I don't know if one's own regret, one's own pentimento is a reasonable solution? But painters change their mind all the time painting over their original drawings, so I thought I would too (again).
It's not that I want to rename my novella "Pentimento." That's already a delightful book by Lillian Hellman (and subsequently others have used it).
Wikipedia defines the word as such:
"A pentimento (plural pentimenti) is an alteration in a painting, evidenced by traces of previous work, showing that the artist has changed his or her mind as to the composition during the process of painting. The word is Italian for repentance, from the verb pentirsi, meaning to repent."
Apply that to my novella previously published as "Clouds of the Heart," aka "Shadow Sanctuary" - and you get a repenting (aka "hotted-out") SHADOW LOVE.
I am at a loss why this mysterious love story isn't gaining more traction; it's contemporary, keeps you guessing, and is also sympathetic to the mature woman (who is still very much a woman). It is something most fifty-ish, independent yet women who still yearn for love can relate to (except perhaps those drowning their sorrow in too much wine).
By the way, there is a brief appearance of our " old friend," the charming Edward in all his conning glory. That cad's becoming quite the celebrity throughout several of my novels; however does he manage to keep popping up?
I'd love to know what you think of the new cover and title?
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Friday, May 16, 2014
Review of Fischer's "Time to Let Go"
My Review of Christoph Fischer's
"Time to Let Go"
My Review:
A Book Written from the Heart
The bitter-sweet title of this novel says it all. But when should one; how does one let go of a loved one?
Christoph Fischer's newest, fourth, novel deals with the difficult subject of a grown woman suddenly confronted by her aged parents' frailties; they are both in their eighties. To compound her re-entry into her parents lives is the onset of Alzheimer's Disease in her mother who has turned into an uncomprehending childlike dependent. The father tries to cope with the loss of his wife's companionship by overriding medical
advice and adhering to his own 'common sense.' Inevitably, his stubborn ideas clash with those of his worldly daughter, herself emotionally struggling with a traumatic recent event.
This is a heart-wrenching and timely book, as many of today's already overtaxed professionals find themselves pushed into a bewildering one-sided relationship with a changed parent for which they are ill-prepared.
Fischer begins with his trademark factual narration, then throws the reader into the jarring world of sudden confusion and responsibility. With great insight, he guides toward an understanding how these individuals try to bridge the abyss between their worlds suddenly brought to the fore by the loss of a wife and mother who no longer remembers that she was both so capably for the most part of her life.
This is Fischer's most approachable writing. As the novel unfolds, it becomes a very personal story, ending with great gentleness and eventual insight; the clock cannot be turned back - not even with love. The final understanding of the disease's inevitable progression, and tender care, are the only things left to the caretakers - in that, they must come together. It is time to let go.
A highly recommended book for everyone with a family.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Christoph Fischer Publishes Fourth Novel
Author Christoph Fischer has once again tackled a serious and timely theme in his newest, and fourth, novel:
Time to Let Go,
a contemporary family drama set in Britain.
Following a traumatic incident at work Stewardess Hanna Korhonen decides to take time off work and leaves her home in London to spend quality time with her elderly parents in rural England. There she finds that neither can she run away from her problems, nor does her family provide the easy getaway place that she has hoped for.
Her mother suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease and, while being confronted with the consequences of her issues at work, Hanna and her entire family are forced to reassess their lives.
The book takes a close look at family dynamics and at human nature in a time of a crisis. Their challenges, individual and shared, take the Korhonens on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
* * *
Tune in tomorrow for my Review of Fischer's Time to Let Go
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Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Another 5-Star Review for KHAMSIN
5.0 out of 5 stars Like the Wind,
By
This review is from: KHAMSIN, The Devil Wind of The Nile: A Novel of Ancient Egypt (Legends of the Winged Scarab) (Kindle Edition)
An incredibly interesting dose of fantasy and science fiction... a fable which transports you into ancient Egypt historic sites and then to present day. Ms. Borg must have a deep love for culture and the nature of the universe. The events of the Egyptian dynasties, are spun together to create a highly original and ingenious alternative history of Egyptian civilization, one that will seem attractive to many. Ms. Borg isn't only an excellent writer taking advantage of her natural skills she's also an outstanding scholar of Egyptology. Very few people could have pulled this off and created a story with such layering, a story that reads like a credible Hollywood screenplay in the mold of Raiders of the Lost Ark with the scholarly underpinning of espionage. All three are must read for those who love this genre.
