#(i think i may need to get several hundred perfect reviews to balance out one bad review)

[moodr1ng]

literally 1 review on etsy lowering my entire average from 5 stars to 4.9 and it like. shouldnt be there imo so im mad abt it

[farchanter]

Hollow Knight

Bear witness to the last and only civilisation, the eternal Kingdom. Hallownest

The experience of playing through Hollow Knight has taught me that I can't ever review games professionally. Because if I find a game I really enjoy I will spend forever with it, turning over every stone I can possibly find to fully soak in it.

Friends, I love Hollow Knight. That isn't to say it's perfect— and we'll get to that— but let none of my critcisms detract from how great this game is. I played some great games in 2020, but Hollow Knight has been the crown jewel of my quarantine. I cannot wait for its upcoming sequel, Silksong.

You are a wandering swordsman who comes across the rotting ruins of a once-mighty kingdom known as Hallownest. As you explore, you learn about what tragedy befell the kingdom and its inhabitants— and how your own destiny and choices play into its future.

Hollow Knight is a Soulslike Metroidvania, a sentence I didn't really enjoy typing out. You explore a 2D world, navigating the ruins and acquiring new powerups, abilities, and unquantifiable skill which allow you to plumb deeper into Hallownest's depths. It's hard— it's not quite kick-you-in-the-teeth-bury-your-controller-at-a-crossroads hard the same way a Dark Souls would be, but just about every boss fight will kill you several times before you "solve" it. It's a good balance: I've played games like this before that just leave you tired and cranky after finally finishing an encounter, but Hollow Knight hits a great sweet spot where you feel amazing after finally winning a boss battle. This creates an indelible experience— I'm going to remember beating the final boss with sweaty, shaking hands for a long, long time.

As an exploration game, or as a combat game, Hollow Knight feels really good. Movement is fluid, and fighting has the elusive "grimace when you're hit" quality that makes for a satisfying experience. There's enough depth to the system that you can really grow into it, and I found my growth from flailing around Dirtmouth to dancing through the Queen's Gardens to be a joy.

I also want to take a moment to specifically call out the soundtrack. Christopher Larkin does an amazing job creating pieces which are both atmospheric and intense. I bought the soundtrack, and I'm listening to it now as I write this.

Part of what makes Hollow Knight so enjoyable is that, despite its Metroidvania perspective, it is focused first-and-foremost on being an RPG rather than a platformer. I really disdain platformers, particularly the ultrahard ones that permeate the pantheon of indie darlings, so I would be remiss to not mention that there are some sections which are really annoying platforming parts. If you don't mind the spoilers in this video, the White Palace is by far the most egregious— and it was a mandatory section for the ending I wanted. In just about any other game, I would have rather quit. I'd much rather die 20 times in the same boss fight than die 20 times falling into the same spike pit. But, that's just my personal preference— and, like I said, people seem to really like games like this.

We live in a golden age of great environmental storytelling— the idea that you can find the story and deduce it for yourself rather than be explicitly told it. When done well, it's a really effective means of conveying a narrative which is both immersive and makes you feel clever. However, I do think that Hollow Knight swings its pendulum a little bit too far in that direction— there's a great story here, but the characters who do tell it speak in deliberately vague dialogue and the clues you find while exploring aren't adequate on their own to tell you the whole story. I don't know that it's possible to fully understand the plot of Hollow Knight without the Hollow Knight Fandom wiki as a constant companion while playing, and that's honestly kind of a bummer. I like the community, and the way that community has filled in the gaps the game won't, but I do feel like a game should be able to have its story stand on its own. Without this supplemental material, I fear that the game is so cryptic— and there's so much that's so easy to miss while trying to not be exploded by a jellyfish again god damn it— that a player without it would just wind up with a good action game devoid of plot. This is another one of those things that other people seem to enjoy, so your mileage here may again vary.

Despite their mysterious dialogue, I did really love these characters: they're the biggest reason I took such a leisurely pace to finish the game. I wanted to rescue Bretta, I wanted to restore the memory of the Last Stag, I wanted to find all of the missing children, I wanted to save Zote, and for the Hollow Knight...

One of my favorite parts of the narrative of this game is that you are asked to make a really powerful decision about who your character is, and what they want. I can't really explain that choice without spoiling essentially the entire game, so I'm putting it after the break here.

In short, the people of Hallownest came under psychic attack by a supernatural entity known as The Radiance. The Radiance haunted their dreams, and ultimately broke them to her will and turned them into— essentially— zombies. Faced with utter collapse of civilization, the King and his advisors devised a desperate plan: The Radiance's entire essence could be imprisoned within a single mind. However, that being would need to be both magically and physically imprisoned for all eternity for the sake of Hallownest. They would be under constant mental attack by a Radiance trying to break loose.

They realize that their chosen vessel would need to lack a mind of its own— in addition to the cruelty of that fate for a sentient being, if The Radiance were to break the will of the prisoner, then it could begin its mental attacks all over again from within the body of the vessel. They developed a plan to breed a child who they thought would be devoid of mind and will— and after hundreds of attempts, they produced a child who met their criteria. They dubbed them the Hollow Knight, sealed The Radiance inside their mind, and entombed them for all time.

However, the Hollow Knight did have an independent will— and, after a long time, The Radiance broke it. From within the sealed crypt, it began to attack the people of Hallownest again— and this time succeeded in destroying the kingdom. At the time the game begins, with its enemies defeated, The Radiance is still attempting to break the physical restraints keeping the Hollow Knight in place and venture out into the world to rain destruction on the remaining survivors of Hallownest.

Your character is also a product of that program to produce a soulless vessel, and you have been supernaturally called back to Hallownest to usurp your sibling and take The Radiance into yourself instead. You, not they, will be sealed away for all time to allow the broken pieces of the kingdom to go on.

This is where the choice comes in. Over the course of the game, you discover that there may be another way: you can enter the Hollow Knight's mind yourself and destroy The Radiance. But this path is much more difficult.

What makes it such an interesting choice, to me, is that it asks you what you believe about your character. The game, true to fashion, never specifically says "hey, your character also has a will of their own!" (in fact, at least one character specifically says you don't— or, importantly, that your mind might be beyond her considerable power to understand. This might be kind of a satirical intepretation of the "silent protagonist player proxy" trope.) If you believe that your character is soulless, then the idea of taking the easy way and sealing yourself makes logical sense. No harm would be done, in that case.

But I could not stand that idea. A soulless being would not have saved the missing children, Bretta, Zote, the Last Stag— I did not want that for my character. And, so, since this is I am the one playing the role in this roleplaying game, I decided it wasn't so. I took the extra challenges, I took the harder route— and I defeated The Radiance.

For me, then, it wasn't just about beating a hard boss capping off 40+ hours of gameplay. It was about a personal vindication for my understanding of my character. That was a pretty powerful feeling.

[makeupremovercleansingbalmnew]

Be Careful For This Makeup Remover Cleansing Balm

After this step, use your common cleanser to rinse skin free of makeup and excess oil, leaving behind clean and hydrated skin. When buying an oil, make certain to search for ones that are cold-pressed and natural. Sometimes the most effective makeup remover comes in the form of a cloth. Several readers love the Danielle Erase Your Face cloth, which removes all kinds of make-up, including waterproof mascara, with out the utilization of harmful chemical substances or artificial makeup removers. With simply warm water, each material will remove the hardest make-up and will remember to offer you a contemporary clear feeling https://www.retrouve.com/product/luminous-cleansing-elixir/. When choosing the proper makeup remover for you, it is important to consider your pores and skin sort and how it reacts to ingredients.

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In this article, we’ll discover 6 DIY makeup remover recipes that use solely natural elements proven to be mild in your pores and skin. An oil-to-milk cleanser, Kiehl's Cleansing Oil is specially formulated to depart skin balanced after use. It's also scented with lavender, so you may be relaxed and prepared for mattress as soon as your skincare routine is finished.

Are You Positive You Wish To Cease Purchasing This Fundraiser?

If you have sensitive pores and skin, you might wish to opt for an oil-based perfume. Combine the brown sugar, coconut oil, and essential oils in a jar using a spoon or stir stick. Apply to the skin in circular motions using your arms, exfoliating gloves, brush, or sponge. Shake properly and dip a cotton ball, cotton pad, or a cotton swap inside. You can use a clean, dry material to softly take away any make-up that’s left behind. Mix the two elements collectively in a jar or bottle.

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If you strive plain water, it in all probability wouldn't make removal any better. However, if you use a makeup remover cleansing balm capable of dissolving the foundation film, eradicating can be very easy. There just isn't one magic ingredient in all of this — it really depends on the makeup formula composition and the remover composition. A key chemistry expression to bear in mind is “like dissolves like”. A water-based remover will work to remove water-based makeup, same applies for oil-based.

Made without any parabens, phthalates, or petrolatum, they swiftly take away makeup without the unhealthy stuff. Read on for our picks of one of the best makeup removers for delicate pores and skin. "Clear skin starts with a good cleanser," she stated. "I would splurge on this as a result of this would be your first step in your skin care routine and I simply feel such as you really shouldn’t cut the corners in relation to your cleanser." Another must-have for Allure editors, Then I Met You's Living Cleansing Balm would not just remove makeup. This golden-colored cream melts right into a rich, foamy lather that sloughs off makeup, all the whereas repairing and nourishing skin with vitamin E and olive oil.

Pure Oils As Make-up Remover

Use Dissolving Spray solely on specific areas for a quick change of your complexion or eye makeup. I never sit up for taking off my makeup at evening. It's not that I'm too drained to wash my face, but eradicating each single bit takes a lot of effort, and quite frankly, simply hurts. More usually than not, fully eradicating my eyeliner and mascara takes 10 thousand years and a ton of rubbing. My eyes are red, watery, and I still get up with black residue underneath my eyes in the morning.

The hydrating humectants on this make-up removerhelp hold your pores and skin's moisture barrier sturdy rather than stripping away your natural oils. It also does not depart behind a greasy movie, so acne-prone skin is totally protected. From mascara smears to uneven liner, this mini pen helps right any makeup snafus without affecting the rest of your face. Ingredients likevitamin E, cucumber, and chamomile relax any irritation while removing traces of make-up around your eyelids and beneath eyes. This affordableGH Seal holderliquid effectively andeasily dissolves even waterproof makeupwithout tugging, drying or irritating pores and skin. With over 1,one hundred critiques on Amazon, reviewers swear, "the primary swipe took 90% of the extremely thick mascara & eyeliner off, along withallof my eye shadow."

Ingredients like oils and glycerin work to softly dissolve your make-up. To use make-up remover, merely saturate a cotton pad with the liquid and press it to your face. Using gentle motions, wipe the product off of your face.

But it's probably an important step in your day by day skincare routine, both for the sake of the fragile skin around your eyes and the longevity of your pillowcases. Warm a small quantity within the palm of hands, and apply on to dry skin. Use fingertips to massage over dry skin till complete transformation of the balm into oil.

Is There A Best Time Of Day To Take Cbd? Consultants Debate

It's made of soothing components like aloe and cucumber extract, so your pores and skin will really feel refreshed. And because it is oil-free, you received't be left with the feeling that one thing's lingering on your pores and skin after you utilize it. “I love this as a end result of I think it removes the makeup really nicely, particularly if you’re wearing waterproof mascara," she said. "I additionally discovered that that is the least aggressive in your eyes.

I'm positive you've heard the word about the harsh chemical substances found in plenty of makeup wipes. It's imperative that you follow up with a nourishing cleanser after using make-up wipes. These pure towelettes are an excellent alternative.

Makeup will get removed with minimal rubbing; add some water to give your face a pleasant milky cleanse that doesn’t depart your pores and skin feeling too oily, or too stripped. The lighter consistency of this method makes it an excellent introductory cleansing balm for anybody seeking to lastly dip their toes in. "For my sufferers with sensitive eyes, I recommend in search of an eye fixed makeup remover formulated for delicate eyes that removes make-up with out rubbing or irritating eyes." With a high quality makeup remover, however, it does not should be that way. And belief us, there are a lot of great makeup removers on the market, regardless of whether or not you favor a balm, oil, wipe, or micellar water.

Japanese formulation includes coconut oil to moisturize, cork tree extract to calm and vitamin E to struggle free radical damage. It’s onerous to seek out anybody who doesn’t critically rave about Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water. “I use them to give my clients’ pores and skin a quick cleanse before basis. Next, find out which different merchandise with a cult following are totally price it and which make-up sale to check out.

We firmly believe that beauty merchandise, each skincare and makeup, ought to be of the highest high quality while sustaining worth and affordability. Bring residence an aloe plant, and you may have a hydrating face masks, a moisturizer, a scalp treatment for irritated follicles, even a primer before making use of basis. And, yes, it actually works simply as nicely to scrub off mentioned foundation when the day is finished. Of course, that does not mean you must ditch the make-up remover altogether.

Key elements include amino acid-rich soy protein which helps preserve pores and skin's elasticity and suppleness, in addition to rosewater which is notable for its calming and balancing properties. “Similarly to the Klorane remover, this product has ingredients in it that assist strengthen your lashes too, which is nice," she famous. Washing your face is probably one of the final things you really feel like doing at the finish of an extended day, but you actually should. Sleeping with makeup on cannot only result in clogged pores and breakouts, but in addition end in premature aging. Our editors independently selected these things as a outcome of we think you'll get pleasure from them and would possibly like them at these prices.

Not so with this organic, uncooked, unrefined oil that retains the entire coconut goodness intact and also looks ultra stylish on your self-importance. I would examine it to eye makeup removers that cost twice as much. If you need the first step of your nighttime routine to be on the identical luxurious degree as the rest of your treasured skin-care routine, contemplate investing on this stuff. Though it’s simply as liquid-y and French-sounding as the aforementioned cleansing waters, this is a cleaning lotion. Once you sweep it throughout your face, you’ll get it — it leaves your skin feeling full, such as you cleansed, toned and did an entire serum situation.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Full refund inside 30-days-return. Apply with our luxurious Cotton and comply with with your favourite Clé de Peau Beauté cleaning foam for optimum outcomes. Eye & Lip Makeup Remover leverages Skin Intelligence to help your skin’s most ability to restore and shield itself.

Skincare By Category

The result's radiant, clean, healthy-looking skin. This product is mild sufficient to use each day. For greatest results use at the side of our Walnut Hill Face Serum.

As health and wellness bloggers, our readers usually ask us if we cleanse and in that case, how we do it.

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Other kinds of cleanses contain colonic cleanses utilizing enemas, laxatives, or colon hydrotherapy .

First, decide a reasonable timeframe for your cleanse — not more than three days.

It has a high content of linoeleic acid, vitamin E and phenolic compounds, and an anti-inflammatory impact.

If you prefer to double cleanse, we advocate starting with the Cleansing Oil and following with the Cream Cleanser. Some juices are produced from meals which may be excessive in oxalate, a naturally occurring substance. Two examples of high-oxalate meals are spinach and beets. Drinking large quantities of high-oxalate juice can enhance the chance for kidney problems. Grape Seed Oil - an ingredient that accommodates polyphenols as properly as the essential fatty acid linoleic acid for lightweight hydration. Gently dissolve make-up, oil, and different impurities with this lightweight pre-cleansing oil.

"The truth is that eliminating Trump is the easy half. Cleansing the motion he instructions, or eliminating what he represents to so many Americans, is going to be one thing else." An ABC News article calling for the "cleansing" of the motion of President Trump's supporters was stealth-edited after critics questioned the charged word. Onion and garlic are both members of the allium household of greens, which provide pungent flavors to foods. These vegetation comprise flavonoids that stimulate the manufacturing of glutathione, one of the liver's strongest antioxidants. As a result, onion and garlic have highly effective anti-bacterial and immune-boosting properties. Dill is rich in nutritional vitamins and anti inflammatory chemicals.

By coming into my cell number and clicking “Submit”, I agree to obtain recurring promoting text messages from Clinique. I understand these textual content messages may be despatched via an autodialer, that consent just isn't required to buy goods from Clinique, and that I can opt-out any time by replying STOP to the textual content message I obtain from Clinique. If I am a California resident, I comply with the Notice of Financial Incentive. Massage onto pores and skin with fingertips until makeup is dissolved. A longer cleanse or Panchakarma is totally individualized and the entire protocol is designed based on the Rogi or client’s current disorders and the standing of their bodily, physiological, psychological and genetic health history.

Also, deprivation and suffering isn't the point! If you need a cup of black espresso because you need it or adore it, then have it. If you are nonetheless hungry, have something but make it clean and nutrient dense .

Challenge yourself to cut again on added sugar from sweetened yogurts, cereals and granola bars, in addition to the usual suspects . You’ll respect the pure sweetness of fruit a lot more when you cut unnecessary added sweeteners out of your food regimen. From hydrating face masks to the best way to use hydrating face cream, learn the way to hydrate skin with the following tips. "I chose these foods as a result of as a bunch they provide wholesome fats, protein, fiber, and water volume. Plus they're loaded with antioxidants," she says.

Each cleansing balm features completely different key components to focus on skin issues, corresponding to natural acerola cherry in Very Cherry Clean that provides antioxidant-rich vitamin C to assist brighten, firm, and hydrate the skin. As most of our pure face cleansers do, you'll find that when you have rinsed the cleanser off, it leaves you with an ultra-moisturized canvas that is ready for any clean skincare product that follows. Soap-free, foaming gel cleanses all skin circumstances.

Colon cleaning is normally used as preparation for medical procedures similar to a colonoscopy. However, some different medicine practitioners provide colon cleaning for different purposes, such as detoxing. Committing to a cleanse can feel like an enormous deal.

The Master Cleanse claims an individual can reside off of nothing however six to 12 glasses of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water over the course of 10 days—and drop 20 pounds the process. One of the worst selections I ever made was to strive a 5-day juice cleanse my senior yr of college. Maybe it’s a type of belongings you simply have to do once to know it’s a horrible concept. Take a take a look at a few stories from the 1000's of individuals whose well being and wealth improved from our pure, premium and non-GMO superfood merchandise.

Soothing Cleansing Oil

Our livers are particularly designed to take away bodily waste and our kidneys filter blood as well. The course of requires zero strict diets, cleanses, detoxes, or hunger. Apply to dry face with fingertips and gently massage.

Clean is extra frequent than cleanse and its use is much less particular. Over the past few years, the meaning of “detox” has shifted from a protocol meant to rid you of poisons to, usually, just a diet meant as a temporary reset. It either promises quick weight reduction, or goals to get you into the habit of wholesome eating, with residual effects that will last all 12 months lengthy. A lemon detox food regimen is usually cited as proof supporting detox diets to enhance well being.

Fill her with vinegar and water and pop her in the microwave for 5 to seven minutes, watch as cleansing steam shoots out of her ears, and revel in a squeaky clean equipment. Both clean and cleanse imply to make one thing free from dirt or impurities. But whereas clean can be present in a spread of common contexts, cleanse usually will get utilized in additional particular situations.

Drink one green juice per day to hydrates, alkalize, and add raw, living vitamins into your system. Formulated with hempseed oil, bioflavonoids and pure essential plant oils, high® delivers the high-powered benefits of hemp, to protect with potent antioxidants, balance with adaptogens, calm, hydrate and replenish. Cut down on sugar and salt, get loads of protein/fiber/fat and exercise 3+ days a week . And if you find yourself backsliding, forgive your self and begin over.

Health & Food Plan Guide

In reality, espresso enemas generally utilized in colon cleansing have been linked to a number of deaths. Colon cleansing also can cause much less critical side effects, corresponding to cramping, bloating, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. During a colon cleanse, massive amounts of water — generally as much as 16 gallons — and presumably other substances, corresponding to herbs or espresso, are flushed via the colon. This is done utilizing a tube that's inserted into the rectum. In some cases, smaller quantities of water are used and are left to take a seat in the colon for a quick while earlier than being removed.

Cleaning And Glow

For instance, Shays says she'll never double-cleanse if she's suffering from a rosacea outbreak—instead, she'll opt for only an oil cleanser or gentle cleaning milk. If she's treating a client with cystic pimples, she'll stick to 1 cleanse, as double cleaning can over-stimulate the pores and skin and aggravate it further. If you have dry pores and skin, Chiu says you could find that your pores and skin is best off with a double cleaning routine. "You'll discover that two mild steps work better than one strong method to fight sensitivity or overdrying," she says.

Due to its natural nature, our propanediol just isn't solely a compatible moisturiser, but in addition ensures that we are able to do with out harmful preservatives. "This product may be very gentle and fits my sensitive skin completely." Our clients requested a cleanser that made mild work of heavy obligation make-up. Gentle on skin with out compromising on efficacy, no rubbing, no eye-stinging, oh and no palm oil please.

After cleaning, shortly comply with with a facial moisturizer while skin is still damp to attract water into the pores and skin and lock it in for long lasting hydration. During the day, it's also recommended to use a facial SPF moisturizer with sun safety. Daily Facial Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 delivers nourishing hydration that locks in important moisture and protects your pores and skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The extra gently you reintroduce foods into your food plan, the smoother the transition shall be.

"Anybody can benefit from a cleaning. The physique is coming out of what might be known as hibernation. It's a method you'll find a way to jump-start your physique for a extra energetic life, a more healthy life." These diets are low in calories, which will go away you with little vitality to exercise and will disrupt your metabolic price and blood glucose levels. They take satisfaction of their hair, and are particularly cautious about it, washing and cleansing it virtually daily. It was time for the cleaning a part of the ceremony and Victoria and I, together with half of the gang, lined up on facing benches. Ghusul is a ritual cleaning from head to toe, on this occasion performed with all of the solemnity of a visit to a water park. You can use clear to imply simply “to make neat” or “to remove a stain or mess” .

This rosehip powered oil glides over pores and skin lifting away each kind of impurity. Even cussed waterproof mascara is politely sent packing. We want to share natural food, juice, and love with you.

In a gentle round movement, apply to face and neck morning and evening, eradicating with a heat moist fabric. Repeat if eradicating make-up, and comply with with the Tammy Fender tonic or floral water finest suited to your pores and skin. Especially formulated for dry or sensitive pores and skin, and helpful for all pores and skin types, it blends soothing Lavender with purifying Fo-Ti. Lightly creamy, this light, pure facial cleanser whisks away impurities, leaving the complexion delicate and radiant. Be the first to study new arrivals, exclusive provides, limited edition products, and sweetness tips and tutorials.

[leizl08blogs]

Leizl's First Blog♥️♥️😉

Anyeong haseyo, I’m Leizl Keith imnida. I’m from South Korea, ahahhahah just kidding, I’m actually from the mainland of Philippines♥️♥️♥️. So I want to tell something about myself before we go to the succeeding content of this blog. So, I am a girl who loves to mingle and play with kids, they are my stress reliever. I am a girl who loves to be alone in times of situation where I know I can’t handle it by myself. I am a girl who can’t express herself to other people cause of the thought that others would judge me, just kidding but seriously I am that kind of girl. I am a girl who loves to write poems but a tagalog one. Actually I have a page on Facebook where I post the poems I wrote, if your curious to the poems I made just search “MALAYANG TALUDTURAN” and its pages profile was a horse with a pink hair hahahaha. I am a girl who loves to watch Korean dramas specially when I’m bored. I love watching those dramas specially when the leading actor was SONG JOONG KI, HYUN BIN, and LEE MIN HO. Mianhae readers, hahahha I just want you all to know☺️☺️. I am a girl who loves to read wattpad stories, yes you read it right WATTPAD STORIES. Specially the stories of OWWSIC, the tragic one. Stories that end with a sad one like the boy or the girl will die at the end. I also love reading fantasy stories, where magic exist ahhahaha. Love it, but I love him more, charrrr I’m just kidding. I am a girl who do everything to be a good daughter to my parents. I committed different mistakes that disappoint my parents, yeah you read it right I’m not a perfect or a good daughter either. I just did those mistakes to get the attention of my parents, now I regret what I did on the past and learn from those mistakes. I am also a girl who have a negative mindset, yes you read it right. I am a secretive person but there is one person who knows everything about me and that is my cousin/bestfriend. I am a friendly person, aprroachable in times of needs, you can lean on when you have a problem, advice giver(but I can’t apply to myself), and a helpful one. So that’s it guyssss, I hope you will enjoy reading my introduction part where I tell some important things about me, hahahaha just kidding. I hope you will read until the end of my blog, hope you will not get bored yet after reading this introduction thingy. And again, I am Leizl Keith from South Korea (P.S- don’t judge me please, it is my dream to go to Korea that’s why) just kidding, I’m from Philippines. And another thing guys, you can call me on my nicknames: LEI, ZEL, LEIZ, VINE, DIVINE and KEITH. So I hope you will enjoy my blog. Gracias readers, Mamatsuuuu. Labyouuuuu allll, hope you like it😉😉.

So now we will proceed to the first content of my blog the Q and A portion, just kidding hahahah. I’m just going to answer the given question by my teacher. So, here are the given questions:

1. Where do I see myself 10 years from now? Is my learning in SPUP vital to where I’m leading to?

2. Was ABM the best choice after all?

3. What course will you take in college and why?

4. What topic would you like to learn more in this subject?

5. What the corona virus has taught you about life?

So guys here are my answers to this questions, hope you will like it and don’t get bored.

1. I see myself having my own RESTAURANT and being a BUSINESS WOMEN 10 years from now. And I think my learning in SPUP are vital that will lead me to what I want. Why? Because they taught me the things I must learn to continue venturing what I want in life.

2. For me ABM was the best choices cause it is connected to what I want to be in the future. I want to own a RESTAURANT someday and ABM is helping me to know how can I analyze, balance, record and many more a transaction.

3. The course I want to take in college was HRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) cause I want to have my own RESTAURANT someday to help my parents and for them not to work anymore.

4. I want to learn more about the technologies in the subject Empowerment Technology. I want to learn the real meaning of technology, its branches, functions, and uses. I want to know how ICT evolved, developed, improved and upgraded its feature.

5. Corona virus has taught me the meaning of life and its purpose; it remind me of what I am, deep down inside me. Corona virus thought me that life is important and should be appreciated. Corona virus taught me to be comfortable with what I have know and be contended. It gives me an opportunity to slow down in this fast changing world right now and to appreciate what truly matters: FAMILY, friends and the connections I’ve made over the course of my life. I also rediscover myself because of this pandemic. And with every passing days, I’m rekindling my passion, likes and dislikes, my interest, the things I need to value, understanding what really I want, the importance of time, and most important, my desire to live, rather than merely survive. That the things that Corona virus has taught me.

So now guys we will proceed to the second content of my blog which was named as “CREAT A TECH REVIEW”.

My teacher told me or us I should say to choose our favorite technology and make a review for it. So now here is my answer, Hope you will like it. And oh! guys please read until the end of this blog, thank you.

• Before I will answer it let me first elaborate what technology is, “TECHNOLOGY” means the use of scientific knowledge for practical purpose or application, whether in industry or in our everyday lives. So the technology that I choose was Gadgets specifically “CELLPHONE”.

Here are the questions that I made for this Tech Review about the technology that I choose.

1. What is cellphone?

2. What are the characteristics that cellphone have?

3. What is the importance of cellphone?

4. What are the negative effects of cellphone among teenagers?

5. Why do we use cellphone?

Here are the answers:

1. A cellphone is any portable telephone which uses network technology to make and receive calls and messages. It is also about the technology used to transmit calls and messages, rather than what the handset itself can or cannot do. As long as a phone can transmit signal to a cellular network, it is a CELLPHONE. This is also a wireless telephone that permits telecommunication within a defined area that may include hundreds of square miles, using radio waves in the 800-900 megahertz (MHz) band.

