I’m Back…
by Charline Ratcliff on Apr.29, 2010, under Posts by the Author
For those of you who missed me, my blog was down hence the reason for my brief hiatus.
Granted I COULD have emailed Gary at any time; explained the situation and he would have fixed it immediately. However, if you look out your window you will notice that large mountain off in the distance? That’s the one I’m currently buried under so I never actually emailed him about the problem. Besides the non-working blog gave me a “valid” reason to have one less thing on my “to do” list…
As luck would have it Gary discovered my blog wasn’t operational on Saturday and you can imagine his surprise when he called to tell me about it and my response was “I know…” versus a shocked “Oh my God, REALLY?!?”
What can I say… I needed a break and McDonald’s just wasn’t doing it for me…
In other news, I have recently re-discovered the joys of baking. My family and close friends are now leaning forward and squinting at their computer screens; their mouths agape with shock. Don’t forget to breathe people… I DON’T know CPR!
Banana bread seems to be the only thing I’m interested in baking and I know that now my family and close friends are going to be emailing me wondering where THEIR loaf is.
For those of you who don’t know me that well… I get on these baking or cooking… um… kicks every now and then. When I’m on one of these “kicks” it will generally only last three or four months and then I’m done with baking or cooking for about another five years.
You guys better hope you get some bread because five years from now will be 2015 and everybody knows the world will supposedly end on December 21, 2012. Bottom-line if you don’t receive a loaf during my current baking phase you’re screwed! 
And finally, my mother is graduating from college on May 13th. I’m very, very proud of her. She will now hold two degrees which will allow her to become… drum roll please… a school teacher!
Mm Hmm… Apparently mom forgot what a handful small children are or else time really does make one forgetful… For the record “I” was an angel… My two brothers were not! *snicker*
Anyway, I’m very proud of her and yes mom, you WILL be receiving a loaf of my Banana bread!
Until next time…
My Latest – Part Une…
by Charline Ratcliff on Apr.02, 2010, under Posts by the Author
So I was sitting here a few nights ago attempting to write this blog but I kept getting distracted by a soft scraping noise emanating from my kitchen. You can imagine my surprise? Yes, let’s just call it “surprise” when I entered the kitchen and saw a pair of round eyes staring in at me through one of the windows. Apparently a stray feline thought my house looked like a great place to call home. I can see the headlines now…
“Neighborhood stray cat breaks into author’s house. Causes fatal heart attack! Story at eleven…”
On a more serious note… The past few weeks I’ve been trying to find the time to sit and write about what’s been going on in my life. As you can see that didn’t work out too well for me and now I’m receiving emails asking things like “WHERE ARE YOUR BLOGS?!?” Wow! I figured I better get to it and apparently I better make it snappy! However, it’s been about a month since I last posted; a lot has happened during that time so I will break this up into several postings over the next few days.
I guess I should start with the reason behind my brief sabbatical. Some of you are already aware of this but many of you are not. I lost my grandmother on February 27th and I didn’t take the news very well. I knew it was coming. I’m very thankful her passing was peaceful but it still didn’t ease the pain of her loss. I was actually out doing some notary work when I received the multiple calls to let me know she was gone and thankfully I was able to hold myself together until I was done and made it home. Then the waterworks started and I cried for four hours straight. Hellooo migraine!
I attempted to do some writing as a sort of release for my emotions but obviously that didn’t work out too well for me either. *sigh* Writer’s block sucks and so the only thing I actually managed to get written and only because I HAD to were a few book reviews and one posting for the state capitals blog I write up every few weeks.
On the bright side though… Spring is here. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. The flowers are blooming. The words are beginning to flow from the proverbial pen again but even better than that; my desire to write has finally returned.
The Vaulted Sky by R. P. Moffa
by Charline Ratcliff on Mar.17, 2010, under Books Reviewed By Charline Ratcliff
Just for the record, I was unsure exactly what to expect when I started reading “The Vaulted Sky” by R. P. Moffa. Yes, I did request this book. Yes, I do love airplanes. Yes, I also love historical fiction but in looking the book over before I cracked it open I briefly wondered what I had gotten myself into. Not to worry though, I was immediately swept into Moffa’s well written story and the pages had a way of almost turning themselves for me.
