WENDY L

Winners at the Book Launch Party.

2012-02-08T10:58:00.000+11:00

Announcing the Winners of the MuseItUp

Author's Book Launch Party on Feb 3rd.

Edith Parzefall won Shellie Neumeier's tween fantasy novella The Wishing Ring

Cover Designer Kaytalin Platt

Carole Sutton won Debi Wilder's short story Gabby's Second Chance, Book 2

Cover Designer Suzannah Safi

Pat McDermott won Kristin Battestella's short story Resurrection! Book Seven

Cover Designer Suzannah Safi

Gail Branan won Wendy Laharnar's short story for Middle Graders Billy the Bonsai Bull

Cover Designer Kaytalin Platt

Wendy Laharnar won Elle Druskins novel Gone to the Dogs

Cover Designer Delilah Stephans

Thank you to everyone who participated in the party. You made our day so special.
Thank you Elle, Shellie, Debi and Kristin for your generous gifts.

I must add here, I thought it was understood I was not eligible for a prize, being one of the hosts at our party. However, since I lectured someone else a few months ago about how it hurts a genuine giver when one 'humbly declines' their lovely gesture, I'm standing by my own advice. Like the other winners I'm very touched and delighted. My prize looks like a great read, so, 'Thank You' Elle.

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY

2012-02-03T16:10:00.007+11:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MUSEITUP AUTHORS WHO HAVE BOOKS RELEASED TODAY, FEBRUARY 3rd 2012

CONGRATULATIONS ELLE DRUSKIN

Cover Designer: Delilah Stephans

GOING TO THE DOGS

A Contemporary Romance Novel

Sam Kendall is a cop with a mission; find the killer who murdered his partner and track down the diamond thieves behind the killing. Chief suspect Jodie McBride is a brilliant dog trainer but a loser with men. Dog-hating Sam is stuck with a junk food addicted poodle as his new partner and stuck on a cute redheaded dog lover that he desperately wants to be innocent. Mix in an assortment of eccentric pooches, their offbeat owners, baseball fans and two very smart canines who know humans can’t be trusted to know a good thing when they see it. Before Sam and Jodie know what's happened, everybody is going to the dogs.

Now available from Amazon Kindle and MuseItUp Bookstore

Visit Elle at Elle Druskin's Website

***

CONGRATULATIONS SHELLIE NEUMEIER

Cover Designer Kaytalin Platt

THE WISHING RING

The Adventures of Cory and Ali

A Tween Fantasy Novella

BLURB:
The King’s castle stands alone atop Grand Ur Mountain, but even that does not match the solitude surrounding Princess Ally. With a carrot-shaped nose, she trudges through her princess duties with the most unfortunate face. With her pet greybar (a creature with the head of a greyhound, body of a polar bear, and wings of an eagle) as her only friend, Ali dreams of becoming a beautiful princess.

When Cory, a ninja-in-training, drops through the royal chimney, he does not intend to enlist the help of anyone, much less a girl, but she holds the key to the Creator’s map. The ancient map marks the secret hiding place of the magic Wishing Ring, a ring grants the wearer one wish.

Cory’s mysterious need for the ring and Ali’s dream of a beauty send the pair to a forgotten land. Only the war ravaged clan of Odana can translate the map’s key. But even if they manage to find a translator, the question remains—can they beat the Ogre who guards the ring?

Available from Amazon and Muse Bookstore

Visit Shellie at Shellie Neumeier's Website

***

CONGRATULATIONS DEBI WILDER

GABBY’S SECOND CHANCE, BOOK 2 LACEY’S LAMP

Cover Designer Suzannah Safi

A Short Story

Erotic Fantasy
fantasy, paranormal, love lost, love found, betrayal

BLURB

Gabby Adams did the unthinkable – she put her unborn child in harms way and lost. While Ryan Peterson was fleeing the thugs he owed money to for horse betting, Gabby placed herself physically between the man she loved and the men who wanted to harm him. Gabby feels she’s undeserving to give her love to anyone, physically or emotionally. With ghosts laid to rest and Lacey’s help, will Gabby find love in the arms of another man?

Available from Amazon Kindle and MuseItUp Bookstore

Debi Wilder's Website but you must be 18yrs+ to enter this site.

***

CONGRATULATIONS KRISTIN BATTESTELLA

RESURRECTION: STEPHANIE AFTER THE LILITHAN

Cover Designer Suzannah Safi

Book Seven in Fate and Fangs
The Vampire Family Series

Dark Fiction Paranormal

A Short Story

BLURB

In Professor James’ final tale, former Lilithan vampire and newly divorced scientist Stephanie just can’t get over how much she misses being a vampire. After a harrowing car accident during a frightful storm, Stephanie meets Mestiphles, the giver and taker of vampire power on both sides of the coven wars. His charm and seductive powers sweeten the demonic offer he extends, but will Stephanie accept Mestiphles’ dark opportunities?

Available from Amazon Kindle and MuseItUp Bookstore

Visit Kristin at Kristin Battestella's blog

***

CONGRATULATIONS TO ME!

Cover Designer Kaytalin Platt

BILLY THE BONSAI BULL

is a short chapter book for Middle Graders, about an orphan calf's struggle to survive through grief, rejection and bullying.

BLURB

This is an Australian true story told from the little bull's point of view.

Billy is a stubborn, orphaned calf who is losing the battle to survive. Hope revives in an unexpected way, through the milk bottle he detests, and brings him a sense of belonging. However, it takes more than a place in the pecking order for this little white bull to thrive. It takes a miracle.

In frustration, the farmer's wife declares, "The trouble is, he knows he's a cow."

Thank you Lea Schizas and MuseItUp Publishing.

Thank you to my editors Annie Duguid and Nancy Bell, and to my cover designer Kaytalin Pratt.

Available from Amazon Kindle and MuseItUp Bookstore

My Website

Come and join the boistrous party via the comments- if you are game. Meet the authors and you might win a copy of one of these new books.

The garden gate stands ajar-- WELCOME IN said the spier to the fly hehehehe. Bring your characters to mingle with ours.

Calamity's Corner February issue.

2012-02-02T11:15:00.002+11:00

In this month's issue of CC, Welsh born Hywela Lyn is our featured Author of the Month.

Sydney law student Gabriela shares her visit to Cuenca, Ecuadar.

Jacquie Rogers gives us something to 'tut' about, LJ Roberts reviews The Chalk Girl,
and I tease you with a quick quiz about one of History's most famous flirts.

There is much more of course, including Rebecca Ryals Russell's movie review.

An inspirational pair send you their Valentine's Day greeting.

Happy Valentine's Day for the 14th.

If you have something I can use for the 'Something Unusual' section, I'd love you to
send it, please, and I'm always happy to receive movie reviews

Please Email me if you'd like to receive CC a small pdf on the 1st of each month
Calam
http://wendylaharnar.weebly.com/

My Review of Much Ado About Marshals by Jacquie Rogers

2012-01-16T08:40:00.000+11:00

This Historical Western Romance set in 1885, Oreana, Idaho, is a hoot. It’s hot, funny, and romantic; in others words this is a seductive read. I couldn’t put it down. Guilty secrets, love triangles, mistaken identity, forbidden love, Shakespeare couldn’t have given us more, but Jacquie Rogers does. She includes bank robbers, a wannabe lady detective and a whole town full of memorable characters who take us on a rollicking ride in the Wild West.

Warmth of innocence and true love are endearing qualities in the main characters.

Cole Richards living a lie as the Marshal Sidney Adler is loveable because, as well as his fear of capture for his unintentional part in a bank robbery, it’s his sense of honour and commitment to his new role and his love for the Mayor’s daughter that prevents him revealing his true identity. The marshal clearly understands the difference between true love and lust.

Daisy Gardiner is lovable because she knows what she wants and in her innocence she works out how to get it. She wants the marshal. Married to this handsomely sexy man she can be his helpmate and pursue her career as private detective, like the fictional Honey Beaulieu in her detective novels. But first she must nurse him back to health after the gunshot wound to his leg and prove her usefulness by helping to capture two unethical miners.

Ms Roger’s humour swings between slapstick (e.g. scenes with the boy and his dog) to irony (e.g. the proposed use of the medicinal “Dr Liebig’s Lost Manhood Restorer.”) She plays on Bosco Kunkle’s love of food which brings out the sweet and sad side of the lonely widows who fawn over him. She uses the naivety of young women in this by-gone era and has her reader smiling and laughing out loud.

Much Ado About Marshals is an adult novel; educational too. It would make a perfect gift for the bride-to-be. J

Wendy's Review Of Trencarrow Secret by Anita Davison

2012-01-12T12:18:00.000+11:00

This Victorian novel rates among the best of the Romance books I’ve read.

The vivid detail and tense love story had me turning the pages well into the night and first thing in the morning. This is a colourful, well researched story driven by aristocratic attitudes and relationships.

The engagement of beautiful, wealthy Isabelle Hart to the self-assured Jared Winters will be announced at Isabelle’s Twenty-First Birthday Ball. The match has been anticipated from childhood, but circumstances begin to pile up which cause Isabelle to question her readiness for marriage and her true feelings for Jared. Complications involve her courageous mother who is terminally ill, her adored father whom Isabelle sees kissing her mother’s nurse and the arrival of the gorgeous Lord Strachan, a houseguest who attracts Isabelle. Lord Strachan and Isabelle appear to have many interests in common and he obviously likes her. This is more apparent to the reader and the other characters than it is to Isabelle. The handsome nobleman seeks a wife, but since Isabelle is spoken for, her friend Ellie, once engaged to Isabelle’s brother David, hones in on the lord.

In Trencarrow’s beautiful Manor House, Ms Davison spins her intrigue, weaving threads of deception, misunderstandings and insecurity. Cads clash with admirable men, and manipulating women befriend genteel ladies, but at the heart of Trencarrow is gut wrenching sorrow and unconditional love.

All of the characters are distinct individuals with their own needs and agendas. All of them brought something substantial to the story. Trencarrow Secret tugs at the heartstrings on many levels, and, most unexpectedly, my heart broke for one of the women whose true story becomes suddenly evident at the end. Try as I might I could not hold back the tears.

Trencarrow Secret begins and ends in its maze, at the centre of which is a treasure some might consider more valuable than gold, and the maze gives up more than one secret. A symbol of wrong paths, fear and claustrophobia, the maze also symbolizes achievement, satisfaction and victory. Ms Davison provides all of these elements in Trencarrow Secret and its haunting atmosphere remains long after the book is closed.

If you love Historical Romance, you’ll love the characters and the story of the beautifully crafted Trencarrow Secret.

In Converation with the real fictional PI LEE ALVAREZ

2012-01-10T15:42:00.000+11:00

It isn’t every day we get to meet a real fictional character,
straight out of the pages of author HEATHER HAVEN’s

Alvarez Family Murder Mystery Series.

This is a huge treat.

I wonder how long it is safe to keep Lee in real life. We’ll keep all three books open, then if Murder is a Family Business and A Wedding to Die For accidentally close, Lee can quickly jump back into her new story Death Runs in the Family which enters the public domain in May.

Welcome, PI LEE ALVAREZ. It’s lovely you have taken the risk to step out from your comfort zone for a while. Thank you for being here. Tell the truth now, Lee. What’s one thing about you that you’ve never told anyone?

I always tell the truth, except when I prevaricate. But here’s something nobody knows. I’ve always wanted to play the ukulele. In fact, I have one gathering dust under the bed. It’s been there for three years. I tried to play it when I first got it, but it’s really hard. For about two weeks I would practice every day. The tips of my fingers were raw. I asked a musician friend and he said that if I practiced for the next two years or so, maybe I could advance from ‘horrible’ to ‘amusingly bad.’ I don’t know if it’s pride or just the time factor – I mean, I do spend the majority of my life investigating the theft of intellectual property and software piracy, with a few murders thrown in every now and then. Do I see myself like Sherlock Holmes and his violin? Maybe. Maybe I’ll pick up my uke one of these days and play Tiny Bubbles for all the world to hear.

Hmmmm. Why am I cringing? Sorry ,but the ‘amusingly bad’ still resonates in my ears. J

Having murder as part of the family business must be difficult. How do the events around you affect you as a person?

