https://www.grammarly.com/ Where the Grammar Police Go For Edits!
Friday, October 30, 2015
Grammarly Stops By: Halloween Quiz-Which Literary Monster Are You?
Grammarly.com Stops By-Which Monster Are You?
https://www.grammarly.com/ Where the Grammar Police Go For Edits!
https://www.grammarly.com/ Where the Grammar Police Go For Edits!
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Sex Is A Way To A Man's Heart! by GFEM
Sex Is A Way To A Man’s Heart!
0
BY GFEM ON UNCATEGORIZED
The old cliché, “Food is a way to a man’s heart” has been redefined in today’s culture. We are living in the society where young women easily believe sex is a way to a man’s heart. The temperance for waiting till marriage is increasingly reducing.
Apart from the bible telling us to practice abstinence, I also think it is undignifying for women to easily give up their body thinking that will get a man to fall in love and committed to them. Sex does not buy love because love ain’t cost a thing! Is either you have it or not!
I commend the girl’s relentless dedication and honoring the virginity pledge to her parents. It’s a parent(s) pride to raise a girl that is strong and not easily led by pop culture and social pressure. I don’t think being abstinent in this generation is that easy with all we hear and see around. The music and movies have been infiltrated and watered down with sex and scandal. You almost have to be careful of opening up social media on your phone in a public place especially in a religious environment like church because of sexual images that can pop up.
As surprising this might sound to some people, there are men out there who won’t respect a woman who is a virgin more than a woman who is not. Guys would argue a virgin girl could be engaging her self in other immoral activities with different guys. So I tell ladies to remain a virgin for their own self worth; not to please a guy but to honor themselves and their parents. And a guy that is understanding would cherish and appreciate your wait for him to break the hymen.
For men and women who are hoping to get married to a virgin one day, you still have luck meeting that person. According to statistic, about 3% of Americans wait until marriage to have sex and that is about 10,00,000 (ten million) successful waiters-till-marriage.
GFem is a motivational speaker, radio host, husband, father, and Christian from Africa. He sent me his article and I had to repost. Great message to all young people! You can find out more at GFem's website: https://www.gfemspeaks.com/
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Movie Review: Bridge of Spies
Bridge of Spies is a true story about a post World War II spy exchange between the United States and Russia. The story is mainly about the large role an ordinary lawyer, Donovan, plays in setting up the exchange between a caught Russian spy Abel and two Americans, a student in East Berlin and an American pilot who got shot down in a U-2 plane while spying.
The story begins with Tom Hanks's part, Donovan, getting stuck with defending America's most hated spy, Abel. He is reluctant to do it, but takes the case and loses. The trial was pretty much fixed from the get go. The director, Spielberg, hints that Abel was supposed to get the death penalty, but Donovan, being an insurance claims lawyer, talks the judge into letting him live for leverage in a future spy exchange.
Some time passes and Donovan's idea materializes. The CIA picks him to negotiate the deal. Meanwhile, a college kid in East Berlin gets thrown in jail as Berlin builds their wall between the city. Donovan does not have the luxury of armed serviceman and surveillance while renegotiating. He is solo on the whole operation. The CIA could care less about the college kid and almost leave him stuck in an East Berlin jail. Because of Tom Hanks, a deal is struck and the exchange takes place on a bridge in Germany. Once the movie is over, the captions read how Donovan went on to work for Kennedy as a negotiator for hostages in Cuba, once again showing he knows how to get the job done.
My Review: The movie grabbed me from the start because I went into the theatre knowing it was true. I didn't know much about the story, but my husband did. As a child of the '80s and end to the Cold War, I didn't experience the hate and suspicion this country had for the Russians. Spielberg brings it life as he shows moments when Hanks who is just doing his job becomes hated by the public for defending the Russian spy. As Spielberg points out, the spy was only doing his job as well. The pilot was also hated, at least for awhile, because he didn't kill himself before getting captured by the Russians.
