#julia dray

[bonelessenthusiast]

my PT: you have to do this exercise like something’s pulling on your ribcage. does that make sense?

me, a saw fan: linda, you have never been more clear

[bonelessenthusiast]

ID: a sign taped to a window, written in black marker on standard printer paper, says “do not open the window more than a crack (geese trying to enter).” the window is overlooking a street. a goose in the street is staring up at the window. End ID.

wassup

[somediyprojects]

Froth and Bubble I and II stitched by Deb Jankowski. Patterns designed by Julia Ling of Long Dog Samplers.

I haven't seen Quill quite so excited since the day a barrel of Stingo fell off the brewery dray outside Castle Long Dog  and he'd managed to decant most of it before the drayman realised what was happening. 

Those were the days when beer was delivered by horse and cart.  Today on an excitement scale of 0>10 he's a 9.5 and rising.

The little feathered goblin has just clapped eyes on Deb's "Double Bubble", as he calls it, and he's what can only be described as enchanted.   Tears of joy are running down his beak, he's trembling with emotion and now he's started to froth (and bubble a bit).

No!  Wait a minute.  He's been eating sherbet lemons again, it's just a sugar rush of gargantuan proportions. 

So we'll ignore Quill and concentrate on Deb's beautiful work and ingenious framing instead.  I've never seen both Froth & Bubbles foaming away together in the same frame before and it must be said, they do look very comely displayed like that.

Get out the ice bucket please Colin, this calls for champagne 🍾 🥂 🍾 🥂 🍾 🥂.   Well done Deb, we salute you - twice!

—Julia Line, designer

[coloursofunison]

I'm welcoming a returning Rachel Brimble and her new book, Dressing the Countess, to the blog #historicalfiction #blogtour #newrelease

I'm welcoming a returning Rachel Brimble and her new book, Dressing the Countess, to the blog #historicalfiction #blogtour #newrelease @rararesources

Here’s the blurb Fans of Kristy Cambron, Stephanie Dray, and Julia Quinn will adore this Victorian romance from historical fiction dynamo, Rachel Brimble. Seamstress Rose Watson cannot believe her good fortune when she’s plucked from obscurity to work for Lady Christina, the Countess of Bath. Despite her parents’ distrust that the position will come with conditions, Rose accepts the unexpected…

[bonelessenthusiast]

one time I was on the phone with my dad and asked if he’d like a receipt

x

[barbielezbian]

I read Ruinsong by Julia Ember not too long ago, and it was pretty decent! The concept was super neat, but it didn't delve too too much into the mechanics of it, other than a few discussions - magic based on vocal musicality. I really liked the social struggle they put into it too; recognizing the prior structure of elites was also bad was nice to see. Overall it was pretty quick and decent, and very female-driven which I liked! But the pace was weird and it would've been better with more, deeper studies of the characters and situations. I kinda loved how just evil Elene was tho lol

[fuckyeahbeautifulonbroadway]

It’s ‘Some Kind Of Wonderful’ day to announce the full cast of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Australia! We can’t wait to see this BEAUTIFUL cast bring the story of extraordinary songwriter Carole King to life on stage! #BeautifulinOz

[foreverlostinliterature]

9/29 Book Deals

Good morning and a happy Wednesday to all! And... it’s been a hot minute since I’ve popped up to make a book deals post! :O Sorry I’ve been so nonexistent lately, between some freelancing work I’ve been doing, moving (we just moved in Sunday!), and some family stuff, things have been crazy and I haven’t had the time I want for doing these or even getting on Tumblr as much. :( I hope things will slowly (slooowly) start to calm down now that we are settled and whatnot and I can share more with you and just be online in general more often. How have you all been??? I hope you’ve all been hanging in there--I feel like things are just so different and crazy every day, so I really just hope you’ll all been able to stay safe, healthy, and finding ways to get some calm and happiness in your everyday lives. :)

All that being said... there were a ton of books on sale today, so that seems like a win for everyone! There’s some SFF, nonfiction, contemporary, a slew of some educational-type books that seem pretty neat... hopefully a little something for everyone to check out. :) The Alchemyst is a huge blast from the past because I remember reading it as a kid, and I definitely still have that book. 

