Maggi Andersen's Blog, page 88
December 23, 2010
December 21, 2010
Twas The Night Before Christmas!
Prior to the creation of the story of Twas the night before Christmas St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeers!
Twas The Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
The author of the poem Twas the night before Christmas was Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863). It was published anonymously by the New York Sentinel. It has become a tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry. Clement Clarke Moore came from a prominent family and his father Benjamin Moore was the Bishop of New York who was famous for officiating at the inauguration of George Washington. The tradition of reading Twas the night before Christmas poem on Christmas Eve is now a Worldwide institution.
Twas The Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
The author of the poem Twas the night before Christmas was Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863). It was published anonymously by the New York Sentinel. It has become a tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry. Clement Clarke Moore came from a prominent family and his father Benjamin Moore was the Bishop of New York who was famous for officiating at the inauguration of George Washington. The tradition of reading Twas the night before Christmas poem on Christmas Eve is now a Worldwide institution.
December 17, 2010
Looking for a great romantic read? The Longlist for the UK's RNA award.
a.. To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick (Little, Brown - Sphere)
b.. The Good, the Bad and the Dumped by Jenny Colgan (Little, Brown - Sphere)
c.. The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean (HarperCollins)
d.. Sons & Daughters by Margaret Dickinson (Pan MacMillan)
e.. Kissing Mr. Wrong by Sarah Duncan (Headline)
f.. A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde (Random House)
g.. The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall (Little, Brown - Sphere)
h.. Amazir by Tom Gamble (Beautiful Books)
i.. The Island by Elin Hilderbrand (Hodder & Stoughton)
j.. The Queen of New Beginnings by Erica James (Orion)
k.. The Way to a Woman's Heart by Christina Jones (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
l.. I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk (HarperCollins)
m.. His Last Duchess by Gabrielle Kimm (Little, Brown - Sphere)
n.. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbour by Lisa Kleypas (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
o.. The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes (Hodder & Stoughton)
p.. Virgin Widow by Anne O'Brien (Mira)
q.. Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
r.. The Search by Nora Roberts (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
s.. The Legacy by Katherine Webb (Orion)
t.. Hope Against Hope by Sally Zigmond (Myrmidon)
b.. The Good, the Bad and the Dumped by Jenny Colgan (Little, Brown - Sphere)
c.. The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean (HarperCollins)
d.. Sons & Daughters by Margaret Dickinson (Pan MacMillan)
e.. Kissing Mr. Wrong by Sarah Duncan (Headline)
f.. A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde (Random House)
g.. The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall (Little, Brown - Sphere)
h.. Amazir by Tom Gamble (Beautiful Books)
i.. The Island by Elin Hilderbrand (Hodder & Stoughton)
j.. The Queen of New Beginnings by Erica James (Orion)
k.. The Way to a Woman's Heart by Christina Jones (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
l.. I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk (HarperCollins)
m.. His Last Duchess by Gabrielle Kimm (Little, Brown - Sphere)
n.. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbour by Lisa Kleypas (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
o.. The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes (Hodder & Stoughton)
p.. Virgin Widow by Anne O'Brien (Mira)
q.. Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
r.. The Search by Nora Roberts (Little, Brown - Piatkus)
s.. The Legacy by Katherine Webb (Orion)
t.. Hope Against Hope by Sally Zigmond (Myrmidon)
December 15, 2010
Sale at Wild Child Publishing!
My two books, Dog Head Code and Casey's Luck, for $7.45. That's $2.49 savings if you use the coupon code "Happy Holidays". Great presents for those who like a good mystery or a children's/young adult.Review
Casey's Luck by Maggi Coleman
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense
Length: Full (162 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Camellia
When Casey Rowan finds her best friend Donald Broughton murdered and his wife Tessa unconscious, she embarks on a search for their attacker. The Devon police aren't happy, particularly the man in charge of the investigation, DCI Roderick Carlisle.
A woman's magazine editor, Casey uses her experience to pursue leads. She uncovers a puzzling list of artworks—and discovers she didn't know the Broughtons as well as she thought. Desire to clear Donald's name and find his killer drives Casey on, even when a lead takes her into the corrupt London art world. And into danger. Carlisle, caught up in the investigation, cannot protect her. His pleas for her to give up fall on deaf ears. And despite finding him extremely desirable, Casey won't listen. The murderer must be stopped, and what she needs now is luck.
