About


My name is Ardis and I am an avid reader and budding writer. I want to share my love of books with others. I work with kids and am interested in finding and creating books that will ignite the reader in everyone. Contact me at: ardis.atkins@gmail.com

Follow Me

Follow

Followers

Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

MsArdychan's bookshelf: read

I Owe You One
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Love, Hate & Other Filters
The Wartime Sisters
The Belles
The Gilded Wolves
Hey, Kiddo
Blackberry and Wild Rose
Queen of Air and Darkness
Firestarter
The Retribution of Mara Dyer
The Evolution of Mara Dyer


MsArdychan's favorite books »

Total Views

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

ARc Review: Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51901322-verona-comics?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=xQa8GWnKPq&rank=1

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Jubilee has it all together. She’s an elite cellist, and when she’s not working in her stepmom’s indie comic shop, she’s prepping for the biggest audition of her life.

Ridley is barely holding it together. His parents own the biggest comic-store chain in the country, and Ridley can’t stop disappointing them—that is, when they’re even paying attention.

They meet one fateful night at a comic convention prom, and the two can’t help falling for each other. Too bad their parents are at each other’s throats every chance they get, making a relationship between them nearly impossible…unless they manage to keep it a secret.

Then again, the feud between their families may be the least of their problems. As Ridley’s anxiety spirals, Jubilee tries to help but finds her focus torn between her fast-approaching audition and their intensifying relationship. What if love can’t conquer all? What if each of them needs more than the other can give?


Review:
After reading the fun rom-com Hot Dog Girl, by Jennifer Dugan, last year, I was impressed.  Now, with the release of her next novel, Verona Comics, I am a fangirl!  I really enjoyed this book.  But don't let the cute cover and synopsis fool you.  This is not a light, breezy teen romance.  While it does have some of those vibes at the beginning, Verona Comics is actually a rather serious look at teen depression and anxiety.  It is also loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, so...
                   
via GIPHY

Possible tragedy looms over everything.

What I Liked:
Settings:
I have only been to two Comic Cons, but gosh they were fun.  The book captures the festive atmosphere in the very sweet meet-cute between Jubilee and Ridley.  Both dressed in costumes, their flirty first meeting is adorable.

Later, the book has several scenes in Verona Comics, the store owned by Jubilee's moms.  Either the author does lots of research, or actually spends time hanging around Comics shops, but the atmosphere felt really authentic.

Characters:
Jubilee is really driven to excel in music, has several good friends, and loving (if a bit overprotective) parents.  Ridley couldn't be more different.  He is a loner, has horrible parents, and terrible self-esteem.  He also has a serious anxiety issue.  While they are very different, they are both quite endearing, and I loved their texting interactions. 

Diversity:
There was a wide range of diversity, from various sexual orientations, to ethnicity, and socio-economic situations.  There were different family situations, too.  Some families were very accepting, but others were quite hostile to their teens preferences.  The biggest difference for our main characters was in the level of healthy parenting between Jubilee's parents, and Ridley's.  I loved how this showed how varied teen experiences can be.  

Handling of Mental Health Issues:
One of the most important messages in this book is that teens should not, and cannot, rely only on other teens for emotional support.  Ridley has some really serious problems, which he tends to dump on Jubilee.  This puts Jubilee under a lot of pressure to meet his needs over her own.  It was a bit infuriating to see this, but these situations do often happen to teens.  The young person having the problem doesn't want to talk with an adult, and so wants to talk over everything with their friend.  But this really puts an unfair burden on the other person, which can make them feel overwhelmed, guilty, and resentful.  This relationship dynamic is the main focus of the book.  And it is one worth exploring.

What I Was Mixed About:
Ridley's Family:
Ridley has a really messed up family life.  His parents are seperated, with him living with his mom in Seattle, and his dad living on the East Coast (with a girlfriend).  The dad is a raging alcoholic, and abusive.  The mom must have known this, but doesn't raise any objection to Ridley's plan to live with his dad. She never checks on Ridley, and seems more interested in her new-found freedom than making sure Ridley is safe.

And that is the reason I have mixed feelings about this situation.  Considering what a creep his dad is, it's no wonder Ridley has mental health issues!  My objection to this scenario is that the abusive situation seemed like an excuse for Ridley to have issues.  I wish that a teen could be shown to have problems who came from a loving home, or had parents who were really trying (and failing) to be helpful.  These situations happen too.  

Triggers for abuse, anxiety, depression, and suicide.

