Tuesday, August 26, 2014

MY 10 BOOK CHALLENGE

I was asked to do this on FB by a friend:

"List 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don't take more than a few minutes, and don't think too hard. It's not about the "right book" or great works of literature, just ones that have affected you in some way. Doesn't have to be in order."

So here goes:

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

I mean who can forget Mr. Darcy, hm? :)


Outlander - Diana Gabaldon

If you know me at all, you'll know how much I LOVE these books. Yes, books. Its a series of 8 books so far - a historical, time-travelling, Sci-Fi EPIC romance that centers around (for me) the life and adventures of a tall, red-headed, kilt-wearing Scot.

The Palace of Illusions - Chitra Divakaruni

This book started me on my own mythic writing journey. I have always loved mythology and have a special interest in Indian Mythology and my two favorite mythological characters are Karna and Draupadi. I am all for "shipping" those two star-crossed frenemies!


The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak


A story celebrating human triumph over oppression.

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green


Another story celebrating the human spirit in face of disease.

Julius Caesar - Shakespeare


Where good intentions paved the road to hell. 

The Universe in a Nutshell - Stephen Hawking


Because Man really has no option but to look to the stars for survival. That the only limits there are in this universe is the ones we tether ourselves to.

The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins


Because Man does delude himself in thinking he knows "God."

The Three Virgins and Other Stories - Manjula Padmanabhan


This collection of Indian/multicultural stories has a bit of everything. My favorite is STAIN in which 5000 years of culture is weighed against modern-day feminine hygiene products...and comes up short.


Last, but in no way least, my own debut, 

It's Your Move, Wordfreak! 



Because it took me on a path sprinkled with wonders.

What's your List of 10 look like?

Your answer will win you prizes :)

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

My fav #ALSICEBUCKETCHALLENGE vids

Hey there, Dear Readers. So, unless you live under a rock, you've probably seen some funny and largehearted videos of the ALS fundraiser trending our virtual world, though there is nothing whatsoever funny about ALS, the disease. These are my top five to date #ALSIceBucketChallenge videos.












Videos will be added as I come across more favorites :)

To know more about ALS or Lou Gehrig/s Disease click on its name.

To realise what it actually is to live with ALS click here.

Donate @

http://www.alsa.org/

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

JUMP

Motivation.
With a jet-lagged brain, a sore throat and some fever, I haven't felt an urge to get back up on my writing horse. I'm hoping this bit of song and dance will pump up the blood and brainwaves.


What gets you moving?

Friday, August 1, 2014

GUEST POST - ANNAMARIA BAZZI

We have guest-posting today, Annamaria Bazzi, author of Incantation Paradox.

What’s magical in Anna’s life as opposed to her MCs?


My life is quite an ordinary suburban life.

I must warn you; I never grew up. The child in me is still alive and well.

When my youngest daughter turned 4, I think that’s when it happened, Scarlett the dragon moved into my attic. My daughter, Ariana, was thrilled. At the time she believed in dragons and fairies. Many times, we’d go up into the attic to try and get a glimpse of the dragon. It never happened. She always seemed to know when we were about to disturb her abode. She was always gone, although, on several occasions, we would find her eggs, warm and colorful in a pile on warm blankets.

Soon, my nieces and some of Ariana’s friends would come over asking if they could go up into the attic to see Scarlett or find some of her eggs.

“Mrs. B,” that’s what most of the kids call me. “Can we please go see Scarlett?”
“You must be very quiet and respectful when you go up there. No running, no screaming.”
“Yes, Mrs. B.”
And they’d all run up the stairs.

“Mrs. B,” they screamed rushing back down. “All the eggs are gone.”
I would smile. “Oh, what great news. Scarlett’s babies have hatched.” I’d giggle for joy. “Did you see any baby dragons?”
“We gotta go back up.”
“Come on.”
And they’d all run back upstairs to look for little dragons.

I’m sad to say Scarlett has left my attic, but I know she’ll be back as soon as my daughter Amanda has her fist child. After all, dragons only live and thrive wherever children are.

You don’t believe me? Did I hear you right? That’s the problems with grownups, once they lose their imagination, magic leaves their lives forever and the beauty and creativity of the mind begins to stagnate. All these people see is work, and more work. They have lost their inner child. Hence, no longer believe in Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, fairies, dragons and all that fuels the imagination.


What a sad day for magic.


Magic is an illusion. It doesn’t really exist. Or does it?

A horrible car accident destroys Dolores Reynard’s life. But instead of waking up in a hospital bed, she awakens in a teenager’s body. Soon, she discovers she is at the heart of the murderous mystery surrounding the death of Mona, the young girl whose body she occupies. Caught between an evil greater than she ever imagined and a wizard who heals her tattered heart, she is forced to play a dangerous game of intrigue in the hopes of finding a way to return to her previous life.


Will magic be her ally, or will it lead to her demise once and for all.

Book Links: Amazon / Smashwords / B&N


~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Although born in the United States, Annamaria Bazzi spent a great deal of her childhood in Sicily, Italy, in a town called Sciacca. Italian was the language spoken at home. Therefore, she had no problems when she found herself growing up in a strange country. Upon returning to the states, she promised herself she would speak without an accent. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computers with a minor in Spanish.
Annamaria spent twenty years programming systems for large corporations, creating innovative solution, and addressing customer problems. During those years, she raised four daughters and one husband. Annamaria lives in Richmond Virginia with her small family where she now dedicates a good part of her day writing.
You can visit Annamaria at:
blog http://annamariabazzi.com
website http://www.annamariasbooks.com


2 Digital Copies of Incantation Paradox up for grabs:

a Rafflecopter giveaway