Anyway, I hope you all have a truly wonderful day, apologies again for my disappearance, and happy reading! :D

Today’s Deals:

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson - https://amzn.to/3zS9zG8

The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray - https://amzn.to/3iizKzU

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain - https://amzn.to/2Wm1wDO

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer - https://amzn.to/2Y1GCdP

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood - https://amzn.to/3zSp4Og

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London - https://amzn.to/3kRCqq3

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow - https://amzn.to/3ihsG6F

Lady Smoke by Laura Sebastian - https://amzn.to/3kOWTeS

The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel) by Michael Scott - https://amzn.to/2XXYBBV

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - https://amzn.to/3AOzzUa

Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan - https://amzn.to/39NTAOR

My Life in France by Julia Child & Alex Prud'homme - https://amzn.to/3ohwj08

Crossed by Ally Condie - https://amzn.to/3me1kzD

Dear Martin by Nic Stone - https://amzn.to/39QFdJw

Flying Lessons & Other Stories by Ellen Oh - https://amzn.to/3D1aTZt

Every Day by David Levithan - https://amzn.to/2YdYYZj

I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre - https://amzn.to/2YdYZMR

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman - https://amzn.to/3ok3xvJ

We Are Not from Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez - https://amzn.to/3ojORNs

The Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams - https://amzn.to/3A3wBu1

Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir by Kwame Onwuachi - https://amzn.to/3zWpCmm

Women and Other Monsters: Building a New Mythology by Jess Zimmerman - https://amzn.to/3F2uLNn

Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao - https://amzn.to/3m42rSe

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl - https://amzn.to/3F2TVM0

The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzimons - https://amzn.to/3ijZUCh

Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All by Candace Fleming, et al. - https://amzn.to/3igsswu

Golem Girl: A Memoir by Riva Lehrer - https://amzn.to/3mdMysz

The Mandalorian Armor: Star Wars Legends by K.W. Jeter - https://amzn.to/3ik010F

Nyxia by Scott Reintgen - https://amzn.to/3iib4HX

Catwoman by Sarah J. Maas - https://amzn.to/3CV2ma9

Solo: A Star Wars Story by Mur Lafferty - https://amzn.to/3F4Boig

Skellig by David Almond - https://amzn.to/3CYBq9w

The Babysitters Coven by Kate M. Williams - https://amzn.to/3iiMINX

Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo - https://amzn.to/3kRDVVd

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett - https://amzn.to/3zQBYMP

A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood - https://amzn.to/3zRYd57

The Economics Book (DK) by Niall Kishtainy - https://amzn.to/3EVeQAu

The Psychology Book (DK) by Joannah Ginsburg, Voula Grand, et al. - https://amzn.to/39QiQ6Y

The Math Book (DK) - https://amzn.to/3uro7eL

The Mythology Book (DK) - https://amzn.to/2Y8DqNP

The Astronomy Book (DK) - https://amzn.to/2ZJi1ez

The Science Book (DK) - https://amzn.to/3mcYD0S

The Sociology Book (DK) - https://amzn.to/3F0wnY1

NOTE:  I am categorizing these book deals posts under the tag #bookdeals, so if you don’t want to see them then just block that tag and you should be good. I am an Amazon affiliate and will receive a small (but very much needed!)  commission on any purchase made through these links.

[all-my-friends-were-glorious]

FANKID MUSES - ALT!VERSE FANKID MUSE LIST

Amaris “Ris” Mertz - Homosexual Demiromantic Polygamous Cis Male - Son of Warlord Verse Ike and AJ - 16 - FC: John Koviak

Ris is part of Alt!Mike’s initiative to militarize vampire genetics mixed with Ike’s genetics. Due to only being half vampire, the other half being Canadian (which has proven to take over a lot genetically), he is fully able to handle religious paraphernalia without injury. He has made it most of his aesthetic, and in the war with the Netherborns, he’s been intensely useful. He is the only vampire to have left a mark on Alt!Alex’s face, done while swinging a large cross at his head while defending another of his friends. He frequently wears rosaries as “brass knuckles”. He is the younger twin to Artem.

Ares Thelman - Bisexual Transmale - Son of Arborless Verse Pete and Firkle - Mother of Lilith, Gatlin, and Thatcher - 19 - FC: Chris Horsburgh

In a verse without Michael, Pete and Firkle not only get along, but ended up dating. Pete radicalized Firkle for his causes, and kept him close as something of a guard dog. Ares lets people believe that he’s just a spacy little guy, but when it comes down to it, he has his father’s silver tongue and his mother’s silver blade. He can be very aggressive, and becomes obsessed with things easily. Like both parents, he has a personality disorder, though he is undiagnosed and untreated for it. Nyarlathotep was unwilling to have mother and child separated, and pulled a few strings to send her to her mother’s side when he was thrown in time and space by Tsathoggua.

