Don't Miss This — Fun Wacky Facts About New Zealand
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.
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Another interesting and wacky fact is only five percent of New Zealand’s population is made up of humans. The other 95% consists of animals. One animal we have a lot of is the sheep. In fact there are 9 sheep to 1 person. Here’s a picture below to prove just how many sheep we have. They rule some of our roads.
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Next fun fact. There are only four million Kiwis, and we’re all extremely industrious. Check out the picture below and spot the Kiwi.
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. 
Have You Lost The Plot?
I would say “random picture alert” but there is in fact a plot point here.
Yes, the dogs have not lost the plot. 🙂
For some writers plotting is a breeze, and for others they’re continuously trying to climb the mountain to discover it. I’m a pantser by nature, which means I generally fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants and allow my story to unfold as it will. The majority of writers are, and that’s the creative side of us bursting forth. But I’ve also learnt the benefits of plotting various elements into my story. A writer has to plot in order to give their book its meat and direction.
So how do we plot when we’re a pantser?
- We keep it logical.
- Know who your main characters are. Ie, your hero, heroine and antagonist.
- I’ve mentioned the main three in particular, because of my golden rule. Here’s the graphic I created a few months ago and shared.
- Here, story conflict = plot.
- Ascertain what your main plot point is and write it down. The reason I do this, is because my characters drive their story, and with the plot written down, I can continually remind them of it and keep them on track.
- Don’t forget your subplots. They can be great and add layers to your story, only don’t create too many of them that they ruin the main plot itself. You don’t want readers having to work too hard at keeping all your characters and story lines in place.
- Remember that subplots are designed to tug the reader in, to add depth, but not to overcomplicate matters. Keep your focus on the main plot, but enjoy the rocking motion afforded by subplots to enhance your reader’s experience.
- Don’t allow any holes to develop in your plots by leaving out a missing piece of the puzzle.
- And don’t allow your characters to act unnatural or out of turn during those conflicts.
- Keep your pacing on track, ensuring your characters grow with each point of conflict (plot) you throw at them.
- Make every scene you write earn its place in being a part of your plot. If it makes no sense to have it there, drop it.
- Never forget all plot points must reach a resolution, otherwise a loose end leaves your reader in limbo and wondering what happened to that character.
I hope you found this list of “how to plot” helpful. If there’s anything you’d like to add to the list, then drop me a comment. I love hearing from you guys.
Don’t forget, 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.
Here’s what one reviewer has just said about my latest release:
“Warrior held my attention from start to finish. Each obstacle Hope and Silas encountered had me jumping with joy, but often screaming in frustration. What made me fall in love with Warrior, is the heart thudding romance between the two main characters. It isn’t just a love story, it’s so much more. 5 Stars.” – Nocturne Romance Reads
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. 🙂
HIGHLANDER HEAT — My Hot New Historical Highlander Series and Where I Get My Vision
The Scottish Highlands and their beautiful old castles.
Traveling through time…for a Highlander.
There’s something so inspiring about these stunning castles and the history contained within their walls, and whether in ruins or not, my imagination runs rife. There are a ton of stories vying for attention in my head, and since I love the fantasy genre as well, I simply had to write a series where I get to send a twenty-first century heroine back to the past. In my HIGHLANDER HEAT line, expect tension, intrigue, and the sensational backdrop of the Highlands where it’s all set. This is historical romance where Highlanders have never battled so hard to defy the odds…and neither have their modern day heroines as they strive to find their own magic and beat the very essence of time.
I’m so thrilled to announce that the first glimpse into my Highlander Heat series kicks off with a novella that will be included in an anthology with some other awesome authors. HIGHLANDER’S CAPTIVE is the story of a young woman held captive by a Highland warrior, a man whose deep-seated honor may just turn him into becoming the captured instead.
This anthology will be FREE, and is compliments of those authors and the publishing house. I’ll keep you posted on the release date for this FREE book, but it will be sometime in early November, just a few more weeks away. Next year, book one in my series, HIGHLANDER’S CASTLE, releases, and just this week I’ve submitted the second book, HIGHLANDER’S MAGIC, for consideration. Of course next, I’m going to go straight into writing the third book, and I can’t wait to delve into this one.
Here’s a “sneak peek excerpt,” from book one, HIGHLANDER’S CASTLE (unedited).
To set the scene my modern day heroine, Anne MacLeod, has handfasted with Alex, her Highland warrior. Anne is just about to see exactly how Highlander men fight, and she’s accompanied by one of the woman from the clan as she goes in search of her new handfast husband.
