Toi Thomas's Blog, page 105
August 1, 2013
Mira's Closet: Date
Mira’s no fashionista, but she definitely has her own sense of style…And now here’s an update on just that. These are style tips from
my own personal fashion guru, trainer, and my physical inspiration for Mira.
If you like this, be sure to stop by Tori’s Fashionplate to see what else she has to share…and don’t be afraid to leave comments and ask questions.
You can also check out:Celebrity Trends at WhoWhatWear: http://www.whowhatwear.com/Fashion Medley: http://thefashionmedley.com/ (content advisory)
My Style Pinboard: http://pinterest.com/toinette_thomas/my-style/
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
July 31, 2013
Courage to Change: a perspective by Ian Mathie
When there seems to be no way out you need Courage to Change.A perspective on Sylvie Nickels’s book by author Ian Mathie.
Image provided by authorCourage to Change, by Sylvie NickelsPaperback: 232 pages, also available in ebookPublisher: Oriel Press, UK (June 6, 2013)Reading level: Young Adult / Full AdultGenre: FictionLanguage: EnglishISBN-10: 1782995579 (paperback)ISBN-13: 978-1782995579 (paperback)Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inchesContent Rating: General release
As an industrial psychologist I was accustomed to dealing with many problems people brought with them to the workplace every bit as much as with problems growing out of the working environment. A problem which raised its ugly head quite frequently had many faces yet in each case it was the same problem: addiction. Reaching well beyond the workplace, addiction is far from easy to deal with and its first and most difficult challenge is recognition and acceptance by the sufferer.
Often misunderstood is a subject the very thought of which turns most people off. As a result it is too often ignored. Nevertheless, we are all potentially vulnerable to it. We can all learn useful lessons about the pitfalls and what fuels different forms of addiction if only we take the time to listen or to read about them.
This is one of the benefits that books like Courage to Change , by Sylvie Nickels have to offer. The novel offers a great story wrapped a framework of relationships, situations and problems arising out of one form of addiction, alcoholism. As the story unfolds it explores all the human dilemmas faced not only by those addicted, but by their families, friends and those who seek to help them.
Sylvie Nickels has a great wealth of life experience. She understands human abilities, frailties and weaknesses so well. This gives her the capacity to express the emotions and mindset of people in all sorts of social, domestic and working situations in ways that make her characters so real you feel they could be your own relations, or you know them personally. Because of this, what seems at first like a lightweight story draws you in and carries you along, wanting to know what people will do next and how things will turn out. Her writing is not gripping in the conventional sense, but it is truly compelling and will keep you reading to the very last page.
Through the medium of a touching story she offers a subtle exploration of the many dilemmas and problems involved in addiction; offering insights that should be valuable to any parent or person who shares their life with an addictive personality. Whilst she offers no magic solution to the problems; there isn’t one anyway, she at least offers hope whilst leaving it to the reader to make their own final judgements.
Courage to Change is a most rewarding book that can teach one a lot about life and human interactions. It also offers a good lesson to writers in how to convey the feelings and emotions of one’s characters. Here the players are very ordinary people and yet we come to know them intimately. That only comes about through very skilful writing and a thorough understanding on the part of the author of both the subject and the people she is writing about.
Sylvie Nickels’s other works include an excellent trilogy based on the effects of conflict on families, using the Bosnian war as its backdrop. She has also written a mystery thriller based in Finland and a series of travel books during her long career. Publishing most of her books by her own efforts, she is an author whose work deserves to be much better known.
****
Author biography:
Now in the eighties, Sylvie Nickels has been writing since the age of ten. In earlier years she wrote numerous travel books, particularly about the Balkan countries and about Finland, a country she knows intimately and whose language she speaks. Since her childhood was during World War Two, it is hardly surprising that the effects of war on succeeding generations should be the theme of several of her books.
After her marriage she embarked with her husband, geographer and explorer George Spenceley, on a series of adventures including canoe trips down the Danube and the Mississippi rivers, the latter resulting in her acclaimed book The Big Muddy .
When advancing years curtailed her travelling, Sylvie turned to fiction, producing four intriguing books. Most recently she has tackled the subject of addiction as life has brought me into direct contact with the effects of alcoholism at many levels. Whilst Courage to Change was originally aimed at the Young Adult market, its subject gives it much wider appeal.
Recently widowed, Sylvie Nickels lives in north Oxfordshire, England, and is still actively writing.
Amazon Author Page: Sylvie Nickels
****Ian Mathie isthe author of the African Memoir Series, currently comprising four volumes: Bride Price (January2011); Man in a Mud Hut (July 2011); Supper with the President (October 2011); and Dust of the Danakil (March 2012). He has a fifth volume, Sorcerers and Orange Pee l, due for release in October 2013.
