Quote of the Day

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
~ Buddha

Lost Girl

Cast of Lost Girl*

As an urban fantasy and paranormal romance writer, I'm always in search of new interesting TV shows with supernatural elements.  Recently, I discovered (for myself, since it's already in its 3rd season) Lost Girl. It's currently running on SyFy channel, but I started with season 1 on Netflix.

The show's main heroine, Bo, is a succubus. For years, she didn't know who, or what she is (hence the "lost" girl). She doesn't know who her parents are and since high school she has been feeding on sexual energies and leaving bodies in her wake because she didn't know how to control the hunger. In the beginning of the show, she finds out that there is a whole world of fae living within, but hiding from, the human world. There are Light and Dark fae and there are all kinds of them. All of the fae have to be allied with one side or the other, so when she's "found", she is expected to choose a side. However, she decides that she is not going to do that, at least not until she knows more. All kinds of danger ensues from this decision. And Bo is a kick-ass heroine, of course.

Bo and Kenzi*

Bo's sidekick becomes a girl that she rescued from a would-be rapist, a spunky and smart-mouthed thief by the name of Kenzi. They quickly form a strong friendship and partner up to run a detective/private eye agency where most of their cases are the wacky non-human kind. Along the way, Bo also searches for information about her parents, particularly her mother who might be alive.

Bo also forms a relationship with a were-wolf fae, Dyson, who works as a detective in police, which gives him access to be at crime scenes of supernatural nature and do any kind of clean-up necessary for fae's survival, or to keep their secret safe. Bo often comes to him for "healing" after she gets injured on the job - since this involves getting hot and heavy, there are quiet a few scenes. At this point, though, they are keeping their relationship more on a "friends-with-benefits" level, though both seems to care about each other. I'm sure this relationship is going to change and evolve by the time I get to the 3rd season.

Bo is caught between Lauren and Dyson*

 Bo's relationship with Dyson is also complicated by the attraction between herself and a human doctor, Lauren, who's in fae's employ. Sort of. That relationship is also steamy, especially when it gets physical.

All in all, I'm enjoying the show so far. I like that they use all kinds of supernatural creatures, so I'm learning about new ones that I haven't even heard of yet. The show is fun, spirited, with lots of humor and pretty people. I'm looking forward to catching up to season 3.

*Disclaimer: All images are the property of and copyrighted by Prodigy Pictures, Shaw Media, SyFy channel and their affiliates.

Quote of the Day

Rules for Happiness:
something to do,
someone to love,
something to hope for.
  ~Immanuel Kant

Quote of the Day

The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.

~ Auguste Rodin on Art

Quote of the Day

Kindness. The only possible method when dealing with a living creature. You'll get nowhere with an animal if you use terror, no matter what its level of development may be. That I have maintained, do maintain and always will maintain. People who think you can use terror are quite wrong. No, no, terror is useless, whatever its colour – white, red or even brown! Terror completely paralyses the nervous system.
  ~ Mikhail Bulgakov, Heart of a Dog

Contests and Giveaways in the Writing World - Week of January 28th

I'm still feeling under the weather today but determined to get through the day at work and to be productive too. Feeling under the weather on this cold Monday as well? Here are some awesome contests and giveaways to make it a little better!



Heard of the new category - NA, New Adult? Who hasn't?? Are you writing in this category? Then hurry over to NA Alley to check out this contest! You have to have a finished and polished NA contemporary or paranormal manuscript and a query-sized pitch. Only the first 25 entries will be considered, so make sure you send in yours as soon as the contest opens up on February 9th at 10:30 am EST. Three winners will be chosen and will receive full manuscript request!Also a possibility for runners up is still being determined.



All Things UF is running a giveaway of Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane, along with some character introductions. Sounds great!


Kate Avelynn is making a stop on her blog tour today at Jus Accardo. And not only is she sharing pictures of her characters, but is also giving away some great prizes, including a copy of her book Flawed and swag!


Lady Reader's Bookstuff blog is hosting a giveaway of an upcoming novel by Rita Webb, Playing Hooky. A couple of e-books and a really cool necklace are up for grabs!


Page Turners is hosting the kick-off of the blog tour for Shadows in the Silence by  Courtney Allison Moulton. 3 signed sets of the Angelfire Series are going to be given away!

*As always, please contact me for the inclusion of your contests/giveaways into the Monday Contests and Giveaways in the Writing World posts.

Have fun and good luck! 

Also, don't forget to become a follower of this blog to make sure you catch giveaways coming soon!

Quote of the Day

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.

