,
че той й готвеше атака.
Щом падна мрак, той без да чака,
пое по пътя към Мао
със рокля, кожено палто,
с петнайсет ливри чисто злато,
за да ги награди богато.
Пристига вече капелана,
Мао здрависва се засмяна,
като за празник го посреща
със гозба вкусна и гореща –
две пилета и тлъста гъска,
винó искри в бокала пръска,
Сладкиши, орехи и мед
очакват също своя ред.
Тъй всички ядоха и пиха,
а след вечерята решиха
да видят тук какво им носи.
Не чака повече въпроси
а даровете си разтваря,
на майката той заговаря:
- Каквото обещах, ще дам.
Донесох в тоз вързоп голям
едно палто от скъпа кожа
и дрехи като за велможа.
Погледайте го и кажете,
не са ли чудни даровете?
А пък кесията с пари,
която носи за Мари,
изсипва той на чиста маса
и им посочва, че да тях са.
Мао на Ерсело нарежда:
- По-скоро стаята подреждай
и буен огън запали,
дърва, завивки не жали.
Излиза Ерсело тогава,
уж робски й се подчинява,
но не търчи за Марион,
а води скришом Алисон.
В онази стая я отвежда
и почва там да й нарежда:
(...)

Не взел ни светлина, ни свещ,
във стаята – любовник вещ,
той влиза, до леглото стига,
юргана пипнешком повдига,
а после пита малко плах:
- Кажи, Мари, нали без страх
ще бъдеш моя ти сега –
погалва нейната ръка,
но после бърза да се впусне
с прегръдка в ласките изкусни.
Въздиша Алисон, примира,
от занаята си разбира,
уж много страда, се преструва,
но не продумва, а кротува.
А попът спира за почивка
и с нежна, ласкав а усмивка
любимата си тихо пита:
- Мари, нали не си сърдита?
Кажи, що искаш, аз те моля,
и ще изпълня твойта воля.
На тебе всичко бих ти дал –
сърце, богатство, твой съм цял.
А пък родиш ли ми дете,
то знай, в охолство ще расте.
Във мрака Алисон не смее
на глас висок да се разсмее,
защото капеланът смята,
че е прегърнал във кревата
красавицата Марион.
ала това е Алисон,
която тъй добре играе,
че той не може да познае
замяната така умела.
Преди да е пропял петела,
неподозиращ тази смяна,
щастлив със дружката засмяна,
тъй девет пъти я възсяда,
а тя се прави, че припада.
Не ви излъгах нито грам,
разказвам ви, каквото знам.

Но чуйте после що било
извършено от Ерсело.
Тя също спяла в тази соба,
където попската особа
със Алисон се забавлява.
Слугинята набързо стана
и пустата му хитрушана
с опасна дейност се захвана.
Навън светлееше нощта.
Тя огън стъкна във пещта
и щом добре се разгоря,
главня в дюшека им завря.
Той пламна бързо, беше стар,
а Ерсело крещи: „Пожар!”
Отнякъде дойдоха хора,
но щом се струпаха във двора
видяха пламък в одаята,
с юмруци счупиха вратата,
а вътре – светло като ден
и попът – както е роден.
Но ето – пръв от тази свита,
ядосана и страховита,
там влезе градският месар.
Познал веднага попа стар,
в едно кьоше го той натика:
- По-бързо, попе – му извика –
се махай с тази разтурия,
че ей-сега ще те убия!
Видя и попът и разбра
как жертва в подличка игра,
той, мислейки за Марион,
се беше любил с Алисон.
А пък месарят със тояга
на гол гръб взе да го налага.
Мъжете не пестяха сили
и всеки беше се засилил
връз попа удар да стовари,
с ритник, с юмрук, където свари.
Но той откри през тях пролука
и хукна да търчи наслука.
Тъй тичаше в града без дреха –
нали мъжете му я взеха,
а пък тълпата многолика
на всяка крачка го застига
и със тоягите си тежки
гърба му жули, двете плешки.
И скоро гръб и слабини
Покриха се със синини.
Когато вкъщи се намери,
усети – като лист трепери.
На голо яде здрав пердах
и всички взеха го за смях.

Поуката от тази смешка
е да не правим друг път грешка
дома по тъмно да напускаме
и в авантюри да се впускаме.
Към забраненото в живота
да не изпитваме охота.
Ако не бе желал Мари,
не би загубил тез пари,
защото в градския бардак
дори и за един петак
би го приела Алисон.
Но той се влюби в Марион.
Така завършва тоз роман,
разказан ви от Льо Норман,
Гийом е първото ми име,
и с него ще се съгласиме.