His books are available in all e-book formats from www.smashwords.com and in paperback or Kindle formats from Amazon. More detail about the author, including interviews, reviews, biographical information and book details are available on his website www.ianmathie.com.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
Image provided by authorCourage to Change, by Sylvie NickelsPaperback: 232 pages, also available in ebookPublisher: Oriel Press, UK (June 6, 2013)Reading level: Young Adult / Full AdultGenre: FictionLanguage: EnglishISBN-10: 1782995579 (paperback)ISBN-13: 978-1782995579 (paperback)Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inchesContent Rating: General releaseAs an industrial psychologist I was accustomed to dealing with many problems people brought with them to the workplace every bit as much as with problems growing out of the working environment. A problem which raised its ugly head quite frequently had many faces yet in each case it was the same problem: addiction. Reaching well beyond the workplace, addiction is far from easy to deal with and its first and most difficult challenge is recognition and acceptance by the sufferer.
Often misunderstood is a subject the very thought of which turns most people off. As a result it is too often ignored. Nevertheless, we are all potentially vulnerable to it. We can all learn useful lessons about the pitfalls and what fuels different forms of addiction if only we take the time to listen or to read about them.
This is one of the benefits that books like Courage to Change , by Sylvie Nickels have to offer. The novel offers a great story wrapped a framework of relationships, situations and problems arising out of one form of addiction, alcoholism. As the story unfolds it explores all the human dilemmas faced not only by those addicted, but by their families, friends and those who seek to help them.
Sylvie Nickels has a great wealth of life experience. She understands human abilities, frailties and weaknesses so well. This gives her the capacity to express the emotions and mindset of people in all sorts of social, domestic and working situations in ways that make her characters so real you feel they could be your own relations, or you know them personally. Because of this, what seems at first like a lightweight story draws you in and carries you along, wanting to know what people will do next and how things will turn out. Her writing is not gripping in the conventional sense, but it is truly compelling and will keep you reading to the very last page.
Through the medium of a touching story she offers a subtle exploration of the many dilemmas and problems involved in addiction; offering insights that should be valuable to any parent or person who shares their life with an addictive personality. Whilst she offers no magic solution to the problems; there isn’t one anyway, she at least offers hope whilst leaving it to the reader to make their own final judgements.
Courage to Change is a most rewarding book that can teach one a lot about life and human interactions. It also offers a good lesson to writers in how to convey the feelings and emotions of one’s characters. Here the players are very ordinary people and yet we come to know them intimately. That only comes about through very skilful writing and a thorough understanding on the part of the author of both the subject and the people she is writing about.
Sylvie Nickels’s other works include an excellent trilogy based on the effects of conflict on families, using the Bosnian war as its backdrop. She has also written a mystery thriller based in Finland and a series of travel books during her long career. Publishing most of her books by her own efforts, she is an author whose work deserves to be much better known.
****
Author biography:
Now in the eighties, Sylvie Nickels has been writing since the age of ten. In earlier years she wrote numerous travel books, particularly about the Balkan countries and about Finland, a country she knows intimately and whose language she speaks. Since her childhood was during World War Two, it is hardly surprising that the effects of war on succeeding generations should be the theme of several of her books.
After her marriage she embarked with her husband, geographer and explorer George Spenceley, on a series of adventures including canoe trips down the Danube and the Mississippi rivers, the latter resulting in her acclaimed book The Big Muddy .
When advancing years curtailed her travelling, Sylvie turned to fiction, producing four intriguing books. Most recently she has tackled the subject of addiction as life has brought me into direct contact with the effects of alcoholism at many levels. Whilst Courage to Change was originally aimed at the Young Adult market, its subject gives it much wider appeal.
Recently widowed, Sylvie Nickels lives in north Oxfordshire, England, and is still actively writing.
Amazon Author Page: Sylvie Nickels
****Ian Mathie isthe author of the African Memoir Series, currently comprising four volumes: Bride Price (January2011); Man in a Mud Hut (July 2011); Supper with the President (October 2011); and Dust of the Danakil (March 2012). He has a fifth volume, Sorcerers and Orange Pee l, due for release in October 2013.
His books are available in all e-book formats from www.smashwords.com and in paperback or Kindle formats from Amazon. More detail about the author, including interviews, reviews, biographical information and book details are available on his website www.ianmathie.com.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
July 30, 2013
Do Angels and Demons, Fantasy, and Mystery Interest You?
