Today I welcome author Suzanne Rogerson with her new book “Visions of Zarua.”
#BookTalk Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson
“Visions of Zarua” by Suzanne Rogerson
Two wizards, 350 years apart.
Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past.
An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.
Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate.
Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer.
The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?
About the Author
Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her hugely encouraging husband and two children.
She wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. She discovered the fantasy genre in her late teens and has never looked back. Giving up work to raise a family gave her the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream – even if he does occasionally hint that she might think about getting a proper job one day.
Suzanne loves gardening and has a Hebe (shrub) fetish. She enjoys cooking with ingredients from the garden, and regularly feeds unsuspecting guests vegetable-based cakes. She collects books, loves going for walks and picnics with the children and sharing with them her love of nature and photography.
Suzanne is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles. But most of she likes to escape with a great film, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.
Meet the author
Follow Suzanne on her latest blog tour, where you can see snippets from the new book, and catch up on her previous work.
#BookTalk Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson
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The world is a scary place right now, especially here in the UK following the political debacle that we have all witnessed.
Professional Tarot reader and LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green
Finding the Best Tarot Readers
Some of us are seeking guidance and answers, and I can recommend the best Tarot readers to help you make sense of the world, and of your place in it at this time.
I used to be a professional Tarot reader a few years ago, but I found the work was too emotionally demanding while I was still in the grip of new motherhood. Perhaps I will return to the profession in later years, I don’t know. I do occasionally ‘play’ with my Tarot cards at home, although I have to say that for any big life decisions or queries, I would seek help from another Tarot reader. The best way to work out a problem, identify a pattern of behaviour, or to find a glaringly obvious answer, is to seek the advice of somebody who is removed from your personal and social circles.
A good Tarot reader will know what you are looking for. They will not simply tell you what you need to hear. They spent many years studying the Tarot, learning about the intricacies and the meanings behind each illustration on those 76-card decks. A Tarot reading is not taken lightly by anybody who reads for a living. They appreciate the mysterious magical forces that operate within the Tarot, and the energy that comes through and manifests in answers and resolutions. The cards are designed to work intuitively with a Tarot reader, and will connect their mystical energy with that of the client during a reading.
Sometimes a Tarot reading will throw up a whole new set of challenges and instructions. Sometimes it will give away very little, and perhaps this is because the person asking questions is not ready to hear the answers that are inevitable. When you seek advice from the Tarot, you must be prepared to have your insides ripped out for inspection, to have your darkest desires and deepest insecurities brought to the surface, and then you must be ready to act on the necessary course of action that will enable you to heal and move on. If you are not ready for this, then you are not ready for a Tarot reading. By all means, go ahead and ask. But do not be surprised if you feel disappointed with the response.
The Tarot Cards will Guide You
The Tarot cards know when you are serious about fixing a problem or reversing a negative pattern of behaviour. And they will give you the brutal truth about how to set yourself straight again. Similarly, if you are an experienced receiver of Tarot card advice, if you make it a habit to have your cards read frequently, and you are becoming familiar with the images and figures on those cards, your reading will be different again.
There are many different versions of the Tarot available. The most popular Tarot cards to study with is the Rider-Waite deck. Their images are clearly defined, and each card is labelled so you know what you are working with. They are very user friendly, and I still use mine regularly for this fact. They look simple, but they work on an incredibly deep level. If you wish to attempt a reading with a more complicated Tarot deck, then you have your pick on the market. My current favourite is the Gilded Tarot. These beautiful cards are sensual and colourful, with a very opulent and decadent feel to them. They are very good for readings about romantic relationships and your relationship with your inner self. They also reveal insights about your life partners, and your soul mates, even if you are currently single in daily life. Your partner is out there, somewhere, and often the Tarot can assist you in how best to attract that partner into your life, or how to find them as you go about your business.
Some people prefer to work with Tarot decks that hold darker energies, often referred to as the “shadow self” entities. I have a vampire Tarot deck that does just this, and again it is very beautiful, and very different to my Rider-Waite and my Gilded Tarot. The images on my vampire Tarot cards are Gothic, in shades of black and grey with splashes of red here and there, and glimpses of pale skin. They reveal our most sensitive core, those parts of us that we keep locked away from the rest of the world, that we dare not show, lest we make a fool of ourselves in public or appear weak to those who would seek to ridicule us. The vampire Tarot, and other similar decks, are not to be used when you feel emotionally fragile.
