Book Blog Tour Stop - Diana Gabaldon, author of "Outlander"

Today I'm pleased to host a book blog tour stop for legendary author, Diana Gabaldon, creator of the beloved "Outlander" series.

About The Book:

Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another.

In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon–when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord…1743. Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire’s destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch.

She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life …and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire…and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

My Thoughts:

I remember reading "Outlander" when it was first released in 1991 and being amazed at how thrilling the story was. And a revisit to this classic story reveals that it is still one of the most incredible novels I've read in my lifetime of reading.

Gabaldon combines romance, adventure, para-normal, fantasy and history together for a tale that has proven to be timeless in it's appeal to readers.

Congratulations to Diana on the 20th anniversary of the release of "Outlander."  May you continue to have success with your fabulous books for another 20 years or more!


About The Author:

:

Diana Gabaldon is the author of the award-winning, #1 NYT-bestselling OUTLANDER novels, described by Salon magazine as “the smartest historical sci-fi adventure-romance story ever written by a science Ph.D. with a background in scripting “Scrooge McDuck” comics.”

The adventure began in 1991 with the classic OUTLANDER (“historical fiction with a Moebius twist”), has continued through six more New York Times-bestselling novels–DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, VOYAGER, DRUMS OF AUTUMN, THE FIERY CROSS, A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES, and AN ECHO IN THE BONE, with nineteen million copies in print worldwide

The series is published in 26 countries and 23 languages, and includes a nonfiction (well, relatively) companion volume, THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, which provides details on the settings, background, characters, research, and writing of the novels.   Gabaldon (it’s pronounced “GAA-bull-dohn”—rhymes with “stone”) has also written several books in a sub-series featuring Lord John Grey (a major minor character from the main series): LORD JOHN AND THE PRIVATE MATTER,  LORD JOHN AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE,  and LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS.   Another Lord John book, LORD JOHN AND THE SCOTTISH PRISONER, will probably be published in 2011).

Returning to her comic-book roots, she has also written a graphic novel titled THE EXILE (set within the OUTLANDER universe and featuring the main characters from OUTLANDER), but told from the viewpoint of Jamie Fraser and his godfather, Murtagh.   The graphic novel is illustrated by Hoang Nguyen, published by Del-Rey.

Gabaldon is presently working on the third Lord John novel (LORD JOHN AND THE SCOTTISH PRISONER), and  the eighth book in the OUTLANDER series.  In addition, she is working on a contemporary mystery series, set in Phoenix, and has written Highly Scholarly Introductions (with masses of footnotes) to recent Modern Library editions of Sir Walter Scott’s IVANHOE and Thomas Paine’s COMMON SENSE.

Dr. Gabaldon holds three degrees in science: Zoology, Marine Biology, and Quantitative Behavioral Ecology, (plus an honorary degree as Doctor of Humane Letters, which entitles her to be “Diana Gabaldon, Ph.D., D.H.L.”  She supposes this is better than “Diana Gabaldon, Phd.X,”) and spent a dozen years as a university professor with an expertise in scientific computation before beginning to write fiction.  She has written scientific articles and textbooks, worked as a contributing editor on the MacMillan ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COMPUTERS, founded the scientific-computation journal SCIENCE SOFTWARE QUARTERLY, and has written numerous comic-book scripts for Walt Disney.  None of this has anything whatever to do with her novels, but there it is.

She and her husband, Douglas Watkins, have three adult children and live mostly in Scottsdale, Arizona.

You can visit Diana online at http://www.dianagabaldon.com/

My thanks to Pump Up Your Book Promotion for including me on this book blog tour. I received a copy of "Outlander" for review and was not compensated for my opinion.

Dark Moon of Avalon by Anna Elliott - Book Blog Tour Stop

Today I am so pleased to be hosting a blog tour stop for Anna Elliott's book, "Dark Moon of Avalon."

About The Book:

The young former High Queen, Isolde, and her friend and protector, Trystan, are reunited in a new and dangerous quest to keep the usurper, Lord Marche, and his Saxon allies from the throne of Britain. Using Isolde's cunning wit and talent for healing and Trystan's strength and bravery, they must act as diplomats, persuading the rulers of the smaller kingdoms, from Ireland to Cornwall, that their allegiance to the High King is needed to keep Britain from a despot's hands.