* * *
I relish it when my readers agree with me. I love KHAMSIN best mof all my novels. Not, because it is my "first-born," but because I believe that it is the one book combining literary prose with enough action and probable history (and mystery) to capture anyone's imagination about this amazing long-lost civilization. It captured my fascination a long time ago--as it still does.
And - yes, I am listening: We must finally know where these "first" Egyptians came from. I am working on it, people. Just give me a few months...
Thursday, May 8, 2014
SIROCCO-Featured at eBookSoda
On Saturday, May 10,
SIROCCO, Storm over Land and Sea
is being featured at eBookSoda, a new readers' site where they'll send you ebook recommendations tailored to your taste.
www.ebooksoda.comThere are three books in the "Legends of the Winged Scarab" series:
KHAMSIN, The Devil Wind of the Nile (A Novel of Ancient Egypt)
SIROCCO, Storm over Land and Sea (Modern-day archaeological thriller)
After The Cataclysm (Dystopian thriller)
* * *
All are available in eBook formats and print.http://www.amazon.com/Inge-H.-Borg/e/B006QYQKUS – Amazon
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/505050 - Smashwords
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/inge-h.-borg - Barnes & Noble
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Review of Jim Bennett's "The Scroll of the Violin"
I was privileged to be given Jim Bennett's fourth poetry volume to read.
Following is my reaction to it:
The title is a brilliant analogy, as is the striking cover photograph, taken by Jim Bennett himself. Through both, the poet points to an artist fine-tuning his work; The Scroll of the Violin, Poems 4, is indeed pitch-perfect.
Jim Bennett's fourth poetry volume (I am reading them in reverse order) to me reveals surprising belief in that wondrous creation we so carelessly call our World; but is it? Once again, just as with "Retirement Clock, Poems 5," this book is not something to be leafed through in an afternoon and then put aside. These poems, too, are to be savored and contemplated; as I did, still do, and will again.
"Galapagos Search," for example, is a stirring testament to the Creator. A few poems are written with an interesting looping effect. At first, I thought "echoes, repetition." Rereading them, I got it. Those words are like rain filling rivers, oceans, evaporating, turning back to rain; subtly different, not quite the same.
The Scroll of the Violin is another amazing offering by Canadian poet Jim Bennett.
You can also purchase this volume in Lulu digital format for the Adobe Digital Editions reader (which reader is free).
http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Bennett/e/B005HSHNLE
Following is my reaction to it:
The Scroll of the Violin - Poems 4
by Jim Bennett
by Jim Bennett
The title is a brilliant analogy, as is the striking cover photograph, taken by Jim Bennett himself. Through both, the poet points to an artist fine-tuning his work; The Scroll of the Violin, Poems 4, is indeed pitch-perfect.
Jim Bennett's fourth poetry volume (I am reading them in reverse order) to me reveals surprising belief in that wondrous creation we so carelessly call our World; but is it? Once again, just as with "Retirement Clock, Poems 5," this book is not something to be leafed through in an afternoon and then put aside. These poems, too, are to be savored and contemplated; as I did, still do, and will again.
"Galapagos Search," for example, is a stirring testament to the Creator. A few poems are written with an interesting looping effect. At first, I thought "echoes, repetition." Rereading them, I got it. Those words are like rain filling rivers, oceans, evaporating, turning back to rain; subtly different, not quite the same.
The Scroll of the Violin is another amazing offering by Canadian poet Jim Bennett.
* * *
You can also purchase this volume in Lulu digital format for the Adobe Digital Editions reader (which reader is free).
Bennett's Poetry:
http://www.amazon.com/Jim-Bennett/e/B005HSHNLE
See my review of "Retirement Clock" in this blog:
http://devilwinds.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-of-retirement-clock-poems-5-by.html
http://devilwinds.blogspot.com/2014/03/review-of-retirement-clock-poems-5-by.html
Friday, May 2, 2014
East and West Passing Each Other
The Khlongs of Bangkok
The Thai capital Bangkok was crisscrossed by khlong and so gained the name Venice of the East. The khlongs were used for transportation and for floating markets, but also for sewage.
Today, most of the khlongs of Bangkok have been filled in and converted into streets, although the Thonburi side of Bangkok (covering areas west of Chao Phraya River) still retains several of its larger khlongs.
When I traveled up one of those khlongs as a tourist, I took these pictures.
They stared back.
I sadly realized:
East and West passing each other.
Just passing -
never meeting.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" To Me
Birthdays
As we progress into that nebulous phase of our lives where we pretend to ignore the answer from that "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall," and cavalierly shrug that "It's no big deal," "For get it," "Been there, done that," we secretly - fervently - hope that our friends will not forget.
