Friday, July 31, 2015

The Ballerina Art of Anastasia Vostretszova


Dear Gentle Readers,

This morning we will exploring  the Ballerina Art of Anastasia Vostretszova.  She is an exceptional Russian artist who loved to paint the movement of the ballet from an early age. 


Anastasia Vorstretszova was born in Yekakaterinburg in 1981. She came from a family of artists and spent much time in Moscow as a child.  




Her art reflects her love for the Russian nature, Russian life, and Russian culture.

She has many exhibits in Russian as well as in Italy and the United States.



Her works are also part of private collections in Russia, Greece, India, and Holland. You can follow her on her website:
 www.art-katalog.com/english/painter/77

None of these images are mine. I claim nothing here. Have a great day!

Hugs,
,
Carol 

























Thursday, July 30, 2015

Seaside Haven, Book 1 in the Seaside Series by Sandra W. Burch

Dear Gentle Readers,

I would like to introduce you to Sandra Widner Burch, who is a short story author, and award-winning poet. She has work appearing or forthcoming in over a dozen venues, including Piker Press, Torrid Literature Journal, 8149, Best New Poems, and Room magazine. She is a member of Tallahassee Writer’s Association and Austin Poets International. She has graciously agrees to share something about Seaside Haven, her first novel. 

You can visit her at www.sandrawburch.com.


Overview

After being injured in a paparazzi induced car accident, playboy Phoenix Chamberlain returns to the resort previously owned and operated by his grandfather to recuperate. There he meets resort manager, Sierra Ramstad, who is used to being the boss and not keen on taking orders from others, especially Phoenix.
Not only did the accident change Phoenix physically, it also broke his spirit. His disgruntled attitude is a reflection of the unbearable pain he endures daily. But with the help of Sierra and his therapist, he decides he can overcome the doctor’s grim prognosis and learn to enjoy life again. But to Sierra’s surprise, Phoenix had his attorney draw up a severance package for her, with the thought that he would manage the day-to-day operations of the resort. Will Sierra be able to forgive Phoenix or will she walk away from Seaside Haven?


Here is the link to buy the book through the author's website:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9KZCV77Q37C4G

Have a great day. 
Hugs,
Carol

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The Milky Way Over Yellowstone

Reposting on an article from Earth and Space I found on Facebook. None of this is mine. It was too beautiful just the way it is. Photos are by David Lane.


_

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The Art of George Wesley Bellows



     American realist painter, George Wesley Bellows was born in August, 1882, somewhere between the 12th and the 19th, in Columbus Ohio. He was best known for his bold and hard-edged depictions of New York City urban life. The Columbus (Ohio) Museum of Art labeled Bellows "the most acclaimed American artist of his generation." He was part of the Ashcan Movement and a member of the elite artist group,"Eight." 

     George was the only child of older parents. His father was fifty and his mother, the daughter of a famous whaling captain, was forty at the time of his birth. He went to school in Columbus, and attended the Ohio State University from 1901 to 1904, where he played both baseball and basketball, as well as illustrated the student yearbook. He was drafted by a minor baseball league team and everyone expected him to become a professional baseball player, but one week before his graduation ceremony, he packed up everything he owned and moved to New York City to study painting. He rented a small studio on Broadway and began painting gritty, contemporary works of art 
depicting life in the big city.  His work was described as crudely painted, but daring and chaotic scenes of working class people and their neighborhoods.  His human figures possess a strong sense of movement and direction. His paintings were called grimy, rough, and dark.  His prize fight paintings were his most sought-after pieces of work.


Later he collaborated with Master Painter Bolton Brown on a huge number, well over one hundred, of lithographs.  George Wesley Bellows died on Jan. 8, 1925 in New York City at the age of 42.