Tarot is not Scary
It might all sound very complicated, quite unnerving, and maybe even a little scary, especially if you have never had a Tarot reading before. Or perhaps you have had a Tarot reading and it left a bitter taste in your mouth, and you came away believing that you had been tricked somehow. The truth of the matter is that the reading you received would have given insight that you were perhaps not ready to receive at that time. The Tarot reader might have decided to give you the raw truth in order to gauge your reaction, or because they were guided to do so with your best interests in mind. We never know what will be revealed, or what memories will be dragged to the surface, but we do know that every Tarot reading is unique and very special.
Eventually you may find yourself interpreting the cards along with your Tarot card reader. You will be able to notice the answers, to focus on the most important cards in a spread, and to learn from them. The Tarot is a beautiful and mysterious entity, weaving magic and mystery into mundane life. Your best Tarot reader is waiting for you to explore that magic. Go and get them!
Universal Waite-Smith Tarot Cards
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How did this happen? We are now just three weeks away from THE BIG SUMMER HOLIDAY, and that means I have a whole 7 WEEKS alone with my children! Aaagghhhh!!!!
I mean, what a delightful prospect, time with my little angels. They won’t really be tearing each other apart when they get bored, or fighting over the same toy, or tormenting the dog. My daughters are perfect!
Summer Parent Challenge #TheGoodStuff
My First Official Summer Holiday with Kids!
Far from it, and I say this with total love and adoration. My daughters are aged 5 and (nearly) 3, and this summer will be our first official school summer holiday break. I cannot believe my eldest daughter has almost finished her first year at primary school, and my youngest her first year at preschool. Time really does fly. And now I have a long summer ahead of me, because for various reasons, I will mostly be home alone with the children, limited car access, and few available babysitters.
I will continue to work from home, but it will be very much a case of grabbing screen time on the computer as and when the children allow it. We have discovered a rather nifty game that they enjoy playing, and that also allows me to continue working. My daughters are very creative. I sit at my dining room table to work on the laptop, and we have a sofa just behind us. They can stand on the sofa, reach behind me, and play hairdressers while I work. They even included a game of pretend body painting last week, and they spent a good half hour or so tickling my arms and face with dry paintbrushes. It was actually really good fun, not least because it allowed me to read and respond to a few emails, while still spending time with my children.
Here’s to the summer holidays!
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
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Note: This post is an entry for the BritMums Confessions of a Summer Parent Challenge, sponsored by Anchor.
We are just about recovering from a very busy FAB festival weekend here in Middlewich.
My daughters had lots of fun partaking in the Middlewich Rose Fete parade and arena display, followed by an afternoon of playtime and games. I spent the weekend down at the Middlewich Narrowboats boatyard, displaying my books and watching the musicians perform.
And our dog got himself a very smart new bandana, isn’t he handsome?
#MummyMonday Beloved family dog
Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival
The floating market was a sight to behold. There were boats moored all along the canal as far as the eye could see, stretching all the way from the Kings Lock pub on the Sandbach road, to the Big Lock pub on Webbs Lane. The section of canal that runs from the town centre out to the Big Lock pub forms part of our daily walking route with the dog, and so we could not avoid the bright, colourful boats, and everything they had to offer.
Paranormal Author Catherine Green at Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival
The boatyard was buzzing with activity all weekend, the beer boat ran out of ale, the oatcake boat did a roaring trade, and everybody came away happy and tired. I do believe it was the biggest and best Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival to date, although I am certain there will be many more to come.
Paranormal Author Catherine Green at FAB Festival
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Our walk home from the school run was especially exciting today as we took in the sights of all the boats in town for the Middlewich (FAB) Folk & Boat Festival.
Pirate Boat (FAB) Folk and Boat Festival Middlewich
Boats in Town for Middlewich FAB Festival
I managed to get a few photos despite the grey skies, and we did see a bit of sunshine, I promise!
Anyway, the rain has set in now once again, although I am hopeful that it is clearing the way for a bright and sunny FAB weekend. You can see me in the boatyard all weekend, but first I will do the Rose Fete Festival parade with my daughters on Saturday morning.
See you at FAB!
Pirate and Art Boats FAB Folk and Boat Festival Middlewich
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Sound therapy is something that I have been learning about during recent years, and I find that it is increasingly important for my internal health and mental well-being.
It is widely accepted that humans (and animals) respond to sounds in different ways, indeed we enjoy music for that very reason. Music and sound has a way of invoking powerful memories and experiences, triggered by the energy of the brainwaves that are used to make those connections. I cannot explain the science of it. I simply work with my intuition. I know what I like, and so does everybody else.
