The Illustrated Woman by Mark Barry

Mary Ann Bernal review of The Illustrated Woman by Mark Barry

The Illustrated Woman is a story about a young woman’s choices in the game of life. Despite Emily’s normal upbringing, extenuating circumstances leaves her on her own, struggling to raise her 8-year-old daughter with a limited income. Emily’s obsession with having her life’s story told on her body via various tattoo designs is the catalyst for her descent into the seedy world of prostitution. Despite Emily’s chosen profession, she still dreams of being married to the man she loves, knowing he will never make the commitment. Mr. Barry manages to shed light into Emily’s psyche - the reader knows why Emily makes poor choices, eliciting sympathy rather than condemnation. An excellent story for this genre.

History Trivia

December 10

 

1520 Martin Luther burned his copy of the papal bull Exsurge Domine outside Wittenberg's Elster Gate. 

 

1541 Thomas Culpeper and Francis Dereham were executed for having affairs with Catherine Howard, Queen of England and fifth wife of Henry VIII. Culpeper was beheaded and Dereham was hanged, drawn, and quartered, and their heads were placed on top of London Bridge. Catherine remained imprisoned in Syon Abbey until Parliament passed a bill of attainder on 7 February 1542. The bill made it treason, and punishable by death, for a queen consort to fail to disclose her sexual history to the king within twenty days of their marriage, or to incite someone to commit adultery with her. This solved the matter of Catherine's supposed precontract and made her unequivocally guilty. She was subsequently taken to the Tower on 10 February and was executed on February 13th.

 

 

The Wizard's Cauldron: Suzanne Van Rooyen talks about Obscura Burning

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Hollywood Shakedown by Mark Barry

Mary Ann Bernal review of Hollywood Shakedown by Mark Barry.

The author has expertly woven a tale of greed and lust into a compelling story of a ruthless man’s quest to obtain a missing manuscript.  The wealthy Mortimer Saxon coerces Buddy Chinn to do his bidding, tempting the alcoholic writer with money, but threatening his life and the life of his woman, Monique, should he fail.  We are introduced to many worlds in this thriller, from racetracks and bars to chess tournaments and British football.  Mr. Barry immerses the reader quickly into the intrigue, an enjoyable page turner that is difficult to put down.  I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.

History Trivia

December 9

536 Byzantine General Belisarius conquered Rome, which had been occupied by the Ostrogoths, claiming Italy for the Byzantine empire. 

1165 King Malcolm IV of Scotland died; his short reign was marked by rebellion and tension with his cousin Henry II of England.

1425 The Catholic University of Leuven, the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium was founded by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.

Ngaire Elder: Book Reviewer and Literature Geek Extraordinaire, ...

Ngaire Elder: Book Reviewer and Literature Geek Extraordinaire, ...: I was delighted to have the first two books in my children's series reviewed by Maranda Russell. Here is an excerpt from her review, 'This b...