He was devoted to his wife and daughters and they became the focus of his work in his last year.  These pieces were characterized by a softer, gentler approach to color and design.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Mirror of Love by Samna Ghani

Emma Miller is an intelligent woman who believes in thinking with her head instead of her heart. A total cynic, she does not believe in fairy-tale endings nor is she one to swoon or pine for some man. She believes in attaining a comfortable existence. No complications. No worries. Her decision to visit Salar de Uyuni pretty much changes her entire perspective – about love, life and the truly important things in life.  
Ashton Colyns is just like Emma. Cynical. Sarcastic. Witty. No idealistic notions for him either. But with his dry sense of humor and his irresistible charm, he manages to penetrate through Emma’s no-nonsense persona. 
Amidst the excitement and adventure and through the complicated mess with Henry Tudor and Anne Boleyn, will Ashton and Emma finally realize they were meant to be together? 

By Carol Ann Kauffman on July 22, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
I am always distrustful of people who say they are marrying for logical reasons and not that heart-thumping, pulse-quickening, ecstatic LOVE, and this story tells why: you just haven't met him (or her) yet. In this case, our heroine travels much farther than the originally intended Bolivia to find her heart's desire. Wonderful story. Loved it!

Buy Link:




Friday, July 24, 2015

The Work of Helen Ansell


Dear Gentle Readers,

May I introduce you to the work of Helen Ansell? Her work is immediately recognizable by her vivid use of color and strong Australian influence. Her work is both primitive and complex, dramatic and simple, all at the same time. 







I was drawn to her work because it reminded me so much of the art pieces by our own Parker Kaufman. Bold and geometric, combined with detailed and delicate. Fearless mixes of color and shape and stroke that bring the canvas to life.


Australian-born Helen Ansell loves to paint wildflowers. She has had a affinity for wildflowers since she was a little girl helping her father collect wildflower seeds and growing them in a remote Aboriginal community outside of Wiluna, Australia.

Some of her wildflower paintings have been translated in textile designs. On her Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/helenansellart , Helen shows us her process of turning photos of the natural fauna of her country into works of art. 


If the art of this amazing young woman has sparked your curiosity at all, please follow the links to learn more about her and how she creates her beautiful work.

www.helenansell.com/
www.form.net.au/project/helen-ansell-exhibition-beyond-the-fence-line/
www.andrewsand.co/helen-ansell-fine-artist/
https://twitter.com/helenansell

None of these photos are mine. I claim nothing here. They came from the links above.

Hugs,
Carol 


Thursday, July 23, 2015

Unleashed Love by Jackie Marilla

Dear Gentle Readers,

This morning I have for you a review of the first in a new series called Sheltered Love, a new anthology revolving around an animal shelter. This one, Unleashed Love by Jackie Marilla, is delightful!
Looking for a great beach read? This is it.

Hugs,
Carol


5.0 out of 5 stars Journey Back into Love and Pet OwnershipJuly 20, 2015
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Unleashed Love (Sheltered Love Series Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
Unleashed Love is the story of Glenda, a sensitive widow, and her journey back
into love and pet ownership. While volunteering at an animal shelter, she meets a man she thinks she could love. All goes well... until the adult children enter the picture, one dragging his ex-wife. A great summer read. 

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Unleashed-Love-Sheltered-Book-ebook/dp/B011RWP8BK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437433664&sr=1-1&keywords=Unleashed+Love

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

LONG ROAD HOME by Mary Jane Morgan



Good morning Gentle Readers,

This morning the lovely and talented Mary Jane Morgan has agreed to a return visit to tell us a little more about Long Road Home, her new book in the Crystal Springs Homecoming Romance series, which has been described as a western version of Romeo and Juliet. It's been gathering great reviews from lovers of romance and western books alike   Take a look at it!


Hugs,
Carol





JACKET COPY: LONG ROAD HOME

Megan Swearingen’s life changes forever with the death of her father. Leaving college, she returns home to find her younger sister mute with shock, her mother too depressed to function, and their beloved Thoroughbred horse ranch on the verge of going under. She’s barely arrived when she’s forced to accept help from Brett Dawson -- the man who once broke her heart -- when a marauding mountain lion threatens one of the prized horses they depend on for survival.

Brett would rather be anywhere but the Swearingen ranch. Caught between his feelings for Megan and the powder keg of the ongoing feud between their families, he feels his only choice is to help Megan, regardless of the consequences. If it weren’t for Brett’s father, Megan’s dad might still be alive, and she wouldn’t be here now sacrificing her future to save her family’s ranch.


