Saturday, December 22, 2012
The Wizard's Cauldron: A Christmas Interview With Phil Naessens
The Wizard's Cauldron: A Christmas Interview With Phil Naessens: The choir at York Minster. You know what? Christmas gets earlier each year doesn't it. My Christmas guest on this Christma...
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): New mini Green Wizard Catalogue
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): New mini Green Wizard Catalogue: Of course, this catalogue is downloadable to your right!!! or drop me a line and you can have a copy...
History Trivia
December 22
69 Roman Emperor Vitellius was killed in a street battle in Rome by soldiers of Vespasian, who succeeded Vitellius as emperor.
1135 Norman nobles recognized Stefanus van Blois (Stephen, grandson of William the Conqueror) as English king. His reign was plagued with civil war with his cousin, the Empress Matilda, whose son Henry II succeeded him upon his death.
1216 the Dominican order was formally sanctioned. Founded by St. Dominic, the Dominican order of mendicant friars emphasized scholarship as well as preaching. The organization received official sanction from Pope Honorius III.
69 Roman Emperor Vitellius was killed in a street battle in Rome by soldiers of Vespasian, who succeeded Vitellius as emperor.
1135 Norman nobles recognized Stefanus van Blois (Stephen, grandson of William the Conqueror) as English king. His reign was plagued with civil war with his cousin, the Empress Matilda, whose son Henry II succeeded him upon his death.
1216 the Dominican order was formally sanctioned. Founded by St. Dominic, the Dominican order of mendicant friars emphasized scholarship as well as preaching. The organization received official sanction from Pope Honorius III.
Ngaire Elder: Autumn Reading List Part 2
Ngaire Elder: Autumn Reading List Part 2: Ooops, I'm a day or 2 late in publishing this post, since it is offically winter. Never mind, I want to share more great books with you. Th...
Friday, December 21, 2012
In the Midst: Let's get real...
In the Midst: Let's get real...: Sacrifice... Determination... Willpower... ...
In the Midst: The Examiner - Austin Texas
In the Midst: The Examiner - Austin Texas: Are you interested in books? Check out the Book Article Column in The Examiner - Austin Texas and consider subscribing for future art...
Book Review - The Ritual by Mark Barry
The Ritual by Mark Barry
Review By K.
Meador
This is the fifth book (of six at present time) that I have
read by Author Mark Barry and rarely have I read an author who can write
consistently engaging, and well constructed conceptually stories as he
does.
I don't usually read horrors but knowing the style and quality of this author's writing, I gave it a try and was not disappointed. From the first page I was hooked. The details in this story left me in awe and I finished the book in one sitting.
The main characters were portrayed with depth and accuracy. In addition, the cover captured my visual attention as did the graphic descriptions.
Read this book. You will find you will want to read his other five books too.
I don't usually read horrors but knowing the style and quality of this author's writing, I gave it a try and was not disappointed. From the first page I was hooked. The details in this story left me in awe and I finished the book in one sitting.
The main characters were portrayed with depth and accuracy. In addition, the cover captured my visual attention as did the graphic descriptions.
Read this book. You will find you will want to read his other five books too.
December 21, Winter Solstice / History Trivia
December 21
Happy Winter Solstice
69 the end of the Year of
the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian became the
fourth Emperor of Rome within a year.
The Roman Forum
882 Hincmar of Reims died. As archbishop
of Reims, Hincmar was one of the most influential political and ecclesiastical
figures of Carolingian Europe.
1118
Thomas A. Becket was born. 1140 Conrad III of Germany besieged Weinsberg.
1163
A hurricane hit villages in Holland/Friesland, causing massive flooding.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): New mini Green Wizard Catalogue
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): New mini Green Wizard Catalogue: Of course, this catalogue is downloadable to your right!!! or drop me a line and you can have a copy...
History Trivia
December 20
69 General Vespasian's troops occupied Rome after defeating the Emperor Vitellius.
860 King Ethelbald of Wessex died.
1192 Richard the Lionheart
was captured and imprisoned by Leopold V of Austria on his way home to England
after signing a treaty with Saladin ending the Third crusade.
Richard the Lionheart
1334 Benedict XII
was elected pope. The third pope to reside at Avignon, Benedict attempted to
reform the church and its religious orders. His pontificate saw the beginning
of the Hundred Years' War.
1522 Suleiman the Magnificent accepted the surrender
of the surviving Knights of Rhodes, who were allowed to evacuate. They
eventually settled on Malta and became known as the Knights of Malta.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Ngaire Elder: Book Review and Radio Interview: Ultra Violence by...
