Theme Thursday -- Conversation -- The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory S. Kaufman

Hosted by Reading Between the Pages
Rules:
*A theme will be posted each week on Thursday
*Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading that features the theme
*Post it and don't forget to mention the author and title of the book
*Event is open for the whole week
*Link back to Reading Between the Pages

 

This week's theme is conversation.

 

"I cannot say another word.  And none must know I was here today.  All our futures ride upon our agreed silence.  I overstep my own family's confidence when I take your's into mine.  I cannot say more," he emphasized slowly.  

 

Agistino's mouth remained open, a gaping hole from which disbelief silently flew.  The two men stared at each other for some time.  Finally Agistino spoke very quietly.

 

"If we say nothing, act as if nothing has occurred, all will be well?"

 

The other master slowly nodded his head and repeated, "I cannot say more."

~page 241, The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory S. Kaufman

Book Beginnings & Friday 56 -- The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory S. Kaufman

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by A Few More Pages. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence, or two, of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

"Why don't I feel any pain?"

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Check out the rules and join in the fun.

Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog. Post a link along with your post back to this blog.

"This one question," Calabreezi insisted. "I watched the men building the first saltpeter bed today and it looks like they're doing it wrong."

Hansum acted as if he were about to speak, then feigned another yawn.

 

My review for this one will be up June 11.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Hosted by Peggy.

Outside my window... no rain yet today --maybe the kids will play outside when they get up.

I am thinking... I admire people who do not interrupt others.

I am thankful for...safe travels for myself and those I love.

From the learning rooms...enjoying watching BBC news & Democracy Now

From the kitchen...I'd like to try to make these crackers:  http://catheolson.blogspot.com/2011/05/blue-corn-crackers.html

I am wearing...a grey knit cotton skirt and a long-sleeve black waffle weave shirt -- clothes that make me happy.
pic

I am going... to create a new resume after my divorce and name change are final.

I am reading...The Bronze and the Brimstone by Lory S. Kaufman

On my mind...plans for the summer, scheduling, finding a job and housing, glad that my housemates are home.


Around the house... laundry to put away and a long weekend coming up

One of my favorite things...feeling like people enjoy being with me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: taking care of Mark and Lilly while Amy works, picking up my prescription at the pharmacy, getting ready to scrapbook next weekend, maybe book club tonight and some decluttering and packing for moving.

A picture to share:

Mark, Fiona, and Lilly - clearly circus performers

 

The Hypnotist by M. J. Rose

I was pleased to receive this book for review because I was already familiar with the author and had enjoyed reading The Reincarnationist when it first came out.   A blurb on the back of the book compares this series to Dan Brown, saying that Rose's books are "more believably plotted" and I would add that they are also less formulaic. 

While I wished that I had (re)read the first two books (The Reincarnationist & The Memorist), The Hypnotist stands well on its own.  Lucian Glass is an agent with the FBI's Art Crime Team who has been investigating a man who is suspected of committing all kinds of crimes in pursuit of memory tools believed to aid in remembering past lives.  Now, as several stolen works of art resurface after being missing for many years, Lucian works to understand how these crimes relate to each other.  Meanwhile, he is forced to revisit a painful event 20 years in his past in an effort to understand his present as well as the past lives he begins to believe in.

The Hypnotist rates a solid 4 out of 5 stars and makes me want to go back and read the other two.

Teaser Tuesdays -- The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. To participate, all you have to do is the following:

• Grab your current/upcoming read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2-3 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers!  

Cover of Agatha Christie

She was so swelling with grievance that she condescended to pour it out to us:  "It wasn't me who thought of asking her! She rang up herself, said she'd something on her mind and could she come here, it being her day off."

~page 90, The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie

This is a re-read for me, for the Vintage Mystery Challenge.  It definitely feels like an old friend.  I'm not yet to the point where Miss Marple shows up and I'm looking forward to that.

What I did today

• Looked at Fiona's name change forms
• Checked the jobs listings on craigslist
• Wrote several people regarding letters of reference
• Did the dishes twice
• Made macaroni & cheese and stir-fried green beans with lime juice and almonds
• Took a shower
• Hung out with Fiona while she played outside
• Finished reading Alchemy and Meggie Swann with Fiona
• Made some small modifications to the wish list I have here on the blog
• Sent the address of my doctor's office to the friend who is taking me there tomorrow
• Picked up in the basement
• Decided not to apply to a job I'd been considering because of its location
• Watched Wheel of Fortune and Chopped with Fiona
• Headed to bed much earlier than last night, me with Agatha Christie and Fiona with Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo

Not necessarily super impressive, but it felt like a full day and full of much goodness as well as some sadness and anxiety.

Theme Thursdays -- Male Person -- The Hypnotist by M. J. Rose

Hosted by Reading Between the Pages
Rules:
*A theme will be posted each week on Thursday
*Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading that features the theme
*Post it and don't forget to mention the author and title of the book
*Event is open for the whole week
*Link back to Reading Between the Pages

This week's theme is:  a description of a male character.

The lanky man ambled down the narrow Viennese street with the lazy insouciance of someone who never worried and who'd never been weighed down with tragedy or illness.  He walked as if the stove pavers beneath his feet had been laid for him; as if the sun were shining and it were morning.

page 26, The Hypnotist by M. J. Rose