~ Mark Twain

Friday Art & History Feature - the Myth of Romulus and Remus

Capitoline Wolf - depiction of the She-wolf with Romulus and Remus

Rome - the eternal city. The city where history is layered so thick, figuratively and literally, that to this day archaeologists are uncovering new ancient sites every time the city digs to expand the subway. When I was there a couple of years ago with my husband, we were directed towards a church that was built in the middle ages. Under that church, was an archaeological excavation of a church that was built in the early first century. Under that was an archaeological excavation of an ancient Roman villa of a family that lived in the 2nd Century B.C. And that is quintessential Rome.

The history of Rome fascinates me, and one cannot talk about the history of this great city without talking about the myth of its creation - the story of brothers Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of the city Rome.

Romulus and Remus were twin brothers, born to Rhea Silvia by either the god Mars or by the demi-god Hercules. Once born, the twin are abandoned but are saved through a series of miraculous supernatural occurrences. They are put into a basket and set in the river Tiber, but the river carries them to safety. Once out of the river, they are found and suckled by a she-wolf, until a shepherd finds them and raises them with his wife.

The discovery of Romulus and Remus by Paul Rubens

When the brothers become adults, they decide to found a new city, but argue about the location of where it should be. Romulus wants it on the Palantine Hill, while Remus wants it on the Aventine Hill. Eventually Remus is killed and Romulus names a new city that he founds after himself. He also creates the first legions and a senate.

While the city grows fast, most of its population are unmarried men who are refugees. To keep populating the city, Romulus arranges the abduction of Sabine women from a neighboring land. Even though war follows, Sabines and Romans eventually unite and Romans become the dominant people in the area.

The Rape of the Sabine Women by Nicolas Poussin

 It is not clear what happens to Romulus following these events.

Modern historians are not proponents of the idea that Rome was named after Romulus, but the myth is nevertheless still a subject of fascination and study, especially as the source of ancient Roman ideologies, values and morality.

What is fascinating to me is that the she-wolf from this story became a symbol of Rome (and you know how I love everything that has to do with wolves :)) She is a symbol of fertility and strength.

Rome

Quote of the Day

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’ 

~ Mary Anne Radmache

Great Writing Blogs, Websites and Articles

Once in awhile, I put together a list of writing blogs and websites that I discover for myself, and that I think are great resources for writing tips, motivation, inspiration and the craft in general. Some items on the list are also links to specific articles that I found to be useful, entertaining or interesting.

I love to constantly find new ones, so please share your favorites in the comments.


Write It Sideways. To get a taste of the variety of great articles on writing and publishing, check out their Top 10 Articles of 2012.The content is frequent and I would it put it among the most useful blogs for writers to follow.

Surly Muse has a number of great articles on craft, such as Dramatic Scenes and Dramatic Irony: Eight Easy Fixes and Finding The Flow State in the Age of Distraction.

Advanced Fiction Writing by Randy Ingermanson is chuckful of helpful information. He explains his "snowflake method" in this article: How to Write a Novel: the Snowflake Method. You can also sign up for his ezine and get period email delivered right to your mailbox.

Live Write Thrive by C.S. Lakin delivers writing tips content a few times  a week, and gets into the detail of the craft. Many great articles to peruse.

Chuck Wendig's Blog, terribleminds, includes such great articles as 25 Hard Truths About Writing and Publishing.

Jessica Spotswood - On Being a Slow, Inefficient, Imperfect Writer.

More blogs, websites and articles of interest to writers to come in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.

Quote of the Day

Inspiration usually comes during work, not before it. 

~ Madeleine L’Engle

Quote of the Day

My stories run up and bite me on the leg - I respond by writing down everything that goes on during the bite. When I finish, the idea lets go and runs off.
~ Ray Bradbury

Teaser Tuesday

Here are the rules:

1. Post 2 sentences from the current book you're reading. You can either

a) open the book and share 2 sentences from anywhere on that page or
b) share your favorite 2-3 sentences from the book (they have to be in a row)

2. List the page #

*PLEASE DO NOT POST ANYTHING THAT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS A SPOILER!

3. List the name of the book and the author

"'I consulted the men who would be the first to die should our enemy attack us from within!' Aethelred cut him off. 'The kingdom is safer now that our enemy has been destroyed. I am safer!' 

Athelstan stared at his father. How could a king be so blind to the consequences of what he had done?"

p. 144 (Nook edition)

Courtesy of NetGalley 

Releasing on February 7th, 2013

Shadow on the Crown 

by Patricia Bracewell

 

Share your teasers in the comments or give a link to your blog if you're running a Teaser Tuesday

Quote of the Day

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.
Ayn Rand

Quote of the Day

Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.
~ Oscar Wilde

Quote of the Day

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.
~ Norman Vincent Peale

Quote of the Day

We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
~ Ronald Reagan

Quote of the Day

Change your thoughts and you change your world.
~ Norman Vincent Peale

New TV Shows I'm Looking Forward to in 2013

 Yes, TV is a bit of an addiction to me, although apparently I'm not as bad some of the people that I know. Actually, my list of favorite TV shows that I watch religiously is pretty small by some comparisons - Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead, The Borgias (The Tudors when that was on), Spartacus, Game of Thrones. Both hubby and I are embarrassed to say we watch The Mob Wives - I curse myself during each and every show for watching it. lol Two of my dear friends finally got me into watching Once Upon A Time, as well.  And lately, I've been quiet addicted to the HGTV (Home/Garden), and all the remodeling and renovation shows. But that's probably because we're buying a house and I'm looking for design ideas.