As the long-simmering attraction between Megan and Brett resurfaces, it is threatened almost before it begins by dark family secrets swirling around them -- secrets that turn to danger and could very well destroy not only their new beginning, but the lives of everyone they both love.

Excerpt:

She was tough all right. Made of sterner stuff than either her old man or mom. She was also pretty. Her thick blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, emphasizing her high cheek bones and big green eyes. Then there was her mouth, full and lush even though it was set in a scowl.
He’d had a taste – a big taste -- of that mouth once, but then he’d come to his senses and run like hell because little Megan Swearingen was way too young for him to be messing with. Way too young. At sixteen, she’d been the prettiest thing he’d ever seen in his entire twenty four years.
He shook himself back to reality. “A friend of mine has a rescue Doberman. About two years old. You could get her for practically nothing.”
“Great. That’s about what I’ve got right now.”
He winced. No one should have to go through what she was, but she didn’t have to take it out on him. Or maybe she did. After all, his dad had probably started this whole ugly mess.
“I’ll bring her over tomorrow. Let you check her out if you want.”
She shot him a look that would have made a lesser man cringe. “Just give me the number. I’ll go see her myself. Maybe.”
So much for trying to be helpful. Megan reminded him of his late fiancé, stubborn as they come and out to prove to the world she could take on anything that came her way.  Brett’s stomach tightened remembering Emily. She’d taken on the world all right, and it had cost her her life.
Megan needed him right now, whether she would admit it or not, and he would help her get through this evening, because he seriously doubted she could handle this alone. And she shouldn’t have to.

Buy Link:


Monday, July 20, 2015

Brie Paisley WORSHIPPED Promotional Tour






Running a business and trying to keep the past in the past isn't so easy.

Riley Blake thinks she has it all: a nice house, a great friend, and her own bakery. Her world turns upside down when an incident with a hot stranger happens right outside the local coffee shop. Riley is instantly attracted to the dark and mysterious man.

Fate steps in yet again, and Riley finds herself with the dark and mysterious man again at a local bar. His name is Isaac.
Isaac has his own business with his partner, Conner. Riley doesn't think too much of the two having more than a brother type friendship. When Riley becomes attracted to Conner, she is torn over what she should do.

Isaac, however, lets Riley know he is willing to share. Shocked and utterly confused, Riley does as she is told and begins a relationship with not one, but two men. Everything was great until Isaac and Conner's past comes back to haunt them and Riley ends up in the middle. Just when she thinks it cant get any worse, Riley’s ex comes back into the picture and she is thrown back into her past. Can love really conquer all? Or will this be just another sad love story?

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Worshipped+by+Brie+Paisley









Coming Soon!!!
BOOK TWO  
BETRAYED



He is darkness. He is everything that should make me run and never look back. I should run. I should leave and forget everything he makes me want and feel. I have tried running, only to be caught and brought back. Why does this man want me? Why does he want to claim everything I have? 
I just want to be free. I want and need my freedom from him. 
I need freedom from his darkness. 
I need freedom from his chains that bind me. 
I need freedom from falling for the man that I know is a monster. 

She is light. Everything that is good while I am consumed with darkness. She is my salvation from the monster that dwells inside of me. I can’t help but want her. I can’t help but need her. I have to consume her in every way possible. She is mine whether she wants to believe it or not. She wants her freedom from me. But what she doesn’t see, I am the very thing she wants and needs. 
Freedom to be herself. 
Freedom to let go of her pain. 
Freedom to fall for the one man that sets her body on fire. 
Body, mind, and soul I will claim what is mine. 










Brie Paisley is a small town gal from Mississippi. She always wanted to write at a young age and was always filling journals with her thoughts and short stories. Brie started with the idea of Worshipped a year ago and with the encouragement of her husband and sister in law, she was able to write her first book. When she is not writing, you can find her reading a good book, painting, scrapbooking, or watching a good movie with her husband and her boxer.