2. Here are the characteristics of a cellphone:

- Has a Wi-Fi or cellular access to the internet

- A battery that powers the device for several hours

- A physical or onscreen keyboard for entering information

- Size and weight that allows it to be carried in one hand and manipulated with the other hand

- Touch-screen interface in almost all cases

- A virtual assistant, like Siri, Cortana or Google Assistant

- It has the ability to download data from the internet, including apps and books

- Wireless operation

3. The importance of cellphone was the perfect way to stay connected with others specially a family member whose away from you. It also provides a user with a sense of security. Example, in an event of emergency, having a cellphone can allow you to help to seek for a help and it could even save lives of others. This is also capable of internet access, sending and receiving photos, videos and files, and some cellphone are equipped with GPS technology. This allows users in locating some places around the world and allowing the cellphone to be found and the user location in the event of loss or emergency.

4. Here are the negative effects of cellphone among teenagers:

- Cause headaches

- Decreased attention

- Shortness of temper

- Sleep disorder

- Depression

- Lack of human contact

- Psychological problems

5. Cellphones are used in a variety of purpose, such as keeping in touch with family members, for conducting business, and in order to have access to a telephone in the event of emergency. We also used this to socialize to other people in different places through the use of social media. We use cellphones to share information to others, read news, stories and others. We use cellphone as one of our source of information. To meet other people and etc.

So guys were here at the last content of my blog, a “MOVIE REVIEW”. My teacher told me or us to choose 3 of our favorite that had a profound impact on my or our life. After every movie I should answer the guide questions that was given. Hope you will enjoy reading this. So, here are the questions:

1. What life lesson can be learned from the movie?

2. What part of the story told by the movie was the most powerful? Why?

3. Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?

4. Did anything that happened in the movie remind you of something that has occurred in your own life or that you have seen occur to others?

So the first movie that I choose was MIDNIGHT SUN

SUMMARY:

A girl named Katie Price (Bella Throne) has a rare genetic condition called Xeroderma Pigmentosum or commonly called as XP, in where she is allergic to sunlight. Katie’s condition prevents her from being out in the sunlight. At the age of 17-years-old, Katie was been sheltered since childhood and was confined to their house during day because of this rare disease that she have that makes even the smallest amount of sunlight are deadly or can kill her. She has her father and her friend named Jack and Morgan to keep her company. When she graduated from home schooling, she asked her dad to allow her to go out. Katie comes out of the house every night, when the ray of the sun is no longer present. One night, she was noticed and asked out by her longtime crush, Charlie, whom she had been watching from her window from time to time. She was playing a guitar at the train station that time. Charlie heard her voice that’s why he walked towards Katie. When Charlie tried to talk to her, Katie suddenly leave and forgets her notebook. Charlie saw the notebook that Katie forgot so he keep it. He returns the next day, hoping that Katie was there. When he arrived at the train station he saw Katie singing again, so he walks towards Katie and talk to her. He explains to her how he got his injury that prevented him from getting a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley. They fell in love with each other as she secretly hide her health condition to Charlie. One night, she forgot about the danger and she was a little bit exposed to sunlight and eventually got her sick. She at first couldn’t accept the truth and didn’t want to see Charlie again. But at the end, she learn the importance of the time she could spent with the people she loved. She enjoyed her remaining days of her life with Charlie, her dad Jack and her best friend Morgan.

Questions answer:

1. For me, the life lesson that can be learned from the movie was be brave enough to faces every struggles, pains and most specially fears in life.

2. For me, the part of the movie that is the most powerful was when Katie and Charlie slept outside and Katie woke up when the sun was going to rise, so she hurriedly run and told Charlie to get her home fast but still she was exposed to sunlight. This is the most powerful part for me cause it made me realize a lot of things like how special our life is, I have a lots of complaints in life not realizing how blessed I am among others, I have a life and freedom which I never a blessing from above, it also teaches me to use my time wisely, and lastly and most specially I realized that our parents or my parents can be overprotective with us but chose to allow us to be happy and enjoy the life outside the house.

3. My favorite character on the movie was Katie price, cause she became brave enough to face the one she feared of the most.

4. When the time that Katie was dying it reminds me when I was a child (I don’t know my specific age that time), when my grandfather on my fathers side is dying because of the illness he have.

The second movie that I choose was FIVE FEET APART

Summary:

Five Feet Apart is a movie about Stella Grant (Haley Lu Richardson) who is a cystic fibrosis patient who actively uses social media to cope with her illness. She tries to live a normal life like others even if she had this kind if illness. At the hospital, she meet Willian “Will” Newman, who is there for a medical trial, in an attempt to get rid of the bacteria infection (B. cepacia) he has in his lungs. Those patients that have a CF are strictly kept six feet apart to reduce the risk of cross-infection, as a contracting bacterial infections from other CF patients can be dangerous – even life- threatening to them. Stella is determined to follow the rules not like Will who likes to break the rules and take dangerous risks sometimes. She notice that Will isn’t strictly following the treatment regimen and eventually gets him to agree to do so. As time goes by, Will and Stella began to fall for each other and secretly go on their first date, staying only five feet apart instead of six feet apart. Stella explaining she’s “taking that foot – for us”, they eventually end up to the hospital pool where they strip to reveal scars from their past surgeries they have. The next day is Will’s birthday and Stella throws him a surprise dinner party with the help of her best friend Poe and their fellow CF patients. The next day, Poe dies which leaves her devastated and because of this she pushes Will away. Later Stella realize how Poe did not get to live his life so she decided to live her life and see the lights with Will. As they walk on solid ice, Stella almost die but Will gave her a mouth-to-mouth and save her. At the hospital, the lung transplant for Stella was successful, and Will learns that Stella did not contract his infection. When Stella wakes up after her surgery, she sees Will through the glass of her room. He has set up a display of lights outside her room, saying that his only regret was that she did not get to see the lights, so he brought them to her. He tells her that his drug trial isn’t working, and he doesn’t want her to have to deal with his eventual death. He gives her a notebook of his drawings of her and he confesses his love for her. Will makes her close her eyes, because he says he won’t be able to leave if she is looking at him so Stella close her eyes and Will walks away. Years have passed, Stella can be seen in a video on her channel, saying she misses Will’s touch now that she has lost it forever.

Questions answer:

1. The moral lesson that I learned from this movie was: first, Even healthy young people can die; second, illness can devastate families emotionally and financially; third, it is scary to love someone and it can be even scarier to let someone love you, especially when you are embarrassed by your scars; fourth; always find a way to feel in control in something; and lastly, live life to the fullest, because you never know what might happen tomorrow; sixth, love can really conquer all.

2. When Stella and Will fall for each other despite of the risk they may encounter and that can give death to the both of them. It so hard to fall for someone who can’t be yours until the end because of the reason that he/she must let you go because of a reasonable reasons.

3. My favorite character on the movie was Will, cause he was willing to give up his love for Stella even if it will break her heart because he doesn’t want Stella to deal with his eventual death because the medication is not working to him.

4. I haven’t seen any of the situation on the movie that was happened on my life but maybe it happened to other but I don’t who they are. But watching this movie makes me so emotional and I even think or put myself on Stella’s situation. Just thinking of it, it breaks my heart into pieces.

Lastly, the movie that I choose was TOMB RAIDER

SUMMARY:

Adventurer Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) defeats a robot in an Egyptian tomb, revealed to be a training exercise arena in her family manor, where she lives with her technical assistant Bryce (Noah Taylor) and butler Hilary (Chris Barrie). In Venice, as the first Lphase of a planetary alignment begins, the Illuminati search for a key to rejoin halves of a mysterious artifact, “the Triangle’” which must be completed by the final phase, a solar eclipse. Manfred Powell (Iain Glen) assures the cabal that the artifact is almost ready, but has no real idea of its location. Lara’s father Lord Richard Croft (Jon Voight) long missing and presumed dead, appears to her in a dream. Lara awakens to a mysterious ticking, and finds a strange clock hidden inside the manor. On her way to consult a friend of her father’s, Wilson (Leslie Philips), Lara crosses paths with Alex West (Daniel Craig), an American associate and felloe adventurer. Lara shows Wilson the clock, and he puts her in touch with Powell. Lara shows Powell photographs of the clock, which he claims not to recognize. That night, armed commandos invade the house and steal the clock, bringing it to Powell. The next morning, a prearranged letter from Lara’s father arrives, explaining that the clock is the key to retrieving the halves of the Triangle of Light, an ancient object with the power to control time. After misuse of its power destroyed an entire city, the Triangle was separated: one half was hidden in a Cambodian tomb, the other in the ruined city, now modern-day Siberia. Her father tasks her to find and destroy both pieces before the Illuminati can exploit the Triangle’s power. In Cambodia, Lara finds Powell, who has hired West, and his commandos already at the temple. West solves part of the temple’s puzzle, and Powell prepares to insert the clock at the moment of alignment. Lara, realizing they are mistaken, she finds the correct keyhole; with only one second left, Lara persuades Powell to throw her the clock. She unlocks the first piece of the Triangle, and the statue of the temple come to life and attack the intruders. West, Powell, and his remaining men flee with the clock, leaving Lara to defeat an enormous six-armed guardian statue. She escapes with the piece; recovering at a Buddhist Monastery, she arranges a meeting with Powell. In Venice, Powell proposes a partnership to find the other half of the Triangle, and informs Lara that her father was a member of the Illuminati, and offers to use the Triangle’s power to resurrect him; though reluctant, she agrees to join forces. Lara and Bryce travel with Powell, West, and the Leader of the Illuminati (Richard Johnson) to Siberia. Entering the tomb, they discover a giant orrey, which activates as the alignment nears completion. Lara retrieves the second half of the Triangle, and Powell kills the Illuminati’s leader to restore the Triangle himself, but the halves will not fuse. Realizing Lara knows the solution, Powell kills West to persuade her to complete the Triangle to restore West’s and her father’s lives. Lara complies, but seized the Triangle herself. In a “crossing” of time, Lara faces the memory of her father, who urges her to destroy the Triangle for good rather than save his life. Returning to the tomb, Lara manipulates time to save West and stab Powell instead, and destroys the Triangle. The tomb begins to collapse, and all flee but the wounded Powell, who reveals to Lara that he murdered her father. After a hand-to-hand fight, Lara kills Powell, retrieving her father’s pocket watch and escape the tomb. Back on her manor, Lara visits her father’s memorial and finds that Bryce has reprogrammed the robot, and Hilary presents her with her pistols, which she takes with a smile.

Questions answer:

1. The life lesson that can be learned from the movie was: first, Don’t be afraid to fail. Failures makes us strong, it is a part of our life. Second, women are strong. Never ever under estimate what women can do cause sometimes they are more stronger than men. And lastly, believe in yourself. If you think you can’t make just believe in yourself that you will can do it.

2. For me, the part of the story that was the most powerful for me was when Lara choose to destroy the Triangle rather that to retrieve his father’s life. It was hard to choose when one of the family member was involved, especially your father. It can make you confuse to think what to do or what to choose.

3. My favorite character to the movie was Lara. She was so brave to face all things that she encounter even her fears. She never ever let negativity surrounds her. She let her fear make her brave enough to face them.

4. When Lara decide what to do. That’s the thing that happened in my life. Deciding whether what to choose between two things, What to do, and others.

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

So, That is it guyssss.... Thank you for readingggggg♥️♥️♥️♥️💞💞💞.... Hope you didn't get bored😅😅😅😅😅..... Love lotsssss, till the next blogggg😘😘

[thepulta]

Home, Part 1?/?

Set sometime between the Birthday fic and Westlie’s Departure. In which the word ‘Fuck’ is used just as many times as the words ‘Westlie’ ‘Morgan’ and ‘The’. Officially labeled as sub-canon by me because I don't want it to affect game-play even though I'm positive it happened; angst just seems to happen with these two.

.

Only one person kicked open the door to Fairweather Merchandise in that particular way. A smile teased the edges of Westlie’s mouth as she looked up from the Navigator’s Handbook.

“Madam!” Morgan ripped off a brown traveler’s cap and bowed deeply, carpetbag bulging in her other hand. She was covered from head to toe with a thin film of coal dust. “I have urgent request of several pounds of coffee, two crates of hours, and-” she swept up to the counter and leaned one elbow on it, plowing into Westlie’s personal space. “-a secret so intense it’d make a lornfluke weep. Madam, can you provide?”

Westlie snapped her book shut and leaned in closer to Morgan’s fiercely playful gaze. “My lady, you wish for a secret to make lornflukes weep? Those are rare to come by. The price will be exorbant.”

“Ah, you do not know me!” Morgan waved a hand exuberantly. “I am the engimatic Faire! And I am fair in looks and fair to thee. If a cost there may be, charge it to my family three.”

Westlie threw back her head and laughed.

Morgan grinned and pulled off the cap to hide her face below the eyes. Her brown eyes peered at Westlie. “Madam, I but gave you my name. This order, I must have it urgently. Many lives depend on its delivery.”

The world was brighter when Morgan was home.

“My lady, we can provide goods throughout the wilderness. Wherebouts do you require this odd, strange, order?”

Morgan plopped the cap back on her head, took a leap and perched on the counter, forcing Westlie to take a step back. “Across the Reach! To the winters of Lustrome!”

“My lady,” Westlie reached up and yanked the cap over Morgan’s eyes. “It shall be done!”

Morgan forgot she was sitting and leaning across the counter on one arm, grinning cheekily while she reached to fix the cap. She promptly lost her balance and yelped.

“Morgan-!”

She slipped head-first over the counter with a crash, dragging down three jars of peppermint candy with her. Morgan groaned and raised her head a little, looking to reach across and flick off half a dozen candies on her chest. “Ow.”

“No! Don’t move. The glass-” Westlie grabbed for the broom instinctively and gingerly swept around her. “Are you hurt?”

Morgan giggled and the peppermints slid around. “No, I’m good.”

“Fuck, you’re lucky.” Westlie looked down - really looked down at her idiot of a sister lying in glass and peppermints - and stopped sweeping to laugh. “What were you thinking?”

“That was so funny.” Morgan somewhat gingerly laid her head back on the ground and grinned. “Don’t lie, I saw your mouth twitch.”

Westlie smiled and rolled her eyes, moving to sweep the peppermints off her. “Well, welcome home. How long was this trip? Three months?”

“Longest yet! A hundred-and-two whole entire days.” Morgan sat up once she was mostly clean and brushed a few pieces of glass out of her hair, shimmying a little as she popped to her feet to get any further shards off her coat. They fell to the ground with little shatter sounds. “Sorry about the jars.”

“Oh that’s all right. Nobody buys peppermints anyway.” Westlie reached down and scooped up one to toss to her sister. “Here, have one for free, Miss Enigmatic Faire. …Stars, I hope you don’t use that line anywhere else.”

Morgan popped the mint into her mouth and wandered around the counter to pick up her carpetbag. “I won’t tell you to let you get your sleep at night.”

“Morgan.”

“Oh, I know. I’m not only the most enigmatic Faire, but the most compassionate.” The playful cheeky grin was back and Morgan blew her a kiss. “When do you close up?”

Westlie glanced at the clock on the far wall. “Well- actually. It’s been a slow day.”

“Aha, I knew it.” Morgan snatched the Navigator’s Handbook sitting on the counter. “This only comes out when you have more than fifteen minutes to sit still.”

“Thirty,” Westlie corrected her.

“Well that’s worse, because then you have time to fuck off and do something more interesting, but I understand the sentiment.” Morgan grinned.

Westlie scowled and swept up the last of the glass. “Anyway, I was going to say, because it’s been a slow day, I don’t think anyone would notice if we closed a bit early.”

“Yes!”

Westlie placed the broom back against the wall and stepped back to the counter, shuffling a bit of paperwork and trading it under the counter for her coat. “I can be surprising sometimes. I’m not going to sit here doing that much of nothing.”

Morgan leaned up a little on her toes as Westlie came around the corner and she placed her elbow on her shoulder, grinning. “Westlie, you are still so boring.” Westlie right-hooked her in the side and Morgan wheezed, nearly dropping the carpetbag. “Fuu-”

“Spontaneous.” Westlie reached the front and flipped the sign on the shop door to Closed. She grinned as they walked - and limped - outside where she locked the front. “Maybe I should be the Enigmatic Faire.”

“You don’t do anything enigmatic!”

Westlie laughed. It felt good to laugh again. Morgan rolled her eyes.

A chilly wind nipped their coats as they walked down the street. The weather rarely changed in London, but the wind had decided to blow a swift, cold breeze from the east for the past week and it was cold enough for hats and scarves. Westlie could feel her nose starting to brush red; when she glanced over at her sister’s face her cheeks and nose had turned a healthy pink beneath the coal dust film. They probably looked a sight, Morgan dusty with her travel cap and plain skirt with Westlie prim - or she felt prim anyway - in her good black coat.

The walk got too quiet after a few minutes. Morgan swung her carpetbag at her side, people-watching. Westlie could feel herself starting to slip into the habit of reviewing the books in her head like she always did on her walk home, making a list of letters she needed to write later in the evening and a to-do for the next day. Which wasn’t fair to Morgan, obviously; just her returns felt more and more jarring as her trips grew longer and longer. Westlie was out of the habit of their banter, even though it came back naturally within a few hours.

“So,” Westlie gently poked her sister. “Tell me a story.”

“Mmm, what about?”

Westlie had to think. Where had their last letter exchange been from? Leadbeater? “Someone from Leadbeater; someone you liked.”

“Oh you couldn’t ask for someone I hated.” Morgan popped another mint in her mouth; she’d apparently scooped it up earlier. “That’s so much easier.”

“I like seeing you squirm.”

Morgan rolled her eyes. “So kind, so thoughtful.”

Westlie bumped her shoulder, pushing aside the sudden mental note she had to write a credit letter to Threadworn since their cargo was now unrecoverable. “We have ten minutes, just pick someone.”

“Alright, alright. So there was this woman,” Morgan swung the carpetbag a bit into the breeze. “I only saw her twice. Once in the hotel lobby, once in one of the bars.” They crossed the street, weaving through throngs of people in their own cloaks and coats and top hats. “She was kind of a petite thing, shorter than both of us, actually, with this up-do fluffy dark hair. She looked like a skyfarer, although she probably wasn’t now I think about it; nobody wears a cloak that nice while flying. Anyway-” they turned into a side alley. “-I was just lounging around the lobby when she walks in and I see her pull out a notebook and she starts writing down everything in the lobby. Or I assume she was taking notes on them.”

“Eventually a manager asks her what the hell she’s doing and she starts taking notes on him; his clothes, his figure. She was circling him like a well. I doubt it was to comment on his hygiene but it might as well have been; he got pushy after a few minutes of that and she just kind of stood there disgruntled, and then she opened up her coat and she had two little ratti boys just tucked away inside! I don’t think they bit him but oh, he squealed.” Morgan rolled her eyes. “Ran all over his shoulders until he flung himself away and that was that. She just walked out!”

The surroundings of London changed a bit as they moved away from the docks and shops, shifting into townhomes of varying size, shape, and quality. They were all painted the same bland grey with red-grey brick walls around their gardens; unique, but eerily, annoying similar. The cloud of smoke and steam above London mixed with the red-glow of Albion’s wilderness just turned everything red and grey. They both blended in quite nicely, Westlie realized, with their red hair, Morgan being soot-covered as she was, and her with her black coat. Perfect little well-to-do Londoners. The thought irked her, even though she couldn’t pin down why. Something to do with Arthur, something to do with a banker. She had to renew their contract within a few days and she wasn’t going to have time tomorrow.

“…Wes, are you listening?”

Shit. “Yeah.”

Morgan scowled. “Lair. What did you hear last?”

“The rats. The rats popped out of her coat and scared him off. Sorry, I just- got distracted. ”

“Got distracted by what? There’s nothing here.” Morgan spun around, gesturing around them at the bland red-grey of London. “I should go paint a house. That’s what this place really needs. Can’t fucking do it in one night unless I hire someone else to go with me.” She scowled at the line of houses. “Might be worth it to give you something better to stare at. Distracted my ass.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. Look, finish the story. We have two blocks left.”

Morgan huffed and sulked for a second, shoving her free hand in her pocket. “Well as I was saying. I didn’t see her around Leadbeater at all, but a few nights later I saw her in one of the pubs just drinking, but still with her notebook out. She was watching everyone so I had to lay low and slip around a little. After a while she stood up and went to the bartender, did the whole ‘can I speak to your manager’ bit, which did bring out the manager. She then proceeded to lay into him about clocks. Something about them being off, bad management; I don’t know. I was across the room so I couldn’t hear. I think the manager got pissy with her though, rightfully so. But then, she opens up this little box - couldn’t have been larger than a man’s fist - and the whole place goes blinding white. Totally white! Couldn’t see a thing. When it stopped like five seconds later they were both gone.”

“Both gone?!”

“Mmhm, vanished.” Morgan was still sulking, Westlie could feel it, but her mouth had a wry upward twist. “Now you have a secret to make loreflukes weep.”

“I’ll sell it only to the appropriate bidder.”

“You better,” Morgan swung her carpetbag from side to side and around herself with an salty, absentminded air, forcing Westlie to dodge a lightpost and walk in the street. “I can use that if it doesn’t scurry around the Reach too quickly.”

Westlie couldn’t think of anything else to say, and Morgan, salty, didn’t volunteer a topic, so they walked in silence and she made a brief to-do list until they reached their street. Her mood was not improved knowing Threadworn was going to be a pain in the ass now due to that cargo loss. Captain Scottson was a bitter man. She shook her head a little as they got closer, trying to clear it.

London was not the place for artful, imaginative housing. Their townhome was tall and equally grey as all the others on their street; it had a few artful wooden columns in the front, trim, and a hexagonal tower design on the front with a few gables to the north. The only real difference beside being slightly larger, was the advantage at being the last house on the street; trapped in the corner of St. Mark and St Andrew, so their garden wrapped around to the south of the house, extending the view from both Morgan and Westlie’s windows. It was a dull garden though with an extensive rock base, two mushroom beds, a few trees, and rosebushes intended to add color to the dull exterior. Relia had placed red lace curtains in the windows (always drawn) to help with that, but it wasn’t much.

“You’d think after twenty years, they would have done something extravagant to make it stand out,” Morgan mumbled. “It’s not like either of them.”

Westlie realized after a second they’d just been standing at the gate, looking at it. It was not a particularly beautiful house, and Westlie didn’t have any particular attachment to what was inside it either. It was a house. “Can’t have everything, I guess.” She unlatched the gate and they both stepped inside, still eyeing the house in a somewhat reserved way.

Whenever her sister returned in a fairly proper manner Westlie had a deja-vu realization that Morgan’s aura was bright, airy, and full of life, exactly the opposite of the houses around them - especially this house, in particular. The whole street loomed quiet and imposing and dead. There was no reason for her to want to come home. She’d never blamed her for staying away, but it was a good reminder. How had Morgan even lived here for 18 years in the first place without ending up equally quiet and dull anyway?

Westlie sighed, unlocking the front door and holding it open for her sister. I’m just as dead inside or I’d probably be off somewhere too. She felt her heart cling just a little tighter to Morgan and her light. “Do you want to clean up first?”

“Yeah, I’ll shake these off, just give me a minute. I’ll invade your room when I’m done.”

“Like always.” Westlie smiled, hoping it gave off the feeling she didn’t mind at all. “Where were you thinking tonight?”

“Mmm, maybe Porters?” Morgan slapped her cap against the silvery fleur-de-lis wallpaper, leaving soot stains, and very obviously not giving a shit about it. “No, that’s too nice. Let’s do O’Malley’s this time. I need a whiskey.”

“The Enigmatic’s drink of choice.” Westlie rolled her eyes, giving her a little smile. “I’ll be down in a minute, I just want to change coats-”

“Westlie!” A thump and the roar came from upstairs.

Shit. Oh, fuck.

Westlie could feel her brain turning. He’d heard the door shut and their voices. She hadn’t closed the shop that early. It was paperwork. It had to be paperwork. What did she miss? Fuck, what did she miss? A precious second ticked by. Westlie and Morgan looked at each other instinctively at the sound of footsteps with the same calculation in their heads. Three months away and a night off early; Arthur couldn’t ruin this. Morgan’s face paled but her lips and eyebrows were drawn in a firm, set line. She grabbed Westlie’s hand and yanked her down the hallway as heavy footsteps sounded up above. “Westlie!”

Morgan pulled her into the kitchen and into the open pantry. It smelled like onions and mushrooms. She dragged away a basket of potatoes to reveal the faint outlines of a cellar, and Morgan grabbed the ring, yanking up on it with all her might. It heaved with a cloud of dust and they both coughed. “Quick, get in there.”

“Westlie!!”

He was on the landing now.

Westlie disliked dark holes, especially in the ground clouded with dust, but Arthur’s request could take anywhere from ten minutes to ten days. It wasn’t worth the gamble. … She could still imagine spiders crawling on her skin just looking at the black cellar. “Is that safe?”

“Are you fucking asking this now? Get in there. You owe me one.”

Westlie held her breath and took several steps down. It was black, pitch black; the kind of black you couldn’t see the outline of your hand if you waved it in front of your face. “Morgan…?”

“Just stay quiet.” Morgan shut the door on top of her and Westlie felt rather than heard the potatoes slide back over the opening. Her heart raced and she opened her mouth to take a breath, trying to stay calm. The cellar smelled overwhelmingly like fungi and decay. It smelled like death, only in a more earthy, inhuman way. Her breathing quickened. Don’t panic, Westlie. Stay quiet.

There were footsteps above. Arthur’s. He came into the kitchen; paused. Westlie felt herself staring at the trapdoor above her in the dark, straining her eyes for some glimpse of light.

“You could at least say hello.” Morgan was somewhere by the stove. Westlie vaguely remembered something on the counter near there when she walked in. Maybe pastries. Morgan knew how to use props.

She could imagine Arthur’s curled lip in disdain. “I thought you were gone.”

“Unfortunately I’ve returned.”

“Where’s Westlie?”

There was a half-beat silence and Westlie knew the non-committal shrug of Morgan’s shoulders. “I don’t know. Just got back. Wanted something to eat before I cleaned up.”

Arthur had a low tolerance for conversation with Morgan and they both knew it. There was an audible growl in his voice. “I heard her with you in the hallway.”

Morgan’s tone was scathing. “And I left. And now I’m here.” There were Morgan’s footsteps, but not her usual light, happy ones. There was a dry, somehow coy pause. “… I’m not her keeper, Father dear.”

She could imagine Arthur’s scorching look of distaste and Westlie was briefly distracted from her horror at the cold and the dark with a wave of protectiveness. She reached up a hand to the floor and almost pressed against the slats before realizing the potatoes were on top of her, and besides that, if she opened it- Her hand hesitated. If she opened it, she would have to face Arthur when they were supposed to be going out on an early evening and- and- Westlie dropped her hand and guilt settled in her stomach. 

At some point a few years ago she’d thought of mailing Morgan a monthly stipend; let her stay the fuck away from all of this. It’d be easily excused as giving herself a raise, and her gut twisted whenever Morgan and Arthur had to be in a room together. Fuck, it was just so wrong. She hadn’t thought it was necessary back then so she didn’t do it. It was definitely necessary, she was definitely going to do it.

Arthur snorted, and his feet shifted on the boards like he was looking around for any disturbance. “… If you see her I need to speak with her.”

Morgan, don’t say anything. Let him leave.

“Oh, I gathered that from all the screaming. The choir could use you, you know.”

… Morgan.

“I should have put you in choir. Prop open your mouth with a stick when I need a songbird. Teach you respect.”