OMG, I can’t tell you the stress. My kid brother, Richard, head of the Discretionary Inquiries Research and IT Department, is always giving me some new fangled piece of equipment no bigger than a cigarette lighter, and then yelling at me because I can’t get it to work. I mean, I’m chasing down murderers in the middle of San Francisco winter storms and it’s my fault his stupid scanner doesn’t work? I haven’t read the instructions? I don’t think so. And then there’s my mother, the lovely Lila Hamilton Alvarez, a serious fashionista. She sends me out on jobs no other self-respecting gumshoe would take, and then it’s my fault somebody gets killed on my watch? And God forbid, I should be wearing navy blue with black. She’ll tell me to stop chasing the perp and go change my clothes. At least I have Tío, my wonderful uncle, a retired Mexican chef who can do things with chorizo and cheese that stops traffic in the streets. Speaking of streets, there is a new addition to the Alvarez Family, a little kitten I found wandering the streets in the rainstorm. I’ve named him Rum Tum Tugger. He’s my new guy. I’ve been getting into a lot of messes lately, so I’m lucky I’ve got my family around, warts and all.

Your life sounds hectic and dangerous, but I’ll bet you wouldn’t change it for the world. What would you say to people who ask, “Why do you do what you do? Why not take up some dream job in a part of the world where no-one has ever heard of you?

There’s a dream job in some other part of the world? Lead me to it. Just kidding. Detective work is the family business. Before Dad’s sudden death two years ago, due to an aneurism, he taught me everything he knew about being a good detective, hoping I would follow in his footsteps. He built up this thriving business specializing in tracking down law-breakers in software and intellectual property computer fraud, here in the Silicon Valley. But in my heart of hearts, what I really wanted to become was a ballerina.

You wanted to be a ballerina!?

Oh yes, I studied ever since I was five years old. I worked really hard at it. But the truth? There’s no substitute for talent. I am, at best, a mediocre dancer, no matter how hard I work at it. It doesn’t help that I’ve 5’8” tall, either. A good ballerina is usually around 5’4” in height. Anyway, at about sixteen-years of age I had to face it. I could never get a job in anything more than the chorus of a second-rate ballet company. We all have our secret ‘what ifs’, things we wish had turned out differently. But I’m smart enough to know that not being able to do a first-rate glissade arabesque is probably one of life’s better regrets.

Ranks up there with the ukulele, eh? Never mind, you are a wonderful detective. What makes your style unique? Do you have a trade mark?

I like to read Dashiell Hammett detective stories and watch old black and white movies while on my laptop hunting some suspect down. I think of myself as colorful. At least, that’s what I say to my mother. She’s not buying any of it, though. She wants me to stop being impulsive, think ahead before I leap, and for heaven’s sake, act like a lady. Ha ha., as if. And my trade mark? Hmmm… Picture me a sort of a modern California gal-PI, dressed in Vera Wang, with a big crush on Humphrey Bogart.

I see. So, you are inspired by fictional detectives? Very interesting. Ironic, but interesting. J What makes you happy?

Sapphire Bombay Gin martini - shake that sucker, please -- two olives, served icy cold. Throw in a bowl of mixed nuts, and a Barbara Stanwyck movie. Curled up with those and Tugger, my cat, and my Snub Nose Lady Blue Detective Special, life doesn’t get much better. OMG. I just reread that. Does that sound as pathetic as I think it does?

No definitely not ‘pathetic’. I’d say ‘cosy’ would be a more appropriate word. If you could have anything at all what would you want or need to make your life complete?

World peace. No kidding around. I’m lucky and I know it. I have a wonderful but weird family, who love me despite my many faults. I live in one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, California’s glorious Bay Area. I have a great job as a PI in our family business. My health’s good, I’m pretty smart, and reasonably attractive. In the best of all worlds, I would like to have someone to share my Kashi GoLean with most mornings, but I’m working on it, I’m working on it.

Well, LEE ALVAREZ, I’m sure we all wish you much success in that area. Thank you for spending time on the outside. Allow me to help you step back into your book.

Lee is safely inside her story so I close the books. You can reopen them by going to:

MuseItUp Publishing for:
Murder is a Family Business
A Wedding to Die For

or Amazon.com
Murder is a Family Businees

A Wedding to Die For

Twitter@PILeeAlvarez

And meet the author, Heather Haven at:

Heather Haven's webpage

Heather's Blog

Heather's Facebook

Twitter - Heather Haven

January Calamity's Corner

2012-01-06T19:50:00.001+11:00

Calamity's Corner begins 2012 in a burst of colour, with the
Lady in the Yellow Hat, Rebecca Ryals Russell, as Author
of the Month.

Alanna from France shows us more of the beautiful coast of
Brittany.

Carole Sutton isn't prepared for what she finds in her bed!

Jacquie Rogers has a historically musical treat for older
rockers in her Blast from the Past column.

L.J. Roberts convinces us to read 'A Corpse's Nightmare
and my writing exercise is rather cool, if I do say so myself.

If you've ever wondered why Buddhist monks spend so
much time meditating, join Mark as he shares his 10 day
meditation experience which he describes as 'way outside
my comfort zone.'

Please come and join us at Calamities Corner.
Just ask to receive Calamities Corner free on the 1st of each month.

Calamity's Corner

2011-12-02T17:56:00.001+11:00

The Christmas issue is dedicated to all of our contributers
and to the readers over the world who subscribe to
Calamity's Corner. I hope Calamity's Corner has provided
something of interest to mull over in your leisure time or
stirred your creative juices.

No Author of the Month for this month - instead we display their books.
What a wonderful variety.

Calamity takes you to Kent, England, Tricia McGill introduces her 2
new best friends, Ted and Wendy have a whale of a time in
Twofold Bay, NSW.

Laurel Lamperd sets writers a task to break the block
and Tanja Cilia challenges our knowledge of Latin.
(Tanja I haven't studied Latin but got 9/12 so I'm thrilled :)

LJ and Jacquie present their regular columns and Wendy begs
your vote for her book video on 21st -26th December
(just my luck it's over the holidays, lol, so I really need you)
http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/ # 2 The Unhewn Stone.
You can view the video at the You Gotta Read site from Dec 2nd.

Thank you everyone for your friendship and support.
Happy Christmas!
For a copy of this .pdf just email Calam: Calamity's Corner

'Happiness Guaranteed' has a COVER!

2011-11-15T11:20:00.003+11:00

Cover artist: Tiger Matthews.

The concept is absolutely fantastic. Thank you Tiger!

Bianca, a beautiful Epicurean Supremo from a privileged futuristic society has a flaw which, if discovered and reported to the Rulers, will threaten her life and that of the man she loves. Unable to pinpoint the cause, she tries to hide her anxiety until an ingenious birthday present from her husband provides a respite. Now, on her thirty-third birthday, her primitive behaviour and thought patterns return; stronger and more dangerous.

Due for release December 2nd 2011

From MuseItUp Publishing Happiness Guaranteed

MuseItUp Authors Book Launch Party

2011-11-11T09:00:00.046+11:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MUSEITUP AUTHORS WHO HAVE BOOKS RELEASED TODAY, 11-11-11

ROSALIE SKINNER

has her 3RD BOOK in THE CHRONICLES OF CALEATH SERIES released today

EXILED: THE LEGACY OF LATHRAINE’S PLEDGE

Cover Artist: Delilah K. Stephans

BLURB

The threat facing the Southern Regions of Allorn spreads north as warm weather awakens the Tarack. An alliance of Vergöttern and human forces now face overwhelming odds as they battle to keep the rich grain belts free from the giant ants. Without Caleath, hope of keeping the Tarack confined fades.

On Dragonslair Island, Caleath’s return heralds a new threat. Releasing the dead Archimage Tallowbrand and surviving as the Deathbringer brings the sorceress Azriel’s plans closer to fruition.

To save Nasith he must face the Tarack queen and her horde. Each survived challenge only brings him closer to confronting the ever powerful Azriel.

AVAILABLE from Amazon and Muse Bookstore 'Exiled: The Legacy of Lathraine’s Pledge'

PAT MCDERMOTT

Pat's Novel is GLANCING THROUGH THE GLIMMER

Cover Artist: Kaytalin Platt

In the modern Kingdom of Ireland, few mortals believe in the fairy folk.
Without that belief, the fairies are dying. Finvarra, the King of the
Fairies, would rather dance than worry-but he must have a mortal dancing
partner.

When Janet Gleason's grandfather becomes the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland,
the sixteen-year-old orphan must leave Boston and her friends behind. Janet
is lonely in Dublin and unused to her grandparents' stuffy social life. An
invitation to a royal ball terrifies her. She can't even waltz and dreads
embarrassment. Finvarra's fairy witch overhears her fervent wish to learn to
dance.

Seventeen-year-old Prince Liam Boru loathes the idea of escorting another
spoiled American girl to a ball. In fact, he detests most of his royal
duties. He dresses down to move through Dublin unnoticed and finds himself
on his royal backside when Janet crashes into him. Intrigued, he asks to see
her again, and she willingly agrees. Unaware of each other's identities,
they arrange to meet. When they do, the fairies steal Janet away.

Liam's attempts to find her trigger a series of frustrating misadventures.
Can he and Janet outwit a treacherous fairy king who's been hoodwinking
mortals for centuries?

Available from Amazon and Muse Bookstore 'Glancing Through The Glimmer'

CHRISTINE LONDON

WHEN WE WERE AMAZING

Cover Artist: Delilah K Stephans

Blurb

Fourteen freaking hours in the hell that was the interior of a jet plane. He tried to read, listen to music, watch a film. Nothing. He could see nothing but her lying in a hospital bed, tubes and technology running from her, surrounding her with their manufactured sterility. She needed to be touched. He needed to touch her. Make sure she was warm, well, alive.

A nagging weight lodged in the pit of his stomach. No food, no drink, just her. She was the cure.

He slid the sunshade up. The first rays of light sliced across the horizon as they chased the day at thirty six thousand feet. He could scarcely make out the scallop of cumulus below as they drifted by. The world went on, not caring a thing for the concerns of man. His world was suspended like an insect in amber. The rest of humanity could look in at him, but he was paralyzed to act, to move, to breathe.

Available from Amazon and Muse Bookstore 'When We Were Amazing'

PAT DALE

BLUE STREAKS

Cover Artist: Delilah K Stephans

Blurb

This science fantasy romp is not what it seems. Ostensibly a foray into the inner reaches of space, the characters take you for a spin into a digital existence that literally lights your fire. Then douses it, permanently. One jolly good romp in the hay and it is sayonara, baby. Police Detective Jim Smith chases the horny, high-charged devil down as it fries victim after victim. When he goes digital as a part of the chase, the conclusion looms, but with a twist that could not have been anticipated. Sweet dreams! Read and enjoy, but whatever else you do, do not hit the escape key…

Contains graphic sex, and is not for the young or the faint of heart.

Available from Amazon and Muse Bookstore 'Blue Streaks'

P.J. LAWTON OBSTRUCTED VENGEANCE

Cover Artist: Tiger Matthews

A sadistic cold-blooded killer is loose inside the domes on Terra. Galactic P.I. Majestic Kane soon learns the deaths are acts of vengeance against him, his friends, and acquaintances. To end the slaughter, Kane must put everything on the line to stop a madman, before it’s too late…

Available from Amazon and Muse Bookstore 'Obstructed Vengeance'

LIN HOLMES'

CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON is released today.

Cover Artist: Delilah K Stephans

Available from Amazon and Muse Bookstore - Champagne Afternoon

Lin wishes her fellow Muse Authors who have books released today her very best wishes for their success. She is sorry she can't be with us today but is definitely with us in spirit. So we should raise our champagne glasses to Lin and Rosalie, Pat McD, PJ, Christine and Pat Dale.
Come and join the boistrous party via the comments- if you are game - and you might be the first to win a copy of one of these new books.
The garden gate stands ajar-- WELCOME IN said the spier to the fly hehehehe

Calamity's Corner

2011-10-31T13:08:00.000+11:00

In the November issue, I'm delighted to present an old critique partner of mine,
mystery writer, Rick Bylina, as Author of the Month. My new friend, writer
and photographer, Alanna, gives us Part 2 in her series on beautiful
Brittany.(What a superb setting for writers to use).

Australian authors Carole Sutton and Dell Brand share their
experiences with the amazing Maned Wood Ducks and the Mt Isa Rodeo,
and the movie quiz from Sheryl might stump you. :) Plus the regular
fare.