Rating: 




Release Date:  April 21st, 2020

Author:  Jennifer Dugan

Publisher:  G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Genre:  YA Contemporary

Page Length:  352 Pages

Source:  Edelweiss

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Despite the cutesy premise, this is a serious book about toxic relationships.  The characters make this an endearing book.
 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Book Review: Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45184250-wicked-as-you-wish?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=wJxpDfqUSq&rank=1

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Many years ago, the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left desolate and encased in ice when the evil Snow Queen waged war on the powerful country. Its former citizens are now refugees in a world mostly devoid of magic. Which is why the crown prince and his protectors are stuck in…Arizona.
Prince Alexei, the sole survivor of the Avalon royal family, is in hiding in a town so boring, magic doesn’t even work there. Few know his secret identity, but his friend Tala is one of them. Tala doesn’t mind—she has secrets of her own. Namely, that she’s a spellbreaker, someone who negates magic.
Then hope for their abandoned homeland reignites when a famous creature of legend, and Avalon’s most powerful weapon, the Firebird, appears for the first time in decades. Alex and Tala unite with a ragtag group of new friends to journey back to Avalon for a showdown that will change the world as they know it.


Review:
I have been a huge fan of author Rin Chupeco since reading The Bone Witch series.  I hadn't heard much about Wicked As You Wish before I read it, so I was bowled over by how wonderful it was!  With a wonderful blend of fantasy, and realistic settings, endearing characters, and an action packed plot, this is just the sort of book escape we need!

What I Liked:
World-Building:
This book has an alternate reality setting.  Most details of the world are the same.  There is still the Internet, Twitter, and (sadly) ICE agents hassling minorities in America.  But, also, there is a King who rules The Royal States of America, magic, and fairy-tale kingdoms.  It was a wonderful mix of reality and whimsy. 

I also like how the author shows how magic would be commercialized in this world.  One of the main conflicts in this universe is over who gets to control magic.  Should magical kingdoms share their magic?  Should non-magical countries be afraid of those who have magic?  Fear seems to rule over everyone.

Characters:
I absolutely loved the characters in this book.  Not only were Tala and Alex fantastic main characters, but they were supported by a cadre of the most wonderful teens and adults. 

The teens were a delightful mix of diversity with characters of varying genders, and orientations.  They also each had strengths and insecurities that made each person very relatable. I also liked that romance was not the only thing these teens were thinking about.  They were more interested in their main objective:  Saving the Kingdom of Avalon!

The adults were all fully developed characters, with their own share of problems.  These people had complicated pasts that would be hard for their kids to understand.  Which made the relationships between parents and children challenging, at times.

Filipino Culture:
Filipino culture was well represented in this book.  Everything from the food (Chicken Adobo, anyone?), and the clothing, to the beloved older generation was celebrated in this book.  I loved, loved, loved all the aunts, uncles, grannies, and granddads.  They all had opinions and were not shy about stating them.  And they each contributed greatly to the cause.

Plot:
The plot was very fast-paced, with plenty of fights, and strange situations.  The novel, once it gets going, essentially became an action-packed road trip.  As the teens journey toward their destination, they met with all sorts of fairy-tale creatures and legends.  And with all the prophesies mentioned for each character, a sense of foreboding carried the story to a thrilling conclusion.

Ending:
Usually when a book series starts, the ending of the first book can be less than satisfying.  I really dislike it when there are huge parts of the plot that are unresolved in an attempt to force the reader to read the next book.  Not so with this novel.  All the main plot points are resolved with a few small dangling bits that I know will be answered in later books.

Rating: 




Release Date:  March 3rd, 2020

Author:  Rin Chupeco

Publisher:  Sourcebooks Fire

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  432 Pages

Source:  Public Library

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun, fast-paced YA fantasy.  The perfect escape. 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Audio ARC Review: The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49356287-the-kingdom-of-back

Please Note:  I received an advance audio copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart.

Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish—to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she'll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age—her tyrannical father has made that much clear.

And as Nannerl's hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true—but his help may cost her everything.

In her first work of historical fiction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu spins a lush, lyrically-told story of music, magic, and the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.


Review:
I am a huge fan of Marie Lu, having read at least half a dozen of her novels.  Usually her books deal with young people navigating a dystopian society.  The Kingdom of Back is a very different sort of story.  Set in eighteenth century Europe, we follow Nannerl, the sister of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  While I loved the tension and conflict in the story of a brilliant girl overshadowed by her genius brother, the fantasy aspect of the novel didn't work for me.

What I Liked:
Setting:
The realistic part of the story takes part in eighteenth century Europe.  We read about how precarious life was.  Mozart's parents were primarily occupied with the survival of their family.  The threats of poverty and illness were real.  The details of how people lived, especially when there was an outbreak of smallpox, showed how fleeting life was at that time.

