Saturday, March 25, 2017
Around Europe with Randall Sawka
Rough Business by Randall Sawka
March brought Nancy and Me to other parts of Europe. For two weeks we hiked
around Malta. The weather was just OK thanks primarily to the heavy winds.
It limited excursions for a few days but did allow me to get a great deal of
writing done. My favourite place was the Starbucks knockoff. Here are Nancy
and me in front of the Lion sign.
The third week of March brought us to Budapest. This is now officially our favourite city in the world. Amazing food, amazing architecture, and very, very walkable. Thought I would show you our luggage for the trip. Actually, Nancy is lugging the luggage. Plenty of time doing laundry, but were able to take 6-7 discount airlines with just carry on bags and saved a lot of money.
Our final overseas stop in Paris (Not Ontario). I call it writing intimidation time. We revisited the Latin quarter where we had coffee at the "Les Duex Magots" the Paris cafe famous as a gathering place of James Joyce, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Ernest Hemingway, among others. I sip espresso while Nancy sits Beneath the Magots (mandarins, Magicians, alchemists)-your choice.
This morning we took a short walk past the Moulin Rouge and in to Montmartre
Cemetery. Here I am beside the resting place of another great, Alexandre Dumas.
The rain is now moving in for a couple days. Please see the sky in the above image. The flight back to Canada leaves in five days. The trip has been wonderful. I recommend it for anybody.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Story-star Confession: Samantha Parks from Secret: In Wolf Lake
Hello everyone: ) Thank you for stopping in to check
out Secret: In Wolf Lake story-star,
Samantha Parks, a.k.a. Sam. She actually hates too much attention, so I (DK
Davis, writer of her story) took on the role of interviewer. Mostly just to get
her talking: )
DK
Davis – Okay, Sam, time to get started. Tell everyone a little about yourself –
you know, like your age and interests, things you love to do.
Sam – I’m fifteen, actually closer to sixteen. *she looks at me and I nod for her to
continue* Okay, let’s see, I love fishing, adore my chocolate Labrador,
Koko, and enjoy being at Wolf Lake. I’d rather be there than my other option.
DK
– Ahhh, yes, let’s talk about the other option…what is it and why the negative
vibes regarding it?
Sam – Mom wanted me to travel with her and Matt. Can
you imagine being the third wheel on a European honeymoon? I’d hate it. *rolls eyes*
DK
– That’s not really why you chose not to go. Give it up, be honest with us.
Sam – Fine. *big
sigh* Matt and Dad were best friends. I mean they grew up together, all
through school, like brothers. They did everything together. Now he thinks he
can move deeper into my life and replace my father!?
DK
– But why would he think that? What happened to your father?
Sam – *eyes
shine with water* Dad was killed two years ago. Hit by a druggy driving through
the school parking lot where my father taught.
DK
– So sorry for your loss, Sam. *Sam nods*
Let’s talk about something else, like what are your dislikes as a girl in
today’s world?
Sam - *smiles*
I have a hard time relating to girly-girls. My cousin, Lisa, is one of those.
All she thinks about is guys. Seriously. Well, that’s not all she thinks
about…I mean she’s always checking her hair, painting her nails, doing her
make-up, wearing clothes that…well, seem tight and revealing to me,
uncomfortable.
We used to have fun together, a few years ago…before
her every thought included a guy. Now…we pretty much can’t stand each other.
DK
– So what’s the best thing about Wolf Lake?
Sam – I’ve always loved Wolf Lake. It was where we
went for vacation when Dad was alive. I have good memories from there. Plus,
there’s something else I discovered at the lake…a secret…something I promised
not to talk about until given permission. Now, I have new memories…and
honestly, new friendships, the kind that might last forever.
DK
– Well that pretty much sews up our time today – thank you, Sam. I really
appreciate you coming along, agreeing to the interview, and sharing as much as
you have. I know some of it wasn’t easy for you.
Sam – Thanks for asking me here, DK. Even though
some of my story still hurts, I want everyone to hear my story, to know the
secret locked inside, and to love and resonate with the ending like I do: )
We hope you’ll check out Sam’s story, Secret: In Wolf Lake, a YA Sci-fi
Fantasy adventure. For now – Sam would love to answer any questions or comments
you’d like to make. Please don’t be shy…because…she’s shy, but agreed to answer
questions; )
DK Davis writes YA sci-fi, supernatural, and fantasy with a good
dollop of all the relationships woven in between. When she’s not writing,
editing, or reading, she’s hiking, RV’ing, fishing, spending time with
grandchildren or her favorite muse (her husband) in Southwest Michigan.