The directing, story-telling, dialogue, and acting were top notch. There were some phenomenal special effects when the pilot in the U-2 got shot down. I wouldn't be surprised if Hanks gets another nomination. Spielberg might get one too. I recommend this movie for anyone who loves history and against-all-odds stories. 5/5 Stars
The story begins with Tom Hanks's part, Donovan, getting stuck with defending America's most hated spy, Abel. He is reluctant to do it, but takes the case and loses. The trial was pretty much fixed from the get go. The director, Spielberg, hints that Abel was supposed to get the death penalty, but Donovan, being an insurance claims lawyer, talks the judge into letting him live for leverage in a future spy exchange.
Some time passes and Donovan's idea materializes. The CIA picks him to negotiate the deal. Meanwhile, a college kid in East Berlin gets thrown in jail as Berlin builds their wall between the city. Donovan does not have the luxury of armed serviceman and surveillance while renegotiating. He is solo on the whole operation. The CIA could care less about the college kid and almost leave him stuck in an East Berlin jail. Because of Tom Hanks, a deal is struck and the exchange takes place on a bridge in Germany. Once the movie is over, the captions read how Donovan went on to work for Kennedy as a negotiator for hostages in Cuba, once again showing he knows how to get the job done.
Rudolph Abel (center) |
My Review: The movie grabbed me from the start because I went into the theatre knowing it was true. I didn't know much about the story, but my husband did. As a child of the '80s and end to the Cold War, I didn't experience the hate and suspicion this country had for the Russians. Spielberg brings it life as he shows moments when Hanks who is just doing his job becomes hated by the public for defending the Russian spy. As Spielberg points out, the spy was only doing his job as well. The pilot was also hated, at least for awhile, because he didn't kill himself before getting captured by the Russians.
The directing, story-telling, dialogue, and acting were top notch. There were some phenomenal special effects when the pilot in the U-2 got shot down. I wouldn't be surprised if Hanks gets another nomination. Spielberg might get one too. I recommend this movie for anyone who loves history and against-all-odds stories. 5/5 Stars
Friday, October 16, 2015
Goddess Fish Presents: Dating After Forty-Eight by Morgan K. Wyatt
Dating After Forty-Eight
by Morgan K Wyatt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Non-Fiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
The world
of dating can be both brutal and mysterious. Why do some people marry the first
person they meet and live happily ever after? While the rest of us suffer
failed relationships, unexpected divorces, and even the death of a spouse that
pushes us back into singlehood. Being single can be especially challenging
after forty. Most people could use some help, which is the reason behind the
book.
Dating after Forty-eight is a collection of well-read blogs that highlights workable dating strategies. Instead of dating being a trial, turn it into a fun adventure and possibly a happy ever after.
Dating after Forty-eight is a collection of well-read blogs that highlights workable dating strategies. Instead of dating being a trial, turn it into a fun adventure and possibly a happy ever after.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
The Confidence Game
The first step to dating like a Bond character is
self-confidence. Act as if you are the most beautiful person in the room.
Anyone should be glad to know you. If they aren’t anxious to meet you, then
that’s their loss. I know some of you are shaking your heads, thinking that you
could never pull this off. I did say ACT. That’s the secret. Fake it until you
make it. Why act self-confident if you’re not feeling it?
Neediness is the opposite of confidence and drives men and
women away. A woman lacking self-confidence telegraphs desperation. She feels
like she can never land a man, so she dates anyone who asks her out. Then she
usually sleeps with the guy on the first date since that is all she thinks she
has to offer. She immediately begins to text, email, and call. Maybe she buys
him gifts and drops them off at his work or home. No wonder the guy runs off
screaming, which confirms her belief that she has nothing to offer. A worse
scenario is the guy hangs around and uses the woman. He keeps her in place by insulting
her, making her think she can’t do better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Morgan K Wyatt has penned
twenty novels. Her articles and stories have appeared in several anthologies
and magazines including Guideposts, Ladies Home Journal, Playgirl, Greensboro Magazine, and The Dollar
Stretcher. Her most recent fiction publications include a sweet romance, The
Inheritance, and a anthology, Sunkissed: Summer Effusions.
