MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 491
November 28, 2012
History Trivia
November 28
741 St Gregory III ended his reign as Catholic Pope.
1095 On the last day of the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II appointed Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy and Count Raymond IV of Toulouse to lead the First Crusade to the Holy Land.
1291 Edward I's wife, Eleanor of Castile, died.
1503 Julius II was officially crowned pope. Born Giuliano Della Rovere, Julius was the nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, who built the Sistine Chapel. Although his relationship to Sixtus helped his early career, he was forced to flee Italy to avoid assassination attempts ordered by Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI), and stayed in exile for ten years before Borgia's death made it possible for him to return.
741 St Gregory III ended his reign as Catholic Pope.
1095 On the last day of the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II appointed Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy and Count Raymond IV of Toulouse to lead the First Crusade to the Holy Land.
1291 Edward I's wife, Eleanor of Castile, died.
1503 Julius II was officially crowned pope. Born Giuliano Della Rovere, Julius was the nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, who built the Sistine Chapel. Although his relationship to Sixtus helped his early career, he was forced to flee Italy to avoid assassination attempts ordered by Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI), and stayed in exile for ten years before Borgia's death made it possible for him to return.
M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: FORBIDDEN WINGS Now in Ebook.
M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: FORBIDDEN WINGS Now in Ebook.: FORBIDDEN WINGS WINGS, A MERMAID'S STORY Now Ready for E-readers. Click on these links. On Amazon, USA On Amazon, UK On Smas...
M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: Just in time for Christmas Giving;The Legend of EL...
M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: Just in time for Christmas Giving;The Legend of EL...: Just in time for Christmas Giving; The Legend of ELPanda Paws is now out in print copy. (Paper Back) The ebook pick up six 5-s...
November 27, 2012
Liebster Award Nomination
I was delighted to be nominated for the Liebster Award by author, photographer, and all around great guy, Mr. Bill Jones, Jr.
Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:
*Post 11 random facts about oneself and answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
*Pass the award onto 11 other blogs.
*Write 11 NEW questions directed towards YOUR nominees.
*Paste the award picture into your blog. (Or another blog, if you're a bored hacker.)
Now down to the nitty gritty - these are the questions asked of me:
1. What is most important to you in choosing a book to read?
Since I am a very picky reader, I tend to gravitate towards biographies of people that interest me, from Alexander the Great to Henry VIII. However, I will not discount contemporary stories, if the plot is intriguing and holds my interest.
2. Name an absolutely terrible movie that you secretly love.
"Valhalla Rising" because I am a Mads Mikkelsen fan.
3. What makes you want to slam a book shut and never finish it?
If the story does not make sense or if it takes too long to get interested in the storyline, I'll chuck the book and move on.
4. You think you're alone. The music is loud. You have a spoon, and you're lip-synching that song you're kind of embarrassed for liking. Who is singing, and what's the song?
Nickelback's "Shaking Hands" and...another title that begins with an "S" -- Google it, I dare you.
5. The Zombies are coming. Why should we put you on our team?
Because I kick butt - that's right, I am fearless, so bring them on!
6. If Heaven existed, and its like a book you've read or movie you've seen, which one is it?
"Lost Horizon" by James Hilton. Shangri-La depicts an earthly paradise where mankind is in perfect union with himself, and where love and happiness flourish in an immortal setting.
7. Which character (you've written or read) would you most want to be friends with (with or without benefits)?
Do I just get to pick one? Bummer. OK, then, I guess it will have to be Brantson, who the reading public will meet early next year when "The Briton and the Dane: Concordia" launches.
8. The world as we know it will end: a) In a zombie apocalypse, b) Never, because Light will always defeat Darkness, c) When we jump on that last rocket and finally ditch this backwater planet, or d) With you, "cause you're taking all the other suckers out when you go. Which one?
The only answer is d) above because taking everyone with me works. What fun will it be on this planet, if I no longer exist? Eat your heart out solar flare!
9. Do you consider yourself to be an artist?
I wish. Unfortunately, I cannot draw a straight line even with a ruler. But then writers are artists, aren't they? If that is the case, then yes, I am an artist.
10. What's the dumbest thing to be afraid of that scares the crap out of you?
Being helpless - does not compute!
11. Your blog is now famous. As a result, celebrities want your attention. Writers call, actors call, singers text, but you only have time for 1 or 2. Whom do you hang out with, and whom do you have a secret fling with?
My hangout buddies are: Dustin Clare a.k.a. Gannicus and Sam Worthington a.k.a. Perseus. My secret fling is...drum roll please...Francois Arnaud a.k.a. Cesare Borgia.
