Friday, February 7, 2020

BOOK: Blue Lake by Carol Ann Kauffman




When British actor Richard MacKenzie entered the diner, all he expected to find was a cup of hot tea. Not his soulmate, the love of his life, the woman who had been wrenched from his arms so long ago in another lifetime. He knew her immediately. But would she recognize him?

While finishing up some business paperback after lunch in the local diner, Nicole, a widow from Ohio, felt someone watching her. When she looked up, she saw him. Him. 

When Nicole decided to step back into life in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico with Richard, a young handsome British actor who professed his undying love for her on a daily basis, she mistook his devotion for little more than youthful enthusiasm. She had no idea where their relationship would take her physically or emotionally. She would find herself in many dazzling international locations, putting her own life on hold, simply to be with him. She had no concept how strong her commitment to him would grow and to what extent she would go to protect him and ensure his safety and wellbeing.
And she certainly had no idea the depth of his devotion to her, an unlikely but undeniable love that would span continents and a decade of their lives, entwining them closer and closer, while their careers, families, and other relationships pulled them farther and farther apart. 

“This series of novels is different than anything else out there. Set in exotic and in some cases unusual settings, these characters are thrown together by random chance...or is it?
An intriguing turn of events can change the whole dynamic of a relationship. The destination is certainly worth the journey these novels take you through.”
-Amazon review of Time After Time series

Amazon Buy Link:  http://tinyurl.com/nt2ro9j

Excerpt:

(This scene takes place on the drive back home after the couple have made love while visiting the house Nicole wants to buy.)

As they drove back to town, Richard confessed, “Nicole, where have you been all my life? I feel I have been searching and searching for you. I’m so happy I finally found you.”
Nicole didn’t answer. Her mind was catching up with the rest of her body. She realized he had triggered a response for which she had no defense. Nor did she want any. Thoughts raced through her mind. There were so many things she wanted to tell him before they became too involved. 
 “I have to tell you something in the spirit of full disclosure,” she proclaimed.
“Well, I know you’re not married.”
“No, but I have been married twice.”
“That’s okay with me. And I don’t think you’ve turned lesbian since Craig died. But, if you have, give me a chance to turn you back.” he teased, winking at her. “Tell me, Nicole, we’ll deal with it.”
“Richard, how old are you, honey? Thirty? Thirty-two?” 
“I’m twenty-seven. Would you like to see my International Driver’s License? Isn’t it a little late to check if I’m over twenty-one?”
Nicole’s mouth dropped open and she gave him an odd look.
“Nicole, what’s this about? Tell me. We’ll deal with it together.”
“Oh, God! Twenty-seven?” 
Nicole knew she had to tell him. He didn’t have a clue?
“This what-ever-just-happened-between-us can go no farther,” she confessed.
“Why?” Richard asked, trying to read her face. “Nicole, is there someone else? Do you already have someone special in your life?”
Nicole suddenly realized this was not the conversation to have while driving down an unfamiliar, mountain road at night. Richard shook his head and groaned. He mistook her silence for agreement.
“There is someone else. I should have known. You are fabulous. Some lucky man surely would have snapped you up. Let me think, you aren’t married. You aren’t engaged. So, he has really screwed up! 
“Call him up and tell him he now has competition. I’ll fight for you, Nicole. And I’ll do anything to make you mine. I’m young, I’m strong, and I am in love with you. I loved you before you ever said one word to me. I knew it when I saw you in the coffee shop. I knew it when you looked up at me and smiled. It was as if you said to me, ‘Here I am. You’ve finally found me.’
“I won’t back down. I won’t give up. I want this. I want you, I want us. Nicole, don’t you?”
“Wow, Richard, that was some speech. We only met yesterday.”
“Too much, too soon?” he asked. 
She nodded. Suddenly, he appeared so young and impetuous, so optimistic about love.
“Do you mean I should slow down?” he asked.
“Yes and no. There’s more to this,” she said.
“Then please tell me,” he begged, still smiling, still hoping. “You will be pleasantly surprised as to what I can handle. 
“Are you a fugitive? No problem. The studio has a plethora of attorneys on call. Or I can hire a British lawyer. They are outstanding.”
Nicole giggled.
“If you’re an alien, I understand. I’m a science fiction geek! If you are running from Klingons, my family will hide you at our home in rural Ireland. Nicole, please, just tell me. Together, we’ll deal with it, whatever it is.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence. Nicole never took her eyes off the road. Time dragged and tension mounted until the neon blue wagon wheel of her motel flashed on the horizon. 
Nicole was shaking when they exited the car. Richard took off his jacket and gently wrapped her in it. 
“Come in. We need to talk,” she said and led the way.
When she filled two glasses with wine, Richard assumed it was a prelude to bad news and a great idea. 
She handed him a glass. 
“Drink,” she said.
He half-wished it were poison. Suddenly, he didn’t want to hear why their relationship was doomed. 
She drank hers, smoothed her skirt and said. “I am forty-seven years old, Richard. I’m old enough to be your mother." 