For this free monthly ezine for writers, readers, travellers, movie buffs etc email me at Calamity's Corner

Happy leisure time. You owe it to yourslves.
Calamity

http://wendylaharnar.weebly.com/

My Book Review of 'Thank You Mom and Thank You Dad For All The Wonderful Things I Have' by Sherri Lubin Carpenter

2011-10-30T12:01:00.001+11:00

Sherri Lubin Carpenter’s charming children’s picture book, Thank You Mom and Thank You Dad For All The Wonderful Things I Have, introduces the toddler to the five senses. Written in verse and repetition, it could be set to music. The focus is on the importance of parents in a child’s life and the child’s gratitude towards them. I think this idea helps to reinforce the respect and love that flows between them. Elisa Elaine Luevanos’ beautiful illustrations clearly show this. I found the irregular metre and rhyme not to my taste, but the warmth and sentiment of the visually graphic imagery in the words held me.

Carefully chosen examples to engage the young reader define the five senses, especially when he encounters the smells of raw fish and skunk and the taste of bitter radish, and when he touches the hot slide. I can imagine him laughing and screwing up his noses and using lots of facial expressions, and his wide-eyed wonder as he explores the beach. This would make a lovely bedtime story of young children to be read and reread many times over.

Available at Willow Moon Publishing
meet Sherri at Sherri Carpenter

Review of Laurel Lamperd's Crossroads at Isca

2011-10-27T10:17:00.002+11:00

Crossroads at Isca is a wonderful journey, both for the reader and the characters. Roman Britian opens up before us and draws us in. This is a real experience for historians. If I didn't know better I would swear this was a first hand account. Laurel Lamperd's understanding of the stuggle to survive in a Britian invaded in Roman times brings to life this engaging story of two young women and the men who admire them. Faine and Marella are cousins but quite opposite in their dispositions. It is easy to care about both of them. Some of the scences made me feel uncomfortable since they touched on my personal taboos but were honest in keeping with the times. I found Crossroads at Isca to be well written, entertaining and enlightening. I recommend it to adult readers.

Spitzli's progress.

2011-10-17T12:28:00.000+11:00

Spitzli had her stitches out today. She was so brave and the vet so gentle, I didn't even flinch. Her orthopaedic surgeon, is very happy with her progress and said she isn't in any pain. However we must continue to keep her quiet - no twisting or sudden turns- for a few more weeks.

This mini Schnauzer thinks her leg has healed and is anxious to reclaim her active life so we might find the next two weeks a little trying.

Rochelle Weber's book Rock Crazy is published today!!

2011-10-14T07:00:00.060+11:00

Welcome to my blog, on your release day, Rochelle.
Congratulations.

Can you tell us a little about your sequel to Rock Bound, Rock Crazy from MuseItUp Publishing?

Rock Crazy is about 41K words, or about 128 pages.

Katie McGowan is bi-polar, and she’s run the gamut of medications, but nothing works anymore. Everyone says her she should have a microchip implanted in her brain that can regulate her mood swings. But Katie doesn’t want to be a robot. In a tough love move, her husband, Scott takes her to the Moon—and dumps her. Katie’s stuck on that God-forsaken “rock,” and thinks she’s space sick. But she’s wrong; she’s pregnant. Now the surgery’s too dangerous and she has to go off her meds until the baby’s born.

Scott’s elated that he’s going to be a father and assumes Katie will take him back. He has no clue how badly he’s hurt her, how thoroughly he’s broken her trust—or that he may not get her back at all.

That sure is a fascinating concept. Where did the germ of this idea come from?

In college, I wrote a book called “Comes the Dawn” working through the angst of my own divorce. Each semester I wrote to my professor, so I ended up with eight different storylines with the same two characters. My ex-husband dumped me for my best friend (really the only other person I knew) in a town I’d never heard of, 750 miles from home, because he couldn’t cope with my mood swings.

My own bi-polar disorder had not been diagnosed then. When I graduated from school, I no longer had time to write and the book languished. Once I became disabled by my disease, I started writing again, that town became the Moon and the disease became the real villain in the book. Some of the scenes really happened. Many of the arguments with Katie’s mother are arguments I had with my mother when I was awake and she was alive. I believe now that she was bi-polar and self-medicating with alcohol.

Oh my goodness. This sounds like a powerful book. I've always said, the most potent writing comes from within, from what we know.

Earth Rise

How did you choose your setting? Have you woven your own environment into your story?

The opening scene on Earth really happened to me and does take place in an area where I used to live. Obviously, I’ve never visited the Moon. However, I’ve used a lot of my own experience in the book.

Never visited the Moon? How do you know :)? You might have astral travelled.

Who is your favourite character in your novel?

Goodness, I love the Johnsruds, but Lena Johnsrud cracks me up all the time. She’s such a typical teenager.

I put my galleys on my Kindle, because I thought typos and such would jump out better on the different screen and I was reading it at Wendy’s. Anytime someone walks into Jake’s Cafe when Lena’s working and asks for the manager, or asks for Jake by name, her reaction is, “Sure. Daddy!” Hopefully their ears will stop ringing by the time Jake comes out of the kitchen. I read one of those passages and cracked up. Then I realized I was laughing at my own book and started laughing at myself. So there I was sitting alone at Wendy’s having this great laugh-fest for no apparent reason. So, okay—I’m not certifiably crazy; I’m already certified by the Veteran’s Administration!

If an author can laugh or cry at her own story then it's pretty sure a reader will too. Congratulations.

How many drafts did it take before you felt satisfied to submit Rock Crazy for publication?

Jiminy! I did a draft a semester in college, then picked it up and put it down over the years, then gosh—I’ve lost count.

What's the one thing you hope your readers will take away with them, after finishing Rock Crazy?

If one person laughs or cries while reading the book it’ll be worth it.

If one person recognizes him or herself and gets help for this disease, it’ll really be worth it. People who are bi-polar are often misdiagnosed. It never occurred to me that my temper tantrums had anything to do with mental illness. I just thought I was a spoiled brat who hadn’t grown up.

Brain Surgery

I saw a psychiatrist for several years and was treated for clinical depression until I had a housemate who recognized the symptoms, gave me copies of “Call Me Anna,” by Patty Duke and “A Brilliant Madness” by Ms. Duke and a doctor, and made me check into the VA for a week of diagnostic observation followed by a week of getting started on the appropriate cocktail of medications. I always thought bi-polar disorder meant crushing depressions alternating with maniacal highs. If my roommate and Ms. Duke hadn’t told me my highs could manifest as temper tantrums, I’d probably still be on anti-depressants, but screaming and throwing things at people.

If, by chance, you became trapped inside one of your stories, would you try to escape to your real world?
I am trapped in Rock Crazy. If I go off my meds, I get violent. You haven’t lived until you’ve been the only woman on the locked ward at the VA, but I’ve been there, done that several times, and I like it out here in the real world, so I’ll keep taking my meds and hope they keep working. And if someone invents a chip and I can get the VA to implant it, I’ll be right there!

Do you have a daily writing routine?

I’m sure the Boss Lady is going to wet noodle me, but I’m very bad at sticking to a daily routine. I get up around eleven and try to spend about an hour on the internet doing e-mail and promo, then write for about three hours, write a review for my Rochelle’s Reviews blog, and read an hour or two while I have a late lunch. That doesn’t always work, because usually around four my granddaughter wants a ride somewhere and the rest of my day is blown.

Whom do you most admire and why?

My favourite author is Robert A. Heinlein because he wrote intelligent science fiction and he wrote it well. I would have loved to have met him when he was alive. I also admire Gene Roddenberry for his positive vision of the future, JK Rowling for her wonderful facility with words in the Harry Potter series, Ginger Simpson for her humor, Cyrus Keith who never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat burning up the pages, Roseanne Dowell for her sweet romances, and our fearless leader, Lea Shizas who is tireless in her efforts to make MuseItUp and each of us authors shine.

Here! here!

When you aren’t writing, what do you enjoy most?

I love spending time with my grandkids, playing Buzztime trivia, singing karaoke, and prowling the Volo Auto Museum and making people feel welcome there.

What's the most important thing you would like readers to know about you as an author?

I try to write honest books with both heart and brains.

Apart from ‘never give up’ what advice as a writer would you give to someone who takes their writing seriously?

Buy a dictionary and Style Guide—the Chicago Manual of Style is what most publishers use. Study commas, comma splices, semi-colons, ellipses, em-dashes, homonyms, capitalization, etc. Write your first draft and set it aside until you’ve finished the first draft of your next book. Go back and look for head-hopping, consistency, info-dumps, passive voice, too many adverbs, and set it aside again. When you go back to it, do a line edit for spelling and grammar. Go through it backward if you have to. Don’t rely on Word; they’re frequently wrong. Use that style guide. It’s much more important than a Thesaurus.

Well, Rochelle, it is clear to me you have written a timely book that will be of great benefit to the people who need your help, and to those who care about their fellow man.
Where can we reach you.

My Webesite: http://www.rochelleweber.com/

My Blog: http://rochelleweber.blogspot.com/

See What I’m Reading at Rochelle’s Reviews: http://rochellesreviews.com/

Friend Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1067356188

Follow Me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RochelleWeber

Thank you for being my guest today, Rochelle

Thank you for having me. Here’s a short excerpt of Rock Crazy. This takes place soon after they’ve landed on the Moon. Rock Crazy will be available from today at MuseItUp Publishing. Here’s the link: http://tinyurl.com/museituprockcrazy

Rockton, the Moon 19° North 29° East

February, 2066

Scott came home, and she was doing her hair. It was sticking up all over, and she actually thought it looked cool.

“Whad’ya do?” he asked. “Stick your finger in a socket?”

Now a sane person would have taken that as a joke. But not crazy Katie. She went off on him. She screamed, shouted, and tried to rage around the room, but she wasn’t used to the lower gravity, and she bounced off a wall and ended up on her butt. In fact, she fell slowly, but then she bounced again when she hit the floor. She came back down still in that maddening slow-motion, spluttering and throwing her same arm out to break her fall. Fortunately, she landed softly enough to prevent anymore damage to her wrist.

Falling in slo-mo tends to put a real damper on one’s temper. Scott laughed so hard, he ended up bouncing onto the floor next to her. She glared at him.

“Y-You looked so f-funny floating d-down to the f-floor,” he gasped.

She glared some more.

“And…and then, y-you b-bounced!”

“There’s nothing funny about it,” Katie replied, trying to keep her own laughter from bubbling up at their predicament. Scott stood up, managing to do so without bouncing, and offered her his hand.

“I can do it,” Katie said, stubbornly. She over-compensated the amount of energy she’d need to stand up and bounced again. Scott tried to catch her, and they both went back down.

“C’mon, honey,” he said. “You have to admit it’s funny as hell.” Tears were leaking from the corners of his eyes, he was laughing so hard.

Rochelle has a copy of her novel Rock Crazy to give away to one lucky guest at her Launch Party which follows right. Please enter the garden gate, via the comments, at your own risk, hehehe. Right Here and Now. Welcome! and writers, bring your own characters with you to share in the fun.

The Unhewn Stone cover is up for the October award.

2011-10-13T17:47:00.007+11:00

I'm excited that The Unhewn Stone is nominated for the October Cover awards at Alternative-Read at
http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com

The cover shows a rather cheeky magician with 2 masks. Tiger Matthews from MuseItUp Publishing is the cover artist. It is # 5. Voting has another 17 days to go. I'd love to win if you could spare a vote. Thank you.

Release Day for Exiled: Winter's Curse by Rosalie Skinner

2011-10-07T07:00:00.067+11:00

Today I am thrilled to announce the release of ROSALIE SKINNER's

EXILED: WINTER'S CURSE

The second book in the series The Chronicles of Caleath

Alone, Caleath rides south to kill the Tarack queen in her dormant colony, and thus, ensure the safety of the people. His ‘kill or be killed’ mission is not altruistic. Although he justifies his motive, saving the people, gaining his own freedom and acceptance, deep within his soul he battles a yearning for Tarack stim crystal. However, a small child's plea for help dissolves Caleath's simple plan.

His new quest takes him on a desperate path traversed by bandits, dragons, bloody battles, danger, and death. No longer is Caleath alone.

Meanwhile Nasith travels south with Lachlan, Gwilt, and a band of soldiers prepared for the battle with the Tarack. As they travel, Gwilt voices his concern about the malevolence surrounding a newcomer to the group. Convinced his doubts have fallen on deaf ears, he remains alert and wary. His attitude leads to a confrontation from which neither he nor Nasith emerge unscathed.