Dating After Forty-eight marks her foray in
non-fiction. The research for the book and blog resulted in her own happy ever
after love story.
LINKS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER
CODE
Morgan K Wyatt will be awarding $40 Amazon or
Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the
tour, and a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn host.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Goddess Fish Presents: The Sceptre of Morgulan by Matthew D. Ryan
The Sceptre of Morgulan
by Matthew D. Ryan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Coragan
of Esperia has another job to do. Can he and his companions capture the Sceptre
of Morgulan and prevent an apocalypse? Or will Korina outmaneuver them again
and escape with the prize? So much hinges on the efforts of so few—if they fail
in their quest, if the evil witch Korina the Black succeeds, she may gain an
unrivaled power over the forces of darkness; a power she will not hesitate to
use.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
It appears my mistress needs me again, which is good, in a
way ... my hunger has returned and I am due for another feeding. I relax as I
am pulled up the last short channel of the jar; I concentrate on the sensations
and feelings that barrage my mind as my essence twists and turns, undulating in
response to the summoning magic.
Coalescing from mist form to human, I become aware of
another presence in this chamber. Something strong and powerful, reeking of
magic and other rancid odors. Glancing in the creature’s direction is enough to
identify it: an arcagrich, a demon I am familiar with, although I have not seen
one in a thousand years. I turn away from the demon and glance back towards
Korina. She stands several feet from me in a summoning circle; she looks ...
pale, almost frightened. I’m glad she still respects me, but really? I do not
intend to break my word ... at least, not yet.
The crack of a multi-lashed whip splits the air and my
vision explodes. Staggering, I drop to one knee as the shock and pain hit me. I
gasp: there was more than just metal behind that whip! I lift a hand to my
face; it is a mangled ruin. Three long furrows streak across my cheek and
another one mars the pale flesh of my neck.
I turn to look at my assailant, angry, yet cautious.
“Lucian! Slay that demon,” Korina says.
Now, I understand. Her pet has escaped. And she wants to use
me to clean up her mess. I might have refused, if the creature had not attacked
me. But it is an arcagrich. Can I take an arcagrich?
Why, yes. I believe I can.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Matthew D. Ryan
is a published author living in upstate New York on the shores of Lake
Champlain. His work has been featured on-line at Aphelion.com and
YesteryearFiction.com. He has been deeply involved in the fantasy genre for
most of his life as a reader, writer, and game designer. He is the operator of
the web-site matthewdryan.com which features his blog, “A Toast to Dragons,” a
blog dedicated to fantasy literature, and, to a lesser extent, sci-fi. Mr. Ryan
says he receives his inspiration from his many years as an avid role-player and
fantasy book reader. He has spent many long hours devising adventures and
story-lines as well as gaming systems for role-playing games, playing a motley
assortment of characters in RPG worlds, as well as digesting the writings of
J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and others. As a result, he has great depth of
experience in the fantasy genre and feels it was a natural shift for him to
move into fantasy writing.
Mr. Ryan is the
author of the exciting dark fantasy novel, Drasmyr, The Children of Lubrochius,
and The Sceptre of Morgulan, as well as a growing number of short stories. His
first novel, Drasmyr, won the book of the month award on Long and Short
Reviews: Young Adult for the month of September 2012. The story features a
traditional Dracula type vampire in a Middle-Earth type setting. It is a dark
fantasy geared toward teens and adults that has consistently earned reviews in
the four and five star range. Drasmyr serves as the prequel to his series: From
the Ashes of Ruin. In addition to Drasmyr, The Children of Lubrochius, and The
Sceptre of Morgulan, Mr. Ryan has published several short stories on-line,
including: “Haladryn and the Minotaur”(published at the now defunct Pegasus
On-line), “The River’s Eye”(published at YesteryearFiction.com) ,
“Escape”(published at Aphelion.com), and the three-story collection Of Dragons,
Love, and Poison.. He has also spoken on the topic of “World-Building”
utilizing his considerable experience as an author and game-designer. When not
engrossed in his fantasy worlds, Mr. Ryan can be found volunteering at the
local food shelf or playing with his cat, “Confucius,” who is as wise and wily
as his name suggests.