My journey through time began in nineteen twenty-four where I met a younger Patrick Montalto, the book’s main character. I was present for his initial encounter with a biplane which sparked the love affair he had with airplanes from that day forward. After this we fast forward to his teenage years, his first ride in a nineteen twenty-eight Waco and we follow along as he juggles his schooling, his responsibilities to his family and learning to fly. The years progress and he is not unaware of the turmoil erupting in the world outside the borders of the United States. In following his inner sense of what is right he finds himself in Canada training to become a fighter pilot in order to defend a country not his own.
Moffa effortlessly takes us through one of the more horrendous periods of world history, World War II, and more often than not I was amazed by the accuracy of his portrayal both prior to and during the war. His tale came across as a believable accounting and even though “The Vaulted Sky” is a work of fiction it seemed as if the author had lived and experienced it firsthand.
Moffa paints a realistic picture of what it was like to live as a fighter pilot; where every day could be one’s last. He shows us the daily struggles, the pain, the loss, and yet he also shows us honor, integrity and pride. He recreates a different time; which encompassed a different set of values; when even your “downed” enemy was generally treated with respect. His words remind us that the only thing which really separates friend from foe is merely where one is born and that insight still rings true today.
I have given “The Vaulted Sky” a five star rating. I highly recommend it as a “must read” and I look forward to the continuation of Montalto’s story in the upcoming sequel “The Sky Suspended.”
Find this book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Vaulted-Sky-R-P-Moffa/dp/1440152519/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268891426&sr=8-3
Say what??
by Charline Ratcliff on Mar.09, 2010, under Posts by the Author
So I’m checking my email this afternoon. Generally I just quickly skim the subject lines to ascertain which ones I need to keep and which ones I can trash without opening. Suddenly I read: “Your Bra Has Met Its Match!”
Mm Hmm… Really…
My brain immediately went into overdrive trying to figure out what (or who) my bra has met its match with. I’m sure most of the women reading this are now wondering the same thing. In fact I’m sure some of you may even be giggling heartily or even snorting vinaigrette dressing through your nose (Kathy) as you can probably guess some of the thoughts I had!
I was also trying to figure out WHY my bra is apparently in some type of competition but more importantly I was also wondering WHEN this “match” was actually happening?!? Does this occur when they are innocently hanging up to dry or does this covertly happen at night when they are in their drawer and I am sleeping??
All this runs through my mind right before my eyes come to rest on the sender’s name. Victoria’s Secret. Ahh… That definitely explains the subject line and I have to give credit to their marketing department. Of course now that my interest has been piqued and my work flow has been disrupted I figured I might as well read the email and see what all the fuss was about.
To sum up: “There’s a panty for every body.”
Sorry ladies, I know that was rather anti-climactic. I too was disappointed…
Aksandar by Judith Montgomery
by Charline Ratcliff on Mar.01, 2010, under Books Reviewed By Charline Ratcliff
The story told to us on the pages of “Aksandar” by Judith Montgomery is truly an amazing and captivating tale. As stated on the back cover, Ms. Montgomery has traveled extensively throughout Afghanistan. Her obvious love of that country and its people definitely comes across in her writing.
As I read through her book, Montgomery’s words showed me a candid and often eye-opening view of a country being torn apart from the inside out due to political corruption and religious extremists. Two separate warring parties terrorize Afghanistan. Death is an almost daily occurrence for both citizens and foreigners alike whose only “crime” is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet even as I write this I know it is not that simple for there is much more at work behind the scenes. Aziz Rashani, the main character in this tangled web of deceit and lies, is a man of principle, honor and integrity. He is a devoted countryman who loves Afghanistan. As such, his idealistic path revolves around seeing her become an independent country rather than remaining stuck in the grasp of the leadership she currently suffers under.
Montgomery takes us on a journey into a land battered beyond belief, where each and every day is a fight for survival by the proud people who call Afghanistan home. She gives us an almost firsthand view of a life that many live on a regular basis. Yet her descriptions, while honest, are not so graphic as to make it uncomfortable for her readers to stomach.
Judith Montgomery’s book “Aksandar” reminds us how lucky we are to live in a country that values its citizen’s freedoms. However, it is nice to contemplate that even in a war torn environment there are some out there who truly value humanity over bloodshed.
