#sand deserves his reputation era too

[gunsatthaphan]

💀?

[laufire]

I'll preface this by saying I haven't read the arc where Bruce shoots and kills Darkseid; I'm fuzzy on the details. the sources I've looked up here and there whenever the topic came to my mind seemed contradictory; I get the impression there was collaboration from some other heroes and it might've not been that clear cut? either way, I'm not going to read the arc rn (might in the distant future, if I choose to do something with it), but it seems there's agreement that this was the one time Bruce canonically planned to and followed through breaking his most sacred rule.

and I remember at one point I thought: what if this plot was used to give Bruce a better understanding of Jason's choices? what if it could make him not just willing to find a middle ground between them, but intentionally seek it? it wouldn't, couldn't be blanket acceptance, but if there's one point in canon that will even nudge him way from his increasingly uncompromising stance during the post-crisis/new earth continuity (1), it would be the one time he found his line in the sand, and realised that, unlike he always feared, he could walk back from it.

at the time it was no more than a passing thought, but just today, to close that chapter with the year, I read the very last few comics including new earth!Jason, in my completitionist quest of reading every single one of his (and every other version of Jason's) appearances. and two (technically three) of them reminded me of this.

one is his arc in convergence: batman and robin #1-2, published circa 2015 (revisiting new earth after 2011's reboot). it's part of a larger event that I can't be bothered to read fully rn (this ain't about them), but the gist of it is that Red Hood and Scarlet return to Gotham as some apocalyptic level shit is going down, helping Batman and Robin (Damian). Bruce accepts Jason's help, which bothers Damian, although by the end of the arc there's a truce between them and a clear willingness from everyone involved to work together going forward.

the other one is in batman incorporated vol. 1 #6, the last proper appearance of new earth!Jason before the reboot in 2011 kickstarted (the arc seemingly continued in vol. 2, but from what I already know about, and what little I've personally experienced from, the new 52, I'm not getting my hopes up). it consists on just a couple of panels where we don't see Jason's face or hear his name, and just see Bruce recruiting someone as "Wingman" (2), offering him a opportunity to "salvage a reputation" by joining his international bat-initiative, on a few conditions like keeping Jason's identity a mystery (3).

and I'm sure that if (when?) I read the aforementioned Darkseid's arc (and the subsequent time traveling shenanigans) there might be plenty to be found to contradict this post, because I do have some experience with detective comics comics. but these two instances are so easily aligned with my own take (4) that I had to post about it.

unfortunately, this is just making me mourn what-could-have-been, had the reboot never occured, even more than I ever did.

(1) pre-crisis/earth one!Bruce had a different attitude. and sometimes it feels that things like self-defence (batman vol. 1 #400) or defence of others (detective comics vol. 1 #411), two incredibly understandable motives, seem beyond the grasp of new earth!Bruce.

(2) if I ever do something with this plotbunny, I refuse to give him such a generic codename, just so we're clear.

(3) "we're building a ghost –a bogeyman too big to be clearly seen. its edges indistinct, it's full extent and purpose uncertain. a rumor. a terror made of shadows and flapping wings." MOURNING, I said 😭. also do you see why I think this deserved a much cooler name smh.

(4) the other things Jason did in between Bruce's not-so-dead experiences and this were during his Evol Era (battle for the cowl, batman and robin vol. 1). obviously nothing there would convince Bruce to suddenly approach him with more generosity than he did even in UTRH lol. but it'd make sense for it to be something Bruce did.

[misssunflowersandsangria]

Where the Wind can Reach

Hello my lovely dearies!  I've had this in my drafts folder for a while.  I hope that you enjoy some cute Suna family fluff!

Summary:  Leaving Suna to be with Shikamaru wasn't an easy decision.  A quiet moment with her brother reminds Temari about what matters most.

*

** Where the Wind can Reach 

“Hey Tem, you ready?”

Temari turned to look at her brother who smiled brightly at her. Kankurou wasn’t often stunned speechless but this was one of those rare occasions. 

“Well ...who knew that you could clean up so nicely.”  He teased her not used to seeing her in fancy clothes and without a weapon.   She probably had one somewhere.  Seeing her in a sparkling white, elaborate kimono hit home that his big sister was getting married.  She was a vision of excitement and joy. 

“I hate you.”  The smile on her face took the bite away from the statement.  

“I know.”

“You look nice.”  Temari complimented him smoothing down his hair.  It reminded him of their younger days when she’d make sure that he was presentable before any meetings.   

“I don’t know why you insisted that I couldn’t wear my face paint.  I look like dad without it.”  He was genuinely surprised by the request and initially called her a bridezilla.  That earned him a few well deserved slaps to the face. Ultimately, he was smart enough to comply with her wishes. He was there bare-faced and it felt unsettling but there were very few things that she’d asked him to do for the wedding.

Her eyes were soft and contemplative.  “I know you do.  I think that for today, for this occasion.  It’s okay.”  He waited, staring at her confused. 

“I know it’s silly but it's kind of like both you and dad are giving me away.”

Kankuro had to bite back a sob.  He pulled her into a tight hug.  “Damn it Tem, making me cry is really going to mess up my reputation.”