Ngaire Elder: Book Review and Radio Interview: Ultra Violence by...: Book Review and Radio Interview: Ultra Violence by Mark Barry Author, Mark Barry, was invited by Phil Naessens to chat about his bestselli...
History Trivia
December 19,
211 Publius Septimius Geta,
co-emperor of Rome, was murdered.
324 Licinius abdicated his position as Roman
Emperor.
1075 - Edith of Wessex, wife of Edward the Confessor of England, died.
1154 Henry II of England was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
Henry II
1187
Clement III became Pope. The fall of Jerusalem to Saladin in the Third Crusade
occurred during his pontificate.
1490 Anne, Duchess of Brittany, was married to
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor by proxy.
1551 The Dutch west coast was hit by
a hurricane.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Book Review - Carla by Mark Barry
Amazon UK review
5.0 out of 5
stars A haunting,
lovely tale, 19 Dec 2012
By
Chloe Fredericks (New York, NY) - See
all my reviews
This
review is from: Carla (Kindle Edition)
A lovely but dark tale
of love with hints of Wuthering Heights. Deep, passionate, beautifully penned. A
definite must read!
The Wizard's Cauldron: An Interview with Nikki Prince
The Wizard's Cauldron: An Interview with Nikki Prince: Nikki Prince Nikki Prince lives in Riverdale, California. She is a mother of two, who always had a dream to be a published romanc...
History Trivia
December 18
218 BC Second Punic War:
Battle of the Trebbia – Hannibal's Carthaginian forces defeated those of the
Roman Republic.
1118 Afonso the Battler, the Christian King of Aragon captured
Saragossa, Spain, causing a major blow to Muslim Spain.
1352 Innocent VI became
Pope. He introduced many needed reforms in the administration of church affairs
and also sought to restore order in Rome, where, in 1355, Charles IV (1346–78)
was crowned Holy Roman Emperor with his permission, after previously having
made an oath that he would quit the city on the day of the ceremony.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): New mini Green Wizard Catalogue
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): New mini Green Wizard Catalogue: Of course, this catalogue is downloadable to your right!!! or drop me a line and you can have a copy...
History Trivia
December 17
546 Gothic War: The
Ostrogoths of King Totila conquered Rome by bribing the Byzantine garrison.
920
Romanos I was crowned co-emperor of the underage Emperor Constantine VII.
1187
Pope Gregory VIII died. In his brief pontificate, Gregory initiated the Third
Crusade and began reforms in the Curia.
1531 Pope Clement VII established a
parallel body to the Inquisition in Lisbon, Portugal.
1538 Pope Paul III
excommunicated Henry VIII of England.
In the Midst: Author Glynis Smy Spotlighted!
In the Midst: Author Glynis Smy Spotlighted!: About Ripper, My Love: Growing up in late nineteenth century East London, Kitty Harper’s life is filled with danger and death ...
Sunday, December 16, 2012
In the Midst: New Book Blogger: Transcendence by K. Meador
In the Midst: New Book Blogger: Transcendence by K. Meador: New Book Blogger: Transcendence by K. Meador : Transcendence is a collection of poetry for the soul written from the author's perspective...
In the Midst: Author LaLani Black Spotlighted!
In the Midst: Author LaLani Black Spotlighted!: Author LeLani Black Boss with Benefits Hot Honolulu bachelor Jack Sloane has finally fallen in love. Problem is, ...
M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: DINOSAUR AND MONKEYS
M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: DINOSAUR AND MONKEYS: * Clip Art from Billybear4kids page FREE TO COPY DINOSAUR AND MONKEYS by M.C. Arvanitis Once there was an Ancient Land Where dinosau...
M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: DINOSAUR AND MONKEYS
M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: DINOSAUR AND MONKEYS: * Clip Art from Billybear4kids page FREE TO COPY DINOSAUR AND MONKEYS by M.C. Arvanitis Once there was an Ancient Land Where dinosau...
History Trivia
December 16
882 Marinus I was elected Roman Catholic pope, replacing the murdered John VIII.
955 Ottaviano (age 18), the only son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, who ruled Rome, became Pope John XII when his father ordered his election. John's pontificate lasted nine years.
1431 Henry VI of England was crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. Though young Henry had been proclaimed king at age ten months, it was not until he was ten years old that he was officially crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral. 1485 Catherine of Aragon, Spanish princess and first wife of Henry VIII was born.
1631 Mount Vesuvius, Italy erupted, destroying 6 villages & killing 4,000.
1653 Parliamentarian general Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.
882 Marinus I was elected Roman Catholic pope, replacing the murdered John VIII.
955 Ottaviano (age 18), the only son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, who ruled Rome, became Pope John XII when his father ordered his election. John's pontificate lasted nine years.
