There is a good possibility there will be no ManCandy tomorrow. I was pretty much finished getting this post set up when I discovered the baby of one of my cousins passed away a few hours ago. She was 8 weeks old and battling brain cancer. As recently as this morning, the pediatric neurosurgeons felt good about her chances. Cancer is such a cruel disease. If you could say a little prayer or send some good vibes to her parents and sister, it would be appreciated. No parent should bury their child. For reasons, I won’t post her name or where they are. Please understand.
Zee Reads March edition.
4 books. Consider one of the books was huge. So not bad.
History of Magic: Author’s first book
I read this book I guess over 20 years ago and very much enjoyed it. Terry wrote one of the books I read in January – Magic Kingdom for Sale:SOLD! The Shannara Series is huge, spans I don’t know how many books. He’s written several other series – including Landover, which I mentioned and recently tied all of them together. Giant. Huge. millennium encompassing.
Needless to say, I read this BEFORE I read Tolkien. I have a dear friend – my main beta – who refuses to read ANY fantasy as, according to her, they’re all rip offs of Tolkien. I kinda shrugged and picked up this book with much relish!
By the 4th chapter, I was rolling my eyes. Surely, I’ve picked up the WRONG book, right????
Nope.
There is a review on Goodreads that I cannot top. I’m clipping and pasting it here, with a few additions from me at the bottom and two name changes. Ahem. This would be Suzanne.
If the Sword of Shannara were a film, it would go like this…
Mirkwood Productions proudly presents:
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE SWORD
Directed by Meriadoc Brandybuck. Director of Photography: Celeborn. Costume Design: Arwen Evenstar. Visual Effects: Saruman the White. Sound Design: Noldor Unlimited. Starring Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf the Grey, Sauron the Necromancer, Aragorn Arathornsson, Gimli van Gloin, and many more!
Synapsis
The Ohmsford brothers Shea (BAGGINS) and Flick (GAMGEE) live a peaceful and simple life in the Vale (SHIRE), helping their father (HAMFAST GAMGEE) run the family inn, when one day a mysterious stranger arrives in the Vale. His name is Allanon (GANDALF THE WHITE) and he has a dark and disturbing tale to tell: The Warlock Lord (an exceptional performance by the DARK LORD) has risen again. He knows that the ancient Sword of Shannara, currently being protected by the Druids in Paranor (GONDOR), is the only weapon that can permantly destroy him if wielded by a descendant of the House of Shannara. Allanon reveals to Shea that he is, in fact, part elf and carries the bloodline of Shannara. His life is in danger and he must flee the Vale at once. Allanon tells him to meet him the dwarf city of Culhaven (RIVENDELL) as soon as possible and disappears.
Hesitant to believe Allanon’s tale at first, the brothers decide to wait and see if part of the stranger’s story is true – that the servants of the Warlock Lord are looking for Shea. They bear a Skull Mark ™ . One night, Shea and Flick witness one of the Skull Bearers (NAZGUL) in the village and flee instantly. They must get to Culhaven somehow and decide to seek the help of their friend Menion, Prince of Leah (LEGOLAS). Their journey takes them through the Black Oaks forest and past the Misty Marsh where they are attacked by and narrowly escape a Mist Wraith (our very own WATCHER IN THE WATER has come out of retirement to appear in this film) before they finally arrive safe and sound in Culhaven, (RIVENDALE) where they meet Balinor Buckhannah (ARAGORN) and Hendel the dwarf (VAN GLOIN). A council of the Races is held under the direction of Allanon, and it is decided that a small party (FELLOWSHIP ™) must journey north and rescue the Sword of Shannara from the army of Goblins that has captured it in a raid of Paranor. etc, ad naus.
They also pass through the King’s Hall, (CITY OF THE DEAD) meet some thing with many legs and a reptiles head (SHELOB) in the forest, are captured by THE GOBLIN KING,
oh and Han Solo and Chewbacca show up.
I barely finished. Really. The writing was sub par at best and I’m glad my fonder memories were before I ever read Tolkien, or I would never read another book of his. His writing improves and he expands on this world, so it’s worth the continued reading. It’s just THIS book… is soooooo LOTR rewritten, with some Star Wars thrown in.