She chuckled returning the hug, hiding her own tears. 

Temari knew that it was strange but there was a part of her that wished that her father was there.  Unlike her brothers, she had a few hazy memories of life before the jinchuriki. When her mother was alive and her father wasn’t a monster.  

Kankuro hated that he looked so much like the previous Kazekage. Seeing himself in the mirror oftentimes felt like a cruel reminder of his father and what he’d done. They’d all tried to work through the issues of their past but the scars remained. Regardless, if Temari wanted to feel like their father was there for her wedding, he’d happily do this for her. 

“To be clear.  I’m not giving you to Nara.  If anything you’re just on loan.  You sure you wanna go through with this?  I could make a big scene, hide you in one of my puppets, leave you in the desert where no one could find you.  It could be like a fun treasure hunt.”

She rolled her eyes, this wasn’t his first time he had some hair-brained idea to stop this wedding.  “You moron.  Shikamaru would find me.”  

Kankurou shrugged.  “He is as stubborn as you are, you’re probably right.  However, say the word and Gaara and I will start an international incident and bring you right back here.”

She began to worry the pendant on the necklace Shikamaru had given her the night before.  She’d been avoiding this conversation but it was now or never.  “Are you two going to be okay without me?”

“You’re talking about the Kazekage and his adviser, of course, we’re not going to be okay.  Being with the deer keeper is what you want so we will survive.”

She sighed before admitting her true feelings.   “I feel like I’m being selfish, leaving you and Gaara, moving to Konoha.”

Kankurou waved off her concerns, not surprised by the admission. “It is totally selfish and it is completely the right thing to do.  If we didn’t fight that war for you to be able to be with the person that you want, what was the point of all of it? You deserve whatever it is that will make you happy.  And Nara makes you the happiest I’ve ever seen you.  Nothing means more than that.”

She knew that she loved Shikamaru and wanted to be with him.  Still, it was hard not to worry about everyone else in her life.  This was never her dream.  She wanted to be helpful and acknowledged by her brothers.  Now, a happy life with Shikamaru was what she wanted. 

Kankurou could see the hesitation in her eyes.  His sister had always been selfless and loyal to the core.  If he or Garra made a fuss she would cast aside her own happiness for them.  He would never allow that to happen.  

He wrapped a comforting arm around her.  “Come on Tem.  It’s like you always warned me when we were kids.  There’s nowhere on Earth that the wind can’t reach.  Even when you’re in Konoha you’ll be here.  The work that you do will have far-reaching consequences here.  You’re still our Princess.” Temari leaned into his side, thankful for the reassuring words.  Her homeland and brothers would be okay.  She raised them well.  

“How’s everyone doing out there?”

“It’s a circus act.  Tons of dignitaries and important people from all the great nations.  Thanks for saving me from it. Garra is out there playing host. We could have probably sold tickets to this. It’s not every day that the Princess of Suna gets married.”

Initially, she and Shikamaru wanted a small wedding.  They very quickly discovered that was never an option.  Between their respective roles in their villages, the political ties, and familial ones this wedding was going to be an event. She hadn’t realized how many people were invested in their relationship.  It represented not only the bringing together of two families but two nations. Their marriage ushered in a new era.   Proof that peace had been achieved.

“How’s Shikamaru?”

Kankurou was ready with a snarky remark but just smiled reassuringly.  “He’s ready to be married to you.”

He’d check on the groom as one final chance to play the protective brother role. To his credit, Shikamaru hadn’t been intimidated. Whether it was because he knew Kankuro only wanted the best for his sister or that he knew Temari would be more than capable of taking care of him herself, they bonded. Kankuro may joke but he knew that his sister had found the best partner for her.  He recognized without a doubt that Shikamaru would love and protect his sister with all that he had.

“I’m ready to be married to him too.” They’d spent so much of their relationship apart, she was excited to finally wake up each day knowing that he was there. 

“Stop it, you’re being gross and romantic. It’s weird.” 

Temari rolled her eyes but was thankful that he could help calm her nerves.  “It’s my wedding, what do you expect?” 

He just chuckled giving her another affectionate hug.  

“I love you, big sister.”  For so long it had just been the two of them. Eventually, Garra completed their set.  The famed sand siblings against the world. Their lives were much different now. Filled with so many people that they loved and stood by their sides.  It was reassuring to know that at the core would always be the three of them.  They weren’t losing anything their family was just growing. 

“I love you too Kankuro.” 

Surprising them both another set of arms enclosed around them. 

“Garra?”  He just nodded and they held onto each other tightly.  Temari tried to subtly wipe away her tears.  How many times had she held them together just like this in less happy circumstances?  Now it was for something much different.  Her brothers were holding her together. 

‘Mother, father, I hope you can see how happy we are now.’ 

“Ready Temari?”  Garra asked while both of her brothers reached a hand out to her. 

Taking their hands in hers she nodded. “Yes.” 

*

**

Temari held onto her new husband tightly. Shikamaru danced so awkwardly but she refused to let them end the night without slow dancing.

She smiled feeling his warm lips kiss her forehead. 

“I love you wife.”

