google-site-verification: google935433b691795853.html KRISTY BERRIDGE: 2012-07-22

Saturday 28 July 2012

Pyjama Party


Ooh, I love a good pyjama party. At least, I think I do. It's been a good twenty years since I went to, or had one, but I am breaking that dry spell with one tonight. Yes I, Kristy Berridge, thirty and fabulous (just roll with it) is going to a friend's house for a sleep over birthday party.
Okay boys, pipe down. I know what you're thinking - lingerie, pillow fights, and whipped cream.
As if. 
Although I do expect whipped cream - on something totally calorie laden and cellulite inducing.
Oh yes, there will be junk food, movies, boy talk, alcohol, and dare I say it ... Nintendo Wii. It sounds like fun, doesn't it?
Admittedly, when I was kid and slumber parties came up, things were a lot simpler. Diving face first into a pile of cushions and squealing in delight with my friends as we jumped up and down on beds was about all I internalized. Now, as an adult, I'm wondering if there will be enough mattresses to sleep on? Will I have a bad back in the morning? What happens if I fart in my sleep and kill all my friends? Will I be laughed at for my seriously bad bed hair?
And then of course we come to the main dilema - dress code "Pyjamas".
I'd like to say I was cool enough that I normally sleep naked, hence my lack super-cute attire. But alas, I do not let the flesh fly free. One, I'm worried my own boobs might slap me in the face. Two, hubby tends to get what I call a little 'grabby' with it all hanging out there. And three, I'm terrified of random bugs stumbling upon my bed, crawling under my sheets and setting up camp somewhere warm and dark. So, to that end, the great expanse of my nighttime wardrobe is granny undies (for keeping out bugs and hubby), and a random, over-sized night shirt. Naturally this is sexy as hell!
*Cups ears to hear the disgruntled booing coming from the male readers not certain why they continue to read this fantasy blowing blog*
*snickers*
So, tonight I head out in deplorable style - granny undies, boxer shorts, random night shirt, and my infamous pink slippers (see here for the last time these babies went out on the town). I will rock this mis-matched outfit. I will eat until I form a second ass. I will scream like a baby if someone whips out The Exorcist to watch. But I will have fun despite myself and the inevitable midnight gas.


Kristy :)

Friday 27 July 2012

Follow Friday #38


Happy Friday everyone!
Yes, it’s that time of week again where bloggers unite to participate in the Follow Friday venture. The idea behind #FF is to promote traffic to your own blog, make new friends with other like-minded bloggers and discuss new and interesting topics each week.
Participating is simple. First you need to follow my blog because I’m totally awesome, then you can follow me on Twitter @kristyberridge (actually you don’t have to do this, it’s wishful thinking), but do follow my blog or assassins will get you …
Then you must follow our illustrious hosts Rachel of http://www.parajunkee.com/ and Alison of http://www.alisoncanread.com/ If you want more details on how to enter your own blog in the follow and hop, all directions are on their webpages
Now, once you’ve followed, check out my answer to this week’s questions and don’t forget to leave a comment so I can do the right thing and follow you back!


This week's question: Summer reading. What was your favourite book that you were REQUIRED to read when you were in school?


My answer: Oooh, ouch - that was almost fifteen years ago, and at the time, I was having too much of the naughty kind of fun to remember exactly what I was reading. I also attended an all-girl catholic school so, we were probably reading Diary of Anne Frank or Bible excerpts.
Anyway ... I do remember hiding under my covers at night reading a stolen copy of Flowers in the Attic. At the time that was pretty scandalous for a teen to get their hands on and I certainly didn't want my mum to know I was reading what we'd then titled 'incestuous porn'.
Ha. Go figure. I honestly can't remember any required reading, which probably means I watched the movie version instead. But - for kicks I used to love to read the R.L. Stine "Goosebump" books and of course, the "choose your own adventure" stories.


Kristy :)

Choose Your Own Adventure

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Book Review: Circle of Fire by Keri Arthur

I've been a staunch supporter of Keri Arthur and her writing for a while now. Her Riley Jensen Guardian series got me all hot and bothered about paranormal romance, and truthfully I've read little of anything else since.
Circle of Fire is the first book in the Damask Circle series, focusing on a two-point perspective narrative which I always enjoy. Madeline Smith, protagonist one, is a bit of a recluse, haunted by memories of the past and abilities she doesn't yet understand or even know how to control. And it doesn't help that she's being visited by a sexy entity known as Jon Barnett, protagonist number two - an apparition or perhaps her manic powers going awry once again. Alas, no. He is a shape-shifter with an agenda, their two worlds thrown together seemingly by chance.
Despite a bit of slow and somewhat unnecessary start that is poorly explained away at the end of the novel, we see Madeline and Jon come together, a common goal in mind. Children are missing, Madeline's nephew the recent victim of this ongoing mystery. Tracking down leads and tangling with shape-shifters and dark magic seems to be a part of the deal, but what neither Madeline or Jon counted on was falling in love along the way.
Thrown into one tumultuous situation after another, it's no real surprise that leaning on one another for answers and support soon turns into a fiery back and forth. Thankfully with a decent story and enough action to make Arnie redundant, I wasn't left feeling like I'd just read a Mills and Boons novel. 
The characterisation was good and very consistent. I never doubted the choices any character made or the feelings that enveloped them. My only criticism, as mentioned earlier, is based on Madeline and Jon's first encounters. Without creating a spoiler, I just didn't buy the explanation that the writer was trying to pass, it felt clunky and a little like an afterthought in an otherwise smooth story line.
But, once again Keri Arthur does deliver a methodical approach to supernatural thrillers with just enough romance and intrigue to keep you reading on. I rate this book three out of five fangs. I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.


Synopsis:
Sixteen teenagers are missing. Eleven bodies recovered, completely drained of blood. Some believe vampires are responsible, but Jon Barnett knows it's something far worse. To stop the killers he needs help from recluse, Madeline Smith, who is afraid of her psychic abilities which have killed. 
When 'ghost' Jon Barnett warms Maddie of danger and her nephew disappears, she must leave her haven and place her trust in a man who is neither human nor ghost. 
As the noose of sorcery threatens to kill Maddie and Jon, the greatest danger to them both could be the feelings they have for each other.


Kristy :)