I'm always on the look out for a good TV show, with a riveting storyline and great writing. I need these shows. To me, they are like similar to a good reading session. They take me away from the everyday problems and stress, if just for a little while.

So here's a list of some of the shows that are coming to a TV near you this year that I'm looking forward to experiencing and, hopefully, enjoying.

Vikings

As you can see by the list above, I'm a big fan of historical shows. Vikings is from the creator of The Tudors and The Borgias, Michael Hirst. The story will revolve around a historical figure, a warrior by the name of Ragnar Lothbrok. I love that one of the main characters is Ragnar's first wife, Lagertha, who is a warrior in her own right and often fought at her husband's side. To me - awesomeness! It also doesn't hurt that one of the stars of the show is Gabriel Byrne, one of my favorite actors!
Vikings will premier on March 3rd on History Channel.

Here's the trailer: 

Da Vinci's Demons

Ok, so those who read my blog even occasionally will know that I'm a huge fan of Leonardo da Vinci. He was my hero and one of the most interesting man who ever lived, at least to me, since I was a little kid. I have to admit that I'm very cautious about this show. It will center on da Vinci in his mid-twenties. It looks like a mix of history, adventure, mysticism and romance. I really don't know about this one...But I will be definitely there for the pilot episode.
Da Vinci's Demons will premier on April 12th on Starz

Here's the trailer: 
 

The Americans

Felicity grows up. Kerri Russel plays an embedded Soviet KGB agent, whose mission is to impersonate American citizens. Hey, it's a spy show. I like spy shows. And, if they do it right, the story twists could be really good.
The Americans premiers on January 30th on FX

Here is the trailer: 

L.A. Noir

This show is bbout the decades-long battle between Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker and mob figure Mickey Cohen. It is the child of Frank Darabont of the Walking Dead. And the main reason I'm going to watch it is because Jon Bernthal, whom you might remember as Shane on the Walking Dead, is going to be starring.

The series will air on TNT but there is no date for the pilot released yet and no trailer so far.

Show I'm not looking forward to:

Celebrity Diving. Really? Need I say more?
Premiers March 19th on ABC


And of course, don't forget:

The Vampire Diaries is back from it's mid-season hiatus today, January 17th on CW11! 

The Walking Dead is back from it's mid-season hiatus on Sunday, February 10th on AMC

 Game of Thrones is back for another season on March 31st



Which TV shows are you addicted to? Which shows are you looking forward to this year?

Quote of the Day

LOVE THIS!

Rebel Writer's Creed 2013

Love it! Wonderful for my motivation and I really wanted to participate, so here goes...

Do you want to honor the Rebel Writer's Creed? Then jump to SA Larsen blog where it's been hosted!
It's going to be a great year!

Quote of the Day

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
~ Harriet Tubman

Quote of the Day

Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts. 

~ Winston Churchill

Quote of the Day

When you were born, you cried
and the world rejoiced.
Live your life
so that when you die,
the world cries and you rejoice.
~ White Elk

Cover Reveal - The Dragon Empire by Heather McCorkle

Today, I'm very excited to be part of the cover reveal for a wonderful writer and good friend Heather McCorkle. And what a gorgeous cover it is! See for yourself.

(Cover designed by CP Design)

 

 The Dragon Empire by Heather McCorkle -- February 2013 / Compass Press

 

On Yacrana, dragons stand at the top of the evolutionary ladder instead of humans. Such an advanced species is not without its issues though.

There's trouble in the Dragon Empire, the kind that could start a war between dragons and the races of people. Hidden factions of dragons believe they should rule the lesser races, not simply stand aside and allow them to develop as they will. Having lived so long in peace, the Emperors turn a blind eye, many oblivious that such attitudes even exist.

Despite being only an architect class, emerald dragon, Grendar is willing to risk banishment and death to stop that which his rulers refuse to see. The hope of peace lies not within the scaled breast of a dragon however, but within the hands of a group of people. But if the hidden factions have their way, these people won’t live to fulfill such a destiny. With a reluctant seer at his side, Grendar must leave his precious Empire for the outside world to save those that will one day save his kind. 