Wife...she was someone’s wife.  Not just anyone’s wife. She was Shikamaru’s wife. So much for marriage being a drag. 

“I love you too Shika.”

“Have you enjoyed everything?”  It had been a busy and emotional day but she was finally married to the love of her life.  For all that it was, it was perfect for them. 

“It’s been a lot but something I’ll always cherish. Can you believe that we’re actually married?”  She grinned, joy sparkling in her eyes. 

“Honestly, no.”  He chuckled and she couldn’t help but agree. They both probably would have remained single if they hadn’t met.  How their wants in life had changed. 

He placed a kiss against her palm.  His lips meeting the cool metal of her ring the outward symbol of his love for her.   “Still, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.  Thank you for marrying me.”  She nodded resting her head against his chest overwhelmed by emotion and relief.

“Are you okay?”  He knew all about her worries and anxieties about leaving home. There were moments that he was genuinely afraid that her love for Suna and her brothers would outweigh her need to be with him.  He’d asked her for so much.  For the rest of their days, he would prove that her decision was a wise one. 

She gazed out at the crowd.  The people that they loved the most in the world enjoying themselves, happy and carefree.  Kankuro was celebrating with the best of them and had a pretty intense drinking contest against Killer B.   He was now trying to convince Garra to let loose. 

“Come on Garra! Your sister just got married, you should dance!!!!” 

Temari just smiled to herself watching the scene play out.  Her heart felt at peace seeing them there happy and at ease. She knew that no matter where she was she carried her brothers with her. 

So she nodded settling back into her husband’s arms before reaching up to kiss him. They had all been through so much and could have lost everything time and again.  In the end, she had everything that she wanted.  

“Yes, I have you, we’ll be together. Everything is perfect.” 

*

**

This story was born from the headcannon that Kankurou wears face paint because he looks so much like his dad.  He hates it so the facepaint.  I have a special place in my heart for him being a middle child as well lol I love the Sand Siblings so much!!!!

Maybe one day I’ll actually write out ShikaTema’s wedding. 

Thanks again for reading!  Likes/Comments are never required but always appreciated! 

If you're interested I have a few smutty prompts that were shared with me that I can't wait to get my hands dirty with lol and I have a few other ideas jumping around but work is starting up again soon. :sigh:  I'll be back soon!  Till then take care of yourself and know that I love you!    

[kaibutsushidousha]

Did this one as separate post instead of just answering the ask because the answer got long and I didn't write all in just one day.

My main picks would be Caster Sekien Toriyama because I just think he would be extremely cool, Rider Bellerophon because his name is there since Fate/stay Night as Medusa's NP but there’s no sign of the man himself and pretty much any Brazilian Servant since we still don't have any. My Twitter TL discussed this 2~3 years ago and made a Grail War roster using only Brazilian Servants (but we got 2 Casters because we couldn’t settle on the best option). More details about all of them under the cut:

Sekien Toriyama: Toriyama was an artist from Edo. Before his drawings, youkais were considered invisible formless spiritual monsters born of human fear and no one could know exactly what they looked like. However, Toriyama dedicated his life to publish 4 volumes of an art compilation called “Gazu Hyakki Yagyou”, a sort of a youkai Pokédex where he drew all he could find and gave the famous youkai the looks we know them for today. (Trivia: the later volumes of his work contains youkais no anthropologist could find any previous  mythological information for, so it’s highly speculated he started making youkais up for art money at some point)

As a Caster, his moveset would obviously be focused on youkai summoning with the Gazu Hyakki Yagyou as a passive Noble Phantasm enabling that. He could also have a skill that allowed creating new youkai from scratch if he fulfilled some condition (like having already used up most known youkais in battle).

Bellerophon: Bellerophon is a young Greek hero, son of Poseidon and famous for 3 great feats. When Perseus killed Medusa, the Pegasus was born from her blood and many people tried to tame him without success. Bellerophon heard that and tamed it for his first feat. Ever since then the Pegasus became his personal horse and he was seen mounting it in every battle he fought. The second feat was slaying the Chimera. No one could that before because the Chimera breathed fire and that would melt any blade that would be used against it. Belle however had the brilliant idea of shielding the tip of his spear with a huge lead ball. He flew above the Chimera with the Pegasus and dropped with the full weight of his lead ball spear into its head. The Chimera’s fire breath melted the only lead, leaving his spear inside intact and with that he slayed the monster with one blow. I don’t think that’s how thermodynamics work in real life, but worked for him in the legend. The third feat was Bellerophon’s death. Due to fame and success earned with his two previous feats, the arrogant ass thought he was good enough to deserve a spot among the gods and started flying his Pegasus to the Olympus. Zeus said no (read: dropped him of his horse). Bellerophon actually survived the fall, but blind and with his legs paralyzed in the wasteland, just waiting to die.

As Rider, obviously have the Pegasus as main NP most likely identical to Medusa’s version. He probably would also have a second NP based on his lead ball trick. I’m think his initial spear could have a ball close to tip kinda like Ren from Shaman King and he could use to block an enemy Noble Phantasm once, and if he did, the ball would melt revealing his true better spear inside.

