Saturday Snapshot

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce @ At Home With Books

 

 

 

I snapped these pictures on the 18th of November. I was in the middle of reading Wuthering Heights, with it’s vast moors and storm-laden Yorkshire-grey skies, when I noticed that the wind had picked and the three o’clock sky had turned  dark in an instant. The gloomy sky was the perfect accompaniment to Emily Brontë’s novel, so I immediately grabbed my camera hoping to capture a piece of the moorland here in Ohio.

 

Until Next Time,

Best Wishes & Happy Reading,

Angela

Wordless Wednesday

Photo taken: November 15, 2011

NANAWRIMO Diary Part 1

Ok, so I decided to participate in this years nanowrimo. I was planning on doing it last year, but life seemed to get in the way. So, this year I made a schedule and I am trying to stick to it, which means I am doing absolutely nothing but writing today and tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to put a nice dent in the 50,000 word quota. This may be a little tricky, 50,000 words in one month, well actually it is now 17 days, it sounds a bit daunting, but I always have liked a bit of challenge.

I am happy to report that I have a complete plot, which I have thoroughly mapped out. My characters have been outlined, the setting thoroughly researched, and the timeline completed. Thank goodness for sticky notes, index cards, three-ring binders, and highlighters. I do love to raid the office supply stores!

As you can tell I am not a panster. The idea of going into something completely blind makes me a bit unnerved. I am a full-fledged plotter. Those four books you see hold every tiny little detail about my novel, right down to the recipes for the dishes that will be consumed by my characters. I know that it may sound a little over-the-top for some, but I feel that when writing, the author should know every detail that goes in the book, so that your writing has a realness to it.

 

I have even done a bit of hands-on research for the novel. It’s always nice to have a professional jouster on hand, when you need to know a bit of technical information.   Oh, and let me just say that the armour is a lot heavier than it looks and that chain-mail was horribly heavy.

 

I also visited a local castle just to get the feel of what it was like for my characters to live in one. I wanted to know the sounds, the echos, the lighting, the feel of  bare feet upon  cold flagstones. Although it wasn’t an actual historical castle, it has been modeled upon an English border castle, which made me even more eager to visit it as my story takes place in Northumbria. It was also thoroughly made by hand. Sadly I didn’t get to take as many pictures as I would have like as I forgot to charge my batteries.

The chair came from England.

Wheel-Stairs leading up from the dungeon.
The wheel-stairs were very steep and exceedingly narrow. Since the dimensions were taken from an English border castle, I was constantly wondering how the women maneuvered the stairs with their dresses.

In my next nanowrimo update I will be blogging about my plot.

Stats as of November 13th, 2011

Days in: 13  (although I started on the 3rd)
Words: 25,507
Chapter: 5-6
Cups Of Tea Consumed: More than I can count!

Keep those pens flowing…or those keys typing,
Until Next Time,

Angela Renee.

Thursday Tea

The Book: The Monsters; Mary Shelley & The Curse of Frankenstein by Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler

A few days ago I watched the movie, Rowing with the Wind which happens to be about Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley, and Clair Clairmont (Byron‘s lover and Mary‘s sister). The movie started on the night Frankenstein was created and then ventured on exploring the so-called “Curse of Frankenstein”.

The movie had me curious as to why Mary believed that she was created this curse, so I started to research a bit about her life and finally remembered that I had purchased this book at the beginning of the year.

I haven’t been able to delve into this book as deep as I was hoping as I am only on page 19. I am getting a bit of her parents history, mainly her mother’s history, and from the way, the book has been thus far I have to say I hope it improves. The writing seems a bit on the juvenile side for a non-fiction book, which is turning me off it somewhat.

I knew that Frankenstein was created when Lord Byron challenged his friends to write a ghost story, what I didn’t know was that Byron’s physician, Dr. Polidori wrote The Vampyre, which inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula.

The Tea: Boston Blend from Harney & Sons
The tea is a blend of black tea, cranberry, and almond flavours. It kind of reminds me of a cream tea, and I wonder if it contains just a hint of vanilla. The cranberry and almond compliment each other exceedingly well, which surprised me seeing as how the two are often bitter.

Overall, I would have to say that this is the perfect tea for an autumn night.

Do they go together?
Not really. Although I am reading about Shelley, Bryon, and Mary Shelley, so anything is possible.