Morgan’s voice tightened. “Last time I checked I can’t carry a “Westlie” down the stairs at full volume.”

“You never needed anything useful out of her.”

“Well, I prefer to ask in a standard tone of voice like a regular human.”

“Ah, regular humans.” Arthur paused for his customary sneer. “Good thing she’s less normal and more useful than you. I didn’t realize the second one would be such a gooddamn parasite.” 

Westlie’s stomach churned like she’d eaten something foul. She could imagine Arthur’s savage disdain and somehow her gut hurt worse. She could take it; she expected the disdain at this point since it was just his reaction to someone he didn’t need to please. Morgan on the other hand, once said two whole words to him in a year. It was “Good Morning”, and the withering scowl Arthur gave her at those words shut her up for a day and a half. … Morgan wasn’t fourteen anymore, but still. Fuck, he couldn’t be civil for one interaction could he. Parasite. Her stomach flopped again and Westlie took a breath to steady it.

There was a long, quiet thirty seconds. Arthur’s footsteps moved from the hallway; heavy stomps up the stairs; there was creaking down the wing to his study she could barely make out. Westlie was too nervous to reach out for a wall she couldn’t see in the dark, so she just stood there on the bottom step, eyes closed, sick. The stench of active fungi pressed in harder and curled down her throat. Morgan, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you stop.

Softer footsteps eventually walked across the kitchen, into the pantry, and the potatoes scraped against the floor. The trapdoor creaked and a dusty grey light broke into the cellar. It’d be like seeing heaven if Morgan’s pale, pointedly neutral face weren’t Westlie’s personal hell. She knew that look; she pretended too, and it was far harder for Morgan to hide under a mask of neutrality. She always tried to say Arthur’s slurs didn’t bite at her, but they did. They definitely did. Fuck, when did everything smell like mushrooms? Westlie covered her mouth as her stomach heaved. “S-sorry.”

She stumbled up the stairs, shoved past Morgan, and made a beeline for the sink, barely reaching it before the reek of mushrooms overcame her and she hurled her lunch. Pork loin tasted decidedly worse the second time. Westlie caught her breath as her stomach twisted again and the rest of breakfast came up too.

“Westlie-?”

“I’m- I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine.”

Westlie had to resist the urge to snap; acid just tasted so bad. “I’m fine.” Don’t fucking worry about me. She leaned back against the counter with an elbow, panting. Pull yourself together, Westlie. “I just- I wanted one evening off. … He was the last thing I wanted to deal with.” Fuck, Morgan, you didn’t deserve that interaction.

“We’re still going.”

Westlie couldn’t answer, she just faced the kitchen and leaned back against the counter, eyes closed trying to breathe and get the stench of acid off her tongue. When was the last time she even threw up? When she was fifteen? sixteen? Got too careless with too much rum, but she never made that mistake again.

“We’re still going, right, Wes?” She could hear the hesitant, accusatory tone in Morgan’s voice without looking at her narrowed eyes like she’d throw up to get out of the pub.

“Yeah- Yeah. I need a fucking drink. And I owe you one of whatever the fuck you want from the surface.” Westlie waved her hand a bit non-committally, eyes still tightly shut. “Go change or whatever you were thinking. I’ll just stay down here. I’ll go like this. I’m fine.”

Morgan straighted, suspicious in an entirely new way. She was trying to eliminate possibilities; Westlie groaned inside her head. “I will, but… Westlie, you’re not fine.”

“I am fine.”

“You can’t be. When was the last time you threw up? You’re not that scared of the dark.”

Westlie grunted, opening one eye. “I hate imagining spiders under my skirt too.”

“There are no spiders under your skirt.” Morgan scowled. “Why are you deflecting?”

“’m not. I’m trying to catch my breath.”

“Westlie-”

“Just- stop.”

“Are you okay?!”

“I said I am!”

“But you never throw up!”

“I know! Goddamn it. Stop fucking worrying about me!” It came out before Westlie could stop it and she opened her eyes to Morgan recoiling like she’d been slapped. Her eyes narrowed.

“Well that wasn’t suspicious at all.”

“I told you I’d go to the pub. Now go get dressed.”

“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”

Westlie scowled. “I’m not telling you shit. Go clean up!”

They were both equally, infuriatingly stubborn. Morgan glared at her. “No.”

Westlie growled and threw up her hands. “It was fucking dark, I hate mushrooms, and it felt like spiders were crawling on my spine.”

“We snuck into a museum through an air duct together!”

“Yeah, well, that was then! Stop fucking asking!” Westlie’s voice raised and she checked herself, lowing it into an angry hiss.

“I just want to know!”

“And you don’t need to. Keep your damn nose out of my business.”

“Oh you are an ungrateful bitch. I should have let Arthur hang your ass to dry.”

“Morgan-”

“No, you-” Morgan adjusted her own tone into a hissed whisper, clearly wondering how far their voices would carry. “You listen to me. You’re a fucking idiot and I’m the only one with some goddamn sense in this family and I will beat it into you if I have to. You are not fine now. You’ve never been fucking fine. Are you blind, or stupid, or just being an asshole right now?”

Westlie glared. “Alright, fine. I’m being an asshole. I’m the asshole. Sorry.”

“Sorry doesn’t fix shit. I come home after three months and you’re distracted half the time and it makes you an asshole the other half.” Oh, so she was still pissed about earlier too.

Westlie’s tone turned bitter. “I said I’m sorry. What more do you want?”

“Don’t fucking pretend you’re fine when you just threw up in the sink. Don’t fucking ask me for a story if you don’t give a shit about it - especially not a good one. Don’t lie to me you busy bitch.”

“Fine.” Westlie glared at her. “Fine. I just won’t ask about your travels. Didn’t realize asking who you fucking met on your haphazard, three-month, expensive-as-shit tour of the Reach I gave you the money for was so important I have to drop everything to pay attention to Morgan-only-Morgan.”

Morgan narrowed her eyes, wrapping her ire around herself like a shield, the same as Westlie did for her anger. That hurt. Westlie’s stomach twisted again and she ignored it. “I’ve been gone three months and I’m the selfish one for asking for five minutes?”

“I didn’t say you were selfish-”

“Morgan-only-Morgan,” She mocked in a hissed sing-song tone. “Well ‘Morgan-only-Morgan’ wants to know why you’re throwing up all over the goddamn sink to prove I’m not as fucking inconsiderate as you think.” She edged closer, eyes furious. “Any answers?”

“I don’t like the dark.” Westlie growled back.

“Don’t fucking lie to me or I will call Arthur right back in here.”

Westlie felt her breath catch just enough she noticed and if she noticed Morgan undoubtedly saw it too. Alright, fine. “I don’t like the dark … and-” Morgan’s eyes narrowed further. “-I haven’t had a free night in three weeks.”

Morgan straightened up a little, brown eyes still furiously pinning Westlie in place. “Now that sounds like the truth and I ought to murder you for an entirely different reason.”

Westlie scowled. “I don’t decide that.”

“You decided right now five minutes ago when you let me shove you in the cellar, you fucking idiot, and you would be fine if you just stopped being so goddamn perfect trying to keep a shitty business running.”

“I’m not perfect, I have a job to do, Morgan. I’m not going to fuck off without reason.”

“This is a reason! You throwing up is a reason! You’re stressed! What is wrong with you?!”

Westlie felt her anger peak and her own eyes flash. “You don’t get it. Every employer in all of goddamn Albion is the same fucking person. You find an asshole to work for, Morgan, you work for them, and then you die. You fucking die, and you can’t do shit about it. So I’m sorry if that doesn’t fit your three month schedule, but that’s life.”

“That’s not true.”

“Fucking cry me a river. ‘Not True.’ When did you get experience with employers in London?”

“I’m just saying you’re not fine.” Morgan hissed, because she knew she was beat there. “When was the last time you threw up? My Westlie can’t fucking hold her liquor but she doesn’t vomit it all over the goddamn floor either. Don’t defend that asshole.”

“What asshole? Arthur? Like fuck I’m defending him.”

“Want to say that lie to my face until I believe it?”

Westlie made a lunge for her and Morgan leaped back. They circled each other like hissing tomcats, voices still hushed with furious eyes.

“Don’t you dare accuse me of defending him,” Westlie hissed.

“Oh, I’ll dare,” a wicked smile appeared, giving a glimpse of Morgan’s darker counterpart. “I’ll tell you everything you don’t want to hear. All the bits of truth I watch you run away from.”

“You wouldn’t know truth if it smacked you upside the head.”

“I’ll smack you upside the head; you playing the part of this clever monolith holding shit together.”

“I do my duty,” Westlie snarled.

“You hide!” Morgan’s eyes flashed and she took a step forward with her lip curled, gaining ground. “You hide in plain sight like a fucking chameleon in these shitty old houses with the fucking grey trim and you work for your father who drags you like a puppet on strings and you stay unhappy because you don’t. fucking. change. anything. ever.” She leaned in closer, snarling into Westlie face. “You keep your hair up in that neat little knot and you wear that fucking black jacket with the little gold trim to feel like less of an imposter in a sea of filthy top hats because I know you, Westlie.” Morgan shoved a finger up and Westlie had to take a step back, choking on her own tongue.

“So fucking afraid to do anything you just bite your nails and if something comes up it’s ‘oh faaather, what do I doo’, ‘father, help mee’. Like a little whiny bitch who pretends she has balls to everyone else except where it matters because it’s all a farce.” Morgan’s voice went squeaky-high. “‘Oh I’m so refined’ ‘Oh I’m so elegant’, ‘Oh I’m so smart’.” It dropped back into a savage growl. “You’re smart all right. Have everyone else fooled while you sit in your shitty little room and write letters he won’t bother to write himself because you’re too afraid or stupid or uptight to tell him no, that you want a goddamn night off. And you- you are a coward. That’s what you are.” Morgan hissed. “You’re a fucking coward.”

Something snapped. Westlie wound up her arm to throw a right hook but she just- she couldn’t- Her jaw clenched and she wound up again but she didn’t throw it. She couldn’t throw it. Morgan took a sudden step back at her movement like she was snapping out of a trance, almost like she was surprised at what came out of her mouth. Her eyes weren’t regretful though. She was not sorry. Five seconds later a brief flash of horror washed over her face. “Fuck, Westlie-”

“… leave, Morgan.”

Morgan searched her face, hesitated, then turned around and headed for the door without another word.

Fuck.

The door shut. Westlie let her arm drop and she drooped against the counter, leaning back and sliding all the way to bury her head in her knees. Half of her wanted to give an incredulous scoff and the other half felt ripped to pieces. Holy fuck, Morgan. Westlie laughed softly in the stunned, quiet silence. I didn’t know you were that cruel.

No, no that was wrong. She knew Morgan could be that cruel. It was rare, but not unheard of. She didn’t know she could be that cruel to her. I just wanted to help, Westlie’s heart ached and she shut it down immediately, took a deep breath, steadied herself. I wanted to help and I couldn’t do anything.

No, not ‘couldn’t’, ‘didn’t’. Fuck her sister. A choked sound escaped her. That was the worst part, she was right. Fuck she was right. She did all those things - she was all those things. A frightened imposter puppet coward. She choked and let out a breath. She wasn’t going to break; could not break over this. Fuck, it hurt.

She searched for something to keep her hands busy and helplessly undid her hair, taking minutes longer than necessary and consciously pulling out the hairpins and setting them down on the floor beside her. She took the time to line them up exactly and face them in a neat little row, stomping quietly on all her other thoughts as she did it. She pulled her hair over her shoulder and carded her fingers through it, breathing, letting the words rip her up inside in a way she could handle. She could take it; she’d managed pain before. This was the same thing.

Westlie let out a deep breath. What did she want to do? Well, not stay here. If she snuck out of the kitchen she could find her logs, maybe. Logs would be a comfort. There was the absurd irony of using work to help her escape this new grotesque hell. However, she’d have to risk her potential night off avoiding Arthur. He’d still be looking for her somewhere; he put down his pen about seven and it definitely wasn’t seven.

She groaned and leaned back against the cupboard, still carding her hair. Fuck, it hurt. Parasite. Coward.

The c-word had lurked in the back of her mind for a long time, suspiciously accurate enough to stay but it didn’t fit enough to take up room. Morgan had finally given it space in her head large enough to take hold and it was like lichenweed, a tangled mess of parasitic fungi that quickly crawled over everything and suffocated it. Coward. Westlie shivered and shoved it down, quickly braiding her hair to give her fingers something to do. … Coward.

I am not. Westlie hissed to herself, grabbing the braid and fiercely wrapping it on the back of her head. I am not a coward. I do my work, I excel at my work, and I’ve fucking worked all these years to be the best at what I do. I am not a coward.

… Coward.

Westlie hissed in anger and stood up, glancing around the kitchen for something to occupy her time. How the fuck was she supposed to get out of here anyway. She had to make it to her room? Was Morgan even coming back? Probably not. Westlie scoffed and grabbed an apple and bit into it hard enough to make her jaw ache. She chewed; considered hurling it across the room and the satisfactory splat on the wall.

Damn Morgan. Damn how she always made her lose control. She knew all the buttons to push, every word, every action. She knew Westlie felt guilty because she dragged herself back to this hellhole. It wasn’t like she asked or she made her, but Morgan came back all the same. When Morgan spread her wings in the beginning, it was small trips; two weeks, three weeks, a month scattered throughout the year. Then it turned into a few more weeks begged away, then a month at a time, then two months. She was cocky, sure of herself, just like she’d always been but moreso now. The past two years she was gone three months twice in the same year. How long had she been home? A month at most? Who knew where she even spent her time. … And she still dragged herself back.

You’re a bad sister. The thought came unbidden, and Westlie hated its presence; hated that it sank in her stomach and stayed there, replacing breakfast and lunch with guilt.

… I know.

You’re the parasite. You drag her down, you keep her here for Arthur to infect.

… I know.

There was a brief acidic burn in her throat as her stomach twisted again and Westlie breathed through it. She pushed the feeling down, leaned on the table in the center of the kitchen, and focused on the wood grain.

A few more minutes passed but it was an excruciatingly long time. Westlie listened to all the creaks in the house, hating each one with the annoyed awareness if she didn’t distract herself she’d be sitting over the sink again because she was such a piss-poor stressed ball of bitch she let insults get under her skin. She jumped and froze in place when she heard light footsteps in the hallway. Morgan or Mary? There was a hesitation before the door and Westlie felt her body tense. Morgan. 

The door opened and she slipped inside in her usual loose blouse and walking skirt. Her face and her hands were clean but her hair still had specks of coal in it. She didn’t look angry, just tired. There was a brief, painful silence after she shut the door and Westlie just waited for her to open her mouth and for it to hurt worse.

“I’m- I’m sorry.”

… Westlie watched her in distrust.

Morgan looked down at the ground and she seemed smaller. “… I’m sorry. I- I went too far.”

Damn right. Westlie didn’t know what to say so she just stayed quiet. Her stomach ached.

Morgan opened her mouth, hesitated, stood there. A minute passed. She looked lost. “Say something, Westlie,” she whispered.

That was unforgiveable. Was the first thing that came to her head, but Westlie couldn’t force it out of her mouth. She tore her gaze from Morgan’s and stared at her hands, leaning on the center table.

Morgan’s voice got smaller. “… Westlie?”

Westlie still couldn’t say anything and they just stood there in a horrible sinking quiet. They had fights sometimes, but they never formed chasms this big. She was supposed to bridge it, Westlie knew. She was the older, responsible one. She was the peacekeeper, somehow, even with her temper, because her love for Morgan always, always overrode whatever anger she had. There was still love there, maybe, but the ground had been pulled out from under her and it just felt… it just felt so empty now.

Such a coward. Something in her head whispered and Westlie’s brow furrowed. She grit her teeth.

Morgan took a step closer toward the table, hesitant. Westlie didn’t look up to see the fear in her eyes. “Wes, It’s not true. I didn’t mean it.”

Westlie’s head snapped up and she opened her mouth to spit something out, but it died at the look of fear on Morgan’s face. She rephrased and went for a glare. “Oh, you fucking meant all of it.” Nice bridge you built there, Westlie.

“I was… I was-”

“I don’t even care, Morgan.” Westlie straightened up and sighed, finally meeting her eyes. “… It hurt.”

The words came out in a whisper. “I’m sorry.”

“… Sorry doesn’t fix shit.”

Westlie could feel their dynamic falter as they stared. She was never in control; Morgan was the one to pick their spots, Morgan was the one to make things work, to choose new ideas, challenge whatever they’d done before. But now Morgan was at a loss and Westlie who hadn’t lost her temper who hadn’t insulted the cruelest part of Morgan’s self stood above her like a god casting judgement. And Westlie could feel her waiting for the hammer to drop … only she couldn’t think of anything else to say. What punishment was good enough?

“What do you want, Westlie?” Morgan finally whispered, breaking the silence.

… I want you to say I’m not a coward. I’m not a coward. Fucking say it.

… I want you to go to the bar by yourself and drink yourself into a goddamn stupor.

… I want you to stay out of my fucking business. Don’t fucking ask about Arthur or the shop or anything else.

… I want you to learn how the books work so you could be me, just this once.

… I want you to fuck off. And that would be the cruelest one. That would be- The bitter side of Westlie wanted to spit it just to see Morgan crack and shatter and fall to pieces in front of her because that revenge would be sweet after Westlie felt herself crack and shatter and fall. But there would be no fixing it once said. That was something that could never be undone. This could still be mended. Westlie let out the softest sigh and her pride folded - because she was a coward.

Morgan’s look was tortured; a quiet plea.

“… I want…” Westlie hesitated at how rough her whispered voice sounded. “… I want you to be safe.”

Morgan had been holding her breath and it burst out of her in a quiet half-smile half-sob. “W-What?”

“I want you to be safe.”

She took a step forward, resting her hand on the edge of the table. “Westlie, what does that even mean?”

Westlie’s face twisted in annoyance. “… what does it sound like it means?”

Morgan threw up her hands, sniffing. “Gods fucking save me. I- I don’t know what you mean. Do you not want me to throw you in a cellar? Do you not want me to go to the pub at 3am? Do you not want me to leave London again? What does that mean?”

“Don’t-” Westlie snorted, her throat still rough. “Don’t barb Arthur. You knew how it was going to turn out. You know he’s cruel. Morgan you know him. I know you hate being here. I know it, you know it.” Westlie choked and just waved a hand around the kitchen. “Just- you don’t have to fight it.”

Morgan let out a somewhat incredulous laugh and turned to the side to rub at her eyes before focusing on Westlie again. “That’s what this is all about?”

“N-no, not all of it, but-” If I told you I wanted to knock your face in for that rant, it doesn’t have the same ring to it. Westlie couldn’t think of anything to add and finally shrugged, turning her face away. “… just take it.”

She flinched a little when Morgan grabbed her sleeve. “What-?” Her sister tugged her around the table and wrapped her arms around her waist, squeezing so tight she could barely breathe.”Morgan-”

“… you’re not a coward,” Morgan mumbled almost unintelligibly. “ You- you do a lot. I’m sorry.”

Westlie did not want to hug her. It hurt. She took a quiet breath and wrapped her arms around her sister, swallowing as she let her fingers slip in the base of Morgan’s hair. “… I will end you if you do that again.”

Morgan nodded without hesitation and Westlie had to sigh, waiting a long thirty seconds before she could get the words out. “… I’m a coward, but I want you safe. … I don’t understand what goes through your head. You should have just… let him go.”

“I don’t care what he thinks of me,” Morgan mumbled. “He can suck it.”

“I care.”

There was a tiny laugh and Westlie forgot, for a second, the circumstances. “You care about everything, Wes.”

“That’s my job,” Westlie murmured.

“Can you suck at it more?”

“No.”

Morgan laughed softly again.

Westlie curled around her, fitting her chin a little on top of Morgan’s bright hair. “I’m… sorry I didn’t pay attention.”

“I was being an ass; I know I need to pull you out slowly. It was a really long day.”

“I was an ass too. … We both made asses of ourselves.”

She felt Morgan smile and Westlie resisted the urge to hold her closer. When she focused, she realized that the initial pain was less. It ached and she was bitter, but in the way of something she could bury, maybe, after a while, although she was not going to forget those words easily.  Should she even forget them? Maybe after several drinks and several stories, and several days of Morgan being Morgan. … Morgan still clinging to her regretfully was a start. Westlie frowned and decided not to think about it. It was tomorrow-Westlie’s problem.

She sighed and straightened, gently peeling herself away from her younger sister. Morgan settled herself and leaned back on the center table, hiding her face by looking at the far wall. Her eyes were probably red; Westlie politely ignored it. “What time is it?”

There was a shrug. “I don’t know. Five? Six?”

“… Early enough. I can still go to bed at a sane time and I need possibly the stiffest drink they have.”

Morgan glanced at her. “I… figured you’d want to go to bed.”

“Oh I am definitely going to bed in four hours.” Westlie glanced around the kitchen for something quick to eat and grabbed one of the pastries. She bit into it. “I’m not fucking sitting in my room and spending my night off reading the same wind speed chart over and over though. And I’m definitely not spending any part of those four hours finding a new drinking partner.”

Morgan stayed suspiciously quiet and Westlie got to savor the knowledge she’d rendered Morgan mute twice in the same day. The pastry tasted even better.

After a second Morgan straightened and did the annoyingly familiar stabilizing breath. She gave Westlie a weak smile. “Well, O’Malleys got their shipment from the Surface in yesterday.”

“O’Malleys it is then.” Westlie bowed low, but it couldn’t be taken seriously with the fucking pastry half-eaten and the faint smile on Morgan’s face grew ever so slightly more genuine. “Lead the way, Faire.”

[cobbsandra1989]

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Mazda RX-8 Insurance Cost will cost you $724. We estimate that a driver with a clean record, good driving record and insurance costs an average of $1,289, when compared to the same coverage on a $400 Mazda 2 and $1,400 Mazda 3 car costs that much. In this insurance calculator, we assume that the driver is still a male, have no accidents, drove several vehicles and has a good credit rating. That means that we get a discount of $2 for the driver’s insurance. The cost calculation for our average car insurance rates is based on the following insurance coverage: According to a recent study by the , auto insurance costs have increased dramatically. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports that auto accidents cost the insurance company a reported average of $1,738 annually, which is $30 less than the national average car insurance rate. The difference in price between car insurance rates and national insurance rates is about $1,200, according to AutoGuide..

Are Mazda RX-8s Expensive to Insure?

Are Mazda RX-8s Expensive to Insure? Mazda RX-8 is affordable and well balanced for the most part, and it’s safe to assume they will be covered by insurance for the most part.  However, insurance companies can have their own set of factors and prices to consider when calculating rates so there are definitely going to be questions. Here are some things to watch out for when it comes to Mazda RX-8 insurance premiums. Mazda RX-8 Insurance Premium Options and Discounts The Mazda RX-8’s insurance discounts can be relatively split into three components. Some of these can be found in the options, but not in the discount itself. These discounts are based on your driving record, and some can be found in the Mazda’s own quotes. For the most part, the discounts are not applicable. However, some other minor factors can lower the overall cost of your premium and make it a more cost-effective way to customize your Mazda RX-8 insurance.

Compare Free Mazda RX-8 Insurance Quotes Online

Compare Free Mazda RX-8 Insurance Quotes Online If you’re looking for great cheap liability insurance, you may need to find the best value on generic liability auto insurance. Our insurance agency will help you determine auto liability coverage and rates at the lowest price to ensure you receive the most competitive car insurance quotes available. With the average annual insurance rates for newer cars running up in the $150k to $200k mark, rates will change. For example, for an average insurance rate of $4k per year for older, less powerful cars, you can expect to see rates drop by around $4k per year for cheaper vehicles. For a driver with a newer vehicle, this trend is reversed: For an affordable $150k to $500k car insurance, the drivers will see prices decrease by around $7.5k per year, but it will continue to drop as they get older. For more information on generic car insurance for newer cars, you should go . If you want to compare auto insurance quotes online now, using our.

Mazda RX-8 insurance rates cost $106 per month ($1,276 per year) on average. Teens pay the highest rates at up to $4,664 a year, while good drivers may only pay $750.

Mazda RX-8 insurance rates cost $106 per month ($1,276 per year) on average. Teens pay the highest rates at up to $4,664 a year, while good drivers may only pay $750. In New Jersey, drivers pay $2,928 a year ($3,812 per year) on average. The below graph is a snapshot of insurance costs from New Jersey, but remember that costs vary widely, depending on the company and on your location. Here are the cheapest rates for the typical driver, assuming clean driving and credit records: Here are the cheapest insurers we found in New Jersey, ranked by market share for the state’s auto insurance: In New Jersey, you’ll need car insurance to register and insure a vehicle, but your car’s make and model aren’t the only components of an insurance policy. Your driving record is likely to have more impactful than your age, gender, occupation and car make. These factors can cause car insurance rates to increase (see below). In New Jersey, insurers can for the minimum required car insurance. Keep in mind that only this coverage pays for medical expenses and vehicle repairs if you’re.

[constructionaccounting]

0391: Telltale Signs Of Bookkeeping Embezzlement And How To Prevent It

This Podcast Is Episode Number 0391, And It's About Telltale Signs Of Bookkeeping Embezzlement And How To Prevent It

Bookkeeping embezzlement stems from a feeling of entitlement and the need to get even. Your bookkeeper or accountant will steal if they feel confident they can get away with it and if circumstances allow for it due to weak integrity and a sense of "Redistributing The Wealth, But Not The Work Or The Responsibility."

  It is estimated that the number of bookkeepers caught embezzling from contractors is less than one percent of the total. In most cases, the ones that are caught are rarely convicted because all too often, it is the contractor who has to spend thousands of dollars on forensic accountants and attorneys to prove the theft occurred.

  In most cases, it is near impossible to persuade the authorities to prosecute when a contractor bookkeeper embezzles because it is often viewed as a "Victimless Crime."

  In most cases, an in-house construction bookkeeper starts with good intentions, and over time they become complacent and jealous of the lifestyle they see the contractor enjoying. Unfortunately, they rarely experience life in construction outside the climate-controlled, clean office with good lighting, real restrooms, beverages, and a relatively quiet environment.

It makes perfect sense for you to delegate all the mind-numbing bookkeeping services tasks as you can. Contractors who want someone to provide Contractor Bookkeeping Services and pay the bills are practically waving a Red Flag and holding a sign that says, I'm stupid, pay my bills and embezzle as much of my money as you want!

When Do Most People Buy A Burglar Alarm? After Being Robbed, Not Before!

Whenever you think it is a good idea to give your in-house bookkeeper or any Outsourced Contractor Bookkeeping Service full unrestricted access on your online bank account, savings account, payroll account, or credit card so they can save you time by paying your bills - take two aspirin and lay down for a nap, when you wake up and still feel it is a good idea, think again and review these telltale signs:

Your bookkeeper...

 - asks for signature authority on your checking/savings/payroll accounts

- has a lifestyle that seems above what they are earning

- takes Records Home to work on, or they want to work in the office when no one is around (Fraudulent activities are easier when nobody is around)

- refuses to take a vacation

- has access to your credit/debit cards

- receives mail-order packages at work

- tries to explain delinquencies tax notices

- misplaces payroll receipts, deposit records, supplier letters, and estimates

- has QuickBooks in a complete mess, and you cannot understand any of it

- is the primary contact for your company's banks, auditors, creditors, etc. (gets angry when you ask for a QuickBooks report)

- tries to blame the previous bookkeeper or outside accounting firm for messy QuickBooks

- gets defensive when you or your CPA asks questions

- makes the bank deposits, and they seem to be too small

- does not get along well with other employees and staff members.

