A Message from the Celtic Queens

We wish to express our heartfelt sympathies for the victims, their families and others impacted by the senseless and unthinkable tragedy that unfolded earlier today in Boston.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Cate, Deanie & Cathy

Pictorial of Deanie's Trip to Edinburgh~

 Arthur's Ruin/Seat

Scott Monument

 Overlook from Edinburgh Castle's Esplinade.

Enjoyed dinner at Deacon Brodie's Tavern. Fresh catch of the day was fillet of cod beer battered in pale ale. Skin on steak chips and cabbage slaw rounded out the sides.

Lunch at The Pie Maker---Kev finally had his steak & kidney pie, while I enjoyed a caramelized onion & cheese pie. 

The iconic red phone booth, and guess what? It's still in use.

St. Giles Cathedral on High Street.

Angels with Bagpipes Cafe, Historic Old Town.

Wandering the Streets

Our little red taxi...

The winding Scotsman's Steps. 

 Checking the map.

Holyroodhouse. The Queen's residence in Edinburgh.

On the Esplinade. 

Edinburgh Castle

Gills Bay in the distance.

Crown Square, Edinburgh Castle.

Waverley Railway Station in the foreground is situated between the medieval old town and the New Town.

Writer's Museum

 Bust of Rabbie Burns

Sean, my new friend. ;)

all photographs are sole property of Deanie Roman.
copyright 2013

It's A Contest!

The 2013 Golden Claddagh Contest Opens Today!



Vincent of Beauvais, British Royal Library

Enter the Celtic Hearts Romance Writers contest, The Golden Claddagh! Don't let our chapter name dissuade you; your entry does bit have to be Celtic-based to enter. We have four categories for
 unpublished manuscripts: Historical, FF&P, Contemporary, and Young Adult.

Our contest will accept entries until May 1st, 2013. Finalists will be notified by June 15th, 2013 and winners will be announced at the Celtic Hearts Annual General Meeting at RWA National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. All finalists will be invited to the AGM if they are able to attend.
The competition is open to RWA Members and non-members. The Golden Claddagh Contest is open to published and non-published authors, but the submitted work must never have been published in any format. The entry must be either a full-length novel (greater than 40,000 words) or a novella (no less than 20,000 words and no more than 40,000 words). Short stories and novelettes are not accepted.

The Entry fee is $15.00 for CHRW members and $25.00 for non-members.

Category Information

CONTEMPORARY:  Long & Short Contemporary / Romantic Suspense /Women's Lit with  Strong Elements of romance. It includes single title, romantic suspense, long and short romantic fiction with a contemporary setting set after 1945. The main focus is the romantic relationship between the hero and the heroine.

FF&P: Future, Fantasy & Paranormal / Steampunk  /  Alternative History / Time Travel: Romance novel where the main focus is on the romantic relationship, but the future, fantasy, or paranormal elements are integral to the story.

HISTORICAL / CELTIC: Romance novel set before 1945 in any location and any time period.

YOUNG ADULT (YA): Young Adult / Middle Grade / New Adult: Romance novels or novellas in with young adult themes constitute an integral part of the plot. Main focus is still on the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine.

Final Round Judges:

Contemporary: Julie Mianecki of Penguin Books and Chelsey Emmelhainz of Harper Collins Publishing.

FF&P: Alissa Davis of Carina Press and Laurie McLean of Foreward Literary Agency

Historical: Meredith Giordan of Carina Press and Susie Townsend of New Leaf Literary Agency

Young Adult: Aubrey Poole of Sourcebooks and Becky Vinter of  Fine Print Literary Agency

Find the Contest Entry Form and Rules at Celtic Hearts Romance Writers website: http://www.celtichearts.org/  

So, what are you waiting for? You know you want to participate. Sign up today!


John White Alexander Manuscript Book Mural, Library of Congress

Why Do Dogs Live Shorter Lives Than Humans?

~A Six Year Old's Answer~

(Author Unknown)

A veterinarian I know had been called to examine a ten year old Irish Wolfhound named Bearchán. The Dog's owner Liam, his wife Máire and their little boy, Seán, were all very attached to the dog and they hoped for a miracle.

 

He examined Bearchán and found the dog was dying of cancer. He told the family he couldn't do anything for their old friend and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure in their home.

As they made arrangements, Liam and Máire told him they thought it would be good for six-year old Seán to observe the procedure. They felt as though their child might learn something from the experience.

The next day, the vet felt the familiar catch in his throat as Bearchán's family surrounded him. Seán seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that the vet wondered if the child understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Bearchán slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Bearchán's transition without any difficulty or confusion. They all sat together for awhile after the old fellow's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal's lives are shorter than human's lives.

"I know why." Seán, who had been listening, quietly, piped in.

Startled, the adults all turned to him and found themselves stunned by his answer. The veterinarian had never heard a more comforting explanation. It changed the way he tried to live.

"People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life--like loving everybody all the time and being nice, isn't that right?" He continued....

"Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

So my message is this~~

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

~When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.


~Never pass up the opportunity to take a joyride.


~Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.


~Take naps.

~Stretch before rising.


~Run, romp and play daily.


~Thrive on attention and let people touch you.


~Avoid biting when a simple growl will do the
 trick.


~On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

~On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a wide-spreading shade tree. 


~When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.


~Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.


~Be loyal.


~Never pretend to be something you're not.



~If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.



~When someone is having a bad day, be silent,
sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.


~Enjoy every moment of every day! Happy Easter!!!

Irish Blessings & Quotes

~For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck and happiness for today and every day.  

~May God grant you always; a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering angel so nothing may harm you. Laughter to cheer you, faithful friends near you, and whenever you pray, heaven to hear you.       

~ The Irish gave the bagpipes to the Scots as a joke, but the Scots haven't seen the joke yet.  

 

~May the sun always shine on your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always be near you, and may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

~ The Irish don't know what they want and are prepared to fight to the death to get it.

~Count your joys instead of your woes; count your friends instead of your foes.

~ The Irish are a very fair people, they never speak well of one another.

 

~ May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue, and may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

~ May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

~If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough. 

*photobucket photos

And the winners are...

Two bits of good news today!

The Highlander's Accidental Bride is now available from Soul Mate Publishing as well as Amazon and B & N!

Also, the winners from the party blog are Playground Monitor and Dawn Marie Hamilton! I will be in contact to get your prizes to you.

Thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement!

Cathy MacRae