Saturday Tidbit - The Wolf Moon

Believe it or not, just about every phase of the moon has a name. The names come from different cultures. In December last moon, there were two full moon phases in the moon. The first full moon is known as a Christmas Moon. (From Colonial American Tradtions) The 2nd full moon, which rarely happens is known as a Blue Moon because its the 2nd recoccuring moon in the month. This month, in January, it is known as a Wolf Moon.

And you know how I love wolves. hehe

The Wolf Moon comes from the Native Americans and it's named because of how the wolves used to howl at the moon on cold winter nights.

Interesting Tidbit: The lunar cycle is roughtly 29 days.

Tonight's moon will be especially bigger than most. Why? Taken from Yahoo: The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles (50,000 km) closer than the other.


So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, as it will tonight, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year.

The Moon over Turin, Italy, Dec 2009



Taken from the Native American culture is a list of the Full Moons for the upcoming year:

FEB 2010 - Snow Moon
MAR 2010 - Worm Moon
Interesting Note: In 2010 this is also the Paschal Full Moon; the first full Moon of the spring season. The first Sunday following the Paschal Moon is Easter Sunday, which indeed will be observed six days later on Sunday, April 4.

APR 2010 - Pink Moon
MAY 2010 - Flower Moon
JUN 2010 - Strawberry Moon
JUL 2010 - Buck Moon
AUG 2010 - Sturgeon Moon
SEP 2010 - Harvest Moon
Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal (fall) Equinox. The Harvest Moon usually comes in September, but (on average) once or twice a decade it will fall in early October.

OCT 2010 - Hunter's Moon
NOV 2010 - Beaver's Moon
DEC 2010 - Cold Moon


Reference for this blog entry:http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20100129/sc_space/biggestandbrightestfullmoonof2010tonight

Promo Wednesday - Review for Destination: Berlin

This Review is from "Book of the Moment Reviewer." and is on Berlin's Amazon Page.

*******

After reading the back of this book, I was feeling a little iffy as I started it. Sometimes military stories catch my attention, and other times I get overwhelmed by the lingo and the violence and quickly lose interest. "Destination: Berlin," kept my rapt attention from the first page through to the last though. As I finished the story I realized with a smile that I actually quite enjoyed it.

Sharon Cates is a model American soldier stationed in Germany. On her way to attend a routine orientation tour in Berlin, she meets a Russian soldier named Dimitri. The two share a meal and agree to put aside their military and political differences and "be friends for the day."

Shortly thereafter, an explosion derails the train, mildly injuring Cates. After overhearing a conversation by the train bombers, Dimitri quickly realizes that Cates is carrying more than just her identification papers in her briefcase. Somewhere in that case, unbeknownst to her, are nuclear launch codes that people are willing to kill to get their hands on.

Injured and completely confused, Cates finds herself with few options other than following the enemy soldier to safety. From here we follow Cates and Dimitri as they attempt to get to a safe and neutral part of the country; all the while hoping to guard the codes and prove Cates had no knowledge of the codes being in her briefcase at all.

There's a little bit of everything mixed into this story. There's history, adventure, suspense, romance and of course so military jargon. The author does a good job though, of simplifying the military lingo, so that it never becomes a burden to understand. The story flows well, and moves along quickly. If you're looking for a good story to keep you occupied for a night or two, I'd highly recommend this one.

4 Stars
Book of the Moment

*****
Here's a link to Berlin's Amazon Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Destination-Berlin-S-Cardin/dp/0595164196/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264608108&sr=8-1

What I'm reading Tuesday - The Wicked Duke Takes a Wife

I just love Jillian Hunter. I first discovered her when I read "The Wicked Games of Gentleman" about Drake Boscastle and Eloise. For me, she had the perfect blend of plot, suspense, historical stuff, and romance. I've read her entires series. Some stories were hit or miss, some I really enjoyed, some not as much, but I love her writing. It's an easy style to read. Her latest book, "The Wicked Duke take a Wife" is one that I'm currently reading and enjoying.

The heroine is Harriet Gardner from Emma and Adrian's story. Harriet has cleaned up nicely at Emma's school and helps Charlotte. Enter Griffin Boscastle. He has just inherited the title of "Duke of Glenmorgan" He drops off his neice, Edlyn at Emma's academy and meets Harriet. Let's just say the soot flies between them.

The build between Griffin and Harriet is fun. Both are attracted to each, and each are haunted by demons. Hunter ties in the novel "Frankenstein" as well, giving the novel depth. I'm about 1/3 into the book. Harriet has gone to work for Griffin's aunt, Lady Powlis and Lady Powlis gives as good as she takes. And I can't help but cheer for Harriet. She's come a long way.