Winter allows the people of Allorn time to prepare, while other nefarious schemes rise to destroy them.

Excerpt:

Caleath curled one gloved hand around the hilt of the Karadorian sword. His finger traced the outline of two missing jewels, used to purchase a pack horse and supplies before leaving Sheldarc. Cold leached through the fabric of the spare blanket draped around his shoulders as he tried to encourage sleep. Deep within the sheltered cowl of his hood, his eyes closed.

Caleath cocked his head to listen. Well beyond the horses resting with their tails to the wind, he heard a wolf’s howl disturb the quiet of the night. The baying stirred a well of loneliness. Gwilt and Nasith traveled elsewhere. They probably spent the cold, dismal night indoors, sleeping on warm beds with full bellies.

Thoughts of Nasith warmed Caleath’s blood, but he quelled them before they ruined his hope for sleep. He cherished the memory of moments spent in her company. They had been desperate moments. Survival dominated his thoughts then, preventing him from savoring her presence. Now assassins no longer hunted him, nor did ghosts haunt his nights. Nor did Nasith ride with him. He rode alone, south toward the growing threat, in a desperate quest to prove his worth to the old mage Penwryt.

With his chance of returning home destroyed, Caleath fought the despair of homesickness. Cold made his inner arm scar tissue ache. Anger warmed him, banishing thoughts of Nasith. Instead, rage focused on Ephraim, the man who manipulated Caleath’s exile. Although Ephraim managed to delay Caleath’s plans for revenge, they fermented even now. Left without galactic citizenship, or a means to get off the planet, Caleath cursed his enemy with every breath.

Outrageous plans and fading memories blurred as slumber edged past dreams of vengeance. Drifting into an uneasy sleep, Caleath’s guard lowered.

A taint of corruption carried on the cold night air.

Adrenaline pumped, boosting barriers within his mind. Caleath flinched. Sleep dulled the alarm, but instinct reacted to the touch of sorcery. Dragged from a dreamlike state, Caleath braced, rousing to repel the probing of another mind against the defenses inside his head.

His fingers clasped the Karadorian blade, already drawn beneath Caleath’s heavy cloak. Caution saw the sword bared against the threat of ice forming in the sheath and preventing the weapon’s release. Despite his precautions, the sword could not protect him from magic. The effort needed to prevent the persistent intrusion caused his heart to pound and his head to ache.

The barriers in his mind loomed as intangible walls, protecting the detritus of dark magic left by dire conjurations. The threat of incursion into the morass of unfathomed magic terrified Caleath. He recognized his feeble efforts, compared to the power ranged against him.

A trickle of dampness spreading along his spine became a river of cold sweat. Fully awake, Caleath trembled as he fought a silent battle against an invasive and invisible foe. The horses shuffled, as if they too sensed the desperate conflict. Caleath didn’t open his eyes, his focus turned inward. Neither cold, nor the scent of corruption, nor the sudden quiet in the forest seemed important as he fought to keep his mind free from manipulation. He called upon all the ways and means of constructing and maintaining barriers, learnt during three years as the source for Karadorian dread lords.

Even so, his efforts seemed futile. Nothing he offered prevented the aggressive sorcery from broaching his wards.

He dragged cold air into his lungs, clamped his jaws shut, and clenched white-knuckled fists around the hilt of the sword. His sense of futility spread, though he refused to capitulate. He tasted blood, smelt bitter corruption and heard Death’s dark humor in the cascade of a nearby creek.

Between one heartbeat and the next, an explosion of burning flame rampaged behind Caleath’s eyelids. He gasped, opening his eyes when the image of a dragon rampart burned into his vision. He sensed a presence; human, insubstantial, but carrying dread potential. Before he could react to the awe-inspiring presence of the dragon, all three apparent threats; dragon, human, and the touch of sorcery dispersed. No longer under attack, Caleath shuddered. Both horses snorted, shying as Caleath staggered to his feet. Blinded by the sudden light, it took another heartbeat before vision adjusted to the darkness before dawn. Caleath stumbled against Enigma’s flank, his sword flailing toward two unseen foes.

“Balls of a hairy goat.” Caleath rammed the sword into its scabbard and tried to shake off the feeling of impending doom. He took time to settle his racing heart, fill his lungs with sweet air and relish his continued freedom.

In the distance the wolf yowled as the morning light crept across the forest floor. Shrugging off the cloak, Caleath adjusted his shirt where damp fabric chilled warm flesh. The cheerful chatter of crickets, birds greeting the dawn, and the innocent babbling brook mocked Caleath’s rank fear. Again thoughts of Gwilt and his wolf rose to provoke his loneliness. Cursing his penchant to dwell on their plight, Caleath savored a moment wondering how Nasith greeted the dawn.The forest remained quiet. A white owl winged silently into the gloom. No dragon or sorcerer disturbed the peaceful tableau.

The BALLS OF A HAIRY GOAT AND ADDER'S SPIT competition is in full swing.
Check out the list of prizes available.
at Ramblings from Lady Rosalie
Visit The official
Chronicles of Caleath website
and send your contest entry to Caleathsquest@gmail.com to get your word puzzle.

Thanks to Wendy for having me here today!!

For those who haven't already read Book One, Exiled Autumn's Peril is now available from Amazon, Museitup Bookshop and Smashwords.

Come and join Rosalie's blog party... ON NOW via the comments.

My Spitzli

2011-10-04T20:23:00.000+11:00

On her 2nd Birthday

Spitzli's knee reconstruction operation is over.
The vet said they were happy with the way things went. When she comes home she will have to be kept quiet. No running for six weeks, at least.

IN CONVERSATION WITH NANCY M BELL

2011-09-30T01:00:00.174+10:00

On this most auspicious occasion, the launch of

her beautiful novel, Laurel's Miracle, let us welcome our guest of honour, Nancy Bell.

Hi Wendy, thank you so much for having me as

your guest.

hands over hostess gift of home baked gingersnaps to Wendy

Yum, perfect for the party table, thanks.

Cover artist: Kaytalin Platt

So, Nancy, what prompted you to start this story about Laurel’s Miracle?

That’s a long story for sure. I suffered a life changing injury in August of 2005. Actually, it was 6.01 pm MST August 2, 2005. I know the time because I looked at my watch a nanosecond before I caught my leg on a piece of farm equipment in the corral. I spent the next four months on crutches and mostly in bed, so I had tons of time to think.

Going from a million miles an hour to zero in a minute is a very humbling experience. I took the time to start studying and researching some things I just hadn’t gotten around to. One of the things was the earth energy lines which cross southern England. I have always been fascinated by Glastonbury/Avalon and the Arthur legends. I read anything I could get my hands on to stave off the boredom and became engrossed in it.

I spent quite a bit of time going to physical therapy at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary and was quite moved by a fellow patient whom I never really met, I don’t even know her name. She was quite young and fighting cancer. The germ of the idea for Laurel comes from there. I just wove the story in my own way and gave her the miracle I hope really came true.

That is lovely, so touching, Nancy, but I'm sorry about your poor leg.

Yes, well I broke my pelvis and did nerve and ligament damage to my spine.

Trotting horse, immobile farm equpment and me, I lose. :~) Upside is it gave me the time to write.

Oh, that was a bad accident. I admire your spirit 'to get on with it.' Having a passion for writing must have helped. Can you tell us a little about Laurel’s background?

Laurel is a thirteen year old southern Alberta girl who lives on the family ranch near Pincher Creek, Alberta. She’s a bit of a loner and likes the company of her horse more than most people. She does have two friends who live on the next ranch, Chance and Carlene. They spend a lot of time together helping out on the ranch and just riding on the prairie. Her mom is a special woman who is open to the magic of the natural world around her. Laurel’s dad, however, doesn’t hold with such nonsense, although he’s not sure why he feels so strongly about it.

That last sentence has just added another dimension to the story for me. Did you let the dad discover what was holding him to his reaction?

I don’t include him in the story other than the fact Laurel refers to him sometimes, but if you read Laurel’s Miracle you’ll find out what the secret is. There is more to find out in Arabella’s Secret which I haven’t finished yet. Arabella is Laurel’s grandmother.

Why did you choose the YA genre to tell her story?

Honestly, it wasn’t a conscious decision, Laurel just presented herself to me and off we went on the wild ride of telling her story. Her name was inspired by a horse I owned for 19 years, her name was actually

photo: Michelle Kannenberg

Laura’s Miracle. She was a foal from a nurse mare at a huge thoroughbred farm, when an expensive TB mare died Laura’s mom was given to the orphan TB foal. That’s why big farms keep a nurse mare band, Laura wasn’t doing well and a friend of mine who worked there told me about the little black foal. So long story short, the foal came to me. My friend’s name was Laura which is why we called the horse Laura’s Miracle because it was a miracle the foal survived.

Did you write the story from beginning to end?

Laurel’s Miracle is the only thing I have ever written out of sequence. I actually wrote the ending in one eight hour stint (thought I was going to die I was so sore) but it had me by the throat and I had to finish it. So I had to map out a plan, I knew where I wanted her to go and in what order I just had to figure out how to get her there and still keep the story interesting and fresh.

In the process I read Hamish Miller and Paul Broadhurst’s The Sun and The Serpent and it helped me show Laurel the way to her Miracle. I also made a wonderful friend in Hamish Miller, although I only ever corresponded with him by email. He was an exceptional man.

That is pretty special. Had it not been for your research, this novel, the young patient, your leg injury, that instant of inattention you wouldn’t have had experienced this wonderful friendship.

The patient wasn’t that young, she had small children at home which made it worse. She was a very brave woman from what I observed.

Being a MuseItUp editor as well as an author, do you find it difficult to turn off your internal editor during the first draft?

I can’t seem to turn it off <laughs> I edit my stupid email for heaven’s sake.

Well, that must really hurt. Hahaha.
What do you like about writing?

Photo: Frances Watt

I love the magic of it, the thoughts and actions flowing from my fingers and so often surprising me because I didn’t think that was where the story was going at all. I love research, it’s addicting and I have to be careful I don’t get so caught up in following one lead to the next that I forget I have a story to tell and I need to get to it.

What don't you like about writing?

When my editor tells me I have too many uses of ‘that’ and I have to go weed them out before she comes after me with a whip. Honestly, I love the creative process. I don’t know how NOT to write.

My editor has a thing about 'that' too, and 'had' ;~)

Is there anything about the writing process you found surprising?

How addicting research is. My characters constantly surprise me with their thoughts and actions. They seem to grow and mature without any direction from me which I find a bit unsettling at times. I mean, am I just a conduit for them to tell their stories through?

If you are just a conduit, then you are truly blessed as a writer.

Thanks, that’s so sweet of you to say that.

Apart from the impact of the brave patient on you and the foal’s name, are any story lines based on things that have happened to you or you have heard about?

I would have to say, no, not directly. However, everything we see or hear or experience is grist for the writer’s mill. So in that respect, I do pull emotions and thoughts and sometimes ideas from my own experiences.

Well, the dog in Christmas Storm which releases in March of 2012 is based on a foster dog I cared for. Lily was quite the character, the peacock incident is a gift from her of sorts. I still miss her, but she is very happy with her new family out on Vancouver Island.

What advice would you have for other authors?

Believe in yourself and your work. There are so many naysayers out there, “You’re not a writer because you not published”, “Oh, you write , that’s not really writing” and the list goes on. Never be afraid to take constructive criticism and implement it. Talk to people, go to writers' conferences and talk to editors and publishers, learn all the aspects of your craft.

What are you passionate about?

This will sound hoakey, but Truth and Love. Anyone who knows me knows I am an animal lover. I believe each life is sacred and deserves respect, my concept of ‘life’ includes flowers, trees, bugs, the land, in short everything which exists in all worlds on all planes of existence. Learning and growing and having the courage to look my own faults in the face, acknowledge them and then strive to change them to something closer to my idea of what I should be. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a warrior in me who wants to take a few heads when cruelty is perpetrated on innocents; I am of Celtic ancestry after all.

That doesn’t sound hoakey. If more people thought like you do, there’d be harmony on our planet. And your charity . . .?

Yes, $1 from every copy of Laurel’s Miracle sold between September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011 will be donated to Dare to Dream Horse Rescue in Dalemead, Alberta. They buy horses at auction which would normally go to the meat buyers and end up at the packing plant. They work with these animals and rehome them; they also incorporate a youth ministry into the mix. This is a wonderful cause and one I support whole heartedly.