Thursday, February 6, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT: The Last Kingdom







Wow...I couldn't believe how many men thought themselves to be king in this medieval Netflix series. 

Here's the gist: A little Saxon boy, Uhtred, is kidnapped, sold into slavery, and then adopted by a Viking warlord after watching his father get killed in battle. He learns to adopt the Norse way of life. A tragedy befalls his family and the young man sets off to find Alfred, the true king of Briton.

We learn the boy's uncle was responsible for Uhtred’s father death and for the young boy’s situation. 

And although this hunky Dane is brave and very handsome, Uhtred has no luck with women. Brida. Mildreth. The queen with the "sight". Gisela. And more.

As the series unfolded over the three season stream, I became very fond of these wild Danes and uptight Brits. The storyline was terrific and the acting top-rate. I was sad to see the end.

Long live Uhtred.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

INTERVIEW: Real Life Author Jeannie Lant

Jeannie Lant
Aubrey, Texas
USA

Good morning, Jeannie, and welcome to Vision and Verse, a site for art and authors. Can you tell us a little about what you’ve written?
I have written two Books.  “Redemption my father’s story” and “Bag Ladies”.  The first book is based on a manuscript my Dad wrote in the 1970’s.  It’s a faith based book with a story within a story.  My second book is inspired by my true life experiences.  I worked for an Attorney who got caught in a scam with a Family Court Judge. 

What is your favorite genre to write? I really like to write about real life and how to handle becoming a survivor. 

Favorite food.  
Junk food.  All kinds. Nacho’s, wings, chips and dip, cheese and crackers.  I do like vegetables but I prefer they have dip.

Tea or coffee?  
I am a coffee snob.  I love the coffee beans I get at Trader Joe’s.  They have a low acid French roast.

Pizza or ice cream?  
Pizza.  I love the crust and the melted cheese. My favorite pizza is veggie. 

Wine or beer?  
Wine absolutely. I’m originally from Wisconsin and I believe I had to leave the state because I really dislike the taste of beer. 

Me, too, Jeannie.Even though fancy flavored craft beers leave me cold. Where would you like to visit?  
I have traveled throughout most of Europe, Canada and many of the beautiful states in our country.   I am now looking to visit more individual cities in the United States and see all of the incredible museums and sites that are often looked over.  For Example, my husband and I just took a road tour through the west coast.  We stopped at the Grand Tetons National Park.  It was breathtaking.  So much beauty for so little cost.

The Grand Canyon is an absolute must!  Favorite musical artist. 

I love the hits of the 60’s,70’s and 80’s.  I really enjoy almost all music and I’m trying to get more current with today’s music since my grandchildren have no idea what I’m talking about when I mention certain artists or musicians. Like Tina Turner.  I love her music.  The Temptations, Supremes, Madonna, Hall and Oates, Simon and Garfunkel.  Just to name a few.

Do you listen to music when you write?  
I do not. What?  I need to place myself where the story is leading me and if I hear a song, I tend to go where the song takes me and I leave 
the story in the distance.

What makes you laugh?  
I really think life is funny.  Each day there’s a reason to laugh at something.  I believe it helps me keep slightly a little saner.

Favorite work of art or sculpture.  
I don’t have a favorite.  I love all art. I do freely admit that I have trouble with the Picasso’s types of art and some of the other modern works of art.  If I can’t see the meaning in the work, then I tend to loose interest very quickly.

