Elizabeth Guizzetti's Blog, page 25
January 31, 2013
48Fourteen Scavenger Hunt Featured Book: Change of Pace
The book which I am featuring on my blog today is Change of Pace by Sofia Essen.
I read this book back in April of 2012 when it was first released. Here is my original review:
Essen’s debut novel is a wonderfully light beach read. The synopsis begins: “What do you do when you get dumped, fired, and turn thirty in a single unfortunate week?…”
While the beginning moved a bit slow with relaxing shopping trips and drinking wine, this worked well as it mimicked the life that Essen was describing on Crete compared to Anna’s previous life in New York. The novel is written in first person, so the reader won’t always know what is going on with other characters and why, but Anna is an interesting narrator and it adds to the fun of watching her learn about Crete, her family and herself.
If you want a book that is upbeat and an enjoyable read, this is the book for you.
Now, I would also like to add that I have sometimes thought of Essen’s descriptions of life on Crete and the relationships between the characters over the past nine months. Though it is a wonderfully light book, the images stick with you.
****
Synopsis:
What do you do when you get dumped, fired, and turn thirty in a single unfortunate week?
You book the last available ticket on the next plane to Greece. Or at least that’s what the normally unadventurous Anna Cox does in a moment of uncharacteristic spontaneity. When she panics as she belatedly realizes that not booking a hotel room in a country she knows nothing about might not have been the best or smartest idea, the charming and easy on the eyes Englishman in the seat next to her comes to her rescue – he takes her to the rural island village in Crete that he calls home.
As Anna settles into village life, she learns that change, even the unwanted and unexpected kind, can be a good thing. She begins to see that there is always more to any story or person than meets the eye, including herself. In Crete, where time moves differently and days float and blend into one another, Anna finds the courage to discover who she really is, open up to strangers, and to fall in love without holding back even though she might get hurt.
Praise for Sofia Essen and Change of Pace:
“Sofia Essen’s vivid descriptions of Crete, its culture, cuisine, and people, transported me there and made me feel like I was on a free holiday.” ~ Lady Jayne’s Reading Den
“The writing was simply brilliant, especially during the first half of the book…It was sarcastic, witty and emotional when need be.” ~ Fani, Goodreads
“The writer’s brilliant use of irony as a structural element of the plot ushers in an aura of unpredictability…”~ Malcolm Livera, Amazon
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“This is a wonderful story of love, change, letting go, and taking a leap of faith.” ~ Eva’s Sanctuary
About the Author:
Sofia Essen has spent twenty years as an expatriate. She is presently on an indefinitely extended vacation on a Greek island. Living in a place that is as inspiring as it is perplexing is what made her pickup a pen and write Change of Pace. Her other interests include long walks with her Yorkshire Terrier.
Connect with Sofia:
Blog: http://diversereader.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5819497.Sofia_Essen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DiverseReader
48fourteen: http://www.48fourteen.com/users/sofia-essen
Where to buy Change of Pace:
48fourteen: http://www.48fourteen.com/catalog/change-pace
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Change-of-Pace-ebook/dp/B007UKXE06/
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Change-of-Pace-ebook/dp/B007UKXE06/
Excerpt from Change of Pace:
Tiny nudges my leg with his nose impatiently. He wants his walk, and he wants it now. I put his collar on him and we head out. Instead of turning right outside the gates, I turn left on impulse and begin to trek up the steep hill behind the village. Half an hour later, I stop and look down at the village. I spot the bed and breakfast—it looks like a dollhouse from up here. As my eyes rove over Drapanias, my mind stops spinning at last. When I ask myself the same questions that I’ve been asking myself for days, I finally have some answers.
Why am I still on this island? I’m still here because I’ve fallen in love with the village below me and its inhabitants. Should I go home? They say home is where the heart is. So I’m going to trek back down the hill to the village. I don’t have everything figured out yet. But knowing where I want to be is a start. I want to stay in Drapanias for as long as I can, which means I’m definitely going to start looking for a job. And even though Daisy is right about me craving consistency in a relationship, at the moment, I crave Alex more.
Feeling both mentally and physically refreshed, I practically skip downhill. I jog up Villa Drapanias’ driveway behind Tiny who is in a hurry to get his breakfast, which Jane should have ready and waiting for him by now. I unclip Tiny’s leash from his collar and he zooms toward the main house while I continue to my guesthouse. When I open the door and step inside, I’m greeted by a sight that evaporates every remaining ounce of angst I’ve harbored over the past few days – Alex standing in the middle of room, wearing nothing but a threadbare towel around his waist.