These are previous posts that have been dusted off, updated, and freshly presented to an audience that’s never seen them. These limited posts originate from the companion blogs I’ve written for the first two installments of the Eternal Curse Series (40 Days and Nights of Eternal Curse & EC: Battleground a Survival Guide).*******************************************************************************************You see, I was worried about whether or not I was writing something that people would actually want to read. When I think about the types of books, I like to read and the things my closest friends and family read, it doesn’t always match up. Then I realized… that’s what reading is all about. Sometimes you have to read something to find out whether or not you like it; and every now then you come across something that has mass appeal.That’s what I’m aiming for, mass appeal. It may not be a realistic goal, but it’s a goal no less. I honestly think that most people would like my book if they just took the time read it. It doesn’t mean they have to like every printed word on the paper. For instance(speaking of movies), I’m the kind of girl who loves action, sci-fi, fantasy, quirky and dark comedy, and even a good mystery or thriller. Having said that, I can’t ignore that there are at least 10 chick-flicks that I will stop to watch at any time of the day, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s is at the top of that list. That just goes to show you that sometimes you can like things that you wouldn’t normally like.
So… angels and demons…sounds a little weird, or creepy, or even spiritual. Well that’s because it is. It’s supposed to be. All religions aside, spirituality can be really cool. Everyday people read, write, and watch artistic expressions about magic, scientific impossibilities, vampires, and werewolves; why not throw in some angels and demons too. If you aren’t afraid to look inside the pages of my book, you just might find something you like.
In my story, there is a definitive line drawn between right and wrong and good and evil, as the Eternal Curse unravels due to the decisions the characters make. Even when people know what’s supposed to be right and wrong or black and white, as human beings we tend walk down a gray path, treading the line separating righteousness and evil. This whole notion of blending good and bad is a struggle my hero has to face. I think everyone deals with a similar struggle at some point in our lives, no matter what we believe. I think that’s the kind of stuff that makes for a good story.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactionsand more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
July 29, 2013
Nina Soden Interviews Toi Thomas
Here's the link to see the interview. In appreciation for this posting, I've posted this drawing. Please join the fun.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
July 28, 2013
Sample Sunday 05
Sample Sunday is a weekly posting from my pre-published work in progress Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel. Each week I will post approximately 100 – 150 words from this installment of the series. Please visit the
ToiBox
to read samples of my other works.Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel chapter 2On the surface, Mira convinced herself that the information to be gained from the physical and psychological attributes of this study would be well worth the risk to meet him in person. She began planning her trip and gathering as much information as she could from Giovanni. Deep down, in the place where she’s always hidden her strongest desires and dreams, Mira just wanted to meet this person, this man who’d stirred up her heart and mind at a time when she felt stuck in a desperate rut. She couldn’t admit to herself that she was actually excited to be doing something a little adventurous. For as much as she tried to deny it, Mira was selfishly intrigued by the mystery of this gray man and science had nothing to do with it. Word Count: 133
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
July 27, 2013
ToiBox Update: Week 7/27/13
In case you’re interested, here are some highlights from my other blog, the ToiBox. This is where I talk more in depth about my whole writing experience and other works. 
Eternal Curse: Battleground, chapter 1.2
Eternal Curse: Giovanni's Angel, Mira's Bio
01: Why Fantasy
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
July 25, 2013
Blogdom July 2013
Oh boy, do I have loads to share from my Blogdom! You may want to bookmark this and come back to it a few times. Good stuff here.(July, 2013)
Reviews
-From Typing Tiara, Anatomy of a Boyfriend: http://typingtiara.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-anatomy-of-boyfriend.html-From Adopting James, Monsters University: http://adoptingjames.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/spoiler-free-monsters-university-review/-From MyBookAddictionReviews, Dig Those Dinosaurs: http://mybookaddictionreviews.com/2013/06/26/review-dig-those-dinosaurs-by-lori-haskins-houran/-From Zany Zach’s Blog, Evil Dead 2013 Review: http://zanyzacreviews.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/evil-dead-2013-review/-From Morgen Bailey’s Writing Blog, Grammarly (wesite): http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/review-of-grammarly-com-by-morgen-bailey/-From Tynga’s Reviews, Shadow& Bone: http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2013/07/shadow-bone-by-leigh-bardugo.html
Interviews