From the moment I picked this book up I was hooked. Never mind the fact that I was in bed fighting off the worst cold of my life or that I could barely keep my eyes open due to sheer exhaustion. As each chapter ended I found Montgomery’s gripping tale impossible to put down and I hurried to start the next one while guiltily telling myself as soon as I finished THAT chapter I would get the sleep I desperately needed! In summary, a powerful story which I highly recommend as a “must read!”
Find this book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Aksandar-Judith-Montgomery/dp/1449012086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267473541&sr=8-1
Good for a laugh… Or two…
by Charline Ratcliff on Feb.26, 2010, under Posts by the Author
I was teasing a really good friend of mine several days ago about the benefits of twitter versus texts. My facebook post to him started with strains of “anything you can do I can do better” and ended with me reminding him I was Valedictorian in my graduating class of “one-up-manship!”
In all honesty I rarely do the “one-up” thing. I have a brother who “one-ups” so frequently that I’m sure our entire family, including the next three generations, will be completely exempt from it. However, with this particular friend of mine “one-up-manship” is an actual sport and is almost always required else we forfeit a point to the other. *snicker*
Anyway, until this past Tuesday I was unaware that a person could actually “one-up” themselves! Wow… Who knew?
Some of you may remember my infamous room “incident” in Vegas (not to be confused with my infamous “plane” incident) this past December. For those of you who aren’t familiar with it; allow me to share. It started on a Saturday morning. I was tired from being up too early and my feet were killing me from walking around in six inch heels for over twelve hours the day before. In future I will remember to wear comfy clothes AND shoes on days when I’m flying… You never know when you will actually make it to the room after landing.
So, I hurried downstairs to meet with Brian Rouff, fellow author and Managing Partner at Imagine Marketing. I was very excited to pick his brain and hear his suggestions. I was ecstatic when he gave me two of his books.
Fast forward a couple hours and I’m standing in the elevator waiting for the doors to close when a rather inebriated guy comes rushing in. Gee, six elevators and he HAD to get in mine right?!? I’m flipping through one of my new books but I will state for the record I DID look to see what button he had pressed on the panel. The only light I saw lit was the “30” so I went back to reading. I finally heard a ding, the doors opened and the drunk guy rushed out as if the hounds of hell were chasing him.
Have I mentioned yet that I was reading? Or that I love peripheral vision? I can read AND walk at the same time!
I make the long trek down the hallway to the room I’m sharing with the same friend I was teasing in my facebook post. I reach the door and manage to turn the book’s page with my right hand while simultaneously sliding the card into the slot with my left. I don’t hear the click the door should make and I look at the card reader. I see the light is still red. I sigh. We were having issues with the card reader last night too. I try it again. Nothing. I ring the doorbell. No answer. I dial my friend’s cell and the following is our conversation:
Hey, are you still in the room?
Yeah…
Can you open the door please? The freaking card isn’t working again!
Okay…
I hear movement…
There is a long silent pause…
Are you still there?
Yes… I’m right outside!
There is another even longer silent pause…
Are you sure you’re on the right floor?
My eyes fly to the room number on the wall to the left of the door.
Fuuuuucck! (Sorry)
I start laughing uncontrollably…
I’m on the 29th floor!
Moral of this story is you should never read AND walk at the same time. However, if you DO, make sure to check the floor number before exiting the elevator. I think I laughed the entire way to the correct room!
Anyway, I never thought I could top that but wouldn’t you know it; I did. As my friend Stephen told me once in a totally unrelated topic “only you Charline, only YOU!”
Tuesday I had an appointment at noon to discuss social media, etc. The meeting was set over a week ago and while I didn’t know exactly where the location was I knew I could Google it and get a physical address.
Most of you know I’m incredibly busy but did you also know I’m the queen of multi-tasking? Who else but me mops the floor with my right hand while talking on the phone with my left? Yes, I can chew gum at the same time too…
I should state I also read / review books for RebeccasReads. In fact I was reading a book I needed to review while looking up the restaurant’s address. It’s really quite easy. You read the book and whenever you turn the page you type whatever you need on the computer. Click enter, let the computer do it’s thing and by the time you flip the next page whatever you’re searching for will be there. Finding this particular location was a little more in-depth because first I had to find the website, then I had to find locations, narrow it down to Arizona, to Scottsdale, etc. I did mention I was READING right??
