I am a long time advocate of Bentonite Clay. (And warm laundry, too, but I’ll get to that part later…) It’s an amazing product for detox and can be used internally and externally. So, when my sister told me last week that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, I shared with her this resource. It’s especially recommended for those with breast cancer but anyone can use it. It does everything from calming nausea to remineralizing teeth but I think its primary value is in its ability to help you detox. [Read more…] about The Surprising Benefits of Bentonite Clay and Warm Laundry
Miscellaneous
Mother’s Day Gifts – You’ve Found Them!
Looking for Mother’s Day Gifts? Look no further.
Send her The Fine Art of Deception – a book you know she’ll love!
What Readers Say:
“Magnificent! This book hooks the reader and pulls you into a deep mystery.”
“I loved all the characters in it but really connected with the main character in it, Addie. The ability to touch any item and see its past is amazing.”
“If you love a good mystery, are interested in the paranormal, enjoy a little romance, then this book is for you!”
“The characters were fascinating and well-developed, the story had a wonderful pace.”
“Fabulous start for this new author! This was one of those books I couldn’t put down once I started reading, and when interrupted, couldn’t wait to get back to find out what happens with Addie, and particularly with her relationship with Blake.”
Available on Amazon.com
Tuscan Princesses are Descendants of Mona Lisa
Meet two descendants of Lisa Gherardini, the model for the Mona Lisa. In 2007, an Italian genealogy expert revealed that the Strozzi family directly descends from Gherardini. In this photo are Tuscan princesses Natalia, left, and Irina Strozzi, I think I see a resemblance. Do you?
Last year I traveled to Paris and spent a full day in the Louvre. If you’ve been recently, you know that the Mona Lisa has a relatively new room that was constructed for her. Her smallish painting sits in the middle of the room on a free standing wall. The walls on the side of the room are filled with other paintings but I don’t think anyone ever pays attention to those!
If you’re someone who wants to see the Mona Lisa, I highly recommend going on to The Louvre’s website. You’ll get a better look at the Mona Lisa there than you ever could in person. The Louvre has a wonderful “focus” option where you can look at the famous painting as if you were within a few inches of the canvas! http://focus.louvre.fr/en
It’s better than actually being there. No crowds to fight. No tourists pushing and shoving and vying for a selfie with Mona Lisa. Yes, a selfie with Mona. I actually saw that. #headslap
The crowds that gather to see the Mona Lisa are usually intense, and, when I was there, the Louvre guards weren’t very motivated to move people along. So, it can be a challenge to get a good look at her. Plus the painting is small. Only 77 x 53 cm. So, check her out on the website. Lots of fun!
Leonardo was 55 when he finished painting her. It took him 4 years. When he did finish the painting, he carried it around with him for the last 12 years of his life. Obsessively. Some say he added little touches here and there to the painting during that time. You know, Lisa Gheradini was pregnant when she sat for the portrait, maybe that’s the reason for her mysterious smile.
She sits behind 3 inches of bulletproof glass and receives a minimum of 8 million visitors a year! Can’t wait to see her again.
Perhaps Addie and Blake will make a visit to see her as well…
If I Say: “Cliffhanger” – Do You Find That Infuriating?
“Summer’s approach signals the end of the traditional broadcast season — bringing with it season finales and scores of cliffhangers.” That’s a quote from the Hollywood Reporter as they preview the final episodes of this season’s hottest TV shows. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-finale-dates-2015-complete-785817
And they’re predicting…cliffhangers.
Which, honestly, I find exciting.
But my publicist tells me that cliffhangers upset readers.
Really? I don’t get that.
But, then again, I didn’t grow up in an age of instant gratification. When I was a kid (and I realize I’m dating myself here…) we didn’t have smart phones, digital cameras, cable TV or computers.
If we were expecting a call, we had to wait until we got back home to receive the call. And if we missed the call, we had to wait until they called again because (gasp) we didn’t have voicemail. Or caller ID or call waiting for that matter.
When we wanted to see the photos from Christmas morning at Grandmother’s house, we had to wait until Mom took the film to the camera store — where it would be developed and the pictures were printed — before we could see how the they turned out. That process would take weeks. It could be Spring before we knew how the Christmas pictures turned out.
Can you imagine?
Didn’t bother me a bit, actually.
If we encountered a (teeth chatter) cliffhanger on a TV series, we waited until the following season to see how it came out. Which was — A YEAR — by the way.