Sigh.
A book with a number in the title
Is a prequel. I had the 1st book of the series set for my book set in the future. After reading this, I’m not sure I want to go there. In short, aliens have visited Earth and infected us with a zombie-like disease. As a result, the US is quarantined into sectors, each thinking the other are badlands. Vaccines to fight the zombie illness are mandatory and refusal to comply will get you shot. This sector is in the process of a smooth but hostile takeover by a rather ruthless, corrupt, and barbaric politician.
I think I”ll find a Sci Fi Romance for my future entry.
Book with Magical Creatures.
Notice it says – The Complete Collection. Yup! 4 books in that. Took me a whole whopping hour to read ALL four books. All four together don’t equal a novella. It’s just 4 chapters of the stupidest nonsense I’ve EVER read in my life. This is a Mary Sue to end all Mary Sues. Girl, blinded in a car accident that killed her parents, living independently at age 20, falls down an open elevator and dies. Is rescued by an angel, who promptly restores her eyesight, and has sex with her. She’s a virgin and her first spoken words to him are – put your cock in me.
Yup.
After mind-blowing sex (in which he also teased her anally) she wakes up at the bottom of the shaft, with paramedics stunned she survived. She is taken to the hospital, where she wakes up to find a black winged being in her room. He’s the Father of the Vampires and apparently is the enemy of the angel who rescued and seduced her. So of course, he must have her. He scoops her up and flies her out the window to his castle where of course, every vampire must have her as well. Somehow his son drops the ball and the Werewolves kidnap her, wanting the same thing… and finally her angle rescues her, they live happily ever after, the end.
That was it. This is an hour of my life I won’t ever get back. I have never left a review for a 1 star rating, but I did. A certain BDSM book I abhor was better written than this.
Last but not least – A book with ShapeShifting
A werewolf named Kitty. Funny, eh? This was my favorite book of all the ones I read this month. I liked it. Kitty was turned against her will (date gone wrong) and is learning to live with her affliction. She is the host of a little all night radio show called the Midnight Hour. Things take a strange turn when a Child of the Night calls in. What was an oldies show, becomes a talk show about vampires and weres and her Alpha isn’t happy and the city vampire lords aren’t happy either. The two of them order her to quit the show just as big wigs from bigger stations decide to syndicate it. Oh, and there’s a rogue were on the loose, slaughtering at will. There are a slew of these (10? 12?) Not huge and if they’re as easy a read as this one, these will go in the Alex Archer stack. need to read.
Ya’ll have a good week. I’ll probably be around in a few days.
zee's muse 
As I text you this morning I am so sorry for your family’s loss. My heart is breaking. Thank you for your kind words yesterday. He’s not going to get rid of the cat at least I hope not. My sister is trying to appease him somewhat as am I. I sent him a cheer up gift today. I know you know all too well but I am just crying all the time about both of them. He’s so miserable and she’s so out of it. I just feel so fucking helpless. I’m so grateful my sister is there and I feel horrible that she bears the major brunt of both of them. I think Zoe knows mom is slipping away which is why she is howling. What do I say? What do I do? I feel so grateful you are here for me. I cannot tell you how indebted I am to you.
I cannot even comment on your book reading so far beyond me. I did get the much long over due library card on Friday and was happy with that. Audiobooks are available too at my regional library but the card is good for all 25 branches in Fairfax County!! I hope your good students have been good. Many hugs to you.
I know how you feel. I’m the furthest away and I feel so out of touch. My mom’s memory is going, she needs a mammogram and won’t tell her doctor. Says she can’t afford it, yet they are no charge through her insurance. My sister was at their house yesterday and when I asked how they were, she used the words ‘fragile’ and ‘feeble’. As much as they hate it and we hate they are either going to need someone there half or full day to do things or they’re going to have to move in with one of us and I suspect it will be me.