Story:
I really liked the realistic portion of the story.  Mozart's father (and to a lesser extent their mother) was the original stage parent!  He never missed an opportunity to market his children and live off their talent.  Both Nannerl and Wolfgang were exploited as child prodigies.  As Nannerl struggles to understand why her brother is feted, while she is overlooked, we feel her anger and frustration.  While it was somewhat acceptable for a girl to perform music, it would have been unseemly for a young woman to actually compose music.  Nannerl was a girl born at the wrong time.  It was heartbreaking.

Another part of the story that was quite timely was it's depiction of illness at that time.  There were constant outbreaks of smallpox, and other diseases (it was a wonder that anyone grew to adulthood!).  The fact that any illnesses could become fatal brings home how difficult life was at that time.


What I Didn't Like:
Fantasy Storyline:
I wasn't thrilled with the fantasy story.  Hyacinth, a faerie prince, tempts Nannerl with promises of fame and immortality, if she delivers her brother to the Kingdom of Back.  But due to how successful Marie Lu was in showing us how limited women were at that time, we know there is no way Nannerl's dreams will come true.  Without a possibility of Nannerl becoming famous in her own right, I couldn't invest in the outcome of the story.

Narration:
Usually I love listening to audiobooks, but the performance of Lauren Ezzo was irritating and overly melodramatic.  This was partly due (as I mentioned earlier) to the fact that there was no way Nannerl could expect to be recognized in her own right.  So when the narrator acts indignant over all the injustices Nannerl experiences, I found it annoying.  

Rating: 




Release Date:  March 3rd, 2020

Author:  Marie Lu

Audio Publisher:  Listening Library

Audio Length: 10 Hours, 32 Minutes

Print Publisher:  G.P. Putman's Sons

Print Length:  336 Pages

Source:  Publisher

Format:  Audiobook

Recommendation:  While the fantasy portion of the novel is over the top, this book does work as a chronicle of life for a female in the time of eighteenth century Europe.  

SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Thursday, April 9, 2020

ARC Review: A Hundred Suns by Karin Tanabe

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45046701-a-hundred-suns

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
On a humid afternoon in 1933, American Jessie Lesage steps off a boat from Paris and onto the shores of Vietnam. Accompanying her French husband Victor, an heir to the Michelin rubber fortune, she’s certain that their new life is full of promise, for while the rest of the world is sinking into economic depression, Indochine is gold for the Michelins. Jessie knows that their vast plantations near Saigon are the key to the family’s prosperity, and while they have been marred in scandal, she needs them to succeed for her husband’s sake—and to ensure that her trail of secrets stays hidden in the past.

Jessie dives into the glamorous colonial world, where money is king and morals are brushed aside, and meets Marcelle de Fabry, a spellbinding French woman with a moneyed Indochinese lover, the silk tycoon Khoi Nguyen. Descending on Jessie’s world like a hurricane, Marcelle proves to be an exuberant guide to ex-pat life. But hidden beneath her vivacious exterior is a fierce desire to put the colony back in the hands of its people, starting with the Michelin plantations, fueled by a terrible wrong committed against her and Khoi’s loved ones in Paris.

Yet it doesn’t take long for the sun-drenched days and champagne-soaked nights to catch up with Jessie. With an increasingly fractured mind, her affection for Indochine falters. And as a fiery political struggle builds around her, Jessie begins to wonder what’s real in a friendship that she suspects may be nothing but a house of cards.

Motivated by love, driven by ambition, and seeking self-preservation at all costs, Jessie and Marcelle each toe the line between friend and foe, ethics and excess. Cast against the stylish backdrop of 1930s Indochine, in a time and place defined by contrasts and convictions, A Hundred Suns is historical fiction at its lush, suspenseful best.
  


Review:
In the newly released book, A Hundred Suns, by Karin Tanabe, I got a glimpse of a time and place I knew nothing about,  the Indochine (Vietnam) of the 1930's.  This had much of what I love about historical fiction: vivid descriptions of time and place, and fascinating characters.  While the plot was intentionally lurid at times, and a bit sensational, it was definitely a book I couldn't put down.

What I Liked:
Setting:
We are introduced to two different, but equally fascinating worlds:  Paris in the Jazz Age, and Indochine (Vietnam) in the 1930''s.  In Paris, we see both high society and the vibrant student scene of the time.  While the wealthy were determined to keep staunchly conservative values, university students were in love with the idea of change, particularly with Communism.