After all, a Birthday marks the passage of our time on this earth, to be reflected on, acknowledged - and celebrated.
We may be pronounced to be old by the young. To them, yes, so brashly-until, one day, years from now, they reminisce themselves.
But as far as we are concerned, we know that we still have spunk to exude, knowledge to share, and the all-important humor to impart.
And, for those of us lucky ones, there is robust health of mind and body to be grateful for, with that twinkle in the eye that lets us view life around us with tolerance and humor.
So, keep those roses and cards coming, my friends - because they let me know that you have not forsaken me - even if the mirror has.
In The Spotlight
All of my seven books are included in The Indie Tribe's May Spotlight.
You can check here:
You count six?
Well, Pasha too managed to get his whiskers in.
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/505050 - Smashwords
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/inge-h.-borg - Barnes & Noble
http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomInge_H_Borg – Goodreads
For those of you who prefer to read a quality paperback, all my titles are available as such through Amazon.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "Z" GRAND FINALE
Z - as in:
"Zzo long, Adieu, Auf Wiedersehn, Good-Bye...."
As I plan to catch up with all my interesting co-bloggers from the A to Z Challenge, I truly hope this is not Good-Bye, but
Oh, yes, there is a boat in the movie. Remember?
Maria and the children come rowing up to the landing.
Excited that their father (oh, so handsome Christopher Plummer) has returned home,
they all stand up.
The rest is soggy history.
# # # # # # # #
Be sure to tune in on May 15 --
I'll be featuring a multi-day launch, review of and insight
into a new Novel by
Author Christoph Fischer
"Time to Let Go"
(A look inside family dynamics suddenly burdened
by a wife and mother afflicted with
Alzheimer's Disease)
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "Y"
Y is for "Yacht"
(as in Yum-Fabulous)
(as in Yum-Fabulous)
Lorenzo's Bucanero I
I used this Yacht to describe the one owned by a South American buyer of antiquities - all of dubious provenance. Especially the ones he acquires in Sirocco, Storm over Land and Sea.
We meet Lorenzo Dominguez again in After the Cataclysm, where he now owns the Bucanero II - the former (real) ghost ship Lyubov Orlova.
All of this luxury was wishful thinking on my part but I had fun going along for the ride through two books.
http://www.amazon.com/Inge-H.-Borg/e/B006QYQKUS
Monday, April 28, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "X"
X - as "X-Craft" (Midget Submarine - BR)
The X-Craft was a class of midget submarine built for the Royal Navy during World War II, between 1943 and 1944.
The craft were approximately 51 feet (15.5 m) long, 5.5 feet (1.68 m) in diameter, and had a displacement of about 35 tons. Maximum speed was 6.5 knots (12 km/h) surface, and 5 knots (9 km/h) submerged, with depths of 300 feet (91.4 m) were possible. Initially crewed by a commander, pilot and ERA, the later addition of a specialist diver brought the final complement to four. Up to 4 tons of Amatol (high explosive) could be carried, bolted to the sides of the craft.
XE11 Tragedy
Operation of the X-Craft was hazardous at best, but on March 5, 1945, even routine testing was to prove fatal. On this day, three of the crew of XE11 were lost during a routine operation.
A test dive, to calibrate the depth gauge was to be carried out. Two crew would normally have been sufficient, but on this day, three extra crew were being carried to gain experience. Rising in 10 foot increments from a depth of 100 feet, the craft struck the keel of the Boom Defence vessel Norma, stationary and silent, just at the moment her screws began to turn.
The craft's pressure hull was ruptured, and she sank to 210 feet. When the hatch was opened, two crew members were swept out by the escaping air and recovered on the surface. Sadly, the remaining three crew members were unable to escape. Their bodies were recovered by divers the next day, along with the craft, and laid to rest in Rothesay cemetery.
At 210 feet, the event is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the deepest unaided ascent from a sunken submarine.
In 2005, a small memorial garden was opened during events on the island, marking the 60th anniversary of VE Day. The ceremony was attended by the surviving crew member who related the story of the escape.
(Wikipedia)
Saturday, April 26, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "W"
W - as in Water, Water Everywhere
Thinking back - way back - I have always liked water. Swimming lessons at five until I resembled a little fish, spending hot summer days in the muddy river with my buddies (nobody worried), jumping off the high weir towers - you just had to be careful not to get sucked against the grates! It would have been too embarrassing to have the miller come out with his long rake to haul you out; a dripping, squealing little piglet already anticipating furious parents (millers always told on you).
Austria is dotted with beautiful lakes (some are run-offs from the glaciers),
Austria's larges lake - the water actually gets warm - Woerthersee with the little town of Maria Woerth.
