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| Desktop hd wallpaper with penguins in the snow, al looking to the left |
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| Background for pc with a picture of a penguin |
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| Funny photo with two penguins, one jumping out of the ice cold water |
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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Pictures Penguin Wallpapers
The Best Top Desktop Penguin Wallpapers in all kind of resolutions and sizes. For your PC, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS. High resolution Penguin photos, widescreen, 4:3, 16:9 and HD wallpapers.
Mor wallpapers of this category...
Mor wallpapers of this category...
Monday, January 30, 2012
Picture This #5
Picture ThisThis meme was originally called Daily Dose and it was hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly, but she stopped doing it :( and I just Love it SO MUCH! So I'll keep doing it but with a name of my own :) Picture This is a meme where I feature Lovely Pictures I find Between here and there and it's featured on Mondays :)
& One More
Cover Art
As some of you know, a friend of mine has been doing some artwork inspired by my first novel. I'm planning to use some of these to decorate my blog when they're done.
Yesterday I got to see the work done so far on my hero, Nathan Shepherd. I am loving this. Actually seeing my characters in this way is such a giddy rush. I'm dying to share these with people.
This got me thinking, though, about cover art. What makes a book really stand out? What are some favourites at the moment? Personally I like the title and author's name to be very clear. If the font or background image are too complex it distracts me and I have to pause for a moment to figure out what they say. That's not a great encouragement to pick up the book and check out the blurb on the back cover. Usually I also prefer abstract art, such as a logo or stylised image, over something with a model in a pose. That said, a really well done cover with a picture of characters from the book can be very evocative. I just get tired of seeing the same run of stock images that say nothing about the book itself.
I'd also be lying if I said that all this hasn't got me wondering just how much say an author gets in their cover art. Can they make reccomendations? If they see a proposed cover and just hate it, can they ask for something else? Or is it one of those things that needs to be ironed out on a case by case basis?
Yesterday I got to see the work done so far on my hero, Nathan Shepherd. I am loving this. Actually seeing my characters in this way is such a giddy rush. I'm dying to share these with people.
This got me thinking, though, about cover art. What makes a book really stand out? What are some favourites at the moment? Personally I like the title and author's name to be very clear. If the font or background image are too complex it distracts me and I have to pause for a moment to figure out what they say. That's not a great encouragement to pick up the book and check out the blurb on the back cover. Usually I also prefer abstract art, such as a logo or stylised image, over something with a model in a pose. That said, a really well done cover with a picture of characters from the book can be very evocative. I just get tired of seeing the same run of stock images that say nothing about the book itself.
I'd also be lying if I said that all this hasn't got me wondering just how much say an author gets in their cover art. Can they make reccomendations? If they see a proposed cover and just hate it, can they ask for something else? Or is it one of those things that needs to be ironed out on a case by case basis?
Sunday, January 29, 2012
IMM #27
Borrowed:
I've had and insane amount of recommendations for this book, and I was all set to go and buy it when I went to the house of a friend-of a friend or mine [she was really nice btw] and she let me borrow the book, funny thing, she didn't like it x) here's hoping I will :)
For Review:
Caged Moon by Rachel Deagan
This book look reeeeeaaaally good, I seriously can't wait to start :D
Won:
I've heard nothing but good things about this book! I won it over at Delphina Reads Too Much, so Thank You So Much!
That was all for me this week! What did YOU got in Your Mailbox :) ?
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Pictures Rabbit Wallpapers
The Best Top Desktop Rabbit Wallpapers in all kind of resolutions and sizes. For your PC, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS. High resolution Rabbit photos, widescreen, 4:3, 16:9 and HD wallpapers.
Mor wallpapers of this category...
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| Beautiful desktop hd wallpaper with a fluffy brown rabbit |
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| Background for pc with a picture of two rabbits, one red and one gray |
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| Nice photo with three rabbits with long hanging ears |
Mor wallpapers of this category...
Friday, January 27, 2012
Zen and the Art of Garden Maintenance
..
It's January, I have a streaming cold, I have been both busy but done nothing for the last few weeks. So before the 'horticultural hunting' season kicks off, let me take you back to Japan to see some more gardens.