RANDOM FACTS
1. I was born on a Navy base.
2. I drive a Honda with 85,000 miles and still going strong.
3. I almost knocked over Nancy Walker (actress best known for appearing on the TV show Rhoda).
4. I hung out with the First Class flight attendants on a trip from Texas to New York and was introduced to Mickey Mantle who, of course, was flying in First Class.
5. Tom Jones touched my hand during a concert at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.
6. I was the only female in an accelerated program created for US veterans pursuing a Bachelor's Degree.
7. My favorite color is teal and I have 31 teal blouses.
8. While in Bermuda, I had a motorbike accident and severed the muscle in my right leg. When brought to the clinic, I assisted the doctor, who was also from New York, as he stitched my leg since his nurse had yet to arrive at the office.
9. Being a proud Trekker, I have attended Star Trek conventions in New York City and have been to the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, and can be found on the Voyager bridge next to Captain Janeway.
10. I fought off a mugger in the Parking Garage at LaGuardia Airport.
11, When AIDS first appeared in the news, I marched in a Gay Rights parade, shedding light on educating society about the nature of the disease.
And now, here are my nominees, and like my nominator, was a tad bit lazy.
greenwizardcarla.blogspot.co.uk
adventuresofceciliaspark.blogspot.co.uk
inthemidst-km.blogspot.com
mamasgotachainsaw.com
wendysteele.com
emmaledwards.blogspot.co.uk
gladiatorspen.blogspot.com
FINALLY - here are YOUR questions, my creative and talented nominees:
1. Tell us about any fun or unusual thing that has happened to you since you became a published author.
2. Are there any characters, fictional or otherwise, that you'd like to run away with in one of your novels?
3. Your favorite author has a new book that has been made into a motion picture. Will you read the book before you see the movie? If so, why or why not?
4. Doctor Who's infamous telephone booth (TARDIS*) is outside your door. What will you do?
*Time and Relative Dimension in Space time machine and spacecraft
5. Your cover as a government operative has been blown and capture is imminent. Facing torture and death, your choices are: a) take the L-pill (cyanide), b) take your chances and make a run for it, c) give up, but agree to be turned, d) feign submission and release your grip on a grenade hidden in your jacket pocket. What is the right answer, or is there one?
6. Do you prefer to cook or eat out?
7. You're marooned on a desert island with all the amenities of home, except company. If you could invite one person to join you, who would you choose?
8. Who is your favorite sports team?
9. If you could assume the persona of your favorite hero/heroine, who would that be?
10. Do you prefer to read, listen to music or watch a movie? Depending on your choice, what is your favorite book, song, film?
11. Lastly, if you were permitted to choose which century you could live in, which era would you choose and why?
If anyone I didn't think to nominate wants to do this, join in. We'll start a cult. We'll call ourselves the Liebser Children of the Sacred Eleven. And we'll eat loads of cheese at the meetings.
Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:
*Post 11 random facts about oneself and answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
*Pass the award onto 11 other blogs.
*Write 11 NEW questions directed towards YOUR nominees.
*Paste the award picture into your blog. (Or another blog, if you're a bored hacker.)
Now down to the nitty gritty - these are the questions asked of me:
1. What is most important to you in choosing a book to read?
Since I am a very picky reader, I tend to gravitate towards biographies of people that interest me, from Alexander the Great to Henry VIII. However, I will not discount contemporary stories, if the plot is intriguing and holds my interest.
2. Name an absolutely terrible movie that you secretly love.
"Valhalla Rising" because I am a Mads Mikkelsen fan.
3. What makes you want to slam a book shut and never finish it?
If the story does not make sense or if it takes too long to get interested in the storyline, I'll chuck the book and move on.
4. You think you're alone. The music is loud. You have a spoon, and you're lip-synching that song you're kind of embarrassed for liking. Who is singing, and what's the song?
Nickelback's "Shaking Hands" and...another title that begins with an "S" -- Google it, I dare you.
5. The Zombies are coming. Why should we put you on our team?
Because I kick butt - that's right, I am fearless, so bring them on!
6. If Heaven existed, and its like a book you've read or movie you've seen, which one is it?
"Lost Horizon" by James Hilton. Shangri-La depicts an earthly paradise where mankind is in perfect union with himself, and where love and happiness flourish in an immortal setting.