Where can we get to know you better, Nancy?

You can visit my website -

Nancy M. Bell the m is because there is another author writing as Nancy Bell and I want people to find me.

Twitter@emilypikkasso

Facebook -- AuthorNancyMBell and Nancy Rafter Bell

Nancy Bell Author Page at MuseItUp Publishing

Laurel's Miracle Book Page

BOOK VIDEO this is a lovely book trailer

Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog, Wendy and best of luck with your own writing. I understand The Unhewn Stone was released recently from MuseItUp Publishing. Congratulations.

Thank you. Now the PARTY begins via the comments. One lucky guest will WIN a copy of Laurel’s Miracle. So welcome EVERYONE! Come and feast on Nancy’s special day!

A REVIEWER’S CONUNDRUM by L.J. Roberts

2011-09-27T07:00:00.002+10:00

I can't remember a time I didn't read. I still have the first book I bought with my own money -- Jane Eyre for $0.50 through Scholastic Books. Since 1994, I have coordinated the East Bay Mystery Readers' Group

My transition into being a reviewer started by keeping notes for my own sake, just so I’d remember which authors’ writing I liked. Over time, I began sharing my reviews on-line. Poisoned Pen Press asked me to be a reader for them, evaluating manuscripts. After reading the vast number of really bad manuscripts, I couldn’t do it anymore, but they had taught me how to evaluate the various elements of a book and I started reviewing seriously.

My reviews now are found in "The Strand Magazine," "Mystery Readers Journal," international e-zine "Calamity's Corner", on-line at Mystery*File , I Love a Mystery and Criminal History UK as well as being a Top 500 Reviewer on Amazon US, Canada and UK, posting on DorothyL, 4MysteryAddicts, and Crime Thru Time, a distribution list of people to whom I email my monthly reviews and all of my reviews can be found on LJ Roberts_Goodreads . I also have a blog, It is purely my opinion, where I write about books and other things.

CONUNDRUM--don’t you love that word? It has such a wonderful sound and it’s fun to say: conundrum. But I digress…

I write reviews of mystery books. I write them for on-line communities, websites, subscription e-zines, and print publications. I enjoy writing them, which is a good thing. Most of the books are ones I buy. A very few are sent to me by author’s from whom I shamelessly beg. Even fewer are from authors who, judging by my past reviews of their work, know I’m a fan and send me their newest book.

Two outlets do send me free ARCs, AREs, UPs or some other alphabet soup combination of pre-published works and, even better, from some I am able to choose the authors whose works I’d like to receive.

There is one publication for which I review that actually pays me. Real money. And considering how few paid gigs there are for reviewers, being paid at all is a thrill. Book publishers pay for advertising which supports this publication. They also send copies of their new releases to the reviewers in order to spread the word about those new books and, hopefully, boost the sales of those books, thus increasing their revenue and justifying their marketing dollars spent on advertising

Now comes the reviewer, me. As a reviewer, I have always felt my responsibility is to fellow readers. Over the years, I built my reputation on giving an honest opinion. I received one of the greatest compliments to date when the publisher of the international e-zine for which I review said, “I love the way your reviews are teaching tools for authors. You point out how the writer brings the characters to life and makes a story great.” Through focusing on, and describing the strengths and weaknesses of the elements of a book, I believe other readers may judge whether that book will appeal to them; it is this for which I strive.

Therein lies my—here it comes—conundrum—I do love that word. When reviewing for an outlet whose revenue comes from publishers, they want you to write positive reviews. This wouldn’t be bad if the selection of books from which I have to choose were broad and diverse. But it isn’t. There are three primary houses from whom I receive books: two of which send me sub-genres I don’t normally read as they are not to my personal taste. I do, however, love the third house as they are the source for some of my favorite authors.

One conundrum arose when the paid outlet changed the text of the review without my knowing. For example, I wrote ”The plot is very well constructed.” yet in print, the sentence morphed into ”The novel is superbly constructed.” Happily, I did receive an apology from the Editor for the copywriters ‘enthusiasm’. So, the question is: do I own the copy because I wrote it, or do they own the copy as they paid me for it? Since the relationship I have with the magazine’s editor is quite casual, should I expect to view the changes in advance?

When reviewing books not of my selection, there often arises a double conundrum! First, I’m faced with reading a genre for which I, personally, don’t care because it is outside my area of interest. I tend not to read cozies, suspense/thrillers, or noir. This is a generalization, of course, as there are authors whose books are the exceptions and books that have cross genres. Second, as a reviewer, I must set aside, as best as possible, my personal preferences and be as objective as possible.

How do I handle my review? Carefully, and occasionally with small compromises, I choose from the selection I feel most suits me. For example, I was asked to review a cozy. There are a lot of people who love this sub-genre so I needed to look at it from their perspective. The book did have some stylistic choices that bothered me. I focused on the book’s strengths but didn’t completely ignore the weaknesses. In my review, one line, of which I was particularly proud and thought quite clever as it was a play on the book’s setting of a pizza parlor, was: “The book had more portents than slices of pepperoni one would hope for on their pizza.” The magazine editor disagreed and asked that I remove it or rephrase it. I changed it to:”There are a lot of portents…”, but I still prefer the original. In another review for a book I felt was poorly written, I wrote: “Normally a book such as this would be a good airplane book as one could lose oneself in it for a few hours. In the case of this book, however, one would do best to lose the book.” Funny, that review wasn’t published.

Normally, there is a middle ground. I do strive for that, I really do. I want to be fair to the publishers, writers, and readers, of all genres. At the same time, I do feel it would not be fair to anyone, were I not true to myself first.

The wall behind my desk.
The books in my den are ~1/6 of all my books
And yes, that is a mini-T.A.R.D.I.S on top of my monitor.

Reposted with kind permission from Kaye Barley of Meanderings and Muses
(article Sept 23rd)

Meet author Rebecca Ryals Russell

2011-09-23T12:00:00.009+10:00

Welcome to my blog, Rebecca.

Rebecca Ryals Russell writes MG and YA Dark Fantasy and Horror while living with her family in a Victorian house on five acres of North Florida countryside. She also runs a Vacation Rental Log House on the property: Florida Black Bear Cabin. http://flablackbearcabin.com

She is a fourth generation Floridian. She was born in Gainesville, grew up in Sunrise, lived in Orlando and Jacksonville before moving outside Lake City to care for ailing parents.

The daughter of an Elementary-school principal and secretary, for fourteen years she taught Middle Grades, preferring English and Creative Writing. She had several students’ works published in anthologies as well as her own poetry, photography and stories. Her main interests are her four children ages 22, 19, 16, 11 and Irish hubby of 35 years. She enjoys spending her time writing, drawing, going to movies, reading, discussing philosophy with her 17-year-old son.

Can you tell us a little about your latest release from MuseItUp Publishing.

My newest book is a Novella in the YA series Seraphym Wars. Prophecy is free-standing and can be read at any point, but should be read early in the series as it explains the origin of the Prophecy of Solsyl which the Vigorios (teen demon-hunting warriors) must fulfil. It has about 70 pages.

Where did the germ of an idea come from for this book?

This particular book came about as a way of explaining the need for the Vigorios and the Prophecy. The idea for the series was born from an observation of the increasing levels of evil in the world. All of the evil in either of my series (Seraphym Wars and Stardust Warriors for MG) comes directly from actual news accounts.

How did you choose your setting? Have you woven your own environment into your story?

I wanted the world of the series to be the home planet of the Demon-Dragons, so I had to build a world that is infected by their evil. But I also wanted readers to be able to identify with the world. So I loosely based Dracwald on Earth.

Who is your favourite character in your novel?

I think my favourite character in Prophecy is the blue Wren named Shadow because he’s smart, popular and a smart-alec. He lightens the story.

How many drafts did it take before you felt satisfied to submit this novel for publication?

Because Prophecy is the second book in a series, the publisher, MuseItUp Publishing, has first rights. I think I revised Prophecy three times before being satisfied with it. The first book in the series, Odessa, however, was revised six or seven times before getting ‘right’ and even now I’d like to go back and work on issues I see in it.

What's the one thing you hope your readers will take away with them, after finishing Prophecy?

I hope readers want to pick up Odessa and see where this Prophecy of Solsyl takes the Vigorios and just who the Vigorios are, anyway.

If, by chance, you became trapped inside one of your stories, would you try to escape to your real world?

Absolutely. I have no desire to live on Dracwald and endure the suffering the people are put through by Narciss, Ruler of Tartarus, and his Demon Legio. There are monsters living in every forest, lake, sea, swamp. The evil has seeped into the mountains, ground, water where the dragons live, making the land and animals toxic.

Do you have a daily writing routine?

I try to keep to routine, but with a family and Vacation Rental business, it’s difficult. I usually check my email first thing, do some Twittering and marketing on blogs then try to do some writing. On some days I can write as much as 5,000 words—other days none. If no writing continues for too long I get frustrated and stop everything else in order to write for a whole day. But since Odessa and Zarena and now Prophecy came out, I have less and less time to write due to all of the marketing required.

Whom do you most admire?

I have eternal admiration for my soul-mate husband. I met him six months after his arrival in the US from Ireland at age nineteen. We dated for six months then married—much to everyone’s shock and surprise. We’ve been married thirty-five years this year and are as much in love and respect as the day we met. My husband has an amazing nature for patience and tolerance, seeing/analysing a situation and thinking through to the best solution. He’s driven in his work as an Advertising Executive and everyone at work respects his judgement as well. He’s been an awesome Daddy and will be a terrific Grandpa when the time is right. It was he who insisted I quit teaching and ‘write that book you’ve always wanted to’. And the dedication in each of the books states just that.

When you aren’t writing, what do you enjoy most?

Every Tuesday night my young adult daughter and I have a standing ‘movie date’. We look forward to it all week, planning what we’ll see. We live in a tiny town with a very, very old theatre that has six small screens, so our choices are sometimes limited to yuk or nothing. On those nights we do an in-home movie and popcorn—but it’s not the same.

What's the most important thing you would like readers to know about you as an author?

I would like readers to know how much I care about them as readers. I write my books with teens and young adults in mind the whole time—trying to create characters they could relate to and enjoy getting to know. I also LOVE meeting and talking to my readers/fans. I’m one of those authors who answers emails and questions about my books.
Middle Graders can contact me through an Interactive website I created just for them. See the list at the end.

Apart from ‘never give up’ what advice as a writer would you give to someone who takes their writing seriously?

Don’t wait to get your work ‘out there’. My High School senior son is an incredible writer—better than I ever will be. But he has no self-confidence and thinks his stuff is bad. So he won’t blog or post any of his writing on forums or try to sell it to ezines. I keep telling him it’s a mistake to wait. If you have a talent for writing as a young person, take advantage of that youth and get your work in front of the public. If you are truly gifted, you’ll be discovered and can have a long, full writing career. I deeply regret not starting on this route until I retired from a career in teaching and mothering.

It's been lovely chatting with you Rebecca. Thank you for allowing us into your world. I wish you much writing success.

May we read your book blurb for Prophesy, please?

Prophecy (Seraphym Wars YA series)

For centuries the residents of Solsyl lived in peace and harmony with the planet. Then the dragon-demons arrived, causing the Great Shuddering. Majikals from everywhere scurried to find shelter from the evil while humans hid. Laud regretted his rash decision of exiling the demons on Solsyl and asked one of his advisors, a member of The Conscientia, to protect his people. Jeremiah Holyfield agreed to leave the peaceful world of Revrum Natura for a life of constant strife and fear on the newly renamed planet of Dracwald. But Narciss, ruler of Tartarus and King of the demons, desperately wants what Jeremiah has sworn to protect—a Prophecy of Narciss’s future doom. And Narciss refuses to take no for an answer. But Jeremiah discovers allies along his path and even true love, which he never dreamed possible.

But forever is a long time to protect something without ever letting down one’s guard.

This sounds like an exciting, though troubling time with plenty of strange characters to entertain your readers.LINKS

Under the Hat

http://rryalsrussell.com

Tween Word Quest

http://tweenwordquest.com

Teen Word Factory

http://teenwordfactory.com

Odessa

http://seraphymwarsodessa.blogspot.com

Prophecy

http://seraphymwarsprophecy.blogspot.com

Flyte Publishing

http://rebeccaryalsrussell.com

FACEBOOK

Personal

http://facebook.com/rebeccaryalsrussell

Author Page

http://facebook.com/yellowhatwriter

Balls of a Hairy Goat! It's Launch Day for EXILED AUTUMN's PERIL

2011-09-02T07:00:00.012+10:00

Today Rosalie Skinner's fabulous fantasy series Chronicles of Caleath,Book One is released by MuseItUp Publishing. It is my pleaure and priviledge to share in her special day.