Author’s
Smashwords Page: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/matthewdryan
Author’s Blog:
http://www.atoasttodragons.com
Author’s Home
Page: http://www.matthewdryan.com
Author’s
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MatthewDRyanAuthor
Author’s Amazon
Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/matthewdryan
Author’s
Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/579148.Matthew_D_Ryan
Author’s
Twitter Handle: @MatthewDRyan1
for specific
details on Mr. Ryan’s previous novels from this series, following the
corresponding links:
Drasmyr:
http://wp.me/P3Lbq0-gE
The Children of
Lubrochius: http://wp.me/P3Lbq0-gM
Buy Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/574196
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER
CODE
Matthew will be awarding a $20 Amazon or
B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10
Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Review: War God by Graham Hancock
Graham Hancock's War God is a novel about Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, taking over Central America in the 16th century. Although fiction, the author tells most of the story through the eyes of the Mexicas, Aztecs, Mayans, and Tlascans in the 1520s.
The book begins with Montezuma tripping out on mushrooms, praying to the god Hummingbird, and sacrificing thousands of people on his pyramid. He is preparing for the return of Quetzalcoatl and wants to be ready. Two of the main characters, Malinal and Tozi, escape to influence history.
Cortes sails out of Cuba with a few hundred men under bad circumstances. He brings a priest along who rapes and murders children. Other generals and captains help him first take over Ponchantan by using cannons and guns which the Mayans believe are supernatural powers. They defeat tens of thousands of people with advanced weaponry. Disappointed the city doesn't have much gold, they loot nearby towns and come up with almost nothing. They find their way to Tenochtitlan and take over instantly. Montezuma believes Cortes is Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent god, and doesn't even put up a fight.
My Review: I bought this book because I like Graham Hancock's work on aliens and Ancient Aliens. I thought the story would have more of a supernatural twist. Tozi, one of the supporting characters, could turn invisible, but that was the extent of magic. The book fits in better with historical fiction.
The story was an amazing epic. Hancock researched every angle possible, and put it into a highly entertaining story while teaching the reader about Central American history.
I really loved the character of Malinal, a young woman forced into being a sex slave. Tozi the teenage witch was also interesting as she escaped from the sacrifice of Montezuma. Cortes was portrayed as a thoughtful leader who sought new lands and gold.
I really enjoyed the book, but I do have one criticism. Hancock can get very wordy per my reading tastes, especially in battle scenes. Otherwise, this was a terrific read for anyone who loves history.
4.5/5 Stars
The book begins with Montezuma tripping out on mushrooms, praying to the god Hummingbird, and sacrificing thousands of people on his pyramid. He is preparing for the return of Quetzalcoatl and wants to be ready. Two of the main characters, Malinal and Tozi, escape to influence history.
Cortes sails out of Cuba with a few hundred men under bad circumstances. He brings a priest along who rapes and murders children. Other generals and captains help him first take over Ponchantan by using cannons and guns which the Mayans believe are supernatural powers. They defeat tens of thousands of people with advanced weaponry. Disappointed the city doesn't have much gold, they loot nearby towns and come up with almost nothing. They find their way to Tenochtitlan and take over instantly. Montezuma believes Cortes is Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent god, and doesn't even put up a fight.
