Thursday, April 4, 2019

Moonlight Mist

Rebecca Tran

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love all things fantasy and science fiction. Mix in a little romance and you've got me hooked. When I decided to write a stand alone romance for an anthology that I am part of, Moonlight MistI stepped away from shifters and turned to Ireland for inspiration. More specifically the fae and Tir Na Nog, or Underhill as most know it, were my muse. Who could resist beautiful creatures and a land of magic? Certainly not me. The result was my newest title Honor Bound.



Blurb
Liam is bored with everyday life in Underhill, the home of the Fae. When you’ve lived as long as he has few things hold any excitement anymore. When a mortal woman stumbles into Underhill all of that changes. She captivates him like none have in ages. Now Liam will stop at nothing to find her and make the mortal his. How far will he go to get what he wants?

Hallie O’Neil thinks she has it all figured out. She has a great career, serious boyfriend, and perfect New York apartment. Everything changes when an Irish Adonis walks into her work one afternoon. As hard as Hallie tries to fight it, Liam insists on inserting himself into her life. There’s something different about Liam that Hallie can’t figure out. Can she discover the truth before she’s in too deep?

Excerpt
    Faolin gave Hallie her own room while she was visiting his Uncle’s home. He didn’t want to presume too much. It wasn’t surprising though when she slipped into his room after the house quieted down. Hallie always had a way of lighting his fire. After months apart though her touch was like an inferno. He hated having to return to Underhill even for that short amount of time. Being away from her was torture. 
    All of Faolin’s attention was focused on Hallie that night. He lavished every affection on her. Faolin brought her to the brink of ecstasy over and over before they both tumbled over the edge together. Hallie lay in his arms afterward content and beautiful. Faolin brushed the stray hairs from her cheek enjoying the fleeting moment. 
    With a slight growl of frustration, Faolin eased out of bed. He pulled on his pants and went downstairs. His aunt and uncle would still be awake. He found them in the library by the fire enjoying a glass of wine. His aunt studied him a moment, however, it was his uncle who spoke. 
      “I’m glad to hear the mortal pleases you.” His uncle smiled half laughing.
       Faolin knew it meant they heard at least part of their lovemaking. At the moment he didn’t care.         “She pleases me more than any woman has in centuries, uncle.”
       His uncle stopped smiling, and his aunt set down her wine. “Can it be true?” his aunt asked studying him. 
     “Faolin I forbid…” His uncle started. 
     “Don’t, I beg you. When is the last time I asked anything of you?” Faolin asked his uncle. 
      His uncle snarled, “At least 300 years.” He let out a heavy breath. “It’s too soon Faolin.”
     “At least grant me permission to pursue it.” Faolin offered his hand.
     “You know the rules.” His uncle warned.
     “Better than anyone” his aunt volunteered.
      His uncle took Faolin’s hand “Agreed. I Faolin of Underhill swear that I will abide by the rules while pursuing Hallie O'Neil.” 
     “Honor and Magic bind thee.”  His uncle said formally. Faolin felt the magic sweep over him. There was no going back now. 

Honor Bound is part of a paranormal romance anthology Moonlight Mist written by many talented independent authors. It is available on AmazonKoboBarnes & Noble, and other fine retailers.






I am a mother, pharmacist, and author. I love all things fantasy and science fiction. It should come as no surprise then when I say I write fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance. I've also tried my hand at horror once or twice. I enjoy watching anime and romance movies. Currently I am working my way through Naruto Shippuden. Summer is coming and school is ending which means I'll spend more time at home with my kids than at work thanks to PTO. If you read my bios or my blog I'll keep you posted on our travels. If you want to find out more about me check out my website, or you can find my books on my store.

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Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Beatrix Potter: Illustrator, Writer, Natural Scientist and Conservationist



Beatrix Potter: Illustrator, Writer, Natural Scientist and Conservationist


Christina Weigand


Before I leave the Inklings I wanted to take a look at an author that inspired C.S. Lewis. I also realized that throughout this series I have not explored any women authors, so this is my first in the series about a woman author. I hope to include more women going forward. Now onto Beatrix Potter.



Helen Beatrix Potter was born July 28, 1866 and died December 22, 1943 to Rupert and Helen Potter in Southwest London.  Potter and her younger brother Walter Bertram Potter had few friends outside of their large extended family. They had numerous animals as pets which they observed, drew and studied. Beatrix would even take her pets with her on long holidays. Along with the study of animals she studied and drew nature.

During her teen years  she was known to collect fossils, and  study archaeological artifacts from London excavations. She also developed an interest in entomology. She would draw and paint her specimens and became quite accomplished at it. Eventually her scientific interests became centered on mycology (the study of fungi). She was fascinated with their colors and ephemerality, and delighted in painting them.