Из „Завещанието на магарето”, Пловдив, 1984 г.

Превод от старофренски - Павлина РАЙНОВА

Friday, 1 February 2013

Wrap Up: January 2013


It's that time again. Can you believe January is over already? It feels like Christmas was only yesterday and we are already in February 2013... that's crazy. January was a pretty slow month for me. I had a lot of University stress (almost dropped out twice) and then I came down with the killer virus from the ninth circle of hell.... but considering all of that I still managed to read 8 books , WOOP!

So here you go... 

Books Read in January 2013



Iced (Fever #6/Dani O'Malley #1) by Karen Marie Moning - 4 Stars
On Dublin Street (On Dublin Street #1) by Samantha Young - 5 Stars
An On Dublin Street Christmas (On Dublin Street #1.5) by Samantha Young - 4 Stars
Dare You To (Pushing the Limits #2) by Katie McGarry - 5 Stars
Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L Armentrout - 5 Stars
The Collector (Dante Walker #1) by Victoria Scott - 5 Stars
The Vincent Boys (The Vincent Boys #1) by Abbi Glines - 4 Stars
The Vincent Brothers (The Vincent Boys #2) by Abbi Glines - 4 Stars

Reviews Posted in January 2013


Top 3 Books of January 2013

#3

#2

#1

That's it for this month. 

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The General Store by Bobbie Kalman






Kalman, Bobbie. The General Store. (Historic Communities.)  New York: Crabtree, 1997.

An informative look at 19th century general store and the work of the store owner and his family. The book contains a glossary at the end. Some of the illustrations were drawings; others were photographs. The quality of them varied. As a genealogist who had an ancestor who ran a general store, I found it fairly accurate according to what my mom told me about her father's stories about his father. The author pointed out that many of the store owners also served as postmasters, and this was accurate in my own ancestor's case.

This is part of the Friday series on children's literature and genealogy.

Thursday, 31 January 2013

Early Review: The Collector (Dante Walker #1)

The Collector (Dante Walker #1)
Victoria Scott

Published By: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Date Read: January 27, 2013
Genre: YA - Paranormal / Reapers
Source: Review Copy from Entangled Publishing
Format: E-Book
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From Goodreads:
He makes good girls...bad.

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence has made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple, weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big, red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days.

Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect—he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions deeply buried.
"I see the good in you, Dante. Even if you don't. I do."

There are no words to quite explain how excited I am to have read this book. I heard about it months ago while searching for new books from one of my favourite publishers Entangled Publishing. I am quite obsessed with their 'Entangled Teen' imprint and have loved so many of their books. After hearing of The Collector I instantly wanted to read it. To be put into the 'ARC Lotto' I was so excited... never did I expect to be one of the names pulled out in Round 1. After jumping up and down in excitement and squealing for well about an hour I instantly dived into The Collector... and all I can say is Oh! My! God! This book is freaking phenomenal and Dante... well.... Dante Walker can corrupt me anyday!

Dante Walker is the best of the best! He is the best damn soul collector out there and he knows it. So when he is given a 'tricky' job by Boss Man Dante thinks no problem. He has 10 days to collect Charlie Cooper's soul. But what Dante doesn't count on is Charlie being the nicest, sweetest person in the world... she may even have the power to cause Dante's long-dead heart beating. Can Dante really deliver Charlie's soul to Boss Man when he is starting to question everything he has known as a Soul Collector?

I am just completely and utterly in love with this novel. I don't know what I was expecting but this surpassed all of my expectations and more. I was completely sucked in from the first page and founf the book extremely difficult to put down until I had reached the end. Victoria Scott is one author to look out for. I just cannot believe that this is her debut novel because it is phenomenal and of such a high standard that I would expect from an author who had been publishing books for years. I was just blown away by The Collector and I think it is one of the best debut's I have ever read in my life.

Charlie is such a great lead character. She is described as someone who has been 'smacked with an ugly stick' Dante's words... not mine! I love that Charlie is not the most beautiful super-model gorgeous girl in the world. To me that makes her more realistic and it's so much easier to identify with her. None of us are perfect (well except Dante of course) and Charlie doesn't pretend to be. She is a nerd (like me) and proud of it! But she also has emotions and is hurt by the thoughts of those around her... She is not weak and is definitely not a damsel-in-distress character who will annoy you, she is strong willed... she's just human. And it makes her so likable and I think she's one of my all time favourite female characters. Yes she's not a kick-ass strong heroine but realistically how many of us are? She is human and real with real emotions and acts like any normal person would when going through what she goes through. I just adore her!