7. Which character (you've written or read) would you most want to be friends with (with or without benefits)?
Do I just get to pick one? Bummer. OK, then, I guess it will have to be Brantson, who the reading public will meet early next year when "The Briton and the Dane: Concordia" launches.
8. The world as we know it will end: a) In a zombie apocalypse, b) Never, because Light will always defeat Darkness, c) When we jump on that last rocket and finally ditch this backwater planet, or d) With you, "cause you're taking all the other suckers out when you go. Which one?
The only answer is d) above because taking everyone with me works. What fun will it be on this planet, if I no longer exist? Eat your heart out solar flare!
9. Do you consider yourself to be an artist?
I wish. Unfortunately, I cannot draw a straight line even with a ruler. But then writers are artists, aren't they? If that is the case, then yes, I am an artist.
10. What's the dumbest thing to be afraid of that scares the crap out of you?
Being helpless - does not compute!
11. Your blog is now famous. As a result, celebrities want your attention. Writers call, actors call, singers text, but you only have time for 1 or 2. Whom do you hang out with, and whom do you have a secret fling with?
My hangout buddies are: Dustin Clare a.k.a. Gannicus and Sam Worthington a.k.a. Perseus. My secret fling is...drum roll please...Francois Arnaud a.k.a. Cesare Borgia.
RANDOM FACTS
1. I was born on a Navy base.
2. I drive a Honda with 85,000 miles and still going strong.
3. I almost knocked over Nancy Walker (actress best known for appearing on the TV show Rhoda).
4. I hung out with the First Class flight attendants on a trip from Texas to New York and was introduced to Mickey Mantle who, of course, was flying in First Class.
5. Tom Jones touched my hand during a concert at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.
6. I was the only female in an accelerated program created for US veterans pursuing a Bachelor's Degree.
7. My favorite color is teal and I have 31 teal blouses.
8. While in Bermuda, I had a motorbike accident and severed the muscle in my right leg. When brought to the clinic, I assisted the doctor, who was also from New York, as he stitched my leg since his nurse had yet to arrive at the office.
9. Being a proud Trekker, I have attended Star Trek conventions in New York City and have been to the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, and can be found on the Voyager bridge next to Captain Janeway.
10. I fought off a mugger in the Parking Garage at LaGuardia Airport.
11, When AIDS first appeared in the news, I marched in a Gay Rights parade, shedding light on educating society about the nature of the disease.
And now, here are my nominees, and like my nominator, was a tad bit lazy.
greenwizardcarla.blogspot.co.uk
adventuresofceciliaspark.blogspot.co.uk
inthemidst-km.blogspot.com
mamasgotachainsaw.com
wendysteele.com
emmaledwards.blogspot.co.uk
gladiatorspen.blogspot.com
FINALLY - here are YOUR questions, my creative and talented nominees:
1. Tell us about any fun or unusual thing that has happened to you since you became a published author.
2. Are there any characters, fictional or otherwise, that you'd like to run away with in one of your novels?
3. Your favorite author has a new book that has been made into a motion picture. Will you read the book before you see the movie? If so, why or why not?
4. Doctor Who's infamous telephone booth (TARDIS*) is outside your door. What will you do?
*Time and Relative Dimension in Space time machine and spacecraft
5. Your cover as a government operative has been blown and capture is imminent. Facing torture and death, your choices are: a) take the L-pill (cyanide), b) take your chances and make a run for it, c) give up, but agree to be turned, d) feign submission and release your grip on a grenade hidden in your jacket pocket. What is the right answer, or is there one?
6. Do you prefer to cook or eat out?
7. You're marooned on a desert island with all the amenities of home, except company. If you could invite one person to join you, who would you choose?
8. Who is your favorite sports team?
9. If you could assume the persona of your favorite hero/heroine, who would that be?
10. Do you prefer to read, listen to music or watch a movie? Depending on your choice, what is your favorite book, song, film?
11. Lastly, if you were permitted to choose which century you could live in, which era would you choose and why?
If anyone I didn't think to nominate wants to do this, join in. We'll start a cult. We'll call ourselves the Liebser Children of the Sacred Eleven. And we'll eat loads of cheese at the meetings.
History Trivia
November 27
8 BC Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) the great Roman lyric poet, died at Venusia, in Apulia at age 56.
176 Emperor Marcus Aurelius granted his son Commodus the rank of Imperator and made him Supreme Commander of the Roman legions.
511 Clovis, King of the Franks (Merovingian Dynasty) died.
1095 Pope Urban II declared the First Crusade to reclaim sacred Christian sites from Islamic hands at the Council of Clermont.