Last year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show a person (who shall remain nameless) said they had been driven insane by the Japanese team building a garden nearby. The continual shouts of "Hai!, Hai!, Hai!" during the Chelsea build weeks had shattered this poor person's nerves! 'Hai' is usually translated as "yes" in Japanese but it seemed to be used for myriad purposes depending on how loud and fast the word is ejaculated. It can range from "Hi" to "WTF!" I would say I loved Japanese gardens but I wasn't so keen on the one at Chelsea 2011 - the acers were the colour of overboiled root vegetables and the focal point sculpture resembled a pulled tooth. Also, in both this and the 2010 Japanese garden, the slightly yellowish water over the white gravel in the ponds makes it look like someone has wee'd in them. So I don't like ALL Japanese garden styles but I do find them all fascinating.
Our first taste of a Japanese stroll garden was the small but well formed garden near the Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. This was pretty much what I had expected a traditional Japanese garden to be like - cloud pruned trees and koi carp. Pleasant rather than exciting but a perfect little oasis amidst the bustle of temples, tourists and quirky shopping arcades around.
And talking about quirky I must show you this photo of a Japanese bag lady we saw nearby - she brought a smile to my face with her well-fed cat on her trolley and fag in her mouth - not a sight you see often in Japan! (clic on any pic to enlarge)
Leaving Tokyo and with my eyes glued to the landscape as the Shinkansen glided across the outlying urban coastal stretches, it seemed to me that most Japanese houses had squeezed a cloud pruned tree or two into their tiny gardens, larger ones might also have a beautiful persimmon or plum tree and some neat lines of vegetables and the wealthiest would most likely have some vibrant acers too.
One of the styles of garden we were really keen to see was a Japanese Rock garden. I like rocks I like gardens - sorted! Or so I thought...
The first rock garden we saw was part of one of the temples at the top of Mount Koya. This wasn't one noted in any guides and it wasn't clear it was open to the public but we had a quick nose at it anyway. I thought it was rather lovely, I found the lines pleasing and could see myself sitting there feeling a bit 'zen'
One we were less taken with was the famous Daisenin 'dry landscape' rock garden in Kyoto. We were more than annoyed to find that the monks had put the kybosh on people taking photos of these gardens which we didn't feel was very zen of them. Although we could totally sympathise with the monks not wanting to put up with thousand upon thousand of irritating visitors taking pictures of themselves non-stop instead of actually paying attention to the gardens, it did come over as a bit grasping that they were prepared to sell you pictures at horrendously inflated prices! As it was I did a) wonder if I should just blag my camera in by telling them I was the Countess of Cashmere from the world-famed Sea of Immeasurable Gravy or b) take a photograph on the sly whilst trying to avoid being filmed on the closed circuit tv the monks had installed. The picture below is courtesy of Wikipedia
These gardens wrapping around the temple building were tiny and reading from the guidebook every stone represented something or another and added to the story. Frankly, saying that a stone had been specially chosen because it looked like a turtle didn't really wash with us because most flat stones look a bit turtleish. A larger boulder reminded me of a half-submerged hippopotamus - which was close as the guide book said it was a bull. Despite my love of large stones and boulders I wasn't inspired by these gardens. I like my rock gardens crammed with alpines.
In the end I got a picture of the world-reknowned Kwasi-Modo zen gravel garden but to be honest it's not really my cup-of-tea either.
Another temple offered us a garden full of acers. This was more to our taste - the colours in these pictures are the reality!
This temple was unusually quiet as we entered but as we had wandered around the small garden a coachload or six of Japanese had turned up at the narrow temple door and the exit was clogged with people trying to de-shoe themselves before entering!! We fought our way through them to try and find our own shoes but in the melee the Bedsock was nearly knocked off his feet and trampled by less than usually polite Japanese men trying to find a space to place their footwear.
It would be true to say that by this time we were beginning to find the ubiquitous crowds more than a little wearing particularly when it came to taking photos. The only other Brits we spoke to in Japan looked at our cameras and said "There's going to be a lot of photoshopping when we get home!" We exchanged sympathetic glances.
Although some places like Mount Koya and the Noto Peninsular had been quiet, in others we had become adept at cutting the crowds out as in the picture of the lovely Sacred Bamboo Grove below
the real picture contains the stream of Japanese Sunday strollers..
Every single one of these people has a camera with which they constantly photograph themselves and their posed friends. Perhaps we take pictures of what we see - they take pictures of who they are. A definition of a Japanese "Billy-no-mates" was the young boy carrying a tripod so he could photograph himself. The interestingly dressed young man below and his friends had been uninhibitedly posing for ages whilst their gang snapped more and more photos of each other.