Their admissions of love hang in the air, but neither wants to put the other at risk by openly declaring a deeper alliance. When their situation is at its most desperate, Trystan and Isolde must finally confront their true feelings toward each other, in time for a battle that will test the strength of their will and their love.

My Thoughts:

I have always been fascianted with stories of the Kings and Queens of Ancient Britian, and I was so thrilled to have found myself drawn into the heart of Old Britian as I read "Dark Moon of Avalon."

Anna Elliott delivers a story here that shines with glimmers of the magic of "Lord of the Rings," the romantic inclination of "Romeo and Juliet," and the mystical wonderment that surrounds the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

But Elliott's world of the beautifully tragic Queen Isolde and the handsome warrior Trystan is uniquely her own, and she graciouslly invites readers to share the journey that she is guiding her characters along.
Although "Dark Moon of Avalon" is the second book in Elliott's "Isolde and Trystan" series (the first being "Twilight of Avalon), readers can easily pick up the back story of how the characters have arrived at the situations they are in during this story.

I highly recommend "Dark Moon of Avalon" for fans of historical fantasy fiction.

About The Author:

A long time devotee of historical fiction and fantasy, Anna Elliott lives in the DC Metro area with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of Twilight of Avalon and Dark Moon of Avalon, the first two books in the Twilight of Avalon trilogy.

Be sure to visit Anna Elliott at her website (http://www.annaelliottbooks.com/), where you can find background information on the books, the fantastic book trailers that showcase the books, and advice from Anna on writing as well as updates on her continuing work.

Elliott also features at her website two short stories, "Dawn of Avalon," and "The Witch Queen's Secret," that continue the story of Avalon, and which are available to be downloaded for free!


My Thanks to BookSparks PR for the review copy of this book and for including me on this Book Blog Tour.  I was not compensated for my opinions.

The Hidden Sun by J, Lloyd Morgan - Book Blog Tour Stop

I'm so pleased to introduce you to a wonderful new book, The Hidden Sun by J. Lloyd Morgan. This richly woven tale of romance and intrigue is a beautifully told by a master storyteller.

About The Book:

The kingdom of Bariwon is at a crossroads. Ever since Eliana was born, she has been primed to become the kingdom's leader. But she is not to rule Bariwon alone. A contest of sorts, called the Shoginoc, is to be held when Eliana turns twenty one. The victor gains the right to marry Eliana and become king of Bariwon. Rumor has it that the favorite to win the Shoginoc is Daimh, son of malevolent Governor Abrecan. However, Eliana has fallen in love with her personal guardian, Rinan. She is torn between renouncing her title to be with the man she loves or marrying to keep the kingdom out of the hands of those who would rule it unjustly. A plan is hatched to keep her in power while allowing her to marry Rinan, but little does she know the impact this deception will have on everyone in Bariwon for years to come.

My Thoughts:

"The Hidden Sun" is a delicately crafted fairy tale that both adults and young adults will find charming and intriguing. With just the right elements of romance, adventure, suspense and, of course, a happy-ever-after ending, this classicly=told tale is a refreshing change of pace in a world that today is so overwrought with troubles and woe.

As the father of four daughters, J. Lloyd Morgan must have had some special insight to the world he has created in this very special book. It is a enchanting novel guaranteed to please the most finicky princess in the castle, a story for girls, young and old, to enjoy and savor for years to come.

About The Author:

Author J. Lloyd Morgan is an award winning television director. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Communications and a minor in English. Morgan has lived all over the United States, but now resides in North Carolina with his wife and four daughters. He is currently working on a sequel to The Hidden Sun.

Check out his website at www.thehiddensun.com for more information on the book, as well as a few special goodies!




I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my opinion.

Special thanks to Tristi Pinkston Book Blog Tours for inviting me to participate in this book blog tour!

New Release Tuesday: Lincoln's Sword by Debra Doyle and James O. MacDonald

I have always been fascinated with the history of the Civil War era, and when I came upon a new novel that takes a look at that fascinating time in history with a bit of a twist, well - I was intrigued to say the least!

What do Mary Todd Lincoln and outlaw Cole Younger have in common?

In the new alternate history novel “Lincoln’s Sword,” these two unlikely figures in history cross paths again and again as the United States is torn apart by Civil War, and unless they are able to recover a certain mysterious sword, the war might not turn out as the history books of today have it.

