Sunday, February 27, 2011

St. Patrick Day at the Alamo by Cornelia Amiri

March is National Irish Heritage Month
So post a comment with an email so I can reach you or post a comment and email me at CelticRomanceQueen@gmail.com with your snail mail and I'll send you a shamrock pencil and a Luck of the Irish mint candy





Each St. Patrick Day the San Antonio River of the famed River Walk is dyed green and you can take a relaxing cruise down the colorful waterway. The San Antonio St. Patrick Day includes a leprechaun, bands of pipers, and a Scottish highlander brandishing a long sword.

As you can see even Texans go for the wearin of the green and get into the grand celebration of St. Patrick and rightly so. Texas has a long history of Irish settlers. The Mexican government recruited Irish families to settle in Texas because they were seen as good Catholics and loyal colonist.

Eight Irish born men were among those who are known to have died fighting for Texas in defense of the Alamo: Samuel E. Burns (1810-1836), Andrew Duvalt (1804-1836), Robert Evans (1800-1836), Joseph M. Hawkins (1799-1836), Thomas Jackson (?-1836), James McGee(?-1836), Jackson J. Rusk (?-1836), Burke Trammel1 (1810-1836), and William Ward (1806-1836). To honor their deaths, the San Antonio Harp and Shamrock society placed a wreath at the Alamo on St. Patrick Day.

For Celtic/Romance visit my Website

For more on Texas Landmarks such as the Alamo click here
check out Twisted Tales of Texas Landmarks and my story Marfa Lights about the ghost lights of Marfa Texas


Post a comment below if you would like a shamrock pencil and mint candy. Thank you!
.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Listen to internet radio with Page Readers on Blog Talk Radio

Friday, June 4, 2010

LONG SWORDS, HOT HEROES, & WARRIOR WOMEN




JOIN "ROMANCE BOOKS R US"


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus

Blog Associated With Yahoo Group:
http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com


CONTESTS AT "ROMANCE BOOKS R US"
HO-HO-HO!
IT'S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
!

No one wants to wait for Christmas to celebrate the holidays...so...we're having a Christmas in July Event! Great Prizes, to include a new Sony Touch eReader, hats, totes, tee-shirts, gift cards, and more!

To enter our BIG contest:
1. Join our yahoo group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus (Sorry - we're not approving authors for membership at this time, only READERS, WRITERS, and INDUSTRY REPS).

2. Become a Follower at our blog: http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com . Click on FOLLOW and follow directions. If you have a problem with this, contact april@aprilash.net .

3. There are 20 RBRU Bloggers' Websites/Blogs listed on the right sidebar at the blog (under FOLLOWERS). Click on each one. Send a list of 20 authors' names and one book title for each one to: contests.rbrus@gmail.com . If an author has two pen names, you only need to click on one. You'll need a total of 20 author names and 20 book titles.

Contest ends midnight ET 31 July. Sorry: we only ship prizes to US and Canadian residents. Others may receive an emailed gift card/certificate. Winners will be announced on our Yahoo group and blog during the first week in August.

Please note: If you join just to enter the contest and then leave the group, you won't be permitted to rejoin when we do another BIG contest. Like Santa, I'm "making a list and checking it twice" so will keep track of those who join and leave. ALSO: going NO MAIL happens to everyone, but please don't make this permanent. We want you to be a part of our group, hear all our news, and join in! I also check this "list".

MY CONTEST TO COINCIDE WITH THE CHRISTMAS IN JULY CONTEST! Contest ends 31 July, midnight ET. Prize: Autogrpahed copy of my novellas Queen of Kings and A Fine Cualdron of Fish. Email: CelticRomanceQueen@yahoo.com with the name of ny newest release. Check here or at my web site http://CelticRomanceQueen.com to find the answer.