1431 Henry VI of England was crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. Though young Henry had been proclaimed king at age ten months, it was not until he was ten years old that he was officially crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral. 1485 Catherine of Aragon, Spanish princess and first wife of Henry VIII was born.
1631 Mount Vesuvius, Italy erupted, destroying 6 villages & killing 4,000.
1653 Parliamentarian general Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.
In the Midst: Author Emma Edwards Spotlighted!
In the Midst: Author Emma Edwards Spotlighted!: About the Author: Neo-gothic Welsh wordsmith Emma Edwards has written since childhood. She worked in Business Administration, married...
In the Midst: Author Mary Ann Bernal Spotlighted!
In the Midst: Author Mary Ann Bernal Spotlighted!: The Briton and The Dane: Collection The Briton and the Dane novels bring to life the tumultuous ninth century when the formidable Viking...
In the Midst: Author Ngaire Elder Spotlighted!
In the Midst: Author Ngaire Elder Spotlighted!: The Adventures of Cecilia Spark is an adventuresome story suitable for the age group between four and nine years. The Author is from Sp...
In the Midst: Author Wendy Steele Spotlighted!
In the Midst: Author Wendy Steele Spotlighted!: Five Books, One for each generation. Destiny of Angels - Traumatic events in her childhood, send Angel Parsons upon a different l...
In the Midst: Author Mark Barry Spotlighted!
In the Midst: Author Mark Barry Spotlighted!: Ultra Violence: Forty. Receding pate. Failing marriage. Delinquent, uncaring son. Psycho boss parachuted in to cut the big earne...
In the Midst: Author Cheryl Ramirez Spotlighted!
In the Midst: Author Cheryl Ramirez Spotlighted!: Bobby’s Dove by author Matthew Hamilton and illustrator Cheryl Ramirez Bobby’s Dove is a poem that is transferred to book form ...
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Carla by Mark Barry - Book review
5.0 out of 5
stars Unforgettable, December 15,
2012
By
Chloe Fredericks (New York, NY)
Amazon Verified
Purchase
This
review is from: Carla
(Kindle Edition)
After several days and two books later, I'm still
thinking about Carla. A compelling read that wuthers through the heights of your
memory for a long time. Must read!
History Trivia
December 15,
37 Nero was born. He was the Roman emperor who is alleged to have fiddled while Rome burned.
533 Byzantine general Belisarius defeated the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Ticameron.
687 Sergius I (Saint Sergius) was elected Roman Catholic pope. He received Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons, and baptized him (689) but because the King died in Rome, he was buried in St. Peter's. Sergius also ordered St. Wilfrid to be restored to his see (Bishopric at York), greatly favored St. Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury, and is credited with endeavoring to secure the Venerable Bede as his adviser. Finally he consecrated the Englishman St. Willibrord bishop, and sent him to preach Christianity to the Frisians.
37 Nero was born. He was the Roman emperor who is alleged to have fiddled while Rome burned.
533 Byzantine general Belisarius defeated the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Ticameron.
687 Sergius I (Saint Sergius) was elected Roman Catholic pope. He received Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons, and baptized him (689) but because the King died in Rome, he was buried in St. Peter's. Sergius also ordered St. Wilfrid to be restored to his see (Bishopric at York), greatly favored St. Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury, and is credited with endeavoring to secure the Venerable Bede as his adviser. Finally he consecrated the Englishman St. Willibrord bishop, and sent him to preach Christianity to the Frisians.
Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons
Friday, December 14, 2012
History Trivia
December
14
867 AD Adrian II was elected Roman Catholic pope. Adrian had difficulties
with international politics. The eighth ecumenical council and the fourth
Council of Constantinople took place during his reign. He died on this date in
872.
872 AD John VIII was elected Roman Catholic pope on the very day Pope
Adrian II died. His pontificate was marked with political intrigue, and he is
believed to have been murdered by conspirators involved in a plot of local
politics.
1503Nostradamus was born. Author of a collection of predictions in
quatrains published in the book Centuries, Nostradamus gained fame in his
lifetime when some of his prophecies appeared to come true.
1542 Princess Mary
Stuart became Queen Mary I of Scotland.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Carla by Mark Barry
Mary Ann Bernal review of Carla by Mark Barry
Carla is the story of a perceived mentally-ill person, John Dexter, who shares his story truthfully about his psychiatric illnesses, hospitalizations, and his obsessive love for a woman half his age. He speaks to the reader, as if writing a blog, sharing painful memories with acceptance, his writings cathartic, purging his fear. The story held my interest to the very last page and I look forward to reading more novels by this author.