You can find her at these links:
Labels:
# Books We Love,
Aliens,
Confession,
DK Davis,
Interview,
Samantha Parks,
Scit-fi,
Secret In Wolf Lake,
Story-star
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Will Someone Pass Me The Nuts?
Will Someone Pass Me The Nuts?
People have remarked that one of the things they enjoyed
from my new novel “Thunderbird’s Wake” is the banter between the two main
characters, Carol and Charlie. When I was going through all the edits and had
others editing as well. Trust me my editing and grammatical skills leave much
to be desired. Hey, I just write the stuff and hopefully leave them laughing. I
think that humour can be well used and if you can make someone laugh, it not
only brightens their day, but should help sell a book. Now, where was I? Oh
yeah, Carol and Charlie. Those scenes were done in one sitting and required
virtually no editing. That’s when you know you’re in the writing groove and
when you’ve got solid realistic characters. They often take over and begin to
write the scenes and dialogue themselves.
Buy at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Frank-Talaber/e/B00UC407R0 |
From Thunderbird’s Wake
(Charlie has just
managed to talk Carol to joining him from her holidays and help solve a case in
a penitentiary where Charlie has just got his first job)
“You’ve never worked before?” Carol said as she entered his
office. She stared pointedly at the largely blank sheet of paper that was
Charlie’s resume. He looked up at her, he had been busy reading from the stack
of documents sitting on the desk before him.
“Well, I’m a shaman. You know, live-off-the-land type. Help
little animals fight oppression, the lack of nuts and the Freedom of Planting
Act.”
“The what?”
“The Freedom of Planting Act. It gives squirrels, chipmunks
and even crows and ravens the right to plant fallen nuts wherever they desire.”
Carol shook her head and smiled. “Can’t say I’ve missed this
inane banter of yours. But really, never had a real paying job before? How is
this possible in our day and age?”
“I’ve had a few small jobs, fishing, selling jack pine
mushrooms, got paid in cash. Darn Japanese are crazy, they’ll pay nearly a
thousand dollars a pound for the stuff. And they eat sushi, raw fish, yuck.”
Charlie wrinkled his nose. “Good to see you too Carol, I knew you were a person
of your word.”
Carol scratched at her shoulder where the sunburn hurt the
worst. She hated him being right most of the time. “I thought you were a
native, eat wild roots, live off the land. Smoke salmon.”
“Yeah, but this is the twenty-first century. We’ve got electricity.
Cooked, deep fried, breaded, now we’re talking. Raw! Hell, haven’t you heard of
fish lice? They’ll eat you alive from the inside out. That’s it. I can’t read
anymore. If I knew I had to read this much, I’d have thought twice about
getting hired. “Charlie got up and headed out the door of his office, chucking
down the wad of paper before him.
“Hey, where you going?”
“Cafeteria, see if old Sandy will do me up a smoked salmon
sandwich. Talking about food gets a guy hungry. Are you coming?”
Carol decided to join him. “You can’t seriously be telling
me you rerouted all of the applications so they’d have to accept yours?”
“Okay, so I won’t tell you.” Charlie laughed as he tapped
his cane down the hallway.
“How did you tamper with the federal mail? Oh, let me
guess.”
“Nephews and uncles.” They said at the same time.
“You’re getting it.”
Carol groaned. He either had great balls to pull off this
kind of grandiose lunatic kind of stunt or dumb shit ass luck. Probably mainly
the latter, she muttered to herself, remembering the incident earlier in the
year with the smuggling out of the deceased shaman’s remains into Stanley Park
that Charlie had arranged by another of his ‘nephews’. But she knew this, if he
thought the man was murdered, he most likely was. Now they had to find just
cause. “Okay take me out to the sweat lodge after we eat.”
And if you enjoy that, maybe my newest video promoting
myself and my writing will bring a chuckle to you as well at the link below. Sorry I tried to download it here, but it was many megapixies. Although I didn't know that pixies came in extra large, Learned something new today. Copy and paste and have a chuckle.
And just to let everyone know I'll also be attending The Creative Ink Writers Festival at the end of the month. Hope to see some of you there.
Link below.