To make an incredibly long story somewhat shorter…
I arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early. I ran inside, grabbed a caramel frap and sat down outside. I was using my Blackberry to read emails. (Is anyone sensing a theme here?) I also noticed it was after twelve and still no sign of him. Hmmm… I wonder if we missed each other when I was getting my drink. My phone rings about five minutes later.
Hello?
Hi, I just wanted to let you know I’m inside, kind of in a room in the back.
Ok. I’m here. I’m outside.
You are?
Yeah…
A little more conversation about where I am outside.
I hear movement…
I hear silence…
All of a sudden I’m having flashbacks to a similar conversation…
I don’t see you.
I walk around the side where there are more tables and I don’t see him either. I didn’t swear this time. At least not verbally!
We figure out I’m at the wrong location. I apologize profusely and then ask him to tell me where he’s at so I can drive there. He starts to but then he stops. I can almost hear the wheels in his mind turning. He’s thought better of it and has decided HE will drive to where I’m at. I know he thinks I’ll get lost; he’s just too polite to actually say it.
He arrives ten minutes later and I apologize again. I tried really hard not to dissolve into laughter but I failed miserably.
Like I told him… He will definitely never be able to forget me!
For the record, I’m not usually this ditzy. However, the good news is that at least when I am I can laugh about it.
Oh right… I should pull my nose out of whatever book I’m reading more often! And no… I wasn’t reading when I wrote this…
Dark Fire by Claudia Newcorn
by Charline Ratcliff on Feb.22, 2010, under Books Reviewed By Charline Ratcliff
I just recently finished reading “Dark Fire” by author Claudia Newcorn. “Dark Fire” is an entertaining story which takes two separate prophecies, two separate dimensions and weaves them seamlessly together into one book which is difficult to set down. The crux of this tale is that when the inhabitants of each dimension believe so strongly in their own prophecy which one of them is to be believed? More importantly, when all is not what it appears to be, who then is to be trusted?
In this second book of the Krisalys Chronicles of Feyree trilogy readers will also witness the coming of age of some of the younger Feyree sprytes. I am sure they will empathize with the young Feyree’s trials and tribulations. They will no doubt mourn with the sprytes over the loss of their friends, their loved ones and even more importantly the loss of their innocent views of their world. Unfortunately these are all hard lessons which must be learned quickly and quite often they find those they trust implicitly are actually traitors hiding within their midst. One can only hope that the players in Newcorn’s final book of the trilogy will have the strength to deal with that which is still to come.
All in all I found “Dark Fire” to be a wonderful and entertaining read. I can honestly say that I am also anxiously awaiting the publication of Newcorn’s final book in this series. I found her storyline to be compelling and I felt the characters were well thought out and easy to relate to. Newcorn writes with sincere attention to detail but not so much so as to cause boredom by over description. I believe anyone who enjoys reading fantasy or who just enjoys an afternoon or evening spent on the couch with a good book will not be disappointed should they pick this one up to read. I feel that “The Krisalys Chronicles of Feyree” trilogy would make a great addition to anyone’s library and that they belong there right next to other great series like “Lord of The Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien or “Inheritance” by Christopher Paolini.
To find this book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Fire-Krisalys-Chronicles-Feyree/dp/1432746421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266973860&sr=1-1
The Importance of…
by Charline Ratcliff on Feb.19, 2010, under Posts by the Author
I’m sure most of you are familiar with the saying “you learn something new everyday.” I must admit, I too, am familiar with that concept but somehow I always wind up being on the “teaching” end of it. Just ask anyone who knows me. I’m sure they will vouch for me. My poor friend Pete will probably need a month to get over what I decided to teach him a couple days ago! I bet he was wishing he could poke out his “mind’s eye” after THAT conversation!
Anyway, some of you already know I’m off to visit sunny Florida next month thanks to another friend of mine who decided I really should take a break. You know… The whole “living life” thing… After much hemming and hawing I finally said “FINE!” Most of you already know the correct definition of that word. I’m sure you can clearly see (because of the emphasis placed upon it) I was NOT the world’s happiest camper. Not because I HAD to go someplace warm, where there’s a beach, nightlife, and probably scantily clad men everywhere but because I have difficulty accepting when other people are right. Yes… I do take stubbornness to new heights… Or lows… Whatever you want to call it works for me.