Welcome to my blog Rosalie, I am just as excited about the release of the first book in your eight book series as you are. I have read book one Exiled: Autumn's Peril, from your Chronicles of Caleath and loved it. This one comes out in September from MuseItUp Publishing and Book Two through to Book Eight are released every month after that. Is that right?

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for your enthusiasm and support. Yes, after book one is released in September, each month there will be another snippet of the chronicles available. Each book is novel size. No short stories here. J

Wow! That is fantastic.

What prompted you to start this story about Caleath?

I have always been an avid reader of Fantasy. So when the local library ran out of new books to read and my favourite authors took too long between releases, my friend and I decided to create our own. That was many years ago and from those early plots and characters Caleath and Nasith remain. Otherwise there isn’t much from those days.

Why did you choose the fantasy genre to tell his story?

Caleath’s story is a mix of fantasy and science fiction, mainly because they are genres I have read and loved since childhood. For a moment in time, probably while ink was drying on the first chapter, for the first time, I believed writing fantasy meant I wouldn’t need much research. The illusion didn’t last long and research became part of the joy of creating the story, rather than a chore.

Caleath has been exiled from his home planet and is hunted by assassins. Can you tell us how this came about and why he is trying so desperately to find a way home?

Without introducing too many spoilers, you mean? ;)

On his home world, Caleath was obsessed with Virtual Reality games. His determination to become the ultimate Game Master blinded him to the risks he took. When competitions have whole galaxies as their audience, the mistake of publically humiliating the son of a powerful magnate sealed Caleath’s fate.

Now his struggle to survive on a strange planet is made more difficult as assassins, sent by the same magnate’s son, try to kill him.

There is no secret to how I took inspiration from Survivor and Big Brother, as each move of Caleath’s adventure becomes compulsive viewing for the same audience he once entertained in Virtual Reality.

Only this time it’s life and death... and he is desperate to find a way home and wreak vengeance on man who arranged his exile.

Ah, now I see the connection with Big Brother. That hadn’t struck me before.

Did you write the story from beginning to end? If not, how did you write it?

Yes, the plot flowed from beginning to end. There are times I try to plan plot arcs but truth be told, when the muse is on fire, there isn’t time to plan. During the second or third edit the plot becomes more polished, but at the time of writing, it is each character’s motives and choices that push the story. The outcome is determined well before the draft is written. All else depends on how the characters behave when faced with decisions.

What do you like about writing?

I love being transported to another world. Being part of the lives and struggles of my characters, seeing their journeys come to fulfilment... placing different obstacles in their path, twisting fate and bringing strands of different lives together through adversity and trial, to find their strengths, see them grow and achieve an outcome, in a satisfying manner... that’s what I love. When others read and enjoy Caleath’s tale, well, that is the most satisfying thing of all.

What don't you like about writing?

That it is an obsession I cannot control. If I am writing... doing anything else is frustrating. Life gets in the way. There is no writing for five minutes at a time. When I write, I am obsessed. Until the scene or the chapter is complete, nothing intrudes. Thankfully I have a very supportive family. There are times though when they wonder at my sanity.

Is there anything about the writing process that you found surprising?

LOL. What a great question. I will admit that I was surprised how difficult the art of writing is to master. Today I feel I am beginning to understand the most basic of writing skills, but each day I find there is more I don’t know, more to learn. The act of penning a story, getting a manuscript down, is the easy part. It did come as a surprise, to discover that. Everything after waiting for the ink to dry is difficult.

Yes, I know what you mean. It’s surprising how much you actually learn once you get started. Are any story lines based on things that have happened to you or you have heard about?

There are so many of the story lines that are influenced by life’s experiences. Not only my own, but experiences I have witnessed and shared. The rest are things I have experienced, studied, watched, and heard about, but having said that, liberal amounts of imagination have been applied.

What advice would you have for other authors?

Keep reading, keep writing, keep learning and keep an open mind. Don’t ever give up. Complete your manuscript before you worry about the fine details. They will shine with the polish you apply during edits.

What are you passionate about?

Family, life, love and being a source of positive energy. Oh, yeah, and writing. LOL. I am passionate about my books and the support and energy of those people who have helped me get them to where they are today!

Where can we get to know you better?

Come and visit my blog at Ramblings from Lady Rosalie or you can contact me through the official Chronicles of Caleath website. I have an author page at Museitup Publishing too.

From today you can purchase Exiled: Autumn’s Peril here.

This is a very exciting day, Rosalie. Congratulations on the launch of your Chronicles of Caleath with this beautiful Book One.

Thank you so much for being my guest today.

Wendy it has been a pleasure. Thanks for having me here.

Just one more thing :) Would you favour us with a short excerpt, please Rosalie?

From Exiled: Autumn’s Peril...

My pleasure... a short excerpt from Exiled: Autumn’s Peril...

Despite his determination, sleep overwhelmed him but offered no peace of mind. Scrutinized by the sightless eyes of drowned men, panic plagued his dreams. Hungry for vengeance and corrupted by the stench of watery decay, their angry spirits sought to destroy his sanity.

In his vision, strands of hair washed like seaweed across the disintegrating flesh of dead sailors. Tides of marine scavengers reduced humanity to bare bone and memory. Ghostly accusations spread on the current to drown him in guilt. Lifeless skulls and partially devoured corpses of the recently drowned whispered curses. They laid the blame for their demise on his shoulders. Fleshless fingers reached through the depths to draw him into Death’s grasp while parasitic wraiths gnawed at his soul and his lungs filled with the fetor of a carnivore’s breath.

Caleath woke from the nightmare. Daylight drove barbs into his eyes, forcing him to blink before he could focus on the muzzle of a salivating wolf.

Fangs gleamed inches from his face and amber eyes regarded him without blinking.

Hunger, thirst, and the will to survive overcame any fear a wolf might evoke. Terror dissolved before a snarl. Caleath lifted an arm to fend off the creature’s curious approach. #
And now we await Book Two which comes out next month.
Dear readers, Stay right here! YOU are invited to join Rosalie's Launch Party, by way of these comments, and have a chance to win a copy of Exiled Autumn's Peril. Winner will be chosen on 9th September.
Best leave an email address or check back on the 9th.
Anyone who entered the competition on Rosalie's blog, during the week, just leave your code number in the comments, here, to claim your prizes.
Now we'll start the cyber party in the comments. Good Aussie food and drink and banter. All for FUN. Come back during the day to continue the fun.
LET THE PARTY BEGIN

Calamity's Corner September Issue

2011-09-01T10:11:00.000+10:00

As we welcome in spring or fall, I hope your leisure time is bringing
you pleasure.

In this month's CC, Australian Fantasy writer Rosalie Skinner is
Author of the Month.
Join us here tomorrow for the launch party of Rosalie's Exiled Autumn's Peril.
From France, Alanna shows us beautiful Brittany, and from Spain,
Carlo J. Vella takes us to ruins 800 years older than Pompeii.

In lieu of a Pet this month, we visit Berlin Zoo for a lesson in true
elegance :)

We have our regulatr columns from LJ Roberts and Jacquie Rogers in the
US, and Aussie Deborah Cannan, friend of movie stars, reviews Senna
the movie.

Everyone, not just writers, should get a kick out of the creative
writing exercise this month, and the quiz is short --but is it easy?

Until next month
Fond wishes
Calamity.

August issue of Calamity's Corner.

2011-08-18T21:14:00.003+10:00

Happy August, Everyone.
I hope all is well with you and your loved ones.

Since my novel, 'The Unhewn Stone' will be available
in ebook from 12th August, I'll give you one guess
who the featured author is, this month. :)

In the travel feature, American Romance author
Pat McDermott shares her romantic cruise to Alaska.
Our regular columnists LJ Roberts and Jacquie Rogers
present their book review and Blast from the Past,
respectively.

We have an Aussie pet that works with a team-mate
and my young Swiss friend, Janine Wipfli, sings on TV
in Altdorf (which just happens to be the setting for
my novel). This is a magical video, one you simply must
see. 7 minutes long, so it might take a little while to load.

And there is plenty more.
If you'd like to receive this fun ezine, just Subscribe to Calamity's Corner.
We'll be delighted to welcome you.
Until next month
Fond wishes
Calamity.

The Unhewn Stone.

2011-08-14T10:42:00.001+10:00

Here is the video of the book trailer, which my son created. He wrote the haunting soundtrack, too. Thank you Mark and Ryan for performing the music.

THE UNHEWN STONE BOOK LAUNCH

2011-08-12T10:08:00.002+10:00

Today The Unhewn Stone is published, thanks to Lea Schizas and MuseItUp Publishing. There is a wonderful Launch Party going on at Rosalie Skinner's blog. There is no time limit in Cyberspace so you are never too late :)

A beautiful video from Altdorf, Switzerland.

2011-07-26T16:52:00.002+10:00

Hey, this is magic!

Hear Janine Wipfli in Altdorf, Switzerland

Singing Dani Häusler’s ‘Wavin’ Flag’

July Calamity's Corner

2011-07-16T00:12:00.004+10:00

Greeting from chilly Australia.

In this month's Calamity Corner, Jacquie Rogers
is the Featured Author. She delights us with her
Cowboys: Knights of the Old West.

Australian Children's author Dell Brand shares
her unique Outback Experience.

A coincidental pairing leads to a Journey into
Faerie. Sally Odgers tells us how that happened,
and Rosalie Skinner presents her 3 little
darlings.

From Malta we have Tanja Cilia's sticky quiz
and from Florida, Marsha A Moore gives us
a magical writing exercise.

L.J. Roberts and Jacquie Rogers present
their regular columns and Rosalie is a tad
cheeky with her Movie (TV series) review. :)

If you'd like a copy just ask me, and I'll be
delighted to include you in Calamity's Corner.

Until next month enjoy your work and your
leisure time
Best wishes,
Calamity

June Calamity's Corner

2011-05-30T23:03:00.000+10:00

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY EVERYONE! !

I THANK YOU -- THE READERS AND WRITERS -- FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS.

LOOKING FORWARD TO AN INVIGORATING 4TH YEAR.

June's Author of the Month, Australian Historical Romance author, Anne Whitfield, Brings the Past to Life in Leeds UK.

German thriller wiriter and editor, Edith Parzefall takes us to Terrific Tenerife in the Canary Islands

You'll be happy to know American Romance author Jacquie Rogers is back with her column "Blast from the Past".

We have LJ Robert's Book Review column- this book ticks all the boxes that writers should strive for. There are movie reviews, our Pet of the Month from Australian Romance author Tricia McGill- a little cutie :) quick quiz, writing exercise and more.

Looking for new subscribers to swell our ranks as we head into our 4th year.

email me at calam@live.com.au

Happy leisure time,

Best wishes,

Calamity.

Wendy Laharnar

http://wendylaharnar.weebly.com/

The Unhewn Stone has a cover!

2011-05-17T13:27:00.003+10:00

Thanks to Tiger Matthews, MuseItUp Cover Artist, The Unhewn Stone has a cover.

I love the jester and the symbolism, Tiger captured in the cover image.

12th August.
Editing finished and the book is available from MuseItUp Bookstore. Unbelievable. So exciting. Thank you Lea and the MuseItUp editors.

And The Unhewn Stone has a Book Trailer

14th August , The Unhewn Stone on Goodreads

Planets aligned

2011-05-12T22:43:00.000+10:00

Having seen three planets close together in the east, this morning, I have the alarm set for 5:00am tomorrow, earlier enough to see 4. Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter. It's Friday 13th. There has to be a story in there somewhere. Pity I'm not superstitious.

April's Calamity's Corner

2011-04-04T15:53:00.001+10:00

Plenty of entertainment this month. Our Author of the
Month is Rowena Cherry who writes futeristic romance
for broadminded people. Rowena asks What kind of
hero plays chess?

West Australian crime writer, Carole Sutton, takes us to
Falmouth in Cornwall the setting for her mystery thriller,
Ferryman.

The Unusual Event is a terrifying experience for Calamity
in Ireland.