1295 the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster by King Edward I to attend what later became known as "The Model Parliament".
1582 William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway.
1703 The first Eddystone Lighthouse (south west of Rame Head, UK) was destroyed in the Great Storm of 1703.
8 BC Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) the great Roman lyric poet, died at Venusia, in Apulia at age 56.
176 Emperor Marcus Aurelius granted his son Commodus the rank of Imperator and made him Supreme Commander of the Roman legions.
511 Clovis, King of the Franks (Merovingian Dynasty) died.
1095 Pope Urban II declared the First Crusade to reclaim sacred Christian sites from Islamic hands at the Council of Clermont.
1295 the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster by King Edward I to attend what later became known as "The Model Parliament".
1582 William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway.
1703 The first Eddystone Lighthouse (south west of Rame Head, UK) was destroyed in the Great Storm of 1703.
November 26, 2012
History Trivia
November 26
43 BC The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Octavian, later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony was formed.
579 Pelagius II became Pope. When assistance from Emperor Tiberius II of Byzantium was not forthcoming, Pelagius convinced the Christian Franks to defend Rome from encroaching Lombards. He attempted to end a schism in the Church over the Three Chapters Controversy and began a controversy of his own when St. John IV the Faster, Bishop of Constantinople, assumed the title of "ecumenical patriarch" (a position that made him the equal of Pelagius, if not his superior). Pelagius was also responsible for building projects in Rome and turned his home into a hospital that was of great assistance when the city was struck by a disastrous flood. He himself died of the plague.
783 the Asturian queen Adosinda was put up in a monastery to prevent her kin from retaking the throne from Mauregatus.
885 Danish Vikings attacked Paris and were paid by the Frankish emperor Charles the Fat (great grandson of Charlemagne) not to destroy the city as they had in 845 and 856.
1476 Vlad III Dracula defeated Basarab Laiota with the help of Stephen the Great and Stephen V Bathory and became the ruler of Wallachia for the third time.
1703 Hurricane-force winds killed as many as 8,000 people as the Great Storm swept southern England. Bristol incurred heavy damage and the Royal Navy lost 15 warships.
43 BC The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Octavian, later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony was formed.
579 Pelagius II became Pope. When assistance from Emperor Tiberius II of Byzantium was not forthcoming, Pelagius convinced the Christian Franks to defend Rome from encroaching Lombards. He attempted to end a schism in the Church over the Three Chapters Controversy and began a controversy of his own when St. John IV the Faster, Bishop of Constantinople, assumed the title of "ecumenical patriarch" (a position that made him the equal of Pelagius, if not his superior). Pelagius was also responsible for building projects in Rome and turned his home into a hospital that was of great assistance when the city was struck by a disastrous flood. He himself died of the plague.
783 the Asturian queen Adosinda was put up in a monastery to prevent her kin from retaking the throne from Mauregatus.
885 Danish Vikings attacked Paris and were paid by the Frankish emperor Charles the Fat (great grandson of Charlemagne) not to destroy the city as they had in 845 and 856.
1476 Vlad III Dracula defeated Basarab Laiota with the help of Stephen the Great and Stephen V Bathory and became the ruler of Wallachia for the third time.
1703 Hurricane-force winds killed as many as 8,000 people as the Great Storm swept southern England. Bristol incurred heavy damage and the Royal Navy lost 15 warships.
November 25, 2012
An Interview with Author Ngaire Elder
Welcome to Meet the Author! Today, Ngaire Elder has stopped by to give us a little insight into her life and her books. So let's get started.
Please tell us a little about yourself. I was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. I spent most of my childhood playing outside with my brother and my imaginary friends and feasting on my granny’s home cooking.
After leaving school, I went to college and university (part-time) and embarked on a career in the health and safety sector, qualifying in 1993.
I met my husband through my work and have 4 children.
Now, I spend my time looking after my family, taking care of our collection of animals, nurturing the kitchen garden, learning Spanish, speaking Spanish and writing.
What projects have been published?I have 2 books published at the moment in my children’s series, The Adventures of Cecilia Spark. Book 1 is called the Brimstone Forest and the second book is called the Mystical Mountains of Terra.
Tell us about the Mystical Mountains of Terra.This is Cecilia Spark’s first BIG adventure. A race against time. Good versus evil. Cecilia and Soldier have to find the Sceptre of Malvado. However, the sceptre is at risk of falling into the wrong hands, and Soldier’s fate depends on its recovery. The question is, can Cecilia and Soldier find the sceptre before the total eclipse of the sun, or will someone else beat them to it?