Dante... Okay *fans self* Dante is just your typical hot bad boy that no girl can resist. He is bad with a capital B and I am completely guilty of having bad boy syndrome while reading this book. I fell head-over-hees in lust... err... I mean LOVE... yeah love that's what I mean. Dante is just the epitome of bad boy and even when he was acting like an ass I still loved him and all the mean things he thought I just found hilarious. I just love him. He is the typical bad boy who you know is good deep down in there somewhere and just needs the right girl to find the good guy in him *jumps up and down* I'll be her! I'll be her! *jumps up and down*

I just loved every second of The Collector. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it. The story was strong and perfect the characters were just epically amazing. It has everything, heart-warming uplifting romance, hilarious best friends, action and a heart-shattering emotion. This book will make you laugh out loud loads and also make you cry. It made me laugh, it made me cry so much I couldn't see the words and it just made me swoon so much. The Collector has everything you will ever want in a book and more. I loved every single second of it and this one is not to be missed out on under any circumstances. It was uttery perfect in every way and a must-read for everyone.
DO NOT miss out on this one, it is a must-have and you will not be disappointed!

"I love you, Charlie. I fucking love you so much."

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Early Review: Dare You To (Pushing the Limits #2)

Dare You To (Pushing the Limits #2)
Katie McGarry

Published By: HarlequinTEEN
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Date Read: January 11, 2013
Genre: YA - Contemporary Romance
Source: Review Copy from Netgalley
Format: E-Book
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From Goodreads:
"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...
"This isn't me giving him a memory. This is me giving him my heart."
 
First of all I just have to give a crazy big squeal! Dare You To is everything I wanted in a Katie McGarry book and more. It was just amazing. Pushing the Limits was one of my all time favourite books of 2012 and Katie McGarry was one of my breakthrough authors of 2012. Pushing the Limits just completely and utterly blew me away and left me reeling and not being able to wait for more. Dare You To did not disappoint at all. I was just sucked up into Beth's story and I loved every single second of it.

Beth's always had it rough, growing up with a mother who depends on her to do everything and her mother's boyfriend who treats her like a punching bag. All Beth knows is that she is safe with her two best friends Isaiah and Noah. But suddenly everything changes. Beth is shipped off to live with her Uncle and his wife, who hates her and forced to go to a new school where nobody understand her.
Ryan is the town's perfect guy. He is popular, a jock... who could want anything more? But Ryan loves dares and when he is dared to ask out the bad skater girl Beth everything changes. Can a dare really turn into something more? Beth and Ryan are about to find out... one thing is certain when they are togeteher sparks fly... but can they find love or are they destined to burn out?

I just loved every single second of this book. I am completely in awe of Katie McGarry and she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I just love her. Her writing is just phenomenal. She has this incredible talent of pulling you in right at the start and not letting you go until the book is finished and you are left reeling dying for more. Katie I bow down to you because you are just epically awesome and I love you.

The characters in this book are incredible. We met Beth in Pushing the Limits so I was instantly excited to find out about her story. I love Contemporary books where we get other people's stories so having already met Beth and loved her in Pushing the Limits it made me so crazy excited for this book. Beth did not disappoint. She is just the epitome of awesome. She is a kick-ass girl who wont take no crap from no one and man I freaking adore her. She is just amazing and one of the best lead female characters in a book. She has this amazingly kick-ass tough exterior while we also get to see a softer side to Beth and I loved seeing that.

Ryan... well Ryan is pretty damn perfect. He is the good guy and as much as I have a weakness for bad boys I just cannot resist those perfect sweet guys... they are just so..... *dreamy sigh* and Ryan is no exception... I will admit he is no Noah that's for sure and Noah is my guy... always but Ryan stole my heart in this book. He is just so amazing and all he wanted was to prove to Beth that people could care about her and I just loved him in the book.

Pushing the Limits was one of my favourite books of last year and I already know that Dare You To will continue to be one of my favourites of this year. I am so excited for anything by Katie McGarry and I don't even need to know what it's about. I will read it just because she wrote it. There are no words to explain just how excited I am for Isaiah's story. Katie McGarry is officially and writing goddess and I will continue to stalk her and read every single one of her books. I am a fan for life and I will always re-read her books over and over. Dare You To was just phenomenal and it is not to be missed out on. If you want a book that will have your heart-racing and you swooning like crazy then this book is for you. A must-read!

"This must be love: when everything else in the world could implode and you wouldn't care as long as you had that one person standing beside you."

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Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Blog Tour: Reaper by LS Murphy


Hey Guys,
I am so excited to be a part of the blog tour for the new novel Reaper by L.S Murphy. I have not yet had time to read and review the book because of University but I cannot wait to read it.