-From Alexandra’s Corner, 10 Questions with Thriller Writer Chuck Barrett: http://authorryanschneider.blogspot.com/2013/07/10-questions-with-thriller-writer-chuck.html?showComment=1372797360250#c804018126467448147-From The Wizard’s Cauldron, Turned to Stone near Featherstone: Louise Gornall :http://greenwizard62.blogspot.com/2013/07/turned-to-stone-near-featherstone.html-From the Paradox Series of Book blog, Storm Rising author, Kenneth Hoss: http://paradox-theangelsarehere.blogspot.com/
Writing
-From Creative Writing with the Crimson League, “Writing for You” comes July 31: http://crimsonleague.com/2013/07/01/book-release-notice-let-your-inner-writer-show-writing-for-you-comes-july-31/-From Live, Write, Thrive, It’s Not Rocket Science: http://www.livewritethrive.com/2013/07/05/its-not-rocket-science/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LiveWriteThrive+%28Live+Write+Thrive%29-From Cristian Mihai, On Blogging: http://cristianmihai.net/2013/07/03/on-blogging-2/- From Creative Writing with the Crimson League, What can sitcoms teach us about character development? http://crimsonleague.com/2013/07/16/authors-what-can-sitcoms-teach-us-about-character-development/
Entertainment
-From Nely Cab, Creatura chapter one: http://nelycab.blogspot.com/2013/06/creatura-chapter-1-preview-and-arc.html-From Morgen Bailey’s Writing Blog, podcast – short stories episode no.28: http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/baileys-writing-tips-podcast-short-stories-episode-no-28/-From The Fashion Medley, Right On Midriff: http://thefashionmedley.com/2013/07/01/right-on-midriff/-From The Between, Lady Liberty: http://glynisrankin.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/lady-liberty/- From Les Pages aux Folles, About (LOL): http://www.lespagesauxfolles.ca/?pg=6 -From 22 Words, Actors breaking character to laugh…: http://twentytwowords.com/2013/06/06/actors-breaking-character-to-laugh-with-each-other-between-takes-15-pictures/ -From Harper Tee, Ten, by Gretchen McNeil ( scary book trailer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fzOuyfcijw-From Paradox-Series of Book, Movie Recommendation: The Call: http://paradox-theangelsarehere.blogspot.com/2013/07/movie-reccomendation-5-stars-call-2013.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Paradox-SeriesOfBooks+%28PARADOX+-+Series+of+books%29-From Fox Broadcasting, Sleepy Hallow (trailer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hFg9qS_u3w-From Iris Huey, The Bookstore (short film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-PFSRMdom3o-From inspirationenergy, Throwback Thursday: The Flip Wilson Show: http://inspirationenergy.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/throwback-thursday-the-flip-wilson-show-geraldine-ray-charles/-From CommonGoodBook, The Way of the Brilliant Flirt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WxNIzemDQoU-FromThe Artificial Selection Project, …Identify All The Cosplayers… http://theartificialselectionproject.com/2013/07/16/five-super-hero-comics-that-will-help-you-identify-all-the-cosplayers-at-the-san-diego-comic-con/comment-page-1/#comment-200
Other
- From The Book Club Reading List, Author Blog Tips: https://bookclubreading.com/author-blog-tips/?ap_id=bookmarketer- From Blogging for a Good Book (book promo), Incognegro: http://bfgb.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/incognegro-by-mat-johnson-and-warren-pleece/-From Just Wheat, Red Lights: http://justwheat.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/red-lights/#comment-1582-From Serendipity Reviews, The Love Dare: Day One: http://serendipity-reviews.com/the-love-dare-day-one/By including links to these articles, reviews, interviews, etc…I am not endorsing the opinions of these bloggers and writers, but am simply sharing the highlights of my blog reading experience.
If you happen to stop by any of these post and want to leave a nice comment, please tell them I sent you. (Copy this =>I came upon this post via Toi Thomas.)
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
July 23, 2013
Listography of Toi 01: Pets
These are the lists that tell my life story. They are in no particular order and some of them are very personal. Please be nice, and if you want to share, I’d be glad to take a look at what you have.Pets I’ve hadDusty- Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mixQueenie- Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix -she had 8 little puppies, but they ate poison and died LGen- goldfishTrey- goldfishBetty-my current pet, an ornate wood turtle
Listograhy are books and a website dedicated to helping you write or consider your autobiography through the process of making lists.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
Listography of Toi 01
These are the lists that tell my life story. They are in no particular order and some of them are very personal. Please be nice, and if you want to share, I’d be glad to take a look at what you have.Pets I’ve hadDusty- Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mixQueenie- Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix -she had 8 little puppies, but they ate poison and died LGen- goldfishTrey- goldfishBetty-my current pet, an ornate wood turtle
Listograhy are books and a website dedicated to helping you write or consider your autobiography through the process of making lists.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
July 22, 2013
Who is Nina Soden?
Well this time next week: Monday July 29th, Nina Soden, Author of the Blood Angel Series, will be interviewing me on her blog. There will be a
giveaway
, so don’t miss the opportunity.To learn more about Nina, visit these great links.www.ninasoden.wordpress.comwww.facebook.com/BloodAngelSerieswww.twitter.com/Nina_SodenAWAKEN book 1: http://amzn.com/B008Q8ZPE4BEGINNINGS book 2: http://amzn.com/B00D3G7RWM
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken
