Elaina J. Davidson's Blog, page 423
January 12, 2015
The Fiddler's Soul
My review of Tale 1 from The Secrets of Castle Drakon by Richard Rhys Jones!
Historical/Supernatural – In the 1900’s at a strange castle in Wales, a group of disparate folk gather to summon Satan, to make a deal for an innocent soul. A young journalist is drawn into this web, with terrible consequences.
I must admit I hung onto every word, hoping all would work out, that the story wouldn't end up where I suspected it would, and I’ll tell you now the outcome surprised me. Excellent work, and don’t you just love a surprise?
Amazon
Historical/Supernatural – In the 1900’s at a strange castle in Wales, a group of disparate folk gather to summon Satan, to make a deal for an innocent soul. A young journalist is drawn into this web, with terrible consequences.
I must admit I hung onto every word, hoping all would work out, that the story wouldn't end up where I suspected it would, and I’ll tell you now the outcome surprised me. Excellent work, and don’t you just love a surprise?
Amazon.jpg)
January 10, 2015
Justine's Journal #21
52 Weeks 500 Words
This is how it began: Justine (not her real name) decided to write 500 words (or as near as), anything goes, per week for 52 weeks. She would then submit it for anonymous posting, via me, her friend. Perhaps a pattern will emerge from her words, but at this stage it’s more an experiment I have agreed to share in. I’ll attempt to draw conclusions at the end of this. Stay tuned if this resonates with you.
Week 21
'Hello, everyone. Forgive my silence last week. I had so many questions regarding the quote I sent Elaina, I feel quite overwhelmed, not only by the concern, but the willingness to share a shoulder with me. Thank you to all who messaged me, phoned, and those of you who popped in for a chat (you know who you are!).
Right, I guess I need to address it then. Folks, it wasn’t anything earth-shattering, I didn’t fall into a hole I couldn’t climb from. It was merely me reverting to my old way of expecting things to go bad even when they are clearly on the up and up. You know that saying ‘if it’s too good to be true, it is’? Unfortunately I’ve allowed that to cloud my judgement. Hey, everything is going so well, it can’t last! That’s how I’ve always seen it. Don’t therefore trust what’s happening, because tomorrow I’ll wake up disillusioned.
Unluckily for me, it has happened before, expectations crushed, too many times.
Yet, amazingly, here I am many days later, and nothing has changed for the worse. In fact, life is pretty good, and I need to get my mind in order … or I will lose this. It occurs to me I may be creating the environment for disappointment in expecting it. I am the one shooting myself in the foot, you know? That’s a scary thought. If I then look back on my life, at all the ‘bad’ things, does it mean I am the instigator of my own troubles?
When I sat to write this, I gave it some thought, hopefully with objectivity. Am I the instigator of my troubles, due to mind set? Am I? Was I? Did I? The sad answer is, yes, there have been times I am the one to blame. I didn’t see the ‘silver lining’, not once, when my life went skidding out of control. The hopeful answer is, no, often I was the one giving support, not asking for it.
It means, objectively, I have experienced both the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ and both were the result of my thoughts and actions at the time. We can learn from this kind of honesty, folks, really. It doesn’t mean a bad situation can be made good simply by thinking it, for there are matters beyond our control, but it does mean we are able to deal with the aftermath in a more rational way. Find the silver lining, and use it to move forward.
Having said all this, I intend calling my brother tomorrow to just chat. See, I thought, after the wonderful Christmas of us getting together again, that our relationship would revert to the years of silence we have just endured. I believed the good feelings would vanish into nothing as it has in the past. But, know what? If I want it to continue, it is up to me also. We can grow a great relationship, even if we’re at opposite ends of the country, and we can do so by talking to each other.
Brother, your sister intends bending your ear often, because she misses and loves you. And we’ll make arrangements to get together in a few months too. I look forward to it. May this be the year of good things for both of us!'
This is how it began: Justine (not her real name) decided to write 500 words (or as near as), anything goes, per week for 52 weeks. She would then submit it for anonymous posting, via me, her friend. Perhaps a pattern will emerge from her words, but at this stage it’s more an experiment I have agreed to share in. I’ll attempt to draw conclusions at the end of this. Stay tuned if this resonates with you.
Week 21
'Hello, everyone. Forgive my silence last week. I had so many questions regarding the quote I sent Elaina, I feel quite overwhelmed, not only by the concern, but the willingness to share a shoulder with me. Thank you to all who messaged me, phoned, and those of you who popped in for a chat (you know who you are!).
Right, I guess I need to address it then. Folks, it wasn’t anything earth-shattering, I didn’t fall into a hole I couldn’t climb from. It was merely me reverting to my old way of expecting things to go bad even when they are clearly on the up and up. You know that saying ‘if it’s too good to be true, it is’? Unfortunately I’ve allowed that to cloud my judgement. Hey, everything is going so well, it can’t last! That’s how I’ve always seen it. Don’t therefore trust what’s happening, because tomorrow I’ll wake up disillusioned.
Unluckily for me, it has happened before, expectations crushed, too many times.
Yet, amazingly, here I am many days later, and nothing has changed for the worse. In fact, life is pretty good, and I need to get my mind in order … or I will lose this. It occurs to me I may be creating the environment for disappointment in expecting it. I am the one shooting myself in the foot, you know? That’s a scary thought. If I then look back on my life, at all the ‘bad’ things, does it mean I am the instigator of my own troubles?
When I sat to write this, I gave it some thought, hopefully with objectivity. Am I the instigator of my troubles, due to mind set? Am I? Was I? Did I? The sad answer is, yes, there have been times I am the one to blame. I didn’t see the ‘silver lining’, not once, when my life went skidding out of control. The hopeful answer is, no, often I was the one giving support, not asking for it.