Brazilian Saber (King Pedro I): King Pedro IV of Portugal/King Pedro I of Brazil (full name: Pedro de Alcântara Francisco António João Carlos Xavier de Paula Miguel Rafael Joaquim José Gonzaga Pascoal Cipriano Serafim) is not really a Brazilian person, but is probably the most known name in Brazilian history so we couldn’t go without including the guy. Pedro was born in Portugal, where he lived the first 10 years of his life, until the war with France forced the Portuguese Royal Family to escape to Brazil. When the King went back to Portugal, Pedro stayed back as the reigning prince in charge of Brazil. Later, his father King João VI of Portugal died and needed a successor, so Portugal called him back. Brazil was more free than ever with a reigning prince living in the colony, so 8000 people signed a petition begging him to stay and so he stayed going directly against Portugal’s orders. This lead to some little war with Portugal for 9 months until probably the most iconic moment in Brazilian history, where Pedro yelled “Indenpendence or death!” at the shores of the Ipiranga River. Portugal couldn’t really kill him at this point, so Brazil’s Indepedence was declared and he became the First Emperor of Brazil (his son Pedro II was the second and last, yeah the Brazilian imperial era didn’t last very long). He became known as “The Liberator” in Brazil for being responsible for our Independence and as “Soldier King” in Portugal because of how war was an ever-present thing in his life. His government as the Emperor lasted 9 years and was marked mainly by economic crisis generated by the Independence process (Brazil had to pay compensation to Portugal) and a lost war against Cisplatina. Eventually he grew a lot of political enemies for being Portuguese and therefore dealing too much with Portugal and for being too liberal for his time (he rejected everything that went against free speech and was planning to end slavery), so he was forced to resign and went back to Portugal. There he caused a civil war and died before it was over (sasuga Soldier King).

As a Saber, he would probably get a very low rank Imperial Priviledge, high stats for his reputation as Soldier King and a conceptual Noble Phantasm based on “Indepence or death”. I’m thinking of him declaring a condition to an enemy and if he is not killed within a time limit this condition is fulfilled.

Brazilian Archer (Lantern): Lantern (Lampião in Portuguese) is the most famous and successful cangaceiro ever. Foreigners probably have no idea what cangaço is so I guess I’ll have to explain that as well... Ok, the Northeast was basically this huge wasteland where everyone was poor (and kinda still is, to a much smaller extent) and some people had to resort to banditry to feed their villages and to get back at the government for ignoring their part of the country. Cangaceiros were pretty much pirates, but in the wasteland instead of the sea (no, they didn’t ride ships through the desert), including the part were they are constantly herofied in adventure literature. The main weapons associated with cangaço are pistols, small rifles, shotguns and peixeiras (huge knifes meant to remove the scales from big fishes but used by cangaceiros as make-shift swords). They didn’t have pirate flags but they did sign themselves in other way, with cangaceiro hats. The number one cangaceiro was Virgulino Ferreira da Silva, who joined the cangaço after his father was shot dead by the police and his success eventually made him known as the Cangaço King (insert One Piece joke here). That would make him the Brazilian equivalent to Blackbeard, but we can all hope he won’t get the Blackbeard treatment in Fate/. By the way, he is called Lantern because they said his gunshots were so fast they would illuminate the night. He led a strong band of over 100 sand pirates and dominated the Northeastern wasteland until his band was betrayed by a member, ambushed by the police and everyone got machinegunned. Ironically, Lantern went down exactly like his dear old dad who made him start this whole thing. 

As an Archer, he would use mainly his gun and peixeira as primary weapons and maybe have a sand-related skill along with Honor of Pirates. The story behind his nickname is badass enough to warrant at least a Skill if not a minor Noble Phanstasm. For his main NP I was thinking about the desert as a Reality Marble with his band alongside, but that’s kinda too similar to Ionioi Hetairoi. Sorry for the lack of better ideas.

Brazilian Lancer (Curupira): Already explained.

His main “backward feet” gimmick could easily be translated into Presence Concealment clone combinable with his other forest affinity Skill. I have no good ideas for his Noble Phantasms though.

Brazilian Berserker (Zumbi of Palmares): Zumbi was a founding member and king of the Palmares, the biggest quilombo in history. As you know, Brazil used African slaves until 1888 and every slavery system has it’s great share of escaped slaves. Here in Brazil, the escaped slaves built big self-sustaining hidden communities just for them and those were called quilombos. One quilombo, Palmares, stood out among all others, being speculated to be roughly the size of Portugal. Sure, Zumbi was not perfect in hiding a community this big and Palmares was eventually found and attacked by the government, but when it happened Zumbi proved himself to be a fierce warrior, brilliant tactician and willing to rebuild Palmares from its ashes as many times as necessary. Eventually the government realized they already wasted too much resources on the quilombo wars and offer to end this by freeing everyone in Palmares but Zumbi refuses, saying he would only accept the terms if every black person was freed. The conflict continued in a smaller scale for 17 years until Zumbi was killed and his salted head was brought to his state’s governor. Still, he is the most notorious black man in Brazilian history.

