Nicole Zoltack's Blog, page 49
May 11, 2011
Reviewng Wednesday - Thor
Hubby and I saw Thor on Saturday and we both loved it!
From IMDB- The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.
I went into the movie not knowing what to expect. I purposely read nothing about the movie, isntead wanting to be surprised.
And I was surprised - by how awesome the movie was! The special effects were amazing, the movie was visually stunning. There were many great lines of dialogue, and I chuckled several times (I don't usually laugh when watching movies.) I personally don't care for Natalie Portman as an actress but she did fairly well in this film and didn't annoy me as she normally does (my theory - because Thor didn't center on her character).
I really enjoyed the characters. All were well cast. Anthony Hopkins was perfect as Odin and I nearly squealed when I first saw him on his horse (I'm a geek for mythological creatures - you know that about me already) (maybe I'll do his horse for the next creature post). Chris Hemsworth was swoonworthy as Thor, tough and arrogant, he portrayed him well.
But Tom Hiddleston as Loki stole the show. He was amazing, his emotions spot on. Wonderful villian. I also enjoyed Thor's band of friends, and loved Sif, the female warrior! Tough as nails and yet gorgeous too.
If you're thinking about seeing Thor, I would suggest you drop everything and run to the closest theater. I absolutely loved the movie.
Have you seen Thor? Do you plan on seeing it? Do you like comic book movies?
May 10, 2011
Irresistibly Sweetness
Are you curious about epublishing? Theresa graciously interviewed me as a part of my Champion of Valor blog tour and epublishing was the topic. I hope you head on over and leave a comment!
And now for a blog award I was bestowed by the talented David Powers King. Thanks, David!
Isn't that a delicious looking award? I am dying for strawberries now!
The rules for this award:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact and tell these bloggers about the award.
So the seven things about me:
1: I use landmarks when driving, not street names (yes, I know it's a woman thing).
2: I would get lost without my GPS.
3: I've never been outside the U.S..
4: I love to sing and wish I had the time to join a group, even if it is just for church but with the little ones, it's just too much right now.
5: I could eat Italian food every day.
6: I have a hard time telling anyone no.
7: I usually thrive under pressure (just don't ask.hubby about it - cuz I do tend to get a little cranky and irritable when I have to work late into the night to meet deadlines)
As for passing on the award:
1. YAtopia
2. YA Bound
3. The Quest for a Literary Agent
4. seeing, dreaming... writing
5. nerdville rhapsody
6. Jen Knox
7. Holly Ruggiero
8. Fom Sarah With Joy
9. Christine Danek
10. Amie Borst
Not all of them are newly discovered but they are all wonderful blogs! And I know I only did 10, but I really need to get to work. I'm off now to tell the bloggers about their awards!
What are you working on right now?
And now for a blog award I was bestowed by the talented David Powers King. Thanks, David!
Isn't that a delicious looking award? I am dying for strawberries now!The rules for this award:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact and tell these bloggers about the award.
So the seven things about me:
1: I use landmarks when driving, not street names (yes, I know it's a woman thing).
2: I would get lost without my GPS.
3: I've never been outside the U.S..
4: I love to sing and wish I had the time to join a group, even if it is just for church but with the little ones, it's just too much right now.
5: I could eat Italian food every day.
6: I have a hard time telling anyone no.
7: I usually thrive under pressure (just don't ask.hubby about it - cuz I do tend to get a little cranky and irritable when I have to work late into the night to meet deadlines)
As for passing on the award:
1. YAtopia
2. YA Bound
3. The Quest for a Literary Agent
4. seeing, dreaming... writing
5. nerdville rhapsody
6. Jen Knox
7. Holly Ruggiero
8. Fom Sarah With Joy
9. Christine Danek
10. Amie Borst
Not all of them are newly discovered but they are all wonderful blogs! And I know I only did 10, but I really need to get to work. I'm off now to tell the bloggers about their awards!
What are you working on right now?
May 9, 2011
Creature Mondays
Over the weekend, I had another stop on my Champion of Valor tour, over at Julie's. And today, Sandra's hosting me. Please be sure to stp by and leave comments for a chance to win prizes!
As seen in Dungeons and Dragons 3E Monster Manuel - Copyright Wizards of the Coast
Catoblepas - a legendary bull-like creature of Ethiopia. Although this picture shows a scrawny beast, the catoblepas is normally a the size of a bull. Its head is so heavy that the creature can only look downward. Its name is Greek for "that which looks downward". It is a sluggish creature and grim, with a heavy mane that covers its forehead, narrow blood-shot eyes, a scaly back, and shaggy eyebrows.
It is fortunate that the beast gazes downward because its look is poisonous. It only eats poisonous vegetation so its breath is also dangerous. When threatened, the catoblepas glares, bares its teeth, and emits a blast of foul-smelling breath that causes its enemies to lose their voice and to experience fatal convulsions. Most animals avoid the catoblepas and it's no wonder why!
As seen in Dungeons and Dragons 3E Monster Manuel - Copyright Wizards of the Coast
Catoblepas - a legendary bull-like creature of Ethiopia. Although this picture shows a scrawny beast, the catoblepas is normally a the size of a bull. Its head is so heavy that the creature can only look downward. Its name is Greek for "that which looks downward". It is a sluggish creature and grim, with a heavy mane that covers its forehead, narrow blood-shot eyes, a scaly back, and shaggy eyebrows.
It is fortunate that the beast gazes downward because its look is poisonous. It only eats poisonous vegetation so its breath is also dangerous. When threatened, the catoblepas glares, bares its teeth, and emits a blast of foul-smelling breath that causes its enemies to lose their voice and to experience fatal convulsions. Most animals avoid the catoblepas and it's no wonder why!
May 6, 2011
Flash Fiction
I hadn't posted the link for yesterday's Champion of Valor blog tour so here it is, over at Steena's. Be sure to check it out for a medieval recipe and a chocolate one.
Cherie Reich's The Flash Fiction Blogfest is today! And before you think that I'm forgetting to post today's blog tour stop, I'm not. I thought that I would stay here today, and use the contest as my stop.
For my piece, I wrote a scene from during the events of Woman of Honor, told from Prince Caelan's POV. For those who don't know the series, Aislinn is a young girl who convinces the king to allow her to train to be a knight. Adamina, a commoner, also wishes to train. The two girls don't much care for each other.
And now, for my flash piece (at 499 words):
Young prince Caelan entered the barracks. He grabbed a dagger from the nearest weapon rack and practiced with it, the feel of the weapon, the thrusts and jabs released some of his tension. A soft sound alerted him to another's presence, and he circled the racks of weapons until he found the source — Adamina.The commoner played with a short sword, her forefinger testing the sharpness. Some blood dripped, but she paid it no heed. "'ello, prince," she said dryly, not bothering to look up at him."Good morrow," he said warily.She rewarded him with a wry smile. "Would make a lazy spy if I can't see out the corners of me eyes, I would."He smirked but said nothing, his gaze trained on her and her careless disregard for the deadly weapon in her hand that she flipped in the air and caught.Her eyes finally turned to him."Surprised you didn't seek me out sooner. Dontcha like to know all the pages and squires for when they're your knights? That's what I was told." With a yank of the dagger, she ripped a stray thread free from her sleeve and dropped it."I do," he said, surprised that the others had realized this about him. He was friends with most of the pages, and the squires respected him despite their age difference. "Tell me about yourself," he demanded.Her eyes narrowed. Despite her common background, Adamina had a rough time with authority, Caelan had already learned from their classes. "I wanna be a spy."He rolled his eyes. Leaning against the stone wall, he fingered his dagger's hilt. "Tell me something I didn't already know."She made a show of returning the short sword to its rightful place on the metal rack behind her. After a short pause, she said, "I like it here. Living at the castle, I mean. Back home, it was cold and hardly any food…." She shrugged. "But I don't have to worry about that here."An ache in Caelan's chest began to grow. His people, he already thought of the Arnhemians as his people, some of them lacked necessary food and shelter. He knew his father helped where and when he could but obviously it wasn't enough. And it was something that Caelan would have to worry about too, when he became king.Adamina glared at him. "That private enough for your liking?" she snapped. "I almost wasn't surprised you didn't seek me out. Since you spend so much time with her." The bitterness in her voice mirrored the bitterness in Aislinn's when she spoke of the other girl trainee."I am not friends with her. Geoffrey is."She snorted. "Well, she doesn't know how to swim yet, does she? You might want to tell her to start learning how to." Adamina gave him a dark, grim smile. "Some of the boys have been talking about her needing to cool off."Caelan gaped at the girl as she slinked from the room.
I hope you enjoyed it!
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win some signed post cards and magnets. Each comment during the Champion of Valor Blog Tour gives you an entry for the grand prize: a copy of the entire Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy - Woman of Honor, Knight of Glory, and Champion of Valor.
Cherie Reich's The Flash Fiction Blogfest is today! And before you think that I'm forgetting to post today's blog tour stop, I'm not. I thought that I would stay here today, and use the contest as my stop.For my piece, I wrote a scene from during the events of Woman of Honor, told from Prince Caelan's POV. For those who don't know the series, Aislinn is a young girl who convinces the king to allow her to train to be a knight. Adamina, a commoner, also wishes to train. The two girls don't much care for each other.