Singing Bowls Peter Halley
My Spiritual Journey: A Singing Bowl Meditation
I met Peter Halley at a mind, body and spirit event recently, and I participated in one of his singing bowl meditation workshops. He has a vast selection of singing bowls, from small, simple Tibetan bowls, to large, heavy crystal ones. Peter has been working with these bowls for many years, and he is familiar with the different sound vibrations produced by each one. He now uses the bowls together to create wonderful musical arrangements that help us to relax our bodies, soothe our chaotic brains, and heal and release whatever may be causing imbalance.
My singing bowl meditation was performed in a function room at a local football stadium. I know that my experience would have been far greater if I participated outdoors, maybe in a countryside environment. Nevertheless, my meditation was quite profound. Once our group relaxed into the sacred circle of energy, the sounds of the singing bowls washed over me, and vibrated through me, and I luxuriated in the feeling of the sounds as Peter played them.
I visit sacred spaces
Usually when I meditate, I visit my sacred spaces, which are either a secret library in my inner mind, or a peaceful river where I float downstream in a rowing boat. On this occasion, however, I simply fell into blackness. It was safe, and I did it because I needed to rest. My body has been working hard, and I have barely allowed myself time to sleep. Now I had a precious half an hour in which to take a power nap of sorts, while the vibrations of the singing bowls helped to re-balance my turbulent body and mind. I cannot describe the experience further because it was very personal, but I can say that I very much look forward to my next one.
Peter Halley is based near Perth in Scotland, but travels around the UK with his singing bowls, sharing his knowledge and helping people to experience singing bowl sound therapy.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
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I recently had the pleasure of meeting an esteemed animal communicator and healer at a mind, body and spirit event. Sky Heartsong is a very lovely and gentle lady who has recently moved over from America and is now spending time in the UK, helping people to heal and care for animals in need.
When I heard that Sky would be attending the event that I was exhibiting at, I knew I had to meet her, because I had been wanting to speak with an animal communicator for a very long time.
#MummyMonday Beloved family dog
Working with an Animal Communicator
What does an animal communicator do, exactly? Well, they use a special telepathic connection where they can speak with an animal on an intimate level. There is no need for physical proximity, they can simply open their minds and call out the animal that they wish to speak to. Sky asked for a photograph or a description of the animals that she worked with on our MBS weekend, so that she could better connect with them. I went to her for some insight about our rescue dog, Baxter.
Some you have met Baxter on my blog before now. He is a character! We found Baxter in the City Dogs’ Home in Stoke-on-Trent back in 2008. He was found in Wrexham, North Wales, and was moved from a local home to Stoke after several months when no families came forward to take him. Indeed, he was looking a bit scruffy when he was in the dogs’ home. He is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossed with a Border Terrier (we think), and when his fur grows long, it grows curly and looks like a rug on his back. We now keep it neatly groomed, and he is a handsome chap. He is also a very timid dog, and recently developed a phobia about high-pitched beeping sounds, more specifically the smoke alarms in our home.
I spent time with Sky Heartsong
Without going into too much detail (although feel free to ask questions), I spent around half an hour with Sky Heartsong, while she connected with Baxter. She felt his panic whenever he hears these sounds, and she saw how he is reduced to a trembling wreck, almost on the verge of hyperventilating, and we are unable to calm him down. She managed to convey to him that he is safe at home, and that I and his Daddy will take care of him. Surprisingly, I can see an immediate change for the better in his behaviour, and that was after just one session. I definitely recommend you try it if you have a pet that has anxiety issues or behavioural problems.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
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We have just returned to school following the half-term holiday here in the UK. I was looking forward to a break from routine, and even hoped that I might find time to rest with my daughters as we prepared for the wedding of my sister and brother-in-law.
As it turned out, I spent most of the week playing Nurse Nightingale to two poorly children, so I am now feeling more exhausted than I did before the holiday!
SpookyMrsGreen in the Trees
My Spiritual Journey: Walking Between Worlds
Anyway, back to the subject. Despite the half-term holiday being fairly ordinary, I still experienced a couple of rather significant spiritual developments. Some of these happened during the weekend of the Rosemary Douglas mind, body and spirit event where I launched my new novel The Vampire of Blackpool. I met some new exhibitors, and some regulars that I hadn’t previously spent much time with, and the conversations that I had left me feeling very enriched and excited about the world beyond the physical.
As the pagan housewife, sometimes I struggle to explain exactly what I do that makes me different. I mean, outwardly I am your average young mum. I do the school run. I clean the house. I work from home. Whenever I meditate or spend time connecting with the spirits and energies that exist beyond our human world, I often do it alone, and the journeys are very personal. It is difficult to describe something that is based on feeling and emotion. It is like love. We all know about love, most of us have experienced love of different kinds, but none of us can define exactly what it is, because it means different things to different people.
Sometimes I gaze into the distance
For now, I simply walk between the worlds. Sometimes I may gaze into the distance and disappear into a daydream. On those occasions I am either embedded in the story of whatever novel I am in the process of writing, or I am, quite literally, away with the fairies. It is so exciting to know that there are such infinite possibilities beyond what we can physically see and feel. I hope that you will join me on this journey, if you haven’t already, and maybe look back through some of my older adventures described on this blog.
Namaste.
LGBT fantasy novel set in Northern England. “Vampire of Blackpool” by Catherine Green.
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I am honoured to receive a nomination for the Liebster Award 2016 from my new blogging friend, Tyler Charles Austen. We met over on the #AtoZChallenge back in April, and I love Tyler’s free and easy writing style. I have certainly learnt a few new things about people, put it that way!
The Liebster Award for blogging
I am Nominated for the Liebster Award
Without further ado, here are my answers to Tyler’s questions:
1. What is your favourite cheese? Edam.
2. In less than 100 words, describe the inside of a ping-pong ball to me? Umm, hard.
3. What are your views on America’s bathroom laws? I don’t really have any, didn’t realise it was quite such a big issue. Personally I think the Americans have bigger problems to concern themselves with, and let’s face it, every human needs to pee on a regular basis. Why should we be squeamish about that?
4. What is your favourite blog post? I don’t know, I like pretty much all the stuff I write. Maybe the one with the poem I wrote for my daughter.
5. Does your horoscope match your personality? Yes, I think so. I can be a bit of a scatterbrain, I am very creative, and I live in a dream world most of the time.
6. What TV character best describes you? Ha ha, that’s a good question. I think I’m a cross between Lois Griffin and Marge Simpson. Yep, I’m all about the housewife at the moment, with a lot of suppressed passion!
7. What hobby would you like to try out? I would like to try sailing.
8. What place would you like to visit and why? I want to visit Northern Ireland and reconnect with my ancestors.
9. What is your favourite song? At the moment I love Safety Dance!
10. Pizza or steak? Pizza, with lots of vegetarian topping 😉
11. What is your motto in life and why? Just get on with it. Whenever I feel fed up or begin to wallow in self-pity, I remind myself that I choose to feel this way, and I choose to do everything that I do. Therefore, I can get on with it, or not. My choice.
And now for my list of questions for the bloggers I nominate:
1. Do you believe in Fate? 2. Can you explain the workings of a man’s brain to me? 3. What are your thoughts on the EU referendum? 4. What is your favourite blog post? 5. How did you decide on the name for your blog? 6. Do you have a hobby and what is it? 7. What makes memories precious? 8. Is family important? 9. Do you have any objections to women breastfeeding in public? 10. What is your favourite alcoholic beverage? 11. Are you a thinker or a doer?
If you choose to accept your nomination, please follow these guidelines to keep the Liebster circulating (it is designed to show recognition for our blogging efforts):
1. Display an image of the award and write about your nomination 2. Thank and link the person who nominated you for the award 3. Answer the 11 questions prepared for you by the blogger who nominated you 4. Nominate 5-11 awesome bloggers who you think deserve this award, and create 11 questions of your own for the nominees to answer 5. List these guidelines in your blog post
Thank you! 🙂
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
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We have reached the end! Today is the last day of the April #AtoZChallenge, and what a month it has been.
I admit this has been a rather tough challenge. Right at the beginning of the month, I decided to prepare my first self published novel for release at the end of May. Then my Muse decided to wake up and forced me to resume working on some manuscripts that have languished on my computer for nearly two years. And, of course, family drama continues as normal, and I am required to be Mother, Wife and Supporter for whomever should call.
#AtoZChallenge Badge Z
#AtoZChallenge: Z is for Zoo
All that aside, today I share a beloved memory for my last day on the challenge. Z is for Zoo, and the connection to me as an individual is very personal. I got married at Chester Zoo. It was a beautiful day in June, six years ago, when my partner of ten years finally tied me down! Well, he would say it was the other way around, but that remains to be argued… Anyway, we absolutely loved our wedding day. It was perfect. I wore a gorgeous pale gold dress and felt like a princess (or a goddess), my husband looked amazingly sexy and smart in his fancy suit, and we got our family and friends together for a day of celebration. Fond memories, indeed!
And this is the end of the #AtoZChallenge! Thank you for sticking with me, and I have really enjoyed our interactions. I look forward to exploring other blogs that I missed during the month, and I hope that you do, too. See you later!
Mr and Mrs Green on their wedding day at Chester Zoo
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SpookyMrsGreen 