Carla is the story of a perceived mentally-ill person, John Dexter, who shares his story truthfully about his psychiatric illnesses, hospitalizations, and his obsessive love for a woman half his age. He speaks to the reader, as if writing a blog, sharing painful memories with acceptance, his writings cathartic, purging his fear. The story held my interest to the very last page and I look forward to reading more novels by this author.
History Trivia
December 13
863 Boudouin with the Iron Arm, earl of Flanders, wed Charles II the Bald of France's daughter Judith. He was daring warrior who fell in love with the youthful widow of two English kings, married her and fled with his bride to Lorraine. Charles, though at first angry, was at last conciliated, and made his son-in-law margrave of Flanders, which he held as a hereditary fief. The Norsemen were continually devastating the coastlands at this time, and Baldwin was entrusted with this outlying borderland in order to defend it. He was the first of a line of strong rulers of Flanders, who early in the 10th century exchanged the title of margrave for that of count.
1294 Saint Celestine V resigned the papacy after only five months; Celestine, who founded the Celestine order, was the first pope to abdicate. He had accepted the position only because the papacy had been vacant for years and needed a leader. In his eighties when elected, the work proved too problematic, and he resigned.
1545 Council of Trent began. The council would pass legislation dealing with the doctrinal challenges of the Protestant Reformation.
863 Boudouin with the Iron Arm, earl of Flanders, wed Charles II the Bald of France's daughter Judith. He was daring warrior who fell in love with the youthful widow of two English kings, married her and fled with his bride to Lorraine. Charles, though at first angry, was at last conciliated, and made his son-in-law margrave of Flanders, which he held as a hereditary fief. The Norsemen were continually devastating the coastlands at this time, and Baldwin was entrusted with this outlying borderland in order to defend it. He was the first of a line of strong rulers of Flanders, who early in the 10th century exchanged the title of margrave for that of count.
1294 Saint Celestine V resigned the papacy after only five months; Celestine, who founded the Celestine order, was the first pope to abdicate. He had accepted the position only because the papacy had been vacant for years and needed a leader. In his eighties when elected, the work proved too problematic, and he resigned.
1545 Council of Trent began. The council would pass legislation dealing with the doctrinal challenges of the Protestant Reformation.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Ultra Violence by Mark Barry
Mary Ann Bernal review of Ultra Violence by Mark Barry
Mr. Barry delves the reader into the bygone days of British football where team followers of Notts County clash with the myriad of opposing fans, resulting in violent clashes on game day.
The story revolves around a middle-aged man whose life is in turmoil - a failed marriage, a disinterested son and a career on the line. He suddenly finds himself reunited with friends from his youthful past, and while nostalgic memories are forefront, replicating events from an earlier era becomes a reality.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it to both men and women.
Mr. Barry delves the reader into the bygone days of British football where team followers of Notts County clash with the myriad of opposing fans, resulting in violent clashes on game day.
The story revolves around a middle-aged man whose life is in turmoil - a failed marriage, a disinterested son and a career on the line. He suddenly finds himself reunited with friends from his youthful past, and while nostalgic memories are forefront, replicating events from an earlier era becomes a reality.
I enjoyed this story and recommend it to both men and women.
History Trivia
December 12
884 Charles the Fat inherited the West Frankish lands and briefly reunited the empire of his ancestor Charlemagne.
1098 First Crusade: Massacre of Ma'arrat al-Numan – Crusaders breached the town's walls and massacred about 20,000 inhabitants. After finding themselves with insufficient food, they resorted to cannibalism.
1112 Tancred of Antioch died.
1189 Richard I left England, where he spent less than six months of his reign, to join the Third Crusade.
1408, The Order of the Dragon a monarchical chivalric order was created by Sigismund of Luxembourg, then King of Hungary.
884 Charles the Fat inherited the West Frankish lands and briefly reunited the empire of his ancestor Charlemagne.
1098 First Crusade: Massacre of Ma'arrat al-Numan – Crusaders breached the town's walls and massacred about 20,000 inhabitants. After finding themselves with insufficient food, they resorted to cannibalism.
1112 Tancred of Antioch died.
1189 Richard I left England, where he spent less than six months of his reign, to join the Third Crusade.
1408, The Order of the Dragon a monarchical chivalric order was created by Sigismund of Luxembourg, then King of Hungary.
Ngaire Elder: Liebster Award Nominee
Ngaire Elder: Liebster Award Nominee: I was fortunate to be nominated to participate in the Liebster Award by author, Mary Ann Bernal http://maryannbernal.blogspot.com . Here ...
