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Month: October 2023

Ink Battle: J. Herbin and DiamineInk Battle
October 27, 2023
Rachel
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Ink Battle: J. Herbin and Diamine

Posted in Ink

No matter how much I try to sample or test an ink before buying it, sometimes that isn’t possible. Because of this, I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. That’s where “ink battles” come in.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may decide, when using the inks side-by-side, that one performs better, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite color. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better.

Or, I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to keep them both. Depending on how these “battles” turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

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Stationery Marvels TagStationery Marvels Tag
October 24, 2023
Rachel
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Stationery Marvels Tag

Posted in Fountain Pens, and Ink

This post is inspired by Theresa is Dead‘s video The Makeup Marvels Tag. In that video, they credit Seeking Alexandria with coming up with the idea.

1. A product that is actually useful/offers a significant improvement.

If you have vacuum fillers or piston fillers that you can’t — or don’t want to — remove the nib, then the Ink Miser Ink-Shot Inkwell is really useful for using up the last bit of ink from a bottle or filling from a sample.

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Review – Veils and VampiresBook Review Featured Image
October 18, 2023
Rachel
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Review – Veils and Vampires

Posted in Book Blogger

Veils and Vampires

by CEE BEE

Veils and Vampires

Series: Vampires of the Daemonverse, Book 2
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Release Date: October 14th 2023
Pages: 266
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
My Rating: ★★★★☆

Highlander meets Twilight with a dash of Fifty Shades of Grey in this vampire romantasy…

Caelin MacGregor is an ancient king with a new love

Ages ago, I ruled a clan of vampire raiders. We were allies to the Vikings and enemies of the Rus. That life ended when the bloodkin plague wiped out all our women, including my beloved vampire bride, Elisava. A thousand years have passed. My heart remains empty. Then I see a human woman named Lexa. For the first time in ages, I feel true desire, respect and love. Could Lexa actually be a lost bloodkin lady … or is she a horrible trick from Pyri, the ancient fire goddess of the Rus raiders?

Lexa Uznetsov has a plan

To save my sister, Sash, I took on my father’s debt to Konstantin the Rus, leader of the New York Bratva. As a result, my life became a never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the mob. After years of scheming, I’ve finally come up with a solid escape plan: find all three pieces of the infamous Veil Pendant. Once I reassemble this magical item, I’ll have the power to cure my sister … as well as the ability to say buh-bye to Konstantin. Sure, legends warn that reforming the Veil Pendant may bring about some nastiness called Pyri’s doomsday. Yet if it saves Sash, I’m willing to risk anything.

“Veils and Vampires is amazing! It has action and adventure and a little spicy. Enough that it makes you drool and want more. Honestly a totally different take on modern day vampire soulmates. I devoured this book in one sitting.” – Teresa, Goodreads

Vampires of the Daemonverse

  1. Violins and Vampires
  2. Veils and Vampires
  3. Vixens and Vampires
Keep ReadingReview – Veils and Vampires
Review – Violins and VampiresBook Review Featured Image
October 17, 2023
Rachel
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Review – Violins and Vampires

Posted in Book Blogger

Violins and Vampires

by CEE BEE

Series: Vampires of the Daemonverse, Book 1
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Vampire
Release Date: October 13, 2022
Pages: 236
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
My Rating: ★★★★☆

Lexa Uznetsov is trapped
To save my sister, I take on my father’s massive debt to Konstantin the Rus, leader of the New York Bratva. My life becomes a never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the mob. There’s barely time to sleep, let alone find love. In desperation, I approach Caelin MacGregor, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. After all, what’s the worst that can happen?

Caelin MacGregor is a lost king
Ages ago, I ruled a clan of Bloodkin vampires. My people are born to wield magic, drain humans, and live forever. That’s all over now. I’ve been alone for a thousand years. Today, I no longer care about the sunrise, let alone truly desire a woman. Then, I look upon Lexa. My world turns upside down…

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Pen Porn: Shibui North Kitsune ConverterPen Porn Shibui North Kitsune Converter
October 16, 2023
Rachel
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Pen Porn: Shibui North Kitsune Converter

Posted in Fountain Pens

Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.

Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉

This fun little pen has a mouthful of a name: Kitsune Converter Teal Enamel Ceracote Creepy Little Skulls. It’s a heavy pen — after all, it’s made from copper — but sits well in the hand.

Shibui North Kitsune Converter
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2023 Autumn London Pen ShowLondon Pen Show, autumn 2023
October 13, 2023
Rachel
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2023 Autumn London Pen Show

Posted in Pen Shows

Jim and I scheduled our vacation around the London Pen Show this year. For those unfamiliar with it, the London Pen Show is a one-day pen show, held this year at the Novotel London West. I understand that in previous years, it’s been at a different location.

We were eager to meet different makers and experience different shops; and we certainly did. This show had a drastically different exhibitor list than the U.S. shows we’ve been to.

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Athena: It’s Always SomethingAthena: It's Always Something
October 6, 2023
Rachel
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Athena: It’s Always Something

Posted in Cat

This post is a continuation of my series on Athena — her diagnosis, treatment, integration into the household, and life after FIP. If you haven’t already, I suggest taking a look at my previous posts on her. You can find them on her tag page.

Let me start with two things right off the bat.

  1. Athena is doing well; we’ve already taken care of the biggest issue that popped up.
  2. This post is a bit later than I’d planned because I waited to include her most recent blood work results.
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