He was picked as a Berserker mostly for his story was similar to Spartacus, so his stats and skillset should be similar as well, but probably stronger due to just how big Palmares was and more sane due to his status as a tactician. He would probably get a better Battle Continuation as well since his name is literally the Portuguese word for “zombie” and a Presence Concealment clone thanks to the hidden nature of the quilombos.

Brazilian Caster 1 (Antônio the Counselor): In times of crisis, people tend to find refuge in religion. The empoverished Northeastern wastelands had many known charasmatic and influential religious leaders that marked history, like for example Priest Cícero, the one Lantern devoted his life to. Another very powerful Catholic leader there was a pilgrim called Antônio the Counselor, who wandered the lands followed by 15000 people, received messianic treatment by his devotees and even managed to start and lead a large scale civil war against the government that neglected the Northeast (he lost and died).

As a Caster, he would use the usual Type-Moon priest magic, much like Amakusa. Being a known prophet, he would have Jeanne’s and Amakusa’s Revelation Skill and his Noble Phantasm would be based in his most famous prophecy “The wasteland will become sea and the sea will become wasteland”. This prophecy NP was actually the reason why I recommended him as a Caster on our roster.

Brazilian Caster 2 (Oswaldo Cruz): Oswaldo Cruz was a famous medical scientist known for studying tropical diseases and developing vaccines for most known epidemic of his time. However, back in 1904 people afraid of vaccines, believing some crazy dumb rumors it was some sort of dangerous biological weapon issued by the government or it could cause autism or some other nonsense. Through Oswaldo’s efforts, the government allowed sanitary agents to violently break out into people’s houses and vaccinate people by force. This caused a violent popular backlash called the Vaccine Revolt, where the common people fought against the sanitary agents and caused public chaos in order to end the mandatory vaccination. The social impact of rebellion and the erradication of smallpox and yellow fever caused people to realize vaccines were harmless and effective and completely ended the anti-vacc sentiment over the entire country as early as 1907.

Caster Oswaldo’s power set would be based less what he were, but more in how he was feared by the common people during his life, in a Innocent Monster-like fashion. His main attacks would be magic injections with varied effects and his Noble Phantasm would make them as unavoidable as Gae Bolg, based on the concept of forced vaccination.

Brazilian Assassin (Saci Pererê): See the link on Curupira’s part.

Like the Hassans, Saci is the ideal Assassin Servant because his name can be tied to very word Assassin (A"saci”n). Besides he is an elusive mythical creature who can appear and disappear in whilrwinds, so the Presence Concealment qualifier applies. His Noble Phantasm would be related to his magic hat and would called Luison as a follow-up to the “Asacin” joke, since Luison is the name of the Tupi mythology equivalent to the zabaniyyas.

Brazilian Rider (Santos Dumont): Sure, Dumont lived in France for most of his life and was there when he invented the airplane, but he was born in Brazil and lived here for 18 years, so we Brazilians love to somewhat inaccurately brag that the plane is a Brazilian invention and he is fully treated as a national hero here for it. 

As a Rider, his main Noble Phantasm would be the 14-Bis, with plane engine-like weapons being used as his primary weapon. He is also indirectly tied to the invention of the wristwatch, but I don’t know how to incorportate that as Skill for him. His research involved hot air balloons as well as airplanes, so I guess he could use those as make-shift bombs.

[cathygeha]

Can the scoundrel second son, Lord Marcus Bowles, and Genevieve Turner, a woman of ill-repute, find happiness? Or will his roguish ways and her dark past forever tear them apart? Fans of Tessa Dare’s Twice Tempted by a Rogue will love this sensual read releasing December 2017 from Sourcebooks Casablanca.

 Rafflecopter for The Lord Meets His Lady Blog Tour Celebration Giveaway:

 Gina is offering one (1) lucky Grand Prize winner an Amazon Kindle Fire and three (3) Runner Ups an eCopy of a book in Gina’s Midnight Meetings series (Winner’s Choice)! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

Direct Link:

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About The Lord Meets His Lady:

Title: The Lord Meets His Lady

Author: Gina Conkle

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: December 5, 2017

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Series: Midnight Meetings

Format: Digital eBook / Print

Print ISBN: 9781492651901

Digital ISBN: 9781402294341

Synopsis:

 Lord Marcus Bowles has stained his family's reputation for the last time. Only after spending a scandal-free year restoring some far-flung property can this second son return in good graces. But Marcus isn't one to abandon a lone damsel on a dark country lane.

 One stolen kiss and Genevieve Turner's handsome midnight savior disappears. Typical. No matter, Gen is finally on the way to her new post, and hopefully to finding her grandmother as well. Instead she finds her mischievous hero is her new employer. Surely a few more kisses won't hurt...

 Available at:  Amazon |  Barnes and Noble |  Kobo |  iTunes  |  Google Play

Excerpt:

 “Have you kissed her yet?” Samuel asked.

Marcus and Samuel rode along the pasture’s perimeter with an eye to the cottage. Miss Turner’s vibrant red cloak stood out against mellow sandstone. Shovel in hand, she jabbed the earth with determined thrusts. The weeds didn’t stand a chance.