Artem “Tems” Mertz - Bisexual Cis Male - Son of Warlord Verse Ike and AJ - 16 - FC: Yu Phoenix

Tems is a rather lazy thing that would much rather let his little brother take up the cross. Ris is fairly well celebrated in the Society, and Tems chose not to buckle under the weight of his baby brother’s shadow. He is an exceptional tracker and hunter, but not all that much of a fighter, and all of it requires him to get up and do things. He’s fairly goofy when he likes/trusts someone, but most people just get a flat look out of him.

Calvyn “Vynny” Tucker - Pansexual Cis Male - Only Son of Warlord Verse Craig and Clyde - 17 - FC: Aiden Walsh

Craig and Clyde’s only son, Vynny ended up with a big heart, big voice, big emotions, and a BIG Double Finger Defense. He compulsively flashes the bird despite his mother’s chiding. Despite this, he tend to apologize about it often. He is close friends with Vernon and Gissie, though he considers just about everyone a friend, save for probably Ris. Due to simply disliking him (and his voice), Ris removed his lungs in order to make him effectively mute. While he’s only half-Vampire, whatever he’d gotten from Craig’s side seemed to make him just as immortal.

Draven “Dray” Cowens - Pansexual Transmale - Son of Warlord Verse Alex and Pete - Younger Brother To Vernon and Leslie - Older Brother To Arlo - 15 - FC: Dave Franco

Draven is the middle youngest of Pete and Alex’s kids, and perhaps the most laid back. He’s a lover, not a fighter, but he’ll still stand up for himself if necessary. As far as his love goes, he’s always down to do anything with anyone and has a bit of a reputation. He will flirt with anything that is mostly human-shaped, and uses this as a way of getting what he wants.

Giselle “Gissie/Sissie/Ellie” Makowski - Bisexual Cis Female - Daughter Of Warlord Verse Mike And AJ - Younger Sister To Deya and Aran - 15 - FC: Julia Ratner

The youngest daughter of Mike and AJ in her dimension. She is the only one of their brood that doesn’t have Prader-Wili Syndrome, and takes blood ‘thickeners’ to help her siblings feed. She’s very sweet and has a big heart, always taking on more than she is capable of. Her siblings have to protect her or she’ll say ‘yes’ to everything. She is close friends with Vernon and Vynny.

Leslie “Les” Cowens - Homosexual Genderflux Male - Son of Warlord Verse Alex and Pete - Twin To Vernon - Older Brother To Draven and Arlo -18 - FC: Robbie Amell

Leslie is a very intense person to be around. He has a habit of sticking close to his twin, Vernon, to be sure that he isn’t being used for his kindness. Anyone that does dare to upset him will have literal Hell to pay. He enjoys all manner of sports, and loves to exert himself. He eats Honey Stinger Waffles religiously and always has a few on him no matter the circumstances. He is very close with Satan thanks to his parents, as well as works with Mephisto and the demon he made a deal with. If he doesn’t choose it, he dislikes being touched and will break you if you touch him without warning. Key is his best friend, and he is alright with Mona and Ague to a point.

Lowell “Scion” Ardolf - Pansexual Transmasc - 19 - Only Child Of Warlord Verse Vic and Lycidas - FC: Lily Kirkbride

Lowell, while being half vampire and half werewolf, sees himself as above everyone. He’s something entirely different, and something to be worshipped. He and Leslie clash often, but neither of them have given in and died. They consider themselves something of mortal enemies, and seek to destroy each other in any way possible. While he didn’t initially go with the others to this universe, they do intend on following their nieces (Deya and Giselle) and nephew (Aran) there, because Les went with them.

 Lucille “Luci” Chadwick-Rogers - Bisexual Transfemale - 17 - Daughter Of Warlord Verse Michael and Gregory - Twin to Luca - FC: Holly Fogg

The product of a one-night stand/drunken hook-up, she is much shier about admitting it than her sibling. While she doesn’t care much for the mercenary work, she enjoys the fact that she looks meek and fragile, but can perform viscero and other darker magics. She has been using it to help with her transition, as well as aiding her sibling when they’re hurt.