When we had to do research for a school project, we went to the library and scoured books. It would take several trips to the library before our work could be completed. And if the book we wanted was already checked out? We had to wait for it to be returned. Or find another resource to use. Horrors.
Oh, and we didn’t have microwaves either. So dinner wasn’t ready in five minutes unless you had a bowl of cereal.
Which was fine.
Here’s a list of best cliffhanger books: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4564.Best_Cliffhanger_Ending
Check it out, you’ll see such familiar titles as Harry Potter, Divergent, The Lord of the Rings and about 97 other books that you’ve probably read and dearly love.
If there’s one word I’ve used over and over in this post, it’s — wait.
Which is apparently hard for some people to do. At the end of The Fine Art of Deception, Undoing Time, Book 1, ALL loose ends are not wrapped up. Because it’s Book 1. See that? It’s a series. So, there’s more adventure to come.
I love starting a series and knowing that there’s more fun to come in books 2, 3, and 4. It gives me something positive to look forward to. I’m so excited to see what happens!!!! Will they get off the cliff?? Who knows?? I can imagine all sorts of my own made-up endings and next scenes until the next installment comes out.
Honestly, I’m usually sad and suffer a major book hangover when the series does end. So, I *love* a good cliffhanger. The author is telling me that the fun continues…yay 🙂
But, I’ve learned, that not everyone can handle that. They need immediate gratification or risk losing their … patience.
I’m not sure if Book 2 ends in a cliffhanger or not because I haven’t finished writing it, yet. I’m close to the end of it, but I often don’t know what’s going to happen next until I write it. Sounds strange, doesn’t it?
I am pretty darn sure that everything isn’t wrapped up at the end of Book 2. The story runs deep. So, there will be more to come. And hopefully you’ll consider that a good thing. 🙂
Paranormal Romance Book Valentine’s Day Gift
Paranormal Romance books make the best Valentine’s Day read! Hope you’ll find a new favorite to enjoy today!
Paranormal Romance Books have long been my favorite to read. Fortunately there are lots of good reviewers out there who feel the same way!
Reviews for the paranormal romance book The Fine Art of Deception:
Book Nook Nuts: 5 STARS “Wow, this book was great. Very well written paranormal romance book.” http://booknooknuts.blogspot.com/2015/01/my-review-5-stars-fine-art-of-deception.html
Jeannie Zelos Book Review: 5 STARS “Seems as though this is Alyssa’s debut book – and what a fantastic start. I love romance that has something extra, and though the genre selection didn’t suggest anything other than straight romance, it’s far more IMO, a beautiful romance with elements of paranormal and suspense. … I really enjoyed this read, full of sensuality, beautiful settings and stories, and people that felt real. When the dangers heated up they felt genuine, and like Addie I wasn’t sure who was to be trusted and what was the truth. Its a great novel, one I really enjoyed and I’d happily read anything Alyssa writes next.
Stars: Five, a great read. https://jeanniezelos.wordpress.com/2015/01/31/the-fine-art-of-deception-undoing-time-alyssa-richards/
Book-Lover Book Blog 4.5 STARS Romance with a side of Psychic & Mystery Alyssa Richards is a new author for me and I am kinda picky about paranormal reads. Learning about how Addie had to deal with ghosts all her life and how it affected her, was very interesting...you will really enjoy it. https://www.facebook.com/BookLoverBlog2014/photos/a.1487986851449366.1073741828.1487984991449552/1551906585057392/?type=1&theater
Here are a few of the reviews for The Fine Art of Deception on Amazon.com
I received a copy of this book for the purposes of my review. All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Paranormal Romance Playlist on Spotify
Click above to listen to the free playlist for The Fine Art of Deception as listed on Spotify. These songs really capture the mood and give voice to the themes of this Paranormal Romance Book. Plus, it’s just fun to listen to!!
You’ll enjoy such artists as Bryan Ferry, Alex Clare, The Fray, Snow Patrol, Cyndi Lauper and more. 18 of your favorite songs in one fine art of a place. (See what I did just here? 🙂
Start a nice fire, pour yourself a glass of French wine, hit PLAY on Addie’s Favorite Music and enjoy !! See if you can guess what the themes to the book are going to be, just by listening to these songs …
Have fun!!
Alyssa ox
PS Need a recommendation for a good wine? Try the Chateau Cambon La Pelouse Bordeaux http://www.cambon-la-pelouse.com/en/
It’s not expensive, it’s French and it doesn’t have any sulfites! Voila!