Life Defined: 2012

G'morning to all and a Merry Holiday Season to those who wish it so:

Finals Week has now ended at the University of Oklahoma, and I am officially on break for the holiday season. Sometime during the hubbub of what we refer to as "the holidays", I mean to write a post on my experiences during the past semester - particularly in regard to my Anatomy Cadaver Lab class. It was quite an exciting experience, and I was intrigued by many of the discoveries I, and several of my peers, made throughout the course. To see a human body (and many of them) stripped down to the barest mechanics that construct it... is mind-boggling, fantastic, and, in some small ways, almost a let down (and I'll let you know what I mean by that later on). Our bodies seem almost to work in such a magical, harmonious way - yet in other aspects, it is quite simplistic and not at all unique from other living organisms. (Now the brain... that's a story in and of itself). But again - I shall tell my tale soon.

As of now, I wish to announce the print release of the "One" anthology, which features my short story, titled, Perfect Nothing, a piece that recounts my physical and almost "spiritual" (if you wish to call it) relationship with an eating disorder. It was a period of time in which I was at my sickest, and although I am not proud of that stage in my life, it has made me who I am (with all the madness, curiosity, inspiration, what have you...) - and I hope that it may provide strength to those who currently face the insidious disorder, incited by a certain emptiness - a certain hollowness - of the soul. It is, at the very least, a small part of me - a small part that reflects and seeks to incite courage in those who need it most.

For those who are interested, the link for a copy of the print version of "One" (which also features eleven other short stories from various authors throughout the world) is provided here:

Amazon: One Anthology

I do so hope you all enjoy it - and also that Fate treats all well this holiday season~

Fare thee well, my friends~

Rachel

"The finest thing in the world is knowing how to belong to oneself."
-Michel de Montaigne

Greetings on this pleasant November morning!

It's been awhile since I last updated my blog, as classes have been taking up quite a bit of my time, (remind me to write a post about my Anatomy class at some point – particularly regarding Anatomy Cadaver Lab) but what better way to begin blogging again than to introduce a lovely author’s work via a Blog Tour and Giveaway? Yep. Today I’ve the pleasure of hosting Ms. Bella Harte, author of The Seraphoenix Saga. She is not only here to introduce her writing for her Scarlett Phoenix Blog Tour, but she is also giving away some beautiful bracelets in the mix:

Tune in to learn more about this up-and-coming author~

The Seraphoenix Saga

Bella Harte

Scarlett Phoenix Blog Tour November 2012

All About Scarlett

Please answer the questions in less than five words!

What is your favourite colour? Red
What is your favourite food? Spicy food (Mexican or Indian)

What is your middle name? Phoenix

Who is/are your best friend/s? Alex & Clover

What is your favourite drink? Hot Chocolate with mini marshmallows

Who is your favourite type of music? Dance music ~ all kinds

What was your favourite holiday? Pompeii and Positano ~ Italy

If you could go anywhere, where would it be? China to see the Pandas

Where is your family originally from? USA

Who are your favourite actor/s of 2012? Paul Wesley & Ian Somerhalder

What is your favourite TV show? Vampire Diaries

What is your favourite hobby? Reading

What is your favourite book? Gone with the Wind

What is your favourite movie? East of Eden (James Dean)

What sport do you most enjoy doing? Horse Riding

What are your favourite animals? Horses & Cats

If you were reincarnated as a mythical creature, what would it be? Pegasus

Do you believe in ghosts? Yes

Do you believe in the supernatural? I do now!

What is your dream or what are your goals? To Survive (and go Shopping)

What is your biggest fear? Being trapped in small spaces

Is the glass half full or half empty? Half full

What is your favourite month of the year? October

What is your favourite gemstone/s? Ruby and diamonds

What is your favourite Holiday season? Halloween (then Christmas)

What is your most embarrassing outfit? My 18^th Birthday party outfit!

Would you ever dye your hair red to match your name? No

And finally, who is/are the person/s that most inspire you? My parents.

All about Scarlett in five words or less is now complete.

Thank you, Ms. Scarlett, for being such a great sport!

It was my pleasure and thank you for asking!

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And now, for a bit about Bella's work~

Book Cover:

(Image Copyright Africa Studio, 2011 Used under license from Shutterstock.com)

Book Blurb:

"She is the only one of her kind, he is her last hope."

Scarlett Paige is just a regular teenager until her parents suddenly decide move to back to America after living in England for the past 17 ½ years. Thrust into a new school, a new town and a whole new way of life, things can't seem to get any worse until her 18^th birthday arrives.

Her world as she knows it is irrevocably changed by a set of life threatening complications when she discovers her true identity. That she is The Phoenix the only one of her kind, a hybrid human being with supernatural powers beyond mortal imagination. But she is untrained, and unable to use her mystical powers without guidance and training from The Seraphoenix Angels.

Worse still, two mysterious and powerful Angel brothers are looking for her. One to save her and one to kill her, who will win?

Scarlett finds herself amidst a battle that’s been waged since the beginning of time, as she discovers the disturbing truth that Angels aren't always good! One brother has a terrible plan to rid the world of humanity, while the other strives to save it and Scarlett is caught smack in the middle as both the Angels need her Phoenix powers to accomplish their goals.

Will she become a pawn in their schemes, as she is thrown into total chaos and plunged into an entirely different future and one that is utterly unexpected?

There are fatal consequences she never saw coming. Beings she never knew existed, and homicidal demon creatures that she wished never existed at all, are conspiring to change her life forever!

‘Scarlett Phoenix’ is the jumping off point for this exciting new YA PNR series ~ The Seraphoenix Saga.

To find out more about this new and exciting novel see the buy links below.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

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Author Bio:

Bella Harte has been writing for well over a decade, and completed several novels before deciding to go in a whole new direction and write for the Young Adult genre. More specifically the YA PNR – Young Adult Paranormal Romance category.

Her first published YA Novel is ‘Scarlett Phoenix’ - Book I in The Seraphoenix Saga, with Book II:- ‘Crimson Fire’ being schedule for release in early 2013 and Book III:- ‘Red Ashes’ for later in the year.

She has also been working on two other YA PNR series:

The Angel of Death Series

Book I – Reaper Book II – Touched Book III – Afterlife

Nine Lives Series

Book I – The Glaring Book II – Midnight Calling Book III - Hunters Moon

Aside from writing, Bella has been worked as a fashion designer, interior designer, artist and currently she is figuring out ways to best market her novels. She attended Business College after leaving school, followed by Art College, where she studied ceramics, fashion design, pattern cutting, textiles and art.

She has a solid business background and has worked for a World-Wide Export Company which enabled her to travel to far off places around the globe and enjoy a wide and varied cross section of cultures.

Bella says of the future: No one can predict what’s around the corner, but the journey will be a fascinating one to say the least and I always expect the unexpected!

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