The elegant Hotel Schloss Seefels (my grandmother insisted that it once belonged to our family - but was gambled away at the nearby famous casino!)
Bugger!
The elegant Hotel Schloss Seefels (my grandmother insisted that it once belonged to our family - but was gambled away at the nearby famous casino!)
Bugger!
Vacations in Norfolk, GB (huge tides). Oh, I actually swam in Loch Ness; talk about freezing! In the South of France, I managed to save a little boy from drowning.
Swam in the Dnepr in Kiev on my way to Sochi (on the Black Sea).
In (then still) Leningrad, I only took a ferry across the icy Neva to visit the old Peter and Paul Fortress on the island (creepy dungeons - most are).
Bermuda, Caribbean, Tahiti - must I go on?
Swam in the Dnepr in Kiev on my way to Sochi (on the Black Sea).
In (then still) Leningrad, I only took a ferry across the icy Neva to visit the old Peter and Paul Fortress on the island (creepy dungeons - most are).
Bermuda, Caribbean, Tahiti - must I go on?
Only to wind up on a lake in Arkansa
(in a pantoon boat!)
Friday, April 25, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "V"
V - as in "Valiant"
I cannot let the "V" pass me by without an ode to the Valiant, a Bob Perry designed double-ended, ketch-rigged sailboat. The fact that I spent six glorious consecutive months on a Valiant-40, "has nothing to do with it." Nor does the fact that the skipper was tall and handsome, alas elegantly gray round the edges (Can I tell you another one?)
We sailed from San Diego past Magdalena Bay (famous for cavorting and courting whales), past Cedros Island, to Cabo San Lucas. From there, 300 miles due south to a Mexican Navy Base on Socorro, part of the Revillagigedo Islands. Great fishing, fabulous diving though rocks close below the surface even in the anchorage. So were plenty of sharks - blissfully, I was only told that later on.
During our only storm at sea, we night-sailed east to a then still deserted Tenecatita.
On to impressive Manzanillo, its hillside hotel a former little summer home a tin-baron built for himself and his friends!
North to Nuevo Vallarta, the large-scale modern yacht basin north of Puerto Vallarta.
Across to La Paz on the inside of Baja and north to Puerto Escondido where I spent three weeks anchored, alone on the boat (there were other boats to dinghy to at cocktail time).
Back around the tip of Baja to Cabo san Lucas, from where I was told to fly home like a lady. Glad I did. The "uphill bash into the wind" to San Diego took the boat three weeks.
Just like the faithful, doomed Senta, I waited on the dock when she (the boat) and he (my "Flying Dutchman) sailed in under a following breeze and a triumphant colorful spinnaker.
Just like the faithful, doomed Senta, I waited on the dock when she (the boat) and he (my "Flying Dutchman) sailed in under a following breeze and a triumphant colorful spinnaker.
End of Story?
(If you paid attention to "B" you'll remember how it turned out)
(If you paid attention to "B" you'll remember how it turned out)
Thursday, April 24, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "U"
U - as in "Uhuru"
Oh, now I've got your attention.
"Uhuru" means Freedom, in Swahili. But why I remember the word is because of a fabulous trawler we met in La Paz, Baja California. It swung on the hook next to us in a very squirrely La Paz Bay and one always got a bit nervous if the boats would collide.
One morning, during the regular radio broadcast between the boats, Uhuru asked if anyone had a replacement high-pressure hose. You could almost hear the snickering over the airwaves. Why would any of these rather modest sailboats have a high pressure hose lying around? We never found it what happened as we soon thereafter left, sailing north into the Gulf.
Anyway, that's my story - and I am sticking to it.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "T"
T - as in "Transom"
Do you know what a transom is, nautically speaking?
No? Well, let me enlighten you:
In naval architecture, a transom is the surface that forms the stern of a vessel. Transoms may be flat or curved and they may be vertical, raked forward, also known as a retroussé or reverse transom, angling forward (toward the bow) from the waterline to the deck, or raked aft, often simply called "raked", angling in the other direction.
The bottom tip of the transom can be approximately on the waterline, in which case the stern of the vessel is referred to as a "transom stern", or the hull can continue so that the centerline is well above the waterline before terminating in a transom, in which case it is referred to as a "counter stern" or "cutaway stern."
On smaller vessels where an outboard motor is the source of propulsion, the motor is usually mounted on the transom, and held in place either by clamps or metal bolts that go through the transom. In this arrangement, all the power of the motor is transmitted via the transom to the rest of the vessel's structure, making it a critical part of the vessel's construction.