AUTHORS SPONSORING ADDITIONAL CONTESTS WITH CHRISTMAS IN JULY:
Each author will run their own contest so click on their link. The list of authors sponsoring contests will be updated in our FILES section at our Yahoo group site.
Marianne Stephens http://www.mariannestephens.net
Tina Donahue http://www.tinadonahue.com/ and http://www
.tinadonahue.com/blog/

Jean Hart Stewart http://www.jeanhartstewart.com
Dyanne Davis http://dyannedavis.blogspot.com or http://www.AdamOmega.com
Elaine Hopper http://www.elaineannhopper.blogspot.com
Ashley Ladd
http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com

Cindy Spencer Pape http://www.cindyspencerpape.com/contest.html
Gina Ardito
http://ginaardito.blogspot.com/

Paris Brandon http://parisbrandon.com
Renee Vincent http://www.reneevincent.com/ or http://pasttheprint.blogspot.com/
Nicole Morgan http://www.nicolemorganauthor.blogspot.com


MY NEWEST RELEASE DRUID BRIDE
Blurb:
She carried the seed of rebirth, so what had fallen would rise again.The ghost of her ancestor sent Druidess Tanwen from Britannia to the strange foreign tribe of the Caledonii to wed Brude, son of the chief. But Brude is not about to marry a druidess even though she has the most beautiful body he's ever seen. Never mind if his blood boils and he can't stop thinking of her. He will not wed her. Yet the fate of Caledonia rests in the hands of the Warrior and the Druidess. Will they put their differences aside to fulfill their destiny?

Excerpt:
Tanwen walked through the wheat field. Half willow tree, half fey was the only description that fit. Tall but lithe, her red hair waving in the wind, streaming down her slender body. Her skin was still pale blue from the woad, giving her the appearance of an enchantress, summoned from the other world to bless the crops. Everyone gazed at her as she walked forward and halted at a stalk. She plucked an ear of wheat and rolled the grain between her finger and thumb as Lossio had done. "It is
plump and yielding." She stared at Brude with an intense gaze that set his insides on fire. "Yes, it is time."

A cheer went up from everyone, but Brude was captured by her gaze and couldn't look away. He didn't want to. He wanted to step forward, scoop her up into his arms, and carry her off to his bed. By the gods, the druidess had enchanted him.

He did not say a word to Tanwen, nor she to him, but she turned her head and flipped her red hair across her back as she walked off.

AND HERE'S SURF THE NET WITH A VEIW
CELTIC VIDEOS (of 1st century AD in Scotland and England in honor of Druid Quest
and Druid Bride)

1. Centurion Movie Trailer
The northern, Pictish tribes of Scotland ambush and battle the Romans as also
depicted in Druid Bride, released this month June 7th. Centurion is set to have
a limited U. S. release, I believe this summer. This film is about the legend of
the 9th legion which is featured in Druid Bride as well.
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2489386009/

2. Pictish Pursuit
After finding a spear head in an old hill fort, three Scottish
children have a day of wild adventure. An ancient Pict warrior
appears before them and tires to get his spearhead back.
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?
docid=65680479795023378&q=MIE+pictish+pursuit

3. Centurion Movie
Behind the scenes of the film. The actors speak about the movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8vwmLNDmPA

4. The Picts
A short film about the Pictish culture made for the Pictish museum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2lqvdwCCWE

5. The Celts
Animation, drama, and art depicts Celtic heroes and kings as Enya
sings a stirring song, reminding us of the glory of past days and
the rich heritage that will never be forgotten.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuNG_shQV2s&mode=related&search=

6. Boudica The Warrior Queen
A one Woman Musical/Drama performance by Michele Breeze based on
the life of the Celtic Warrior Queen Boudica.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8zL-lC_T-k&mode=related&search=

7. Boudicca Away
A video with the song "Away" by Nightwish is combined with footage
of the movie "Warrior Queen Boudica"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9BBkq7U84o&mode=related&search=

8. Boudica Queen of Legend
On al lighter note, with a more amateur cast. School children
dramatize the story of Boudica for an English project.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrKtSFovjJY&mode=related&search=

9. A History of Scotland, Episode 1, Land of the Free
Beautiful scenery of Scotland. The Caledonii are the tribe featured in my book,
Druid Bride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hG01ZzlKxI&feature=related

10. The Picts Of Scotland - Last Of The Free
A film that gives a little more history on the Picts. My book Danger Is Sweet
has a Pictish heroine and is set against the back drop of Kenneth Mac Alpin and
my hero in Druid Bride is a Pict, a warrior of the Caedonii.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqqQPPtjpwg&feature=related


My books are available in print and kindle editions at Amazon.com
In ebooks at Fictionwise, Barnes & nobles online, and All Romance Ebooks and
most online book stores
CelticRomanceQueen.com
* * *

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

As Timeless As Stone by Maeve Alpin


Hi Everyone,

My Steampunk/romance, AS TIMELESS AS STONE, will be released May 17th. To celebrate I'm giving away a Steampunk Necklace to one lucky winner among all those who retweet my post on twitter. Drawing will be May 18th and the winner will be announced on a tweet and here.