Buy at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Frank-Talaber/e/B00UC407R0 |
Frank Talaber’s Writing Style? He usually
responds with: Mix Dan Millman (Way of The Peaceful Warrior) with Charles De
Lint (Moonheart) and throw in a mad scattering of Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls
Get The Blues). PS: He’s better
looking than Stephen King (Carrie, The Stand, It, The Shining) and his romantic
stuff will have you gasping quicker than Robert James Waller (Bridges Of
Madison County).
Or as is often said: You don’t have to be
mad to be a writer, but it sure helps.
Writer
by soul. Karma the seed. Words born within.
Paper
the medium. Pen the muse. Novels the fire.
My websites
http://twosoulmates.wix.com/frankt-author-blog
Twitter: @FrankTalaber
Frank Talaber, Writer by Soul.
A natural storyteller, whose compelling thoughts are freed from the depths of the heart and the subconscious before being poured onto the page.
Literature written beyond the realms of genre he is known to grab readers; kicking, screaming, laughing or crying and drag them into his novels.
Enter the literary world of Frank Talaber.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Dedicated to My Grandmother, Maw
Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose
Romantic suspense
For more information about BWL books by J.Q. Rose,
and to purchase, please visit J.Q.'s
|
My grandmother Maw, as we called her, was an intelligent woman who passed her love of reading and teaching to me. In fact she was the one who encouraged me to write stories. I dedicated my latest romantic suspense novel to Maw whose real name is Beulah Lee. March is the month of her birthday. She would be 125 years old this month, and I'm sure she was celebrating with the angels in heaven.
We always had fun together. When I went to her house to visit, she usually had several doll outfits for my beloved Ricky Jr doll for me. She created them using her foot pedal sewing machine. She could look at a dress in a magazine and make it. What a seamstress.
Maw and I had a special connection and not just because we loved to shop. (When her social security check came in, she cashed it into small bills and stuffed them in her wallet. She delighted in showing me the stack of cash she had for us to spend on our shopping trip.) Besides shopping, we were readers and loved words and books.
Her reading probably spurred my love of reading which in turn developed my desire to write stories for others to read. I began writing little stories when I was in second grade and developed a writer’s bump on my middle finger from writing constantly. (Anyone else get that bump?)
Maw and I had a special connection and not just because we loved to shop. (When her social security check came in, she cashed it into small bills and stuffed them in her wallet. She delighted in showing me the stack of cash she had for us to spend on our shopping trip.) Besides shopping, we were readers and loved words and books.
Her reading probably spurred my love of reading which in turn developed my desire to write stories for others to read. I began writing little stories when I was in second grade and developed a writer’s bump on my middle finger from writing constantly. (Anyone else get that bump?)
In seventh grade I decided to tackle writing my first novel. The story line was about a horse and a girl probably influenced by my love of the book, Black Beauty. I wrote the entire book on lined yellow tablet paper and shared it with Maw. Taking those awful scribbles of sentences and typing them into a manuscript became her major project.
Antique typewriter Courtesy of thaikrit at freedigitalphotos.com |
Maw's blue eyes twinkled with excitement when she handed me the typed pages. I was so overwhelmed with joy when I saw the typed manuscript, I cried. I was overcome with the idea she spent so much time "publishing" my book for me. She was delighted at my reaction, but she really worked on the project because she loved the story. Maw encouraged me to write more stories for more people to enjoy. From that day forward, I knew I wanted to tell stories and have them published so I could share them with readers.
I wish Maw were here now to be a part of this writing experience in the 21st century. I recall her typing away on her old typewriter. She would be amazed at these keyboards and laptops, wouldn't she? To be honest, when I work at my laptop, I feel her presence. I'm sure her blue eyes are sparkling with pride.
Author J.Q. Rose |
Who influenced you to become a writer? a reader? Please leave a comment below and let us know. Thank you.
# # # #
About J.Q.After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of fiction. Her published mysteries are Deadly Undertaking and Dangerous Sanctuary released by Books We Love Publishing. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. She spends winters in Florida and summers up north camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and granddaughter.
Connect with J.Q. Rose online at
J.Q.Rose blog
Google+
Books We LoveAuthor Page
Labels:
author J.Q. Rose,
Dangerous Sanctuary,
Dedicated to My Grandmother,
first novel,
Maw,
my grandmother,
writing encouragement
Whether the story is fiction or non-fiction, J.Q. Rose is “focused on story.” She offers readers chills, giggles and quirky characters woven within the pages of her mystery novels, but truth in her memoir, Arranging a Dream.