–ooOoo-
They rounded the corner of the stables and there, before the waters of the glistening loch, a good hundred shirtless warriors wielded claymores in a battle of strength against one another.
Anne searched through the half-naked men and found the very one she was after. Alex’s body was hard and packed with muscle, his shoulders and arms thick and strong. His chest held the finest smattering of hair, the same color as the blond of his head. Oh, and below the plains of his glorious chest, his abs rippled, layer upon tight layer and all covered with a healthy sheen of sweat.
“He’s by far the tallest.” And Anne wanted every inch of that body back against hers.
“Aye, Alex could never be missed in a battle.”
His powerful form was magnificent, and his command of the warriors he fought against a sight to behold.
Alex thrust his enormous sword against his opponent’s as if it were an extension of his arm and not a monstrous piece of steel. Now, this was exactly how he’d come about every one of those bulging muscles.
“I have to get closer.” She passed Mary her basket.
“I’ll hold off Archie.”
She laughed. “Thank you. You make a wonderful friend.” Stepping forward, she focused her gaze on the one man who’d made love to her so intensely throughout the night. He moved deftly, growing stronger with each strike of his claymore upon his opponent’s blade.
The two men circled each other, as if waiting to pounce for the next attack. Alex raised his weapon and–
“Anne. Get back here now.” Archie tried to pass Mary who zigzagged in front of him.
“Damn,” Alex swore, barely missing his challenger’s blow. His gaze speared toward her. “What are you doing out here?”
She licked her lips as she stared at his wide chest. Even the veins on his arms stood rigid and firm. “Sorry, the view was rather distracting.”
–ooOoo–
I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek from HIGHLANDER’S CASTLE, tentatively set for release September 2nd, 2014.
If you don’t want to wait nearly that long, and 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.
Here’s what one reviewer has just said about my latest release:
“Warrior held my attention from start to finish. Each obstacle Hope and Silas encountered had me jumping with joy, but often screaming in frustration. What made me fall in love with Warrior, is the heart thudding romance between the two main characters. It isn’t just a love story, it’s so much more. 5 Stars.” – Nocturne Romance Reads
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–
Thanks for joining me, and don’t forget, if you want to drop me a comment, make sure you do. I love hearing from you guys. 🙂
I'm On The Edge of My Seat. It's The 34th America's Cup.
There’s been some amazing racing during this 34th America’s Cup held at San Francisco these past few weeks. It’s the greatest sailing match in the world, founded in 1851, and one that lays claim to the oldest active trophy in international sport. Check out the pic. It’s one gorgeous cup, and there in the foreground, the two skippers, Jimmy Spithill from Oracle Team USA on the left, and Dean Barker from Emirates Team NZ on the right, both teams vying for the cup right now.
So why am I chatting about the America’s Cup today? That’s an easy answer. Team NZ are up 7, to Team USA’s 1. And yep, I’m a Kiwi and gotta support our boys.
We’re nothing if not competitive Down Under. We sit here with a huge ocean to sail around in, and we’d love to bring the America’s Cup back to our shores.
In 1995 New Zealand first won the cup, and held onto it for the next eight years through to 2003.
In 2007 we went after the cup again and during the challenger series, won the Louis Vuitton Cup, although Alinghi successfully defended the America’s Cup 5-2 to keep it in their hands.
Now, it’s 2013, and our Kiwi boys are back. We’ve taken out the Louis Vuitton Cup again, and now challenging Oracle Team USA. The winner of this cup needs to take out 9 of the 17 races, and oh boy, we are so, so close.
Can Team NZ do it? I’ll certainly be glued to the TV for the next lot of races.
Anyone else on the edge of their seats as well? Enjoy these pics. I love seeing the boats go up on their foils.
A revolutionary change to sailing. Wicked.
Also, if you’d like to read a thrilling new Young Adult Fantasy Romance series filled with intrigue at every corner (set within my end of the world), then by all means, check out the book links to my series below to pick up your copy of PROTECTOR or WARRIOR.
Here’s what reviewers are saying about this series:
“Imaginative world-building, stunning setting & a love fated to be.” — Jessi Gage, Author
“I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.” — The Jeep Diva, Reviewer
“I’m loving this series! So different and cool, and I just loved Silas and Hope’s relationship. 4.5 Stars.” — Holly Underhill, YA/NA Reviewer
“What made me fall in love with Warrior, is the heart thudding romance between the two main characters. 5 Stars.” — Nocturne Romance Reads
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–
THANKS EVERYONE. HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND ENJOY THE AMERICA’S CUP RACING IF YOU’RE WATCHING. CATCH YA LATER.