King Arthur Movie Tristan

Teaser Tuesdays asks:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

Another flash of lightning lit the sky and revealed an eerie shape on the horizon, a silhouette of spires and turrets that rose from a rocky pinnacle. A castle, but not like those in Enlgand, whose solid bulk sat heavily on the ground. It was a confection, a fragile thing, tall and thin and spindly. And then the sky darkened and it was lost to view.

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

I would like to give a warm welcome to Kathy-Diane Leveille. She has kindly taken time out of her schedule to stop by for an interview. Miss Leveille is the author of Let the Shadows Fall Behind You.

About the book:

When Brannagh’s boyfriend, Nikki, disappears into thin air, she reluctantly returns to the east coast for a reunion of the childhood club Tuatha-de-Dananns. She hides out at her Grandmother’s cottage near the woods where her mother was murdered fifteen years ago. As Brannagh tries to solve the mystery behind Nikki’s vanishing, she is haunted by the secrets hiding the most startling disappearance of all.

Author Bio:


Kathy-Diane Leveille is a former broadcast journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation who discovered the only thing more thrilling than reading a wonderful story is harnessing the power of the imagination to write one. Her short story collection Roads Unravelling was published to critical acclaim after a selection from its pages Learning to Spin was adapted to radio drama for CBC’s Summer Drama Festival. The tale Showdown at the Four Corner’s Corral was revised for the stage and performed by New City Theater in Saint John . She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Kiss of Death RWA and Crime Writers of Canada.




And now...onto the interview....






Bookworm: Welcome Kathy-Diane, and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to grant me a blog interview. Please tell us a bit about yourself.




Kathy-Diane: I’m a former broadcast journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I’ve always written stories and poetry, but when I was on maternity leave with my youngest son I decided to tackle my dream of writing a novel. I had tried on a couple of occasions, but I think that was the first time I took the elements of the craft seriously. Of course, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing! I still believe that even if I had realized how extremely difficult it is, and how much there is to learn, I would have plunged in anyway. There is something inside me that needs to ‘live life on the page.’ I live on the east coast and most of my fiction is set here. There is an ethereal quality to the ocean landscape that lends perfectly to mystery, suspense and thrillers. I live with my family (husband and 2 boys) next to a lovely garden inhabited by cardinals and humming birds.





Bookworm: What inspires you to write?



Kathy-Diane: My story ideas are born from a question. For example, on spring day when I was walking along the river I spotted something floating in it that looked like a box. That aroused my curiosity. I wondered what it was, who it belonged to and who would find it. That led to the short story “Maggie’s Wake” in my first book “Roads Unravelling.” Maggie’s convinced her life is over when she spots a coffin floating down the river. Question and character go hand in hand for me.





Bookworm: In your new book, Let The Shadows Fall Behind You, you write about mysterious disappearances. How do you research for a book like this? How long did it take you to write this book?




Kathy-Diane: My imagination has always been twigged by unexplained disappearances. I’m actually starting a new blog to document them all. (I’ll post it the URL when it’s ready). Some are quirky urban legends or folklore; others defy logic and hint at paranormal phenomenon; tragically; still others when solved irrefutably indicate foul play. I think the reason these incidents catch my attention as a writer is because they are the kind of events that are life-changing. You’re following your normal day-to-day routine, business as usual, when an unexplained disappearance occurs and life, as you know, is in upheaval, and it’s impossible to return to the sure footing you took for granted. Think of the passengers on flight 815 in the TV series LOST. In reality, when I read history books or the headlines I find myself wondering about the living, breathing people behind unsolved disappearances. Some incidents appear quirky, speculative and as harmless as childhood tales around the camp fire. Then a real life headline brings shock and anger when CNN announces that the unthinkable is a horrific reality as in the Lacey Peterson case.




