Book Review: The Legend of Lyon Redmond by Julie Anne Long

This is a hard review to write for me. Very much like writing a review for Lauren Willig's  Pink Carnation series, this last book in the Pennyroyal Green series is one that I have been dreading reading and waiting impatiently for quite some time.
From the very first book, The Perils of Pleasure, where Colin Eversea escapes the hangman's noose to find love with the woman hired to free him, I have enjoyed every single book of the series. Colin's sister, Olivia, has been a part of each book, doing her good works against the slave trade, stoic and mysterious. Lyon Redmond has also appeared in each book, never literally, but as the golden heir to the Redmond family lost and mourned by all. All you know as the reader is that something went terribly wrong between Lyon and Olivia that does not seem will ever be put right.
This book opens with Lyon receiving word of Olivia's impending wedding to Viscount Lansdowne. Olivia has finally given up on ever hearing from Lyon again and decided that her only path is marriage. Lansdowne loves her and it would make her family happy to see her finally settled. And the story goes from there.
I read this book in a day. I loved it. It finally explained what happened to them originally. They are two strong-willed people who fall instantly and very believably in love at first sight. That feeling between them never truly changes though there were moments when I was not sure that I would get my HEA for Lyon and Olivia.
A bonus was the last chapter. Very well done, Ms. Long. I highly recommend the entire series, but this is a book I will reread.

Link to Amazon

Trad Tuesday - The Gael by Albannach

Albannach means Scotsman. The band Albannach is one of my favorite bands to see live. The four drummers and one bagpiper can make you feel as if you were marching over the highlands on your way to battle with William Wallace.

Here they are at a festival performing The Gael written by Dougie MacLean and famous as the soundtrack from Last of the Mohicans.

Book Review - Little Girl Lost by Angelique S Anderson

Little Girl Lost is a story of a young girl betrayed by an uncaring family. This first part of this short story series tells how Star is often left hungry and dirty because of her father and stepmother's gambling addiction. Sent to stay with strangers her life becomes better and worse. It is told from Star's viewpoint which gives her story even more poignancy. It is very well written and a fine start to this series. While a sad story, it is also a story that begs to be told.


Link to Amazon

Biography

Angelique S. Anderson is a singer/songwriter who majored in English and creative writing in high school. Having spent a couple years as a song writer, she decided to pursue her passion of story writing. She studied psychology at Liberty University. Currently she home schools four little girls, and enjoys doing speaking engagements and meeting new people. After living in Nashville, Tennessee, for four years, she and her family moved back to their home town of Stockton, California, where they currently reside.

Trad Tuesday - Bedlam Boys sung by Old Blind Dogs

Tom of Bedlam is one of the earliest songs about madness that was first introduced in 1618. Bedlam was a common name for St. Mary Bethlehem hospital in London (now called Bethlem Royal Hospital) which housed the insane. During the 18th century it was a popular diversion to visit the hospital to watch the antics of the poor inmates. Admission was one penny and it is said the hospital realized an income of four hundred pounds a year from visitors.

Trad Tuesday - Song for Ireland sung by Mary Black

Song for Ireland is a modern song with a traditional feel. It was written by English folk singer Phil Colclough after a visit to the Dingle Peninsula. Here it is sung by Irish singer Mary Black.

Walking all the day, near tall towers where falcons build their nests
Siver winged they fly, they know the call of freedom in their breasts
Soar Black Head against the sky, between the rocks that run down to the sea
Living on your western shore, saw summer sunsets, asked for more 
I stood by your Atlantic sea, and sang a song for Ireland

Talking all the day with true friends, who try to make you stay
Telling jokes and news, singing songs to pass the night away
Watched the Galway salmon run like silver dancing darting in the sun
Living on your western shore saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea, and sang a song for Ireland

Drinking all the day in old pubs, where fiddlers love to play
Someone touched the bow, he played a reel, it seemed so fine and gay
Stood on Dingle beach and cast - in wild foam we found Atlantic Bass
Living on your western shore, saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea, and sang a song for Ireland

Dreaming in the night, I saw a land where no man had to fight
Waking in your dawn, I saw you crying in the morning light
Lying where the Falcons fly, they twist and turn all in you e'er blue sky
Living on your western shore, saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea, and I sang a song for Ireland

Full Stop - Free Speech, Censorship, and Moderation

I was asked to write an article for Full Stop, an Ezine about writing (http://fullstopzine.com/)

I went with a topic that is important to me. Here's the link for your reading pleasure.


http://fullstopzine.com/free-speech-censorship-and-moderation

Trad Tuesday: Three Fishers sung by The Duhks

"Three Fishers" is a poem and a ballad written in 1851. The original poem was written by English poet, novelist and preacher, Charles Kingsley. It was first set to music by English composer John Hullah shortly thereafter. Some more recent recordings of the song follow a musical arrangement created by Garnet Rogers in the 1980s. 

The poem tells the story of three fishermen who sail out to sea, and lose their lives when overtaken by a storm. It describes the tragic loss of the fishermen's lives to their families.

The Duhks are a band from Winnipeg, Canada. They play in many styles including traditional Irish dance music.