I hope you all enjoy LJ Roberts book review of a debut
mystery author Belinda Bauer, as well as the usual review,
pets, quiz, writing exercise etc.

Happy Easter

Calamity - if you'd like to join us just ask @ calam (at) live (dot) com (dot) au.

My Imagination is working.

2011-03-23T08:16:00.000+11:00

I finished the new website, My Imagination. It has a slide show on the home page with photos of Central Switzerland, Wilhelm Tell country, which are pertinent to my novel. I love the banner picture of the Schächen River near Bürglen, in the Uri canton. There are new poems and pictures and I'll add a short story or two as free reads. Calamity's Corner has a page, too where I'll announce the star attractions, for the upcomng month. Readers can subscribe from there. http://wendylaharnar.weebly.com/

I'm Happy Now

2011-03-21T00:48:00.000+11:00

At last I have a new website and it has everything I need to play with. Called 'My Imagination', it is still under construction. Although the Home page is blank, the [writing] Tips, Books, About, and Short Story pages do have text and some pictures on them. http://wendylaharnar.weebly.com/ This will be a fun project for me and probably a slow one.

Website disappointment

2011-03-08T19:05:00.002+11:00

Having seen two of my friends websites which they set up as a free account, I thought I'd go with their supplier because their sites were quite impressive as far as I was concerned. All worked beautifully and I was very happy, but suddenly a huge flashing add told me I was a winner of something. The flashing became permanent and distracted me. So intrusive I had no desire to work on the contents of my new site.

I asked my friends how they avoided the adds. They both said they had not encountered this problem. Their sites were add free. After a day or so, I couldn't stand the flashing anymore, so I just deleted the site. It feels sad. It's a why me? situation. :)

Sneak a Peek: Aussie Authors at Work

2011-03-05T00:02:00.000+11:00

Rosalie Skinner and I started an exclusive blog for Aussie Authors, where the world can Sneak a Peek at Australian authors talking about whatever interests them, most likely it will be about life in Australia or books.

March Calamity's Corner.

2011-03-01T20:44:00.001+11:00

Thanks to all of the contibutors, I'm really happy with this issue of Calamity's Corner.
Multi published, American writer, Kim Smith is our March author of the month. From Romance and Mysteries to Fantasy, Kim has mastered them all.
I show you around Sydney Cove and LJ Roberts and Jacquie Rogers present their fascinating & informative regular columns. Fellow MuseItUp author, Rosalie Skinner, provides the answers to her Valentine's Day quiz and Sheryl reviews the movie 'Unknown'.

All I can say about the Pet of the Month is, 'A picture paints a thousand words', hehehe and you'll be very impressed with what you find from the Groper's shelf. Edith, Alma and Deborah are to be commended. :) In Something Unusual you'll find something especially for Ferrari lovers, thanks Bob Turnbull. It's best if you turn the sound up, full blast.
Anyone who isn't already a member of Calamity's Corner is welcome to subscribe to calam@live.com.au we'd love to include you, whether you are a writer, a reader, a movie buff, pet lover or traveller. There is something for everyone.

A friend's great idea - an offer on EBay.

2011-02-10T08:16:00.000+11:00

Writing friend Rowena Cherry has a great idea for readers and authors.

Readers: If you always wanted an autographed Romance novel, but could never get to a signing, check out what Rowena Cherry is doing on EBay
http://shop.ebay.com/rowenacherry/m.html [But this offer is for the next 7 days only]

Rowena took a leaf out of bestselling author Lorie OClare's book. Lorie sells autographed Romances on EBay.

http://shop.ebay.com/lorieoclare/m.html

Authors: Maybe you should do it, too.

Rowena says: I'll mail to anywhere in the world if purchasers pay the postage.

Wishing you Happy Valentine's Day in Calamity's Corner.

2011-01-30T08:17:00.010+11:00

The February issue of Calamity's Corner is bigger than usual.
Christine London, from MuseItHOT! Publishing is our
Author of the Month.
She talks about The Emotions of a Contemporary Romance Author.

Intrepid Traveller, writer and editor, Edith Parzefall,
braves it in Olinda, a UNESC World Heritage site in Brazil.

Cindy Bauer, author/reviewer/interviewer, presents her 'Valentine's' pets.
Rosalie Skinner another MuseItUp author devised our Valentine's quick quiz and shares a movie review.

As for the Unusual Event, well . . . all I can say is . . . eat your
heart out! hehe.

As well as L.J. Roberts's regular book review column, I'm
thrilled to announce a new column, 'A Blast from the Past'
by Romance author and 1st Turning Point host, Jacquie Rogers.
Welcome Jacquie.

Thank you to all Calamity's Corner members for your continued support. I'd love to hear from you during the year and if you'd like your b'day included in the greetings
just let me know the month.

New friends are very welcome. SUBSCRIBE calam@live.com.au

Best wishes,
Calamity.

Guest Blogging, what a thrill

2011-01-24T17:38:00.000+11:00

L.J. Roberts, the most prolific reader I know and renowned book reviewer asked me: What Do Aussie Readers Read? With the help of some Aussie readers, I came up with quite a selection. http://booksaremagic.blogspot.com/

January's Calamity's Corner

2011-01-04T00:59:00.001+11:00

In our first Calamity's Corner for 2011 our Author of the Month is romantic fantasy writer Marsha A Moore who enlightens us about the pirate festival in Tampa, Florida.
Australian author Margaret Tanner shares a very special experience in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I'm thrilled that LJ Roberts will continue with her wonderful book review column this year. You'll marvel at her big, bold, beautiful pets this month.
We have Alma from Ohio and Gabriela from Sydney to thank for the movie reviews.

I look forward to any contribution that you might like to make this year and I think it's time to call Calamity's Corner an e-magazine rather than a newsletter. What do you think?

My article is up at 1st Turning Point. It's about accepting opportunity when it knocks.

Very best wishes to you and your family for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011.

Calam

NaNo

2010-12-03T22:38:00.000+11:00

Finished NaNo 6 days early and my 1st draft though naturally a little rough has potential so I am very happy with it.

NaNoWriMo

2010-11-10T22:56:00.000+11:00

Can't help it I have to Shout Out, I just hit 20,000 words in NaNo and it's only day 10. At the moment my characters are searching for their lost friend but I'm afraid I can't let them continue until tomorrow. I need my sleep.

The Thanksgiving issue.

2010-10-31T22:32:00.000+11:00

I hoped everyone survived Halloween. Last year a dad came with the neighbourhood kids, and when I offered them money he took it - to look after it for the children. The children were not impressed. This year I was prepared with a stash of lollies. I seem to have a few left over. Oh dear, there goes the diet.

In Calamity's Corner this month's Thanksgiving nibbles include: from Western Australia, mystery/crime writer Carole Sutton, whose latest book "Blood Opal' is now available. Come inside Ireland's most visited attraction (no it isn't the BlarneyStone). Wendy urges everyone to try NaNoWriMo at least once in their life. Spitzli and friends attend Obedience Training School. The quiz is an easy one for History lovers, about the most powerful woman in Europe of her time.
Jennifer Leonard shares something special with Sydneysiders and LJ Roberts book review features an Aussie author.

If you are a reader, writer, movie buff or traveller, you are welcome to subscribe and contribute, if you like.
calam@live.com.au It's free
Good Luck NaNoWrimoers. Will you be among the 18% who win?!!

Halloween Issue of Calamity's Corner

2010-10-26T23:34:00.000+11:00

In the Halloween issue of CC our Author of the Month is Lisa J. Yarde who shares her obsession with historical research. I take you to the old town square in Verona, Italy. Laurel Lamperd sent us some strange architecture and this month's animal and the quick quiz are very weird indeed, hehe.
L.J.Robert's book review column is great as usual, Calamity hogged the movie comments (sorry) and Sally Odgers has a wise writing tip for all authors. Look for Margaret Tanner's exciting announcement. All of CC readers are sure to wish her well.
Happy October, Happy Halloween
Subscribe @ calam@live.com.au

Calamity's Corner September issue

2010-08-31T11:25:00.000+10:00

September is a magical issue. Our Author of the Month features Jacquie Rogers, author of Faery Special Romances. Book Doctor, Edith Parzefall takes us on a romantic journey to the breathtakingly exquisite Iguazu Falls in South America and supplies this month's quick quiz. Prolific Australian Author Sally Odgers presents our Pet of the Month, Preacher, a rising star :) and two stories on Texan author Celia Yearly's blogspot inspired the writing exercise.

LJ Roberts' regular column reviews An Unhallowed Grave, Deborah Cannan and Calamity comment on recent movies, and Calamity's dear friends Jan & Ken Manning share a lofty experience.

This is another fun read to enhance your September leisure time.

Wendy visits Texty Ladies

2010-08-31T09:52:00.000+10:00

Read my article about Calamity's Corner: why I started the newsletter and why I continued with it when there was no reason to be.
Thank you, Jacquie Rogers for inviting me to visit Texty Ladies @
http://www.textyladies.com/2010/08/30/1620/

My article on 'Calamity's Corner' at 1st Turning Point.

2010-07-31T15:17:00.000+10:00

1st Turning Point turns the tables on Calamity! Now Calamity, who seeks articles for Calamity's Corner, is invited to write one herself -- about Calamity's Corner. How great is that?!! Want to read it? You can on August 5th at 1st Turning Point but don't wait till then. They have wonderful articles on self promotion and marketing, every day. http://1stturningpoint.com/

Calamity's Corner e-newsletter

2010-04-24T12:14:00.000+10:00

As usual, the May issue of Calamity's Corner is filled with fascinating contributions from readers and writers around the world. In the 8 page pdf e-newsletter, sent on the 1st of the month, they share their experiences on writing, travel, book and movie reviews and pets.

In May the featured author is Canada's Jo-Anne Vandermeulen, author of Premium Promotional Tips for Writers and Conquer All Obstacles.
Fantasy writer, Anna L. Walls, author of King by Right of Blood and Might, shares her Alaskan Wilderness, a young violinist, Gabriela, busks in Paris and we feature Andy, a four month old Shih-Tzu as Pet of the Month.

In her regular column L.J. Roberts reviews Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand by Fred Vargas.

There is something for everyone, including a quick quiz, writing exercise & a grumble from The Groper.

Always seeking to expand, Calamity would love to welcome you to our growing group, which, so far, reaches 22countries: Australia (all states); Canada; Denmark; England; Germany;Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Ireland; Italy; Japan; Malaysia; Mexico; Mongolia; New Zealand; Poland; Portugal; Ukraine; USA (most states including Alaska &Hawaii); Slovenia; South Africa and Switzerland.

Any member is welcome to contibute to the regular segments, if they wish, and I will thank them by promoting their websites, if they have one.

You can subscribe by sending an email to calam@live.com.au with Subscribe Calamity's Corner in the subject bar.
Best wishes,
Calam

Tagged

2008-10-02T15:58:00.000+10:00

Thank you for tagging me Rosalie. So now I tag you back and tag 6 others :)

A #1. Rockfest the Band

the hottest rock band in Australia.

And six talented writers who are all dear friends of mine. Meet them and their work and they could become your friends too at:

2. Rosalie Skinner

3. Laurel Lampherd

4. Carole Sutton

5. Esmaa Self

6. Edith Parzefall

7. Kim Smith

and now to follow the rest of the instructions. Tell 6 things about me.

1. I really admire people who put the needs of others first when they are in need of attention themsleves.

2. Self disciplined people have a head start. It must be a gift because I don't know how to get it, but my husband has it.

3. I'm too judgmental even with myself.

4. I believe in Destiny. If you really want something bad enough, you will get it -- for better or for worse.

5. Realizing that I prefer silence to music while I work proved that I'm no longer a spring chicken, but having just figured out how to add these links (the hard way - thanks Rosalie -the regular link icon proved to difficult) I'm not quite over the hill yet.

6. I'm really, really glad that my kids chose me to be their Mum.

How to Plot a Story to Engage Your Reader

2008-07-26T20:12:00.000+10:00

PLOT

Often the beginning writers ponders too long over characterization, scenery and setting up the story/backstory and finds it difficult to accept the fundamental element of a good story.

SOMETHING MUST HAPPEN TO DRAW THE READER INTO THE STORY

WHERE, WHO, WHAT, HOW, WHY

GOAL or PROBLEM is all important.

If you are blocked you might need to re think your story.