I started writing LET THE SHADOWS FALL BEHIND YOU on coffee breaks while I was at the hospital. I began working as a medical transcriptionist because it didn’t sap my creativity the way journalism did, and left room to pursue my dream of writing a novel. I can’t remember the initial spark for this story, but I do know I wanted to write about a woman whose lover disappears into thin air. I usually don’t do research in my initial draft too much. I start with the question or puzzle first, followed by the character, and exploring their journey as they try to solve it. I find if I start researching too soon, it can be a distraction, and an excuse not to write. Also, the story could change completely with time, and I may not even need the material I’ve researched if I do it too soon. When I know I’ve nailed the plot, I go through the novel making notes. In this case, I then contacted law enforcement, a historian and a naturalist. I find things go smoothly if I’m professionally prepared before contacting an expert. If I’ve researched on my own as much as possible at the Saint John Regional Library, and have the questions down, I don’t waste anyone’s time. I live on the east coast, but I did travel to Toronto because the reference libraries are huge, and who can resist being around all those wonderful books.




Having said all that though, I don’t write FACTION. No matter how much research I do, I’m just using it to legitimize and enhance a story that is pure FICTION. It sprang out of my imagination and nowhere else. That’s the thrill of being a writer! I always put in the disclaimer that any mistakes are solely my own and not those experts kind enough to answer my questions.






Bookworm: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?




Kathy-Diane: I hope you enjoy LET THE SHADOWS FALL as much as I enjoyed writing it. At heart, this is a book about the power of friendship. When Brannagh returns home for a childhood reunion of the Tuatha-De-Danaans, despite Nikki’s vanishing, she finally confronts the past she’s been running away from. Nothing can change the past, but friends hold the power to transform the future. Drop by my web site and let me know what you think. I always love to hear from readers: http://kathy-dianeleveille.com





Bookworm:Who are your favorite authors and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Kathy-Diane: My husband and I love reading Harlen Coban because of his skilled plotting, and the challenge of trying to figure out who-dun-it. When I can keep guessing right to the end of the book, I’m your reader for life. I love novels that are intricate and unusual like the British Queen of Suspense Patricia Highsmith. (You may recognize her novel that was adapted to the motion picture “The Incredible Mr. Ripley”). I’ve read every book I can find by Nicci French, a British husband and wife team, who pen psychological thrillers because the plots are believable, the prose clean and poetic (an extremely difficult balance to achieve in genre); and the protagonists are smart, funny, sympathetic and real.





Bookworm: Do you have any advice for other writers?




Kathy-Diane: Join as many writers’ organizations and attend as many conferences as you can afford. Network, network, network. Even if you are a card-carrying introvert like me, you will connect with people in passing, in line at the wine bar or on the elevator. I started interviewing many of the generous authors I’ve met on the road to publication once a week on my blog, and always ask for a tip on how debut novelists can survive in today’s publishing world. It’s my security blanket! It’s nice to connect with friends when you’re heading into new territory. Most writers are big-hearted and willing to offer advice if time permits, and if approached in a professional manner. Never stop learning! That’s the unending challenge of writing. You complete one goal and another looms on the horizon. By the way, Shadows Fall N Friends interviews are every Thursday at http://lettheshadowsfallbehindyou.blogspot.com. For a schedule of who is up when, drop me a line at shadowsfall@kathy-dianeleveille.com





Bookworm: Last but not least, if you were stranded on a deserted island, and were allowed to bring 3 items with you, what would they be?



Kathy-Diane:

I’m going to assume that my desert island has water and fruit trees; landscape from which I could build a shelter, start a fire and fashion weapons for fishing/hunting/protection. I could rip down medium-size branches to weave into a shelter, and find razor-edged rocks or shells to carve weapons and shavings to start a fire in the Girl-Guide tradition. Once I got the fire going, I’d have to figure how to sustain it, but I’m sure like Tom Hanks in Cast Away, I’d manage. That means I can choose the three most important things outside of food, shelter and water. ONE: A box of pencils already sharpened. TWO: A box of note pads. THREE: The Narnia Series by C. S. Lewis in a plastic baggie.