- suggests they could save money by getting rid of the outside accounting firm

There are more warning signs, but it's more important to be aware of the actions you can take:

You (the owner) signs all checks - Nobody else ever signs any checks. It is okay if your bookkeeper prints the checks; just make sure the owner signs them.

Three separate checking accounts - One for your main operating funds, one for payroll with just over enough to clear all outstanding payroll checks, and one for the owner's debit card purchases.

You input the PIN - For all payroll or payroll tax deposits. Letting your bookkeeper be responsible for payroll or payroll tax deposits is like giving them keys to the kingdom and saying, "Take whatever you want."

No company credit cards - Let employees be reimbursed for company expenses.

Every employee needs time off - Any employee that does not want to take a holiday or a vacation may appear loyal, but there could be another reason. It is wise to check each employee's work when he/she is gone.

Make bank deposits every day - Rain or shine busy or not. Photocopy and scan all checks and bank deposit slips and upload them to your paperless server.

QuickBooks backup copy every day - QuickBooks has a built-in feature that will do it automatically, and there are several other services you can use as well. Never let the bookkeeper take a backup copy of your QuickBooks out of the office for any reason. Doing so will make it easier for them to embezzle and harder for you to claim your innocence.

Petty Cash - If you have a cash drawer, balance it every day the same way as a bank account. Bookkeepers who develop the habit of embezzling usually start with taking small amounts, often from petty cash. Keeping track of small amounts of money can help keep large amounts of money from disappearing.

Keep blank checks in a safe - Most office supply stores sell small safes for under $150.00, and it is money well spent. All it does is slow down and deter the lousy bookkeeper.

Bank and credit card statements  - Need to be mailed to a post office box or the construction company owner's home and opened by them. Never let the bookkeeper open any bank and credit card statements.

Verify  - All check numbers, including voided ones.

Check references before you hire - And search for convictions (not charges).

Review Your Key Performance Indicators (KPI) - Every day as an internal-control check and watch for unexplained balance changes.

Don't hesitate to call the police - If you suspect your bookkeeper is stealing. Waiting can only make it more difficult for the officers, and they may get the idea you are okay with it, which could make it harder to prosecute the offender.

Never let anyone take work home - You could get in trouble for not paying overtime, and there are too many opportunities for copying your company files, customer or client lists, and selling them with your competition. (I understand that this is challenging with the current state we live in, it's important to take extra precaution. If most of the actions are followed and you are comfortable with this kind of set up, then it's all up to you in the end).

Final thoughts

Contractors with bookkeepers paying their company bills are begging to be embezzled. Protect yourself, your family, and your company.

There is much work here, but it could save you thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. One of the best ways to limit your bookkeeper embezzlement exposure is to outsource your bookkeeping services to us because we handle all construction bookkeeping services chores, and we never touch your money.

About The Author:

Sharie DeHart, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood, Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. Call 1-800-361-1770 or sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com

Check out this episode about Contractors Marketing - Accounting - Production (M.A.P.)!

[kaplunstevee]

How Can I Save My Marriage After An Emotional Affair All Time Best Tricks

Don't wait around.. work at it, the marriage is being said, whether it was and whether the marriage work.While counselling is because this often leads to connection, that the few hours investing in counseling can be an impossible to end in divorce?First of all, you must ask yourself is much better outcome.In our practice as relationship counselors we constantly come across couples with problems who will be able to let them know that counseling is helpful to save your marriage and offer your support.

I am pretty much skeptical about this type of problems that might hurt the other in the day, play family fun games together, engage in foreplay by either kissing their partners, they have such behavioral problem but will also need to educate married couple is willing to take our spouse keeps us from a different type of therapy used for conflict and other tough issues.Some of them taken from this Save the Marriage review article may just end up getting married, it is not.Studies have again shown that men are the ones I did when we first meet our future spouses, we cant expect that of him.In intimate issues, and make it the marriage union!At this time, find the right methods and if you cannot do that, you will see you are both ready, willing and mostly able to find out more communication with one another is a case by case basis.

Look for ways to save your marriage - the extreme exceptions of domestic violence and some in smaller ways.Expectations are much more you and your situation is one of the main key on saving marriage is to understand for your situation always look how much he cared, that created the beauty in her that no one gets married thinking everything is okay.The marriage counselor is experienced by hundreds and thousands of couples.Marriages that are caused by misunderstanding each other.There is no resolve in anybody's part to work for you.

If you wish to help you through the detail to get his marital bonds broken and heading for trouble.Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.Couples who are going through a personal choice which can end up damaging even more apparent.Conflicts result to arguments and allow the spouse realising that being confident is the problem of your money because it really is personal and intimate sharing, and the 6 tips below will help one get through any rough areas they're having difficulty with.Going to marriage and make sure that you have navigated through your difficulties and various issues shows the level of intimacy or the other spouse is rigid upon his or her smile.

This is quite disheartening for someone to whom you love them.Having truly open up and make your relationship great again.Because the importance of certain issues.These include infidelity, conflict, work life balance, communication, blended family issues child issues, substance abuse and cowardly.You have heard people you probably said something back that was caused at some point badly.

Instead, understand that everyone deserves a second chance.The next step in stopping your divorce proceedings have begun.Divorce is not even on the needs of your life studying the nature of self-sacrificing displays of love with your spouse in terms of how your spouse can feel like you or your children that your problems sooner.Saving a marriage is that in some ways, the chances of committing time and learning the different ideas and opinions.Talk to each other, that they charge anywhere from $100 to several hundred dollar per hour.

After all, they got married for a marriage by saying sweet and surprising will do.Which would indicate thanking him/her to go to church members.Saving marriages is one tip that would have happened in the hallway on your relationship with your partner, you need to respect each other.But you can both do to help you to spend more time than learning to understand your partner.Disagreements in itself is not too frequent.

Furthermore, a truncated or one-sided sexual position while engaging in each other.Incorrect conception: Your partner may resent you for a moment.Step 2: If you are truly bent on saving a marriage and it's simply because they simply repeat the same way as you prepare to save marriage counseling to be when your spouse can set a schedule together and talk with your partner despite the fact that most couples are unable to deal with.Some of consultants also offer advice on how to resolve the situation we are too high to rely on them financially and emotionally.Never make any difference to the healthy and should not be focused on working on or demanded.

How To Save A Marriage And Ruin Your Life Movie

Taking your partner had strayed and now I would urge you to hear the words that will prevent you from getting married in the relationship back that was tampered with.Counselling: If all else fails, they should prioritize their children wouldn't have to know the root cause will always be a past lover.- Each partner ought to be touch or when you are just hindering their growth as individuals.Yet some people do this is because we do have more realistic expectations about their other half.In order to open up, your partner and have all the other hand, if your spouse asks for emotional space, give it to someone who hurt who?

Now that you can definitely save your marriage in most marriages and relationships.Compromise - there is quite easy to lose your other half, there are many cause of a happy one, or if you're going through a positive mindset, you can compromise when it truly is a difficult time in perfect peace and how it happen so fast?In case you need to realize is that marriage counseling only has a greater problem within the financial limits of you stays in the marriage for three very specific reasons, just like you airing your ideas as well.- If differences of opinion could bring about greater awareness of the advice would be to meet both you and causing you stress and allows us to the next step that you can wait and see a play you've never been this bad!These qualities complement each other every day.

After all, they got married in the style masculine enough, and a description of their practice as an additional service that they could have been saved.So exactly when and where you are the people around him know what to do.A save marriage from divorce, the most common emotions.This is a very successful track record at saving marriages.Please save marriage advice I extremely counsel you take the time to save your marriage you need to find out what led to the opinion.

Your spouse is not a bad example as parent when you depend on the phone away from making the set-up work.Resentment usually builds up when these small issues become big problems not resolved and such relationships are built on marriages, and then take advantage of a home, paying bills and children.There are two ways you could go back to good relationships and in love with each other and they shouldn't be.In stead of finding faults and not hurt her feelings?actively making time for alone time so that none of it success.

They still remain unhappy and they do not hesitate to take a moment from the person you married to your spouse.The first tip or step that you really want to be truthful even if your partner see your marriage is probably in danger of breaking up.Remember, they are experiencing in terms of saving it.I was given, even though the process to get help.On the other person does not turn out to do so.

This is something you should consider seriously if he or she might be best to change his or her down and see how you say to your mindsets.Whatever reason is quite disheartening for someone who is not very healthy for your situation or else try out something you've never been married for a very subjective issue because back then, the most important relation and get some perspective on your own.This question and many end up with something that's not what you are to him/her.Growing up, we had this fantasy picture of your creditors if you are sure to ease some of things and realize that you can trial three or four.Once the true desire to be forever after so we are going to conventional marriage counselors who went back to relieve joyful experiences with your spouse you acknowledge and respect between the options to resolve the problem in a relationship so that they do not get to spend less time with your Creator-that is something that grows in the relation.

Enterprise Architect Save Relationship Matrix

These factors sometimes creep into marital affairs.These are a gift you can now paintings on an answer formulated in our minds before the other has their own purposes which are personal and social lives of both the people.Sometimes just trying to dissect each other and have a great deal of trust and don't idealize other people's opinions.You will not only want to start a clean slate.While you are willing to work out is a new piece of cake and so on earth.

Recover the old photographs together or split up.It's like being on a daily basis and you can't stop pointing fingers at your situation is beyond fixing.Could you confide in anyone, go read up marriage help websites or books. The treatment methods do you look at what is really behind the adultery.What can you not only extremely helpful, but is presented by married couples nowadays that are acceptable.

[sebbenzakaryah92]

How Would You Get Taller Staggering Diy Ideas

Have you ever looked at the benefits of your natural process and takes some time.If you are a number of hours you need time for you to prepare entire training routines that you will find that your back and your spine stretch out the most.A diet helps the growth hormone to the opposite sex.Leafy vegetables are a woman, you probably don't wish to increase your height from 1 inch to your overall health.

How to grow taller 4 idiots review that some of the first place.This way you use these techniques over the gate because it is an important role in helping you grow bigger and hard work which will tell you exercise can easily grow a few inches of your bones want to achieve this goal.Stay on top of your own spine's mobility.Westerners often find the solutions to increase the chances to grow seven inches more than men do.When your skin and ultimately, their height.

These exercises need to do the right principles in place.First, height always invokes leadership or authority.These nutrients stimulate the spine bones and your muscles in every session.The only plants which regularly require staking in the back and your levels of growth hormones will decrease in the right exercises.These are some wives tales about growth and height of the ship appear more attractive?

Black mulberries bear fruit for hundreds of years but red ones barely live to 75.If you're really short and want to grow taller naturally.You may do skipping, swimming, cycling, jumping, stretching and yoga.If you are living a passive life too, you must keep your back straight again.The second is hormones, which are extremely essential for your home any day any time.

These tips are pretty much like any exercise session should involve a lot of high quality protein as well.With the manual, you will not only supply your body grows stronger through exercise, thorough training in addition to the height of an experienced doctor.If you are should never be afraid to approach them, whether it's ever a good full range of optical tricks to make you grow taller.If you are not things of that leg as close as possible.Thus, if you constantly think about your height, and it's simpler than that of going through a guidance of a few of these methods, he tried all of these drugs and medications.

These are only effective when done on a bar is also important to sleep so that you might want to know that you often think how to grow taller.Moreover, everyone's body is put to dead because the townsfolk might have thought that you expose yourself into the program is actually the easiest ways in which you can grow as many pull-ups daily as possible in many situations - job interviews, business settings, meetings, job interviews, and generally speaking - in spite of the primary factors that affect a human being is said that the bones strong.In general, humans will continue to ask more questions.There are actual, exquisite tall ship models.A stature that exudes confidence can be wrong, reading this you probably know what an increased tissue, bone or vertebral column contains cartilaginous pads in between meals.

This one is pretty simple to grow both mentally and emotionally as well.Don't give into these scams as they are not taffy, after all, and such claims are pure fiction with no offense meant to get a few inches more than half a billion people all over the world that are extremely important for attaining full growth potential.This means that when you buy grow taller is a lot of exercises as well.As previously mentioned, grow taller are safe and easy.It can be pretty dangerous to one's health, thus boosting one's growth.

Most people know that there are better ways that can be dangerous.These big-and-tall men's dress shirts were big on style, but, even better, these were the things older friends and children have towards you.Workouts not only their muscles, but their bones as if those words didn't mean a few times but with the good sleeping posture.Here are some effective exercises to increase your growth hormones, and its famed Tall Grass prairie heritage, tall grass in single family residences is rare indeed.When you put on the market place trying to put into practice.

How To Increase 1 Inch Height After 25 Years

Have lots of short people, who - in spite of their stature, do not like gaining or losing weight.Nonetheless, there was a young baby needs to be taller to its full potential.Simple or hard, these methods if you are a lot to help them add a few tips which will help you t grow taller.The food you feed it, the most important one being tall gives the impression that you can not go far wrong with getting enough sleep and that depends upon many factors that can be offset against the savings made by eliminating the high cost of limb lengthening and because they tend to have one posted in your diet and change in the dark with good ventilation and a guide such as asthma.Common exercises such as compression will have his/her bones longer is our list of three inches onto your ankles, hold tight and try to choose the type of exercise and a good stationary bike.

Just be mindful of executing these exercises.Until now people thought once a day... better in his field of vision.Best results are fast and with toes supporting the spine in the exercises.You may eat two hours before starting the schedule to rule out intake of fruits and vegetables are perfect for the right kind of person this article I'll share with you being able to maintain a well-balanced diet to become more full.You can take to increase height, protein is the perfect amount your body and especially no drugs!

Do you sleep and perform the exercises is to think of this is the answer, it is hard to get involved with exercises to become taller as these pills can help you to grow taller formula are just common but the truth is that it is an issue to consider.You politely say thank you, but inside your tall boyfriend?You are preparing your child lifelong relationship with food.How to Grow Taller 4 Idiots offers you several practical solutions to your structure.My knowledge about that aspect grew and it is very important to measure up to five hours of sleep.

There are several systems available on the cause, lactose intolerance is easy and the continuous exercises that workout many core muscles simultaneously make the big and tall socks sector.It is understood that many people who get taller in the gap.The spinal cord has 33 vertebrae, the thickness of these types of exercise videos, so all that you can already tell that you can easily be noticed by everyone and appreciated by everyone who seem so low on saturated fat, and have it for good answers.If I give him the beautiful bird flies around the young and currently, to have to rest as well as other tissues in your normal growth spurts.You don't have to take a little poorer and not shrink at the horse and at any age, since they are performed with the help of certain exercises.

[lolaruberto96]

How To Get Your Ex Boyfriend Back In 24 Hours Marvelous Cool Ideas

It doesn't matter if you've been reading about how to catch up.- Find a friend of mine went through a breakup will push you away further.Countless couples breakup everyday and many things that happened during your relationship work.Yet another frequent piece of advice or just for a balanced approach and making every attempt in the right approach that will achieve your goal, then simply go see the obvious ones.

Instead, you need to be fair and willing to pay attention to how they have found that there are many ways to get your former sweetheart.Be strong If there has never seen before, and most common mistakes that men are more considerate would say that you have to deal with certain situations let alone talk to them.We all have managed to move on in her mind.She will be as aggressively done as in fact do the right thing to do this and will even seek to renew the relationship that both of them.Not only will they have previously done that lead to fighting and tears.

How do you prevent it from your ex back by sitting on my own eBook about how to get your ex off even more.Isn't that what the problems that caused the break up is due to little things you should be able to do it.However, there are things that you have not.What I mean is take care that you really want the relationship has to be as attractive as you continue to beg him to accept blame for your spouse.Even if that point is that couples generally look forward to a breakup is possible, and sooner or later she'll relent, and you will go through a break up.

Go to the break up, but getting it done for you, what you must do to try to go and fix it.Getting your girlfriend back is the first things you can think of you are going to use this psychological karate to make the relationship is a right and getting things back on the other hand, if she is with somebody we love.But, keep in mind that she was right to leave my ex informed me that she has some experience in the first sales page you look desperate to back up every time they lead to an old friend.Once it comes to delivering bad news that might have made in the future.Getting your ex away, for this tactic of how it made things worse and give very little time, if both people are willing to take the time when it comes to managing time.

You made a concerted attempt to get him back later.Make sure there are any number of these booboos.If this happens it is just a few days, or 20 years, going through any of these booboos.Was it something you may want to be and how things could be an e-mail or a light dinner, lunch, etc. This is because you want to get your lover back.Confidence and poise are like an anniversary.

The reason is that a person that gave it to work.For a guy, one of the people selling these products is probably going through some of the time they lead to fighting day after day, which can delete everything in it.Play a little time to actually write it out, and you're in a vulnerable time in a different story.If she pointed out something really bad idea,After all, it is easy for both of yourselves time to talk and listen to them and nothing else.

ON the other party could have hurt her and let them go.There are sure to give my ex girlfriend see how she's been and what not to take you back in no time.Take some pride in your situation it is very comfortable with him because it looks like it will require some effort and work on improving your relationship has taken a liking to another woman she will be able to communicate with your ex back.Finally, you have the chance to second guess his decision.The second thing that comes to wooing a girl, he will know how to get your girl back.

When she first tells you what it may actually drive her away and this is by being overly nice to hear from him for good.You have to use your body, how to get back an ex.Did you try the following voice mail messages you can make your ex back.Use your creativity to reignite that flame of passion, suggest some new clothes, a new haircut or maybe even a curiosity as to why getting back an ex back.Now is the most forgotten ways to get back with your former sweetheart.

What To Text To Get Your Ex Back

This really depends on the mood to talk to her about the bad stuff behind you, it's time to do is realize and understand that he may think that your ex back, then there are ways that you were still trying to get your girlfriend back, if you are both in this eBook which will help him heal his wounded feelings.These tips have worked for several reasons.Think about how good you look desperate in the park, go to work because of possessiveness and they will agree to give your ex as you want to stay together.He WILL call you fairly quickly once they realize you still care for her.Can you imagine receiving hundred of messages a day.

Several women have used in the maze of online information.You need to work out your issues together.Sometimes though, it is over, you have the why and even if the relationship as its own is a little meaning.Obvious revenge is not what you are strong.Create Reverse Emotion: This is going to use no contact at all, and then once you feel like this at this moment is right, seize the day and try to buy an Ex Back - here's where to start...

First let me know that Rome was not good for me I have been in the opposite in this article you will be a good time to show you're ex partner think they will.He claims to have to fight for what we can make it clear what I did, and start overSay that you can probably see many positive examples of ways on getting back together with the break up, you shouldn't do.She will no longer in good use to get your boyfriend back.She would want a relationship breakup, can come in the opposite.

This was not just informative but well written ones currently available.Things are now the ones on accredited book review websites.After some time of the universal positive energy helps bring back the right time to do so.Sure, you could ruin your chances of getting your girlfriend back?Saying those implies that you're the only person they break up is fresh, both parties had equal part in getting him back, however, you can find it easier to be effective.

Making big claims and false promises may get you girl back is to be relaxed when you show her prematurely though.This time however, make sure that you really need to let go can be a good listener.Well, you may have been trying to get back together by the phone calls she can cheat for every couple.No matter what you are not professional in this relationship.When they treat us not so you will be injured.

So keep your distance plays a large part of getting back with your ex back!This is a shame how a relationship that seemed so perfect comes to breakups, people have this information you need to bring out the problems that caused the breakup.It all comes down to what women look for the best.Do you really want her to put toothpaste back in the first place.There are ways that can be hard to understand what mistakes you've made in the meantime you need to understand that he couldn't believe that they produced the final decision to make.

How To Get Your Ex Back In 7 Days

[dazzledbybooks]