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The story behind The Briton and the Dane Trilogy
The Story behind The
Briton and the Dane Trilogy
Cover design by Steven Novak
I fell in love with medieval England after reading Sir
Walter Scott’s “Ivanhoe” in my sophomore year of high school, but my interests
soon turned towards the Dark Ages when the formidable Vikings harassed the
civilized world once Hollywood released such blockbusters as “The Vikings,”
“The Longships,” and “Erik the Viking.” Add to the mix “Alfred the Great,”
“Prince Valiant,” and “King Arthur,” and an incurable romantic anglophile was
born.
As time went on Hollywood changed its venue of period
movies, but I found solace with the many British programs being aired on our
local PBS station. With the advent of BBC America and History International, I
was able to find great documentaries such as “The Dark Ages,” “Life in
Anglo-Saxon Times,” “Dark Age England,” and “Viking Exploration,” to name but a
few.
During this time, Erik the Viking was hovering in the
cobwebs of my creative mind, waiting to escape oblivion, waiting to tell his
story, waiting and waiting and waiting, but it was not until 2008 that I was
able to find the time to devote to fulfilling my lifelong dream of writing my
Erik the Viking novel.
Why did I focus on Alfred the Great and King Guthrum? I
chose these two formidable characters because I find them fascinating. This was a time of conflict and change, when
Christianity was replacing the pagan religion, and the feared Vikings no longer
plundered the fertile country of Britannia but remained and settled the land.
When King Alfred defeated King Guthrum in 878, one of the
terms for peace was the Christian baptism of the Danish King. I wondered how this heathen King might have
felt about denying the gods of his ancestors as he willingly accepted the Roman
Christ God, and also wondered how willing his subjects had been to submit to
the rules of the new religion.
In addition to the religious conflict, there were also petty
Kings who coveted the throne, not only King Alfred’s crown, but King Guthrum’s
as well. Throw into the mix,
illegitimate offspring and you have all the makings for a great story.
While Erik started out as my main character, the supporting characters quickly sought to usurp the protagonist role. I had often heard the phrase, “but then my characters took over,” and suddenly discovered that the statement is very true. Erik had to share the limelight with the many prominent figures, and these characters refused to play a minor role in an ongoing saga.
The same holds true for the antagonist; there are many
opponents as the story unravels, each with their own agenda, but each seeking
power and wealth.
I delve into the minds of the characters as they deal with
conflicts that are quite common today: father/son relationships and
acknowledgement of paternity, religious confrontation, and warfare. The people
who lived in the Ninth Century were flesh and blood as we are flesh and
blood. They faced the same problems,
made similar choices, and perhaps regretted their decisions, just like us.
I also wanted to reach out to the families of our modern day
warriors, and to remind everyone that the only thing that has changed in
warfare over time has been its weaponry.
What has not changed is the anxiety as one awaits the fate of loved
ones; waiting is difficult no matter which century a person lives in.
Since “The Briton and the Dane: Legacy” is the third and
final installment of the trilogy, I should be willing to say goodbye…the key
word here is should…but there are many stories still to tell, and many
characters to meet, and enough passion, intrigue, treachery and betrayal to
enthrall an audience…so fear not my faithful fans, the series will
continue.
“The Briton and the Dane” trilogy has been a joy to write,
and I trust a joy to read. Enjoy the
adventure, it only gets better.
Coming Soon:
“The Briton and the Dane:
Concordia” - available 2013
Cover design by Steven Novak
Visit my webpage (http://www.maryannbernal.com) for more
information.
In the Midst: Article - The Briton and The Dane: Legacy by Mary ...
In the Midst: Article - The Briton and The Dane: Legacy by Mary ...: About the Briton and The Dane: Legacy Third book in Trilogy About The Briton and The Dane: Legacy It was a time before England's Golden Age;...
In the Midst: New Book Review on The Examiner
In the Midst: New Book Review on The Examiner: Price of Justice by Alan Brenham Click here for the link to go to The Examiner Article
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): New mini Green Wizard Catalogue
Carla (and other Green Wizard stories): New mini Green Wizard Catalogue: Of course, this catalogue is downloadable to your right!!! or drop me a line and you can have a copy...
The Ritual by Mark Barry
Mary Ann Bernal review of The Ritual by Mark Barry
Ngaire Elder: K-Trina Meador, author, aircraft mechanic and book...
Ngaire Elder: K-Trina Meador, author, aircraft mechanic and book...: Author K. Meador's published titles include: Journey to Freedom - April 2012; Their Journey Begins - November 2012; Transcendence - December...
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