Our eyes meet across the room. Without a word, he comes toward me and suddenly I’m forgetting everything but the feeling of his arms around me and his lips on mine. His touch ignites a fire in me and a hunger for him that makes me dizzy. When he lifts me up and carries me to the bed, I feel like I’ve been drugged. Alex is the drug, and I want more. And knowing he wants me just as much as I want him when we’re together like this is a powerful high.
Readers can win a copy of seven books featured, and two runners up will get a book of their choice! Check out the rest of the great books and blogs at the 48Fourteen Scavenger Hunt!!!!
January 29, 2013
The Martlet is finished!
The novel opens with Lady Mira on a job to clean up a situation.
“Dressed in loosely woven flax rags and careful to keep my weapons covered, I stepped out of the Expanse into Vodnik Territory, and looked across the dusty port city. While I watched the on-goings of both commoners and nobility, clothed as I was, the populace ignored me. I meandered towards the Great House. I heard no rumors of the scandal I had come to set right.Good.”
She has enough to do, but runs into her uncle Roark who has been drinking blood of the living in order that he might have eternal youth. His presence effects her more than she lets on.
“Though his footfalls were inaudible, I felt his presence leave my side as he walked back towards the banquet hall. Outwardly I was serene, but inwardly confused and fuming. Lost memories inundated my mind. I wanted to laugh and keen at once.
When I was little, Roark used to tell me he read my developing mind in his sister’s womb and loved me before I was even born. Of course, like all members of the Guild, Roark is a born liar. Still I loved my daughter while she grew within my womb, so maybe he’s telling the truth. Part of me hopes he is.
Regardless, it is a mistake to trust him. It always has been.”
Lord Roark and his companions Kian and Eohan, seek life eternal. After all, a Fairsinge only has a thousand years to live and that is simply not enough time. Their latest attempt is to direct the spirit of their fallen comrade Lady Elana into Roark’s new born niece. When it is obvious that the experiment failed and the babe was nothing more than any other child, it is suggested she should be drowned in the Expanse. However as a Martlet, Roark sees victory even in the darkest failure. In an uncommon fit of remorse, Roark takes the child whom he names Mira and trains her in both the way of the Martlet and the Guild. Mira grows into a gallant warrior, however in their quest for eternal life, Roark and his companions plays fast and loose with Guild Law. When Roark is dishonored and Eohan is turned into a zombie during an experiment, Kian rushes to save them while Mira journeys to Underworld to bring back one of their own before he resurrects.
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January 27, 2013
Pride and Prejudice is 200 years old
Pride and Prejudice was published January 28, 1813. 200 years ago Jane Austen created a book that has lived on (and mocked as boring) for generations. It has been the basis of spin offs, fan fiction, movies, and a book about zombies that I wanted to like better than I did.
For people who know my general genre preferences, it may sound shocking but I do enjoy Jane Austen’s works. (My favorite is Persuasion.) I have often noticed people who complain that this book is boring actually have not read it. The protagonist Elizabeth Bennet is lively, sarcastic, and often judges on first impressions. She is from a poor but genteel family and the novel is about how her relationship with Mr. Darcy and her family problems through the novel.
I first read Pride and Prejudice when I was eighteen, slightly younger than the main character’s age. However I was going through my first (and only) serious romance, I was distancing myself from my family as I was graduating high school and engaged to be married. As I often do when I read, I identified with the protagonists and felt embarrassed for Elizabeth and Jane as their mother and their youngest sisters were incredibly bad mannered.
I read it again in my mid-twenties and my husband purchased me a lovely hardback volume of all Jane Austen’s title. What was amazing was though I did not identify with Elizabeth as much as I did the first time, I did find new aspects to the novel that I missed. I believe this book has stood the test of time, because Austen wrote about the life that she knew. It rings true 200 years later.
Happy Birthday Pride and Prejudice!
Base self-promotion…
Prizes at 25, 50, 75 and 100! Free copies of the e-books, posters, and more.
All you have to do is like: http://www.facebook.com/OtherSystems
January 23, 2013
Creating Talamh: The Beginning of Nora and Calafas
Talamh is the world of Faminelands. Beyond the needs of the world, I need Lark and Orin to be outcasts in their society. Orin especially would suffer. While I also knew that Lark and Orin were siblings, I considered maybe Orin was a foundling or just he was the bastard while she was coddled.
