Elevation by Stephen King

Shared with Teaser Tuesday and First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. Please feel free to play along.

Here's my teaser:

The steady rate of the weight-loss since then was worrisome, yes, but only a little. It was the clothes thing that had changed worry into fright. 

Photo source: Google

First paragraph:

Scott Carey knocked on the door of the Ellis condo unit, and Bob Ellis (everyone in Highland Acres still called him Doctor Bob, although he was five years retired) let him in. ''Well, Scott, here you are. Ten on the dot. Now what can I do for you?" 

Love KB

x

Under The Dome by Stephen King

According to the author’s note at the end of Under The Dome, Stephen King explains, ‘I tried to write a book that would keep the pedal consistently to the metal.’ He certainly wasn’t joking. 

Photo source: Google

Under the Dome was published in 2009. King first attempted to tell this story in 1976 but he only managed about 75 pages in a couple of weeks. He explains, ‘I crept away from it with my tail between my legs.’ King didn’t abandon the story because of the enormous cast of characters, but due to the technical problems the story presented. He tackled it again in 2007, with the help of Russ Dorr as head of research. Russ had previously helped him on The Stand and several other books. 

Under the Dome is set in a small town in Maine (as are several of King’s books). Chester’s Mill is an average town, going about its business as usual when an invisible barrier descends over it. The residents aren’t completely cut off from the outside world, but nobody can leave or enter the town. This situation brings out the best and worst in certain townspeople and pinpoints what some individuals will do when total power is obtained and threat of punishment is no longer an issue. 

A battle for power between good and evil ensues. The good guys are led by former Army Captain Dale ‘Barbie’ Barbara who was intending to leave town on the day of the dome’s appearance. His main ally is Julia Shumway, editor of the local paper. Barbie reluctantly takes on the role of government liaison to Colonel James Cox. Cox is trying to keep the town under control from outside the dome. Barbie is also given authority over the township by The President. 

‘Big Jim’ Rennie has other ideas. Rennie is a used car salesman and the Second Selectman of the town. After the First Selectman dies, Big Jim sees an opportunity to take over the town for himself.  Consequently, he appoints his son and his son’s friends as police and uses them to help him control the residents of Chester’s Mill. 

As this battle between the two continues, the rest of the townspeople begin to take sides. Unfortunately, due to the stress of the situation and dwindling resources, the majority of residents go along with what is happening out of blind fear. Meanwhile, something strange is happening to the children of Chester’s Mill. 

Under the Dome is an epic page-turner. It’s not the usual Stephen King horror story, the horror here isn’t in the gory details, but in how far regular people will go in order to survive and protect what they believe in.     

Teaser Tuesday - The Outsider by Stephen King

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Purple Booker. Please feel free to play along.

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday• Grab your current read

Here's my teaser: 

"How did I get back upstairs?"Jeannie asked. "Did he...please tell me he didn't carry me after I passed out."

Author: Stephen King

Title: The Outsider 

I'm reading the same book as last week but it does have many pages. A real spooky read!

Happy reading

Love KB

x

Teaser Tuesday - The Outsider by Stephen King

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Purple Booker. Please feel free to play along.

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday• Grab your current read

Here's my teaser: 

Jack didn't know how long he stood there, unable to move. The person - or the thing-stood behind him, its shadow long and thin. 

Author: Stephen King

Title: The Outsider 

It's a spooky one for sure and even though I'm over half way through, I still can't figure out who done it. Love it!

Happy reading

Love KB

x

Book reviews: Song of Susannah, by Stephen King

Song of Susannah is the sixth book in Stephen King’s, The Dark Tower series. With over 400 pages of a blend of western, science fiction, horror and fantasy, it’s an intriguing read. As with earlier books in this series, it is important to read the previous instalments to fully appreciate this book.

The Dark Tower series centres on the last gunslinger Roland Deschain and his quest to reach the top of The Dark Tower. The tower is the point where the hearts of all worlds join and something or something is trying to destroy it. Roland’s character was inspired by the Man with No Name, which was portrayed by Clint Eastwood and from Robert Browning’s poem, Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came. He begins his journey alone but encounters many friends and enemies along the way.