Yep I know. I broached my dad via e-mail and in BIG RED letters he replied no and no to a cleaning service and to a daycare assistant twice a week. I know he is stressed beyond belief with tax season in full swing (He is a certified Tax preparer) so I text my sister after he replied to update her. He’s 81 and our mom is 90. I’m sitting here in front of my computer just feeling lost and helpless. I get the bigger picture and I don’t want to appear insensitive to anybody else’s woes but it’s so hard to remain stoic when you know things are only going to get worse for both of them.
Big hugs to you about your parents. Bless your sister too.
It’s hard for our silver generation to accept help of any kind. They were raised to be stalwart and independent.
Yes Zee and my dad is very stoic and very very independent so I know he is having a hard time of all of it. I told him I’m here for him to vent and rant. He’s a bottler so when he blows he REALLY blows!!!
My mom is that way.
Well I am that way, my sister and brother both are as well. My mom is no filter, she lets it fly and the shrapnel lands where ever… then calm waters again
Condolences. Cancer sucks, especially in the little ones.
It’s funny going back and rereading books 20 (or 30) years later. I thought Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold held up pretty well. I’m having a bit more trouble getting into The Warlock in Spite of Himself (Warlock of Gramarye series that I mentioned), because there’s so much setting up of politics at the beginning, but I’m enjoying it more as I get into it. Partly, we’re not at the same place in our lives as when we first read them.
Sue I will have to look into the Magic Kingdom for Sale book. You have mentioned that book multiple times and I should take note!
You have to like fantasy, though. I don’t read a whole lot of it anymore, but Zee reread it recently too.
I don’t read near as much fantasy as I used to. I tend to binge genres. As of late, it’s been mysteries. This particular reading challenge is going to be knee deep in fantasy, as it’s a Harry Potter challenge.
Ahh. Makes sense.
We were so shocked. She was doing well. I guess we were lulled and forgot the 20% survival rate – on much older children who have this.
I reread Magic Kingdom For Sale/Sold in January. It’s a wonderful series. I’ve read many other Shannara books and liked them – the most recent was the Ilse Witch. The writing quality was much better and not seeming to be so Tolkien influenced. I think perhaps he went a different direction than Tolkien – Tolkien was writing a history, Brooks is writing a future.
Did you watch the Shannara series? It looked pretty bad to me, but my hubby seemed to like it.
I haven’t watched it. I’ve got it saved somewhere, need to find it.
I’m very sorry to hear for your loss. So very sad ❤
I've never read any of Terry Brooks books, I think I tried once but found it not suitable for me. I work in a library (have been almost 30 years) and I've always read a lot.
Forgot to add: I don’t usually reread novels but those I do I also buy for myself. I like Pratchett, Gaiman and Hobb a lot.
I have discovered when I reread, I discover a lot of things I missed the first time through. This year, I’m doing a huge challenge (I’ve not done one in a few years) so I either focusing on novellas or speed reading. Always miss stuff when you speed read.
Are you doing a challenge in Goodreads or just by yourself? I’m trying to read 80 books this year and I hope to be able to do that. It’s not always easy to find the time to read.
Good for you!!!!!
I did a hunt for different challenges the end of December and chose a Harry Potter Challenge. There’s a game board and everything! I think I’ve listed it in the end of December…
Thanks, I found it. I may try it too, this year or next 🙂
I did a search and there were quite a few that came up. 🙂 I’ve not done an organized challenge in about 3 years so it was time!
I have signed up for so many email lists, I get so many free ebooks, it’s not funny. As a result, I’m never at a place where I have nothing to read. I’ve been a readaholic since I was 4! Like I said, I read this a long, long, long time ago – 25+ years. The other ones don’t come off as obvious! Then again, it’s hard to write ANY fantasy that isn’t Tolkien-ish.
hi! Welcome to my corner.
Yes, it is hard not to write (or find) any Tolkien-ish 🙂 Otoh it doesn’t really matter if the author has a world of their own which has other qualities than Tolkien had.