And now, for my flash piece (at 499 words):
Young prince Caelan entered the barracks. He grabbed a dagger from the nearest weapon rack and practiced with it, the feel of the weapon, the thrusts and jabs released some of his tension. A soft sound alerted him to another's presence, and he circled the racks of weapons until he found the source — Adamina.The commoner played with a short sword, her forefinger testing the sharpness. Some blood dripped, but she paid it no heed. "'ello, prince," she said dryly, not bothering to look up at him."Good morrow," he said warily.She rewarded him with a wry smile. "Would make a lazy spy if I can't see out the corners of me eyes, I would."He smirked but said nothing, his gaze trained on her and her careless disregard for the deadly weapon in her hand that she flipped in the air and caught.Her eyes finally turned to him."Surprised you didn't seek me out sooner. Dontcha like to know all the pages and squires for when they're your knights? That's what I was told." With a yank of the dagger, she ripped a stray thread free from her sleeve and dropped it."I do," he said, surprised that the others had realized this about him. He was friends with most of the pages, and the squires respected him despite their age difference. "Tell me about yourself," he demanded.Her eyes narrowed. Despite her common background, Adamina had a rough time with authority, Caelan had already learned from their classes. "I wanna be a spy."He rolled his eyes. Leaning against the stone wall, he fingered his dagger's hilt. "Tell me something I didn't already know."She made a show of returning the short sword to its rightful place on the metal rack behind her. After a short pause, she said, "I like it here. Living at the castle, I mean. Back home, it was cold and hardly any food…." She shrugged. "But I don't have to worry about that here."An ache in Caelan's chest began to grow. His people, he already thought of the Arnhemians as his people, some of them lacked necessary food and shelter. He knew his father helped where and when he could but obviously it wasn't enough. And it was something that Caelan would have to worry about too, when he became king.Adamina glared at him. "That private enough for your liking?" she snapped. "I almost wasn't surprised you didn't seek me out. Since you spend so much time with her." The bitterness in her voice mirrored the bitterness in Aislinn's when she spoke of the other girl trainee."I am not friends with her. Geoffrey is."She snorted. "Well, she doesn't know how to swim yet, does she? You might want to tell her to start learning how to." Adamina gave him a dark, grim smile. "Some of the boys have been talking about her needing to cool off."Caelan gaped at the girl as she slinked from the room.
I hope you enjoyed it!
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win some signed post cards and magnets. Each comment during the Champion of Valor Blog Tour gives you an entry for the grand prize: a copy of the entire Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy - Woman of Honor, Knight of Glory, and Champion of Valor.
May 4, 2011
Star Wars Day!
First, today's stop is over at Alex's. Talking about writing a trilogy and who will enjoy the series. Check it out and leave a comment!
Today is Star Wars Day. May the fourth be with you!
Who doesn't love Star Wars? I know I do. I love the characters and the race across the galaxy. The battle between good and evil. And Yoda speak. Like it I do.
Do you like Star Wars? Who's your favorite Star Wars character? Mine is Han.
Today is Star Wars Day. May the fourth be with you!
Who doesn't love Star Wars? I know I do. I love the characters and the race across the galaxy. The battle between good and evil. And Yoda speak. Like it I do.
Do you like Star Wars? Who's your favorite Star Wars character? Mine is Han.
May 3, 2011
Interviewed!
I've been interviewed by Charity for my blog tour. Please stop by and check it out! Don't forget to leave a comment!
I hope to get back to real posts sometime soon. Because I'm still working on the tour and trying to add more sites to it, it's taking up a lot of my time right now. I added a page for the tour so that all of the links are in a handy list for you all.
I hope to get back to real posts sometime soon. Because I'm still working on the tour and trying to add more sites to it, it's taking up a lot of my time right now. I added a page for the tour so that all of the links are in a handy list for you all.
May 2, 2011
Creature and Next Stop on the Tour
Next stop on the Champion of Valor blog tour is over at Renee's. I hope you'll hop on over to read about what inspired me to write about the Kingdom of Arnhem series.
Where I copied the picture from
Today's creature is Sylph.
Sylphs were air elementals and were beautiful - looking like pretty, lively young women, slightly smaller than human women. In temperament, they are fickle and unreliable. They tend to live on mountaintops. One writer suggested that the Sylphs work hard to make the shape of each snowflake and gather the clouds. Undines provide the moisture for this work. This same author suggested that the Greek Muses were Sylphs who gathered in the air around an artist to inspire about beauty and nature.
Where I copied the picture from
Today's creature is Sylph.
Sylphs were air elementals and were beautiful - looking like pretty, lively young women, slightly smaller than human women. In temperament, they are fickle and unreliable. They tend to live on mountaintops. One writer suggested that the Sylphs work hard to make the shape of each snowflake and gather the clouds. Undines provide the moisture for this work. This same author suggested that the Greek Muses were Sylphs who gathered in the air around an artist to inspire about beauty and nature.
May 1, 2011
Champion of Valor Release Day!
I'm so excited for Champion of Valor's release!Stop one on my tour is over at Cherie's blog. Be sure to visit and leave a comment for your chance to win prizes!