In Indochine, we also see two different worlds, that of the French colonists, and of the local people who are being oppressed.  The politics of the times were very complex, and I felt the novel did a good job of showing the nuances of this period.

Life in the 1920's and 1930's:
The book also shows how difficult life was for women at that time.  Most women had few choices.  If they wanted to have a better life, they did so by marrying well.  This limited their choices by forcing many women to accept difficult situations in exchange for security for them and their children.

Characters:
All of the characters are quite layered, especially Jessie, the main character.  While I had a lot of sympathy for what she was going through, she was no angel.  Her main motivation in life was fear.  And this nudged her to make some awful choices.  Yet I found that she was a fierce mother, and (mostly) loyal wife.

Marcelle, Jessie's new friend in Indochine, is also quite complex.  She is in love with a wealthy Indochinese man who she met when he was a student in Paris.  But as her lover Khoi points out, if he weren't ultra-sophisticated (and more French than a Parisian) would she still have fallen in love with him?

Both Marcelle and Khoi are sympathetic to Communism, but also enjoy an incredibly privileged life.  They loved the idea of equality but were never for a moment willing to give up their lavish lifestyles.

Depiction of Colonialism:
I didn't know anything about French Colonialism until I read this book.  I liked that it showed what was so insidious about it, while also showing how the French rationalized it at the time.  The deep racism of the time was so disturbing, but necessary to show how these practices destroyed a beautiful society.


What I Was Mixed About:
Lurid moments:
The book has several moments of debauchery in order to illustrate the wildness of the times.  While I understood this, these scenes were really unpleasant to read about.   I wish that the author would have simply alluded to them, rather than spell them out.  I can't unread them!
                      
via GIPHY

Plot:
The plot is rooted in reality... and then takes on some rediculous twists.  Without giving anything away, I will just say that one character really knows how to pre-plan!  Other plot points were a bit melodramatic.  I wish the book would have stayed with the very real issue of how the French could live with the moral ambiguity of enslaving local people so they could live the High Life.

Rating: 




Release Date:  April 7th, 2020

Author:  Karin Tanabe

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Page Length:  400 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: A solid Historical Fiction about French Colonialism.
 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Wednesday, April 8, 2020

ARC Review: Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me by Gae Polisner

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45046698-jack-kerouac-is-dead-to-me?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ThQTuZhxOV&rank=1

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Fifteen-year-old JL Markham's life used to be filled with carnival nights and hot summer days spent giggling with her forever best friend Aubrey about their families and boys. Together, they were unstoppable. But they aren't the friends they once were.

With JL's father gone on long term business, and her mother suffering from dissociative disorder, JL takes solace in the in the tropical butterflies she raises, and in her new, older boyfriend, Max Gordon. Max may be rough on the outside, but he has the soul of a poet (something Aubrey will never understand). Only, Max is about to graduate, and he's going to hit the road - with or without JL.

JL can't bear being left behind again. But what if devoting herself to Max not only means betraying her parents, but permanently losing the love of her best friend? What becomes of loyalty, when no one is loyal to you?


Review:
I didn't know much about this book when I requested it.  I thought from the title that it would perhaps be a light-hearted YA roadtrip story.  Um, no...

This was a serious novel about teenage sexuality.  But it was also, more subtly, about the neglect and abuse this young teen deals with.  While I found the way the subject matter was presented refreshing in its frankness, I worry that it oversimplifies the reasons teens become sexually active.

What I Liked:
Characters:
J.L. is such a heart-breaking character.  Instead of having caring adults to lean on, she is forced into the role of parent to her mother, who has a mental illness.  This is a heavy burden to put on a kid.

And to cope with that burden, she becomes reckless.  She starts drinking, and hanging out with older teens.  I can't help but feel she sought attention from boys because she felt so undervalued at home.  There is more to that, of course, which makes this novel so compelling.

I also loved that she came to terms with the slut-shaming she gets from her "friends" with strength, and understands that sexual feelings are nothing to be ashamed of.

What I Was Mixed About:
Teen Sexuality:
This book is brutally honest about teenage sex.  As a reader, I found this refreshing.  Sexual feelings are not romanticized in the slightest, and the author makes it clear that sex is normal and enjoyable.

But, as a parent, I'll be honest, I was appalled.  Not once does anyone in this book think about the consequences of intimacy.  No one is taking any precautions.  I kept wondering when someone was going to end up pregnant or with an STD.  

I also found it creepy that we are reading about the detailed sexual encounters of a fifteen year-old girl! 