Maggi Coleman weaves together Casey's findings, Carlisle's findings, foreshadowing, red herrings, and the inner thoughts of Casey and Rod to create a suspense that makes Casey's Luck a compelling story that one wants to read without being interrupted until the very last page is enjoyed.
http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&zenid=1e2a566c6f1f79611abb250e961b2cdf&keyword=Casey%27s+Luck
http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/
http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com/
December 14, 2010
EXCERPT OF NEW RELEASE! DOG HEAD CODE
Young Adult Novella
DOG HEAD CODE
Released 14th December 2010!
Buy Link: http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72&products_id=333&zenid=912e57251880e3bc8dde9d20ad3bc0bb
Blurb: After inheriting an old book containing a map from his Great Uncle Jake, Joe Jones travels to Dog Head Island, keen to find buried treasure. But in this isolated, inhospitable place, nothing is as it seems. Nothing, but the snakes that inhabited it. And Jake has a strong aversion to snakes!
Author Website: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com/
PG Excerpt:
Fatty Graham bailed me up on my way out the door. "What's that you got,
Jones?" He reached for the book. Fatty was strong, but slow on his feet.
"Nothing you'd be interested in." I danced around him, ducking and weaving, just out of reach of his sausage-like, groping fingers.
"Charlton? Hurry up. We're late for your orthodontist appointment."
I breathed a sigh of relief to see Fatty's mother at the gate with her hands on
her hips.
"I'll get you, Jones," Fatty called. He lumbered off across the playground.
Annie walked in while I unchained my bike in the bike shed. I decided to
throw caution to the winds. "Annie! You riding home? I'll ride part of the way
with you." To my relief, she smiled and nodded.
We set off, needing all our breath to get to the top of Chromer Hill, then
coasted down, coming to a screeching halt at the bottom, laughing and gasping.
Annie's big brown eyes shone. "What was that strange book I saw you put in
your bag?"
My face grew hot. I hauled the book from my backpack then dropped it, just
missing a muddy puddle. Bending to pick it up, my face flamed like a beacon. I
dusted the book off and handed it to her. While she looked through it, I
explained how I came by it.
Annie stroked the gemstones with awe. "It's amazing," she said in a hushed
voice. She handed it back to me. I replaced it in my bag.
Piles of dead leaves had gathered in the gutters beneath the trees. We took
off again and I rode through the drifts, scattering them about with Annie right
behind me.
"Uncle Jake lived to be one hundred and ten." I told her when we'd pulled to
a stop at the corner.
"Wow! Did he live on the island until he died?"
I felt ashamed not to know. "I'll have to ask my mom."
Annie looked at her watch, an urgent note creeping into her voice. "I must
get home."
"Would it matter if you're a few minutes late?"
"I have to do my chores before my step-dad gets home."
I swallowed. "Do you think you could give me your phone number? I'll ring
you if I find out anything more," I tucked my gum into my cheek and smiled,
but she looked away down the street. "You know, about the book?" I added
hurriedly.
She hesitated. "I suppose that'd be all right. Give me yours too."
"See you Monday, then," I called, placing her phone number in the secret
compartment of my wallet, as if it was a hundred-dollar note. Annie waved and
took off, cycling fast. I watched until she disappeared around the corner then
headed for the local newsagents.
When I arrived home, I grabbed a slab of carrot cake and pulled the book
from my bag. Taking a large bite of cake, I held my new magnifying glass up to
its cover, coughing and spluttering when the engraving of a large snake
emerged, its mouth open baring its fangs, its red stone eyes glittering. The
snake curled around the central milky blue-green stone, as if protecting it.
Feathered patterning had been engraved into the leather, thicker around the
snake's tail, making it difficult to decipher the snake from the background.
A creeping sensation crawled up my spine and the hairs stood to attention on
the back of my neck. I'd once believed a snake bit me when I was a little kid. It
had turned out to be a lizard, but I've never lost my fear of snakes.
DOG HEAD CODE
Released 14th December 2010!
Buy Link: http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72&products_id=333&zenid=912e57251880e3bc8dde9d20ad3bc0bb
Blurb: After inheriting an old book containing a map from his Great Uncle Jake, Joe Jones travels to Dog Head Island, keen to find buried treasure. But in this isolated, inhospitable place, nothing is as it seems. Nothing, but the snakes that inhabited it. And Jake has a strong aversion to snakes!
Author Website: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com/
PG Excerpt:
Fatty Graham bailed me up on my way out the door. "What's that you got,
Jones?" He reached for the book. Fatty was strong, but slow on his feet.