My Review: I bought this book because I like Graham Hancock's work on aliens and Ancient Aliens. I thought the story would have more of a supernatural twist. Tozi, one of the supporting characters, could turn invisible, but that was the extent of magic. The book fits in better with historical fiction.
The story was an amazing epic. Hancock researched every angle possible, and put it into a highly entertaining story while teaching the reader about Central American history.
I really loved the character of Malinal, a young woman forced into being a sex slave. Tozi the teenage witch was also interesting as she escaped from the sacrifice of Montezuma. Cortes was portrayed as a thoughtful leader who sought new lands and gold.
I really enjoyed the book, but I do have one criticism. Hancock can get very wordy per my reading tastes, especially in battle scenes. Otherwise, this was a terrific read for anyone who loves history.
4.5/5 Stars
Monday, October 5, 2015
TV Show Review: Homeland
Showtime's Homeland Season 5 starts off with a bang. Carrie Mathison quits the CIA, lives in Germany with her daughter, and works for a billionaire philanthropist. She has a new boyfriend too. Her life appears to be at peace until her boss wants to take a trip to the border of Lebanon to supposedly deliver food and supplies to the refugees escaping brutal regimes and ISIS. Carrie tries to reason with him about the dangers of the Middle East and his lack of proper security. He needs more of an army than a private staff of ex-CIA.
Through past connections, Carrie finds out that Hezbollah is running things in that specific area and through connections she gets permission to go to the refugee camps with her boss. But getting from point A to point B is one hell of a ride. Carrie is kidnapped, roughed-up, and threatened. In the end she gets the permission needed to make the trip.
Peter Quinn has been stationed in Syria and Iraq for the last two years and tells a panel of American politicians how messed up it is. He, like so many ex-military on the news, tells them they have two choices to get rid of these U.S. haters-1) put tens of thousands of troops on the ground and fight to win or 2) turn the desert into a parking lot. Harsh words and not exactly what politicos want to hear, but that's Quinn. He's as direct as DirectTV! He will stay in Syria and train the Syrians to fight. And he's not too optimistic about this plan.
Another side story involves a computer hacker in Germany who likes to hack into radical Islamic websites and make fun of the religion. One night he hacks into a site at the same time the C.I.A. is perusing around illegally. Through some savvy computer maneuvering, he manages to download 1300+ of the CIA's files, all of them about the backdoor deal made with Germany about spying on people without warrants. Sal flies to Germany for damage control. A writer at Carrie's work gets a hold of one of the many files and publishes it. All political hell is about to break loose.
My Review: The writing, the acting, the directing, the special effects, the suspense...One of the greatest shows on TV still has not jumped the shark. This season looks even more exciting than the previous others if possible.
I was on the edge of my recliner the whole hour and saddened once the show was over. Last season had a Benghazi feel and now this season has a Snowden/Syrian refugee feel.
One of the many things I love about this show is the reality of our ongoing problem with the Middle East, a subject that most of Hollywood shuns away from. The writers never fail to produce fearless, unapologetic, topical episodes that tie in the news with the story line. 5/5 Stars! Can't wait until next Sunday!
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Book Review: 1984 by George Orwell-Prophecy or Blueprint for Inner Circle?
As a conspiracy queen I have heard of and used phrases such as Big Brother and thought police knowing that they came from the famous book 1984. The book was written in 1949 and takes place in the future or 1984 which of course is now our past. As Orwell says, "he who controls the past controls the future and he who controls the present controls the past."
Winston, an outer party member and employee, works for the Outer Party government in the fictitious region called Oceania. Winston lives in former London. His apartment comes complete with a state-run camera and microphone that monitors every move he makes. Banners of Big Brother, a man with a moustache and glasses, are hung all over the city. Oceania is always at war with one of the two regions in the world-Eastasia or Eurasia.