By Beatrix Potter - Armitt Museum and Library, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60072281


She explored and developed a theory on fungi germination. When
she wanted to present it to fellow botanists she was rebuffed because of her sex and amateur status. She submitted her paper to the Linnean Society, a group dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution and taxonomy. It was introduced by a man because a woman could not attend the proceedings or read her paper. Later she withdrew the paper, because of contaminated samples. Many of her paintings and scientific drawings can be seen in museums and art galleries.

Her artistic and literary interests were influenced by fairy tales and fantasy. Stories from the Old Testament as well as Lewis Carroll’s, Alice in Wonderland were counted among her many inspirations. Exhibitions at art galleries fed her talents and developed her critical skills.

To earn money she and her brother printed Christmas cards of their own design. Mice and rabbits were the most frequent subjects of the cards and her fantasy paintings. Several of her drawings were purchased to use as illustrations for verses by Frederic Weatherly titled A Happy Pair. Several more were purchased for another of his books. The next year frog illustrations were sold for another publication and she decided she wanted to publish her own illustrated stories.

When Potter was on holiday she would send letters to young friends that included quick sketches. When she ran out of stories to share with her young friends four little rabbits named, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter were born.


Later she revised the tale and made it into a book. When she couldn’t find a publisher she published it for friends and family at her own expense. The book was later picked up by the same publisher that had rejected it and she agreed to color her pen and ink illustrations. Potter continued to write until after WWI when her attentions shifted to farming, sheep breeding and land conservation.








She patented a Peter Rabbit doll as well as other spin off merchandise which earned Potter and independent income and immense profits for her publisher.







Potter began to use her income and a small inheritance to purchase Hill Top Farm. The tenant farmer agreed to stay on and manage the farm while she made improvements and learned the techniques of fell farming and raising livestock. She continued to buy contiguous properties and became involved in village life.

She married her solicitor in 1913 and continued to manage her evergrowing farms. She introduced  Herdwick sheep (an indigenous fell sheep) and became one of the largest Herdwick sheep farmers in the county.

Her conservation projects helped preserve farms and fell farming and gained her wide regard.



She continued to write and draw, although it was mostly for her own enjoyment. Her later books included the semi-autobiographical The Fairy Caravan and Sister Anne, ( a tale of Bluebeard).









When she died she left over 4000 acres of land, sixteen farms, cottages, and herds of cattle and Herdwick sheep to the National Trust. Most of the original illustrations for her books were also left to the National Trust. Copyrights were left to her publisher. Her artwork is displayed in her husband’s former law offices known as the Beatrix Potter Gallery. Scientific drawings went to Armitt Library and Museum. Public collections of her letters and  drawings can be seen in museums around the world.




Photo Credits:

 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Beatrix-Potter/e/B006XVP5O6

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Potter




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Monday, April 1, 2019

Vote for the Best Bookish Video

The winners will be announced April 15

The voting poll is closed and the winners will be announced April 15.
The videos entered in the contest
The winners will be announced April 15
The authors are constantly trying to improve their marketing material and appreciate your opinion.  Tell them in comments what you like and what needs a little improvement.

The Ancestors' Secrets Trilogy



Midnight Black - the Purge
https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Black-Purge-Robert-Emery/dp/0578433036/



  The Cursed Girl
https://www.amazon.com/Cursed-Girl-Maria-Vermisoglou-ebook/dp/B07BV423FK/



Heroes Never Fade
https://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Never-Fade-Maxilla-Book-ebook/dp/B06XYS1RBX/



  Chaos of Souls
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P7Y6W7N/



Amanda in New Mexico Ghosts in the Wind
https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-New-Mexico-Ghosts-Travels-ebook/dp/B01MT8LXAR/


Ethereal Custody: Anthologies
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/CreatorAllanvre

  

Fall River Rancher...Lonely too long
https://www.amazon.com/Fall-River-Rancher-Lonely-Long-ebook/dp/B073Z9NJ1D/

  
Artesans of Albia
https://www.amazon.com/Kings-Envoy-Artesans-Albia-trilogy-ebook/dp/B00FLXRW4I/



Palace of the Three Crosses
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAPW43G

  

Sanctuary of Nine Dragons
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IA4UWK6/



QUEST
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NNZJ2J1

 

Rarity from the Hollow
https://www.amazon.com/Rarity-Hollow-Lacy-Dawn-Adventure-ebook/dp/B07D1F779T/

 


 Jonathan's Locket
https://www.amazon.com/Jonathans-Locket-Lorraine-Carey-ebook/dp/B00K7O7M50/

 


OAG
A group of authors from around the world
https://www.authorerikamszabo.com/oag.html


Cursed Bloodline



The winners will be announced April 15

The authors are constantly trying to improve their marketing material and appreciate your opinion. 
Tell them in comments what you like and what needs a little improvement.