NEW REVIEWS FOR AS TIMELESS AS STONE:
As Timeless as Stone by Maeve Alpin is as timeless as the sand in an hourglass. I really can't contain myself. This short story was like uncovering a priceless artifact. It read like a full length novel. Both Ricard and Seshat were interesting characters. There was definitely passion between Ricard and Seshat. If you haven't tried a steam punk novel yet, then you should give As Timeless as Stone a try. I can't wait to see what Maeve Alpin serves up next." Reviewed by Cheryl at Maniac Readers http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=6563

"Seshat and Ricard are a cool couple. I liked Seshat's attitude and I felt like Alpin did her research. Ricard represented the dashing, intelligent scholar to a T. The writing is fluid and smooth." Reviewed by Ash at Rites of RomanceReviews
http://rorreviews.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/as-timeless-as-stone-by-maeve-alpin/

KINDLE EDDITION OF AS TIMELESS AS STONE $2.80:
http://www.amazon.com/As-Timeless-Stone-ebook/dp/B003AUTELS

GUEST BLOGGING:
I (under my pen name Maeve Alpin) will be a guest blogger at TRS Blue's Blog http://trsblue.blogspot.com/?zx=2ad8520f9128e059 on May 19th – Please stop by and post comments. I appreciate it.

HERE'S MAY'S SURF THE NET WITH A VEIW:
Steampunk Videos:

1. How to Make a Steampunk Outfit
This video hooks you up to Steampunk fashion so you can sew your own outfit. Take an old shirt and steampunk it up with a breast plate and brass buttons. Make bloomers out of an old sheet. So now all you need is the brass goggles.
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Make-a-Steampunk-Outfit-38339737

2. Carrah Rossini's Amazing Airships
An airship opera. This is so beautiful, this fantasy photo montage of airships are incredible. You feel like you are really there in the posh over the top splendor of a steampunked Victorian age.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Rr_CDuWDQ

3. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters: Book Trailer
I read this book. Like most writers, I read quite a bit. The book isn't one of my favorites but it is interesting and it's a fun read. The book trailer is fun
also. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZVE5uF24Q

4. Abney Park - Airship Pirate remastered version – steampunk
Here is the foremost Steampunk rock group, Abney Park, singing about airship pirates just like those out of Cherie Priest's Boneshaker or Kate Macalister's
Steamed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri3zPE5OqJg

5. 1884: Yesterday's Future Promo Trailer
This is so cute and so funny. I love this video. It is at a time like this that the true British hero knows instincly what he must do, inwardly panic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds0-2irdP4c&feature=related

6. Steampunk Novel - The Table of Shadows - Trailer 1
Here's a book trailer for The Table of Shadows by A., J. Parker. Let this trailer takes you to a world where science has made great leaps before its time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=912WaSlrP94

7. Cup Of Brown Joy – Elemental
For the tea lovers. Here's a steampunk video about tea. It's fun and hilarious. Victoria would have loved it. She acutely put scotch in her tea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eELH0ivexKA

AS TIMELESS AS STONE:
Author: Maeve Alpin
GENRE: Steampunk/Romance
ISBN: N: 978-1-61650-151-8
Release date: May 17 2010
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publisher web site: http://lyricalpress.com/

BLURB:
In peril for her life, the Priestess Seshat turns herself to stone in ancient Egypt. Centuries later, Ricard, a dashing nineteenth century Frenchman, repairs a broken statue and reads its incantation--unprepared for the gorgeous flesh and blood woman who steps forth.

Seshat is drawn to the brass robots Ricard creates and the glamour of the Victorian age, and most of all to Ricard himself. But the society of his day cannot accept a woman like her. How far will Ricard go to secure her happiness? Is their love strong enough to transcend time itself?