Song of Susannah continues from where the previous book The Waste Lands ends. Our hero and his travelling companions, a young boy Jake Chambers, his pet Oy, a Catholic priest Father Don Callaghan and Eddie Dean a heroin addict, are on a mission to find the woman of their group. She is pregnant and missing. The party is separated to different times and place Jake, Father Callaghan and Oy arrive in New York of 1999, while Roland and Eddie go back to Maine 1977.

Susannah Dean is on a mission of her own. Since her pregnancy, she has been suffering from split personalities and is mainly under the control of a demon named Mia. It is important to Mia that this baby is born in a certain place and she is determined to reach it.

This book includes the usual revelations and horrors we come to expect from Stephen King. The characters are like family to us now and easy to return to time and again. This book is certainly not my favourite of the series but the suspense kept me turning the pages. The most enjoyable parts for me were the incorporation of Stephen King the writer and Father Callaghan from Salem’s Lot, into Roland’s journey. I imagine there will be mixed reviews from Stephen King fans regarding this book but it is part of the journey which must be taken before the final book in the series can be read.

‘One more turn of the path, and then we reach the clearing. Come along with me, will ya not?’ – Stephen King.

Teaser Tuesdays - 11.22.63 by Stephen King

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Here's how it works...

Grab your latest read, open it up and share two sentences from the page. Easy as that. Don't forget to link back to MizB and share the title and author of your book so others can add to their TBR (to be read) list if they wish.

Here's my teaser...

His essay had been primitive art, but every bit as powerful and true as any painting by Gradma Moses. It was certainly better than the stuff I was currently reading.

11.22.63 by Stephen King


Happy reading
Love KB
xxx

Flash Fiction Friday - Mistaken Identity

Each Friday I write a short story in exactly 55 words. If you'd like to join in the fun and games, write your story, visit G-Man and let him know you've posted.

pic source: Vera Kratochvill, public domain pictures.net

He travelled back in time to stop a murder. Carefully noting down every detail of the crime and how he intended to change the events of the day. The big day finally arrived, his efforts made no difference, a man still died. His notebook was found and used against him. Police arrested the wrong man.


I'm reading a fab book by Stephen King - 11.22.63, which gave me an idea for this story. I have no clue how the story turns out but this was one of the scenarios I came up with.

Our recipe today is...Simply Delish Meatloaf.

Have a great weekend all!
Love KB
xxx

Teaser Tuesdays - Song Of Susannah by Stephen King

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by the lovely MizB of Should Be Reading.

Here's how it works...

Grab your latest read, open it up and share two sentences from the page. Easy as that. Don't forget to link back to MizB and share the title and author of your book so others can add to their TBR (to be read) list if they wish.

Here's my teaser...

'How long will the magic stay?'

At first no one answered Roland's question, and so he asked it again, this time looking across the living room of the rectory to where Henchick of the Manni sat with Cantab, who had married one of Henchick's numerous granddaughters.






Happy reading
Love KB
xxx

Teaser Tuesdays - Under The Dome by Stephen King

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by the lovely MizB of Should Be Reading.

Here's how it works...

Grab your latest read, open it up and share two sentences from the page. Easy as that. Don't forget to link back to MizB and share the title and author of your book so others can add to their TBR (to be read) list if they wish.

Here's my teaser...

Her eyes were wide, but there was no panic in them, only bewilderment. There was no time for panic.



Keeping Up With KB


Feeling a bit blah the last few days mood wise but there's still a lot going on I suppose. Whitesnake has started his new job and all is going well there. House is still on the market, no offers as yet but some interest. Have had three session of CBT so far. Felt on a real high when I left the session last week as I felt I was making a lot of progress but since then, been feeling a bit unmotivated. I have homework from the session each week and I haven't completed any so far. Perhaps I shall go and do that now and see how I feel after.




Hope you are all well
Love KB
xxx

KB's Bookshelf

Quote For The Day

Any time of the day is perfect for reading. Any place. Any excuse. Reading is the last refuge for addictive personalities; there are no bad side effects from reading too much.
-Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy


Books Read Last Month

8. The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, Book 7)

Yay, I've finally finished the whole series. I remember the first time I finished  it, I was disappointed in the ending. I thought maybe this time, as I'd read each book in succession, the ending may have meant more but alas no. Still a crackin good read! Time for something different. 