The books & authors in the contest














THE AUTHORS

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Sunday, March 31, 2019

Why Women Live Longer Than Men?

Gentlemen, no pun intended.
Enjoy the videos and stay safe!

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Happy Sunday, and stay safe

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Friday, March 29, 2019

The First Vampire

Everyone thinks they know who the first vampire is. This guy right?


Vlad the Impaler or as Bram Stoker named him Dracula. Nope dead wrong. Vampire legends stretch back to ancient Greece. Myth has it that a young Italian man, Ambrogio, fell in love with a woman named Selena after visiting the Oracle at the Temple of Apollo. Since Ambrogio was madly in love after one meeting he asked her to marry him. Luck however, was not on his side. Jealous Apollo wanted her too, and being a god he wasn't going to be out done by a mortal. Apollo cursed Ambrogio so his sun would burn everytime he was exposed to sunlight. Sound familiar?


Ambrogio didn't give up though. He went to Hades for help and you know that never ends well. In order to get Hades' help he had to steal Artemis' silver bow. Just FYI if you steal from a god don't get caught. Ambrogio either didn't know that or he was a lousy thief because Artemis caught him and cursed him as well. Now silver burned his skin.



As time wore on Artemis eventually takes pity on Ambrogio and grants him gifts to compensate for all the burnt flesh. Super strength, immortality, and fangs to kill beasts for their blood to write love letters to Selena.
 Oh how romantic! Where are my love letters written in blood?

Somehow Selena eventually escapes Apollo, and Artemis who now has a soft spot for Ambrogio tells him how they can be together. Ambrogio can make her immortal by drinking her blood. YUCK! It would kill her body, but her spirit would live on. And hey, if you want to procreate just combine your blood and let someone drink it, poof new vampire. So if you ever meet a couple named Ambrogio and Selena steer clear, well unless you want to be a vampire...or their dinner.


My vampires stray from the typical vampire lore, but they are no less interesting. For Their Sins is a love story that spans 300 years available for purchase on Amazon and other fine retailers. Unlike the Rest is an erotica with a little horror thrown in for good measure available as a free download on my website. 





I am a mother, pharmacist, and author. I love all things fantasy and sci-fi. The Proposal and Everafter are two of my favorite chick-flicks. Wolverine, Batman and Wonder Woman are the best super heros out there, sorry they just are. And Sword Art Online is a great anime. I write what I love so my book genres aren't that surprising. Currently I am on a temporary writing hiatus but hope to get back to my fantasy and romance series soon. If you would like to learn more about me please check out my website. For more about my books please shop my store.


AUTHORS  


Thursday, March 28, 2019

Dr. Seuss by Cindy J. Smith

Seuss did not start out as a children's author

Related image

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was born March 2, 1904 in  Springfield, MA and died September 24, 1991 in La Jolla, CA. He never had children, stating often that he preferred to just entertain those of others.

Seuss did not start out as a children's author.  He wrote political cartoons and advertisements for several magazines.  His anti-Japanese cartoons helped to fuel the flames of distrust in Americans for their neighbors.  After the war, however, Seuss went to Japan and he realized the effect or WWII on everyone. His book, Horton Hears A Who, seems to represent his change of heart as Horton continuously repeats “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Dr. Seuss decided to try his hand at children's literature when he saw how rampant illiteracy was becoming.  He believed the boring nature of children's books was the main reason for the lack of desire to learn to read.

I was surprised to learn that Cat In The Hat was not his first children's book. His first was:  And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.  It had been rejected 27 times before he showed it to a former classmate who worked for Vangard Press. Knowing this talented man received rejection letters lessens the sting from those I receive.



He not only wrote his children's books, he illustrated them. He also did several animated works, both political and book related. He received many awards in his career including two Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, the Pulitzer Prize and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

I found it interesting to learn that I, along with most people, have always mispronounced his name as is remarked by Alexander Laing who wrote: 
"You're wrong as the deuce
And you shouldn't rejoice
If you're calling him Seuss.
He pronounces it Soice"

One of his many well-known books, Green Eggs and Ham was written because of a bet with his publisher that he could not write a book using less than the 236 words he used in The Cat in the Hat.  He won the bet as the book only uses 50!
 
I know I read somewhere that his book, Fox In Socks, was written as a fun way to help children with speech impediments, however, I cannot find it referenced anywhere now.

Dr.Seuss is my lifelong favorite author. He is my inspiration. The way his books could evoke feelings of morality without forcing the issue amazed me. His style of writing led me to mine.  I write in the first person, to show people different viewpoints while never aiming my finger at anyone.  My desire being to enlighten people to become more caring, more humane.

POETRY
CHILDREN'S BOOK


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