Any Boscastle fans out there?
Smiles
Steph

Excerpt Monday - Royal Pretender

Here's an excerpt of a short story I submitted to CRR's "The Cupid Diaries." The story is Royal Pretender and it is about how George II of England met his wife. The Cupid Diaries is coming soon from CRR.

*********

Caroline Wilhelmina, Princess of Ansbach, stared listlessly out of the window of her apartments and watched as a strange, yet royal carriage slowly approached. She was mildly curious. They rarely received visitors in small Ansbach and not at the summer residence where it was barely staffed.

Caroline sighed and ran a hand through her fine, blonde hair. If only she weren’t so melancholy over losing her mother figure, Sophia Charlotte. Her own mother had died when she was eleven and Sophia Charlotte had raised her until her own death a couple of months ago. She missed Berlin, Sophia Charlotte’s court, Leibniz, the great court recorder, and the gaiety Sophia Charlotte brought to her life. Caroline left Berlin in sadness after her death to join her brother in Ansbach, but nothing seemed to help her mood. Even taking a short holiday at Triesdorf with her brother made her long for happier times.

She noticed the carriage stop. Two men and a valet got out. Noblemen? One was old, and one was…very young. Her inquisitive eyes came to rest on the young nobleman. How confident he must be in himself that he didn’t wear a wig. She liked that about a man. He was a little short, her height, she guessed, still, that didn’t deter her from staring at him. His neat, tapered haircut and his immaculate clothes caught her attention. He took pride in himself and his appearance. Soft shaped almond eyes spoke of his kindness. His cheeks were full of color and his lively expression hinted at his vitality. Even his lips seemed full and pouty. Lips fine enough to kiss. Caroline felt her heart flutter as she realized he was a very good-looking young man.

Get hold of yourself, Caroline!

She reached out and put her hand on her window sill to brace her now unsteady feet.

From her spot, she saw her brother go out to meet the travelers. They talked for several minutes and the men followed her brother inside. Nervous trepidation filled her. Did William seriously expect to entertain? Their staff consisted only of a butler, maid, and cook here at the summer residence!

She walked over to her washbasin and filled a bowl with water, washing her face. Within minutes there was a knock at the door.

********

New England Sunday - Old Sturbridge Village

Center Village in Winter Time


I remember my earliest visit to Old Sturbridge, I think I was in the 5th grade. I never forget this place. I next visited when I was in the Army, on leave in the late 1980's, early 1990's. I took my dh here shortly after I got married and shared this special with him.

So what is Old Sturbridge Village? It's a reenactment of a New England town from the 1830's located in Massachusetts. It is more than 200 acres. You can tour the entire town to see what life was like in early New England! The different shops are populated with actors who reenact characters from that time!

It's a great place to go and learn about colonial New England. For me, it was like stepping into history.
A Stagecoach



The Village opened on 8 June 1946. It was the dream of AB Wells and his son George. AB was an antique collector and had collected so many antiques he needed to find a place to do something with them. His son, George, suggested opening up a "living" history exhibit, hence the birth of OSV.

These are the following shops in OSV:

Old Sturbridge Village has over 40 structures, including restored buildings purchased and relocated from across New England and some authentic reconstructions.

The village is divided into three main sections. The Center Village represents the center of town, with the town green as its focal point. Countryside consists of outlying farms and shops. The Mill Neighborhood features various commercial structures that rely upon a millpond for their power.

The Center Village contains the following structures:

Friends Meetinghouse - a meetinghouse of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers

Center Meetinghouse - churches often served as a location for town meetings, elections, lectures, and political events

Tin Shop - tin, purchased from England was used to make a variety of household goods
Salem Towne House - a prosperous farmer's home

Law Office - a small, free-standing office of a lawyer

Parsonage - the home of a Congregational minister and his family

Asa Knight Store - a country store, transported from its original location in Vermont.

Thompson Bank - a bank that was originally located in Thompson, CT

Fenno House - an historic house with exhibits that highlight domestic textile production

Fitch House - the residence with exhibit elements that highlight children and family life Printing Office




Cider Mill - a horse-powered mill for the production of hard cider

Shoe Shop - an historic ten footer, which was a small backyard shop structure built in the 18th and 19th centuries in New England to serve as a shoemaker's shop.

Town Pound - for the confinement of livestock wandering around town or on other farmer's property

Bullard Tavern - an early 1800s tavern room

Small House - a small home based on those of less affluent families, people of color, newlyweds, and renters

The Stage Coach - On May 23, 2008, a stage coach marked "Hartford & Worcester" started making trips through Center Village. Guests can ride in the stagecoach for $3.00 per rider.


Info for this blog entry came from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Sturbridge_Village

A Nip o' History Saturday - Queen in Waiting

I'd always been a little interested in History growing up the book that ignited my passion was called "Queen In Waiting" by Jean Plaidy. Jean Plaidy was a pen name for one of my favorite authors, Victoria Holt.

