Notes of Life

I love these blue cornflowers, but we’ve only got a couple in the garden this summer. I’m sure we had some white & pink ones last year. Typically, as I went outside to take some photos in the garden last week, the wind kicked up making the plants & flowers sway, so getting a good shot wasn’t easy.

When I downloaded the photos from the camera, I was quite surprised how vibrant the colours were in the cornflower photos, especially as the photos were taken in the evening and our back garden gets very little sun.

Posted for this week’s Thematic Photographic – Blue.

A special package arrived in my mailbox on Thursday and I could barely wait to open it!

The package was from author Jess Haines and contained an autographed “uncorrected proof” ARC (advanced readers copy) of Taken By The Others, a proof copy of the cover and a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Taken By The Others is the 2nd book in the H&W Investigations Series. The first book is Hunted By The Others and comes highly recommended by me (my review can be found here). The end of the book contained a teaser for Taken By The Others, so I already know I’m in for a treat.

If you’re into Urban Fanasy books, then I’d certainly recommend giving the H&W Investigations series a go. Hunted By The Others was released in May, but Taken By The Others isn’t released until January 2011… Yes, I have my copy 5 months early and I can’t wait to get stuck in!

Watch this space for my review of Taken By The Others by Jess Haines!

Another book containing a story by Jess Haines is due to be released at the end of the month. If “otherworldly desires” are your cup of tea, then check out Nocturnal – this book also contains stories by Jacquelyn Frank, Kate Douglas and Clare Willis.

Posted for Mailbox Monday – created by The Printed Page and hosted by Chick Loves Lit.

The 2 otters playing at Scarborough Sea Life & Marine Sanctuary.

Posted for Camera Critters.

I was a big fan of Roald Dahl’s when I was a kid. His stories were so imaginative and I would pick up his books to read time and time again – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Great Glass Elavator, The BFG, The Twits, The Witches, James and the Giant Peace, Fantastic Mr Fox, Danny the Champion of the World, Matilda… to name just a few!

I can still remember sitting in front of the TV in 1990 and being gutted when they announced his death. Roald was a genius when it came to writing childrens books. Of course, he wrote books for adults too, but my best memories are of his wonderful stories for children. I don’t think anyone could beat Roald Dahl when it comes to childrens books. He had an such an imagination.

This week I found out that HarperPress are releasing Storyteller: The Life of Roald Dahl written by Donald Sturrock. This is an authorised biography (unauthorised onces are barely worth the paper they’re printed on, in my opinion). Shortly before Roald Dahl died, he asked his daughter Ophelia to be his biographer. She made a start but in 2006 she asked Donald Sturrock if he’d like to take over the job. Donald Sturrock spent a lot of time with Roald Dahl in Roald’s later years, so he got to know him well.

From what I’ve read, this biography is going to be an interesting insight into the real Roald Dahl and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!

Storyteller: The Life of Roald Dahl is due to be released on 2nd September 2010.

Read more about the book at TheBookSeller.com.

Posted for “Waiting on” Wednesday hosted at Breaking the Spine.

I wrote this review back in November 2009 and with Patrick Swayze’s birthday just 10 days away and the first anniversary of his death just over a month away, I thought it was about time I shared it with you.

Authors: Patrick Swayze & Lisa Niemi
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
ISBN: 978-1847376930

Patrick Swayze is… was… an excellent actor and dancer. His most popular films, ‘Dirty Dancing’ and ‘Ghost’, were THE films of the time when I was growing up and I believe they are still up there in the popularity stakes.

Having seem a number of Patrick Swayze’s films and seeing him in a number of interviews (most notably, the one with Barbara Walters where he talked about his cancer), I felt he was an interesting and deep man. So when I found out he was releasing an autobiography, I pre-ordered the book (hardback) – ‘The Time of My Life’ written by Patrick and his wife Lisa Niemi.

Sadly, just a week or so before the book arrived, it was announced that Patrick had lost his battle with cancer and died. So, I read the book in a different light to what I would have done had he still been alive.

This book not only tells us of Patrick Swayze’s career of more than 30 years, it also tells us about his personal life – growing up, getting married, and the ups & downs of it all.

We learn of Patrick’s upbringing and his love for his father and determination to be the best that he can at whatever he’s doing. Patrick tells us how Lisa became the love of his life, of his problems with alcohol and how it nearly destroyed their relationship. Not only do we get “behind the scenes” on Patrick’s personal life, but we also get behind the scenes of a number of films – what went on on the set and off it – as well as how hard Patrick worked to get jobs and how or why he chose to do something.

This book also tells us how Patrick’s determination to do his own stunts nearly ended not only his career but also his life, as well as one or two other near death experiences, including an incident while flying his plane.

Of course, we’re also told of the moment Patrick’s life changed forever when he received the devastating news that he’d got pancreatic cancer. But don’t be deceived… This is no sob story. Patrick was determined he was going to battle this cancer and he wasn’t going to let it beat him. He wanted to live until they found a cure. Unfortunately, one hasn’t been found yet and it did beat him, but Patrick fought until the very end.

Patrick and his wife Lisa wrote this autobiography together and as you read the book you’ll see just how much of a partnership they were. Despite the ups & downs, Patrick loved Lisa more than anything. She must be so devastated.

This is an honest biography from a Hollywood actor who was loved by many. It’s emotional, gritty and inspiring. Patrick wasn’t afraid to say anything and admitted his downfalls. Don’t get me wrong… This autobiography also contains fun & laughter too. I can only hope that I have half the fun, love and determination that Patrick Swayze had!

Patrick was one talented, loving, strong and determined man and he will be missed.

Buy The Time of My Life – Hardback / Paperback / Audio CD.