JQ presents workshops on creative writing and life storytelling and takes the podium to encourage attendees to take the time now to write their legacy stories.
Blogging, photography, board games
and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. She and her husband spend winters in Florida and summers up north with their two daughters, two sons-in-law, four grandsons, one granddaughter, two grand dogs, four grand cats, and one great-grand bearded dragon.
Forcing Myself by Ginger Simpson
I've completed a great many books, and the return is abysmal for the work I've put in. It's no fault of my publisher. Jude goes the extra mile to make sure we get exposure and everything good, but Amazon seems to have lost it's compulsion to push books. I guess the existence of other box stores who ship for free and promise quick delivery is giving them a run for their money and causing them to focus elsewhere. In the meantime, some of us have stalled on writing.
I'm trying to finish a book right now, but I got to the point where the heroine is in the throes of labor and she's too uncomfortable to speak to me. I'm a "pantser" who listens to my chracters, so without her voice to guide me, I'm stuck in labor. *lol*
Since I don't have much prepared to share, please excuse me if I use a recycled blog about tweeting. I just had my taxes done and discovered I've spent 3 times what I earned. I'm looking for less expensive ways to promote myself. Care to help? I'm discussing a topic that seems to be very political these days.
Twitter seems to be the biggest enigma of the promotion options. If you read the tweets that are "trending"daily, unless you're a celebrity who is doing nothing worth noting, ask yourself why you bother. Kim Kardashian shared a picture of her newborn hooking fingers with his older sister, North; Kate Mansi, An actress on the soap, Days of Our Lives, is leaving the show, Anne Hathaway shared a picture of her in a bikini while pregnant with her first child. Who cares? I'd much rather read about me and my books selling.
Then there are articles about sites like Triberr that make you question whether or not you time is being wisely spent by sharing posts of tribemates who don't bother to share your's If they do share, and you aren't "trending," does anyone read the tweet? Can we compete with Mark Zuckerberg's announcement for his person challenges?
For the sake or educating those who have no idea what I'm talking about...Posts at triberr are "blog feeds." You set up your blogs to feed to Triberr daily with the hope that your fellow tribemates will mark them as shared so they will be tweeted widely. For those who don't aren't familiar with Triberr, it's a tweeting site where you join 'tribes' that fit your needs. For example, I belong to Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, and a few others, but then I read that there are folks who decide whether or not your blog posts fit their "agenda." Some don't want to be associated with Porn, and of course non-writers care nothing for author's blogs. That's why you need to pick your tribes carefully.
I recently discovered that if you hover your mouse across a poster's picture, stats appear, and you can see whether that person is sharing your posts or not. Today, I decided, if you aren't sharing mine, I'm not sharing yours. Sadly, I hid more than I shared. Why do I feel guilty?
For author's, finding inexpensive promotional sites is really important. Those reviews that used to be easy to come by have become elusive and hard to acquire. One of the reasons...most reviewers volunteer their time in exchange for free reads, and there are far more authors out there than ever before. Choices are staggering, and unless you write a blurb that reaches out and nabs attention, your book is going to sit forever. While I'd like to think my blurbs are real grabbers...they obviously aren't.
Speaking of reviews: Now authors have to contend with what most refer to as "trolls." These are people who leave snarky reviews that are usually a dead giveaway that they haven't even read your book. The only logical explanation is that there are some authors trying to sabotage their competition, but this seems a little extreme. Amazon is trying to remedy the problem, but is disallowing authors to review others authors the solution? I may write books, but I also read them. So far, I haven't had my reviews removed, but I'm aware of fellow authors who have...and they aren't happy. Note: Recently, I reported a review that simply said my book didn't deserve a review. That sort of comment is neither helpful or wanted. Of course it followed two great reviews, but I just wonder why I can't seem to even give a book away. I just had a contest on FB and got only two entires.
Bottom line...whether we tweet, blog, or review, are we doing enough or are we spinning our wheels. I'm always open to new ideas, so if anyone wants to share them here, please do.
Note from Ginger: Currently, I've turned over both of my blogs to others, let my website go, discarded Triberr because I get tired of being the person who tweets everyone's post but gets very little in return for my efforts. Now I'm looking for things that cost next to nothing. I guess handing out pens, flashlights, and notepads just doesn't impress folks.