Aren't you glad you asked?
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "S"
S = as in "SIROCCO"
Can't go sailing without wind.
Well, sometimes, it can be a little too much of a good thing...
as it is in
SIROCCO, Storm over Land and Sea
This archaeological thriller is Book 2 of the "Legends of the Winged Scarab" series.
However, it also stands alone as a present-day novel that takes place from Boston to Cairo and Luxor, in the Red Sea (yes, sailing through a storm), to Cyprus and Crete; it is all impacted by the Arab Spring and Egypt's upcoming presidential elections (May 2012).
Prologue
Trexa! Sorokos!”
Barely,
the fishermen pull their boats onto shore when the storm arrives all in a rush,
malevolent and laden with Libyan Desert sand.
“Run!
Sirocco!” Again, the men cry the warning against the feared wind that had
spawned over the Sahara. After giving birth to its unbridled son Khamsin, the
Devil Wind of the Nile, it froths the waters of the Mediterranean and
mercilessly claws at the islands in its path, scything the coastal shrub into
stubble.
The
old women of Crete call it The Big Tongue.
Innocent-looking at first, a lazy yellow haze comes drifting north. It grows
larger, turning the air into choking ochre mist. Its hot breath churns the sea
and drives salt spray deep into the island’s interior. As if on cue, tempers
turn sour and people suddenly find fault with friend and neighbor. Fights erupt
over nothing. Secretly harbored thoughts of suicide and murder attack the mind
as voraciously as wild goats strip young plane trees bare. All things bad can
now be blamed on the Sirocco.
It
is only when the cool steady meltemia
breezes blow again out of the northwest that the island breathes a sigh of
relief, and much is forgiven.
Monday, April 21, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "R"
The office of the High Priest of Ptah was located in Memphis (the very early Ineb-hedj - City of White Walls - in my story). It was also common for the high priest to hold the title of sem priest of Ptah. The sem priest was recognized by dressing in a panther skin.
(I just read all this in Wikipedia - whew, am I glad I somehow got that right in the book.)
Now, as to boats. With the Nile the most important artery along the Two Lands, and the priesthood successfully keeping itself separate from the royal palace, it asserted its own powerful laws with the aid of legends, threats, and mysticism (sounds familiar?). Their temple boats and supply barges spread the priestly influence up and down the Nile, while collecting generous offerings to the gods. The priests ate well.
When Ramose went through the Field of Rushes, temple sistrum dancers wailed and undulated, mainly to keep mourners alert during the lengthy burial services (something boring politicians might think about).
Saturday, April 19, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "Q"
Q - As in "Quarterdeck"
Ceremonial use
There are ancient traditions of offering special deference to the quarterdeck. Greek, Roman, and Carthaginian warships all carried shrines which were given special respect. This continued into Christian times, and in medieval British warships, the religious shrine was set up on the quarterdeck. All hands were required to salute it by taking off their hats or caps. This led to the habit of saluting whenever one entered the quarterdeck.
Today, quarterdeck refers not to a specific deck, but to a ceremonial area designated as such by the captain. As in the days of sail, it is a place where the captain has special control and prerogatives.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Luckily, I did not use this theme for yesterday's "P" - as in Poop=Deck!
Who knows what image I might have heaved upon you.
Friday, April 18, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "P"
P - as in "PASHA"
No, Pasha is not a boat, nor a harbor. You could say, he's my anchor.
I give you a hint (okay, a big furry hint):
"What's a pasha," I am often asked, and I reply that, just like his name-sake from One-Thousand-and-One-Nights, he sits on silk cushions and surveys his harem which - of course - includes me.
He even has his own blog to which we welcome authors and their animals.
http://ingehborg.blogspot.com/
(I wasn't smart enough then to name it after him).
And, yes, he jumped from his cage in our little animal shelter straight into my home and my heart.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
A to Z Challenge - "O"
O as in "Offshore Sailing"
(Excerpted from Moments of the Heart,
A Book of Poems and Short Prose)
A Book of Poems and Short Prose)
Offshore
Sailing
White Wings on an Ocean
defying
the moon's pull.
The sailor laughs himself
off the harsh brown land.
His hold crammed for survival,
he
tempts death.
White Wings on an Ocean,
straining,
a billowing team.
The sailor braces against his contrary
wheel
raping
the rudder as lines wail taut.
The storm flogs with malice.
White Wings on an Ocean
screamed
into shreds
that bandage the mast.
A
halyard flails.
Lifelines gone;
the
dinghy torn off.
The sailor weeps for soft green meadows.
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