As with everything else Japanese we only slightly scraped the surface of the gardens and will have to return one day to see more.
It's January, I have a streaming cold, I have been both busy but done nothing for the last few weeks. So before the 'horticultural hunting' season kicks off, let me take you back to Japan to see some more gardens.
 |
| Japanese Garden at Chelsea 2011 |
Last year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show a person (who shall remain nameless) said they had been driven insane by the Japanese team building a garden nearby. The continual shouts of "Hai!, Hai!, Hai!" during the Chelsea build weeks had shattered this poor person's nerves! 'Hai' is usually translated as "yes" in Japanese but it seemed to be used for myriad purposes depending on how loud and fast the word is ejaculated. It can range from "Hi" to "WTF!" I would say I loved Japanese gardens but I wasn't so keen on the one at Chelsea 2011 - the acers were the colour of overboiled root vegetables and the focal point sculpture resembled a pulled tooth. Also, in both this and the 2010 Japanese garden, the slightly yellowish water over the white gravel in the ponds makes it look like someone has wee'd in them. So I don't like ALL Japanese garden styles but I do find them all fascinating.
Our first taste of a Japanese stroll garden was the small but well formed garden near the Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. This was pretty much what I had expected a traditional Japanese garden to be like - cloud pruned trees and koi carp. Pleasant rather than exciting but a perfect little oasis amidst the bustle of temples, tourists and quirky shopping arcades around.
And talking about quirky I must show you this photo of a Japanese bag lady we saw nearby - she brought a smile to my face with her well-fed cat on her trolley and fag in her mouth - not a sight you see often in Japan! (clic on any pic to enlarge)
Leaving Tokyo and with my eyes glued to the landscape as the Shinkansen glided across the outlying urban coastal stretches, it seemed to me that most Japanese houses had squeezed a cloud pruned tree or two into their tiny gardens, larger ones might also have a beautiful persimmon or plum tree and some neat lines of vegetables and the wealthiest would most likely have some vibrant acers too.
One of the styles of garden we were really keen to see was a Japanese Rock garden. I like rocks I like gardens - sorted! Or so I thought...
The first rock garden we saw was part of one of the temples at the top of Mount Koya. This wasn't one noted in any guides and it wasn't clear it was open to the public but we had a quick nose at it anyway. I thought it was rather lovely, I found the lines pleasing and could see myself sitting there feeling a bit 'zen'
One we were less taken with was the famous Daisenin 'dry landscape' rock garden in Kyoto. We were more than annoyed to find that the monks had put the kybosh on people taking photos of these gardens which we didn't feel was very zen of them. Although we could totally sympathise with the monks not wanting to put up with thousand upon thousand of irritating visitors taking pictures of themselves non-stop instead of actually paying attention to the gardens, it did come over as a bit grasping that they were prepared to sell you pictures at horrendously inflated prices! As it was I did a) wonder if I should just blag my camera in by telling them I was the Countess of Cashmere from the world-famed Sea of Immeasurable Gravy or b) take a photograph on the sly whilst trying to avoid being filmed on the closed circuit tv the monks had installed. The picture below is courtesy of Wikipedia
These gardens wrapping around the temple building were tiny and reading from the guidebook every stone represented something or another and added to the story. Frankly, saying that a stone had been specially chosen because it looked like a turtle didn't really wash with us because most flat stones look a bit turtleish. A larger boulder reminded me of a half-submerged hippopotamus - which was close as the guide book said it was a bull. Despite my love of large stones and boulders I wasn't inspired by these gardens. I like my rock gardens crammed with alpines.
In the end I got a picture of the world-reknowned Kwasi-Modo zen gravel garden but to be honest it's not really my cup-of-tea either.
 |
| Kwasi-modo gravel garden |
Another temple offered us a garden full of acers. This was more to our taste - the colours in these pictures are the reality!
This temple was unusually quiet as we entered but as we had wandered around the small garden a coachload or six of Japanese had turned up at the narrow temple door and the exit was clogged with people trying to de-shoe themselves before entering!! We fought our way through them to try and find our own shoes but in the melee the Bedsock was nearly knocked off his feet and trampled by less than usually polite Japanese men trying to find a space to place their footwear.
It would be true to say that by this time we were beginning to find the ubiquitous crowds more than a little wearing particularly when it came to taking photos. The only other Brits we spoke to in Japan looked at our cameras and said "There's going to be a lot of photoshopping when we get home!" We exchanged sympathetic glances.