Excerpt:
Ricard stepped back as his gaze devoured the entire woman, though stiff and lifeless. The stone looked like lush, sun-warmed skin. Her oval face was dark and delicate, with full, rosy lips. He admired her long lithe body, clad in a sheer, white, sleeveless dress, held up only by two delicate linen shoulder straps. He longed to roam his fingers and lips over her high perched breast and the thin waist which flared into curved hips and lithe thighs. Then, down to her pretty legs and her slender feet garbed in white papyrus sandals, of the station she depicted, an Egyptian priestess of the Middle Kingdom. He drank in her beauty, then he noticed the ornament lying in the valley between her breasts, a thick ankh of gold hung from a chain. His fingers absently tried to grab hold of the necklace but it was only part of the statue, no matter how real it seemed.

"What is this?" He looked at the plaque in the statue's stone hands, held beneath the ankh. The last hieroglyphic depicted the symbol for life, an ankh, held up to the woman's nose. Ricard read it silently, sounding it out, Nce xarp wt pwwne Ab etoot abrem... Toujo Abrem etoot pwwne ab... xarp wt au ai ankh qe, and translated it under his breath. "God Horus, as you turned my flesh to stone... God Horus, save me, make me whole...change my stone to flesh...give me the nose breath of life, once more."

The room vibrated and an unnatural wind swirled within. Ricard's hair stood on end, but he could not tear his eyes away from the statue. He grabbed the ankh, and this time it gave way, lifting from the statue's chest. The curiosity that drove him as a scientist, as an Egyptologist, caught hold and as strange as this all seemed, he felt he had come this far, he had to see it through. Laying the ankh against the statue's small nose, Ricard acted out the last hieroglyphic on the plaque.

He shuddered at the sound of a gush of breath. A flash of light struck inside the room. The shock knocked the breath out of him. The statue moved, but she wasn't stone anymore.

Jean François gasped and stepped back.

Ricard couldn't move. It's a living, breathing woman. He dropped the ankh and it fell against her chest, which now rose and fell with heaving breaths. Ricard managed to step back on shaky legs. He gaped at her, unable to think or speak.
Alive.

The priestess shrieked. Her brown eyes glowed with anger. "Come near me you Hyksos cobra, and you will die!" she warned in Old Egyptian.

HOUSTON HIGHLAND GAMES:
If you live in or near Houston Texas please come out to the Houston Highland Games May 15th and 16th, I'll be there signing my books. http://www.houstonhighlandgames.com/


http://www.CelticRomanceQueen.com
http://www.myspace.com/CelticRomanceQueen

Friday, March 5, 2010

Steampunk/Romance


I hope everyone had a great Valentine Day and I hope you all have a happy St.
Patrick Day. First I have discoveries of the month. Then it's this month's Surf the Net column, on Steampunk videos and a sneak peak with blurb and excerpt of my Steampunk/Romance, As Timeless As Stone,coming in May.

THIS MONTHS CAVES IN ENGLAND:
Kents Cavern is a cave system in Torquay, Devon, England, notable for its
archaeological and geological features. http://www.kents-cavern.co.uk/

RECENT DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH:
4000 years ago Balding Siberians Roamed Greenland.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146413812

LOST CITY OF ATLANTIS DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH:
Ancient Settlement in Andalucía. Lost city of Atlantis 'could be buried in
southern Spain.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=25058

RECENT DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH IN ENGLAND:
Ancient timbers uncovered as part of engineering work and mistaken for modern
fence-posts could belong to a 4,000-year-old walkway across marshland on the
Norfolk-Suffolk border, http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146412557

BRONZE AGE SHIP WRECK OF THE MONTH:
New evidence about the extent and sophistication of Britain's links with Europe
in the Bronze Age as well as the remarkable seafaring abilities of the people
during the period.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146413810


HERE'S MARCH'S SURF THE NET WITH A VEIW:
Steampunk Videos:


1. How to Make a Steampunk Outfit
This video hooks you up to Steampunk fashion so you can sew your own outfit.
Take an old shirt and steampunk it up with a breast plate and brass buttons.
Make bloomers out of an old sheet. So now all you need is the brass goggles.
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Make-a-Steampunk-Outfit-38339737

2. Carrah Rossini's Amazing Airships
An airship opera. This is so beautiful, this fantasy photo montage of airships
are incredible. You feel like you are really there in the posh over the top
splendor of a steampunked Victorian age.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Rr_CDuWDQ

3. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters: Book Trailer
I read this book. Like most writers, I read quite a bit. The book isn't one of
my favorites but it is interesting and it's a fun read. The book trailer is fun
also. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jZVE5uF24Q