Then I changed my mind again. If she was a favorite, when Orin is cruel, the reader might think that he hated her. Rather, I wanted them to have a bond. Something that ties them together.
So I simply decided their parents love was so strong that they denied their families wishes and got married anyway. However the entirety of the village ignores their marriage and their children. While this story is reported in the Carp’s Eye, in my notes I had their whole love story written out in some detail. Here is the beginning…
*****
Journeyman Bowyer Calafas glanced up from his new design when the dark-haired lady and her silver-haired father entered the bowyers’ shop. He and his master fell to their knees. The young man’s mouth hung open; too dry to form words. All he could think was that her brilliant green eyes sparkled brighter than the ruby that lay upon her brow. She held her head high; her hands bore proudly the many scars of battle. He knew Lord Arna on sight and had witnessed the Ascension Ceremony. Still it took him a moment to recognize Nora.
Master Orodherth welcomed the nobles into his shop. As he moved towards them, he gave his former apprentice a sharp kick in the thigh.
Arna smiled kindly. “Hello Good Bowyers.”
Calafas slowly rose, but remained slumped forward in order not to tower over the Lady. He was only a few fingers taller then she, but felt too tall and gangly. As Nora purchased bow strings and five bundles of arrows, he wondered if his teeth were stained. Calafas nodded dumbly and marked her purchases with chalk.
She asked Orodherth, “Can they be delivered within five hours? Hunter Brogan shall be loading the wagon near the stables and we make our way South.”
Orodherth grumbled in his typical fashion, “Of course, milady. We’re doing nothing else today.”
Nora laughed. Calafas thought her laugh was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. He blushed furiously when she tilted her head and looked at him. Calafas tried to think about his work. He did not know how much of his feelings Nora would comprehend; but Arna could read even the most fleeting thoughts. Calafas was sure if the Lord heard a hint of his desire, he would be cut down.
Nora smiled. “Son of Daria, I recently purchased this quiver from your mother. She does such lovely work. I hope she is well?”
Calafas found his voice, but felt his tone was too coarse. “Yes, milady, my mother is well. Thank you, with your permission, I’ll mention that you’re pleased. It’d please her greatly to know that her work…uh… pleases you.”
He wanted to pound his head into the cob wall. Orodherth and Arna frowned, but Nora smiled wider as she had heard his thoughts as easily as if he spoken aloud.
“Yes, send your mother my regards.”
Without speaking, Arna shot a warning into both of the younger elves’ minds.
Nora blushed.
Calafas stammered, “Milord, forgive my eyes for looking upon Lady Nora’s radiance. Once she was a child and now she’s the Goddess of the Hunt herself. My hope is that my arrows will serve the Ladies and Champion Hunter Brogan well.”
Arna allowed Nora and Calafas to experience discomfort, but said nothing on the matter. He settled on a price with Orodherth as was their practice. Nora waited patiently for her father and gave the men a nod as they left.
Orodherth frowned at Calafas, but the younger man didn’t see him. He was looking at Nora’s disappearing figure with his mouth open. Orodherth slapped the back of his head. “Wake up, Man! She’s a pretty one, no doubt, but she isn’t for the likes of us! Now if your heart is set upon being a suitor, go look at the Smithy Essaria. Get us a discount on arrowheads.”
“Yes,” Calafas mumbled, but his brown eyes still gazed outside.
Orodherth repeated the blow. “Did you hear me, boy? I don’t like to think I wasted two centuries training your sorry arse only to have you hung! Get on that order.”
Even without Orodherth’s words, Calafas knew he could not have Nora. When he was a lad, Lord Arna had given him the chance to be a warrior; he had chosen a different path. If he was a fighter, he might be able to win her, but alas, he was not.
*****
Arna gripped his daughter’s arm as they walked along the wall. “If you wish to take a consort, you are of age. However, I beg you not to flirt so openly. You have been placed first among my daughters. It would destroy your mother to see you act as if you were a kitchen maid.”
“Sorry, my Father. He was just so uncomfortable, I felt I should say something.”
Arna knew his daughter had not lied, she just had not told the complete truth. She was attracted to his innocence. Calafas was a man who never had killed. A place where she might retreat when the darkness overwhelmed her. “But you like that boy?”
