Nine Dragons: a review

LAPD Detective Harry Bosch is back in Michael Connolly's latest, Nine Dragons, and he is as intense as ever. While investigating a robbery and murder in a liquor store, Harry and his partner Ignacio Ferras that the crime may be linked to a Chinese triad extorting money from small business owners. With a suspect in custody, Harry receives a video message from his teenage daughter Madeline, showing that she has been abducted and is being held somewhere in Hong Kong, where she lives with her mother, former FBI agent Eleanor Wish. Harry is immediately on a plane to Hong Kong. Here the story becomes truly fast-paced and exciting, as Harry, Eleanor, and her friend Sun Yee race through Hong Kong's most unsavory neighborhoods in their quest to find Madeline, who they believe will soon be sold for her organs or as a slave.

Like all of Mr. Connolly's books, not only is this mystery an exciting thriller, it is also meticulously researched, bringing the customs, history, and geography of Hong Kong to life, making this story appealing on several levels. without giving away any secrets, I can tell you that by the end of the book the body count is twelve or more, and while finding Madeline makes me call this a thriller, discovering who committed the murder in the liquor store makes it a mystery. Nine Dragonswould make a great holiday gift for the readers in your life.
The video below is a ten minute tour of the places in Hong Kong featured in the novel, narrated by Michael Connolly. It is great to watch during the reading of the book and makes everything even more vivid. There are even more videos on Michael Connolly's web site.

Bottle Brush Trees in Pink!

I was going to save this Pink Saturday post until after Thanksgiving; but realized it might be too late by then. What glorious PINK things could I be showing that would be out of date that quickly? Some awesome pink bottle brush trees that are for sale on etsy! I had a whole bunch saved in my favorites and more than half have been sold in the last week, so I wanted to get this out to all my Pink Saturday friends. I know many of you have been making your own, but some of us aren't so crafty and would like to buy them. Without further ado, here is a parade of pink bottle brush Christmas trees, some vintage, some new. You can click on any picture to go directly to the listing.
This set of 3 trees is from Lena & Lovely. I like that they are in varying heights.Magpie Ethyl has a set of two. I love the way the ornaments are nestled into the branches.Christmas Angel has a hot pink tree that she is dating as vintage 1940s.And here's our Pink Saturday friend J. Nichelle, with another fabulous vintage item. This tree is so rich with vintage ornaments in shades of pink and blue, and it's inside a vintage Christmas plant holder. I hope she has tissues in her shop for all of us droolers!
So it's a little early for Christmas, but I hope this was helpful info for those of you looking for pink bottle brush trees! Be sure to visit our Pink Saturday hostess Beverly from How Sweet the Sound, and leave her a comment.

Vintage Leaf Jewelry

For this week's Vintage Thingies Thursday I have some more of my mother's 1950s/60s jewelry to share. I thought I'd go with leaves, since they have all fallen off the trees around here!For whatever reason, both of these pairs of earrings seem to go with this pin. Since they are all made by BSK that would make sense.I like the way both enamel and bumpy metal was used on this BSK pin.Of course we need a maple leaf in the autumn. This one has no manufacturer's mark.
For more vintage fun, visit Suzanne @ Colorado Lady, our Vintage Thingies Thursday hostess.

The Fab Miss B

The Fab Miss B is the Featured Blogger for the Etsy Bloggers Street Team this month. Becky has two etsy shops as well as a blog where she writes about her adventures in seeking out vintage items and her crafting, as well as the joys of her daily life.
First, I'd like to show you some fun things Becky creates herself at Becky Kazana.She is an amazing artist with many cards featuring her original artwork.She also makes the most adorable pipette animals like these poodles, which come in a variety of colors.Wouldn't a custom bride and groom be a great ornament for newlyweds? These remind me of the vintage ice skater ornament I shared last year.
Speaking of vintage, Becky's shop, The Fab Miss B, helps you bring back your one of a kind vintage memories because it's full of the treasures she finds.My grandfather owned a gift shop when we were very small, and he gave my sister and I miniature cuckoo clocks similar to this one.As a geography teacher, I always wanted one of these tin banks. This is a real find from the 1940s!
I'd bet that all you crafters will be drooling over Becky's selection of vintage ribbons when you visit her shop.
With the holidays approaching, remember to think about buying handmade and/or from women entrepreneurs. Strengthen the small American businesswoman!

Blue Greetings

Happy Blue Monday! I missed a couple of weeks, but I am back and rarin' to go. A friend of mine became an Auntie this weekend. She is wicked excited of course, as was I when I first became an Auntie. I was going through my cards to see if I had anything appropriate to send, and found some vintage cards with blue on them to share with my Blue Monday friends.

Of course the first one I have is welcoming a new baby!

Cornflowers are one of my favorite flowers; you don't see them around too often.Isn't this silhouette so pretty?

I received these cards from Carolyn @ Harbor Hon last year. She is such a sweetie! For more Beautiful Blues, visit Smiling Sally, our Blue Monday hostess.

Giveaways All Over the Place

There's a bunch of great giveaways going on in the Blogosphere right now. Folks are celebrating birthdays, bloggy anniversaries, reaching goals, all sorts of things! Check some of them out if you have time.

Sara's Sweet Surprises is giving away a 2 gallon apothecary jar with a spigot; perfect for entertaining. Hurry, ends today, November 8!!

HURRY! Stephanie @ Rose Petals & Rust is having a giveaway celebrating her birthday that ends Monday, November 9. Pink Christmas ornaments, and other goodies!

Fairy Footprints in the Sand is celebrating her 100th post with a beautiful fairy pendant.

Melissa's Heart and Home is celebrating one year of blogging with a HUGE "Thankful" giveaway full of autumn/Thanksgiving goodies.

Sares @ Loveleigh Treasures is giving away 3 classic Christmas movies to 3 winners. Great way to get in the spirit!

At The Old Parsonage Leann has a beautiful Scents, Colors, and Joy of Christmas giveaway.

Monkey Toes Reviews has an amazing black pearl bracelet from Pearl Paradise to giveaway.

Fluffy Pink Hair Dryer

Happy Pink Saturday! Before showing my own pink, I'd like to introduce you to Riet, from Riet's Photoblog. She lives in The Netherland, and I love her photos of the canals and the juxtaposition of nature and urbanity as the water flows along.
If you have been a long time visitor to the Evil Overlord, you may remember this picture from over a year ago for Vintage Thingies Thursday. I thought you pink gals will get a real kick out of it.
This is my niece, Julia, modeling my mother's hairdryer from the 1950s. It still works! It is stored in it's nifty white suitcase, and has the original manual with it. It's considered portable, because it has an extra-long electrical cord, and a strap to wear the blowing apparatus like a purse, so you can vacuum or do dishes while drying your hair, I think. When we were kids in the 70s, our mom would set our hair on those pink sponge rollers and dry it with this. It got really hot under there, and I remember feeling once like my ears were burning! There is also a smell of hot plastic after a while. I thought it was nifty at first, but then it was a big pain because the cap was so big on our small heads and it was so loud!
For more great pinkness, visit Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound, our Pink Saturday hostess.