Authors Debra Doyle and James O. MacDonald create a fascinating alternative look at history with this fast-paced story of psychics, “touchers,” and soldiers.

Mary Todd Lincoln can foresee events to come, and only her friend Mercy understands the distress that it causes, because Mercy has the gift of “sight” as well. But would their warnings be heeded by those in charge in time to make a difference in the rift between the states?

Confederate Captain Cole Younger is approached by a mysterious man named Thomas and is taught how to travel through time. He is charged with the responsibility to use that gift to help save the United States from total destruction.

And at the heart of the story lies a sword, belonging to the Butler family, that holds the key to the destiny of the nation. As Cole and Mercy work together to obtain the weapon, they must endure tragedy, pain and years of waiting patiently to achieve their goals.

Doyle and MacDonald take their readers to the battlefields of Shiloh and Pea Ridge, to that ill-fated bank in Minnesota, and to the private presidential quarters of the White House with a story that sets imaginations on fire. This is a well done and extremely satisfying novel.

For more information on Debra Doyle and James O. MacDonald's writing, check out their website at http://www.sff.net/people/doylemacdonald/

I received a copy of this book for review from Pam Jaffee of Harper Collins/Eos Books in exchange for a fair review. I was not compensated for my opinion. Thanks Pam, for always broadening my reading horizons!

Enter the world of dragons with Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb

I would have never thought a series about dragons could have captured my attention so completely, but the “River Wild Chronicles” by Robin Hobb has done just that.

The second book in her series, “Dragon Haven” continues the story of the erstwhile band of misfits, both human and dragon, as they journey to find the fabled city of Kelsingra where dragons and humans once lived in harmony.

The plucky little group of Dragon keepers are all teens affected by the acidic living conditions of the Rain Wilds forest, and have for the most part, been banished by the elders of their home in guise of caring for the sickly herd of dragons. (are dragons a herd?)

Guided along by the rough and tumble Captain Leftrin and his liveship (which has been made from dragon casings and has magical abilities) Tarman, the keepers, the hunters, and the dragons, accompanied by the dragon expert Alyse and her companion Sedric, the ragtag group trod on towards what all hope to be a final resting place for the creatures, one and all.

A miraculous seems to be occurring along the journey – the dragons all seem to be growing stronger and more resilient to the adversities the group encounters, while the keepers begin to take on characteristics of their charges, growing scales and beginning to understand their dragons mentally and physically. When a sudden flash flood threatens to wash the entire troupe away, they all find inner strengths and abilities never before encounters.

There is also a hidden menace among the group that threatens the success of the adventure, and it is a surprise to all to find out where those threats originate and how close to creating disaster the culprit has been.

Robin Hobbs spins a fascinating and enthralling tale with her “Rain Wild Chronicles,” drawing her readers into her fantasy world with fantastic descriptions and engaging characters. Even the difficult names and places become easier to understand as the novel progress, and the thoughts of teens with claws and scales, and talking arrogant dragons seem quite normal after a while. Can’t wait for the next book!

NOTE: The pictures, except for the book jacket, have nothing to do with the book, I just liked them!

My thanks to Pam Jaffee at Harper Collins/William Morrow books for the review copy of Dragon Haven. Yes, you have broaden my reading horizons!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review. I was not compensated for my opinon.

The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

Emily Benedict didn’t know what to expect when she arrived in the tiny town of Mullaby, North Carolina. But she surely did not expect to find secrets in every hushed whisper, fanciful lights that flitted around in the night, or a boy who would change her life.

In Sarah Addison Allen’s latest book, “The Girl Who Chased The Moon,” dreams can come true and love can be found, if only you wish upon the moon.

After her mother’s death, Emily comes to live with her grandfather, a gentle giant of a man named Vance Shelby. Emily’s mother, Dulcie, had told her nothing about her hometown or her family, but everyone in Mullaby seems to know everything about Dulcie and a long-ago scandal that had sent her fleeing from the small town. And now they all want to know about Emily as well. She finds a couple of friendly allies in an unusual boy, Win Coffey, who insists they have a shared history, and with her grandfather’s neighbor, Julia Winterson.