“I assume we’re speaking of my housekeeper.” Marcus halted Khan. “A hardworking, respectable woman of excellent character. She’s done a fine job with Pallinsburn. I wouldn’t besmirch her honor with talk like that nor should you.”

Samuel rode on, his shoulders bouncing with laughter. “And every night she ascends to heaven on angel’s wings.”

If his friend saw right through him, how soon before others did?

“Came on strong, did I?”

Samuel pinched a small space between his thumb and forefinger. “A little.”

He urged his horse forward. “I don’t want her reputation damaged.”

“Should’ve thought about that before making her your housekeeper. People will talk.”

Marcus searched Miss Turner out again, a gust boxing his ears like some admonishing aunt.

Was it so wrong to want to help a woman in need?

His housekeeper cleared the last weedy invaders off his front step. Her serious exterior belied deep-seated passion, evidenced in the way she dove into every task. The enthusiasm fascinated him.

And yes, he admired her other parts.

“What will people talk about? Her youth?” he retorted.  “Does a woman have to be long in the tooth to hold a decent position?”

“No, but it’d help if you were toothless. Or married.” Samuel stared ahead, the wind assaulting his queue. “We don’t set the rules, but we both know them.”

“You hired her, and you’re not a married man.”

Samuel’s gaze pinned him. “Nor do I have your unsavory reputation.”

“I’d wager my housekeeper has more honor, more determination in her little finger than any woman of my acquaintance,” he said fiercely. “Who I am should have no bearing on her.”

“Me thinks you doth protest too much…or whatever that drivel is. A clear sign you have it bad for her, but haven’t touched her. Yet.”

Why did Samuel hunt for sordid details? Likely he’d seen through Miss Turner with her low-cut bodices and saucy skirts. Didn’t matter. She worked hard. He didn’t care if she fit the proper housekeeper stamp or not.

He ought to buy a dull grey gown for her, if only to aid her reputation. Smiling against his collar, he guessed she wouldn’t wear it. Nor should she have to. One look at his red-cloaked gardener and he was certain of one thing: he’d do his anything to keep his friend, or any man, on the straight and narrow when it came to Miss Turner. She deserved a fresh start.

His housekeeper had nabbed a piece of his heart.

But the afternoon ride wasn’t meant to discuss his housekeeper’s allure. Samuel pulled his hat low, failing to look him in the eye.

“Quoting Shakespeare,” Marcus said. “You must be reading with Adam again.”

REVIEW:

The Lord Meets His Lady, Gina Conkle

Midnight Meetings #3

 I have mixed feelings about this book. It is the first book I have read by this author and though it is well written I found it difficult to believe. In some ways I found Marcus’s friend – Samuel – more interesting than Marcus and would like to know what happens to Samuel and his brothers in the future more than I want to know about Marcus and his brothers. Also, I have trouble believing that a well-born second son, no matter what transgressions he has been seen to perpetrate to require being banished, would actually fall for and marry someone as common as Genevieve…at least in that era.

 Loosely based on Red Riding Hood and the wolf with Genevieve in the part of Red and the man she unknowingly indentured herself to as the wolf this story is about her desire to get away from “the wolf” and move up in life even if it means acting as a housekeeper when never having been one. Into her life steps the Woodsman – Marcus did chop some wood – who is borderline alcoholic with a possible gambling addiction who has been banished to “improve” or at least stay hidden till his older brother can find an appropriate bride. They meet on the road, she becomes his housekeeper, they dance around one another, he goes into business of sorts with his friend Samuel, the Wolf reappears and has to be dealt with and eventually the two find a HEA together…I did feel like there was a cliffhanger ending with the couple heading off from their home to his family home in the making but have no idea if there is a book to follow or who that book might be about.

 So…there were things I did and did not like about this book. I can’t say that Marcus or Genevieve “talked to me” or that they were people that I would value as friends. I believe it is a book some will love and some will like and some might not like so very much. It has plenty of pages and storylines and characters and action and threads to follow with the potential for another book in the making BUT it is not a book that thrilled my soul or made me eager to pick up that next book when it comes out. I am rather sitting on the fence on this on so…

 Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and Barclay Publicity for the ARC – this is my honest review.

 3 Stars

 Other Books in the Midnight Meetings series:

 Meet the Earl at Midnight

 It's going to take a Beast to tame this Beauty

 Enigma Earl. The Phantom of London. That's what the gossip pages call Lord Edward Greenwich, a mysterious nobleman who doesn't show his face in London Society. With a reputation like that, no wonder Lydia Montgomery is horrified to be dragged from bed and packed off to live with him to save her mother from penury.

 While Lydia has received all of the training a lady should endure, she's decidedly un-ladylike. She despises her corset and isn't interested in marriage. She'd prefer to remain unmarried and spend her time improving her art. But if she wants a chance at happiness, she'll have to set aside her fear of the earl and discover the man hiding behind the beast.

 Will Edward and Lydia's greatest discovery be each other before time runs out?

 Available at:  Amazon |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes  | Google Play

The Lady Meets Her Match

 Locating Her Is Only Half The Battle...