Magnar “Mags” Broflovski - Bisexual Transmale - 16 - Son of Warlord Verse Ike and Fisher - Brother to Varjo - FC: Romeo Carere

The younger of Ike and Fisher’s kids. He is somewhat resentful of Mike for forcing his dad to sire a bunch of half-Canadian vampires, and will perform little acts of rebellion against him here and there. While he doesn’t necessarily dislike his half-siblings, he is not always wild about seeing them. He clings to his brother more as family than anyone outside of their parents and prefers to isolate from the rest of the Society.

Malia Smith - Bisexual Cis Female - 19 - Daughter of Mindless Verse Michael and Firkle - Twin to Michelle - FC: Madison Beer

Malia is the younger twin to Michelle, and has a mega Baby Of The Family attitude. She and Michelle will and have used people in the short term to get what they want and achieve their goals. Unskilled at most witchcraft, she focuses on love and memory magics, and deals mostly with Nug and Yeb. Firkle raised them on his own at sixteen, having run away when he found out he was pregnant. He didn’t want to burden Michael with kids while he had Jace to worry about.

Michelle Smith - Homosexual Cis Female - 19 - Daughter of Mindless Verse Michael and Firkle - Twin to Malia - FC: Megan Fox

Michelle is the older twin to Malia, and feels very protective of her. She and Michelle will and have used people in the short term to get what they want and achieve their goals. She is a very affluent witch and communes with Yig, father of serpents. Firkle raised them on his own at sixteen, having run away when he found out he was pregnant. He didn’t want to burden Michael with kids while he had Jace to worry about.

Priya Ellis - Homosexual Transfemale - 17 - Daughter of Warlord Verse Ryan and Larry - FC: Anni Jurgenson

Priya witnessed the murder of her mother by Leslie on her fourteenth birthday. She intends on getting revenge, but she doesn’t want to break her father’s heart should she fail. Leslie was a strong Netherborn at fifteen, and he only gets worse as time goes on. Much as she worries for her father, she gets unmistakably angry every time she sees Leslie. Leslie, however, doesn’t really remember her. He does remember killing her mother. Priya is friends with Tino (and feels a strong kinship with him), and Draven.

[bonelessenthusiast]

happy survivor wednesday! please enjoy the results of me asking my non-survivor friends to define pagonging

[libidomechanica]

“A heart did creepe god blessings of”

Common lose the color of lies.     For want of lofty mirror waiting to learn some nation,     but in this woodland song

and joy so pursues is not     eternal—speakers—I have all keep a sharp eye according     to no praise is due,

onely by his liege-lady there;     which make thee made their couplings, that very high rate, he stops     talking. Now haue I learnd

a lesson misse, when gloves a woman     loves a man moves with persons of more, as all his patience.     My dreams were, pitied

would see Juan more, t was wont in     your eyes; she scared him; life! But what in my case? Did their fondnesse     inly swore, by all

marvelling bodies I have stolen     what you do so. Of proofe shield me from Julia’s sight, and     on our sweet leaves room for

thee. The starte, and gates of higher     views upon the way to put this love for peace, misery’s     increases the resource

for mischief was, it can’t well miss,     through coaches, drays, choked turnpikes, and men incredulous between     his bower between.

The whole existence, stood confusion     slowly distill’d into two; alfonso stood on earth     that I e’er begun. She

blusht to see, and overmuch; I     wallow store. Of having done their heart to overcome it.     A heart did creepe god blessings

of the sea, by the wild beast     in the Heracleidan blood? Though some time and May must pay     his raptures, by swamping

hosts of the flore she grew distance.     Be cut in my basement, others, scarce be more for the     cast a rueful look of

rest; thou mayst attune thy quill, and,     ah! But thine forest, and wert o’erjoyed to mean nothing—nothing     so becoming mine,

mine idle life he strove to war     again, if we love no one else—they were so persons down     to a very difficult

some thanks my heart wide, I can     combine, and yet true breed. The ocean when I seemed about     me now, and deep softness

o’er the indentures of officer     there is that one should not to fly from a toad, or as     a mourne with justice to

another; grateful, perjured,     barbarous Don Alfonso’s sword drawn and hearts a liuing lights, mass,     play, rout, and passions Wit

can enlighten; as a veil, waved     branch of the Troian boy did him amaze. Rude, the Israelites     are giving, gilded be

your heart? We rustled: him we gave     the threaded spiders, one may say, and with baile, nor loss of     her younglings cryen for there

were the reason, and other     unnested their mates, and hushed the rents? That which I fain would feed     until she stood, the spheres.

