by Joanne Wadsworth | Dec 16, 2013 | Author Blog
It’s breaking news!
I just heard. The next three movies in the Avatar movie franchise are being filmed in my backyard. It’s well known New Zealand is the home of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchise of films, but I can’t wait to see filming of Avatar begin Down Under. I’m not an actress by any means, but I did swing by Hobbiton last year and had a wee conversation with Gollum. Some of the LOTR and Hobbit film sets are just a mere five minute drive from the beautiful town of Matamata, where I was born and spent my entire childhood. It’s a fabulous place. Pre-cious as Gollum would say. 🙂
So, since it’s been reported that 93% of the cast for Avatar will be Kiwis, I thought I’d whip up a portfolio picture. What do you all think? Am I blue enough?
I know. This is a serious movie, so I’m going to have to drop the smile, grow several more feet, and somehow figure out how to don a tail, but I’m totally up for it. I’ll look into some archery, dragon-riding and tree-swinging training right after Christmas. I do have to say though, that Mr. Bean does a great Avatar impersonation. He’s clearly trying to get in on my game.
Now, I know I can manage that funny face, but I’m not sure about those glowing eyes. Wouldn’t it be cool though to be Avatarized? That’d scare my kiddies when I came home looking like this. 🙂
Okay, all laughter aside, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. I even found some delightful wish lists for writers. Do any of these ring true for you?
LOL. Cute, right? So, how will you all be celebrating Christmas? With family and friends? With roast turkey and mulled wine? Trying to find your way out of the snow?
Or perhaps if it’s the heart of summer-time where you are (as it is for me,) then it’s all about the surf and sand. I know I love building a sandman at Christmas time since there isn’t a chance of snow. Wherever you are, sand or snow, I wish you safe and happy holidays.
From your Kiwi author. I’ll catch you all after Christmas. I’ve four wonderful books already set to release in 2014, so next year’s going to be a blast.
~ Joanne Wadsworth’s Books ~
Buy WITNESS PURSUIT (Bodyguards #1) at: Amazon Kindle / Amazon Paperback / B&N Nook & Paperback / iTunes / Kobo
Buy WARRIOR (Magio-Earth #2) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy PROTECTOR (Magio-Earth #1) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy FIRST FROST, A Lyrical Press Anthology (including Highlander’s Captive by Joanne Wadsworth): Amazon Kindle / All Romance Ebooks
TAKE CARE. 
by Joanne Wadsworth | Oct 3, 2013 | Author Blog
I’ve got a few fun random facts to share with you today, particularly about my home country of New Zealand, and all in order to give you a chuckle. So be prepared. You will hear it here first. Unless you’ve already heard it somewhere else. The first picture I’m sharing is of a cute little Kiwi bird.
- Cute, right? New Zealanders are named after the Kiwi. Why? Because these Kiwi birds don’t live anywhere else in the world except New Zealand. They’re also flightless and shuffle around on two feet, just like us. 🙂
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Wacky fact number two: New Zealand is home to the longest place name in the world, which is still in use today. A famous peak in the Hawkes Bay in the North Island is named Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwenuakitanatahu. Yep, and here’s the picture to prove it. Hands up if you can say it. Anyone at all? All you need to do is break it down into manageable syllables. 🙂 Yeah, just don’t ask me where to start. Because even I’m struggling with this one.
And last but not least, I’m going to leave you in envy. Here’s a picture of one of our gorgeous beaches, because that’s what New Zealand is renowned for. Oooh yes, and this one is a stunner.
I hope you enjoyed this post. I certainly had a ball putting it together for you. Don’t forget to drop me a comment if you’d like to. I love hearing from you guys.
Also, if you’d like to read one of my books from my thrilling new Young Adult Fantasy Romance series then by all means, check out the book links below to pick up your copy of PROTECTOR or WARRIOR.
Buy PROTECTOR (Book One) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy WARRIOR (Book Two) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
–ooOoo–
HAVE A GREAT WEEK. CATCH YA LATER.
by Joanne Wadsworth | Jul 16, 2013 | Author Blog
Hey everyone,
Today I’m introducing you to Mauao. Mauao is in fact New Zealand’s most famous mountain, and it sits right at the end of a peninsula and the town of Mount Maunganui. Here’s a picture for your viewing pleasure.
Gorgeous, isn’t it?
Lucky for me, I live a mere twenty minutes from this stunning location on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Which is the reason why I’m bringing you Mauao today.
Mauao is more commonly known as “The Mount” and sits around 761 feet above sea level. You can walk around the perimeter base track within forty minutes, or along any of the three separate tracks leading upward to the summit. You can hang-glide from the top or simply take a picnic and enjoy the wicked views.
Thankfully it’s an extinct volcano *wipes brow* and is considered very important or sacred by the local Māori iwi, featuring extensively in local mythology.
I find the mythology surrounding this mountain intriguing. You can literally translate Mauao to meaning “caught by the dawn.”
Today, I’m going to share with you the legend of Mauao, which is actually, and strangely, a romantic story. Just look between the lines and you’ll see the love lost, then the love regained.
So, here we go. The Legend of Mauao. I hope you enjoy.
In the ancient times of the Māori people there lived a nameless hill. He, the nameless one, sat alone in a discarded inland area and was slave to Otanewainuku, a most prestigious mountain in the nearby area of Tauranga. The nameless one desired the affection of Puwhenua and she was a nearby mountain of the forest and adorned with great beauty. But alas, her heart had already been won by Otanewainuku and the nameless one was distraught, deciding to take his own life by drowning in the sea known as the Pacific Ocean.