It means, objectively, I have experienced both the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’ and both were the result of my thoughts and actions at the time. We can learn from this kind of honesty, folks, really. It doesn’t mean a bad situation can be made good simply by thinking it, for there are matters beyond our control, but it does mean we are able to deal with the aftermath in a more rational way. Find the silver lining, and use it to move forward.
Having said all this, I intend calling my brother tomorrow to just chat. See, I thought, after the wonderful Christmas of us getting together again, that our relationship would revert to the years of silence we have just endured. I believed the good feelings would vanish into nothing as it has in the past. But, know what? If I want it to continue, it is up to me also. We can grow a great relationship, even if we’re at opposite ends of the country, and we can do so by talking to each other.
Brother, your sister intends bending your ear often, because she misses and loves you. And we’ll make arrangements to get together in a few months too. I look forward to it. May this be the year of good things for both of us!'
January 9, 2015
January 8, 2015
Review: The Tattooed Tribes
The Tattooed Tribes is currently on pre-order, release date 15 January. Order your copy today, it's a great adventure!
Blurb
From war they came, from violence they became. Now on a faraway world our settlers see war looming once more. The settlers had to adapt to survive, once again living off the land like our ancestors of old. The Tribal Liaison Guild is formed to distill tension between the tribes, as the smallest issue could now lead to war. Jon Harabin is the senior Liaison Officer, and he needs an apprentice to train for the future.
A lad from town, sixteen year old Lucien Devlin, becomes John's perfect protégé. He loves the wild jungle and his curiosity craves to see the tribes above the cataracts, except he doesn't follow rules, yet rules are all that will keep him alive in that treacherous territory. Criminals kidnap a young girl to stir up unrest, whilst exploitation threatens domestic peace. Tensions rise when Jon Harabin liaises to distill the volatile situation, but standing in his path is the rebellious Lucien.
Tense action and adventure ensue, Lucien's quest becomes a path of destiny, and it's now up to Lucien and his friends to find a solution that will lead to peace.
Review
When Jon Harabin of the Tribal Liaison Guild takes on an apprentice to accompany him beyond the cataracts into tribal lands, nothing prepares him for Lucien Devlin. This boy has a real issue with authority and often lands up in trouble, but his high spirits may just save the day.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these tribes on another world, the jungle, the river, the sense of colour and culture, and the characters are real, I certainly identified with them. Even the criminals were well-rounded and believable, and added spice to an already exotic tale.
Add to that some great twists and surprises and it will keep you reading too. Definitely worth it!
Amazon Universal
January 7, 2015
Very Inspiring Blogger Award Nomination
I've been nominated for
by the wonderful Afe Smith - thank you, Afe!
The rules are that you display the award on your blog, link back to the person who nominated you, list seven facts about yourself and then tag fifteen more people to receive the award. Easy!
Well, here goes!
1. After squinting for some time into distances, especially when taking scenic drives, I realised it was time for them things that enable one to actually see. Yes, I now wear glasses while driving.
2. Some of you may already know this, but shoes and I are not friends AT ALL. Flip flops, that's me.
3. I live where the sun shines most days in a year and it drives me crazy. Whenever it gets overcast, I get happy. Crazy, right?
4. My 'girly' is an old stray cat and she is ever nearby to keep me grounded.
5. My favourite sound EVER is the haunting cry of the African Fish Eagle and we have a couple living on the ridge above us. How lucky can a girl get?
6. Trees fill me with awe. Sentinels to time, with stories to tell.
7. Do you know this? I write loooooooooong books!!!! (a few shorter ones too, but long is how I roll)
My nominees are (in alphabetical order):
1. Bob Milne
2. Chuck Lovatt
3. Diane Nelson
4. Gerry McCullough
5. Greta van der Rol
6. Hannah Warren
7. Jeff Blackmer
8. Jo Sexton
9. Kristen Stone
10. Poppet
11. Richard Rhys Jones
12. Shelley Workinger
13. Soooz
14. Tee Gee
15. Wendy Steele
Thanks again!
Your turn ;)
by the wonderful Afe Smith - thank you, Afe!
The rules are that you display the award on your blog, link back to the person who nominated you, list seven facts about yourself and then tag fifteen more people to receive the award. Easy!
Well, here goes!
1. After squinting for some time into distances, especially when taking scenic drives, I realised it was time for them things that enable one to actually see. Yes, I now wear glasses while driving.
2. Some of you may already know this, but shoes and I are not friends AT ALL. Flip flops, that's me.
3. I live where the sun shines most days in a year and it drives me crazy. Whenever it gets overcast, I get happy. Crazy, right?
4. My 'girly' is an old stray cat and she is ever nearby to keep me grounded.
5. My favourite sound EVER is the haunting cry of the African Fish Eagle and we have a couple living on the ridge above us. How lucky can a girl get?
6. Trees fill me with awe. Sentinels to time, with stories to tell.
7. Do you know this? I write loooooooooong books!!!! (a few shorter ones too, but long is how I roll)
My nominees are (in alphabetical order):
1. Bob Milne
2. Chuck Lovatt
3. Diane Nelson
4. Gerry McCullough
5. Greta van der Rol
6. Hannah Warren
7. Jeff Blackmer
8. Jo Sexton
9. Kristen Stone
10. Poppet
11. Richard Rhys Jones
12. Shelley Workinger
13. Soooz
14. Tee Gee
15. Wendy Steele
Thanks again!
Your turn ;)