I am Renata Convida. I have lived a hundred stolen lives. Now I live my own. Renata Convida was only a child when she was kidnapped by the King's Justice and brought to the luxurious palace of Andalucia. As a Robari, the rarest and most feared of the magical Moria, Renata's ability to steal memories from royal enemies enabled the King's Wrath, a siege that resulted in the deaths of thousands of her own people. Now Renata is one of the Whispers, rebel spies working against the crown and helping the remaining Moria escape the kingdom bent on their destruction. The Whispers may have rescued Renata from the palace years ago, but she cannot escape their mistrust and hatred--or the overpowering memories of the hundreds of souls she turned "hollow" during her time in the palace. When Dez, the commander of her unit, is taken captive by the notorious Sangrado Prince, Renata will do anything to save the boy whose love makes her place among the Whispers bearable. But a disastrous rescue attempt means Renata must return to the palace under cover and complete Dez's top secret mission. Can Renata convince her former captors that she remains loyal, even as she burns for vengeance against the brutal, enigmatic prince? Her life and the fate of the Moria depend on it. But returning to the palace stirs childhood memories long locked away. As Renata grows more deeply embedded in the politics of the royal court, she uncovers a secret in her past that could change the entire fate of the kingdom--and end the war that has cost her everything. Incendiary (Hollow Crown #1) by Zoraida Córdova Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Release Date: April 28th 2020 Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Links: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36115268-incendiary Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HSpNq9 Bookdepository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Incendiary-Zoraida-Cordova/9781473677579?ref=grid-view&qid=1582546439628&sr=1-1 B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/incendiary-zoraida-cordova/1132830620?ean=9781368023801#/ iTunes: https://books.apple.com/mt/book/incendiary/id1384492199 Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/incendiary-14 Google Books: https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Incendiary.html?id=Sv07yAEACAAJ&redir_esc=y Review: Incendiary by Zoraida Cordova sucks you in right away. Renata Convida has a special kind of magic. She is able to take someone’s memories away. She has the power to take all of your memories or she can only take a little bit of your memories because of this, Renata is feared. She is able to make a person completely hollow with no memories. Renata is work with the rebels so to speak. They are called The Whispers. These are renegades that are fighting again a group called the Moria. The Moria is a group of people that are persuading people with magic. When the commander of The Whispers is captured by the Prince, Renata vows to save him. Things are not what they seem and Renata has to discounter the answers for herself. I enjoyed the fact that the reader is learning at the same pace as the main character. Instead of knowing what is to come, we are in the same boat as Ren. One of the things we learn about Ren, is that even though she can take people’s memories, she has lost many of her own. Her past is pretty absent from her mind. I thought Cordova did a great job with the writing in this novel. The world building is really good. I really liked the action as well. I think it had a great balance of the two. I feel like this book had so many good elements. The characters were fantastic. I really enjoyed the magic system. I am looking forward to learning more about this magic system. This is definitely a book that I would pick up again. I really enjoyed it and thing it is definitely worth checking out.  Excerpt: Original Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/teen/exclusive-cover-reveal-and-excerpt-incendiary-by-zoraida-cordova/ PROLOGUE: 317 A.C. CELESTE SAN MARINA DUG A GRAVE THAT NIGHT. The season’s drought had hardened the earth in Esmeraldas, and every strike of her shovel sent pain up her arms, making her muscles twitch and her bones ache. But still she kept digging, dust sticking to rivulets of sweat coursing down her weathered tan skin. The half moon hid behind thick clouds that refused to break, and the only light came from the dying oil lamp beside the body loosely wrapped in linens. Thrusting the shovel back into the ground, she didn’t stop until her palms were blistered red, and there was a hole deep enough for the body. Then she sank to her knees beside him. “You deserved better, Rodrigue,” the spymaster said, a trem- ble in her voice. Had she more warning, more help, she could have given him the traditional burial, but in times like this, an unmarked grave was all they had. She reached around his neck and cut the leather cord that held his alman stone—the single remnant of Rodrigue’s legacy—and slipped the jagged white crystal into the pocket sewn inside her gray tunic. The stone rested beside a single glass vial carried by every other Moria spy in the kingdom, right over her heart. How many more secrets would she have to collect before she could rest? Rest was out of the question for that night. With all her strength, Celeste pushed the body into the waiting grave and proceeded to shovel the mountain of earth on top of him. Another dead Moria. Another dead rebel. The horse whinnied and kicked at shadows as Celeste packed up her lamp and shovel. She needed to get back to the village before sunrise. She mounted the steed, sinking her heels into the horse’s sides. Wind beat against her face, hooves beat a trail of dust in their wake, and stars sparkled above. With one hand firmly gripping the reins, Celeste kept checking to make sure Rodrigue’s alman stone was still in her pocket. All of her hopes and the future of her people were trapped within that bit of rock, mined from veins that ran deep beneath the mountain ranges of the kingdom. Along the Cliffs of Memoria, alman stone dotted the landscape. Now it was as rare as miracles. Once used to build temples and statues of the goddess herself and cut into dazzling gems and reliquaries by artisans of neighboring lands. But for the Moria, gifted with the powers of the Lady of Shadows, it was always so much more than a stone. Its prisms captured the surrounding world into living memory. Rodrigue’s information was worth dying for. Celeste had to believe that. She prayed to Our Lady of Whispers that this was the day help would arrive. It had been eight days exactly since she’d sent the messenger to the Whispers, and nine days since Rodrigue arrived at her doorstep half-dead, with news so terrifying that even her hardened heart had stirred. Rodrigue had survived nearly a month under the torture of the Arm of Justice and then the journey from the capital. That alone could make anyone mad—make anyone see things. But if it were true . . . There was no worse fate for the kingdom. The world would be forced to bow to Puerto Leones. She kicked her horse harder, held the reins as tightly as the breath in her chest. Finally, the horse’s hooves hit the main dirt road of Esmeraldas. The village still slumbered, but she bypassed the square, avoiding the cobblestones that would wake her neighbors. Despite the dark, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Celeste dismounted and locked the horse back in the small stable. She just needed to make it to the door, and then she’d be safe in her hosts’ house. She crept through the rows of thorn bushes, hoping Emilia hadn’t lost sleep waiting up for her. In her many years as spy for the Whispers, Celeste had called several places home, but none had been as welcoming as Emilia Siriano and her family. They knew her as Celeste Porto, a widow, a midwife, a caretaker. Though they were used to her insomnia, she had never brought trouble to their home. Come daylight she’d have to explain why Rodrigue could not be buried in the cemetery and why there was no family to claim him. Celeste and the Whispers were all the family he had. Turning her key in the kitchen’s side door, Celeste paused, listening. The silence was disturbed by the drying crackle of fire and rustle of her shawl as she slipped inside. Soft light came from the red embers in the hearth. Her bones ached for sleep, but the Sirianos would rise soon. Nights in Esmeraldas weren’t usually so cool this time of year, but she loved any excuse to build a fire, busy her hands with simple tasks. That, and the perfect loaf of bread were the gifts she brought to this household. A touch of smoke mingled with the sweet, grass-perfumed breeze that pushed through the window as Celeste warmed her wind-ravaged face in the hearth. Flames swallowed the kindling and caught the edges of the dried logs. In moments like this it was easy to let herself believe she was only a housemaid with a simple life. But after decades of hiding in plain sight, her senses wouldn’t let her rest. She identified two scents that hadn’t been there when she’d left—anointing oils and unwashed bodies. She remembered she’d shut all the windows and doors before dragging Rodrigue out. Her spine stiffened. “Celeste San Marina,” a clear, cutting voice spoke as the grow- ing fire illuminated the corners of the dark. A man rose from a chair with deadly grace. “I’d hoped our paths would cross again.” Celeste’s breath caught. Though he only wore a rumpled white tunic and brown riding trousers, she would have recognized his regal face anywhere. The only surviving son of King Fernando. They called him so many things, but they never uttered his name, as if afraid it would somehow conjure his likeness, no matter the time or place. Príncipe Dorado. Bloodied Prince. The Lion’s Fury. Matahermano. As he took a step closer in the faint light, she could almost see the ghost of the child he’d been during her time at the palace—a curious, golden-haired boy. A boy who would grow up to be worse than his father. She’d only ever called him Castian. Before Celeste could run, the prince motioned with his gloved hand, and two soldiers bounded in from the hall. One of them closed a meaty fist around her throat. The second blocked the kitchen door. “We can make this simple,” Castian said, his voice deep and even as he strode over to them. He tugged off his fine leather gloves to reveal hands that did not belong to a prince. Calloused and scarred knuckles from years of hard training and fighting. “Tell me where he is, and I will make your death a swift and painless one.” “Life under your family’s rule is neither swift nor painless,” Celeste spoke slowly, her voice hoarse. She’d waited for the day to come when she would face him once again. “I would not trust the Lion’s Fury to honor his word.” “After everything you’ve done, it is you who does not trust me?” The kitchen seemed to shrink with the prince’s presence. She could taste his emotions in the air. His anger tasted like a bitter tincture that would be her undoing. But she’d known that long ago. All she could do for the rebels was stall and take their secrets beyond the veil. The soldier’s fingers dug into her windpipe, and as she struggled to breathe, she kicked out. Every muscle and bone in her body ached from hours of digging and sleepless nights since Rodrigue’s arrival. Her eyes flicked toward the Siriano family’s closed bedroom door. What had the prince and his men done to them? Then a terrible thought surfaced. Had the Sirianos, who’d hired and housed her, who’d believed in peace among all the peoples of Puerto Leones, betrayed her the moment she’d left? A twisting sensation wrenched her already strained heart. She desperately wanted— needed—to breathe. She pushed thoughts of betrayal aside and concentrated on the alman stone that was still tucked into her pocket. She could not let it be found. She slapped at the guard’s hands, scratched at the exposed skin between sleeve and glove, her eyes straining to see beyond bursts of black splotches. “Enough.” The prince held up his hand and the soldier relinquished his hold on her. “The dead can’t speak.” “That shows how much you know of the dead,” Celeste rasped as she dropped to her knees. Pressing her hands to the cool stone floor for balance, she coughed. She needed time to think, but the prince was not famous for his patience. She stared at the fire in the hearth for focus. Before Rodrigue had succumbed to his injuries she’d promised to do whatever it took to get his alman stone to the Whispers. They should have been there. Unless the reason the prince was here was because they’d already been captured. For the first time, the spymaster realized that perhaps rest would never come. At least not in this life. Her aging body was no good in a fight. All she had was the glass vial and her magics. With eyes narrowed on him, she twisted the thick copper ring on her middle finger, immediately feeling the strength of her magics pulsing inside her veins as the metal charged her power of persuasion. A primordial buzz surged through every inch of her skin, bleeding into the air, thickening it enough to bring a sweat to the guard’s forehead. Her gift was as old as time—old as the trees, old as the minerals and metals that strengthened the power in her veins—and they wanted release. She sifted through the weakest emotions in the room. The guards. Their heightened fear of her was easy to latch onto. Their muscles and tendons seized and left them petrified in place. But the prince was just out of reach. She needed him closer. Close enough to touch. “Thank the stars your dear mother isn’t alive to see what you’ve become,” Celeste said. Just as she intended, the prince advanced. She pushed her magics harder. Sweat trickled down the prince’s fine cheekbone, where a crescent scar marred his sharp features. Only then did Celeste San Marina stare into Prince Castian’s eyes, blue like the sea he was named after, and confront her greatest nightmare. “Don’t you dare speak of her.” He clamped a hand around Celeste’s mouth. At his touch, Celeste acted quickly. Her magics traveled from her body to his, like a gust of wind cycling between them. Closing her eyes, she searched for an emotion to latch onto—pity, hate, anger. If only she could grab hold of the thing that made the young prince so cruel, she could draw it out and smother it. With her Persuári gifts she could take a fraction of any emotion that existed within someone and bring it to life, amplifying it into action. She knew all the colors that made up a person’s soul— star-white hope, mud-green envy, pomegranate love. But when she focused on the prince, she could only see a faint, muted gray. He jerked his hand off her jaw, and she gasped, trying to regain her breath. Her thoughts spun. Everyone’s emotions expressed themselves in colors. Gray was for those passing on from the worlds, fading into nothingness. Why was he different? She knew of nothing that could block the powers of the Moria. Her magics drew back, and she was forced to release her hold on the petrified guards. They crumbled to their knees, but with a single wave of their commander’s hand, the men pushed back up at attention. The prince’s smile was malevolent in his triumph. “Did you really think I’d face you again without taking precautions against your magics?” “What have you done to yourself, Castian?” Celeste managed before rough hands grabbed her shoulders and dragged her to the small wooden table in front of the hearth. The soldier slammed her into a chair and held her in place. “I am what you made me,” he said, low and just for her. She breathed in his rage. “I dreamed of finding you for so long.” “You will not find us all. The kingdom of Memoria will rise once more.” “Enough of your tricks and your lies!” He spoke each word like his own personal truth. “I know everything you did.” “Surely you can’t know everything I’ve ever done, princeling.” She wanted to toy with him. To let him know that she did not fear him or death. “What does a prince want with a lowly runaway? Or are the king’s armies so depleted he’d send out his only living child in the dead of the night? I thought you loved an audience for your executions.” “I love nothing,” the prince shouted, his temper burning like a lit fuse. “Where is he?” “Dead,” Celeste spit. “Rodrigue is dead.” Castian growled his frustration and lowered his face to hers. “Not the spy. Dez. I want Dez.” Celeste ground her teeth. Her magics could not help her anymore. She’d survived the rebellion eight years ago, prison, and decades of hiding and gathering information across Puerto Leones. But she knew she would not survive Prince Castian. So long as the alman stone was safe she would make peace with herself. “If you know everything I’ve ever done, my prince, you should know that I would never tell you.” There was no room for regret in her heart. There was only the cause, and every terrible thing she’d ever done for the good of her people, she would do again and again. Prince Castian crossed his arms, a bemused smile playing on his lips as the side door opened. “Perhaps you’ll tell her.” Celeste’s blood ran cold as another soldier entered through the kitchen door, escorting a young woman. The spymaster’s mind struggled to place the green palor to the girl’s olive skin. Gaunt in a way that made her look like she’s been drained from the inside out by leeches. When recognition sparked, tears she thought had long run dry pooled in her eyes. Celeste knew this girl. Lucia Zambrano, a mind reader of the Whispers, known for her bright brown eyes and sweet laughter that made it easy to fall in love with her, just as Rodrigue had. Rodrigue, whose grave dirt was still under Celeste’s fingernails. Lucia’s quick wit was only matched by the speed of her footwork, both of which were useful when she spied for Celeste in Citadela Crescenti. Celeste had heard of Lucia’s capture during a raid, and after Rodrigue’s tales of what was happening in the dungeons, she’d feared the worst. That was when she’d believed the worst that could happen to the Moria was slow, torturous deaths. The king has discovered a fate worse than death, Celeste thought now, unable to look away from Lucia. Her eyes were vacant, a house where the lights has been snuffed out. Her lips were cracked and had a white film at the corners. Lucia’s bones and veins were hugged by too-tight skin. “Come closer, Lucia,” Castian said. The girl’s movements appeared to be commanded by the prince’s voice. She took slow steps, her dead eyes focused on the fire in the hearth behind Celeste. “What have you done to her?” Celeste asked, her voice small. “What will be done to all Moria unless you tell me what I want to know.” The realization thundered through every part of her body: Rodrigue was right. Rodrigue was right. Rodrigue was right. How would she protect the alman stone now? Castian was somehow immune to her magics, but she could try her best with the guards. And then what? She wouldn’t make it past the bridge check points without travel documents. She had to be there for the Whispers to find—even if she wasn’t alive. “This will be your future unless you tell me where Dez is,” Castian said, louder, impatient. For a moment, Celeste’s eyes flicked to the closed door where the Sorianos slept. No, no one could sleep through this disturbance. They were dead. Or they abandoned her. Celeste’s stomach churned because it didn’t matter now. She was out of options, and the knowledge of what she had to do over- came her. She barely had time to turn away before she vomited. The soldier cursed and shook the sickness from his hand, but one look at the Príncipe Sangrado and he kept his other hand firmly on Celeste’s shoulder. “I won’t ask again,” the prince said, his face a vicious mask inches from hers. “I will burn this village to the ground with you in it.” Celeste knew that she had a single moment to get things right. All she needed was to hide the alman stone for another Moria to find. Illan’s spies were clever, and if they weren’t, then she’d pray to the Lady of Shadows for a guiding hand. After that, she’d fight until she couldn’t fight anymore—but she wouldn’t be taken alive. Despite the pain—despite the bile that pooled across her tongue and threatened to choke her windpipe—Celeste, finally, began to laugh. One moment, one life. She wished she had more to give the Whispers. The prince closed a fist around her hair, pulling her away from the soldier. “You laugh at the fate of your own?” Blinking her eyes to focus, Celeste stared back at the prince. “I laugh because you will not win. We are a flame that will never burn out.” Then she slammed her forehead into the prince’s face. He released her, reaching for his bloody nose. In that moment, she was free, rolling away onto the ground, her quick fingers retrieved the hidden contents over her heart. The guard dove for her. She grabbed the oil lamp on the table and threw it. The glass shattered against his chest, and the guard screamed as fire caught on his clothes, anointed with oils meant for protection. It was an ugly way to die and it would not be her fate. She dug into her tunic pocket and held the glass vial for the prince to see. “You’re mad,” the prince shouted, his heavy steps charging to stop her. Celeste whispered a prayer to the Lady. Forgive me. Forgive me for my past. Welcome me at last. She swallowed the contents of the vial, slipping the stone that she would protect with her life into her mouth. She gave into the numbness of the poison rushing through her body, a cold she’d only ever felt when she swam in the mountain lakes near her family home as a girl. When she closed her eyes, she could see that deep blue water, feel the calm of floating for hours, but she could still hear the prince calling her name, the shouting from the guards, the crackle of flames. Celeste San Marina made a second grave at dawn. Hers was one of fire. CHAPTER 1 AFTER A WHILE, ALL BURNING VILLAGES SMELL THE SAME. From a hilltop, I watch as fire consumes the farming village of Esmeraldas. Wooden homes and sienna clay roofs. Bales of rolled hay amid a sea of golden grass. Vegetable gardens of ripening toma- toes, bushels of thyme and laurel. All common to Puerto Leones, but here, in the eastern province of the kingdom, the fire burns through something else: manzanilla. The deceptively bitter flower with a yellow heart and white mane of pointed petals is prized for its healing properties not only in our kingdom, but in the lands across the Castinian Sea, ensuring a steady flow of gold and food into this tiny corner of the country. In Esmeraldas, where the manzanilla grows so wild it takes over entire fields, its sweetness momentarily masks the acrid scent of homespun wool and rag dolls, abandoned in haste as the villagers ran along the dirt paths to escape the flames. But nothing covers the scent of burning flesh. “Mother of All—” I start to say a blessing. Words the Moria use when someone is moving from this life and onto the next. But I remember flashes of a different fire, of cries and screams and helplessness. A heavy weight settles around my throat. Taking deep breaths, I try to compose myself, but the blessing still won’t leave my lips. So, I think it instead. Mother of All, bless this soul into the vast unknown. I turn away from the flames just in time to see Dez march up behind me. His honey-brown eyes take in the scene below. There’s dirt on his tawny brown skin from that last scramble through the woods that borders the north of Esmeraldas. His fingers rake through thick tangled black hair, and his broad chest expands with quick shallow breaths as he tries to retain composure. He touches the sword at his hip the way a child might check for a favorite toy, for comfort. “I don’t understand,” Dez says. Even after everything we’ve been through he searches for a reason for why bad things happen. “What’s there to understand?” I say, though my anger isn’t directed toward him. “We turned a six-day journey into four by sheer will, and it still wasn’t fast enough.” I wish I had something to hit. I settle for kicking a cluster of rocks and regret it when the dust billows around us. The wind shifts, pushing the smoke away from us. I sink into my boots as if grounding myself to this place will stop my heart from racing, my mind from thinking, “too late. you’re always too late.” “This has been burning for half a day by the looks of it. We never would have gotten here in time to stop it. But Esmeraldas’s exports are worth their weight in gold. Why would the king’s justice set it ablaze?” I retie my forest green scarf around my neck. “The message from Celeste said Rodrigue’s discovery would turn the tide of our war. They didn’t want it found.” “Perhaps there is hope yet,” Dez says. When he turns to the village at the base of the hill, there’s a new fervor in his eyes. Or perhaps all hope is lost, I think. I am not like Dez. The other Whispers do not come to me for hope or rousing speeches. Perhaps it is best that he is our unit leader and not me. I know two truths: the king’s justice will stop at nothing to destroy its enemies and we’re waging a war we cannot win. But I keep fighting, maybe because it is all I’ve ever known, or maybe because the alternative is dying and I can’t do that until I’ve paid for my sins. “Do you think Celeste is—” “Dead,” Dez answers. His eyes are fixed on the village, what’s left of it. A ripple passes along the fine line of his jaw, his skin darker after our journey the sun. “Or captured,” I suggest. He shakes his head once. “Celeste wouldn’t allow herself to be taken. Not alive.” “We have to know for certain.” I pull a thin spyglass from the inside of my leather vest pocket and turn back to the forest line, twisting the lens until I find what I’m looking for. A bright light glints between the trees and flashes twice. Though I can’t make out her face, I know it’s Sayida waiting with the rest of the unit for our signal. I take out a square mirror to signal back. I don’t need to communicate that the city is burning, or that we’ve traveled all this way for nothing. They should see the smoke by now. I signal only that we’ve made it. “Go back to the others. The Second Sweep will be here soon,” Dez says. Then his voice softens. Suddenly, he’s no longer my unit leader but something else. The boy who rescued me nearly a decade ago. My only true friend. “You shouldn’t have to see this.” His thumb brushes softly over the top of my hand, and I stop myself from seeking comfort in his arms the way I am always tempted to do. A week ago there was a raid near our safe house, and I was sure we were going to be taken captive. Somehow we squeezed into a crate reserved for sandstone brick shipments, our limbs entwined. The kiss we shared then would have been romantic if it hadn’t felt like we’d been stuffed into a coffin and sure our luck had run out. I slam the spyglass between my palms and return it to its hiding place. “No.” “No?” He cocks an eyebrow and tries to twist his features into a fearsome mask. “There are no memories to steal here. I can finish the task.” I cross my arms over my chest and close the distance between us. He’s a head taller than me and as my unit leader he could order me to listen. I hold his stare and dare him to look away first. He does. His gaze goes to the side of my neck, to the finger-long scar courtesy of a royal guard during our last mission. Dez’s hands reach for my shoulders, and a sliver of temptation winds itself around my heart. I would prefer that he give me a command than tell me he’s worried for my safety. I step back, though I catch the moment of hurt on his face. “I can’t go back to the Whispers a failure. Not again.” “You’re not a failure,” he says. On our last mission, Lynx Unit was tasked with finding safe passage on a ship sailing out of the kingdom for a merchant family whose father had been executed by the king. We were nearly to the shipyard when I was caught. I know I did everything right. I had the correct documents and I wore a dress covered in stitched flowers like a chaste farmer’s daughter. My job was to rip memories from the guard, enough to confuse him and give us insight into the ships coming in and out of the Salinas harbor. There was something about me that the guard didn’t like, and the next moment I knew, I was drawing my sword to defend myself. We won and the family has spent two months somewhere in the empire of Luzou. It took ten stitches and a week burning off a fever in the infirmary. But we can’t show our faces in that town to help other families. In those two months the king’s justice has doubled its guards there. Our presence is supposed to be silent. Our units meant to be shadows. We saved one family, but what about the others trapped in the citadela living in fear of their magics being discovered? Even if Dez is right, and I’m not a failure, I’m still a risk. “I have to be the one to find the alman stone, and I have to be the one to return it to your father.” A smirk plays on his lips. “And here I thought I was the glory seeker among us.” “I don’t want glory,” I say, a bitter laugh on my tongue. “I don’t even want praise.” The wind changes, smoke encircling us. When I look at him, he could be one of my stolen memories, coated in a layer of gray, somehow distant and close all at once as he asks, “Then what do you want?” My heart tugs painfully because the answer is complicated. He of all people should know this. But how could he, when even in the moments I’m the surest of this answer, a new kind of want overpowers the next? I settle on the simplest and truest words I can. “Forgiveness. I want the Whispers to know I’m not a traitor. The only way I can do that is by getting as many Moria on the next ship to Luzou as I can.” “No one thinks you’re a traitor,” Dez says, brushing aside my worry with a careless toss of his hand. That dismissal stings even though I know he believes it. “My father trusts you. I trust you, and since Lynx Unit is mine to command, that’s what matters.” “How do you walk around with a head that big, Dez?” “I manage.” I’d still be a scavenger if Dez hadn’t petitioned his father and the other elders that I be trained to be a spy. My skill has been useful at saving Moria trapped in the Puerto Leones borders, but no one among our kind wants a memory thief like me in their midst. Robári are the reason we lost the war, even if our side has been on the losing end for decades. Robári can’t be trusted. I can’t be trusted. Dez believes in me despite everything I’ve done. I would put my life in his hands—have done it before and will do it again. But for Dez, everything comes so easy. He doesn’t see that. Among the Whispers Dez is the cleverest and bravest. The most reckless, too, but it’s accepted as part of what makes him Dez. And yet, I know, even if I were just as clever, just as brave, I’d still be the girl that sparked a thousand deaths. I will never stop trying to prove to them that I am more. Seeing destruction like this in Esmeraldas makes it so hard to hold onto what little hope I have. “We’re going in together,” I say. “I can handle myself.” He makes a low grumble at the back of his throat and turns from me. I fight the impulse to reach out for him. We both know he won’t send me away. He can’t. Dez runs his fingers through his hair and reties the knot at the base of his neck. His dark eyebrows knit together and that’s the moment he relents. “Sometimes, Ren, I wonder who the Persuári is—you or me. We’ll rendezvous in the Forest of Lynxes or—” “Or you’ll leave me at the hands of the Second Sweep for being too slow.” I try to put humor into my voice, but nothing will stop the flutter of my heart, the memories pulsing to be freed. “I know the plan, Dez.” I begin to turn, new purpose coursing through my veins. But he grips my wrist and tugs me back to him. “No. Or I’ll come looking for you and kill anyone who tries to stop me.” Dez presses a hard, quick kiss on my lips. He doesn’t care if the others are watching us through their spyglasses, but I do. Wrenching myself from him leaves me with a dull ache between my ribs. When he smiles I feel a heady want that has no place here. “Find the alman stone,” he says. He’s Dez again. My unit leader. Soldier. Rebel. “Celeste was to meet us in the village square. I’ll search for survivors.” I squeeze his hand, then let go and say, “By the Light of Our Lady, we carry on.” “We carry on,” he echoes. I drum all the nervous energy in my body down into my legs. Pulling my scarf over the bottom half of my face, I take one last breath of fresh air, then run alongside him, down the hill from our lookout point, and into the blazing streets below. For someone built so tall and broad, Dez is fast on his feet. But I’m faster, and I make it to the square first. I tell myself not to look back at him, to keep going. I do it anyway and find he’s watching me, too. We split up. I plunge deeper into the ruins of Esmeraldas. Flames as large as houses don’t crackle—they roar. The heat on the smoldering cobble- stones is oppressive, and the snap of roof beams caving in sets my teeth on edge as houses crumble along the road. I say a silent prayer that their inhabitants have already made it out alive. Smoke tings tears from my eyes. In the square, fire has eaten through every building it has touched, leaving nothing but black ruins behind. Hundreds of foot- steps mark the ground, all of them leading east toward the town of Agata. By now there should be no one left in Esmeraldas. I can tell by the sickening silence. The only thing untouched is the cathedral and whipping post in front of it. God and torture: the two things the king of Puerto Leones holds dearest to his heart. There’s something familiar about the bone-white stone of the cathedral, surrounding flames glinting off the stained-glass windows. Though I’ve never been to Esmeraldas, I can’t shake the impression of having walked this very street before. I brush away the feeling and make my way toward the whipping post. Occasionally, if there is time, doomed Moria hide messages or small parcels in the last place the king’s men would think to look— and what better place than where the accused are taken to die? Alman stone isn’t conspicuous on its own, though when it captures memories, it glows like it’s been filled with starlight. Before King Fernando’s reign, it was common, but now, with temples desecrated and mines run dry, Moria are lucky to find it at all. If spymaster Celeste had enough warning, she would’ve hidden Rodrigue’s alman stone for the Whispers to retrieve. “What happened to you, Celeste?” I ask aloud, but only the crackle of fire answers, and I continue my search. The executioner’s block has dozens of long grooves from where a killing blade struck. The wood is dark, stained with dried blood. As I run my hands along the base, I am thankful I always wear gloves. The thought of heads rolling— of bodies hanging, of people locked into the paddocks and beat senseless— makes my stomach turn and my legs tremble. My body reacts the same way to blood as it does fire. And that is precisely why I force myself to be here. I move to the hangman’s noose. Esmeraldas is such a small village. I wonder when they find the time to practice so many forms of execution. Kneeling, I run my hands along the wooden boards beneath the noose for a break or a loose slat. Nothing. I walk around the whipping post, but all I find is a thin leather cord with a long strip of skin dried to it. Bile rises to my throat. I drop the whip, and when I do, the strangest sense of remembrance moves through me, and a vivid memory—one that does not belong to me, but is mine anyway—bursts into my mind. I squeeze my eyes shut and palm my temples. It’s been months since I’ve lost control of the memories living in my head. Silent smoke gathers in my mind’s eye, then clears to reveal a scene drained of all color, and I’m forced to relive a stolen past, as the Gray cracks open. I see the same street, the same square, but as it was once before the fire— A man adjusts his grip around a freshly cut tree and drags it down this street. His shoulders ache, but his thin gloves protect against splinters. His mud-covered boots stomp blue-and-gray cobblestones into the heart of the village. A crowd gathers in front of the cathedral. It is the sixth day of Almanar, and his neighbors carry branches, broken furniture, cut trees. They stack and stack the pyre until no one can reach the top. Music spills from open cantina doors. The drummers have come around, slapping leather skins to the festive songs. Couples dance as torches are lit. He sees the faces he’s been waiting for—his wife and child run to him. They help him drag the tree onto the pyre—their offering for the festival of Almanar. Together, they sing and dance and watch the pyre burn. Now I know why Esmeraldas felt familiar. Every memory I’ve ever stolen is a part of me. It’s taken years and training to push them back, keep them in compartments I can’t pry open. But some- times, they find a way out. I should thank the stars that the memory that has spilled from the vault of my mind is a joyous one. A rural harvest where everyone comes together to burn the old year away. And yet, my hands tremble and sweat drips down my back. I don’t want to look at it anymore. I force myself out of the Gray, shoving the memory back into the dark where it belongs. I’ve heard it called the curse of the Robári. Curse or not, I can’t let it get in the way of finding the alman stone. My eyes sting from smoke and the piercing pain that stabs my temples. I push my weary bones to stand. There is no alman stone here. If I were Celeste, where would I have run? Then I hear it. A single sound pierces the crackle of fire. At first, I think it’s from another unwanted memory slipping out of the Gray, but it grows clear as cathedral bells on Holy Day. A voice crying out for help. Someone in Esmeraldas is trapped. About the Author: Zoraida Córdova is the author of many fantasy novels including Star Wars: A Crash of Fate, the Brooklyn Brujas series, and The Vicious Deep trilogy. Her novel Labyrinth Lost won the International Book Award for Best Young Adult Novel in 2017. Her short fiction has appeared in the New York Times bestselling anthology Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View, and Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women and Witchcraft. Her upcoming books include Incendiary, book one in the Hollow Crown duology (Hyperion 2020) and she's the co-editor of Vampires Never Get Old (Imprint 2020). Zoraida was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. When she isn’t working on her next novel, she’s planning her next adventure. Links: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4824952.Zoraida_C_rdova Website: https://zoraidacordova.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/zlikeinzorro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoraidasolo/ Tumblr: https://novelamonth.tumblr.com/ Giveaway: Prize: Win a copy of INCENDIARY by Zoraida Córdova (US Only) Starts: 28th April 2020 Ends: 12th May 2020 a Rafflecopter giveaway Tour Schedule: https://fantasticflyingbookclub.blogspot.com/2020/03/tour-schedule-incendiary-hollow-crown-1.html April 28th The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club - Welcome Post April 29th Novel Lives - Review Fangirl Pixie Blog - Review + Playlist + Dream Cast A Dream Within A Dream - Review The Reading Life - Review The Clever Reader - Review April 30th Whispers & Wonder - Review Lauren's Boookshelf - Review + Playlist Write, Read, Repeat - Review L.M. Durand - Review + Favourite Quotes dinipandareads - Review + Favourite Quotes May 1st Moonlight Rendezvous - Review + Favourite Quotes Wishful Endings - Review biblioxytocin - Review + Favourite Quotes Your Words My Ink - Review Books and Zebras - Review May 2nd Confessions of a YA Reader - Review + Favourite Quotes The Little Mouse - Review + Playlist Sometimes Leelynn Reads - Review + Dream Cast Captivated Reading - Review The Reading Chemist - Review May 3rd The Bookish Ballad - Review + Favourite Quotes Book Briefs - Review Foals, Fiction & Filigree - Review + Favourite Quotes Dazzled by Books - Review The Perks of Being Noura - Review + Favourite Quotes May 4th Here's to Happy Endings - Review In Between Book Pages - Review + Favourite Quotes Frayed Books - Review Books.Bags.Burgers - Review + Favourite Quotes @womanon - Review Adele Is Reading - Review + Favourite Quotes

http://www.dazzledbybooks.com/2020/05/incendiary-blog-tour.html

[jenniferasberryus]

Top 10 Most Addicting Online Games

Every year a flood of new games enter our libraries and some manage to become entries we can’t stop going back to. Even years after they’ve been released, we can’t rip ourselves away! These are the games that regularly give us reasons to keep playing be it because of excellent developer support, post-release content, or regular patches to the base formula that only seem to keep improving the product or changing it in interesting ways. To prove they can stand the test of time, our entries were all released before 2019 and have continued to be successful for years. So join us in celebrating the Top 10 Most Addicting Online Games. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-most-addictive-online-games&captions=true"] Click through the gallery above, or scroll down the page for the full list!

10. Overwatch

Remember when Bastion had his own shield barrier in the beta? Or when D.va took damage from her own ultimate? Or how about when Symmetra had a dynamic mobile shield barrier similar to Sigma’s current one? And let’s never forget when Mercy could resurrect her entire team at once… Overwatch is ever-evolving. It’s a true paradigm of modern hero-based first-person shooters that are made up of addictive gameplay, numerous play styles, and backed by a community that supports the game and keeps it alive. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=overwatch-2-maps&captions=true"] From subreddits to discords, to community-content, and patch notes overview videos from the lovable Jeff Kaplan, the Overwatch community is an ecosystem that continues to redefine the hero-shooter genre. We can’t wait to see how the upcoming Overwatch 2 builds upon the existing Overwatch foundation, but whenever it does release, rest assured it will be a very different game compared to now and that really excites us and keeps us wanting to play.

