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Rachel's Reflections Posts

June 4, 2019
Rachel
10 Comments

Review: Lume Deodorant

Posted in Non-Stationery Reviews

Fair warning, there is, within this review, what some people would consider TMI relating to sweatiness and BO. I felt it necessary to provide that information to adequately discuss the changes with and benefits of, Lume. So, you have been warned.

I acknowledge this is a long post, so, if you don’t care about backstory and just want to jump down to the overview, feel free to do so.

UPDATE: Due to the significant increase in views and comments I’ve gotten on this post, I’ve shared a quick update. Also, I’m not affiliated with Lume in any way, which should be REALLY obvious by the content of this post.

Keep ReadingReview: Lume Deodorant
May 31, 2019
Rachel
One Comment

Identifying My Vintage Pelikan

Posted in Fountain Pens

This past Saturday, I went to Bertram’s Inkwell to pick up the pen I won from Pensplaining with Corinne. While there, Adam mentioned that they had a bunch of secondhand pens. So, pen fiend that I am, I asked to see them.

Note: If you don’t want to read the story, feel free to jump down to the pen porn or the list of sites I mention in the narrative below.

Out came three big zip cases of vintage pens. I went through the cases, but I don’t typically love the look of vintage pens. They aren’t as pretty as modern pens, in my opinion. But, in the third case, there were a bunch of vintage Pelikans. Among those was a red and black pen. I love red and black, so I pulled it out.

Unfortunately, the nib was looking a bit rough. Out of curiosity, I took at look at each of the other Pelikans. Most of them were stubs or broad, which I know I don’t like writing with. But, this one was intriguing.

Vintage Pelikan 100
Keep ReadingIdentifying My Vintage Pelikan
May 9, 2019
Rachel
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Review – Seize

Posted in Book Blogger

Seize

by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor

SeizeSeries: Magnus Blackwell, Book 3
Genres: Adult, Supernatural
Release Date: March 26th 2019
Pages: 359
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
My Rating: ★★★★☆

Lexie Arden has a loving husband, a thriving business, and consults with the New Orleans Police Dept on murder cases. Kalfu has given her everything she desires, but challengers to her authority are closing in.

Her dark secret remains hidden from everyone except Magnus. He sees the evil growing stronger, changing her, and hurting her marriage. If Lexie doesn’t rid herself of Kalfu’s influence soon, the consequences will be irreversible.

When she unexpectedly inherits a cottage in the swamp, she uncovers a library of rare books on voodoo. Their spells can reverse the dark lord’s hold and set right the balance between darkness and light. But such magic requires a great sacrifice; one Lexie isn’t willing to make.

With the shadow spirits and raging voodoo gods vying for her attention, Lexie is on the verge of losing everything—her husband, her power, Magnus, and possibly, her life.

The battle for control of the mambo’s soul is about to begin.

Keep ReadingReview – Seize
May 7, 2019
Rachel
2 Comments

Book Blitz – A Touch of Darkness

Posted in Book Blogger

Disclaimer: I’ve stated in the past that I don’t feel comfortable promoting books I haven’t read. I signed up for a review tour stop for this book, but received notice on May 2nd that the book would not be available in time for the tour. Rather than abandon my spot on the tour, I decided to post this excerpt as requested by the author via Xpresso Book Tours. Please consider this post as informative as opposed to promotional. I have not read the book as of posting this.

A Touch of Darkness

by Scarlett St. Clair

A Touch of DarknessGenres: Adult, Mythology, Romance
Series: Hades & Persephone, Book 1
Release Date: Spring 2019

Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist.

Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible.

After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever.

The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a Goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows—and it’s forbidden.

Keep ReadingBook Blitz – A Touch of Darkness
April 16, 2019
Rachel
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FanFiction Review – Results of a Proper Introduction

Posted in Book Blogger

Results of a Proper Introduction

by dunuelos

Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 73,285
My Rating: ★★★

A spin-off of my Lone Traveler stories (Lone Traveler originally from The Professional). Harry gets a proper introduction with some insights from an alternate self who has lived it. What does he do with this information? How would his attitudes change?

Keep ReadingFanFiction Review – Results of a Proper Introduction
April 11, 2019
Rachel
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FanFiction Review – Building a Better Burrow

Posted in Book Blogger

Building a Better Burrow

by dunuelos

Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 35,149
My Rating: ★★★+

The Better Burrow arc from my Lone Traveler compendium: The Lone Traveler encounters the Burrow before it was expanded. Maybe it can be made into a safer and more comfortable home for this version of the Weasleys. It’s amazing how much a building can change history.

Keep ReadingFanFiction Review – Building a Better Burrow
April 9, 2019
Rachel
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FanFiction Review – One More Time

Posted in Book Blogger

One More Time

by loverofeevee

Genre: Harry Potter
Word Count: 40,904
My Rating: ★★★

Contains evil Dumbledore, Lily and James not Harry’s real parents, non-con and child abuse, mpreg, yaoi, own character, and time travel. With Voldermort gone, Dumbledore revealed his true colours. Harry had the chance to live his life over. Will he manage to save his friends from two evil wizards?

Keep ReadingFanFiction Review – One More Time
March 27, 2019
Rachel
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Time Travel

Posted in Random Reflections

I came across a fun writing prompt the other day. The question posed was: If you could travel back to any era, would you and which one?

My immediate thought was, “Yes, of course,” but as I thought about it, I realized there were some qualifiers.

  1. Can I come back?
  2. How long would I have to stay?
  3. Would the visit be observation only, or could I interact with the people?
  4. How well would I be prepared for the era I visited?
  5. Can I visit more than one era?
  6. What social position would I hold during my visit?
Keep ReadingTime Travel
March 26, 2019
Rachel
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Review – The Unreformed Mr Darcy

Posted in Book Blogger

The Unreformed Mr Darcy

by Lin Mei Wei

The Unreformed Mr DarcyGenres: Classical Rewrite, Historical Fiction, Romance
Release Date: November 3, 2018
Pages: 249
Purchase from: Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★☆

What if Elizabeth Bennet had accepted Mr Darcy’s proposal in Kent? What if they married before he stopped being the proud, arrogant man she detested? What if, in order to avoid the ruin of her beloved sister, Elizabeth chose to swallow her pride and say yes to a pre-reform Darcy?

Mr Bingley has left Netherfield, and in his stead a rich and unscrupulous man takes possession of the manor. While Elizabeth is in Kent, visiting her recently married friend Charlotte, she receives letters which tell her how Jane is soon to be wed to a man Elizabeth can’t stand. And then, unbelievably, Mr Darcy, the last man in the world she would ever choose to marry, proposes to her. Elizabeth is torn. But thoughts of rescuing Jane make her do something that will change the course of her life forever…

The Unreformed Mr Darcy is a Pride and Prejudice variation romance by the author of Stranded with Mr Darcy.

Keep ReadingReview – The Unreformed Mr Darcy
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