I'm trying to finish a book right now, but I got to the point where the heroine is in the throes of labor and she's too uncomfortable to speak to me. I'm a "pantser" who listens to my chracters, so without her voice to guide me, I'm stuck in labor. *lol*
Since I don't have much prepared to share, please excuse me if I use a recycled blog about tweeting. I just had my taxes done and discovered I've spent 3 times what I earned. I'm looking for less expensive ways to promote myself. Care to help? I'm discussing a topic that seems to be very political these days.
Twitter seems to be the biggest enigma of the promotion options. If you read the tweets that are "trending"daily, unless you're a celebrity who is doing nothing worth noting, ask yourself why you bother. Kim Kardashian shared a picture of her newborn hooking fingers with his older sister, North; Kate Mansi, An actress on the soap, Days of Our Lives, is leaving the show, Anne Hathaway shared a picture of her in a bikini while pregnant with her first child. Who cares? I'd much rather read about me and my books selling.
Then there are articles about sites like Triberr that make you question whether or not you time is being wisely spent by sharing posts of tribemates who don't bother to share your's If they do share, and you aren't "trending," does anyone read the tweet? Can we compete with Mark Zuckerberg's announcement for his person challenges?
For the sake or educating those who have no idea what I'm talking about...Posts at triberr are "blog feeds." You set up your blogs to feed to Triberr daily with the hope that your fellow tribemates will mark them as shared so they will be tweeted widely. For those who don't aren't familiar with Triberr, it's a tweeting site where you join 'tribes' that fit your needs. For example, I belong to Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, and a few others, but then I read that there are folks who decide whether or not your blog posts fit their "agenda." Some don't want to be associated with Porn, and of course non-writers care nothing for author's blogs. That's why you need to pick your tribes carefully.
I recently discovered that if you hover your mouse across a poster's picture, stats appear, and you can see whether that person is sharing your posts or not. Today, I decided, if you aren't sharing mine, I'm not sharing yours. Sadly, I hid more than I shared. Why do I feel guilty?
For author's, finding inexpensive promotional sites is really important. Those reviews that used to be easy to come by have become elusive and hard to acquire. One of the reasons...most reviewers volunteer their time in exchange for free reads, and there are far more authors out there than ever before. Choices are staggering, and unless you write a blurb that reaches out and nabs attention, your book is going to sit forever. While I'd like to think my blurbs are real grabbers...they obviously aren't.
Speaking of reviews: Now authors have to contend with what most refer to as "trolls." These are people who leave snarky reviews that are usually a dead giveaway that they haven't even read your book. The only logical explanation is that there are some authors trying to sabotage their competition, but this seems a little extreme. Amazon is trying to remedy the problem, but is disallowing authors to review others authors the solution? I may write books, but I also read them. So far, I haven't had my reviews removed, but I'm aware of fellow authors who have...and they aren't happy. Note: Recently, I reported a review that simply said my book didn't deserve a review. That sort of comment is neither helpful or wanted. Of course it followed two great reviews, but I just wonder why I can't seem to even give a book away. I just had a contest on FB and got only two entires.
Bottom line...whether we tweet, blog, or review, are we doing enough or are we spinning our wheels. I'm always open to new ideas, so if anyone wants to share them here, please do.
Note from Ginger: Currently, I've turned over both of my blogs to others, let my website go, discarded Triberr because I get tired of being the person who tweets everyone's post but gets very little in return for my efforts. Now I'm looking for things that cost next to nothing. I guess handing out pens, flashlights, and notepads just doesn't impress folks.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
What Has Liam Neeson Wrought? by Stuart R. West
Laughs, mystery, no Liam Neeson, just a click away! |
But, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. The shocking, highly researched results of my studies may surprise you...
Over the holidays, my wife and I were traveling to Oklahoma and got bored. On her IPad, I sought out the most critically acclaimed films of the year that we needed to see. That grew predictably dull. Yes, the movies are supposed to be good for you. So are lima beans, doesn't make 'em any more tasty. So for grins, we ventured over into the worst reviewed films of the year.
Much more fun. And very eye-opening.
Several actors popped up three or four times each. And none of these films ever made it into theaters. I got excited.
Nicolas Cage! Bruce Willis! John Travolta! Pierce Brosnan (I always confuse him with the Perfect Strangers "Belki" guy.)! These actors...several academy award nominated...apparently have shifted into direct to DVD territory. The winds of change.
