Daily Archives: July 24, 2017

Another suspenseful book in the Highway Quartet series

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Iiiireader

Paradise Valley: A Novel (Highway Quartet)

By: C. J. Box

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the fourth book in this series and the second one I read (“Badlands” being the other one.) I didn’t realize until reading this book that there were two books published before but I will certainly be picking those both up. While this book can be read stand-alone, I suggest reading the series in order so you can understand the history and the characters.

The book focuses on Cassie Dewell. Cassie is the Chief Investigator for the Bakken County Sheriff’s Department in North Dakota. She was hired during the oil boom when the department went from 4 to more than 40 personnel. Things have changed at work but one thing has not changed. Cassie is determined to find The Lizard King, a serial murderer who picks up prostitutes at truck stops and kills them and hides their remains. Cassie is one of the only people who has seen and spoken the long-haul trucker so she is the perfect person to be able to lure him into a trap.

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31 Detailed and Intricate Circular Celtic-inspired Mandalas printed one side of the page

Posted on July 24, 2017 by iiiireaderadmin

Creative Haven Celtic Mandalas Coloring Book (Creative Haven Coloring Books)

By: Cari Buziak

Rating: 4 of 5

I enjoy Celtic-inspired coloring books and was looking forward to receiving this one after pre-ordering it sight unseen. While it is a little more intricate than I had expected, I still enjoy coloring in it. The mandalas incorporate many Celtic emblems and symbols. Because of the intricate detail (small areas to color on most designs), it is not a book I would recommend to anyone with vision or fine motor issues.

The coloring book is the standard size for Creative Haven and the designs are circular. That makes for empty space both at the top and bottom of the design. If I decide to frame a finished project or mount it on a card for a gift, I’ll use a paper cutter to cleanly remove the empty space.
I noticed that the feel of the paper is slightly smoother than some of the Creative Haven books I have received recently. I’ve noticed that the paper seems to change quite frequently on these books. Because of that, if you buy one of these books, it may be slightly smooth or slightly rough depending on when and where it was printed. Colored pencils still work well with the slightly smoother paper (see below.)
This is what I experienced while coloring in this book and testing the paper with my coloring medium.
31 Celtic-inspired mandala designs in a circular format
The designs are printed one side of the page
Paper is the usual Creative Haven quality: white, medium weight, slightly smooth and has perforated pages.
Glue Binding but with perforated pages so removing a page is fairly simple.
The designs stop well before the perforations with lots of empty space above and below the mandalas
Alcohol-based markers bleed through this paper
Water-based markers bleed through in spots and show colorful shadows on the back of the page
Gel pens and India ink pens leave shadows of color on the back of the page. India ink pens can bleed through when I apply more than one layer of ink.
Coloring pencils work well with this paper. I was able to get good pigment (color) lay down, layer the same color and multiple colors and to blend easily using a pencil style blender. I tested both oil and wax-based pencils with similar results. Hard lead pencils, like Verithins, leave dents on the back of the page.
I suggest either removing pages from the book to color or using a blotter page under your working page. I like card stock as it keeps ink from seeping through and damaging the pages below.