 Cyrus Ryland didn't become England's wealthiest bachelor by being a pushover, but the mysterious beauty he discovers sneaking around at his grand ball enflames his curiosity. When the clock chimes midnight, and she's nowhere to be found, Cyrus vows to scour all of London to uncover who she is. Little does he know that not only does Claire Mayhew not want to be found, but she wants nothing to do with him at all...

 Available at:  Amazon |  Barnes and Noble |  Kobo |  iTunes  |  Google Play

Meet the Rogue at Midnight

 A Saved Scoundrel…

 Jonas Bacon Braithwaite wants to make peace with his grandfather before departing England. Once Nottinghamshire’s favorite trouble-maker, he’s since become an upstanding man of honor. But, the lushly curved thief hiding in his bedchamber makes him think twice about one last conquest.

A Stubborn Siren…

 Livvy Halsey bristles at life’s rules. Always has. Sneaking into the Braithwaite house to reclaim a treasured family heirloom is one way she upends the conventional life that awaits her. Duty demands she marry. But what harm is there in having a little fun with her childhood friend before the Twelfth Night ends?

 And Twilight Temptation…

 Stolen kisses fan hot flames. Surprising passion intertwines with friendship…but will it be enough to last forever?

 Available at:  Amazon

About Gina Conkle:

 Gina Conkle writes lush Viking romance and sensual Georgian romance. Her books always offer a fresh, addictive spin on the genre with the witty banter and sexual tension that readers crave. She grew up in southern California and despite all that sunshine, Gina loves books over beaches and stone castles over sand castles. Now she lives in Michigan with her favorite alpha male, Brian, and their two sons where she’s known to occasionally garden and cook.

 Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  BookBub

http://www.barclaypublicity.com

[bpoole500]

The 100 List: Albums

Even more than books, music can be a strong shared experience.

“What are you listening to?” has probably been one of the earliest question in any number of friendships. A song or album can immediately tag a particular time or place in your memory. A concert can bring thousands of strangers together and bond them over the course of a couple hours.

In this day of downloading and streaming, one might be tempted to wonder if the concept of the album is even still relevant. It may not be, and yet many artists continue to release music that way. The delivery system may change, but the artistic impulse remains. The days of monster album sales may be a permanent relic of the past (unless you’re Adele or Taylor Swift), but even if fewer people feel compelled to get the whole thing, an album, an entire work of musical inspiration, can still be a powerful statement from an artist.

People have strong opinions when it comes to their favorite tunes. That’s why I’d never dream of offering a “best” list. That’s not just asking for trouble, it’s pretty much demanding it, while saying something rude about trouble’s parentage. You’re better off not going there.

But if you’re asking for some of my favorites, the albums I’d recommend, the answer to the question “what are you listening to,” then these are likely to be the answer.

1. A Few Small Repairs – Shawn Colvin

2. All That You Can’t Leave Behind – U2

3. Anthology: Through the Years – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

- Some might feel it’s a cheat to put hits collections and other compilations on a list like this. I disagree, as compiling songs that weren’t recorded together into a coherent, compelling collection is an art all its own. And when the songs are as good as, say, Tom Petty’s output of hits,  a compilation can easily make the transition from commercial project to art.

4. August and Everything After – Counting Crows

5. The Austin Sessions – Edwin McCain

- McCain can be an inconsistent artist, but this stripped down collection, including a killer cover of the Dire Straits’ “Romeo and Juliet,” may be the most effective recording of his career.

6. Babel – Mumford and Sons

7. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse

- It’s easy to get caught up in the tragedy of Winehouse’s senseless, far-too-premature death. But instead, remember the fierce, intelligent and beguiling woman who caught the world’s attention with this retro-pop stunner.

8. Bare – Annie Lennox

9. Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars

10. Bella Donna – Stevie Nicks

- You’ll see a lot of Stevie on this list, both solo and with Fleetwood Mac. There’s a reason she’s one of the most revered women in the world of rock.

11. Blue – Joni Mitchell

12. The Body Acoustic – Cyndi Lauper

13. Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson

14. Bringing Down the Horse - Wallflowers

15. Building the Perfect Beast – Don Henley

16. The Civil Wars – The Civil Wars

- It’s not difficult to believe that the two people who recorded this turbulent, fascinating album stopped speaking to one another immediately thereafter. Their fans may never know what broke up The Civil Wars, but as a parting statement, this works pretty damn well.

17. The Color and the Shape – Foo Fighters

18. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones

19. Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind – Linda Ronstadt

20. Dizzy Up the Girl­ – Goo Goo Dolls

21. Drastic Fantastic – KT Tunstall

- People who stopped listening to Tunstall after “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” have missed one of the most compelling artistic trajectories in recent pop/rock music, one that’s still going strong, even if the artist doesn’t get the attention she merits.

22. The End of the Innocence – Don Henley

23. Essence – Lucinda Williams

24. Everyone Is Here – The Finn Brothers

25. Fat City – Shawn Colvin

- Colvin’s recorded a lot of great music, but this collaboration with producer Larry Klein ranks among her best work.

26. Final Straw – Snow Patrol

27. Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac

28. Forever Blue – Chris Isaak

- Heart Shaped World was a bigger hit, but this pithy heartbreak song cycle perfectly captures Isaak’s musical mission.