How old were you when you started writing?  
I started writing in high school but I had no belief that it would lead me anywhere or that I was good enough to make it a career.  I used to help my kids write term papers and do plenty of ghost writing. When I was in my late 30’s I got a job as a receptionist for a local newspaper conglomerate.  It was there that I was challenged to write some articles and I loved it and so did they.  After a few years of that, a new editor that worked there made it a rule that you had to have a degree in Journalism in order to write for the paper.   That destroyed my belief in myself as a writer.  I never believed that I was qualified to write.  A few years ago, when I turned 65, my grandson challenged me to write the book I always told everyone I wanted to write.  He is one of my biggest fans.

Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write? 
I just dive in and write.

Describe your perfect evening.  
My perfect evening is being with family and or friends just laughing and enjoying being together.  I also love live theater a great deal.

Where do you get your inspiration?  
Mostly I draw from real life.  The people and places I encountered.  My current book that I’m writing is called “Cook’s Book’s”.  It’s based on all the places my husband and I have traveled while working for a Travel Agency.  I will of course add lots of mayhem to the story so that I keep readers excited and wanting to finish the book plus telling us to buy it and read it.  It’s the second book in a three book series that I am writing.  The third book is going to be called, “But first let’s have coffee.”  It will be about friends and neighbors and the people they would like to kill.  It’s completely filled with all fiction.  Unlike “Bag Ladies” and “Cook’s Books”.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?  
I play computer games.  Love monster busters, bubble witch, and candy crush.  It drives my husband crazy.

Who is your favorite author? 
I don’t have just one.                                               

Best book you ever read.  
Gone with the Wind.

Last book you read. 
“Where The Crawdads Sing” written by Delia Owens.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer? 
I’m retired.  When I was working I mostly worked in some area of customer service.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?  
That credit goes to my husband.  His unconditional love for me is like no other, except for my parents.  He supports me without question, he tells me the truth and never any critical judgement, only love.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?  
Jesus.  I really don’t always understand where I’m going, how I got where I am and most importantly, what am I supposed to be doing?

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 
Honestly, they need to just write down the story. After that they have lots of options.  There are so many ways now a day to self-publish.  However, the profit margin in writing isn’t very high until you become really established.  So much like an acting career, don’t quit your day job.

I am in the process of creating a webpage and I hope to have it up and running by the time this is ready to go.  I am on twitter @RJLbook.  I have and indie author page Author information page: https://www.indielector.store/jean-lant.aspx.  By using this avenue to purchase my books, I will send you an autographed copy.  I have an Amazon author page too and it’s amazon.com/author/jeanlant and I have a utube commercial for "Redemption; My father's story"  https://youtu.be/IAQBf69NjZo  RJL Books. Always enjoy the journey@baglady88. I will also be running a commercial in the Austin, TX area during April.  https://1drv.ms/u/s!Alwwje762T-ig8hAUx61eD3x7aYp5w

What I would like you to know is that I take this all very seriously.  I am working hard to provide a good story and make people take some time to stop and enjoy what I have written.  I sign my books “Always enjoy the journey”.  I really believe that we don’t take enough time to appreciate the humor around us.  I have had lots of experiences in dealing with mental health issues and my next focus is going to be on how to survive dealing with those kinds of issues.  Most people don’t know how to focus on good mental health.  They don’t understand that there are so many ways to cope and humor is a major help in our day to day life.  We tend to neglect taking care of our mental health. Thank you so much for this opportunity.  I know many authors would be happy to do this and I feel so fortunate to have had you choose me.
Always enjoy the journey
Jeannie Lant

Sunday, February 2, 2020

SCHEDULE: Feb. 3-7, 2020



Mon., Feb. 3 - ART: American Printmaker and Painter
Gustave Baumann
Tues., Feb. 4 - BOOK REVIEW: Sweet Soul, 
Sustaining Souls Trilogy Book One
By Lucretia Stanhope
Wed., Feb. 5 - INTERVIEW: Real Life Author 
Jeannie Lant
Thurs., Feb. 6 - ENTERTAINMENT: The Lost Kingdom, 
Netflix Series
Fri., Feb. 7 - BOOK: Blue Lake, 
Time After Time Book One
By Carol Ann Kauffman