Although some places like Mount Koya and the Noto Peninsular had been quiet, in others we had become adept at cutting the crowds out as in the picture of the lovely Sacred Bamboo Grove below
the real picture contains the stream of Japanese Sunday strollers..
Every single one of these people has a camera with which they constantly photograph themselves and their posed friends. Perhaps we take pictures of what we see - they take pictures of who they are. A definition of a Japanese "Billy-no-mates" was the young boy carrying a tripod so he could photograph himself. The interestingly dressed young man below and his friends had been uninhibitedly posing for ages whilst their gang snapped more and more photos of each other.
As with everything else Japanese we only slightly scraped the surface of the gardens and will have to return one day to see more.
Video Games
Here's a topic that I've thought about for quite a while. I'm not a hardcore video game player by any stretch of the imagination. I'm lucky to play though two new games a year. When I do play, I choose games heavy on story over sports simulators or the latest cover-based shooter.
My all-time favourite series over the last decade has to be Mass Effect. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of Mass Effect 3, though Arkham City is keeping me well satisfied at the moment.
My question to all of you is do you think video games are worthy of consideration as a form of narrative? Do you feel that a good video game can have as gripping and engaging a story as a good movie or novel? In the future, could there be grounds for video games to be regarded the same way, subject to the same expectations, examinations and criticism that we apply to older, more acknowledged modes of storytelling?
Personally, I'd love to see this happen. Each medium offers different opportunities for narrative and needs stories to be told in different ways. I think the latest story-heavy video games like Skyrim and Mass Effect are pushing the boundaries and encouraging writers and audiences alike to explore new ideas in storytelling. This can only be a good thing.
My all-time favourite series over the last decade has to be Mass Effect. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of Mass Effect 3, though Arkham City is keeping me well satisfied at the moment.
My question to all of you is do you think video games are worthy of consideration as a form of narrative? Do you feel that a good video game can have as gripping and engaging a story as a good movie or novel? In the future, could there be grounds for video games to be regarded the same way, subject to the same expectations, examinations and criticism that we apply to older, more acknowledged modes of storytelling?
Personally, I'd love to see this happen. Each medium offers different opportunities for narrative and needs stories to be told in different ways. I think the latest story-heavy video games like Skyrim and Mass Effect are pushing the boundaries and encouraging writers and audiences alike to explore new ideas in storytelling. This can only be a good thing.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Young Adult Giveaway Hop!
Hello, Lovely people, there will be 2 Winners for this hop
One Winner gets a copy of The Lying Game and Crush Control or a 10 Dollar Amazong Giftcard [US Only]
and an ePub or mobipocket file of Winterbone and Ravenstoke!! Thank You to Augusta Blythe for allowing me to host this!
Don't Fogert to check my Magnolia Cristiana St. Claire Giveaway!
To Enter just follow my blog and fill the form below, if you can't see it click HERE.
For an extra entry Like Augusta Blythe's Facebook page :)
Thank You For Entering! Please don't leave entries in the comments and if you have the time and would like to Recommend me a good YA Book in the comment section below I'll really appreciate it :)
Pictures Kitten Wallpapers
The Best Top Desktop Kitten Wallpapers in all kind of resolutions and sizes. For your PC, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS. High resolution Kitten photos widescreen, 4:3, 16:9 and HD wallpapers.
Mor wallpapers of this category...
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| Desktop hd wallpaper with a little gray striped cat playing in the garden with green grass and purple flowers |
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| Background wallpaper with five little kittens looking up to the sky |
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| Photo with a little cat in a basket in the green grass |
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Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Pictures Sheep Wallpapers
The Best Top Desktop Sheep Wallpapers in all kind of resolutions and sizes. For your PC, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS. High resolution Sheep photos, widescreen, 4:3, 16:9 and HD wallpapers.
Mor wallpapers of this category...
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| Desktop hd wallpaper with the sun shining over the hills, and many sheep walking on the road |
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| Nice background for pc with a mother sheep and her little lamb in the green grass |
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| Picture with green grass, trees with colored autumn leaves and many sheep |
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Slump
I've hit a bit of an editing slump. With my latest round of edits on Locked Within in the hands of my editor, I actually have plenty of time to work on my edits for Silent Oath, the second book in the series.
Of course, this is just the time my brain keeps telling me it wants to do other things! Stupid brain. I'm 23 pages in out of 249. This needs to improve if I'm to be querying in March.