I'm also over at Anne's blog today. I would love for you to check it out!
April 30, 2011
So Excited for the 1st!
I'm so excited I could jump out of my skin!!! Be forewarned, this post may have an excess amount of exclamation points!!!!
Tomorrow, Champion of Valor, the last book in my Kingdom of Arnhem series will be released!!!!
Isn't that a gorgeous cover???? (Oh, guess I'm abusing question marks too now!)
I've been organizing a blog tour for Champion of Valor and I hope you all will thoroughly enjoy it!! There will be prizes at every stop as well as a grand prize - one lucky reader will win the entire series!!!!
Later on today, I'll list the blog tour dates and locations. I'm trying to add more spots, so this will not be finalized yet.
And I have a winner to announce. From yesterdays post, one of the commentors will get to pick a story from the Kingdom of Arnhem series. And the winner is.....Charity Bradford!!! I'll be emailing you soon, Charity!!!
Tomorrow, Champion of Valor, the last book in my Kingdom of Arnhem series will be released!!!!
Isn't that a gorgeous cover???? (Oh, guess I'm abusing question marks too now!)I've been organizing a blog tour for Champion of Valor and I hope you all will thoroughly enjoy it!! There will be prizes at every stop as well as a grand prize - one lucky reader will win the entire series!!!!
Later on today, I'll list the blog tour dates and locations. I'm trying to add more spots, so this will not be finalized yet.
And I have a winner to announce. From yesterdays post, one of the commentors will get to pick a story from the Kingdom of Arnhem series. And the winner is.....Charity Bradford!!! I'll be emailing you soon, Charity!!!
April 29, 2011
Desert Breeze Publishing Birthday Bash
Welcome to the Desert Breeze Publishing Birthday Bash Tour. Tomorrow the tour ends at the Desert Breeze blog. On May 1st, Stephanie Burkhart will pick the lucky winner of a GC from Amazon.
My giveaway as a part of the tour is a copy of one of my books from the Kingdom of Arnhem series - Woman of Honor, Knight of Glory, or Champion of Valor. All you need to do to win is to make a comment on the blog today. I'll pick a winner tomorrow.
Why I Love Desert Breeze Publishing
I first learned about Desert Breeze through a publisher chat on a yahoo group. As the chat was winding down, Gail Delaney (the EIC) mentioned that she loved series, especially for fantasy and a few other genres. I mentioned to her that I had an unfinished manuscript that would be part of a series and briefly described it to her. She said to send it to her when it was finished.
The story I had mentioned was a Nano story (National Novel Writing Month when authors around the world try to write a 50K in November). I abanonded all other side projects and focused on the novel until I completed it. After finishing it, I submitted to Gail and waited. Shortly thereafter, she emailed me an acceptance for Woman of Honor.Desert Breeze is a non-erotic romance publisher, which is perfect for me. My novels tend to have crossover appeal. Woman of Honor is a coming-of-age fantasy romance, so it's definitely for YA and adults.
Anyhow, I had mentioned to Gail about the series during the yahoo chat, and we worked together to figure out the direction that the series could take so that the entire series was fantasy romance, each book centering on a different couple.
Woman of Honor is the tale of young Aislinn, a girl who wants to become a knight and finds love along the way.
Knight of Glory is about Geoffrey as he travels across the continent to find allies for Arnhem, while he tries to decide between two very different, mysterious ladies.Champion of Valor focuses on Selliki the selkie and Gabrael the mage amidst the finals battles between Arnhem and Speica.
I am so happy to be with Desert Breeze the past two years. My covers are gorgeous - Jenifer Ranieri is masterful. My favorite cover of the three is Champion of Valor. The contrast of the dark clouds with the glimmer of light - and the awesome castle - pure genius.
I already mentioned Champion of Valor. It releases May 1st, and I'm so excited for its release! I'm organizing a huge blog tour for it, and I hope you join me. At the end of the tour, I'm going to give away a copy of the entire series to one lucky winner, as well as small prizes at each stop. I'll post more about the blog tour tomorrow.
Champion of Valor blurb:The Mystical Conch Shell of the Sea has been stolen, and it's up to Selliki, the selkie, to get it back. Selliki sets across the continent of Alethereia to find Arnhem, and Gabrael, the mage she loves. Selliki knows that no union between a selkie and a human have ever had a happy ending, but neither can ignore their feelings. Each night, they experience terrible, real dreams that show how doomed their love is.
The final war between Speica and Arnhem is threatening the entire world. Lucifer has aligned himself with Speica and wants nothing less than to bring about the Apocalypse before its time. In the last battle, cowardice is revealed, promises are broken, and many people die. Trolls fight icthyocentaurs, dwarves armed up against the Drow, angels against demons. Only one kingdom will prevail; that is, if the world doesn't end.