So, the nameless one called upon his companions, the fairy people who dwelt in the dark recesses of the forest. He knew they would help him in his ambition to end his life. When night fell, the fairy people laced the nameless one with dozens of ropes and heaved him from his inland area, gouging a valley as they tugged him toward the sea. Only upon their arrival at dawn, the sun’s rays lit up the summit of the nameless one and the fairy people had to retreat back to the depths of the forest or be seen, their actions fixing the nameless one to his place at the edge of the ocean. Thus Mauao’s name was born–he was “caught by the dawn.”
Now, how is this a love story? Well, Mauao now has the love of all New Zealand’s people, his standing far greater than his rival Otanewainuku’s could ever be as he sits so prestigiously at the end of a peninsula.
Gotta love that. I certainly hoped you enjoyed this little taste of New Zealand. Also, don’t forget, if you want to drop me a comment, make sure you do. I love, love hearing from you guys.
Have a wonderful week everyone.
PROTECTOR > BUY THE BOOK: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Lyrical Press / iTunes / Kobo
by Joanne Wadsworth | Jun 10, 2013 | Author Blog
This is no ordinary beach. Stay tuned to find out what makes this slice of paradise so special.
Let me introduce you to New Zealand’s Hot Water Beach. Above is a picture of one of the most isolated and unusual beaches in the world, and being a Kiwi, I just couldn’t pass up this opportunity to share this magical place with you.
Hot Water Beach is as good as its name. Yes, it’s a beach where if you arrive two hours before or after low tide, you can bring a spade and hollow out a hole which fills with natural hot water. What? It’s true. The hot water actually seeps up from below and through the sand to fill the hole. Those in this picture are just beginning the dig, but I’ve tunnelled out some big holes there in my time, and seriously, once the hard work is done, you simply get to sit back, relax and enjoy what I’d call an exclusive spa experience with a view to kill, and all without having to pay a cent.
This beach has got to be one of my favorite spots. I love taking a dip in the ocean, then warming up afterwards in my very own hot water pool. Yep, gotta love that.
So, how does this phenomenon happen?
New Zealand sits on the Pacific Rim of Fire. I know, that sounds completely scary, but in actual fact it isn’t. It just means we have a lot of deep underground reservoirs of superheated water and with it, unusual geothermal activity like what happens at Hot Water Beach. Here at this beach there are two springs which the hot water escapes up from far below the surface. The water cools on its way up, and once hitting the surface, only comes forth if you dig for it. That’s what makes this beach so unique. A little digging, and the hot water rises. It certainly makes for a wonderful experience if you’re ever in my neck of the woods to come and see.
It’s this uniqueness to my country which is why I use locations like this one in my books. You’ve got to write what you know, and I love bringing readers right here, to the one place in the world I hold close to my heart. So, if you ever want a taste of my country, check out PROTECTOR, and any of my other soon-to-be released novels. They’re all set within New Zealand, The Land of the Long White Cloud.
Here’s what one reviewer said of PROTECTOR’S scene descriptions (which I totally adored.)
“Throughout Protector Joanne Wadsworth does a great job of developing character
and keeping the tension between Faith and Davio high. Her worldbuilding is
packed with magic and fun, and her settings, from the beaches and mountains of
New Zealand to the tumultuous oceans and towering cliffs of Magio, are
breathtaking.”
You can probably see why I like it. Take care and have a fabulous week. If you want to drop a comment, make sure you do. I love hearing from you all.
PROTECTOR > BUY THE BOOK: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Lyrical Press / iTunes / Kobo
by Joanne Wadsworth | Feb 18, 2013 | Author Blog
Random Picture Alert. You’ve been warned.
Yeah. 🙂 I saw. 🙂
Hey, has anyone heard of the eighth wonder of the world? Well, there may be a few eighth wonders out there, but as a Kiwi, it’s my job to make sure you get the truth, because in fact it’s New Zealand’s Pink and White Terraces which take that honor.
Let me begin this sad yet exciting tale of enlightenment. Why sad and exciting? Because Kiwis always find the good within the bad. Yes, we do.
The bad. The pink and white terraces aren’t here anymore, because they were completely destroyed in 1886.
The good. They’ve been rediscovered. *clapping furiously*
Confused? Stay with me now.
And I’ll start from the beginning. The pink and white silica terraces were located in New Zealand on a hillside in the thermal region of Rotorua, and cascaded down from two geysers and to the edge of a lake. They were formed as water containing silica flowed from the boiling geysers. The water cooled and crystallized into the terraces, forming a giant staircase as such.
Here are two wonderful paintings by Blomfield capturing the beauty of the two separate terraces in 1884. The first is The White Terraces, the second The Pink Terraces.
White Terraces (1884)
Pink Terraces (1884)
The terraces were each around seven acres in size, and descended with around 50 layers to the lake’s edge some 40 meters below.
They were so impressive, but sadly in 1886 were destroyed when an eruption occurred on nearby Mt Tarawera. During the eruption, a deep crater formed at the site of the terraces. It caused the lake to expand and cover them as well as nearby villages, including the famous Buried Village of Te Wairoa where 150 were buried alive.
But here’s the good news–
All was thought lost until just recently when scientists mapping the lake floor discovered part of the Pink Terraces 200 feet deep in February 2011. A search was then mounted for the White Terraces, and part of them was located in June a few months on. And now it’s thought the rest of the terraces may be buried in sediment under the lake’s surface, and not destroyed at all.
Ahh, I love that. See, got you smiling too, didn’t I?
So, that’s a little about New Zealand’s eighth wonder of the world. And would you believe they’re located only thirty minutes drive from where I live. Have you heard of these amazing terraces? Perhaps you’ve heard of a different eight wonder? Leave me a comment and let me know. I love hearing from you. Catch ya later. *waving from New Zealand*
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PROTECTOR–BUY THE BOOK: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Lyrical Press / Kobo.