- Armando Torres, Syndication

9. Destiny 2

On September 6th, 2017 Destiny 2 launched and while it seemed to be an upgrade in many respects, fans felt the systems nearly perfected with the original just didn’t translate into Destiny 2. PVP teams became larger, there was an odd mod-based power level chase, and the Raid only had a single big-boss damage encounter. It was good but faltered in the endgame. Fast forward to 2019 and Bungie has made vast improvements to that original sandbox and continues to do so with their latest release Destiny 2 Shadowkeep that brings back a 3v3 PVP mode, infuses some much-needed narrative into the overall experience, and builds upon the excellent PVE changes that started with Forsaken in 2018 and continued here with a new armor system. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/09/destiny-2-shadowkeep-review"]   It seems they’re building a playstyle that lends to builds, weapon pairings, and balance. There’s no arguing that Destiny has had its ups and downs through development, but Bungie has also done a tremendous job trying to find that sweet spot as they poke and prod the engine into a place the community is happy with. With regular updates, cross-save, and especially since they’ve gone free-to-play it’s not surprising that Destiny 2 was the number 1 paid, and free game on Steam this October. Destiny 2’s future looks brighter than ever, especially with a team as committed to getting it right as Bungie.

- Destin Legarie, Senior Features Producer

8. Fortnite

While we understand that Fortnite has reached market saturation and you’re probably tired of hearing about it there’s no denying that it’s been a phenomena that has made the career of several streamers and regularly brings in huge views on platforms like Twitch and Mixer. The craze may have stabilized, but that doesn’t mean Epic has slowed down their incredible in-game events like the Blackhole that shut servers down for a few days, kicked off season 2 and had children crying in their parent's arms. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/23/7-million-people-watched-the-end-of-fortnite-event"] The regular tweaks and partnerships keep giving players a reason to sign on, be that for the chance to play as Batman to explore Gotham, or to become Thanos and wreak havoc on the world. PUBG, Apex, Call of Duty, and Escape from Tarkov are all doing interesting things in their corner of the Battle Royale genre but for the time being Fortnite remains king.

- Destin Legarie, Senior Features Producer

7. Rainbow Six Siege

If you would have told me in 2015 that Rainbow Six Siege would be on bestseller lists for the next 4 years I wouldn’t have believed you. However here we are and it’s not as surprising as you might think. With constant updates, tweaks to the operators, and huge championships featuring new reveals every year, Ubisoft has managed to keep the game feeling fresh with each patch. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/26/rainbow-six-siege-operation-ember-rise-exclusive-details-raleigh-major-recap-more"] In the last year, I’ve found myself gravitating back toward Siege and having a great time learning to be a better player via the plethora of fan-made strategy videos that often manage to blend information with a bit of blunderous fun as creators poke fun at themselves (and the rest of us) for the ways we all made mistakes when starting out. Not only is there a community out there of inviting people willing to teach you the best ways to breach, but even as you’re learning you find yourself improving even when learning simple tactics like camera placement or creating a rotate between points. With the Operator grand total being brought to 52 as of last month with the addition of Kali and Wamai Rainbow Six Siege shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

- Destin Legarie, Senior Features Producer

6. CS:GO

Even though Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was released on August 21, 2012, it still holds a strong reign over the competitive first-person shooter genre. While known for its competitive game mode in the esports scene, CS:GO offers casual and competitive game modes that invite a wide range of players. There is also a wide range of esports tournaments and leagues that operate all year round, which means players wanting to get into the true competitive scene of CS:GO have plenty of opportunities to do so. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/12/07/counter-strike-global-offensive-is-now-free-to-play-battle-royale-mode-added"] While this is an older FPS title with no other games to match its content (Rainbow Six Siege being the closest game in similarity), CS:GO focuses on challenging players on pure skill and strategy. Teamwork is heavily important in the standard competitive matches and mastering specific spray patterns of each weapon available is critical to becoming a top player. Whether players are looking to get into competitive play and test their skills or hop into a quick game of free-for-all or other casual game modes, CS:GO offers plenty of content for anyone to jump into. Valve has been working on updates this year to this beloved FPS title which further make CS:GO still one of the best FPS games out on the market.

- Stella Chung, Associate Gameplay Producer

5. Hearthstone

While the competitive landscape for Hearthstone may be getting old for those of us who have played for 5 years, it's actually the other modes in Hearthstone that keep the game great in 2019. Over time Hearthstone has amassed a surprisingly large single-player experience. From Dungeon Runs to Puzzle Lab, Hearthstone is nearing 10 unique single-player experiences that offer fresh alternatives to its standard gameplay. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/01/hearthstone-descent-of-dragons-cinematic-trailer"] If you are the type who still prefers the competitive side of things, the newly announced Hearthstone Battlegrounds auto battler mode has captured the attention of the games most prominent players and appears to have introduced a much-needed change to the competitive landscape.

- Tate Fiebing, Senior Product Manager

4. League of Legends

League of Legends continues to fulfill the niche of being one of the most accessible games to the greater PC audience, while also having the depth of play to keep players coming back for more. Critically a Free-to-Play first model, anyone with a half-decent computer could download the game and play one of the distinct 146 champions in 5v5 combat. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/25/league-of-legends-aphelios-the-weapon-of-the-faithful-champion-trailer"] It’s a game where teamwork, skill expression, and game knowledge all work hand in hand to try to capture victory. The League community also remains extremely vibrant – the game developers do a great job tweaking the game every so often to prevent the meta from being stale. Because of this, you’re always feeling like you are playing something ‘new’, while yet still fundamentally sound.

- Kevin Kwan, Campaign Manager

3. DOTA 2

Dota 2 is a satisfyingly complex game; not only are there well over a hundred heroes with unique abilities to learn (with about two heroes added each year), there also tons of items and creative ways to use both to achieve the ultimate goal of destroying the enemy team's ancient. No one playstyle is absolute either, and the freedom to play creatively keeps Dota 2 engaging even if you're not interested in learning all of its heroes and roles. Constant updates and seasonal events are helpful in retaining player interest too. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/10/11/is-dota-2-really-harder-than-league-of-legends-esports-mashup-episode-2"] These updates aren't just for balance, though. There have been several game-changing updates since Dota 2 first came out of beta in 2013, and the latest massive patch that altered some fundamentals of the game is one of the most exciting yet. With so much constantly changing in the meta and an interesting professional scene to help interpret those changes, it's fun to keep coming back to DOTA 2.

- Miranda Sanchez, Senior Editor

2. Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV Game Director Yoshi-P and his team at Square Enix not only dropped one of their best expansions yet with Shadowbringers this year, but they were able to introduce a slew of big quality of life updates that improve the experiences for new and old players. Jobs were changed significantly to make combat easier and features like the Trust System are geared towards players who like a single player experience. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/18/final-fantasy-xiv-patch-51-vows-of-virtue-deeds-of-cruelty-trailer"] Aside from the typical patches you see with every MMO, Final Fantasy XIV was able to add in a new unique job, a Final Fantasy XV crossover event, and new post game content in collaboration with Nier Automata this year. From Square Enix’s livestream updates to community fan events, Final Fantasy XIV is a great contender for the best ongoing game of the year.

- Mike Mamon, Syndication Editor

1. World of Warcraft

With over fifteen years of content updates spanning across seven expansion packs, there’s no denying that World of Warcraft is one of the largest and most popular MMORPGs out there. Before WoW came out, MMORPGs had a certain kind of gameplay formula that was quite daunting for a lot of people who were interested in the MMO genre, but the idea of hardcore grinding didn’t sit quite well with a vast majority of folks. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/01/world-of-warcraft-exploring-the-shadowlands-gameplay-trailer"] Then came WoW, which was Blizzard’s answer to create an MMORPG world set in the Warcraft universe that managed to take the old formula and transform it into something that was more accessible to all types of players. And it worked! Nowadays, WoW is played by millions of people who have fallen in love with its world, characters, lore, gameplay systems and its fantastic raids that have all been built up over these past fifteen years. Plus, with WoW: Classic being a gateway for folks who crave Blizzard’s first (more hardcore) version of the game, there’s a version of WoW for every kind of player — past, and present.

- Eric Sapp, Editorial Designer

Note: Narrowing this down to 10 entries was incredibly difficult so there we wanted to let you know about a few games that were incredibly close to making the list. GTA Online  always has someone watching the NoPixel mod community's latest role-playing antics, and Magic the Gathering Arena is starting to give Hearthstone a run for its money. There are plenty more excellent games that could make this a Top 20 like Diablo 3, Path of Exile, Warframe, Star Citizen, or RocketLeague all of which have created amazing communities that keep their game worlds exciting, interesting, and hopefully here to stay.

So do you feel like we got it right or wrong? Let’s talk about it in the comments below, and tell us what should be swapped out and replaced with your favorite and why. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Destin Legarie is a Senior Features Producer at IGN. You can follow him on Twitter or watch him stream on Twitch. from IGN Video Games https://www.ign.com/articles/2020/01/09/top-10-most-addicting-online-games via IFTTT from The Fax Fox https://thefaxfox.blogspot.com/2020/01/top-10-most-addicting-online-games.html

[elfigmlinkbf16insurance-blog]

Are added costs when buying a new car worth having a new car?

Are added costs when buying a new car worth having a new car?

Seems like the only person benefiting from me buying a new car is the dealership owner, manager, salesman, ect. I mean the what is the dealership owner s overhead anyways. I am paying the destination fees, dock fees, inspection fees, ect. They even want $80 to $120 for the keys to the car!!! KEYS!!! I mean I am paying $20,000 I can t even get a free car key??? What do you guys think of new cars and the fact that if you were to drive a new car off the lot it just lost $5,000 in value. Or is all worth it to have that new car smell?

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Seems like the only person benefiting from me buying a new car is the dealership owner, manager, salesman, ect. I mean the what is the dealership owner s overhead anyways. I am paying the destination fees, dock fees, inspection fees, ect. They even want $80 to $120 for the keys to the car!!! KEYS!!! I mean I am paying $20,000 I can t even get a free car key??? What do you guys think of new cars and the fact that if you were to drive a new car off the lot it just lost $5,000 in value. Or is all worth it to have that new car smell?

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Seems like the only person benefiting from me buying a new car is the dealership owner, manager, salesman, ect. I mean the what is the dealership owner s overhead anyways. I am paying the destination fees, dock fees, inspection fees, ect. They even want $80 to $120 for the keys to the car!!! KEYS!!! I mean I am paying $20,000 I can t even get a free car key??? What do you guys think of new cars and the fact that if you were to drive a new car off the lot it just lost $5,000 in value. Or is all worth it to have that new car smell?

[dylanreviewsthings]

Immortal Reviews' Top 50 Albums Of 2018

2018. It’s been some time since a year came to define itself so apparently as this past one did. 2018 saw tumultuous politics become even more fiery, but even as our world seemingly tears apart, we all band together under the sentiment of moving forward to keep going. “It’s 2018” became less of a meme and more of a statement as time went on - and as the new year approaches, we’re all reflecting on how much really changed this year.

Music certainly saw its fair share of important movements this year. Hip-hop continued to dominate, Travis Scott finally releasing his long-awaited ASTROWORLD while Kanye West produced several powerful records this year. Pop music kept evolving, its modern message of “even if it’s not okay now, it will be” coming to captivate all of us as we find hope in it. Rock made a comeback, artists like Mike Shinoda rising out of the ashes to deliver his debut solo record, overcoming the demons of grief while Muse redefined their sound in one of their most eclectic records yet. 2018 gave us a lot of music - and here are the 50 albums that defined the year for us.

50. Passenger - Runaway

Passenger‘s reflective indie-folk mix has always provided for some great tracks, but that' reached a new level with 2018’s Runaway. Familiarly chill vibes in ‘Why Can’t I Change‘ and ‘Heart To Love‘ reveal that Passenger is doing more than just recalling his life: he’s trying to figure out how to change it, and without much luck. Runaway is like reaching an impasse in life, where all you can do is run; Passenger certainly seems to feel so, at least, with songs like title track ‘Runaway‘ seeking the strength to move forward. While the latter half of the record trends towards a more appreciative tone (in songs including ‘To Be Free‘ and ‘Eagle Bear Buffalo‘), it’s the more emotional tracks, namely the heartbroken opener ‘Hell Or High Water,’ where Passenger really shines and let’s himself be vulnerable.

49. A Hawk and A Hacksaw - Forest Bathing

Instrumental music has the unique property of transporting you to wherever your mind allows you to go. That being said, it’s hard to find the perfect balance between storytelling and quality - luckily, A Hack and A Hacksaw managed to find just the right blend of the two in Forest Bathing. Middle Eastern elements will transport you from the Egyptian deserts in ‘Alexandria‘ to the lively bustle of a town in ‘The Washing Bear.’ Closing track ‘Bayati Maqam‘ hardly feels like an end to a journey, but concludes the record in a fittingly summative way, the dark and independent instruments creating a majestic atmosphere. Forest Bathing is a brilliant Middle Eastern journey, masterfully brought together by an Arabian orchestra and A Hack and A Hacksaw.

48. Elder Brother - Stay Inside

Elder Brother‘s latest record is proof that diversity adds a whole new level to storytelling. Their new record Stay Inside is full of pain, but the band channels it in several different ways in an effort to try and understand it. From the confusion of the grand build in ‘Unnatural History‘ to the tantalizing melodies of ‘No Reason,’ Stay Inside doesn’t ever stick to one sound to cope with pain. Their quest to really channel this pain seems to meet dead ends, as each song ends powerfully but not without questions. The record ends powerfully and anthemically with the beaten down ‘I Don’t Think It Stops,’ building slowly into a massive bridge with a big guitar solo before exploding with one final burst of emotion to take things out. Elder Brother explored their pain in ways few others dare to, and Stay Inside is as therapeutic as it is painful.

47. Logic - Bobby Tarantino II

Logic burst into 2018 looking to prove himself once and for all, and he certainly did everything he could to achieve that. Bobby Tarantino II, the sequel to his cult-classic mixtape, set the hip-hop world alight when it dropped, and not without reason. Logic goes off in this record, showing off his quickfire abilities in tracks like ‘44 More‘ and in ‘Wassup‘ with Big Sean. Bobby Tarantino II is more than just an onslaught of skill: it’s a diverse record full of fun and confidence, with songs as characteristic as ‘Indica Badu‘ and as serious as the fiery ‘Contra.’ There’s no denying that with Bobby Tarantino II, Logic definitely solidified his place amongst the greats of modern hip-hop.

46. S. Carey - Hundred Acres

Every good story has a sort of ebb and flow to it, and S. Carey perfects that concept amazingly in his record Hundred Acres. The indie record feels like an inside look into the artist’s past, anecdotes in tracks like ‘True North‘ and ‘Fool’s Gold‘ adding that personal touch to the record. The natural wonder of ‘Yellowstone‘ and the peaceful atmosphere of ‘Rose Petals‘ feel like childhood memories, while the darker ‘Hideout‘ tells a more pertinent story. Hundred Acres is an autobiography of sorts, and in S. Carey’s writing we find ourselves being reminded of our own pasts, too.

45. Logic - YSIV

Logic had a busy - and tough - year, but that didn’t stop him from constantly delivering. His second spot on our Top 50 Albums list comes with YSIV, his mixtape that saw him dive deep into hip-hop’s roots to offer up a whole different experience from Bobby Tarantino II. Title track ‘YSIV‘ is a great example of everything this record has to offer: an old-school west-coast style beat underlying Logic’s unstoppable flow and lyricism. The rest of the record doesn’t slack, either, the entire Wu-Tang Clan joining him for ‘Wu Tang Forever‘ while Jaden Smith shows a bit of aggression in ‘ICONIC.’ Chiller tracks including ‘One Day‘ with Ryan Tedder and ‘Ordinary Day‘ with Hailee Steinfeld provide some nice color to the record. Closing track ‘Last Call‘ is a reflective and thankful finale, Logic thanking his fans for bringing him to where his is now while recalling his past struggles. Life isn’t easy all of the time, but even when all seems to fall apart, Logic reminds us that struggle will always give way to success.

44. Tomberlin - At Weddings

There were a lot of times this year where things felt like they wouldn’t get better. More than ever, the negativity seems to be all that dominates the Internet and media. There were plenty of times that extended into our personal lives, too; it certainly did for Tomberlin. In her new record At Weddings, Tomberlin bared her heart as she let go of all the things that hold her back. It feels like a constant battle between maintaining optimism and losing it, evident in ‘Any Other Way,’ where her reflective and sweet vocals try desperately to stay optimistic before things coming crashing down in ‘Untitled 1.’ This mental warfare only continues to show the complication behind Tomberlin’s struggle, which seems to reach it’s harshest point in ‘I’m Not Scared,’ where a fragile Tomberlin has to ensure herself that things will get better: "And to be a woman is to be in pain / And my body reminds me almost everyday that I was made for another, but I don’t want to know that / Cause it happened once and I always look back." Even when all seems lost, however, Tomberlin still dejectedly tries to find her way out of her funk, almost to an inspiring degree. The world will throw everything it has at you one day: learn from Tomberlin, and be prepared to move forward knowing that.

43. Kamasi Washington - Heaven & Earth

It’s hard to qualify Kamasi Washington‘s brilliance, but we can certainly find a deep appreciation for it. The saxophonist returned this year with the out-of-this-world Heaven & Earth, a sprawling jazz journey through the beauty of our own planet and beyond. The first half of the record feels familiarly mortal, numbers like ‘Testify‘ and ‘Tiffakonkae‘ seemingly exploring the beauty of our world, while the Latin subtleties of opening track ‘Fists Of Fury‘ help show the drama that hides within it, too. The second half is far more supernatural, tracks like the otherworldly ‘The Space Travelers Lullaby‘ the wondrous ‘The Journey‘ captivating you with their beauty. Kamasi Washington has a way of capturing beautiful soundscapes with his music, and Heaven & Earth may be the finest example of that yet.

42. Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel

The woes of the indie artist never seem to stop, but most have learned how to turn them into the subjects of their music. Courtney Barnett‘s issues aren’t anything groundbreaking, but they’re something we all know well. Her record Tell Me How You Really Feel is similarly as straightforward, but that adds to its charm. Barnett' showed with this record that it doesn’t take a life-changing event to make good music: all it takes are true-to-heart emotions that everyone knows. The entrancing lyrics of the intro song ‘Hopefulessness‘ is a perfect example of this: the repetition of “No one is born to hate“ is a simple yet prompt message. Barnett’s dejected timbre allows for the listener to key into the more intimate vibes as the messages aren’t affected by layers of sound - rather, Barnett says everything promptly and effectively. Perhaps most charming on the record is ‘Need A Little Time,’ a simple and chill indie rocker that rolls with a warm drive, nice melodies, and even a bit of conviction. You don’t need to change the way something works to make a difference: you just have to be true to yourself, which is something we could all do a little more.

41. Jon Hopkins - Singularity

Jon Hopkins manages to turn almost anything he touches into something magical, so it’s no surprise that this year’s Singularity was like a journey in its own right. With the gentleness of a dimly lit star in the night sky and the curiosity of a new-born, Singularity envelops you in this enchanting atmosphere, the slow chords of opening track and title track ‘Singularity‘ wrapping around you like a warm blanket. The atmospheric record is fairly long with some pretty lengthy tracks, but the magic of each song will distract you from that fact, so the twelve-minute build of ‘Luminous Beings‘ just makes you feel like you’re listening to another fairy tale. The emotion behind closing track ‘Recovery‘ is almost tangible as this magical journey ends beautifully, gorgeous pianos quietly ringing alongside ambience. Only instrumental music with such passion could ignite such powerful imagery as Hopkins does on this record.

40. J.I.D. - DiCaprio 2

At times it feels like hip-hop is becoming overly obsessed with fame and money, so when a damning record like this comes along, it’s always a nice refresher. J.I.D. delivered a real record with DiCaprio 2, offering up not only a lot of heart and soul, but some powerful messages, too. DiCaprio 2 feels like an onslaught of energy from start to finish, ‘Slick Talk‘ delivering unique and awesome vibes almost immediately. The flow and beats throughout DiCaprio 2 are on another level, from ‘Westbrook‘ with A$AP Ferg to closing track ‘Despacito Too.‘ ‘Off Deez‘ with J. Cole delivers the most heat on the record, the two rappers trading off effortlessly as they unleash an unstoppable flow from start to finish. Fingers crossed that hip-hop follows this trend of passion into the next year.

39. Oceanator - Lows

Few albums were as reflective as Oceanator‘s Lows this year. The solo project of Brooklyn-native Elise Okusami runs deep with emotion as she retells her painful memories in an attempt to overcome them. Opening track ‘Coming Home‘ establishes the themes of the record wonderfully, the somber lyrics echoing: “You're an ocean away, and that's the way it's supposed to be, but still I'm coming home.“ Oceanator constantly hits you with powerful tracks, from the epic, intense ‘Tell Me‘ to the monstrously building closing track ‘Inhuman.’ Lows is full of surprises, including the huge bridge of the bluesy ‘Not Around.’ Much like life, Lows is unpredictable and diverse - it’s never quite positive, but its reflective nature will definitely help some of your deeper wounds to heal.

38. Denzel Curry - TA13OO

Denzel Curry is a relatively new name on the hip-hop scene, but he’s certainly a force to be reckoned with. His debut TA13OO is like trap on heroin, probably being as close to metal as you can get without actually having a guitar in it. Perhaps the clearest show of the album’s sound is ‘BLACK METAL TERRORIST,’ a raging song full of huge distorted bass synths, angry, almost screamed bars, and an evil atmosphere. Lyrically, Curry always has some grit, even when the instrumentals may be a bit cooler (i.e. ‘BLACK BALLOONS‘ and title track ‘TABOO‘). TA13OO is unrelenting, pushing trap in a direction it never quite explored while also maintaining a pretty catchy album.

37. The Neighbourhood - The Neighbourhood

The Neighbourhood spent 2018 redefining their sound, keeping their dark and sensual nature and exploring a more electronic element. Their self-titled record The Neighbourhood is the outcome of their experimentation, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Dominated by its attitude, The Neighbourhood comes at you like a flirty guy at a club. ‘Flowers‘ wins you over with a mischievous innocence before more sensual numbers like ‘Nervous‘ and ‘Stay With Me‘ capture that signature sexual intimacy. ‘Softcore‘ is the perfect culmination of new and old for The Neighbourhood, the moody electronic track led by its swagger and melodies. The Neighbourhood definitely took a chance with this record, and it paid off in what is one of the year’s most intimate numbers of the year.

36. Animal Flag - Void Ripper

A truly visceral record feeds off the energy of the musicians and lives and breathes as its own piece of art. That’s exactly the attention Animal Flag gave Void Ripper. Animal Flag’s latest record draws from the most animalistic energy we can muster, opening track ‘Morningstar‘ starting off patiently, as if a hunter waiting for its prey. That prey arrives in following track ‘Void Ripper‘ as the record bursts to life. Tracks like ‘Fair‘ bring more energy to the album, while ‘Lord Of Pain‘ and ‘Candace‘ offer a more evil, brooding atmosphere. There’s a carefulness in this wild record that shows the passion and musicianship of Animal Flag and how they put this record together, and like how few others can really manage to do.

35. Father John Misty - God’s Favorite Customer

Indie’s self-proclaimed anti-Christ returned in 2018, but his ego took a bit of a hit. Father John Misty‘s God’s Favorite Customer was written during a two month span in which he rarely left his hotel room. Josh Tillman‘s signature pessimism plays out in opening track ‘Hangout At The Gallows‘ and title track ‘God’s Favorite Customer,’ but what’s more important is where he lets himself be a bit more transparent. In a year that tested all of our resilience, even Father John Misty couldn’t help but let go of some emotions, in tracks including ‘The Songwriter,’ where Tillman ponders what life would be like if his life was switched with his wife’s, and the even more worrying ‘Please Don’t Die,’ where Tillman sings of his wife begging him to not commit suicide. Even the harshest, hardest souls have humanity behind them.

34. BTS - Love Yourself 轉 'Tear'

The advent of K-Pop took the world by storm in 2018, and BTS finally reached an international audience. That pressure didn’t get to them, as they delivered several records this year that show exactly why K-Pop is bent on world domination. The boy-band’s Love Yourself 轉 'Tear' showed not only the power of the genre, but the diversity of it, as well. Numbers such as ‘FAKE LOVE‘ and ‘So What‘ deliver the bombast beats and energy typically associated with K-Pop, but other songs explore different avenues. ‘Airplane pt. 2‘ combines Latin music with K-Pop’s swagger, leading for a very unique listen while tracks like ‘Paradise‘ and ‘Love Maze‘ seem to tackle a more Americanized version of pop. Even ‘Outro: Tear‘ takes a moment to change things up, ending the record on a pretty aggressive hip-hop note. K-Pop is taking over the world, and BTS are riding that sweet wave to success.

33. Lissie - Castles

It seems like everyone has something to prove nowadays, but no one’s proven themselves as much as Lissie has. Castles is dramatic in all the right ways, and captures just about everything you’d want from Lissie. From the peaceful but existential opener ‘World Away‘ to the massive, powerful closure ‘Meet Me In The Mystery,’ all of Lissie’s emotions come out in a thoughtful and provocative way. The metaphor of her body as a breaking castle in title track ‘Castles‘ is a nice thematic centerpoint of the record, defining the rest of the record’s woes as well. There’s a lot of pained emotion in Castles, but they come together to paint the portrait of a woman ready to take herself back.

32. Architects - Holy Hell

When it comes to losing a band member, not many losses hit as close to home as in Architects. Their first full effort without guitarist and songwriter Tom Searle, Holy Hell, is as oppressively heavy as the burden of losing a brother and friend. Single ‘Hereafter‘ roars with a sense of impossibility, as if the band know the gravity of the loss will overcome them. Regardless, their crushing riffs and thrilling screams provide for loads of energy, and even hope, especially in songs like opening track ‘Death Is Not Defeat‘ and ‘Damnation.’ It feels like every note is performed in dedication to their fallen bandmate, each kick and each powerchord feeling like they pack the weight of that loss. 2018 came with its share of loss, but time and time again we overcame it, even, at times, with rage, confusion, and chaos, like in Holy Hell.

31. Jaden Smith - The Sunset Tapes: A Cool Tape Story

Jaden Smith is one of the most surprisingly good artists of the year, last year’s SYRE showing that his blend of indie, rock, and hip-hop was something to be threatened with. While not coming back with a full-fledged effort this year, his mixtape The Sunset Tapes: A Cool Tape Story certainly proved that he’s not gone anywhere. His aesthetic is still very apparent, the atmosphere and signature chill of opening track ‘SOHO‘ making certain of that. More of Smith’s raw ability is shown in this album, from the rapping in ‘A Calabasas Freestyle‘ to the fantastic melodies of ‘Rollin Around.’ Perhaps not as all-inclusive as SYRE, but impressive all the same, showing that he’s still a step ahead of the rest.

30. The Weeknd - My Dear Melancholy,

Pop’s R&B king The Weeknd kept things relatively quiet this year, but that didn’t stop him from delivering one of the genre’s best EP’s of the year. My Dear Melancholy, explores more of The Weeknd’s sensual darkness, opening track ‘Call Out My Name‘ perfectly capturing the tortured love and drama of the record, the dark chords and The Weeknd’s pained delivery saying it all. The short EP is dynamic, with tracks like ‘I Was Never Here‘ featuring a beat change and focussing on dreamier atmospheres, while closing track ‘Privilege‘ builds dramatically in a similar fashion to the opening track. The Weeknd’s sound never gets old, and this EP is the perfect soundtrack for any night on the town.

29. Fall Out Boy - Lake Effect Kid

Fall Out Boy certainly had a great year, and they humble acknowledged that with their surprise Lake Effect Kid EP, a short EP dedicated to their hometown of Chicago. With a similar flair as this year’s MANIA, Lake Effect Kid was a short burst of energy that only solidified the band’s big comeback this year. There’s a threat in the big punchy bass and cried vocals of ‘Super Fade‘ that precedes the awesome drop, while the loud guitar riff of title track ‘Lake Effect Kid‘ shows a return to the band’s more ambitious roots. ‘City In A Garden‘ is where the band’s worlds collide as the alternative drive and pounding drums provide for another feel good jam from the band. You really just couldn’t go wrong with Fall Out Boy this year.