Here is some info about the book.

Reaper
LS Murphy

Published By: JTaylor Publishing
Publication Date: January 7, 2013
Genre: YA - Paranormal
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Blurb:
There's no way sixteen year old Quincy Amarante will become the fifth grim reaper. None. Not over her shiny blue Mustang. Her Jimmy Choos. Or her dead body.

She’s supposed to enjoy her sophomore year, not learn about some freaky future Destiny says she has no choice but to fulfill.

It doesn’t take long for Quincy to realize the only way out of the game is to play along especially since Death can find her anyway, anywhere, anytime. And does.

Like when she’s reassuring her friends she wants nothing to do with former best friend Ben Moorland, who’s returned from god-knows-where, and fails. Miserably.

Instead of maintaining her coveted popularity status, Quincy’s goes down like the Titanic.

Maybe ... just maybe ... that’s okay.

It seems, perhaps, becoming a grim reaper isn’t just about the dead but more about a much needed shift in Quincy’s priorities—from who she thinks she wants to be to who she really is.

Doesn't it sound awesome? It sounds like something I would really love so I can't wait to read this one.

Now I am so excited to welcome the author to the blog to talk to us about Reaper. Welcome LS Murphy.

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Hi L.S
Thanks for joining us on K-Books today
Thanks for having me and being a part of the Reaper Blog Tour.

When did you first discover that you wanted to be a writer?
Really, it all started in eighth grade when my English teacher had us read “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut. I fell in love with the idea of writing something so haunting that made me think about the way the world really works.

Your book Reaper is in the paranormal genre. Did you always want to write in this genre?
No, I thought I’d write literature like the masters  and that was what I read a lot of as a teen. I didn’t discover a love of YA and paranormal until college.

What genre book do you enjoy reading?
As long as a book hooks me, I’ll read any type of fiction. Most of what I read is young adult these days since that is what my focus is.

Do you have any authors that you look up to or that inspire you?
There are so many. J I love Jane Austen and Kurt Vonnegut, of course. As for more modern authors, I love Richelle Mead, Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, and Libba Bray.

Your book ___ has been released. What was the inspiration behind that story?
Reaper was inspired by a “What if” question. What if Miss Popular learned it was her destiny to become a grim reaper? How would she react to that?

How do you feel about unleashing this story into the world?
Nervous. LOL. You want everyone to love it, and to go on this journey with you and your characters, but not everybody likes the same thing. It’s nerve wracking. 

Do you take any personal experiences and adapt them into your writing?
For Reaper, no.

Are there any particular scenes that you enjoy writing more than others?
There’s a scene at a party that I enjoyed quite a lot.

And finally what can we expect to see from you in the future?
In June, I signed with literary agent Julia Weber with a YA contemporary novel about a seventeen-year-old girl who sneaks onto a boy’s summer baseball team without her famous father’s knowledge.

Getting to Know You – Quick Fire Round

Hardcopy or E-Book? Both
Bookmark or Dog-Ear? Bookmark!!!!
Book or Movie? Book
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
Summer or Winter? Winter
Ice-Cream or Cake? Frozen Yogurt
Coffee or Tea?  Coffee and Tea, although more coffee.
Nice guy or bad boy? Nice guy with a bad streak. J

Thank you so much for being here on K-Books with us today.
Thanks so much for having me.


Author Bio: 
L.S. Murphy lives in the Greater St. Louis area where she watches Cardinals baseball, reads every book she can find, and weaves tales for teens and adults. When not doing all of the above, she tends to The Bean (aka her daughter), her husband and a menagerie of pets. “A Reason to Stay”, a contemporary romance novella, is available as of November 2, 2012. Reaper is her debut young adult novel and will be released on January 7th, 2013.
She is a co-rep for the Southern Illinois region of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and a member of the St. Louis Writer’s Guild.
Links:
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Friday, 25 January 2013

Black Potatoes





Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001.

While this book may have been aimed at middle school readers, it is a very readable account of the Irish potato famine which led to so many Irish immigrants arriving in U.S., Canadian, and even Australian ports. It is very well researched, yet readable. While it's lack of footnotes may bother adult readers seeking well-documented accounts of the famine, the bibliography does include a discussion of the sources used and how they were used in the work. One must consider its intended audience. It would be a great book to use with a budding young genealogist who has just discovered an ancestor who moved from Ireland  during this time period. The illustrations greatly enhance this book and its appeal. I can picture a young reader asking a lot of "Why?" questions as he or she is reading the narrative. Highly recommended.  (5 stars)

This is part of the series on children's literature and genealogy.