Time for some rousing motivational music:
Of course, this is just the time my brain keeps telling me it wants to do other things! Stupid brain. I'm 23 pages in out of 249. This needs to improve if I'm to be querying in March.
Time for some rousing motivational music:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
GIVEAWAY! Magnolia Cristiana St. Claire by Maria Mitchell
On the outskirts of New Orleans, MAGNOLIA CRISTIANA ST. CLAIRE is born with a special spirit. From a young age, Magnolia embraces her destiny but not without her own struggles that life throws at her. After her abusive father Chevas leaves and her parents’ divorce when she is five, Magnolia and her mother Madelaine become the center of each other’s lives. Madelaine is a colorful and free spirited woman who guides Magnolia in a quiet way because she clearly recognizes that Magnolia is wise beyond her years as she embraces her contacts with ghosts, Gypsies and spiritual guides. The first day of first grade, Magnolia meets Bobby Kingsley. That evening, Bobby appears at Magnolia's front gate with an armful of magnolia flowers. Magnolia falls in love with him that very moment and they are inseparable until the age of ten when Bobby discovers his passion for the guitar and decides this is foremost in his life.
Magnolia feels deeply rejected and believes the music has stolen Bobby away from her. She knows she must find her own passion. A trip with Mama and their friend Essie to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, sister city to New Orleans, at the age of fourteen, opens the mysterious world of Anthropology. Magnolia is intrigued with Mexico and the Maya culture and knows her destiny is decided.
Bobby leaves for Spain right after graduation and quickly becomes Roberto Kingsley. Due to a lucky meeting, he is swept into the much coveted world of Flamenco with promises of a successful career. He brushes elbows with the best in the Flamenco world but even with his new exciting life but despite the temptations that come his way, he can't forget Magnolia. Almost three years later, he calls her from Spain and proposes. She accepts.
Meanwhile while Bobby is in Spain, Magnolia completes her first two years of study in Anthropology at University of Kentucky, Magnolia returns to Merida to begin her exciting and colorful career. Her immediate assignment is to discover 'The Memoirs of Solita', the Spanish mistress of the deserted Hacienda that dates back to the 1850's during the Maya Caste War. Magnolia embraces the historical atmosphere and becomes so involved in Solita's life, she eats, breathes and lives Solita's spirit. She discovers secrets, many, many secrets.
Magnolia and her family purchase the Hacienda and turn it into a five star world famous hotel. It quickly becomes a cultural treasure complete with Solita's ghost walking the hallways. Strange adventures continue in the Hacienda as the walls breathe with unending surprises.
Magnolia has a strong and unique voice that is an inspiration for all young women. Layered plots and supporting characters add color and excitement throughout the novel as the setting becomes part of the drama. Magnolia sweeps her readers into her life with a perfect blend of romance, adventure and drama.
From Goodreads
Just Leave your name and e-mail to enter!
Just in case you can't see the form here is it.
Please don't leave your entries in the comments! Thank You!
Pictures Pigs Wallpapers
The Best Top Desktop Pigs Wallpapers in all kind of resolutions and sizes. For your PC, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS. High resolution Pigs photos, widescreen, 4:3, 16:9 and HD wallpapers.
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| Desktop hd wallpaper with a photo with two pink pigs in the green grass |
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| Background for pc with two cute pink pigs in a barn |
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| Funny photo of a pink pig on a table with ice cream and more |
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Pictures Giraffe Wallpapers
The Best Top Desktop Giraffe Wallpapers in all kind of resolutions and sizes. For your PC, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS. High resolution Giraffe photos, widescreen, 4:3, 16:9 and HD wallpapers.
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| Desktop hd wallpaper with two giraffe's in the wild nature |
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| Background for pc with a photo with many giraffes |
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| Picture of a mother giraffe with her child, eating some leaves from a tree |
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Monday, January 23, 2012
Killer Whale Pictures Orca Wallpapers
The Killer whale or orca is the biggest of all dolphins. You can find here the best top Orca desktop wallpapers in all kind of resolutions and sizes for your ps with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OS. High resolution Orca photos, widescreen, 4:3, 16:9 and HD wallpapers.
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| Desktop hd wallpaper with a killer whale or orca viewed from under water |
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| Nice background for pc with a photo of a killer whale jumping out of the water |
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| Beautiful picture of an orca swimming in crystal clear water |
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