I discovered this book back in 1988 when I was waiting for the Berlin Duty Train in Bremerhaven in July. I sat in front of the Bahnhof, reading my book, so involved in the story, I hardly noticed the buzz around me.

Queen in Waiting is about George II and his romance with his wife, Caroline of Ansbach. It is the early 1700's and George Augustus is a young man in his early 20's and the Crown Prince of the Electorship of Hanover. George Augustus's father, George Lewis, the current Elector, is set to inherit the British throne since Anne Stewart has no heirs (And that's another fascinating story I can't wait to tell, but it's for another Saturday.)

George Lewis had a miserable marriage to George Augustus's mother, Sophia Doreathera. It was so miserable, he divorced her and put her up in Ahlen Tower where she lived a long life and died there. Because of this experience, he wanted his son, George Augustus to make a love match.

Personally speaking, that was RARE for royality and it was rare for a father to want his son to make a love match. That said George Lewis "pumped" his aged mother, the Dowager Electress Sophia for who might make a good match. She suggested Caroline of Ansbach. Ansbach was a small German city in southern Germany. Caroline was a noble lady and George Lewis thought she might work out for his son.

He dispatched George Augustus with his old governor to Ansbach. But there was a catch. George Augustus went in disguise. This way if he didn't like Caroline, he could refuse to marry her and no one would no the better.

When George Augustus met Caroline, who was his age, blonde, blue eyed and totally HOT he fell half way off the cliff. As he got to know her, he fell completely off. She was drop dead gorgeous and had a sweet, charming personality to boot. In haste, he left her, traveled to Hanover and told his father he wanted to marry her.

Immediately George Lewis dispatched a formal party to ask for her marriage. When Caroline was told the dashing young nobleman named Monsieur deBusch was really George Augustus, the crown prince of Hanover she said "yes!" to the marriage proposal. She had fallen completely in love with the young, dashing man herself.

If you want to read my historical fiction account of the "Royal Pretender," it will be in the upcoming Cupid Diaries put out through CRR.

Isn't love romantic?
Steph

Promo Wednesday - Review for The Wolf's Torment

FICTION: ROMANCE / FANTASY

The Wolf’s Torment
S.G. Cardin
iUniverse
355 pages
Softcover $20.95
ISBN: 978-0-595-41733-9
4 stars

A good romantic novel is not the massed-produced formulaic massively consumed quickie book commonly known as a “Bodice Ripper.” A romantic novel is more than thin plot lines designed to get the main characters from one sexual congress to the next.

S. G. Cardin’s debut novel, The Wolf’s Torment, is a romantic novel without being a clichéd ridden “romance” novel. With elements of historical fiction combined with the gothic supernatural, The Wolf’s Torment is in the similar vein as Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles and The Mayfair Witch Chronicles, but the story is also convoluted like Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations as well as dark Arthurian undertones. It is an erotically charged novel with powerful sexual scenes that are not gratuitous, but necessary for the development of character and plot.

Cardin’s hero, child Prince Mihai Sigmaringen of Moldavia in the 1800s, watches helplessly as his mother is murdered by an evil witch. An older Mihai realizes that he lives in country with real monsters, and the modernization and unification of Romania is the only way to rid Eastern Europe of these ancient evils. Cardin writes, “He had a future to fulfill… He would modernize the country and drive out such beings as witches and werewolves that would have the rest of the world think his country as uncultured.”


But the ancient evil persists, and Mihai’s best friend Victor, who he met in England while attending university, is bitten by a werewolf. When the beast overcomes the man, Victor’s werewolf nature invades his humanity and he betrays Mihai.

Mihai makes his own betrayals: to see his plans reach fruition he submits to an arranged marriage to the Lady Theresa von Kracken, even though Alexandra, his gold-digging mistress from London, is pregnant with his baby. Theresa believes that Mihai is the prince that her precognitive dreams had shown her as a child.

After the death of his father, Mihai is crowned King and Theresa becomes his queen. Like Lancelot and Guinevere who betray King Arthur’s trust, Victor has his way with Queen Theresa—the difference being Victor drugs Theresa and takes advantage of her vulnerability. Unlike Guinevere, she never stops being deeply in love with her husband.

The story turns desperate as King Mihai relentlessly drags a reluctant Moldavia into a modern age, even while chthonic forces attempt to pull Moldavia out of enlightenment and back into the darkness of magic, fear and superstition.

Cardin has provided a Q and A session as well as deleted scenes and discussion issues. Readers that enjoy fast-paced novels with some scares and mystery will find themselves waiting impatiently for a sequel to this historical and supernatural romance.

Reviewed by Lee Gooden
ForeWord Clarion Reviews