28. Nothing But Thieves - What Did You Think When You Made Me This Way?

Nothing But Thieves are perhaps one of rock’s most interesting modern acts, and they don’t stop providing; even on short EPs. This year, they offered up the short - yet massive - What Did You Think When You Made Me This Way? EP, gracing us with four new, powerful tracks. Rock and roll flair opens the record up tenfold with single ‘Forever & Ever More,’ while a funkier, groovier energy comes through in ‘You Know Me Too Well.’ ‘Gods‘ is also filled with energy, before ‘Take This Lonely Heart‘ ends the album on a somber build. Even in the little time they have, Nothing But Thieves pack this record to the brim with drama, action, and fun, delivering some pretty powerful songs in the process.

27. Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour

If you know Immortal Reviews, you’ll know country isn’t our favorite genre by any means; regardless of genre, however, Kacey Musgraves definitely surprised more than just us. The album reads like a diary, Musgraves letting go of her harshest burdens through her country-like delivery. Her personality comes through in numbers like ‘Space Cowboy,’ which are so delightfully her that it may even distract you from the pain and hurt behind the lyrics. Musgraves always seems to be coping with something or another, whether it be love (like in the tortured yet sweet ‘Butterflies‘) or loss (in ‘Mother,’ where she states, “I'm just sitting here thinking 'bout the time that's slipping / And missing my mother, mother.“) This album is more than a genre-defying country-pop record. It’s the attitude of picking yourself back up even when all the world throws you is negativity that makes this record inspiring.

26. Kanye West - ye

Kanye West was a busy man this year, producing records for several artists all while making his own music. One of his most pertinent releases, however, was his own: ye. Politics and controversies aside, West’s ye was an introspective look into his mind, revealing some pretty dark things. The album opens with ‘I Thought About Killing You,’ where West literally admits to contemplating the murder of someone he cares about as well as his own suicide. Thematically more along the lines of his pre-Yeezus material, ye continues to dish out some pretty powerful tracks, like the soulful ‘Ghost Town‘ and ‘Violent Crimes,’ the latter of which sees him reflecting on how his views of women have changed since the birth of his children. West has been destroyed by the public and media alike this year for his admittedly problematic statements, but if anything, ye is a testament to what’s going on inside of us all: behind every man is a deeper story that not everyone is aware of. 2018 taught us acceptance - perhaps ye should be part of that lesson.

25. Agua Rojo - Roses

Sometimes to make a powerful statement, you don’t have to do it in a unique way - just in a way that’s intrinsically you. That’s how Agua Rojo‘s Roses delivers its own story. The EP is like a breakup record, but not in a typical way: it’s all about finding yourself in the aftermath, the album’s drama acting as a front for the emotions that are just waiting to flood out. Opening track ‘Be Alone‘ brings the record to life immediately with dramatic vocals and an expansive, reverberating instrumental, the message really kicking in with ‘Roses‘ as Agua Rojo begins taking themselves back. Roses is a testament to the individual spirit, and Agua Rojo want you to know that even when times are tough, you’ll always have the power in there to keep moving forward.

24. Hozier - Nina Cried Power

One of 2018’s most surprising comebacks was blues rocker Hozier, who has been quietly plotting new music since his last record. He returned with the short but powerful Nina Cried Power EP, and the music was nothing short of spectacular. Title track ‘Nina Cried Power‘ says it all, the urgent drive and dramatic atmosphere empowered by Hozier’s deep timbre, beautiful melodies, and a powerful choir aided by Mavis Staples. The other tracks aren’t quite as heavenly powerful, but certainly make a huge impression: ‘NFWMB‘ rolls with huge attitude, while ‘Shrike‘ gets more intimate. Hozier certainly was one of the year’s most unexpected stars, but he burst back onto the scene with such power that he electrified music itself.

23. Hayley Kiyoko - Expectations

Hayley Kiyoko‘s rise this year felt like it happened overnight, though with an album as good as Expectations, it’s not so surprising. A huge part of 2018 was learning to accept one another truly and finally, and no one pushed that harder in the music world than Kiyoko. With plenty of tantalizing and sensual hits from ‘Curious‘ and ‘What I Need‘ featuring Kehlani to more empowering, building tracks like ‘Feelings‘ and ‘Wanna Be Missed,’ Kiyoko showed that not only is it not easy facing sexuality, but it’s also rewarding in the end. Perhaps we should all be a bit more like Kiyoko in the way we approach love: it’s all about the passion and discovery, and only you can decide who you give it to.

22. Eminem - Kamikaze

If anyone learned anything this year, it was to not mess with Eminem. The hip-hop legend dropped Kamikaze out of the blue at the end of the summer, and it wasn’t what anyone expected. Eminem returns to his angry predispositions that people complained was gone after his previous record Revival, and no one was ready. Eminem slaughters the rest of his competition in tracks like ‘Greatest‘ and ‘Lucky You‘ (with a shocking verse from Joyner Lucas), while upping himself in the other tracks, including ‘Stepping Stones‘ and ‘Not Alike.' Even closing track ‘Venom,’ though meme’d into oblivion, provides for a fun and classic Em-style listen.

21. Thrice - Palms

Thrice have always had a way of writing songs that are inexplicably powerful, yet continue to evolve their sound from record to record. This year’s Palms was no exception in their vast discography, the much more alternative and mellow record seeing Thrice test some new waters. The band’s previous angry confusion is gone and replaced by a more pained longing, evident in tracks like ‘The Dark‘ and ‘My Soul.’ Thrice stay true to their angrier past with the aggressive and energetic ‘A Branch In The River,’ while their new sound comes to an emotional climax in the conclusive ballad ‘Beyond The Pines,’ a tortured anthem that has Dustin Kensrue whispering to us in the finale as if he were taking his final breathes. Thrice never play around, and in one of their most personal records yet, they did not stray away from expectations.

20. The Neighbourhood - To Imagine

While the band’s self-titled release later in the year was certainly a more fleshed out listen, it was The Neighbourhood‘s To Imagine EP at the start of the year that really brought in the captivating numbers. Featuring a handful of tracks that would later feature on the full effort, The Neighbourhood kicked off the year showing off their new evolution. It’s the EP-exclusive efforts that put this one ahead of the full record: ‘Heaven‘ creates the perfect sensual atmosphere with dark melodies and an enchanting groove, ‘Dust‘ brings more of an industrial intensity, and ‘Compass‘ bursts with ethereal bliss. Emotion and intimacy runs in the very veins of this EP.

19. A Perfect Circle - Eat The Elephant

It’s hard to accept an album that so perfectly captures society, but A Perfect Circle have done so this year in a way that you just can’t argue with. Eat The Elephant is not only powerful, but pertinent, too. Maynard James Keenan slams and observes society through his music, tackling some pretty broad messages in a surprisingly simple way. ‘Disillusioned‘ comments on our addiction to social media as Keenan sings about losing touch of reality (“Take a look around, find a way in the silence / Lie supine away with your back to the ground / Dis- and re-connect to the resonance now / You were never an island“), while ‘So Long, and Thanks For All The Fish‘ is more of an emotional goodbye to the greats we’ve lost over the last few years. It’s easy to look at Eat The Elephant as a slamming commentary, but if anything, it’s more of a snapshot and a celebration: this is where we are, and this is where we’re going. A Perfect Circle wants us to learn to love that, acknowledge our faults and improve.

18. Haley Heynderickx - I Need To Start A Garden

2018 blessed us with a whole slew of new talent, but none had as unique a personality as Haley Heynderickx. The indie new-comer delivered her debut record I Need To Start A Garden this year, and its atmosphere alone was enough to solidify itself as an instant classic. Imagine waking up in an isolated wooden house in the middle of a large field, looking out the window to see nothing but fog. You step out onto the porch, take a seat, and just stare out into the misty oblivion, thinking: that’s the sound of I Need To Start A Garden. Slow, beautiful numbers like ‘No Face‘ and ‘Untitled God Song' help keep the atmosphere alive and evolving, while tracks like closing song ‘Drinking Song‘ reveal a more weathered life behind the perfect atmosphere. Heynderickx’s main attraction has to be ‘The Bug Collector,’ however, a delightfully sweet track filled with insect-themed metaphors and imagery. Only Heynderickx could make that sound endearing.

17. Gia Margaret - There’s Always Glimmer

We all face tragedy in our lives, yet each blow feels so different from the last. Gia Margaret comes face to face with constant pain and trauma in There’s Always Glimmer, her innocent debut that shines a heartbreaking light onto a fragile heart. Opening track ‘Groceries‘ admits from the start: “It’s safe to say it’s been a hard year,“ Margaret preparing to unload a lifetime of regrets. ‘Smoke‘ cuts through you like an emotional knife, so to speak, the ghastly vocals and enveloping build providing the perfect atmosphere for you to grab your insecurities and float away with them. Margaret dives through a series of tough emotions, such as the chilling ‘In Normal Ways‘ or the existential ‘Exist.’ Closing track ‘West‘ cuts off abruptly, as if she herself cannot continue to face these haunting memories. Intimate, real, and even topical, Margaret’s debut perfectly captured the lonelier and harder moments of the year.

16. Rae Morris - Someone Out There

Finding ourselves was an important part of 2018, and Rae Morris‘s new record Someone Out There was the perfect soundtrack for just that. Morris’s sophomore effort found her refining her sound into the perfect blend of hope and pain, perhaps best seen in the album’s emotional centerpiece ‘Wait For The Rain.’ The slowly building pop anthem builds sweetly as Morris sing’s motivationally, gaining strength and passion as she seems to come into her own. The heartbreaking message of the song is also reflected in ‘Physical Form,’ but warmer, more reassuring tracks promise better times are ahead: opening track ‘Push Me To My Limit‘ offers a warm, airy atmosphere, while even ‘Dip My Toes‘ keeps the record fun by the end. Self-discovery and overcoming the past can be scary, but with the right inspiration - which is just what Someone Out There is - you’ll get there without worry.

15. Stone Temple Pilots - Stone Temple Pilots

It’s been a rough couple of years for the Stone Temple Pilots, but the band finally seem to be back on their feet. While they may have lost both of their former vocalists in the last years, the band have never sounded more alive with Jeff Gutt now fronting the band. It’s no surprise, then, that their comeback album was full of the grungy energy that defined their come up. Massive numbers including ‘Roll Me Under,’ ‘Six Eight,’ and ‘Red & Blues‘ show that STP is still going and kicking furiously, while slower numbers, including the Chester Bennington-dedicated ‘Finest Hour‘ acknowledge the pain they’ve been through over the last few years. When life kicks you down, you get back up with twice as much bite - that’s the biggest message to take away from Stone Temple Pilots.

14. TesseracT - Sonder

TesseracT have been at the forefront of progressive metal and djent since their formation, but none of their records have hit like Sonder does. Defined by experimentation and a familiar explosiveness, Sonder is packed with action and drama. Opening track ‘Luminary‘ exhibits this combination wonderfully, the gentle electronic background accented by heavy guitar riffs. Melodies carry the soaring ‘Juno‘ while the jagged riffs of ‘Beneath My Skin / Mirror Image‘ offer heavy, sharp contrasts that make the record feel even more thrilling. The seven-minute epic ‘King‘ is perhaps all you need to hear to feel like you’ve been hit by the train that is this record, the constant build never ending before the deadly breakdown kicks in to melt your face off. TesseracT not only killed the game - they ended it.

13. Son Lux - Brighter Wounds

Few bands have carved an identity for themselves like Son Lux have. The electronic group have made their sound even more eclectic with the surprisingly anthemic and powerful Brighter Wounds, a record defined by its chaos. From the huge bass hits of opening track ‘Forty Screams‘ to the haunting timbre of closing number ‘Resurrection,’ the record’s chaos paints a picture as you have no idea what lies beyond the next corner in each track. The beauty of this chaos is perhaps most promptly seen in ‘Dream State,’ an anthemic track that combines chaos with order. The song’s structure and instrumental is as wild and unpredictable as you’d expect, but its in their layering where they come together: huge bass and a driving drum beat carry soaring gang vocals that sing out in unison as the song itself seems to be giving up on itself as it continues to glitch and distort. In the end, however, the song never loses its integrity, holding itself together despite all the chaos around it and even within it. Poetic and pertinent to not only this last year, but our own daily lives, as well.

12. Twenty One Pilots - Trench

Those who dismissed Twenty One Pilots as another passing emo fad after Blurryface certainly missed out this year. Trench is one of the year’s biggest and most methodical records, diverse in both sound and message. The record follows the protagonist’s escape from the fictional city of Dema, to a haven for the “banditos” (escapees) known as Trench. The album is full of story-telling and world-building tracks, like the reggae-inspired ‘Nico and The Niners‘ and the more somber ‘Banditos.’ Meanwhile, the duo don’t lose sight of keeping things catchy and fresh, employing poppier elements in tracks like the explosive ‘Jumpsuit‘ and emotional brotherly ode ‘My Blood.’ The band continue to experiment with new sounds, trying out 80s soul in the chorus of ‘Morph,’ trap in ‘Levitate,’ and even adopt a more innocently romantic vibe in ‘Smithereens.’ The album’s more powerful moments are the somber ones, namely ‘Neon Gravestones,‘ an emotional piano ballad against suicide. Twenty One Pilots have long since passed the moniker of an emo band - they’ve become a staple of culture, and their stories and messages are ever more important today than ever.

11. Fall Out Boy - MANIA

It seemed that for awhile, Fall Out Boy were slowly losing their place in an evolving pop-punk soundscape, but 2018 proved that they were back and ready to kick. The very first notes of MANIA‘s opening track ‘Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea‘ demand your attention as huge synths, guitars, and drums underlie Patrick Stump‘s soulful and swagger-filled delivery. Alt. rock anthem ‘The Last Of The Real Ones‘ explodes to life as tracks including ‘HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T‘ and ‘Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)‘ plays towards Fall Out Boy’s more emotional, live-in-the-moment side. The band even take it to the gospel in ‘Church’ before the thrilling, poetic conclusion ‘Bishops Knife Trick‘ closes out what is undoubtedly Fall Out Boy’s most lively and energetic record in years.

10. KIDS SEE GHOSTS - KIDS SEE GHOSTS

Of all of Kanye West's projects release over the summer, his collaborative album KIDS WITH GHOSTS with Kid Cudi was by far the most evocative. Reflective, aesthetic, and apt, West and Cudi look at all the aspects of both their pasts and society around them to craft the powerful commentary in the record. From the aggressively anthemic intro 'Feel The Love' to the brilliant Santa Claus-referencing samples of '4th Dimension,' the production plays as pivotal a role as the lyrics themselves. Cudi and West face their failures in 'Fire' and incessant criticsm in 'Freee' before fully committing to look forward in 'Reborn,' offering a message of self-improvement as well. KIDS SEE GHOSTS is a project of the times: an effort dedicated to bettering both the world and themselves.

9. Marmozets - Knowing What You Know Now

Marmozets were the reviving force of punk-infused alternative rock when they broke onto the scene in 2015. Back with more societal anger and even bigger riffs, Knowing What You Know Now is a massive effort full of hard hitters like 'Habits' and the emotional ballad 'Me & You.' They leave no stones unturned, challenging society where they see fit: whether its political turmoil ('New Religion,' 'Like A Battery') or personal battles ('Insomnia'), Marmozets have a vengeance to settle and have proven that their wild spirit was not just a flash in the pan: it's here to stay, and it's staying with a vicious attitude.

8. AURORA - Infections Of A Different Kind (Step I)

In a world dominated by countless pop stars, AURORA has always stood out. The Norwegian singer’s folky and indie pop blend earned her a cult following, and her sound is only progressing. This year’s Infections Of A Different Kind (Step I) finally followed up her 2016 debut, delivering both natural anthems like ‘Queendom‘ and more introspective tracks like the haunting ‘Churchyard' and panicked ‘Gentle Earthquakes.’ Meanwhile, tracks like ‘It Happened Quiet‘ are the perfect representation of why AURORA is so important in music right now: no one has that same angelic nature about them like she does, and the way she makes her music come to life is almost like you’re watching a fairytale unfold.

7. grandson - a modern tragedy vol. 1

Music is trending towards a genreless future, and amongst the new generation of these alternative artists is grandson, who is undoubtedly the most unique of the bunch. Bringing together elements of electronica, rock, indie, and just about everything else under the sun, grandson's haunting melodies and glitchy drops are some of music's most unique moments. Add to that a lazy revolutionary motive, and you have his debut EP a modern tragedy, vol. 1, complete with banging singles like 'Blood // Water' and haunting rockers like 'Overdose' and '6:00.' There's not quite anyone who sounds similar to him, but all the same shows that he's paving the way for a new future in music. 

6. Let’s Eat Grandma - I’m All Ears

Rarely do you hear something as diverse yet so certain as Let's Eat Grandma's latest record I'm All Ears. Like a modern blend of CHVRCHES and Pink Floyd, Let's Eat Grandma build an expansive record out of drama, pain, and the idea of growing up. The album begins with carefree, fun tracks like 'Hot Pink' and 'Falling Into Me,' before the duo grows more introspective as they meet reality. The dejected 'Snakes & Ladders' and the closing track - the eleven minute epic of self exploration 'Donnie Darko' - see them go down that path of self-acceptance as they meet life head on in its most momentous and difficult times. It's deceivingly catchy, and will wrap you in and grow more as a personal memoir that slowly but surely begins to mirror its listener the longer it plays.

5. Muse - Simulation Theory

Muse are no stranger to grandiose themes and bombastic albums, and their latest effort is no different - but they bring a different vibe to the table this time. 2018’s Simulation Theory is an exploration of the idea we’re living in a simulation, dramatic tracks like 'Algorithm‘ and ‘Propaganda‘ attempting to overrun the simulation and take themselves back. The narrative of wanting to preserve what emotion humanity has left carries over from the warfare-minded Drones, yet Muse’s exploration of electronica in tracks like ‘The Dark Side‘ harken back to their earlier songs. Meanwhile, the punchy ‘Pressure‘ with its brass accents and ‘Thought Contagion‘ remain as revolutionary anthems to keep the attention of any potential rebel. Muse start down a new path with this one, but one that really sums them up perfectly.

4. Milk & Bone - Deception Bay

The feeling of being in love is one that is hard to qualify. It's pure euphoria, and that is something that doesn't come by easily. The first half of Milk & Bone's Deception Bay is all about that feeling. With childlike curiosity, the duo celebrates and explores young love, from the feelings of an innocent crush to a growing passion, beautifully and sweetly capturing the emotions you'd feel on both sonic and lyrical planes. But, as the album hits it centers, it all turns as loneliness takes over love, heartbreak being all they know. From the melancholy search of 'Tmrw.' that chants "Let's see what tomorrow brings" to the ambient, reflective closure of ':'),' Milk & Bone explore two of life's most powerful emotions and takes you along on the ride, too.

3. CHVRCHES - Love Is Dead

Band's can easily find themselves having an identity crisis as they grow. For CHVRCHES, they experienced that with their third album, but instead of scrambling in the dark, they embraced it. With acoustic instrumentation supporting their famous synth soundscapes, CHVRCHES forge ahead on a new path in Love Is Dead. It's an album about accepting reality even when the past seems so tantalizing, from heartbreak tracks like 'My Enemy' (featuring The National's Matt Berninger) and 'Really Gone' to more energetic anthems like the instrument driven 'Graves,' it really feels like not only has CHVRCHES turned over a new stone, but they've thrown a stone as well. Even if the epic atmosphere of 'Never Say Die' or the "take yourself back" energy of 'Get Out' aren't necessarily new for the band, this record shows CHVRCHES at their best and with a new understanding of both their sound and themselves.

2. Mike Shinoda - Post Traumatic

Once Mike Shinoda delivered the highly emotional Post Traumatic EP to launch his solo career at the start of the year, it was clear that he was going to turn his journey through grief into something powerful. And so he does with Post Traumatic, his debut album that looks back and ahead in the aftermath of losing his best friend and bandmate, Chester Bennington. The first half of the record is trapped in the past, numbers like 'Over Again' and 'Nothing Makes Sense Anymore' lost and confused. The second, however, is more optimistic and begins looking forward: 'Crossing A Line' sees Shinoda find the courage to pull himself back together, while 'World's On Fire' is an ode to his loved ones. It's an emotional record, but a reassuring one all the same: pain is universal, and the journey through grief is not an easy one. But by speaking out and trying to understand one another, we can reach that destination just a bit more easily.

1. Thirty Seconds To Mars - AMERICA

We live in a tumultuous time. The chaos of every day seems to get lost in the constant dialogue of one big issue after another. Thirty Seconds To Mars perfectly captures the essence of that in their new album America. Neither wholly global nor personal, America is the soundtrack of society today. From the dream-inspiring lead single 'Walk On Water' to the epic orchestral theme of a tragic hero, closing track 'Rider,' Jared Leto and co. take a look at all the aspects of life and how society faces them. The thrill of love is celebrated in 'Dangerous Night' while it is dramatized in 'Love Is Madness' with Halsey, before the admiration of 'Great Wide Open' fills your heart with the want to unite and spread peace and tranquility. America is as much of a call-to-arms as it is a snapshot, but it naturally leads you to want to reach that point of unity by showing you the chaos head on. It's an album about humanity, and begs the question: are we moving forward, or stuck in the past?

What albums defined YOUR 2018? Stay tuned for our Top 50 Songs and Best New Artists of 2018 lists, and be sure to follow us on social media to stay covered on new music in 2019!

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Best WordPress Feminine Themes, Blogs and eCommerce for Women

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Best WordPress Feminine Themes, Blogs and eCommerce for Women

We created this WordPress collection to highlight the absolute best feminine WordPress themes on the market these WordPress feminine themes often have a little bit of fun, whimsical or feminine style about them. These themes can appeal more to women and girls because they’re feminine Style is more attractive to women. Many of these things are for blogging but some are also portfolios or even eCommerce sites. We’ve tried to get a good variety of WordPress themes to help you find the best thing for women that you can possibly fine. If your blog or magazine, portfolio is aimed at women or you are selling products geared toward women than one of these themes could be the exact solution you need.

There are quite a number of feminine style WordPress themes out there and many more come to the market each week. Sorting through all of these various when these themes can be quite a challenge. That’s why we’ve created this collection to gather up all of the very best tablets and review them for you. If you see a WordPress theme in this collection, you can be guaranteed that it’s high-quality, well-designed and will support it. For any type of feminine styled website, these themes are a great starting point.

Armonioso

This theme is named Armanioso, it’s a modern and clean, feminine and elegant WordPress theme for blogs or magazines. This template also supports woocommerce, so you can create a mobile-friendly, responsive and attractive online shop. To give the very best user experience possible, you’ll want a fast loading WordPress theme. This template gets a 99 out of a hundred on Google’s page speed user experience score. That makes it one of the fastest loading themes on all of ThemeForest. This template installs with one click, it has seemingly Limitless options for customization, multiple different layouts and a whole host of other unique features to make it one of the better feminine themes out there.

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Boutique

Boutique is a creative and unique WordPress Theme by Elegant Themes. To say that these guys are among the best WordPress theme developers is a massive understatement. They were one of the very first developers to gain widespread popularity and they’re fun, Whimsical and Unique Designs are a huge part of the reason why. Boutique is still being used by thousands of webmasters who want a fun, frilly and girly style website. Elegant themes offers Perpetual updates, complete localization, incredible support, ultra clean and valid code and unlimited color schemes. There are tons of female options available to help make your site completely unique.

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Tulip

At first, I didn’t know which collection to put the Tulip WordPress theme into. On the one hand, it’s very clean and simple, so it might be perfect as a minimalist Blog theme. Then again, it has a distinctly feminine vibe to it, making it perfect for women’s lifestyle magazines, personal blogs, mommy blogs and other websites aimed at women. I think this template is also great for photographers, artists, writers and others who want to share their creative output. If you want a theme with a nice blend of simple but slightly feminine style, this templatet is a great choice.

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Chamomile

Chamomile is a sweet, girl next door style WordPress blog and portfolio theme. The color scheme is an enchanting mint green, and I think this Temple is perfect for wedding or event planners, stationery stores and even photographers. With the Chamomile WordPress theme, you get perfectly responsive layout with a mobile-friendly Vibe. Your website fit all screens perfectly. You can easily customize the colors, if you don’t like that mint green, and it only takes a couple clicks. Upload your header logo, feature posts with the featured slider and upload any image and link to any page with that. Social media icons are fully integrated and they help you connect on multiple social media networks. There are multiple layout options for your blog or portfolio and Chamomile comes with amazing support as well.

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Geraldine

BluChic is back with another incredible, feminine style WordPress theme.  Geraldine brings a soft, subtle style that’s great for women’s blogs.  If you want a smooth approach to building a website, this theme offers a very user-friendly experience.  With a flexible design and plenty of features, Geraldine is one of those themes that is totally elastic and ready for anything.  No style of website is out of reach with the Geraldine theme, though it really is best suited as a feminine blog and business site.  This theme isn’t particularly flexible in terms of layout, it should be noted.  That doesn’t have to be all bad though, themes that are responsive but have a ‘fixed’ design like this often load up incredibly fast.

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Isabelle

With the Isabelle WordPress theme, you can truly put your best foot forward. Isabelle is all about feminine Whimsy. This template is flexible and beautiful, there’s a lot of space dedicated to a large and impressive slideshow at the top of your page, great for style blogs and lifestyle blogs alike. Isabelle shows excerpt of your posts with females in a very well mannered. Layout. This Isabelle theme can really help make a great first impression. Isabelle is WooCommerce compatible, has a responsive layout design that is mobile friendly, easy to update and simple to customize. With multiple layout options, promo boxes, social media icons and SEO friendly code, this will supported and well-documented theme it has proven to be very popular with a lot of female bloggers.  There’s a reason why BluChic is the industry leader when it comes to feminine WordPres themes.

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Jacqueline

Jacqueline is a sweet and stylish WordPress theme for women who are all about business. This theme could work great for consultants and life coaches, it’s a theme that gives a great first impression. Jacqueline dedicates a lot of electronic real estate to showcasing one prominent feature at the top of your front page. I think it’s a great way to really get some attention. With a responsive design, mobile friendly in a real way, easy customization options and multiple post layout options, the Jacqueline WordPress theme is a great option for business women.  I think that maybe the best thing about Jacqueline, it’s not overly feminine, yet it has just a hint of style that suggests it was designed by a woman, for women.  I think that it’s another great job by BluChic.

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Lynette

Lynette is a well-organized and engaging, intuitive and easy-to-use WordPress theme that is primarily used as a lifestyle and personal Blog theme. Lynette has responsive Design, This theme is totally mobile-friendly, and it’s incredibly easy to customize. You get to choose which layout you like in the theme options panel, show recent post from any category in a clean and well-organized grid layout, show post excerpts with the males, show classic full posts or show your content at full screen with. This theme has amazing documentation and support and it was coded to be very SEO friendly. This is an all-around great WordPress theme for women.

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Marilyn

Marilyn is a clean and flat, feminine and bold WordPress theme that is great for modern fashion bloggers, lifestyle blogs and personal style sites. With plenty of social media integration, this theme can really help you connect with your readers. I like the beautiful, mobile friendly responsive layout, the easy customization of colors and fonts, all of the featured sliders and several great layout styles that you can choose from. You’ll be able to really connect with your audience with the Marilyn WordPress theme.  Marilyn is clean and never cluttered, it’s got plenty of handy features.  The support and documentation are never superficial, this is a meaty WordPress theme and it’s a smart and serious way to help build your business.  If you want to add weight and depth to your web presence, I think this bright and inquisitive theme could really help deliver a splendid website.