Thanks 🙂
It broke my heart to hear of a baby so young suffering from such an ugly disease. Too young and your right no parent should have to deal with that. Condolences to you and to the parents and I will definitely send good vibes for them. Reg. reading it seems like that is all I do. it is relaxing to me and if I find a good book I tend to look for others written by the same authors, however, it doesn’t mean they are just as good. Your right when you re-read you pick up so many things you missed the first time. One of the books I have re-read is Gone with the Wind. I just love the dynamics between Rhett Buttler and Scarlet O’Hara and I know I have a few others. Mysteries- I use to gobble these up like crazy. Only thing is from reading so many I always figure out how it is going to go and who the culprit is. So right now I am into “historical love stories” some I ditch after reading a few pages, others I enjoy so it’s luck of the choice.
Irish my eyes perked at “historical love stories” what are you reading?
The historical love stories I tend to read are very formula, but hey, there is something about a HAWT knight, right???
That’s very sad news, Zee. I send some good vibes to you. I have no idea how anyone can ever get over the loss of a child. Especially at that age.
We’re just devastated. The doctors were so positive yesterday morning. Mom had gone home Friday to spend time with her daughter – they went shopping for gifts and hats for the baby. Just… I can’t. I just can’t imagine.
It is unimaginable. It is cruel. It is senseless It makes you wonder how a deity could possibly allow this.
I don’t blame God. Who knows what man has put in the environment, what chemicals are in our soil. I truly believe that all of our problems, we’ve created.
That is a good point, I guess.
I agree with you on that. Religion can’t be blamed for every woe in the world, a lot of them mind you IMO as I duck but sometimes this is a very cruel and senseless world we live in. She is at peace and I hope her parents and your family Zee find sources of comfort in that. What else can one say? So heartbreaking…
You know, when Spawn had that valve put back in back in 2006, he had a serious allergic reaction about a week after surgery – after we’d gone home. He ran a fever, he broke out in a rash all over his body. The hospital sent us to a local hospital – called them, told them he was coming, and what all they needed. We were over an hour away from HIS hospital.
It was a long, long night and he got poked a lot, poked by techs who didn’t have much of a bedside manner, poked by one tech in particular who this Mama Hen threatened bodily because of his attitude. We weren’t released until after 4 AM and at 8 Am, we were called by his hospital telling us to come down because the little country hospital completely messed it up and all the tests had to be run again.
So we go downtown and he got poke again a lot, some more and it was a long, long day there. And he cried, and I cried and it just not fun at all.
It was finally decided he was allergic to latex and they gave him more antibiotics through another poke and it just an unhappy day.
We are driving home – my parents were driving and he and I are in the back seat and he lays his head on my lap and is just sobbing. His arms look like a junkie’s arms and he’s bruised. And he’s crying – Next time, just let me die.
I’m not letting that happen and I tell him so and then he just… so much fury – Why did God do this to me? Why would he put me through this?
And this is a question Christians hear alot – how could He do this? And I’m hearing from the mouth of an angry, pissed off, hurting teenager.
See, in God’s eyes, Spawn’s heart is perfect. It’s perfect, because God formed it. God knew him as he was knit in my womb, he knew what he would look like, he knew how many hairs were going to be on his head. He knew the trials we would go through with my ex, with many things. He formed that heart, that sounded like a lopsided washing machine and in His eyes, it was perfect.
Because we don’t know who we touch when we walk by. We don’t. We don’t know what child is in the next room, terrified out of their skull, and this is a procedure that is old hat for us. We don’t know what parent is worried and who just needs to see someone who has done this, gone through this. Might just need that pat on the shoulder as you go by – Let’s do this.
We don’t know what doctor, what nurse, what technician has reached the end of their rope and just can’t see going forward. We don’t know who we touch.
Before his last surgery, Spawn called every single person in that operating room around him and prayed for every single one of them, called them by name and prayed for them. The surgeon told me later it was one of the most powerful things he’d witnessed.
A year after the original valve was put it, during checkup, they couldn’t get a good bead on it. Scar tissue. They tried several techs, several machines, couldn’t SEE it. So they decided to do a cath, like this one. At the last minute, they called in one more tech, one more machine. He got it. That sucker was pounding away, just like it was supposed to.
The surgeon came in with ALL the charts, shaking his head – I don’t get it. This doesn’t look like the same heart. I have no explanation.
And I watched my 18 year old son sit up in the bed and say – I do. Do you know My God? Let me tell you about my Jesus!