Of course I can’t take a week off and just sit on my uh…butt so; I decided it would be a fantastic idea to have a book signing while I’m there too. All my Florida friends, family and fans are now yelling “Woo-Hoo!!” All I’ve heard from them for past six months is “when are you coming to Florida?”
I now had a mission! I surfed the web. I googled. I found all the local independent bookstores and I collected their addresses and phone numbers. I called them all to get their email addresses. I wrote up a wonderful letter of introduction and I even included the fantabulous new media sheet I have been dying to send out.
You’re probably scratching your heads right now; wondering what I learned that I didn’t know. It’s obvious I put a lot of time and effort into my research and my email.
Ya… Well… It never occurred to me to include MY contact information in that email! You need a phone number to reach me? Really?? Wow… Who knew…
There Are No Words by Mary Calhoun Brown
by Charline Ratcliff on Feb.19, 2010, under Books Reviewed By Charline Ratcliff
I found “There Are No Words” to be a very interesting, informative and easy read. Jaxon MacKenzie is an autistic twelve year old girl living in the modern world and yet this story seems firmly rooted in a past era. I attribute this “feel” to two separate but intertwined things. Jaxon lives with her grandparents who come from an older generation which encompasses a different set of values and she gets pulled into a painting that sends her back in time to July of 1918. “There Are No Words” is the story of Jaxon’s life here as well as her adventure in the past.
I definitely appreciated the historical facts which were used in the telling of this tale as it made the book very interesting to me. I also enjoyed the various photographs and pictures which were used throughout the book. They were an authentic touch and consequently they made the story that much more realistic. I am sure that the younger readers will greatly enjoy this aspect as well.
It was also wonderful to read the book from Jaxon’s perspective and to be present during her different stages. She starts out as an autistic child unable to really communicate with the world around her yet once she goes through the painting she suddenly finds she is able to interact with people in what we would consider a “normal” manner. How wonderful to finally have the ability to talk with people outside of her head! How amazing to have people treat her the same way they treat everyone else!
I give high praise to the author, Mary Calhoun Brown, for being able to help me understand and experience life in a way that an autistic child might. How many times do we overlook or simplify what Autism is simply because we do not understand it or have never experienced its effects in our lives? How frustrating it must be to be that child. To have to wonder about life every day and yet never have any answers to your questions. Jaxon was truly blessed to live with someone as intuitive as her grandparents.
“There Are No Words” is a charming and likeable story and I recommend it to readers of all ages.
To find this book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/There-Words-Mary-Calhoun-Brown/dp/0977630021/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266613404&sr=1-1
Hello and Welcome…
by Charline Ratcliff on Feb.18, 2010, under Posts by the Author
So here it is…
The “official” launch of my blog where I can post my thoughts, status and all those crazy things that happen to me on a regular basis in one organized spot. For those of you who know me well I am sure you understand my love of the “O” word! “O” for organization… Where was YOUR mind at??
For those of you wondering what that noise you just heard is? It’s the sound of about two hundred family members and close friends releasing their breath in a simultaneous sigh of relief! *chuckle*
No more mile long emails in response to a simple emailed comment or question! Even better no more “unsolicited” mile long emails! I think some of you dread them just because you know I actually expect a reply… To the entire email… In a timely manner…
What do you mean you work a full time job, have to take care of the house AND still need time to sleep? What do you mean you don’t read nine hundred words per minute?? What the heck are “hunt and peck” typing skills?!?
The shocking thing, to me, is that people always seem surprised by my emails and their length. I don’t quite understand that. I am after all a writer… Come on! What were you really expecting?
Maybe I SHOULD come with a warning label like my friend Jody suggested… Of course my “warning” label would be even longer than my mile long emails. I wonder if I could market it as the non-medicated cure to insomnia… Hmmm…
Anyway, I guess I should actually get to the point here. I am looking forward to blogging on a regular basis. I am also looking forward to chatting with each of you as you have the time / ability to comment.
Lastly, I want to give a HUGE thanks to my friend Gary for helping me with my blog, my website and all the other wonderful things he helps me with! Muah! I love you man! And no… I DON’T want your beer!! I can get my own!
Charline
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