They meet new characters during their quest and have lots of thrills and spills on the way.
The story is fully illustrated throughout, illustrator Peter Maddocks, and is a chapter book suitable for 4-9-year-old girls and boys.
What was your inspiration?I wanted to take children on a journey of discovery to places in the world they may never visit themselves. I wanted to introduce creatures real and mythical to encourage the reader to think about the world they live in. The places that I wrote about in the Mystical Mountains of Terra are based on real places.
One of the creatures Cecilia and Soldier encounter is named after a critically endangered or indeed extinct, sub-species of tiger.
What are you currently working on?I’m working on 2 projects at the moment. The first project is book 3 in my series and I’ve gone in a mystical direction.
And, the second project is an A-Z rhyming book that I’m creating with my daughter. She is doing the illustrations; she’s an extremely talented artist. This book isn’t part of the Adventures of Cecilia Spark series, although it could be seen as an introduction for younger readers to my series.
What are you reading at the moment?At the moment I’m not reading anything, because I’ve just finished Journey to Freedom by K Meador. I loved this book … I loved the back drop, set in 19th Century America at the time of the Civil War.
However, I think my next read will be Hollywood Shakedown by Mark Barry.
What do you like to do in your free time when you're not reading or writing?I love doing things with my kids and husband, whether it’s playing dominoes or going for a lovely walk at the river; this time is so precious. I enjoy spending time with our animals of which we have plenty. And, if I have any spare time left, meeting up with a girlfriend for a coffee.
Do you have any advice for other authors?Keep at it! Even if you’ve had rejections from traditional publishers or agents, don’t give up. Look in to the self-publishing route. Its hard work, but your guaranteed self-satisfaction and you meet some fabulous people en-route!
And finally, can you tell us some fun facts about yourself, such as crossed skydiving off my bucket list.Well, I’m scared of heights and I thought to cure my fear I would do a bungee jump. Worse mistake I ever made. When the time came to letting go of the railings to plunge 200+ metres to the ground I nearly lost it. I still cannot remember the free-fall; my mind went blank! Needless to say I have never attempted another bungee jump, and I’ve decided to live with my fear of heights and stay at ground level!
You can find out more about Cecilia Spark and her adventures at ww.ceciliaspark.com
Purchase links:
US http://www.amazon.com/Ngaire-Elder/e/... UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ngaire-Elder/...
History Trivia
November 25
955 King Eadred brought Northumbria permanently under English rule.
1034 Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots died. Donnchad, the son of his daughter Bethóc and Crínán of Dunkeld, inherited the throne.
1120 The White Ship sank in the English Channel, drowning William Adelin, son of Henry I of England.
1177 Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and Raynald of Chatillon defeated Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard.
1185 Urban III became Pope. Urban inherited a tense diplomatic relationship with the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, from his predecessor Lucius III.
1276 The Habsburg dynasty was founded as Rudolf of Habsburg seized Vienna and made it his capital.
1277 Nicholas III was elected Pope. Nicholas began an administrative reform of the Papal States, inducing Rudolf I to acknowledge that the Italian province of the Romagna belonged to the church.
1343 a tsunami, caused by an earthquake in the Tyrrhenian Sea, devastated Naples (Italy) and the Maritime Republic of Amalfi.
1491 The siege of Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, began.
955 King Eadred brought Northumbria permanently under English rule.
1034 Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots died. Donnchad, the son of his daughter Bethóc and Crínán of Dunkeld, inherited the throne.
1120 The White Ship sank in the English Channel, drowning William Adelin, son of Henry I of England.
1177 Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and Raynald of Chatillon defeated Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard. 1185 Urban III became Pope. Urban inherited a tense diplomatic relationship with the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, from his predecessor Lucius III.
1276 The Habsburg dynasty was founded as Rudolf of Habsburg seized Vienna and made it his capital.
1277 Nicholas III was elected Pope. Nicholas began an administrative reform of the Papal States, inducing Rudolf I to acknowledge that the Italian province of the Romagna belonged to the church.
1343 a tsunami, caused by an earthquake in the Tyrrhenian Sea, devastated Naples (Italy) and the Maritime Republic of Amalfi.
1491 The siege of Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, began.
The Wizard's Cauldron: An Interview with Kim Carmichael
The Wizard's Cauldron: An Interview with Kim Carmichael: Kim Carmichael Kim has been writing for eight years. A resident of LA, she is firmly in the modern wave of New Romantic writers (not D...