Julia has returned to Mullaby to settle her father’s estate, and has ended up staying to run his barbeque restaurant. She has become known for her fabulous cakes, and it’s her dream to open her own bakery someday, but it’s so hard to be a success in a town who only remembers your past. Only a former beau, Sawyer Alexander, seems to understand Julia’s passion and desire to bake cakes.

The past also haunts Win Coffey, whose family secrets hold him a virtual captive to his home during the night, and whose growing affection for Emily causes him to want to expose those secrets once and for all. But a family tragedy from long ago threatens to keep the young couple apart.

Sarah Addison Allen creates a fanciful world with “The Girl Who Chased The Moon,” where the wallpaper changes to suit the inhabitant’s mood, where delicious cakes send spirals of glittery messages of hope, and where the moon can bring out the glowing best in some, love can triumph over all adversity if given a chance. With a story chalked full of magical fantasy and realistic situations, Allen delights her readers once again with an imaginative and creative tale that is sure to become an instant classic.

I received a copy of this book for review and was not obligated to give it a good review, but I did!

Music: Moon River by Audrey Hepburn from "Breakfast At Tiffany's"

Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb

Dragons are very popular these days - with the release of the new animated movie, "How To Train Your Dragon," (which was very cute, by the way) the mythical flying creatures are in "vogue."

We all know the cutesy dragons from "Puff The Magic Dragon," "Pete's Dragon," and even H.R. Puffnstuff (which was supposed to be a dragon), but real images of dragons are legendary and slightly frightening creatures that appear in the myths and tales of many cultures. Fierce and independent, dragons could wreck havoc, or if they wished, could provide protection for those they trust.

In Robin Hobb’s thrilling new book, “Dragon Keeper,” the tables have turned and the dragons of the Rain Wilds River are in trouble and must depend on their human contacts to help with their very survival.

The last of their kind and the only hope for the future of dragons, 15 young, but malformed dragons have been hatched along the deadly acidic Rain Wilds River. Requiring more work than the humans who had championed their existence bargained for, the village elders determine the creatures must be moved. Deciding to take care of two problems at once, they recruit a group of young misfits, who have the mark of the river upon them – scales, claws, and other attributes that make their community uncomfortable - to accompany the dragons to the ancient Elderling city of Kelsingra – a journey almost guaranteed to fail.

Among those escorting the dragons are Thymara, a young teenage girl whose claws enable her to climb trees and who also can communicate with the dragons; her best friend Tats, a former slave; Alise Kincannon, the wife of a wealthy trader and a self-taught dragon expert, and her companion, the long-suffering Sedric. Following them on the journey is the Liveship Tarman, a ship made from the miraculous wizardwood that enables it to have dragon memories, captained by Leftrin and his crew. As they travel upriver, the keepers and the rest begin to learn more about the dragons and about themselves as well.

But it’s the dragons themselves who are the stars of this book. Although malformed from the arduous journey to the nesting grounds and from hatching earlier than they should have, all of the survivors are brave, and determined. Among them are Sintara, the feisty blue queen dragon; the golden Mercor, wise beyond his years; less than smart Heeby, a tiny red queen who is determined to fly; blue-black Kalo the largest and grumpiest of the dragons; and Dortean and Skrim, the orange twin dragons. They all have a variety of problems, from misshapen wings to shortened legs, but they each have the memories of their ancestors to guide to where their hearts desire – home to Kelsingra.

Robin Hobb creates a fascinating world with “Dragon Keeper.” Spinning an imaginative tale that is captivating and satisfying, she pulls her audience into the land of dragons and dreams. Painting her settings with such vivid descriptions, one almost feels that the lands along the Rain Wilds River might actually exist. Hobb’s characters are complex, but appealing, and as the stories of human and dragons interconnect, their relationships become central to this first book in a planned trilogy.

I’m not one who is usually gun-ho for fantasy novels, but after being urged to “just try it,” I found that “Dragon Keeper” grabbed my attention, and I couldn’t put it down. The second installment, “Dragon Haven,” is due out in May, and I’m already looking forward to learning more about the dragons, their keepers and their adventures.

Unicorn Ride

Remember when the world was magical? When a walk in the park was a mysterious fairyland of play? A tree became a fortress, the flower beds a magic carpet? A broom became a trusty steed? A gate became an entrance to a courtyard of possibilities?

If only we could capture that whimsical innocence again. Free ourselves from the day to day and let our imaginations soar again, dream again, live again, if only for a moment....

