Ghost Ship Lyubov Orlova--Still Afloat

I got this from my friend, Inge. I laughed because she had been talking to me about her new novel that included this very ship. For more info, check out her blog, devilwinds.blogspot.com

"Taking one last look at the Yahoo News tonight before shutting my computer down, I almost had a heart attack--well, maybe not quite. But I did scream, "It can't be! That's MY ghost ship!"

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/ghost-ship-cannibal-rats-are-swarming-over-twitterverse-2D11985346

Yes, the Lyubov Orlova is the very ghost ship I am giving a new life in my "After the Cataclysm." I surely thought she had long since slipped beneath the waves of the Atlantic and that I was free to do with her as I pleased. At least, I was right about the RATS!

I just hope she is not up to any mischief (such as crashing onto shore) before I finish my novel. Because that would surely ruin my plans for her. And they say the life of a novelist is all make-belief."

Bogle Essential Red 2010

Winemaker’s Notes:   “A compelling blend of California’s finest plantings of Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah, this wine surpasses all expectation for pure enjoyment and approachability. Calling on their years of experience and tradition, Bogle winemakers have delivered a wine with… RICH, enticing layers of complexity, starting with that first irresistible sip. RIPE fruit, intense with flavors of boysenberries and sweet cherries. LUSCIOUS vanilla, caressing the palate from barrel aging in American and French oak. JUICY and silky throughout, with a finish that lingers of black licorice and spicy pipe tobacco.” A very nicely crafted blend. I love it. This wine is beautiful to look at and wonderful to taste. I think that it easily compares to wines that cost three times as much. Very enjoyable.

Hoping to learn

I am hoping to learn and learn and learn from a blog hop about marketing a book. My background is as an entrepreneur in retail, always working on a shoestring advertising budget. This time big balloons and kids on bikes with flyers isn’t going to work.  Maybe I’m short-sighted, but I don’t see it happening. My favorite advertising stunt was sending two barbershop quartets, one male and one female, through a twenty plus story building as a Valentine’s Day thank you for all of our clients. It was a huge success and became an annual event. I look forward to reading and hearing about all the creative ideas others have in this strange new world.

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Costal Crush Red 2011

 

If you are looking for a truly unique wine, please allow me to suggest a Robert Mondavi Private Selection Costal Crush Red 2011. The aromas from the glass fill the senses with hints of vanilla, ripe raspberries, strawberries and chocolate. A sip is followed by layers of those flavors, one after another and each one better than the last. The taster’s notes state that “The wine is fresh and light with a smooth texture. It features a juicy blend of ripe strawberry and red raspberry fruit with a hint of chocolate.” To me, it was much more. The Costal Crush Red is a blend consisting of 67% Syrah, 24% Merlot and9% Malbec. This is a truly fun wine that is wonderful with salads and light meals. If you get the chance and would like something a little different, please give this wine a try.

Finally ready for print!

I finally completed all that was necessary to have "Mask Among The Bones" ready for the print version. I utilized Amazon’s Create Space as my platform. I was dreading having to go through a new learning curve, but it turned out to be relatively easy once I got into the program. Create Space is fairly easy to use for the non-nerd. The instructions were clear. The book and cover were easy to upload. When proofing and finding errors, it was easy to correct and re-submit. I’m excited and can’t wait to see my book in print! Does anyone else have a new book coming out
on Amazon anytime soon?

Bunraku

I watched an interesting movie last night. What makes a movie a four star movie instead of a five star? Bunraku was one of the most unusual movies I have seen in a long time. Kept my attention from beginning to end. It was like a pop-up book flowing from scene to scene. All that was missing were the balloon Pows and Whams to punctuate the action. Still, something was missing. I suppose it was that same elusive something all writers seek to make their story the one. Was the flaw in the plot, the flow, the dialogue? Was that extra star still in the writer's or the director's mind and never made it to the screen. I'm afraid I do that sometimes, because I make the assumption that the reader sees what I see, hears what I hear, and feels what I feel. I forget that they have a different reference point from me. Now I have to find a way to access someone else's interpretation of my work and hope that we are on, as some might say, the same page. Just a thought.

Borsao Garnacha 2010

Last night, a few of us shared a bottle of Borsao Garnacha 2010, an interesting Spanish wine that is quite unique. None of us could nail down a good description of the flavors and aromas that we sensed, so I looked up some tasting notes. The best description that I found was roasted black cherries, black raspberries and licorice. It would really go well with some red pasta dishes but would shine with venison or range fed beef and buffalo. Borsao Garnacha is a rated, under $10.00 wine that is well worth your time. Thank you friends for bringing yet another fun addition to the tasting.

Free Kindle App

Amazon is now offering a free Kindle app so that you can read Kindle books on most Smartphones, Computers and Tablets. I wanted to make sure it worked before I mentioned it, so I downloaded it to my computer. It worked great when I downloaded my latest book, "Mask Among The Bones".. This new application will provide a valuable resource for readers and writers alike.