Maybe your main character doesn't have a big enough goal to reach, or problem to overcome.
- Maybe nothing or no one is trying to stop him achieving it. (Conflict)
You need obstacles that lead your character to make decisions. (Crises) It's Furtherance and Hindrance that build suspense.
- Maybe you need to physically visit the site, or a similar site, for the setting of your story to get the atmosphere/mood right where you will find the unique details.
- Get a group of friends to fire questions at you about your story so that you have to answer them so fast you'll even make up stuff that wasn't originally part of it and be surprised how relevant the new answers are. That is a wonderful unblocking exercise.
- If all else fails, try introducing a new character to hinder your hero.
Your hero's character develops and changes through the ways he attempts to solve his problem or achieve his goal. How he reacts to his situation is determined by what motivates him.

Have you covered the who, where, when why and how?
1st chapter.
Have you introduced your main character, anchored him in the setting, given him a strong goal, (preferably one the reader thinks is impossible to reach) one which is extremely important to himself, given him a motivation for wanting to reach this goal, and have you put a stumbling
block in his way to prevent him achieving it? Now the reader will read on to find out if and how he does achieve it.
- What is this story about? Reduce it to one noun which will probably turn out to be what motivates your main character at every turn of the story.
eg. Love, pride, honour, brotherhood, survival, etc. [themes/motivations]

Ask yourself
- . What have I promised the reader? A good mystery, an adventure, a rollicking good yarn, a dark thriller, comedy. A hero's journey, a bumpy ride, etc? This should be apparent from the first page.
You must remember to deliver on the promise? [maintaining your focus]

Don't be afraid to use imagery and symbolism. It's amazing how creating a simile to replace an adverb can set you on a roll and get you writing for longer than you intended. Similes and metaphors are great unblockers. You could try getting your character to make up a quote. That will reveal a lot about him/her.
I've discovered that first chapter(s) need to be re written when the novel is completed, so keep moving forward and don't worry about editing until much later. Add to earlier chapters, of course, when you discover you need to prepare the reader for something you hadn't expected in the chapter you are writing. But get it down. You can't edit a blank page.

Keeping this in mind, all writers should do NaNo in November at least once. http://www.nanowrimo.org/ i.e. write a 50,000 word novel in a month. I completed 3 NaNos successfully. It's hard going but it is so satisfying and teaches you to think fast and to turn off your internal editor until your story is written. You can edit later but by Dec 1st you have a beginning, middle and end to work on and improve.

Writing the Novel

2008-07-23T16:54:00.000+10:00

I wasn't sure if there had ever been a monastery at the site of my fictional town which is a real town in real life so I had to be cautious and when I had the chance I checked the details.

My fictional St. Gabriel's monastery was built about 1000 AD, made of wood. That way when it fell into ruin sometime after 1307 AD there would be no trace of it in the modern world as there would be from a stone one. Plus timber (a wattle and daub structure) would more easily burn if I needed it to.
I imagined in the Eastern Arcade salt and grain would be stored at the near end of the promenade.
The time in Switzerland proved to be necessary. I discovered that a monastery does dominate the town of Altdorf. It has been there since the 1580's. In the book I had Stefan wonder if there'd ever been one, so I had to make a quick adjustment during the final edit, to counteract that major error. While in Switzerland, I found it fascinating to discover here is little difference from the Uri Bull emblem seen in Altdorf today and the one common in 1315 AD.

Mastered it.

2008-05-30T20:28:00.000+10:00

Calamity's Corner worked better this month since I converted the newsletter to PDF. Takes less space in email. I think I've mastered it, now. It's lovely to receive such interesting contributions too. I can't wait to see what pets will be forthcoming.
The next step is to figure out how to make a video - just a little one. For myspace. Not for emailing.

Newsletter Success.

2008-05-21T09:34:00.000+10:00

Thanks to some advice from family members I was able to send out my first newsletter. I used the Bcc feature in outlook to hide the list of names. The Bcc was hard to find and I did have to add each address seperately. There has to be an easier way! Also I must get software to convert Word to PDF so that the format isn't corrupted for non Word readers. The May issue is nearly ready.
I'm happy now that it worked this time, but will be happier when I can discover how others send their newsletters in large numbers. So far the companies I've asked haven't responded.

Newsletter woes

2008-03-30T11:51:00.000+11:00

I'm trying to create a newsletter. I did - on a small scale for starters. Created a group in hotmail and tried to send but I had too many friends. I'm allowed to send to 10 at a time. So I turned to Outlook express - created a group of special friends - entered the group name in the To box. Saved it to drafts while I checked it and to my horror everyones name came up in the To box. I can't invade people's privacy like that. Under message rules the 'show people in To box' was already unchecked.
After countless tries to copy and paste my newsletter here on my blogspot I must give up. I'm so disappointed. The format and the thumbnail pictures were lost. I worked long into the night and most of this morning but now (due to family commitments) my computer has to be shut down for 6 weeks. I can't believe I let this beat me.
If anyone has advice, especially on how to send the newsletter via email without divulging the recipients names in the 'To' box, could you please leave me a message. I would very appreciate it. Thank you.

Editing

2008-03-16T15:11:00.000+11:00

You've heard the adage: a great book is not written, it's re written. In the many rewritten drafts the story is moulded and polished.
Well, I've learnt another truth. To discover the real story within one must 'dewrite'. It's in the deleting and the word reduction you really come to differentiate between what you like about the story with what is truly essential to entertain the reader. I guess it's a case of putting the reader's needs before the author's.
I had no idea I was having so much fun on my own. :) But now I know, I have reduced, reduce, reduce and the story is better for it. Now the forest is gone we can all see the wood for the trees.

Talented friends

2008-02-22T16:41:00.000+11:00

It's so lovely to have so many talented friends on my Bebo site. I think we are all enjoying the communication between our sites. I spent most of the day setting up a quiz there today Novels & Novelists instead of slashing words off my novel which is still too long to be publishable. I'll get back to the novel tonight. I hope there will be tons of people who take the quiz. I think it might be too hard but it is mutli choice and the last two questions are a bit of a cheek. If people don't know the answers to those it won't count. But if they do, I'll be their friend for life.

Thank you to Rosalie and Terry for the lovely reviews and the 5 stars which was quite a thrill on my Bebo Book site and to Anne and Anita for there special comments, today.

Goodreads is another great place for forming like-minded friends. I'm thrilled Sheryl joined. I'm waiting to see what books she chooses to add to her shelf.

The Legend of the Unicorn

2008-02-02T17:02:00.000+11:00

Poem

THE LEGEND OF THE UNICORN

Bubbles in a babbling brook burst over pebbles of glass
White chiffon swirls `round lissom limbs on a bank of verdant grass.
Drawn by mysterious force she comes to the woods in the dewy air,
She gathers bluebells and she weaves a garland for her hair.
Approaching hooves her joy completes, the proud steed shakes his head,
The strong, white body, flushed of face, falls down before her... dead.

A hush befalls the stricken woods, its breath suspended now,
Her violent efforts can’t dislodge the arrow from his brow.
“Breathe Life! I beg all woodland nymphs, the fairies and the sprite!
Reverse the treachery of man, great Artemis of night.”
She flings her arms around the beast; her crystal tears flow free.
Apollo and his sister smile, they can’t resist her plea.

The throbbing of a loving heart and warmth from the rising sun,
Blue flowers on a bloodstained mane, the miracle has begun.
Was it but a play of light, with the breaking of the dawn?
Or did the great colt quiver? No arrow now, just glistening horn.
“Ah, sweet victory,” the maiden cries, “no man can poison thee.
Unique within the magic world forever you’ll roam free.”

Prancing, dancing, a lyre enhancing the lilting woodland song,
The gentle steed and maiden sigh, assured they both belong
Where the natural and the mystic realms merge in the dewy air,
Where bubbles burst in crystal tears and great gods answer prayer.
So, in the morn, before the dawn, when a babbling brook she hears
She’ll find herself in Bluebell Woods where the unicorn appears.

My Review of Mirella Patzer's Bloodstone Castle

2008-01-29T08:08:00.000+11:00

Bloodstone Castle by Mirella Patzer

Review by Wendy Laharnar

At the moment of her birth, in Bloodstone Castle, Morena, Contessa of Portovenere, receives an ancient bloodstone pendant from her dying mother who believes the pendant will protect her from harm. No one knows the true significance of the bloodstone pendant.
Morena grows into a beautiful, strong-willed woman, fiercely loyal to her father and to her betrothed, Ernest of Savona, a man she has never met. However, unknown to her, her father plans to rescind the marriage contract in favour of Duke Amoro Dragone of Genoa, in order to heal the ancient family feud and restore peace to the region.
A reluctant suitor at first, the handsome Duke Amoro soon falls deeply in love with Morena, but she vehemently shuns his advances. Although strongly attracted to him, she flees. Her escape leads her to the unscrupulous and self-serving Ernesto who is as determined as Amoro to make her his bride and claim Bloodstone Castle and its treasure before Morena learns his dreadful secret.
When Morena is forced to face a brutal reality, she realizes her heart belongs to Amoro, but it is too late. Amoro's attempt to save her has trapped them both in the crumbling castle at Savona, and, it seems, only Morena's marriage to the repulsive Ernesto can save her true loves life.

Through Mirella Patzer's sensual language and haunting atmosphere we experience the medieval world of castles and monasteries, of hidden treasure and secret passages, of mistrust and betrayal, of passion and desire. Exciting action, at times heart-warmingly sensitive and terrifyingly brutal and the inner conflict of both Amoro and Morena, sweep us into the passion and pain of this turbulent romance. From the heart-rending opening to the breathless pursuits and the unexpected surprise in the wonderfully satisfying end, Bloodstone Castle holds the reader captive.

Favourite Writing Unblockers.

2008-01-27T21:36:00.000+11:00

My 15 minute exercises for overcoming writers block have worked for me. If you try them, let me know if they work for you. I'll add more later.

Editing the novel

2008-01-26T00:19:00.000+11:00

For the past few days Gabriela and I have had fun reading aloud the unedited copy of The Unhewn Stone. We discovered small errors that were easily rectified and I was pleased to hear G. chuckle and react to the characters' antics and plot incidents. It's very satisfying when your reader is drawn into the story and chooses to remain there.

Visits to local bookstores were rewarding. I found the managers are most responsive and friendly towards local authors. When I have my cover and a release date I'll be able to arrange for readings and book signing.

Wonderful News

2008-01-18T17:23:00.000+11:00

Our Precious Princess has just been accepted into the most prestigious university in the land.
What a wonderful achievement! Grandy and Pa are sooooooooo proud of her.

Congratulations, Sara! You make good things happen. You're a winner!

Making Friends

2008-01-16T11:35:00.000+11:00

It's fun making new writing friends and joining new sites. I've learned more about the Internet in the last few days than I would have if I'd taken a three month course.

Thanks for all the help, Mark and my fellow authors.

One thing I can't do and that's add an image. It seems to be uploading the jpg file and I have the shrink to fit box ticked, but when the green bar is full, nothing happens. Maybe there is something missing on my computer but the scanned photo came up - not shrunk though which was a disappointment.

I love adding links though. :-)

Laurel's success

2008-01-15T10:13:00.000+11:00

I'm thrilled that my West Australian friend, Laurel Lamperd, will have her Regency novel published in six weeks. Her beautiful cover is up on her website. http://laurel6346.tripod.com/

Substitute Bride - a Regency Romance
to be published in March 2008
available from Wings ePress http://www.wingsepress/

Congratulations Laurel!

Excited to post my first blog

2008-01-14T15:43:00.000+11:00

14th January,
Today I spent ages trying to decide on a blog site. I'm glad I found this one so I can share the progress and reviews of my novel, The Unhewn Stone, recently accepted for publication by Enspiren Press. I'm fortunate to have the lovely and talented Mirella Pazter, author of Heinrich the Fowler and Bloodstone Castle, as my editor.

The Unhewn Stone is a time travel novel set in Switzerland during the Middle Ages. Our modern-day hero, Stefan Gessler, is caught up in the violent times where the Wilhelm Tell legend originated. Unable to return to the 21st century because Tell stole half of his golden orb, the key to the Wurmloch that will take him home, Stefan is thrust into one dangerous adventure after another. With his 14th century 'cousin', Rolf, (in love withTell's wild daughter, Eva) Stefan is pursued by an evil knight and a shapeshifting sibyl and forced to face his own demons and those of medieval Switzerland.

More later.