Spring

Dear Gentle Readers,

 

While I was working, summer was my favorite season. The heat and being outside were major draws. But now that I am retired, I've discovered spring with it's feeling of rebirth and renewal. This is a photo of my flowering crabapple tree, overloaded with beautiful rose pink blossoms.

Today was a beautiful sunny day with teperatures in the high 70's. Everything seems to be coming alive and there is hope for a lovely day tomorrow.

Have a great day!

Hugs,

Carol

BLUE LAKE by Carol Ann Kauffman

Dear Gentle Readers,

Here are some reviews of BLUE LAKE, the book that started it all for me. The first novel in the Time After Time series takes place in New Mexico, Ohio, and England, with a few side trips to Ireland and Aruba. It covers over ten years in the lives of Nicole Minnotti, an Ohio businesswoman, and the love of her life, Richard MacKenzie, a much younger British/Irish actor. It was written in 2011 and published in 2012.

If you you're looking for a romantic adventure story or a contemporary romance without explicit sex or graphic violence, a story that examines the value of love and companionship and the "age thing", I think you'll like this book. Let me know!

Hugs,
Carol

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5Blue Lake

By barton July 13, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the beginning to the final word. Carol Kauffman held my interest with this love story. Good reading with lots of action and with locations all over the globe. She loved him to the end and beyond through all their trials and tribulations.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5Wionderfull!

ByTCleveron May 20, 2012

Format: Kindle Edition

This was a brilliant novel, and everyone will enjoy reading it. It wasn't something I'd pick up for myself, but after reading it, I can't wait to read more! Great book, and well written!

5Power of Love...here and beyond

ByJ49on April 4, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

After enjoying Carol Kauffman's other novel, Bel Terra; I wanted to read Blue Lake. This novel has been composed and developed into a truly epic romantic novel spanning over 10 years in time. It crosses the United States from the West coast,across the Atlantic to England, Ireland, Italy. Even a couple of trips to Aruba adds to the visual appeal. Mrs. Kauffman describes the scenic areas so well that you can easily visualize yourself there. The main characters are so well developed that I seemed to need a box of tissues by my side when their plights and troubles were made apparent throughout their saga. I really became immersed in this story. It is a true tale of the Power of Love...here and beyond. If you enjoy romantic novels interspersed with action and the occasional quips that makes you smile; you'll enjoy this book.

5What a ride!

ByE L on March 28, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a fun, intricately plotted story of two lovers on a wild ride of an on-again, off-again love affair. I especially enjoyed the tenderness of the love scenes and the candid treatment of the May/December relationship. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Vision and Verse Surpasses 55,000 Pageview Milestone

Dear Gentle Readers,

This morning Vision and Verse has breezed by the 55,000 Pageviews Milestone.

I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am to find so many readers from so many places stopping in daily to see what's happening here. Thank you. I appreciate each and every one of you and I promise you some new and exciting posts, just as soon as hubby's surgery and jury duty are done. Hospitals and courtrooms are not conducive to mobile posting! So, be patient with me, lovely readers.

Hugs,
Carol

An Excerpt from BELTERRA

Dear Gentle Readers,

This morning I have for you an excerpt from BELTERRA, the sci-fi romantic adventure I wrote in 2011 and published in 2012. Thousands of people downloaded BELTERRA, which held the # 1 spot for a while in 2012.

While Neeka was busy with her class, Braedon had some time alone with his mother.

“Neeka and I went to see Spirit Lord Jamit.  Did you ever meet him?”

“No, but those spirit types are creepy, with their humming and chanting and rocking.”

“He told me you were in danger.”

“From what?”

“Seth, the Scientist Lord of Northford.  He is a nasty man.  I met him.  He threw a knife at me on neutral ground.  Remember?  He would have killed me if not for Neeka’s armor.  He was behind the poison wine.  Remember Mother?  He stole Neeka and kept her prisoner for months as his slave.”  Betta said nothing.

“Have you ever met Seth, Mother?”

“No”

“Have you known any Scientists, Mother?”

“What is this?  What’s going on?  Why are you questioning me?”

“I need to know what your connection to Lord Seth.”

“Why?”

“Because he wants to hurt Neeka.  You better tell me.  I plan to kill him.  I will kill anyone who tries to harm her.”

“No.  Do not kill him.”

“Why?  Why, Mother?  What are you not telling me?”

“Braedon, I hate to be the one to bring this to your attention, but there are things about your beloved Neeka that simply do not add up.  You come home with a woman you never met before, claiming she is the love of your life.  She tells you she is a medicine woman and the daughter of the Warrior Lord, but neglects to tell you she is Seth’s wife.  She claims to have been his slave for a month, treated viciously and brutally.  But there is not a mark on her body, and we have all seen her body because she wears very little clothing.  Now she wants you to kill Seth.  You are being manipulated.  I think you need to open your eyes, Son.”

“My eyes ARE open.  Pack your things and return to your own house.  Do not be here when I return.”

MORE of the Art of Beryl Cook

MORE of the Art of Beryl Cook

                                                                           

The distinctive art of Beryl Cook is as instantly recognizable as my relatives at a family reunion. In this society where thinness is praised next to godliness, Beryl Cook's paintings celebrate the life of the happy, socially active, healthy, chubby woman, having the time of her life.

She is not a unhealthy, ugly mass of jingly flesh. Oh, no! She's out dancing, bowling, having concerts in the park, and so on. She is comfortable in fancy and tiny outfits, and is pursued as a desirous companion.  

Of course, as fashionably comfortable  as the Beryl Cook woman is in disco outfits and fancy clothes, she is equally comfortable cavorting in her birthday suit.


Beryl Cook was a publicly shy woman, and for as popular as her artwork was in her lifetime, she was not recognized in public. She used this advantage to sit in coffee shops and parks and dance clubs and bowling alleys to sketch and make notes for her paintings.







At the age of 81, Britain's unofficial favorite painter passed away on May 28, 2008, leaving a giant hole in the world of humorous art, as only Beryl could do, almost thumbing her nose at the elitism "you can't be too rich or too thin" mindset, who dismissed Beryl's work. But the public loves her work, finding it amusing, humorous, and "freeing" the chubby public from the notion that fat is ugly.

Meanness  is ugly.  Cruelty is ugly. Harshness is ugly.  A society that starves children and abuses women and children and men who are different is ugly.  An ample bosom and butt are not.

I remember distinctly a physical examination with my family doctor before an overseas trip, when I expressed a weight issue with my very wise family doctor.

He  said, "Chihuahuas have chihuahuas. And  Great Danes have Great Danes.  And no matter what you do, you are never going to be a chihuahua. I just want you to be healthy."

So, to the other Great Danes out there, enjoy the work of Beryl Cook, where she shows us dynamic, healthy, fun-loving full-size women.




All information for this article came from Wikipedia and the following link:
Link:
http://www.berylcookprints.co.uk/addToCart.asp?id=39