Oddly enough, all of them appear in a crummy movie with plots that go like this: "Rock Hardguy is an ex Navy Seal. Bad guys have kidnapped his son. Rock won't stop 'til he gets his son back. And cause all kinds of mayhem and destruction--call it collateral damage--doing so."
Thank you, Liam Neeson! This guy cornered the market, made revenge a genre unto itself. And he just won't quit. There's even a TV series based on the Taken movie series. Seriously, how many times can one father's kids be kidnapped?
The above-mentioned actors are all prancing onto Liam's bloody turf. Keanu Reeves, of all people, got into the act, violently enacting revenge over his dead dog ("Whoa. Dude you killed my dog.").
First of all: kids, if your dad's Liam Neeson, seek emancipation. Second, are people really watching all of these ridiculous revenge films? Is this the future of suspense books? Personally, as a parent, I can't think of anything less entertaining than reading about a kidnapped child.
And when did Liam Neeson become a tough guy? Wasn't he kinda' a Shakespearean, hoity-toity actor, all up in art and what-all? What's next, the brothers from Fraser in a Death Wish remake?
Anyway, my wife and I tried to watch some of these awful movies. Wine helped, but didn't quite diffuse the stink. We cringed while Kevin Spacey turned into a cat. We sighed as John Travolta played a redneck power and light man whose brother is electrocuted in a tragic line accident (and do I have to tell you he raised his arms in the rain and screamed, "Nooooooo!"?). I slept when Nic Cage flew a plane while the rest of the world was whisked away by the Rapture. And, of course, the endless revenge flicks.
So thank you, Liam. Thanks a whole lot!
Wholesome fun even Grandma won't hate (totally). |
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Lots of Excitement at Books We Love
Victoria Chatham (BWL author of Brides of Banff Springs) and Nancy M. Bell (BWL author of His Brother's Bride) the first two books in the Canadian Historical Brides series, both held very successful book signings in Calgary and they were both featured in local newspapers in Airdrie and Carstairs, nice going ladies.
The Owl's Nest bookstore in Calgary hosted BWL author Susan Calder for the launch of her new mystery release, Ten Day In Summer. Susan was also featured on the front page of the Calgary Herald's Arts & Entertainment section.
Congratulations ladies.
If you haven't read these books, you will find them in print at your local bookstore and at all the Online Retailers, like Amazon, Kobo, Overdrive, Smashwords.
Check out all the Canadian Historical Brides books and their release dates here: http://bookswelove.net/canadian-historical-brides/
Also visit the Canadian Historical Brides blog to learn more about these exciting new books and their authors, as well as the provinces they feature http://bwlcanadianhistoricalbrides.blogspot.ca/
The Owl's Nest bookstore in Calgary hosted BWL author Susan Calder for the launch of her new mystery release, Ten Day In Summer. Susan was also featured on the front page of the Calgary Herald's Arts & Entertainment section.
Congratulations ladies.
If you haven't read these books, you will find them in print at your local bookstore and at all the Online Retailers, like Amazon, Kobo, Overdrive, Smashwords.
Check out all the Canadian Historical Brides books and their release dates here: http://bookswelove.net/canadian-historical-brides/
Also visit the Canadian Historical Brides blog to learn more about these exciting new books and their authors, as well as the provinces they feature http://bwlcanadianhistoricalbrides.blogspot.ca/
Canadian Historical Brides series
being released by Books We Love
12 books celebrating Canada's provinces and territories
We are still missing the cover for Quebec, Where the River Narrows, Book 12, but it's coming soon.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
The Kavanagh Clan and the elusive Leprechaun
P&E Reader Poll, Best Young Adult Novel of 2016
J.C. Kavanagh Books We Love author page |
In keeping with the Irish celebrations in March, I did a little research into another well-known but completely fabricated (?) sprite, the leprechaun. I had a little help from me mather, who hails from Dublin, Ireland and says, by the way, that I am a descendant of the Irish Kings of Leinster.
Bombshell.
"Does that make me a princess?" I ask.
"Wellll," me mather says, "once upon a time, in a land far away, where the snakes never roam and the leprechauns hide, you might have been."
"Well then, where's my crown and my castle and my land?" I could really use one, or all of them right now. Selling books is hard.