“He has a sweet temper. I feel that when I’m around him,” she said, “but his emotions are almost stifling.”
“He is one of the Cursed.”
Nora asked, “How can that be?”
Arna smiled at the innocence of the question. “Beloved, just as you and I do, he had an ancestor with the Curse. He is not strong in it, but in his adolescence, he was trained enough to control it.”
“You trained him?”
“The world did not start when you were born!” Arna replied, “Of course, I trained him. Once I learned his path, I introduced him to Orodherth.”
“You rarely take such a keen interest in the life of a commoner.” She read her father trying to find out if he held a secret. She could not sense one, but he was an Ancient and much more powerful than she.
“Save that boy, they are rarely interesting,” Arna said.
*****
From the practice range, Calafas watched the nobles depart from the East Gate. Nora sat tall on her mount while her mother and uncle drove a wagon laden with burlap sacks. A flash of silver danced when she passed a torch. He fought the urge to run to the gates and watch until she disappeared into the forest. Instead, he restuffed the targets and bundled the old filling into faggots.
When he came back inside the hut, Calafas heated the last of the venison pottage for their supper. Orodherth counted their inventory in preparation for the Autumn Hunt and Festival. Though Calafas needed more rest than his ancient master, he felt fidgety. He stayed up to help him. Finally Orodherth yawned and went to his hammock.
Once the old man tranced soundly; Calafas looked over their stock of wood until he found what he was looking for: a piece of delicate white beech. He tested the wood for flexibility and moisture before he began to carve.
It would take him two weeks to finish. The bow was lightweight, fast, and powerful; he knew it would serve Lady Nora well. Five petal asters intertwining with knot work symbolizing of love and unending devotion curved around the handle to the bend in the top.
Knowing the weapon was worthy, but he was not, Calafas believed the weapon would never reach its intended. He considered putting it to the flame. He had not the heart to burn his first master-worked creation. He oiled the wood, carefully wrapped it in leather and hid it high in the rafters of the hut.
Orodherth pretended he did not know. He considered telling the lad’s mother, but unsure of Daria’ reaction, he thought better of it. He did not know who sired Calafas but one in ten were the unwanted bastards of heartless noblemen. He knew it was likely. He just didn’t care.
Before the young man had come to him, the Master Bowyer had been alone for centuries. His companion was long dead. He took no woman, even for a single night, in order to continue his line. He did not care about such things. He was old and needed someone to replace him when Death came for him. The lad had been an eager pupil; now he was a proficient bowyer. Their souls were entwined with the love to layer and carve the wood. That’s all that mattered.
Not knowing what else to do, the old man prayed to the Great Lady. He begged that his lad would refocus on his work and that if he desired a wife; he would find one within their station.
Orodherth felt it likely what Calafas thought was love was actually just a mixture of lust and admiration of a great heroine. He repeated this to the younger man until the Master believed that Calafas believed it was true.
January 16, 2013
RustyCon 2013
This weekend I will be a panelist at Rustycon. Held at the Seatac Marriot, Rustycon is the first Science Fiction and Fantasy convention of the New Year in the greater Seattle area with a focus on literature, science, art, costumes, and gaming.
It is also my first convention of the year. I will be speaking on two panels.
On Saturday How to Stay Alive until your ship comes in Moderated by Bruce Taylor/”mr. Magic Realism”, also with Robin Hobb and Kate Smith I have spoken on this topic before. Looking at the other authors, I think I might be the person with the fewest titles, so this is a subject which is very close to me. 
And Sunday Maps as World Building Devices Trying to write a novel, but getting lost in your own world? Learn to draw useful maps for science fiction and fantasy world building! Discussions may include basic weather systems, layout of cities, and natural resources. Supplies provided! Also on the panel is Michael Montoure ">Bruce Taylor/”mr. Magic Realism”
I also have excerpts and mini buttons for Other Systems and bookmarks for Faminelands #3: Mareton’s Curse to hand out. I have the swag packed up in my trunk. I’ll drive down tomorrow in order to pick up my badge.
Wish me luck!
January 15, 2013
Faminelands #3: Mareton’s Curse Update: it’s gone to press!
As you can see from the title Faminelands #3: Mareton’s Curse has gone to press. I got it back last Friday from the last beta reader who is also my grammar nazi. She said she found it impressive. I went through it again, so now it is on its way to Ka-Blam to be printed.