The hardest thing to decide here was which book to put in that baggie. I settled on this one because it was a childhood favourite. It would be familiar and comforting. The theme is spiritually uplifting, Aslan is a gentle warrior/saviour. The powerful magic/fantasy in the writing would provide a huge distraction and escape from the pressures of surviving day to day. But most of all, the book is about my favourite topic: unexplained disappearances. Whoever steps into the magical wardrobe seemingly vanishes into thin air. You know, when I come to think about it, maybe that’s where my fascination began!



Naida, thank you so much for inviting me to be your guest and meeting all your readers. Let me know what you think of Let the Shadows Fall Behind You at shadowsfall@kathy-dianeleveille.com. I’d love to hear from you.
Happy Reading !

Kathy-Diane

http://kathy-dianeleveille.com




Bookworm: Thank you so much for stopping by Kathy, it's been a pleasure! I really need to read The Narnia Series, they sound like a fun selection to bring if stuck on a deserted island :) Let the Shadows Fall Behind You sounds like a great book, especially since it deals with a mysterious vanishing. It's always interesting to learn more about the author behind the book!

movie title: Emma

release date: August 1996

genre: romantic comedy

rated: 4 out of 5




Emma Woodhouse lives comfortably with her father and thinks she has no need to marry. Instead she likes to play matchmaker with her friends and family. When Harriet Smith arrives in town, Emma makes decides she has to help Harriet make her way into polite society. She also takes it upon herself to find the perfect match for poor Harriet.






Emma has good intentions as a matchmaker, but she is a bit clueless.
After her matchmaking schemes begin to go wrong, she finally realizes that she herself is really in love. Mr. Knightly has been a lifelong friend and she holds him dear to her heart.





This movie version of Jane Austen's novel 'Emma' is my favorite one. It stays pretty true to the book and you can't help but laugh at the predicaments Emma gets herself into. I like the cast and it's a sweet film. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Emma and Jeremy Northam plays Mr. Knightly.

Ewan McGregor plays the charming Frank Churchill.

Dear Diary, Today I tried not to think about Mr. Knightly. I tried not to think about him when I discussed the menu with Cook... I tried not to think about him in the garden where I thrice plucked the petals off a daisy to acertain his feelings for Harriet. I don't think we should keep daisies in the garden, they really are a drab little flower. And I tried not to think about him when I went to bed, but something had to be done.

I rode through the rain! I'd - I'd ride through worse than that if I could just hear your voice telling me that I might, at least, have some chance to win you.

Quoted from the book:

"My dearest Emma," said he, "for dearest you will always be, whatever the event of this hour's conversation, my dearest, most beloved Emma—tell me at once. Say 'No,' if it is to be said."—She could really say nothing.—"You are silent," he cried, with great animation; "absolutely silent! at present I ask no more."



Emma was almost ready to sink under the agitation of this moment. The dread of being awakened from the happiest dream, was perhaps the most prominent feeling.



"I cannot make speeches, Emma:"—he soon resumed; and in a tone of such sincere, decided, intelligible tenderness as was tolerably convincing.—"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am.—You hear nothing but truth from me.—I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it.—Bear with the truths I would tell you now, dearest Emma, as well as you have borne with them. The manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommend them. God knows, I have been a very indifferent lover.—But you understand me.—Yes, you see, you understand my feelings—and will return them if you can. At present, I ask only to hear, once to hear your voice."

If you are looking for a more modern version of Austen's 'Emma', check out the film Clueless.

Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

I've been reading Mr. Darcy, Vampyre , and it's very good so far! I love the idea of it. It starts off with Elizabeth and Jane's double wedding to Darcy and Bingley. Now Lizzy is on her wedding tour with Darcy, who seems to be acting a bit odd. Hmmmmmm...I wonder why....


Before she knows it, Darcy takes her to a mysterious castle in the Alps to visit his uncle, The Count. There's plenty of things to keep Lizzy up at night, including creepy tapestries, gossiping servants and a few nightmares.




Special thanks to Danielle over at Sourcebooks for sending me a copy of this book :)



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On a non-reading related note, I took the kids to the zoo for a day trip this past week. I have a few photos to share.