The remains of a Kavanagh-clan castle in Leinster,
circa 1100 AD
|
A strange look comes over me mather's face and I could tell from her gaze that she is transported back in time... back to the 12th century when Domhnall Caomhánach (Kavanagh) the illegitimate son of Dermot McMurrough, was crowned King of Leinster. The McMurrough-Kavanagh clan owned all the lands in the south-east, ruling under Irish law. Unfortunately, internal power struggles over the next 400 years, including poisoning, murderous scheming and adulterous affairs - all similar to the plotlines found in the TV show Game of Thrones - weakened and divided the clan. The treachery simmered and then boiled over when the English invaded and successfully 'occupied' the land in the 17th century. The turmoil was so great that the clan slowly began to unravel. The final nail in the coffin came when the English demanded that the Kavanagh clan surrender their lands to the Crown, or be forcibly removed. Recognizing that their survival hinged on the decision, they reluctantly handed over the land. Then, with backhanded benevolence, the Crown re-granted the land back to the clan, with restrictions. The Kavanagh's could build on the land, work the land, but not own it. An annual tax, or 'ground rent' was imposed and paid to the Crown or to the English baron who, in recognition of his allegiance to the Crown, was gifted the surrendered land. This imposed tax carried on for centuries and is now slowly being dismantled.
"I remember Daddy discussing the 'ground rent' dues with his brother," explained me mather in a soft voice. "It was during World War II and there was no extra income. I don't know what they did."
Borris House, the ancestral home of the
McMurrough-Kavanagh's, Kings of Leinster.
|
Recovering from this bombshell news, I asked me mather, "Why didn't you share this history with me years ago?" She shrugged. "We're in Canada now." I guess it doesn't really matter because this new knowledge of my ancestry deserves further research - more to come!
The rolling hills and mountains around Leinster - excluding Dublin and the major cities - are home to Ireland's other famous attraction: the leprechaun. The wee fellows, and there are only fellows, stand about two feet tall and are known for their mischievous ways and aversion to regular folk. They are talented shoe-makers (only the Irish would conjure up a tradesman fairy) and love to dance so much that they wear out the soles of their shoes. True! If you are able to outsmart a leprechaun and catch him, you may be able to find his pot of gold. He will grant you three wishes in order to be released but since he has magical powers and can disappear in an instant, the chances of having your wishes granted are slim.
If you scoff at the idea of actual leprechauns dancing around the Irish countryside, scoff no more. Under European Law, leprechauns are an endangered species. Don't laugh, it's true, I'm not uttering one single dollop of Blarney. In 1992, the European Commission declared that a forested area in County Carlingford be officially protected land for the 200+ leprechauns that live there. This land is under the European Habitats Directive.
Oh, those Irish!
Hope you enjoyed reading a wee bit of Irish history and folklore. If you love a good tale, then you'll love my book, The Twisted Climb. I'm at the Chapters store at the Toronto Eaton Centre on March 18. Come on by and say helllloooooo!
J.C. Kavanagh
The Twisted Climb
BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers' Poll
A novel for teens, young adults and adults young at heart.
Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh
www.Amazon.ca/author/jckavanagh
Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
The Festival of Colours
As a child growing up in North
India, I vividly remember Holi, the Festival of Colours. At that age, it meant
a time when adult control over children disappeared and I could get away with all
sorts of naughty things. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, I dowsed
family members, what to speak of complete strangers, with buckets of water and
handfuls of vividly colored corn starch without fear of punishment.
Holi is a time when social barriers
of class, age and even of gender disappear and one can, under a disguise of
color, celebrate in equality.
As with most things in India, the
festival is cloaked with legends. In one, a devout young boy, Prahlad, is
tortured by his evil aunt Holika. She has the power of being unaffected by
fire. She carries the young Prahlad into a bonfire, expecting him to die, but
miraculously, he escapes harm while she is consumed. Indeed, one of the
traditions of Holi, named after Holika, is the burning of a bonfire during the
(usually) two-day festival.
Lathmar Holi |
Interestingly, in one village called
Lathmar in the Vrindavan region, the women folk exact revenge for this teasing.
During the Lathmar Holi, the women of the town gather the men from their town
or neighboring villages and, ritually,
but gently, take sticks to their menfolk. Needless to say, the playful revenge
creates a great deal of mirth for all.