"Nothing you'd be interested in." I danced around him, ducking and weaving, just out of reach of his sausage-like, groping fingers.
"Charlton? Hurry up. We're late for your orthodontist appointment."
I breathed a sigh of relief to see Fatty's mother at the gate with her hands on
her hips.
"I'll get you, Jones," Fatty called. He lumbered off across the playground.
Annie walked in while I unchained my bike in the bike shed. I decided to
throw caution to the winds. "Annie! You riding home? I'll ride part of the way
with you." To my relief, she smiled and nodded.
We set off, needing all our breath to get to the top of Chromer Hill, then
coasted down, coming to a screeching halt at the bottom, laughing and gasping.
Annie's big brown eyes shone. "What was that strange book I saw you put in
your bag?"
My face grew hot. I hauled the book from my backpack then dropped it, just
missing a muddy puddle. Bending to pick it up, my face flamed like a beacon. I
dusted the book off and handed it to her. While she looked through it, I
explained how I came by it.
Annie stroked the gemstones with awe. "It's amazing," she said in a hushed
voice. She handed it back to me. I replaced it in my bag.
Piles of dead leaves had gathered in the gutters beneath the trees. We took
off again and I rode through the drifts, scattering them about with Annie right
behind me.
"Uncle Jake lived to be one hundred and ten." I told her when we'd pulled to
a stop at the corner.
"Wow! Did he live on the island until he died?"
I felt ashamed not to know. "I'll have to ask my mom."
Annie looked at her watch, an urgent note creeping into her voice. "I must
get home."
"Would it matter if you're a few minutes late?"
"I have to do my chores before my step-dad gets home."
I swallowed. "Do you think you could give me your phone number? I'll ring
you if I find out anything more," I tucked my gum into my cheek and smiled,
but she looked away down the street. "You know, about the book?" I added
hurriedly.
She hesitated. "I suppose that'd be all right. Give me yours too."
"See you Monday, then," I called, placing her phone number in the secret
compartment of my wallet, as if it was a hundred-dollar note. Annie waved and
took off, cycling fast. I watched until she disappeared around the corner then
headed for the local newsagents.
When I arrived home, I grabbed a slab of carrot cake and pulled the book
from my bag. Taking a large bite of cake, I held my new magnifying glass up to
its cover, coughing and spluttering when the engraving of a large snake
emerged, its mouth open baring its fangs, its red stone eyes glittering. The
snake curled around the central milky blue-green stone, as if protecting it.
Feathered patterning had been engraved into the leather, thicker around the
snake's tail, making it difficult to decipher the snake from the background.
A creeping sensation crawled up my spine and the hairs stood to attention on
the back of my neck. I'd once believed a snake bit me when I was a little kid. It
had turned out to be a lizard, but I've never lost my fear of snakes.
December 13, 2010
December 7, 2010
Christmas shopping? Sale at Wild Child Publishing!
Hey everyone!
There is a sale going on at WCP and FB! http://www.wildchildpublishing.com//
If someone buys $8 in eBooks and uses the coupon code "Happy Holidays" during checkout, they get 25% off.
The customer can use it as many times as they want and through the end of the year.
There is a sale going on at WCP and FB! http://www.wildchildpublishing.com//
If someone buys $8 in eBooks and uses the coupon code "Happy Holidays" during checkout, they get 25% off.
The customer can use it as many times as they want and through the end of the year.
December 6, 2010
Dog Head Code is available for pre-order from Wild Child Publishing!
larger image Dog Head Code
$3.99
Available December 14, 2010
by Maggi Andersen
You can pre-order and download the ebook on the release date. If you download sooner, you will download a placeholder file.
After inheriting an old book containing a map from his Great Uncle Jake, Joe Jones travels to Dog Head Island, keen to find buried treasure. But in this isolated, inhospitable place, nothing is as it seems. Nothing, but the snakes that inhabited it. And Jake has a strong aversion to snakes!
Genre: Young Adult/Suspense
Book Length: Short Story
Price: $3.99
$3.99
Available December 14, 2010
by Maggi Andersen
You can pre-order and download the ebook on the release date. If you download sooner, you will download a placeholder file.
After inheriting an old book containing a map from his Great Uncle Jake, Joe Jones travels to Dog Head Island, keen to find buried treasure. But in this isolated, inhospitable place, nothing is as it seems. Nothing, but the snakes that inhabited it. And Jake has a strong aversion to snakes!
Genre: Young Adult/Suspense
Book Length: Short Story
Price: $3.99