This has definitely been one of the harder titles for me to finish up. Specifically because there were subplots that had to be closed in this book. As my readers know I believe in believable characters, but my writing is plot driven. When I read books, I need to have a satisfying ending, to be a satisfying read and I write that way as well…or at least try to. I am very proud of the artwork in this book. I felt more than once I stretched my artistic ability.
As I said before it will be released on March 1st. You can pre-order it here. Maria and I will be shipping pre-orders on Feb 26th.
January 5, 2013
The last beta Reader–THE END IS NEAR!
Lady Aster
So yesterday I gave Cassy the latest version of Faminelands Book 3: Mareton’s Curse She is the final beta reader. She has beta read every single Faminelands book and the short story The History of Lady Meadowlark.
What is funny about it, is she has never really enjoyed this series. She does not like the characters in fact she really dislikes elves–but note she also hates unicorns and other fantasy beasts–but she loves grammar. So though she dislikes the characters in the Famineland’s series: she is a great beta reader. And the fact that she is NOT my target audience means that she does not get excited about the story. Instead she is completely focused on the grammar and spelling which is exactly I need.
On other news: I’m ordering the Mareton’s Curse Bookmarks this week and I m finishing up the wallpapers and extras for the CD Digital copies. I have the mini buttons ordered.
I’m on schedule to have everything ready by Emerald City Comic Con 2013.
So the end of the project is near!
January 4, 2013
2013 Schedule!
Here is my upcoming convention, blog tours, and releases schedule for 2013
Rusty-con
Reading from Other Systems and Panels
January 18-20, 2013
Seatac Marriot Hotel Seatac, WA
ZB’s BLOG of AWESOMENESS is a stop on the INFERNAL EIGHTEEN BLOG TOUR
February 5th
Interview with author Don A. Martinez about his series the Phantom Squadron: a contemporary fantasy which follows a team of four supernatural agents has been assembled for a Black Ops team unlike any other. Infernal Eighteen is the fourth book in the series.
RELEASE OF Faminelands #3
March 1 (Pre-orders will ship February 26th)
The Faminelands Trilogy follows Lark as she endeavors to return her brother Orin to the Path of Valor which he abandoned decades before. In Mareton’s Curse, a shared vision puts Lark, Orin, and their kinsman on a path to search for the lost prince of Mareton. As the famine worsens, each must make decisions regarding the future of their House and their own happiness.
Emerald City Comicon
Exhibiting Under Elizabeth Guizzetti
March 1-3, 2013
Washington Convention Center, Seattle, WA
RELEASE of Out for Souls&Cookies #4 (The Christmas Special)
October 1 (Pre-orders will ship September 29th)
Jet City Comic Book Show
Exhibiting under ZB Publications
November 2, 2013
Tacoma Convention and Trade Center
Tacoma, WA
Bellingham Comicon (Tentative)
2013
Ferndale Events Center
Ferndale, WA
More to be Announced!
TBA
Other Systems is coming to print!
January 2, 2013
Hey did you steal that from Star Trek? A science fiction author’s frustration.
A would-be science fiction author who won’t be named asked me ”Doesn’t it worry you that you stole an idea from StarTrek?”
Shocked and dismayed, I said: ”I didn’t.”
Won’t be named: “But don’t they use tachyons to power their ships?”
Me: “No the Enterprise was powered by a matter/anti-matter reaction which creates a plasma in the dilithium crystals.”
Won’t be named: “I am pretty sure I heard the word ‘tachyon’ on Star Trek.”Me. “Oh, well sure they used tachyons on different episodes, but they didn’t come up with tachyons. The theory has been around since the 60′s at least and the idea is even older.”
Won’t be named was probably bored at this point, but I continued talking. After all, my integrity as an author was at stake!
“A tachyon is a hypothetical particle that can go faster than the speed of light. Of course nearly all sci-fi authors look into prevailing theories and then add fiction to make them work… but the tachyons don’t power the Revelation, they create a field in order for it to move out of space time…”
I almost geeked out about why I chose this theory, but the would-be author who won’t be named’s eyes glazed over. “So what you are saying is I need to sound science-y.”
So I’m not sure if I am more frustrated because ….
1) this would-be science fiction author thought the writers of StarTrek came up with tachyons
or
2) Because they thought the Enterprise was powered by them.
or
3) Because they had no idea what a Tachyon was and I used it in Other Systems because it sounds so “science-y.”