The celebration, which coincides
with the beginning of spring, is celebrated throughout India, Nepal and several
other South Asian countries. Increasingly, it is now appearing around the world
and attracts not just ethnic Indians but locals. “Color Festivals” as they are
known, are observed in many parts of Europe, Australia and the United States.
Surprisingly, one of the largest such
festivals occurs annually at a Krishna temple near Salt
Lake City in Utah. In
2016, an astounding thirty-five people, mostly young college students, showed
up for two days of color throwing, music and dance. Holi has become so popular
there that tour buses ply visitors from around the Western states, and being alcohol
and drug free, it suits well the local Mormon ethos, whose adherents form the
vast majority of the celebrants.
American Festival goers in Utah |
Indeed, in keeping with its original
intent, Holi is becoming a celebration observed all around the world, rising
above all human dualities, whether color, nationality, class or gender.
-Mohan Ashtakala is the author of "The Yoga Zapper," published by Books We Love. www.yogazapper.com ; bookswelove.com
-Mohan Ashtakala is the author of "The Yoga Zapper," published by Books We Love. www.yogazapper.com ; bookswelove.com
Love is the only thing by Sheila Claydon
A few days ago I attended the funeral of a very dear friend. She was 93 years old, and if I am lucky enough to reach such a great age myself, I would love to leave behind the same legacy. We met 25 years ago, and from that day on I have always wanted to be like her. She has always been my ultimate heroine.
Although there is always sadness when someone dies, the memories recalled and the stories exchanged sometimes offset the grief and this was certainly the case at Shirley's funeral.
Why, despite her death, is she my heroine? It's simple. She loved people so people loved her. Her default setting was to think about others, which meant that visiting her was always a joy. Yes, the hot drinks and chocolate biscuits (never plain) were welcome, as was the white wine (after 6 unless it was lunchtime), but the real pleasure was Shirley herself. She was so interested in everything, and who doesn't enjoy a conversation with someone who genuinely wants to know how you are feeling and what is happening in your life. Also, and this is perhaps the most important thing, she never complained. While she had a never-ending supply of sympathy for others, she rarely talked about herself, and if she did it was about happy things, not about the pacemaker she had to have fitted, or her failing eyesight.
Listening to her adult grandchildren recall their childhood visits and holidays with Nanna was heartwarming too. She has left them with so many wonderful memories. The annual family holidays in Greece with anything up to 20 adults and children participating sounded idyllic and yes, the white wine featured there as well. Then there were the bedtime stories, the walks in the woods and on the beach, the meals, the fun. Making sure that other people enjoyed themselves and had fun was one of Shirley's greatest gifts.
Her other great gift to her friends and family was her insistence on remaining independent. When her sight failed and she could no longer drive, she moved to a ground floor apartment in the centre of the village so she could continue to do her own shopping and meet friends for coffee or a meal without inconveniencing anyone. Then, at 90, too frail to continue alone, she sold up and moved herself into a care home, still in the centre of the village so she could carry on with her social life. This was despite the fact that both her daughters wanted her to live with them.
Once settled in the care home she had more visitors than anyone else, and those family holidays continued even though they were now a bit closer to home. Christmas and Easter and many weekends were spent with the family too, and in between she saw old friends and made many new friends.
I know she was supported by a strong faith, but only once in all the years I knew her did she mention it, and that was when she told me how much she was enjoying her Bible study class and learning how to meditate. She started these new activities when she was 91!
Finally, and the greatest proof of all that love is what everyone craves whether of the two-legged or four-legged variety, was her relationship with dogs. There were always dogs in her life. Her own when she was still able to care for them, and later other people's. For 8 years she provided daycare for one of my dogs while I was working and the intense love between them was mutual. In fact the last time I saw her was when I took my latest dog to see her. In my house the dog is not allowed upstairs (not always enforceable if the grandchildren are around!), and she is certainly not allowed on the beds. When we visited Shirley at the care home, however, they both snuggled up on the bed together without any reference to me whatsoever.
In addition to all of this, Shirley remained extremely pretty even in old age, and very elegant too. Despite losing most of her sight she continued to dress beautifully, and her hair and nails were always immaculate. This was also part of her attraction. As well as her loving kindness she made sure she was as good to look at as possible despite her extreme old age.
As the priest said at the funeral, 'everyone here now has a Shirley shaped hole in their lives, but it is a hole that is filled with loving and joyful memories.'
What a way to live, and what a way to go. No wonder she was and will remain my heroine.
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