Winston's job at the Ministry of Truth involves changing newspapers, reels, books, or anything that contradicts what the Party aka government with the goal of leaving no evidence behind when the government lies. He doesn't understand how people can so easily forget who they are at war with-one day it's Eastasia, but then the next day it's Eurasia. When Oceania switches enemies, Winston and his co-workers work overtime covering up all speeches and news about the previous war which is erased from all forms of history. Winston starts to question why the government wants to change the past. He also doesn't like being watched. Against the government's rules, he gets a journal and begins to document his feelings and events with his back to the camera. Most Oceania residents would fear that the Though Police would drag them off in the middle of the night, beat them into confession, and then encourage them to kill themselves.
Winston soon finds a woman at his work, Julia, who feels the same. They have a secret affair. It has to be in secret because Big Brother/the government does not approve of romance and love. They have a secret room where they meet to have sex and talk in private. The room is above a shop in the seedy part of town where the Proles live. Proles are the masses or the proletariat (Marx)/worker bees of the world. Big Brother issues a hate speech each week about an underground organization called the Brotherhood run by Goldstein. They don't know if it exists, but make a move to find out. On a whim, Winston hints with another co-worker, this one is a big shot who works in the Inner Party, about wanting to revolt with the Brotherhood. O'Brien invites him into the world of conspiracy.
English Socialism |
As the story moves on, O'Brien is not the rebel that Winston thought. He and Julia get arrested, tortured, behaviorally modified, and then brought back into society. They never get back together and Winston ends up a lonely alcoholic. In the end, Big Brother wins and society is helpless.
My Review:
This book is a classic for a reason. The writing was preachy and speechy at times, but the story remains a dangerous warning of a modern day totalitarian state. Censorship and alteration of the past are a must for control. Machiavelli wrote about it long before Orwell. But Orwell goes even further.
Cameras and microphones listening and watching every second of your life is not just in this novel, it is very possible, and some (Edward Snowden for example) even say it's practiced on a regular basis. Think about it-our phone, the Internet, emails, intersection cameras, GPS in our cars, credit card purchases, medical information, all of it can be found by a layman let alone a powerful government. We don't have the "Thought Police" but we do have the "Politically Correct" media who are willing to insult if not destroy us for our "offensive" phrases. To me, political correctness is the first form of censorship. As far as altering the past, Hollywood is really trying its best. For example, Noah and Exodus of the Bible were revised for reasons I can only imagine.
Orwell uses the phrase "doublethink" as one of Oceania's key practices. Doublethink is when you accept two contradicting view points as truths. Religious freedom is brimming with doublethink. Sharia Law's no rights for women and freedom of religion/women's equality seem to contradict each other in principle. Political correctness and freedom of speech immediately come to mind as well. I could ramble on all day about doublethink.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the constant war-sometimes with Eurasia and sometimes with Eastasia and then the propaganda that followed how each region had always been the enemy. Reminds me of our fickle alliance of many Middle Eastern countries in recent years. Iran comes to mind-once an ally and then an enemy. Hussein doesn't seem that bad compared to ISIS.
Orwell believes that socialism will bring upon this kind of control. Ingsoc stands for English Socialism. He even uses Marxist phrases such as "Proles" or proletariats. The government's elite is called the Inner Party. I wondered if he was also referring to the Inner Circle of New World Order conspiracy.
Last but not least, is Orwell's phrase Newsspeak. This idea was one of the most fascinating ideas in the whole book. Orwell clearly believes that if you get rid of the bulk of the English language, then you can get rid of a lot of thoughts and ideas. Newspeak gets us to an oversimplified means of communication, blurring meaning and ideas, turning talk into a generic means of filling our basic needs.
The hierarchy of Orwell's world reminded me most of New World Order conspiracy theory where only a handful of people, the elite, really know the truth and engage the rest of us in doublethink and Newspeak. I, for one, wonder how much we are lied to via political press conferences and the media. Every country seems to have discovered the many uses of propaganda. Was Orwell a writer or a prophet?
This is a 5 star no-brainer. Please leave your thoughts and views.
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