Until We Meet Again

Best Wishes & Happy Reading,

Angela Renee

A Novel Seduction by Gwyn Cready

 Title: A Novel Seduction
Author: Gwyn Cready
Publisher: Pocket Star Books
ISBN: 978-1-4516-1264-6
$7.99 U.S./ $9.99 Canada
Format: Mass-Market Paperback
Pages: 373
How I Read It: Mass-Market Paperback from Publisher
Rating: 5 Cups

When snobbish book critic Ellery Sharpe screws up at Vanity Place magazine, her boss assigns her the ultimate punishment: write an ode to romance novels, a genre she considers the literary equivalent of word search puzzles. To make matters worse, he hires her sexy former party boy ex, Axel Mackenzie, to shoot the photos. Axel really wants the project to succeed. For one, the magazine will double his fee if he convinces strong-willed Ellery to write a story no woman can resist. Besides, getting Ellery to fall for romance novels might be just the push she needs to believe people can change . . . even him. At his sister’s advice, Axel gives Ellery a copy of Kiltlander, a much-adored romance whose warrior hero is utterly irresistible. To her dismay, Ellery finds herself secretly falling in love with the story—and with Axel, who’s drawing his own lessons from the book’s compelling hero. With her carefully crafted image of herself crumbling and her dream job on the line, will Ellery risk it all to make the leap from tight-lipped literati to happily-ever-after heroine?
(from the back cover)

My First Thoughts After Reading The Blurb:

This has the potential to be a rather grand read. The name Axel Mackenzie sounds so sexy. 

My Review:

After writing up a scathing review of Bettina Moore’s memoirs, Ellery Sharpe finds herself being forced to write an ode to romance novels. And who better to be her photographer and guide into the world of  romance novels than her bad boy ex, Axel Mackenzie?
My Thoughts:

I have read devoured Gwyn Cready’s time travel romances-- thoroughly enjoying each of them. When I was offered this book to review, I jumped at the chance. Although I was not, sure how this would play out since this is a contemporary rather than a time travel.  I am please to say that this book was just as brilliant as her time travel romances.

Right from the start, I was hooked and found that I could not put this book down. Some romance novels start off a bit slow gaining speed only after the first steamy scene, which was not the case with A NOVEL SEDUCTION. Because the hero and heroine had a history, the novel starts at a good pace, which continues throughout the novel.

I also loved the fact that this is a romance novel about a woman that hates romance novels. It’s a plotline that you do not see often in the world of romance novels and I found that to be intriguing.

I will admit it--I was an Ellery Sharpe. I loathed romance novels and believed them to be a waste of reading time until my second year at Uni when I was forced to read one romance a week for two months straight. For the first two weeks I then started to loath my Professor, until I found that one novel that clicked with me and opened the doors to a whole new world of novels.  Sadly, I did not have anyone who looked as yummy as Axel to act as my guide. 

I could identify with Ellery and her dislike of romance novels, which made me even more intrigued with the novel. In addition, I loved the way that it was Axel who acted as her guide into the world of romance novels.

Overall:

This was a witty contemporary romance, with believable characters and plot less taken approach. A perfect book to cozy up with.

A fun fact:

The three romance novels that Axel gives Ellery to read are based upon actual novels and one of them is Gwyn’s.

 

Angela

Thursday Tea

The Book: Scones & Bones by Laura Childs.

In the latest installment, Theodosia Browning (owner of Indigo Tea Shop and unintentional super-sleuth) finds herself and her coworkers in the midst of another murder. Although this time the case, centers around a Pirate & Plunder part gone wrong which left a history intern dead and a priceless piece of Pirate booty missing.

I absolutely love Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mystery Series! I can never get enough of Theodosia or her coworkers. I have read numerous books in this series, so far (I am only on chapter 5), this one has been my favorite. It must have something to do with the Pirate aspect of the novel. Who doesn’t like Pirates?

The Tea: Blackberry Sage.

Description:

   Tea For Wisdom - An enchanting blend of black tea, fruit and herbs. Finest quality tea leaves mingle with sweet, fragrant blackberries and cool, soothing white sage. The mild, head-clearing character of the white sage herb contributes to a wise tea mind.

I purchased this tea on a whim so I was not sure what to expect. I was also a bit worried that the sage would overpower the blackberry; surprisingly the tea was smooth and refreshing. You can taste a hint of sage but it is the blackberries that predominate.

Do they go together? Sure, why not. If I were to be precise about it, I would have gone for one of the teas mentioned in the book although I did not want to dig around in my tea cabinet. 