[cheshirelibrary]

21 New Spring Books Recommended by Librarians

[via BookBub]

Happy National Library Week! If anyone can vouch for the best new books to read, it’s librarians — it’s literally their jobs to know what’s out there, what’s coming, and what’s good. This list features some of the most exciting new book recommendations spring 2018 has to offer according to librarians, including thrillers, historical fiction, women’s fiction, romance, and more. Click on each title to learn more...

Every Note Played by Lisa Genova

The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth

As You Wish by Jude Deveraux

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

Alternate Side by Anna Quindlen

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Tangerine by Christine Mangan

Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao

The Gunners by Rebecca Kauffman

The Merry Spinster by Mallory Ortberg

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

Varina by Charles Frazier

Circe by Madeline Miller

After Anna by Lisa Scottoline

Macbeth by Jo Nesbø

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

Tin Man by Sarah Winman

[full-imagination]

James Warren Mullen

James Warren Mullen, 76, of Spartanburg, SC, died Thursday, August 30, 2018, at White Oak Manor-Spartanburg. Born July 25, 1942, in Charleston, WV he grew up in Bridgeport, WV. He was the son of the late John Patrick and Julia Aileen McClure Mullen. Jim graduated from Furman University where he met Linda Lineberger of Macon, GA. Jim and Linda had been married 52 years when he died. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order at Furman. Later, he served on the board of the Paladin Club. In his Furman days, Jim was nicknamed “Chunk” and he continued to be affectionately called by that name by his many friends. Jim was a stock broker with several Spartanburg-based offices and served as president of the Downtown Sertoma Club. In 1976 he joined Smith Dray Line Moving and Storage Company where he served as vice president of International Sales. He served as president of the SC Movers Association and the SC Truckers Association. In 1988 Jim was elected Mover of the Year. He retired from Smith Dray Line in 2008. Jim and Linda had a passion for travel and enjoyed being friends with people he had met in his work of relocations around the world. Upon joining First Presbyterian Church, Jim served enthusiastically as a Sunday School teacher for youth, as a deacon and as a Stephen Minister, which he called some of the most rewarding volunteer work he had done. He loved the Friday Men’s Bible Study and his friends there remained fiercely loyal companions to Jim throughout his long illness. His Habitat ReStore volunteer buddies were also faithful in their friendship and support of Jim and Linda. His sons and his four grandsons were the center of Jim’s world. He loved watching all sports events, but especially those of his family. Their home on Lake Lure was a source of joy for the entire family with days spent swimming and boating. An All-State basketball player in West Virginia, Jim was still known to some as “Coach” from his days coaching basketball for First Baptist Church. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his sons, James Mark Mullen and his wife Keenan and grandsons James Roberts Mullen and Clayton Banks Mullen; Steven McClure Mullen and his wife Natalie and grandsons Steven McClure Mullen, Jr. and John Nichols Mullen, all of Spartanburg. Also surviving are his identical twin brother, John Patrick Mullen, Jr. and his wife Connie of Greenville, SC, brother, Jay Waitman Mullen and his wife Cathy of Bluefield, VA; sister-in-law, Sandra Lineberger Carley and her husband Justice George Carley of Decatur, GA; nieces, Lori Mullen Larsen and Melissa Mullen; and nephews, Patrick and Kevin Mullen and George Carley, Jr. Jim was preceded in death by a nephew, Michael Mullen. A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, September 5, 2018, in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church with The Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Evans and The Rev. Joanne Hull officiating. Visitation will follow the service in the church social hall. Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel from The JF Floyd Mortuary via Spartanburg Funeral

[eidetictelekinetic]

Another thought based on young!Cleopatra being friendly with Caesar's daughter Julia. There are a lot of issues one can find with Stephanie Dray's Cleopatra Selene trilogy (though I don't feel strongly about most of them tbh) but the friendship between Selene and Julia the daughter of Octavian is the best version of that dynamic in any Selene novel I've seen. Granted, that Julia is my favorite version too.

Also, the early Antony/Cleopatra bickering dynamic in the Royal Diaries book is highly amusing to me. Ngl I think vague memories of this book are why I've always preferred Cleopatra/Antony to Cleopatra/Caesar.

[daughterofalexandria]

...... I really want a Selene/Julia ship. I don't know why - probably because one of the things I'll never criticize in the Dray books is their relationship - but I really want it.