Fiction
The Poison Season
Maria Rutherford had written this novel entitled 'The Poison Season' during the 2020 pandemic. This is the story of the island of Endla and how magic should and should not be used. Leelo is a young woman who lives with her mother, aunt and cousin. One-night Leelo hears something like a wolf and she goes out searching and she notices the island's boat and a boy in it trying to stay afloat. Leelo meets Jaren and feels something for him. she is not sure what. Leelo's cousin Sage and Aunt Ketty are rule followers and Leelo must always be on her alert when she tends Jaren in a secret place. There are plenty of decisions that Endlans must make everyday. This is a novel full of 'magic' and family and getting to know who and what is around you.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Cannon
Who remembers all those old detective shows from the 1970's? The one that came to my mind was one entitled 'Cannon' that was about a slightly obese man who identified himself as a private investigator hired by whomever needed help some way. He did work with the cops when needed. Cannon would drive around working on his cases in a great big car and there would always be some sort of food on the front seat usually donuts. This show was usually show in parts, as in Act One- introducing what crime took place, Act Two- the investigation, Act Three- catching the culprit(s) and summing up how everything went. There were a few more of these types of shows that were on television back then, and I am thinking about critiquing them as well.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Wide Window
Lemony Snicket has done it again and taking us into the sad and despicable lives of the Baudelaire children. In volume three entitled 'The Wide Window' Violet, Klaus, and Sunny who after losing their Uncle Morty who they liked a lot have to move on again. The Baudelaire children go live with their Aunt Joesphine, who seems to be afraid of everything. She lives in a dreary little town in a big house that seems to be leaning and ready to fall into Lake Lachrymose. Again, Count Olaf is not far away and closer than they think. This is one book that will teach you some basic grammar lessons as well. Enjoy!
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Reptile Room
Snakes, snakes and more snakes in many forms. Lemony Snicket has another 'adventure' for the Baudelaire children. In this volume of 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' Lemony writes all about when the children go to stay with their Uncle Morty aka as Dr. Montgomery Montgomery. As the author says if you do not want to read a sad or pitiful story stop and find something else. The Baudelaire children learn all about all kinds of snakes even though Count Olaf is never far away and is closer than they think. Who could Count Olaf be and what does he have planned for the 'orphans'. This is a story that could give you and interest in science and in particular the world of snakes in a way and finding a different way of looking at life.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Night Shadow
The second installment of Nora Robert's Night Tales novels is entitled 'Night Shadow' that is all about Cilla's sister Deborah O'Rourke and a character that is named Nemesis. Deborah is also a district attorney working on two major cases and not sure if she wants a relationship at this time but along comes Gage and things seem to change. Who is Nemesis? For some reason this installment reminds me of a superhero story.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Night Shift
To me Nora Robert's has done it again with another series of books that are romance based but more family centered. In the first of a series 'Night Shift' is all about Cilla O'Rourke who is a radio DJ working the night shift. One night during her request line calls a man calls to tell her that he is going to kill her. A few nights later she meets a detective named Boyd Fletcher with the help of his partner Althea and others who will do anything for her, but at the moment Cilla is not sure, but Boyd will stick by her whatever may happen.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Lightkeeper's Ball
Colleen Coble has written 'The Lightkeeper's Ball' that is a historical romance that has a lot of historical references. This is a novel that takes place at about the second decade, the 1910's of the twentieth century. The main character of Oliva Stewart is a woman who wants to know the culprit who killed her sister in the time that everyone thought that Halley's Comet was going to destroy the world. At this time some people bought a scam known as comet pills that were to protect people from the poisonous gasses of the comet. Other inventions were the aeroplane and common use of the telephone. She uses her official title of Lady Devonworth instead of her real name. She thinks she knows who killed her sister and she also wants to find someone to love that wants her and not her money. To me even as a male reader was interesting even just for the historical parts.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Bad Beginning
Who are the Baudelaire's? Lemony Snicket has written a series of novels that are quite depressing and he warns the readers that if you do not like reading books that sad and mean things happen put the book down. In this series entitled 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' Violet, Klaus and Sunny will stay with a series of odd people with one very despicable person known as Count Olaf that seems to be always in the wind. Book one titled 'The Bad Beginning' the Baudelaire children learn about the disaster that took their parents' lives and put their children in the care of others, and each child has a specific talent that helps gets them these unfortunate events one way or another. At the end of each book Lemony Snicket writes a letter as an introduction to the next volume. All the illustrations are drawn as pencil sketches but are well-defined and describes some of the actions of the story.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Microsoft Azure Globally Down
On July 30, 2024, at approximately 13:13 UTC, Microsoft Azure & Microsoft 365 reported a global outage affecting a subset of its services. The issue resulted in timeouts and difficulties connecting to various Azure services worldwide. Multiple engineering teams at Microsoft were promptly engaged to diagnose and resolve the issue. The company acknowledged the problem and provided updates on the Azure status page.
By Shine b john2 years ago in Critique
Night Smoke
'Night Smoke' is another story in the 'Night Tales' series by Nora Robert's. 'Night Smoke' is a story of a firefighter inspector by the name of Ryan Piasecki and how he meets Natalie Fletcher. Natalie owns and runs a fashion corporation that owns many warehouses that seem to be the target for an arsonist. Natalie is a woman who can take care of herself in many ways but one it seems, and Ryan may be the Inspector for her. Will Natalie see that Ryan just wants the best for her and that he is true in other ways as well.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Nightshade
Nora Robert's has written a novel entitled 'Nightshade' which is a part of a series of stories 'Night Tales' a series of four books. (Just a note: Not sure if 'Nightshade' is the first one, but I do not think it really matters which you read first.) 'Nightshade' is the story of a man who is a private investigator by the name of Colt Nightshade and how he meets Althea Grayson a lieutenant in the police force. Nightshade is on a case where he is helping a family find someone and Althea is working on case that is related to his. In true Nora Robert's fashion there are issues that each will have to work through and solve the cases required.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