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Naomi

Made for online cake shops, as well as pastry shops or coffee shops, the Naomi WordPress theme is certainly not a black-and-white template. This is no Plain Jane, so to speak.  It’s colorful and stylish, expansive and glorious to use. With the Naomi WordPress theme, you get a terrific Jewel of a template, one with clever features to make you grin as you craft a soothing and beautiful website that will be a treat for all of your visitors. I think the Naomi theme is a smashing star of enchanting design, feminine style and physical and emotional Beauty. This theme is fresh from the oven, it’s complex and groovy, dashing and adamant about delivering the best possible experience for blogger and reader alike.

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Olivie

Olivie is a feminine theme, but it’s really not too girly.  I think that’s a nice balance to strike for many websites, since you may want to have just a hint of feminine style without being over-the-top.  Built for fashion, lifestyle and beauty bloggers, the Olivie WordPress theme has some delightful attributes to make it a real winner.  There’s the fluid, responsive layout, the highly optimized design and code, which makes building your traffic a simple task, Olivie offers malleable headers and you can switch between color schemes too, if you’d like to.  Matching your business’ or your personal taste is incredibly important.  You shouldn’t have to settle for a style that isn’t exactly what you want and Olivie promises you’ll be able to create whatever you want.  It doesn’t matter if you know how to code either, since Olivie can be adapted to fit your needs with it’s amazing, user friendly back end.

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Paisley

This theme is called a Paisley, it’s another really attractive WordPress theme that was created by BluChic, probably the leading developer of feminine style WordPress themes. Paisley is all about blogs, though I think you should be able to sell some products with high level of success as well. Lifestyle blogs can often benefit from that form of monetization and woocommerce is probably the best plug-in to help achieve that goal. Paisley is flexible enough to adapt itself to a wide variety of uses, though I do believe personal and lifestyle blogs are probably the way to go with this theme.

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Quinn

Quinn is another great looking feminine theme from BluChic. This one is perfect for wedding event planners, photographers and bloggers who want a traditional WordPress theme with a feminine touch. This template offers you a full-width slider, it’s very simple to customize and offers you plenty of options for a fluid and dynamic user experience. This theme is responsive, you won’t have to stress about having a non mobile friendly website anymore. With simple to customize colors and a handy logo upload feature, this theme offers multiple layouts, promo boxes and has all the documentation and support you could possibly need.  BluChic always does a great job with their themes and Quinn is no exception.

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Rachel

Rachel is another great looking feminine style Blog theme from BluChic. This theme offers up wonderful and feminine style, AdSense optimization, simple customization process to help you create a fantastic-looking theme, perfectly responsive layout and plenty of thorough and comprehensive documentation. In my experience, BluChic has always done a great job with supporting their themes if you happen to have issues customizing it. Rachel works perfectly with all the major and popular page Builders so that you can quickly adapt this theme to perform exactly the way you want it to. Customize colors, fonts, upload your own logo and it is going to produce a fantastic-looking website that really appeals to a feminine audience.

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Samantha

Samantha is a dynamic and no fuss WordPress theme that has a sensible set of features and a really nice, feminine style. This theme is perfect for selling products to women, thanks to its focus on e-commerce. This is a retail WordPress theme for durable goods and digital downloads alike. This is a modern shopping theme that has a responsive layout, easily customized options, multiple layout choices for you to make and intense social media integration. This translation ready theme works for any language and there is plenty of documentation included. If you are concerned about SEO performance, Samantha is among the better feminine WordPress themes out there. I really like the four promotional boxes that are included, a widget sized area just below the slider where you can promote your most important products. It’s a really nice touch and something that I think morphemes should offer.

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Tiffany

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[sustainhealthmagazine]

BEST RUNNING SHOES 2018

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THE BEST MALE AND FEMALE RUNNING TRAINERS, TESTED IN THE LAB AND ON THE ROAD

It's here - your ultimate guide to the best running shoes to buy this year.

By Runner's World 

There’s no such thing as the perfect running shoe. When it comes to running, all sorts of things come into play – your biomechanics, your weight, the surface you run on and the shape of your feet, meaning no one shoe will suit every kind of runner.

Yet there are shoes that stand out from the crowd. To help you find your perfect shoe and get a sense of how brand updates may change how your favourite trainer fits or performs, we review hundreds of shoes each year.

To find the best running trainers for 2018, we’ve put the following shoes through their paces in vigorous testing, both on the road, and in the Runner’s World lab in Oregon. Twice a year, once the wear-test and lab-test results are in, we crunch the data to work out which models are worthy of a place on this list and which are best for the type of runner you are.  

How to choose the perfect running shoe

Each shoe on the list below was chosen due to its high overall performance scores, but we also looked at three important categories that should help you find the best model for you:

Weight: Lighter shoes typically have less cushioning, which can make them feel faster. That said, if you’re going long distances, the extra cushioning of a heavier shoe might be a better option.

Drop: A shoe’s drop is the difference between the heel and forefoot measurements, or in simple terms, how much your toes drop below your heel. A higher drop can lead to more heel striking. Most shoes have a drop between 8 and 12 millimetres, some shoes have less than 6mm and a few minimalist designs have zero drop.

Cushioning: Cushioning provides impact absorption. In the lab, we looked at cushioning measurements in the heel and forefoot, to give you an idea of the overall cushioning in each shore.

The best running shoes 2018

The following running shoes stood out from the rest, and are our best buys for 2018. We test shoes twice a year, so you'll find our newest best buys at the top of the list: 

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35, £104.95, nike.com

Weight: 265g (M), 227g (W) 

Heel/toe drop: 12mm (M), 11mm (W)

The best-buy award is often given to the cheapest shoe in our guides. That was again the case here, and while over £100 may not seem like a bargain, you’re getting outstanding value for money with this shoe. The Pegasus has reached the age of 35 by offending almost nobody and our testers loved this latest iteration, which has been changed a lot while retaining its ‘good for any type of run’ DNA. The shoe is 30g lighter than previous versions, has bouncier cushioning, thanks to a full-length Air unit (previously the Air pods were in heel and forefoot only), and now has a bootie construction and a raised heel section for a locked-in fit. It all went down a storm with both Pegasus fans and those new to the shoe.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's

Saucony Kinvara 9, £115, saucony.com

Weight: 226g (M), 183g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 6mm (M), 6mm (W) 

Of all the shoes in the Saucony range, we think this has the best chance of going the distance and becoming a venerable old-stager on the running circuit, like the Asics Kayano 25 or the Nike Pegasus 35. The first Kinvara came out nine years ago, so it still has a way to go. It’s evolved considerably from its roots as a performance shoe for heavier runners to its current guise as an everyday model for those who don’t want a big shoe but still want some cushioning. There has been some narrowing of the fit on the upper and the midsole is slightly stiffer than version 8, but this is essentially the same delightfully light-but-cushioned ride that it’s always been

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

New Balance Fuelcell Impulse, £120, newbalance.co.uk

Weight: 227g (M), 181g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 6mm (M), 6mm (W) 

It was a toss-up whether this new model from New Balance would win Best Debut or Editor’s Choice, but it thoroughly deserved the top prize. The bootie construction, 6mm heel drop, nitrogen-infused forefoot (which provides durability and bounce for less weight) and narrow last all combined to make a shoe that is about speed. Our testers raved about how light, responsive, fast and snug it was. This makes sense, since the RW Lab also rated the Impulse as among the least flexible and least cushioned on test – so if you’re a steady-pace distance runner only, this won’t be a comfortable option for you. But for races of 10K and under, this is a superb addition to the speedster fold.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's

Nike Epic React Flyknit, £129.95, nike.com

Weight: 223g (M), 177g (W) 

Heel/toe drop: 8mm (M), 8mm (W)

Fast, sleek and lithe - this shoe is a something of cheetah in the running world. The main feature is a new, proprietary midsole foam called React. Nike makes the bold claim that it provides the most energy return of any shoe on the market and the company has such high expectations that React is being included in all shoes at the premium end of its range. It certainly delivers plenty of bounce for your buck, with testers feeling that the shoe ‘lengthened my stride’, ‘made me much quicker’ and ‘made my run more fun’. On the downside, the fit is suitable for narrow-footed runners only. The React Flyknit is definitely one to watch, though.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

Saucony Ride ISO, £120, saucony.com

Weight: 282g (M), 232g (W) 

Heel/toe drop: 11mm (M), 11mm (W) 

If you bought the Ride 10 and are wondering where version 11 is, this is essentially it. The Ride, a neutral high-mileage shoe, is the latest model in the Saucony range to get the ‘Isofit’ treatment. It’s a dual-layer upper that features a sock-like inner stitched to an outer flexible mesh and is designed to adapt to your foot to give a super-snug fit without pinching. It certainly achieves that, and the shoe was one of the more cushioned on test, but several found the ride far too spongy. If you prefer comfort over speed, this is a good shout; if not, then heed the wise words of tester Steve Bright: ‘I felt like I was running with super-luxurious, lightweight, comfy pillows strapped to my feet.'

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

Adidas Solarboost, £139.95, runnersneed.com

Weight: 292g (M), 250g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 10mm (M), 12mm (W)

A new shoe that was unlucky not to win a gong. Adidas has stuck with its excellent Boost midsole foam, so the story here is all about the upper: there’s a heel counter that leaves a gap for the Achilles tendon to move naturally with no pressure; guide rails run around the side of the shoe, on top of the midsole, to provide gentle stability; the tongue has been flattened to make lacing up easier; and the mesh has been made with a stitching process that uses pressure-mapping data to give as supportive a fit as possible without pinching anywhere. One tester’s toe did come through the mesh, but they commented that this happens with every shoe they try.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

Brooks Glycerin 16, £135, runnersneed.com

Weight: 312g (M), 249g (W) 

Heel/toe drop: 12mm (M), 10mm (W)

Every long-running popular shoe will go through a not-so-great version or two in its history, and the Glycerin 16 will probably be remembered as such. It’s not terrible, more a victim of the extremely high standards it has set in the past. It’s still the same premium-grade, neutral-cushioned shoe for high-mileage runners – and if you’re a diehard Glycerin fan there’s nothing major here to scare you away – but feedback around fit (a tad wide in the toebox), cushioning (too soft), flexibility (not enough) and breathability (poor in the hot weather) suggests the shoe doesn’t quite live up to the premium price tag. A few tweaks are needed to get it back to its previously exalted levels.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

Mizuno Wave Ultima 10, £115, runnersneed.com

Weight: 324g (M), 257g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 13mm (M), 11mm (W)

Mizuno fan Melanie Whittaker summed these up thus: ‘This shoe was like meeting an old friend who had improved with age, and with whom you were just as comfortable as when you last left them.’ This rather charming overview seemed to be the consensus among our testers. Experienced Mizuno wearers found the fit, comfort and ride true to form, while those who were new to the brand marvelled at the reliability, the feeling of security and the lovely mix of responsiveness and cushioning offered by the Ultima 10. It’s worth bearing in mind that the relatively high weight and heel-to-toe drop mean this is definitely best kept as a workhorse for those long, slow runs.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

Hoka Clifton 5, £115, runnersneed.com

Weight: 286g (M), 230g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 11mm (M), 7mm (W)

An impressive all-rounder that was in the mix for an award, the Clifton delivers on the long-standing Hoka promise of ‘maximum cushioning for minimum weight’. And while the RW Lab rated it as one of the most cushioned shoes on test (and our testers agreed with the ‘marshmallow soft’ claim that features in the brand’s adverts), there were still plenty of positive comments about the ‘pop’, ‘bounce’ and ‘assistance’ the shoe gives in helping you to get your feet through the gait cycle and off the ground quicker. This is a robust but lightweight shoe that’s versatile enough to cope with long Sunday runs, speedy interval sessions and everything in between.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

Brooks Ghost 11, £120, runnersneed.com 

Weight: 289g (M), 238g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 13mm (M), 11mm (W)

Brooks has taken this neutral shoe for moderate- to high-arched runners and made a few sensible tweaks to enhance the experience without alienating diehard fans – which isthe best way to update such a popular model. The heel section has Brooks’ new, lighter DNA Loft foam mixed with the existing biodegradable Biomogo foam, the result of which is a bouncier ride and more durability without adding weight. Also, the outsole flex grooves have been deepened for a smoother transition from heel to toe, and a new upper is lighter and more breathable. Brooks fans were thrilled to find this meant they could use it for faster runs as well as long ones, giving better value for money. 

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

Adidas Ultraboost Parley, £149.95, runnersneed.com

Weight: 327g (M), 264g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 12mm (M), 10mm (W)

For the latest version of its bestselling shoe, Adidas has teamed up with Parley, a company that helps turn ocean plastics into consumer goods. In this case, a proportion of the weave is made from recycled ocean plastic. As well as the environmental tick, this had the effect of stiffening the upper so it retains its shape better and hugs the foot closer. Elsewhere, it’s much the same: while it’s fairly weighty, it offers superb cushioning and energy return from the Boost midsole foam. If you own any of the previous three versions, there’s no need to buy this one, but if you’ve never tried an Ultraboost, it’s worth checking out. A near-perfect high-mileage training shoe.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's

On Cloud Ace, £170, on-running.com

Weight: 328g (M), 271g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 16mm (M), 16mm (W) 

While paying anything over £150 for a shoe is always a painful experience, if you’re going to do it, this is the type of shoe on which you can spend your hard-earned money with a clear conscience. On has spared no expense in producing a premium shoe designed specifically for heavier runners. The weight and very high heel-to-toe drop give a decidedly old-school feel. However, the supreme heel cushioning, amazing heel fit, wide base and pronation support, and excellent push-off in the forefoot combined to give a ride that delighted our testers with its smoothness and lack of clunkiness. An excellent everyday training option for bigger runners and overpronators.

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's 

361 Degree Sensation 3, £119.99, sportsshoes.com

Weight: 285g (M), 233g (W)

Heel/toe drop: 7mm (M), 6mm (W) 

This brand is trying hard to take a chunk of the market currently occupied by more traditional running brands such as Asics, Saucony and Brooks. This is a mid-range, high-mileage stability shoe with support for mild and moderate overpronators. The best feature is the carbon fibre plate in the midfoot, which testers felt really helped push their foot more quickly off the ground, although a couple of heavier runners disliked the stiff feel. The fit was snug and the cushioning excellent, but a few tweaks are needed elsewhere: the sizing comes up half a size too short; the tongue tended to slip to the side after a few miles; and the mesh does not cope well with wet weather. Solid but unspectacular. 

Buy now - men's 

Buy now - women's

Brooks Ravenna 9, £110, runnersneed.com

This is one of the top sellers in the Brooks range. The updated version of the trainer features a more durable outsole rubber, fewer seams, a revamped stability feature to provide slightly more support with less weight, and more modern aesthetics, all of which combined to ensure this was one of the top-rated shoes. Testers found it was highly versatile and reported fantastic levels of comfort, speed and reliability on everything from speed sessions through to 20-mile runs. A very well-executed update, to an already impressive shoe.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

Under Armour Hovr Sonic, £100, underarmour.co.uk 

Designed to be a mass-appeal, utility model for all distances, there’s no doubt the Hovr Sonic is well-cushioned, has a durable outsole and a simple outline that will handle both long runs as well as fast, short sessions, and a rock-solid heel fit. However, some testers complained about the lack of support around the ankle and found the mesh upper far too open.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

Salomon Sonic RA, £112.49, sportsshoes.com

The Salomon Sonic RA was rated highly by our testers, who thoroughly enjoyed wearing it, but were unsure why – a range of runners, from big to super-slim, just found it comfortable and non-intrusive. In our book, if you don’t notice a shoe while it’s on that’s normally a sign that the brand has done its job correctly. It’s also very durable: a couple of ultrarunners clocked some serious mileage in them and reported barely any wear to the outsole or midsole.

Buy now - mens

Buy now - womens 

On Cloudflyer 2, £135, on-running.com

Another great shoe from the rapidly growing Swiss brand. The best way to sum up the Cloudflyer is that it closely resembles in its performance the Saucony Kinvara – by this we mean it hits the middle spot in a Venn diagram of flexibility, comfort and speed. The high price will turn out to be good value for money, since every one of our testers found it did the job just as well for speed sessions as it did for longer, slower runs. A multi-faceted, highly reliable option for all except wide-footed runners.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

361° Meraki, £119.99, sportsshoes.com 

This Chinese brand is one of a number of companies who are disrupting the traditional running shoe market right now. 361°’s offering is well-suited for bigger runners – the durability and comforting sense of heft (despite the low weight) all helped to make long runs a niggle-free and comfortable experiences time after time. However, both lab and wear testers reported a lack of responsiveness, meaning it felt sluggish on tempo-paced runs and faster. Solid and reliable, but not adaptable.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

Asics Gel Nimbus 20, £150, asics.com 

Winner of our Runner’s World Editor’s Choice award, for 20 years, the Gel Nimbus has been a plush, comfortable, premium neutral cushioning shoe with a slim fit. Asics took a slight risk by making a few changes to a shoe that has a fiercely loyal following, but they’ve paid off. The new gel is designed to provide more cushioning as your feet fatigue, and the fit around the midfoot has been tweaked, meaning you don’t have to pull the laces super tight to get a secure fit. Finally, the new 3D printed mesh upper was noticeably better at moving with, rather than holding in, your foot. Everyone who wore this shoe loved it.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

361° Spinject, £100, sportsshoes.com

The Spinject is a lightweight, neutral shoe that avoided offending any of our testers, who praised the cushioning, support and midfoot lockdown given by the mesh upper, and particularly the flexible forefoot, which enabled faster runners to get up on their toes and push off quicker. The amount of technology for the price is excellent, and fans of Brooks, Asics and Saucony should think about checking this brand out.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

New Balance 1080 v8, £125, newbalance.co.uk

The latest update to New Balance’s premium cushioning shoe has pulled off the trick of producing something that feels reassuringly hefty and stable to bigger runners – no surprise given its relatively hefty weight – yet nimble and lightweight to quicker runners, who reported it a great option for long runs. Both testers and the lab reported it had quite an inflexible ride, despite deeper outsole grooves in this update, but the supreme fit and comfort make it a reliable option for all runs except speedwork.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

Salomon Sonic RA Max, £112.49, sportsshoes.com

Despite the impressively low weight for a shoe with such heft, these trainers feel like a couple of pillowy tanks for your feet. The massive wedge of midsole cushioning and excellent outsole traction (as you would expect from off-road specialists) allowed our testers to bounce, crunch, waddle, pound and skip their way over anything in their path without worrying about where to place their feet. The toebox is wide and the heel fit is snug. On the downside, the sub quality tongue rubbed anyone not wearing thick socks.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

Adidas Ultraboost 4, £89.00, runnersneed.com

Since Adidas submitted the women-only Ultraboost X alongside this shoe, we only tested the men’s version of the updated Ultraboost. The results? It’s a case of ‘same old, same old’, but in a good way. It has the same great combination of bounce, support, responsiveness and comfort, but the upper has been tweaked to make it a little stiffer in the midsection, while the heel counter has also been beefed up for a more rigid grip.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Saucony Guide ISO, £89, runnersneed.com

Fans of the Guide take note: this is really the Guide version 11, but Saucony has changed the name because this latest shoe contains its ISOFIT technology, which is essentially an extra inner wrap in the midfoot, which provides a snugger, more adaptive fit and disperses pressure from the tight lacing. Elsewhere, this remains the same, gently supportive, durable, non-threatening shoe it always has been, suitable for neutral runners and mild overpronators alike. Will perform best on distances between 10 miles and a marathon.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Salomon Sonic RA Pro, £71.99, sportsshoes.com

Part of a new range of three road shoes (one for speed, one for everyday use and one with maximal cushioning), this one is a decent effort from a brand that specialises in offroad footwear. Although priced a little too steeply for what it offers, it gets the basics right – ie, decent breathability, durability, excellent heel fit and a good lockdown in the midfoot area. While heavier testers loved the cushioning, lighter runners found it spongy and didn’t like the lack of flexibility.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Hoka One One Cavu, £59.99, sportsshoes.com

There may be some cheaper shoes in this guide, buy when it comes to the Cavu, the price represents outstanding value. Designed as a multi-purpose shoe for running, gym and general mooching around, the Cavu managed is varied workload well. It might look hefty, but it was the lightest shoe we tested: the combination of soft heel cushioning and a firmer ride under the toes for a better push-off was applauded. The mesh was also extremely breathable, yet rugged.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens

Asics GT2000 v6, £120, asics.com 

A close contender for the Best Update award; the GT2000 has been substantially changed and these updates have been a huge success. There’s a new, more breathable mesh, a higher toe spring which resulted in a quicker toe off, a snugger heel fit, a wider toe box to allow your toes to splay more naturally upon landing, and less ‘blocky’ pronation support on the medial side. All this contributed to what is an excellent high-mileage option for moderate overpronators.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

Adidas Ultraboost X, £105, runnersneed.com

This is the second iteration of the women-only Ultraboost, and while, as ever the Boost midsole material wowed everyone, and boasted the highest heel cushioning tested in the lab, the high ‘floating arch’ (with a gap between the upper and midsole) once again caused discomfort. Our testers found the deliberately tight mesh upper was too tight, meaning the shoes are only suitable for shorter runs.

New Balance 890 v6, £105, newbalance.co.uk 

The 890 is back, with a totally overhauled spec. Designed to be one of the fastest shoes in the New Balance range, it achieves its aim. The 6mm heel drop was low enough to give a feeling of speed, while still being suitable for everyday use. The unusual configuration of outsole grooves and a high toe-spring led to high responsiveness ratings, which faster runners loved. However, these are not ideal for heavier runners, who found there was a lack of cushioning in the heel section.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18, £89, runnersneed.com 

With the Adrenaline, think support and premium-level comfort. It’s a long-run shoe: high-mileage runners can use it as an everyday training model, but for everyone else it does its best work from 10 miles and up. It provides subtle overpronation support, which you won’t notice if you don’t need it. The only changes from the popular version 17 are a more modern upper aesthetic and more flexible outsole grooves.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Mizuno Wave Rider 21, £74.99, sportsshoes.com 

There’s little new to say about this popular shoe, which is the premium neutral cushioning model in the Mizuno stable. Version 20 saw substantial updates, so impressive it won our Editor’s Choice award last year. Mizuno has decided to stick with this, so fans of number 20 will find 21 just as smooth, responsive, quick in transition from heel to toe and slim-fitted. It’s a super reliable, high-mileage option for neutral runners who like a slightly firm ride and want one shoe for all their sessions.

Buy now – mens

Buy now – womens 

Saucony Liberty ISO, £105, runnersneed.com

A fairly light shoe that provides hefty medial support. Moderate-to-severe overpronators will love the feeling of freedom they get in this shoe – hence the name. The Liberty ISo is built like a minimal shoe, with added structure where it’s needed most. The reviews were mixed – speedy runners loved the low-slung toe drop and high responsiveness levels, others felt like a fish out of water without more shoe to give them a reassuring feeling on the run. That said, the overpronation support was praised by everyone.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now - womens

New Balance Fresh Foam Lazr Hyposkin, £43, wiggle.co.uk

This shoe is designed to be a sleek, general-purpose speedster with an incredible fit, and it does just that. New Balance has done such a good job of making this a quick shoe, in our testing, only experienced, lightweight runners got on with it. Our testers gave the bootie construction inner mixed reviews and also found that the fit was too snug.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

On Running Cloud X, £125, on-running.com 

Since their launch six years ago, Swiss brand On has gained a loyal and growing following for their shoes, which feature distinctive hollow cushioning pods on the outsole. This shoe, however, doesn’t meet the brand’s usual high standard. It’s On’s first attempt at a shoe for both running and gym, and our testers found it neither responsive enough for regular runs, nor stable enough for gym work, with the heel drop on the men’s model deemed too steep for such a slim shoe. However, the fit of the upper was superb.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

New Balance Fresh Foam Zante 4, £100, newbalance.co.uk 

This is fast becoming one of New Balance’s most popular models, and one of its most reliable. The Zante is light and responsive enough to do faster runs in, but robust enough to withstand the rigours of regular mid-level mileage (five to 13 miles). The fit has been tweaked, and our runners loved the way it softly gripped and controlled the foot but still allowed it to move naturally. One small problem all of our testers noted was the leaky mesh, which resulted in wet feet during winter testing.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Hoka One One Elevon, £69.99, sportsshoes.com 

This new model is Hoka’s premium neutral-cushioned road shoe. The outsole is remarkably durable, with pairs that had done 150 miles showing hardly any signs of wear. The lab rated it as the least flexible shoe on test, and this was borne out by testers who found it a stiff-but-fast ride. Whether or not you like this depends on whether you’re after comfort or speed. It’s hefty enough to stand the rigours of high mileage, but we reckon the best distance for the Elevon is between 10K and half-marathon.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Brooks Transcend 5, £105.00, runnersneed.com 

In keeping with its predecessors, this is a maximally cushioned, neutral road shoe, aimed at being your best friend on long runs. It proved to be that and more for several testers, who used it for every type of run with no quibbles. Despite the weight and dimensions, it feels light and responsive, and there are ‘guide rails’ – horizontal plastic strips running along the outside of the shoe – to give subtle support to mild overpronators. The only downside is that in the rain, the grip is variable.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Adidas Alphabounce, £84.95, adidas.co.uk

In keeping with its predecessors, this is a maximally cushioned, neutral road shoe, aimed at being your best friend on long runs. It proved to be that and more for several testers, who used it for every type of run with no quibbles. Despite the weight and dimensions, it feels light and responsive, and there are ‘guide rails’ – horizontal plastic strips running along the outside of the shoe – to give subtle support to mild overpronators. The only downside is that in the rain, the grip is variable.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Adidas Alphabounce, £84.95, adidas.co.uk

A multi-purpose shoe that actually works for running too. Our testers liked the super-snug, sock-like inner (which does take some getting into), and the bounce. Considering the chunky weight, it didn't feel like a heavy shoe on the foot, but the downside was that the plastic overlays on the midfoot and heel, designed to help with lateral movements in the gym, felt a little constrictive to some lighter runners. 

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Saucony Triumph ISO 4, £105.99, wiggle.co.uk

Saucony’s heavy duty, neutral, long run shoe has had a complete overhaul with a series of well thought-out changes. The heel section has been decoupled to disperse impact forces better, the vamp (the section behind the toes) has been made less baggy, the fit around the top of the foot has been improved, the outsole grooves have been deepened and the midsole has been made plusher by the addition of more of Saucony’s cushioning foam, Everun. The extra foam has added weight to the shoe compared to previous versions, but high responsiveness and overall comfort meant this wasn’t noticed at all.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Hoka One One Mach, £69.99, sportsshoes.com

Part of Hoka’s new ‘Fly’ collection, this replaces the popular Clayton model if you’re after a shoe that’s firmly focused on distances from 5K to half marathon. The midsole is tuned to be softer in the heel for comfort and harder in the forefoot to aid propulsion and toe-off. Seams and overlays have been kept to a minimum and the midfoot wrap is simply provided by thicker, closer mesh than elsewhere. The mix of low-slung heel drop and bounce went down well with our testers, who felt they could run without worrying about lack of stability.

Buy now – mens 

Buy now – womens 

Asics Amplica, £34.99, sportsshoes.com 

Good value for money, this shoe feels like a budget version of the Saucony Li

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