Hurry to add to to your TBR shelf today on Goodreads: 

 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17158656-the-dragon-empire

 

 

Heather McCorkle

I am an author of fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. Living green, saving endangered species, helping other writers, and supporting fabulous authors are a few of my passions. I am also a volunteer for the IS Foundation which works to make the world a greener place. When I'm not volunteering, writing, or surfing my social networking sites, I can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, I enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds I create on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find me here, on my blog, and Monday night's on Twitter where I co-moderate the #WritersRoad chat.

 

 

Author Links:

Website: http://heathermccorkle.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4957267.Heather_McCorkle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Heather-McCorkle/211058455603533

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherMcCorkle

 

Quote of the Day

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

~ Maya Angelou

Quote of the Day

We first make our habits, and then our habits make us. 

~ John Dryden

Quote of the Day

The great and glorious masterpiece of
man is to know how to live to purpose.
~ Michel de Montaigne

Quote of the Day

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Quote of the Day

In the hour of adversity, be not without hope; for crystal rain falls from black clouds.

~Nizami   (1141-1203)

Teaser Tuesday

Here are the rules:

1. Post 2 sentences from the current book you're reading. You can either

a) open the book and share 2 sentences from anywhere on that page or
b) share your favorite 2-3 sentences from the book (they have to be in a row)

2. List the page #

*PLEASE DO NOT POST ANYTHING THAT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS A SPOILER!

3. List the name of the book and the author

"My heart tripped up. There were so many times I wondered if Daemon could read minds. He could be amazingly spot-on when he wanted."

p. 29 (Nook edition)

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Share your teasers in the comments or give a link to your blog if you're running a Teaser Tuesday

Quote of the Day

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
~Helen Keller

Contests and Giveaway in the Writing World - week of Janaury 7th

 Monday blues brought you down? Check out these giveaways to make your week better! :)


A big Giveaway from Lindsay Cummings - win a number of great Arcs plus a 3 Chapters + Query letter critique from her agent Louise Fury! What are you waiting for? Hurry now to enter the 2013 Giveaway!

I'm a Reader Not a Writer is hosting a number of giveaways and blog hops that you just simply have to see for yourself, so hurry and click now!

Vanessa Kelly has a guest author on her blog today - Valerie Bowman. One lucky commentator will win a digital copy of Valerie's novella A Secret Proposal and a copy of Vaness's book, Mastering the Marquess.

A virtual book tour of the Vrykolakas Deviation by Sherri Lackey is starting today. Check out Sherri's Graphomania for full details. It will run until January 25th and you can win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books, fast becoming my favorite historical fiction blog, is doing a bookmark giveaway. You have to check out these bookmarks - they are really cool and handmade by Daphne!

Mindee Arnett is giving out two arcs of her book The Midnight Affair. This is a very creative contest that you  have to check out!Here's step 1 of the contest: Interpret the term "Magickind" using a visual medium. This should be so much fun!

*As always, please contact me for the inclusion of your contests/giveaways into the Monday Contests and Giveaways in the Writing World posts.

Have fun and good luck! 

Also, don't forget to become a follower of this blog to make sure you catch giveaways coming soon!

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose.

~Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate

Quote of the Day

 The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.

~Robert Cushing

Friday Art & History Feature - J. M. W. Turner

The Fighting Temeraire tugged to her last Berth to be broken up

J.M.W. Turner - Joseph Mallord William Turner - was a preeminent British Romantic painter of oil and watercolor landscapes. He is well known for bringing the art of landscape to the level of epic proportions. His use of light and color is spectacular and his style is a forerunner to Impressionism.

Self Portrait c. 1799

Born in 1775 in London into the family of a barber and a daughter of butchers, he showed early artistic inclinations with his sketch drawings of countryside, where he stayed with his maternal uncle. His father encouraged his talent and proudly displayed the drawings in his shop window, even selling them for a few coins. Turner's early exercises were focused on mastering perspective and included many architectural structures. In 1790, at the age of 15, he entered the Royal Academy of Arts.

St Erasmus In Bishop Islips Chapel Westminster Abbey

A Storm on the Lagoon of Venice

In the following years, Turner traveled extensively all over Europe and studied at the Louvre in 1802. As he became older, the artist became more and more eccentric with few close friends. It is interesting to note that his father, who stayed with him for 30 years, was one of his closest friends and eventually an assistant. Turner was struggling with bouts of depression after his father passed away. He never married. He did have a relationship with a widow, older than himself, by the name of Sarah Danbury. She had two daughters by him.

Rouen Cathedral

He died in December of 1851. The words "the sun is God" are attributed to him as said right before he died. Turner was very successful and prolific during his lifetime. He left over 19,000 watercolors, drawings and oils to Britain.

A First Rate Taking in Stores

Fishermen at Sea

Dawn in Northam Castle

Venice