4. Abney Park - Airship Pirate remastered version – steampunk
Here is the foremost Steampunk rock group, Abney Park, singing about airship
pirates just like those out of Cherie Priest's Boneshaker or Kate Macalister's
Steamed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri3zPE5OqJg

5. 1884: Yesterday's Future Promo Trailer
This is so cute and so funny. I love this video. It is at a time like this that
the true British hero knows instincly what he must do, inwardly panic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds0-2irdP4c&feature=related

6. Steampunk Novel - The Table of Shadows - Trailer 1
Here's a book trailer for The Table of Shadows by A., J. Parker. Let this
trailer takes you to a world where science has made great leaps before its time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=912WaSlrP94

7. Cup Of Brown Joy – Elemental
For the tea lovers. Here's a steampunk video about tea. It's fun and hilarious.
Victoria would have loved it. She acutely put scotch in her tea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eELH0ivexKA

AS TIMELESS AS STONE:
Coming in May from Lyrical Press, here is a sneak peak at my first
Steampunk/Romance.

Title: As Timeless As Stone
Author: Maeve Alpin
GENRE: Steampunk/Romance
ISBN: N: 978-1-61650-151-8
Release date: May, 2010
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publisher web site: http://lyricalpress.com/

COVER ART: http://tinyurl.com/yaeq3h6

BLURB:
In peril for her life, the Priestess Seshat turns herself to stone in ancient
Egypt. Centuries later, Ricard, a dashing nineteenth century Frenchman, repairs
a broken statue and reads its incantation--unprepared for the gorgeous flesh and
blood woman who steps forth.

Seshat is drawn to the brass robots Ricard creates and the glamour of the
Victorian age, and most of all to Ricard himself. But the society of his day
cannot accept a woman like her. How far will Ricard go to secure her happiness?
Is their love strong enough to transcend time itself?

Excerpt:
Ricard stepped back as his gaze devoured the entire woman, though stiff and
lifeless. The stone looked like lush, sun-warmed skin. Her oval face was dark
and delicate, with full, rosy lips. He admired her long lithe body, clad in a
sheer, white, sleeveless dress, held up only by two delicate linen shoulder
straps. He longed to roam his fingers and lips over her high perched breast and
the thin waist which flared into curved hips and lithe thighs. Then, down to her
pretty legs and her slender feet garbed in white papyrus sandals, of the station
she depicted, an Egyptian priestess of the Middle Kingdom.
He drank in her beauty, then he noticed the ornament lying in the valley between
her breasts, a thick ankh of gold hung from a chain. His fingers absently tried
to grab hold of the necklace but it was only part of the statue, no matter how
real it seemed.

"What is this?" He looked at the plaque in the statue's stone hands, held
beneath the ankh. The last hieroglyphic depicted the symbol for life, an ankh,
held up to the woman's nose. Ricard read it silently, sounding it out, Nce xarp
wt pwwne Ab etoot abrem... Toujo Abrem etoot pwwne ab... xarp wt au ai ankh qe,
and translated it under his breath. "God Horus, as you turned my flesh to
stone... God Horus, save me, make me whole...change my stone to flesh...give me
the nose breath of life, once more."

The room vibrated and an unnatural wind swirled within. Ricard's hair stood on
end, but he could not tear his eyes away from the statue. He grabbed the ankh,
and this time it gave way, lifting from the statue's chest. The curiosity that
drove him as a scientist, as an Egyptologist, caught hold and as strange as this
all seemed, he felt he had come this far, he had to see it through. Laying the
ankh against the statue's small nose, Ricard acted out the last hieroglyphic on
the plaque.

He shuddered at the sound of a gush of breath. A flash of light struck inside
the room. The shock knocked the breath out of him. The statue moved, but she
wasn't stone anymore.

Jean François gasped and stepped back.

Ricard couldn't move. It's a living, breathing woman. He dropped the ankh and it
fell against her chest, which now rose and fell with heaving breaths. Ricard
managed to step back on shaky legs. He gaped at her, unable to think or speak.
Alive.

The priestess shrieked. Her brown eyes glowed with anger. "Come near me you
Hyksos cobra, and you will die!" she warned in Old Egyptian.


http://www.CelticRomanceQueen.com
http://www.myspace.com/CelticRomanceQueen

Druid Bride coming Summer of 2010