KB's World

I've been under the weather the past few days. Steve has been an angel, he's been cooking my meals, making me hot drinks, grocery shopping, you name it, he's been doing it. Unfortunately, just as I'm feeling better, he's starting to cough and sneeze. Looks like I'll be playing nurse for the next few days.

Apart from that, things have been going well. I had a call last night from a friend I haven't been in touch with for ages. It was really good to hear from her and fill her in on everything that's happened recently. It's wonderful to know that not everyone who knew hubby and I as a couple, is against me :)

Can't believe it's a new month already. I set myself some health goals last month and surprise, surprise, didn't stick to them. Oh well, new month, fresh start and all that.

That's all folks,

Back to my book. I've almost finished another one - one of the wonderful things about being ill, more reading time!

Bye for now
Love KB
xxx

Coming Up...probably more from the bookshelf :)

KB's Book Shelf

Quote for the day

I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way.
- Charlie Brown


Books Read Last Month

5. Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, Book 5)
6. Essential Health For Women - Sharon Walker

7. Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, Book 6)
Click on links (if there is one) for more info about these titles.


There they stood, ranged along the hillsides, met
To view the last of me, a living frame
For one more picture! In a sheet of flame
I saw them and I knew them all. And yet
Dauntless the slug-horn to my lips set,
And blew. 'Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came.'
-   Robert Browning - Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came
  
I've almost finished the final book in  The Dark Tower Series. Bet you didn't know the story was inspired by Browning. I have mixed feelings, I've enjoyed re-reading the books so much that I don't want the story to end but on the other hand, I'm looking forward to reading something different. I've been reading the books for a total of nine months, it's definitely time for a change but I'm going to miss Roland and his quest to reach the Dark Tower.


Today I'm grateful for...sunshine - it's getting a little warmer, Spring must be on the way.

Coming Up...Coco's World. She's been up to mischief again.

Have a great day/night
Love KB
xxx

Living With Whitesnake

Whitesnake  and I have enjoyed our couple of days off. My parents introduced us to a new restaurant called Oceans  a few weeks ago. We enjoyed the food, the atmosphere and location. Unfortunately, it was pouring down with rain so we couldn't really appreciate the scenery. The sun was shining on one of our days off so we decided to head back there and enjoy the view. 

I headed to the hairdressers the next day. Spent two hours catching up on the goss from the hairdresser and being pampered. Came home to find the dinner prepared, the housework done and the washing on the line. Isn't my man wonderful! That gave me the afternoon to relax and start a new book - Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, Book 6), I'm already 200 pages in,hehe.

Steve has ten days off starting from Monday, woohoo! I can hardly wait.

Later gators
xxx

BLONDE RAMBLINGS

Daily Ramble


Haven't felt the need to write about much recently. Usually the case when I'm happy and content. Yay!

Whitesnake and I recently returned from lunch with my parents. We are both rather full and dealing with this in our own way...I have changed into PJs with an expandable waist and Steve is napping. We ate at our favourite Japanese restaurant. We dine there once a week because we love the atmosphere, the waitress always remembers what we like to order, the prices are reasonable and the food is delicious. We invited my Mum and Dad to come with us and they LOVED it. Dad even informed us what he was ordering next time! 

Looking forward to the next few days as Steve has some time off, woohoo! We haven't made any arrangements so far, we are going to do what we feel like doing, when we feel like doing it. The weather has turned colder here in New Zealand and we've had buckets of rain. Good reasons to stay indoors, read books and watch telly. Heaven!

Speaking of books...I've finished the fifth book in the Dark Tower Series, just two to go now. Mr King began writing this series when he was a wee lad of 19, and finished the last book almost 40 years later. I have been a huge fan of his work since my early twenties and read his books continuously until I'd read them all. Then I would wait with baited breath for the next book to come out. Waiting for the Dark Tower books was the hardest as there was often a wait of not months but years. I decided last year to read the series from the beginning and I am loving it even more than the first time.






I've signed up for the Amazon Associates programme. I'll be adding links to books I read to the end of my posts. If you want to order anything from Amazon, you can follow the link from my blog and I will apparently receive a small commission. Hmm, we shall see. I signed up for google ads a few months ago, which works on a per click basis but I haven't received anything as yet :(.

Come on people, get clicking! A poor blonde needs money for her wine ya know.

Love ya
KB xxx