This book could be a conversation starter with your teen about healthy attitudes about sex. 

What I Didn't Like:
Accountability:
The adults in this book have a lot of explaining to do!  Both of J.L's parents are so wrapped up in their own dramas that they refuse to be present for J.L.  Even her grandmother has her head in the sand.  She should have taken J.L. into her own home, rather than let her suffer all that neglect.  It was infuriating!

I really felt that J.L. was being sexually abused by much older boys.  Even though she was a willing participant, I can't help but feel these young men saw how vulnerable she was and took advantage of it.  They plied her with alcohol and then talked her into doing increasingly more sexual acts.  It was hard to read, at times.

Reasons for Teen Drinking and Sex:
Although I applaud the author for showing that sexual feelings in teens are healthy and normal, I think there are other factors involved when a very young teen becomes sexually active.  When teens are stressed, or overlooked, they can often self-medicate with alcohol, drugs, and sex.
J.L. had so many worries about her mother, that it seemed inevitable that she would start drinking.  And by giving herself to older boys, she felt valued.  She could lose herself in the high of sex.  This was not healthy, and only made for more problems.

I wish the author would have had J.L. become more aware of how destructive her actions were. 


Rating: 




Release Date:  April 7th, 2020

Genre:  YA Contemporary

Author:  Gae Polisner

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Page Length:  288 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: A frank look at teen sexuality.  While the story was powerful, it oversimplified the reasons teens have sex.
 
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest
Tuesday, April 7, 2020

ARC Review: Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40126121-ruthless-gods?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=aY12qn8Y27&rank=1#

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Darkness never works alone...

Nadya doesn’t trust her magic anymore. Serefin is fighting off a voice in his head that doesn’t belong to him. Malachiasz is at war with who--and what--he’s become.

As their group is continually torn apart, the girl, the prince, and the monster find their fates irrevocably intertwined. They’re pieces on a board, being orchestrated by someone… or something. The voices that Serefin hears in the darkness, the ones that Nadya believes are her gods, the ones that Malachiasz is desperate to meet—those voices want a stake in the world, and they refuse to stay quiet any longer.


Review:
Wicked Saints was one of my favorite novels of last year.  I loved the world-building, characters, and action.  While most of this continues in Ruthless Gods, there were a lot of angsty reflections by the main characters.  Growing pains? 


What I Liked:
World-Building:
Imagine creating a complex religion just for a novel.  There are so many gods and saints, each one with its own story and significance in this world.  Having this level of detail makes us invest in the struggles of Nadya, Serefin, and Malachiasz.

There are also several different societies, each with customs, hierarchies, and myths, that combine to form a rich world for these characters to inhibit.

Characters:
Nadya really reminded me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!  She is a classic "chosen one", reluctant, and full of doubt.  But she is also truly a one of a kind marvel who can talk to the gods.

Serefin grows the most of the main characters in this book.  He is also a reluctant leader.  But as he journeys through the novel, he comes to accept the huge responsibility for his nation and becomes willing to sacrifice everything.  There are also some wonderful developments in Serefin's love life that made me cheer. 

What I Didn't Like:
Characters:
I couldn't understand the competing natures of Malachiasz.  At times he is the roguish, charmer who Nadya loves.  At other times, he is the cruelest of demons, violent, and sadistic.  And Nadya is very confused about her feelings for Malachiasz.  This is where I get Nadya's Buffy vibe (remember her love/hate relationship with Spike?). 

            
via GIPHY

Although this made for a layered story, it was hard for me to see Malachiasz as anything but a villain.

Angsty inaction:
There was a great deal of angsty reflection by all the characters.  Everyone seemed to second-guess themselves, or moan about their situation.  Remember all the different gods in this world?  Sometimes I felt they were being influenced by the God of Boredom! 
                      
via GIPHY


Most of the book seemed to be filler to get to the next book in the series. 
  
For all my complaining, I do look forward to the next book.  I want to see how this plays out.  And I will always root for Serefin and Nadya! 


Rating:  




Release Date:  April 7th, 2020

Author:  Emily A. Duncan

Publisher:  MacMillan

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  432 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: Although I loved the characters, and the world-building, this book lacked the thrilling intrigue and action of book one. Definitely a library read.
SHARE ON: Share to Pinterest

GoodReads

2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
MsArdychan has read 7 books toward her goal of 96 books.
hide

Badges

80% 80% 200 Book Reviews 2016 NetGalley Challenge
clean sweep 2017

Popular Posts

Grab My Button

http://ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com
<a href=“http://ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><img src="
http://ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com

Blogs I Follow

Search This Blog