 

Until We Meet Again,

Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie

Title: Kiss of Night
Author: Debbie Viguie
ISBN: 978-0-446-57086-2
Publisher: Faith Words a division of Hachette Book Group
Format: Trade Paperback
$14.99/ $16.50 Canada
Genre: Fiction/Christian Suspense
Pages: 304
How I Read It: Advance Uncorrected Proof from Publisher
Rating:

 

Centuries ago, Raphael was a blasphemous knight who fought in the Crusades purely for his own mercenary benefit, and to satisfy his taste for killing. Now, condemned for his evil passions and hypocrisy, he wanders the earth a vampire, cursed with first-hand knowledge of the supernatural world he once denied existed. The powerful relic he still possesses from his days as a Crusader has been stolen by a rival vampire who has recruited an army of soulless underlings to aid him in spreading evil. At the time he learns this, Raphael has been hunting this vampire for nearly a century, and it seems the final battle is destined to take place in Prague.

For help in this quest, Raphael must enlist the aid of two humans, David and Susan, who suddenly find themselves immersed in a world they never imagined, entangled with supernatural forces they can't control. Susan, in particular, finds herself conflicted as she struggles with her inexplicable attraction to Raphael. In the end, both Susan and Raphael will be called upon to exercise courage and faith, and in the process, the question What would happen if a vampire truly accepted God? is answered.
(from the publishers)

My Review:

Susan Lambert has traveled to Prague for her Grandmother’s funeral. Seeking solace, she prays in an ancient church where she feels that someone is watching her. When she looks around, she sees a man staring at her and blocking the exist to the church. In the blink of an eye he is gone, only to be seen later in the shadows while she is having dinner with her family.

Soon Susan finds herself immersed in a world she knew nothing about with a vampire as her guide.

My Thoughts:

When I first read the concept of this book, I was intrigued. I wanted to see how the writer would pull off a Christian-based Vampire novel. While the theology of God creating vampires as a source of atonement was a bit absurd, it did make for an interesting read.
I loved the character of Raphael. I loved his struggle to be a good vampire and I could have read his pov forever. The same could be said for Susan‘s story. It was the addition of David’s pov that made this novel a bit stop and start. Too many main characters can taint the novel, making it seem slow and forced. I must admit, that did happen in parts of the novel. Right when Raphael/Susan was gaining speed, David’s pov came in disrupting the momentum.

While David’s disruptions did indeed make me want to throw the book against the wall, it was Raphael and Susan’s story that kept me reading away until the wee hours of the morn.

Kiss of Night, is the first novel in a series and I have to say that the author is off to a good start. I cannot wait to read the next book since this novel closes with a cliffhanger.

5 Cups stands for “I love it! Pour me another one!” I gave it a 5-Cup rating for the simple fact I loved it and cannot wait to read the next book in this series

I know this book will probably ruffle a few feathers for the simple fact that it is a Christian-based vampire novel. Although you must remember, this is simply a work of fiction and I do not believe that a work of fiction can sway a persons religious views.

 

 

I HAVE ONE COPY TO GIVEAWAY!

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Contest ends Oct. 31st

Best Wishes & Happy Reading,

Thursday Tea

The Book: The Goblin King by Shona Husk

  I am halfway through the book at this point and I have to say that it’s not what I thought it would be. It’s not bad--the whole concept of a Celtic King cursed with a heart of gold (no not the sweet, I’ll-do-anything- you-ask-me-to-do heart of gold, but an actual piece of gold where his heart once was heart of gold) sounded rather appealing to me. Although I thought that book would have more of a Celtic-vibe to it than it actually does. It’s not bad, I actually want to see what happens between Roan (aka Goblin King) and Eliza, so I have this urge to finish the book; it’s just not, what I was expecting.  I also found the worlds within the book to be intriguing. The goblins live in Shadowlands, the names explanatory and then there is Summerlands, the land in-which your dreams lives (think bright sunny Summer days complete with bunnies and wildflowers).

The concept of the book rather reminds me of the Irish legend of Shifty Jack.

 

The Tea: Asian Moonlight.

           Description: I have no idea what is in this tea, but I absolutely love it. (Each time I visit my local tearoom, I buy 6 ounces of it and it never lasts more than a month or two.) It’s a black tea, with a hint of anise. It’s very smooth and relaxing and the lovely licorice aroma fills the room. Since it has been raining here for the last few days with no sign of stopping anytime in the near future, I thought that this would be a nice take-me-away-tea.

Do they go together? Possibly.
Both the book and the tea have qualities that set them apart from what is considered the norm.  The tea has qualities of the “Summerlands” and “Shadowlands”, so it works in it’s own weird and wonderful way.

Until We Meet Again,