google-site-verification: google935433b691795853.html KRISTY BERRIDGE: 2013-03-10

Saturday 16 March 2013

The Small Things

Ever have one of those days where even the bothersome things that would usually arch your brows or send steam billowing from your ears doesn't seem to phase you?
That was my Thursday.
I was granted a temporary respite from the daily grind, lured by the hubby for a day of frivolity (not that he really had to talk me into it). Massages, Sushi, shopping, and a movie, and it was really hard for me to find fault with this plan.
In fact, even as I sat in our furnace of a car, sweating profusely while hubby did a quick IT consult beforehand, I was still yet to kick up a stink. So even as we followed on with a one hour, whole body massage and the crazy lady with pointy elbows went nuts on my behind and left me slipping and sliding all over the joint when we left, I still couldn't complain.
Sushi was freaking awesome, but I suspect that had a lot to do with the fact I hadn't eaten a single carbohydrate in over seven weeks and quickly fell into a rice coma.
Hell, it didn't even matter that I bought tickets to see Hansel & Gretel, didn't check the cinema number, and then somehow managed to lose said tickets within the thirty minutes it took to walk from the sales booth to the coffee shop. (I still strongly maintain that I gave these to hubby on the premise that I would almost certainly lose them. Looks like I was right)
Anyway, with coffee in system, and hubby and I brave enough to dart suspiciously behind the ticket checking booth, we picked a cinema at random, snickering like school kids as we wondered if we'd walked into some seedy film with boom-chicka-wow-wow music.
Cue a thirty minute long session of adverts and previews, and hubby and I started to panic that there would be no time to evacuate and find our movie without missing some sort of important punchline. Thankfully, we'd chosen correctly and actually enjoyed this creepy fairy-tale retelling.
Needless to say, at the end of the day I enjoyed the small things, even those that bugged me, like a sore ass, greasy feet, and a ridiculous parking fee.
Have a good one,

Kristy :)


Friday 15 March 2013

Follow Friday #56


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: Activity! Hopefully warm weather for most of us is here soon…so tell us about your favorite outdoor reading spot. Or take a picture.

My answer: Well, I live in Far North Queensland in Australia, so I say f@#%k sitting outside at this time of year! It may be approaching winter down under, but that simply means I no longer have to wring my underwear out after a long day of ninety percent humidity. 
In short, I don't read outside. In fact, I don't really go outside unless I'm running from one air-conditioned area to the next. Reading is much better executed on a comfy cushion, under a fan in a contained environment where flesh is no longer in danger of melting from bone. Yes. I may just live inside a volcano.

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Book Review: Bound by CK Bryant

Let me just start off by saying that Bound by author CK Bryant is riveting, action-packed, and downright enjoyable. From the first page to the last I was enmeshed in the complicated world of the mousy Kira, and her rambunctious best friend, Lydia. Not to mention, the charismatic, but somewhat domineering Octavian, Lydia's brother and protector, and Kira's awakening crush.
After a photo shoot in the wilderness goes wrong and Lydia is forced to confront her troubled past and explain the inconsistencies in her personality to her friend Kira, the author takes us on a journey with zero backward glances. Learning of Lydia's true heritage and Octavian's role, Kira begins to understand that the world is so much bigger than she believed. Dangerous assassins and tales of another world place the understandably confused Kira at an impasse. Does she go back to the world she knows despite no longer having a place in it? Or does she learn to accept the truth her friends reveal, bind herself to Lydia and become something so much more than her fragile human mind can accept?
Bound is a fast-paced novel eloquently written with detailed imagery, relevant dialogue, and an ever-thickening plot designed to turn pages. The characters are compelling - Octavian for his almost brutish charm and in-congruent softness. Lydia for her two personalities - compassionate, genuine sister and friend teamed with the hard-as-nails fighter and defiant princess. Kira, initially believed as insignificant and fragile, soon hardens from the sum of her experience, gaining loyalty, perseverance and respect.
What I loved most about this novel was the genuine balance between action, intent, dialogue and blossoming romance. Information was streamed with relevant pause and attention to detail. Coupled with nefarious agenda and the prospect of hope, Bound is a gripping story with plenty room to manoeuver in future releases.
I happily rate this novel four fangs out of five.

Synopsis:
When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira's life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she's falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive.

Kristy :)