Come join me while we travel to a land far, far away.... or is it?...

A trip to a Wonderland called Imagination....

Unicorn Ride

Such magic lies within the park

A mystical beast I've found

Imagination as the spark

Let's take a ride around

Prance among the flowers

Looking up to see the sky

No cares about the hours

As trees and shrubs go by

Capture every scene there is

With Joys that fill the soul

Forget the reigns trust in his

Sit back, take in the stroll

Beauty's all around I see

As magic fills the air

Over there I see a tree

Clothed in such festive flair

Standing out amongst the crowd

Vivid colors shining bright

Not so tall but oh so proud

It shimmers in the Light

Our trusty steed, a unicorn

mystifies the day

High stepping over newly born

Grass and flowers come what may

Soak up the sun and take this ride

Dance with natures glory

Feel the energy deep inside

For now you're part of life's story

Written 10-2-09 with a whimsical heart

With Love and Light,

by

Nina P.

(photo's are from microsoft office clip art downloads online or google image search images/ unicorns. if you click on the image, the location is there)

Dolls from the past

As a child I was not allowed to have fashion dolls like Barbie only baby dolls. Well, I didn't like baby dolls. All the adults in my life thought that was just plain strange.

I think that's a main factor in why a few years back I got into remaking old fashion dolls. I couldn't get enough of them. Some of my friends and especially my mother-in-law would bring me more dolls every time they saw me. I was thrift shopping all the time. At one point I think I had 125 cast-off fashion dolls and few new ones too. People thought that was strange too, and I felt a little strange. What was this obsession?

I didn't want them for what they were...a fashion doll (and nude and filthy). I wanted to transform them into something more. OOAK's as they say in the remake biz. That's one-of-a-kind to the uninitiated.

I would wash them, take off their face-paint, redo it, make new fantasy outfits, sometimes re-root new hair (hours of work!), give them "accessories", etc. Now when I look back at that time, I realize that I was transforming the inside of me and it was reflected on the outside of the dolls.

Hubbs and I started this short film in 2005 just to document my work, but then it turned into something more. Hope you enjoy it! I do have images of some of my art dolls for sale as greeting cards in my Etsy shop. Be sure and check it out.
I need to eat too. ;)

Winter?

OMG! I woke up this morning and this is what I saw...



Our first snow. I hope it's not a sign of the winter to come. Our first snow last year was Dec. 3rd. That was the year we had the most recorded snow ever. I don't think I'm quite recovered from that. :O

I usually really like the first snow and winter weather until around January 5th. Then I'm done and want spring to come. Snow and sun together is just gorgeous. The long winter, gray skies, and cold that accompany it here in the Midwest is just so depressing.

I've decided to just pretend the first snow didn't happen yet. Here's a nice fiery mandala to heat things back up. ;)
I've also listed it for sale in my Etsy shop.
Cheers.

Fairies

It seems some types of fairies love color.

Title: Mustard Fairy
Medium: Digital Photograph
Full Size: 8" x 10"

Totem poles

~
Title: Earth's Totem
Medium: Digital Painting
Full Size: 6" x 19"
~

Thar' be Pirates

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Title: Ahoy There!
Medium: Digital Painting
Full Size: 8" x 10"
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Fairies

~
I met a lady in the meads,
Full beautiful- A faery's child,
Her hair was long her foot was light,
And her eyes were wild.

-John Keats, Ya Bell Dame Sans Merci

Title: Wood Fae
Medium: Digital Painting
Full Size: 8" x 10"
~

Miss Mary Mack (revised)

Miss Mary Mack all dressed in black
With silver buttons all down her back
She asked her mama for fifty cents
To see the lizards leap over the fence
They leaped so high
They touched the sky
Grew dragon wings and learned to fly
They flew so far
They reached a distant star
They settled there
Grew wise and strong
Spoke Dragonspeak
Sang Dragonsong
Danced in the sky and played with fire
Felt dragon love and warm desire
No need for greed or fear or guilt
Their paradise was dragon built
and yet...

Some miss their place of birth
And they try to journey back to Earth
They find the way
Still very far and Earth beholds
A falling star
But Mary knows and so do I
Where dragons go after falling from the sky.

-Pellegraina (further adapted by Tashai)

Title: Sky Dragons
Medium: Digital Painting
Full Size: 8" x 20"