I don’t know how many lives my son has touched, even if it was to say – it’s going to be okay.
I don’t know how many lives my little cousin touched in her short time here, how many lives her parents and sister touched, but it was a bunch. A bunch.
We never know what a blessing we are. In the midst of our adversity, when we stand on our faith alone. Never. I firmly believe we are here for His purpose, His glory and we should reflect that, even during adversity. He gave us mountains, so we would learn to climb. that’s what I believe.
That is a beautiful text, Zee. You know I am not a believer, but I can very much appreciate the strength and the power you feel through your belief in god. That is something I am occasionally feel envious of – the certainty to have a god looking out for you, must make for more confidence and trust in your life. You are very lucky to feel this kind of love (in the religious sense) – and even more: to share it with your son. Even though I do not know him personally, I am very glad to read that his beliefs are giving him so much strength. Likewise, I hope your cousins will get through this difficult time with the help of their religious beliefs.
PS: I hope my initial comment that I didn’t understand why gods allow for tragedy, did not upset you. It was not meant as a dig at anyone who believes in god. It was a question that I genuinely grapple with.
Oh I understand the question and I wasn’t angry at all. Christians hear it ALL the time when something happens. We pretty much expect it lol! So no, not taking it personal, didn’t think it was a dig, just an honest question, which is why I thought I needed to answer it.
When Spawn had this last procedure, not a single family member sat with me. Dad is very ill, mom wouldn’t leave him, siblings had to work. my sister DID blow up my email and text while I was sitting by myself, as did Michele and another friend. I’m so grateful for them.
I think faith in God does carry one through times of grief. It helps a lot. You can yell at Hm and it’s okay, because he understands and His is always that quiet voice that is so reasonable. It doesn’t condemn, it doesn’t deride, He doesn’t yell back. It’s that peace that surpasses all understanding and I really can’t explain it better.
Zee if I can be a source to vent and ogle over Richard
and chat about Zulilly and school then I’m happy b/c you have been a savior and a dear friend to me with my
parents and work situation and other stuff I’m wrestling w right now! So thank you girlfriend!!
Guylty I think what you just said now was very eloquent, I am not a believer like Zee or Spawn but I take comfort that they find solace in God whereas I might not seek it that way.
Michele, I was reading a series mostly by Carole Mortimer, Called Regency Unlaced and also i think Regency Sinner. It passes time. Some have good stories others don’t so it’s just a matter of picking. She also has an Alpha series which some are very good and then another “security” series.. can’t remember the name.The Alpha and Security series are not place in other eras.
I’m not a big Contemporary fan, but I HIGHLY recommend Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenary series. BDSM with plot and well written. HAWT!!!! LEATHER!!!!
Zee, I agree have read all of the Masters and Mercenary series and they are well written plus I enjoyed the plot or stories of each individual book. I guess if you don’t like the other parts can just skip over. So nice to find someone can actually put an interesting story along with the BDSM storyline.
The problem I have with most bdsm books is there IS no plot – just lots of sex. This series was different and I LOVE them. I’ve done rereads a few times and there are a few NEW installments I need to read!!!
Well if Guy were in it bdsm or even Gary for you Zee I’m there in a New York minute!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what we could do with leather for them
I think guy is into BDSM (I wrote it! LOL!), but I’m not so sure about Gary. Gary just comes off as seriously vanilla, which is okay too.
Yes I know and it was very good!!! Gary has a lot on his plate and has two teenage boys to keep track of, one had a knife on him which came in handy by the way. Sometimes seriously vanilla can be just as rich and delicious as other flavors..
Agree about Guy he is definitely the BDSM type ( as you say you wrote it) lol but Gary he had trouble dating again so yes he would be Vanilla. 😉 Let me know what other installments Blake is offering. I like her stories and nothing like a little spice if it is good.
Lexi also writes as Sophie Oak so there’s the Bliss series, the Sirens series, the Fae series… Ping me at my email if you want me to hook ya up!
There are a LOAD of the M&M series. She’s now branched them off into the Loveless series.
OH! And the Light series. She’s got a LOT of books!