I take them to this zoo every summer and our favorite part is always the Budgie enclosure where you can feed the birds.

























These two donkeys were just relaxing in the sun.











ewwwww....cockroaches!!!










We rode on the choo-choo train...it was hard for me to take better pics since I was at an odd angle. Here i'm trying to get a pic as we were riding.






All in all, we had a nice day. Even my son, the cranky teenager, had fun :)

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your weekend everyone.

title: Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict

author: Laurie Viera Rigler


genre: romance/chic lit

published: 2009

first line: A piercing sound, like a ship's horn but higher, shriller, shakes my frame.

pages: 289

rated: 4 out of 5

Laurie Viera Rigler’s debut novel, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, was a hit with fans and critics, and a BookSense and Los Angeles Times bestseller. Its open-to-interpretation ending left readers begging for more—and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict delivers. While Confessions took twenty-first-century free spirit Courtney Stone into the social confines of Jane Austen’s era, Rude Awakenings tells the parallel story of Jane Mansfield, a gentleman’s daughter from Regency England who inexplicably awakens in Courtney’s overly wired and morally confused L.A. life.

In Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, Jane Mansfield who is from Regency England, wakes up in the body of Courtney Stone, current day in Los Angeles. At first Jane thinks she is dreaming, and wills herself to wake up.


Courtney's friends explain to Jane that she hit her head pretty hard while in a swimming pool and that her 'confusion' might just be a concussion. Her friends are also wondering why Courtney is now talking as if she just stepped out of a Jane Austen novel.


The last thing Jane remembers is riding her horse and bumping her head while taking a fall. While in Courtney's apartment, she finds copies of Jane Austen books as well as movie version of the novels. She begins to read the books and watch the films.

I do not know how I come to be in this time, in this place, in this body. But I do know that any place where there are six novels by the author of Pride & Prejudice must be a very special sort of heaven.

Jane is in shock to see so many differences in society. Besides television, cell phones, internet, cars and radio, Jane is stunned to see ladies unchaperoned, working and exposing so much skin.
As the story goes on, Jane is getting flashbacks of Courtney's life. She realizes she has alot to figure out and wants to help Courtney set things straight. One thing Jane does find out is that both she and Courtney were unlucky in love at the time they switched bodies.

With the help of her friend Deepa, Jane winds up going to a fortune teller who does seem to be other wordly and has some answers to Jane's questions.

As Jane is trying to adjust to current day L.A., she is also wondering how and if she can ever get back to her former life.



I had been eagerly awaiting this book. Having read and really enjoyed Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and seeing what happened to Courtney while she lived in Jane's body, I was very curious to see what happens with Jane while she inhabits Courtney's body. Laurie does answer some of the questions, and she leaves the ending a bit open. I wonder will there be a third book?


If you're in the mood for a fun, light read, pick up a copy of Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, you won't regret it! First of course, you have to read Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict . These books are the perfect read for Jane Austen fans. The way Laurie writes, you can tell she is a true lover of Austen's work. I like how she refers to Jane Austen novels throughout both books.









See the book trailer:





About the author:




When not indulging herself in re-readings of Jane Austen’s six novels, Laurie Viera Rigler is a freelance book editor who teaches writing workshops, including classes in storytelling technique at Vroman’s, Southern California's oldest and largest independent bookstore.

visit Laurie's website:

http://www.janeaustenaddict.com/



I want to say 'Thank you very much!' to Laurie Viera Rigler for being so sweet as to send me a copy of Rude Awakenings. Since reading her first book, i've contacted her through email a few times and she is a sweetheart. Not only has she stopped by my blog for an interview and book giveaway, she has also taken the time out to personally email me and thank me for mentioning her at my blog.
It's always nice to know that the author behind the books is a kind person and makes time for thier readers.

Heart, we will forget him!

You an I, tonight!

You may forget the warmth he gave,

I will forget the light.



When you have done, pray tell me

That I my thoughts may dim;

Haste! lest while you're lagging.

I may remember him!


-Emily Dickinson