29. 40 Acres – Caedmon’s Call

30. Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand

31. Fumbling Towards Ecstasy – Sarah McLachlan

32. Garden State – soundtrack

- One of the strongest movie soundtracks in recent memory (it’s final track by a badly outclassed cast member notwithstanding).

33. Give Up the Ghost – Brandi Carlisle

34. Greatest Hits – Bruce Springsteen

35. Happenstance – Rachel Yamagata

36. Heart Like A Wheel – Linda Ronstadt

- Several albums into her career, this is where everything came together for Ronstadt, crystalizing her approach. More than four decades later and it’s still a pristine exemplar of its era.

37. Hopes and Fears – Keane

38. Hot Fuss – The Killers

39. Hotel California – Eagles

- This is one of those albums that musical snobs enjoy dismissing as “overrated,” but its reputation is well-earned, practically defining the sound of late ‘70s album rock.

40. How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb – U2

41. How To Save A Life – The Fray

42. In Time: The Best of R.E.M. – R.E.M.

43. Indigo Girls – Indigo Girls

44. Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon – KT Tunstall

45. Jars of Clay – Jars of Clay

46. The Joshua Tree – U2

- Most bands would kill for the trio of high profile hits this album produced, but it’s so much more than just those three songs. If you haven’t listened to it in awhile, it’s worth revisiting.

47. Kaleidoscope Heart – Sara Bareilles

48. Karla Bonoff – Karla Bonoff

49. Like A Prayer – Madonna

50. Lost In Space – Aimee Mann

- Mann got screwed by the major labels worse than just about any artist of the past 30 or so years. But she never let it get her down. This is a perfect example of the independent approach she embraced once she finally extracted herself from the wreckage of her former recording home.

51. Marc Cohn – Marc Cohn

52. Merry Christmas – Mariah Carey

- There are many valid criticisms one might level Carey’s way, but this Christmas collection is her indelible highlight and “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is a much deserved modern standard.

53. Mirrorball: The Complete Concert – Sarah McLachlan

54. Mr. Lucky­ – Chris Isaak

55. More Than Just A Dream – Fitz and the Tantrums

56. New Constellation – Toad the Wet Sprocket

- Few bands come back from a break of well over a decade with music as compelling as what Toad presented here.

57. New Miserable Experience – Gin Blossoms

58. O – Damien Rice

59. OK Computer – Radiohead

60. One Moment More – Mindy Smith

61. Our Version of Events – Emeli Sande

62. Poseidon and the Bitter Bug – Indigo Girls

63. Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution

- To admit that you don’t have a favorite song on this album is to admit that you don’t like music very much.

64. Raising Sand – Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

65. Rearviewmirror (greatest hits 1991 – 2009) – Pearl Jam

66. Recovering the Satellites – Counting Crows

67. Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House – Crowded House

68. Relish – Joan Osborne

69. The River of Dreams – Billy Joel

70. Rock Spectacle – Barenaked Ladies

71. Rumours – Fleetwood Mac

72. Running on Empty – Jackson Browne

73. Sam’s Town – The Killers

- After their crowd-pleasing debut, The Killers grew into one of the more polarizing bands on the modern rock scene with a commendable refusal to do what anyone expected of them.

74. Sand and Water – Beth Nielsen Chapman

75. Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings – Counting Crows

76. Scars on 45 – Scars on 45

77. Screamin’ for My Supper – Beth Hart

- If you don’t know blues/pop belter Hart, this is an ideal way to begin your acquaintance.

78. Shimmer – Kim Richey

79. Sigh No More – Mumford and Sons

80. Some Mad Hope – Matt Nathanson

81. Songs in the Attic – Billy Joel

82. The Sound of White – Missy Higgins

83. Sycamore Meadows – Butch Walker

84. Tapestry – Carole King

85. There Is Nothing Left To Lose – Foo Fighters

86. This Desert Life – Counting Crows

- Even if the collection as a whole wasn’t pretty near flawless, the sprawling, singular “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby” would demand its inclusion on this list.

87. Tiger Lily – Natalie Merchant

88. Tinsel and Lights – Tracey Thorn

89. Trouble in Shangri-La – Stevie Nicks

90. Tuesday Night Music Club – Sheryl Crow

91. 21 – Adele

- Proof that people will still buy (or download or stream) full albums. Even Adele seemed shocked at what a nerve these songs touched with a diverse array of fans.

92. Twentysomething – Jamie Cullum

93. Twister – soundtrack

94. The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner – Ben Folds Five

95. Under the Covers, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 – Matthew Sweet and Sussana Hoffs

- The one time alt-pop wunderkind and the erstwhile lead Bangle might seem like odd collaborators, but their three albums putting their own spins on the songs of different decades (‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s) are a total blast.

96. The Very Best of the Eagles – Eagles

97. The Very Best of Jackson Browne – Jackson Browne

98. VH1: Crossroads – various artists

- These live performances, taken from VH1’s late ‘90s franchise, featured the likes of k.d. lang, The Gin Blossoms, Tori Amos and Son Volt, providing a nice encapsulation of the state of adult alternative music at the time.

99. White Ladder – David Gray

100. Young Love – Mat Kearney