My First Review for Of Lions and Lambs

My historical thriller, Of Lions and Lambs is planned for ebook release around the middle of October and hard copy release by the end of October.

I am more than THRILLED to add this book review to the back of my novel. OHHHH YA!!!!!! :)

Of Lions and Lambs by Vanessa Canevaro

“Of Lions and Lambs” is the story of Sophia, a young nun-in-training at the Sisters of Holy Redemption convent.  A caring, compassionate woman, Sophia has trouble sleeping at night, plagued by nightmares of a biblical and cataclysmic nature. Seeking the truth behind these terrible visions of Armageddon, she asks the convent’s priest for help, and together the pair realizes that a devastating chain of events has been set into motion, an ancient evil slowly awakening and out for vengeance against the whole of humankind. Over the following hours and days, Sophia witnesses a series of dark omens that seem to point to a long-lost prehistoric artifact as our only hope for survival. She learns that entire tracts of history have been omitted from the Bible, and it is up to her to uncover the truth and fit together the missing pieces of the past before time runs out.  Despite what you may have heard, it turns out that ignorance isn’t always bliss.  Sometimes it’s death.

“Lambs” is author Vanessa Canevaro’s first foray into the world of historical fiction, and it is utterly fantastic.  Interspersed with short vignettes featuring familiar biblical faces like Adam and Eve, Lazarus, and Mary Magdalene, this novel reads like a Dan Brown novel with a welcomed delicate touch.  “Lambs” reimagines the origins of our species, taking the reader on an adventure across ages and continents that is part thriller, part folktale.  The action starts off a bit confusingly – with a prologue that effectively establishes the conflict, while also muddying up the narrative’s waters – but, overall, “Lambs” is a beautiful, imaginative piece of fiction and a terrific maiden voyage for Canevaro.

This novel has yet to be released – look for it soon!

Interviewed by Richard S. Todd

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BEING INTERVIEWED! :)
 http://raincloudbook.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/introducing-vanessa-canevaro/

Introducing…Vanessa Canevaro

There’s nothing like making a positive impact on a child’s life. Children’s authors do it all the time. But whether the author is conveying a lesson or simply providing entertainment to incent a child to read, this young audience is perhaps the most important to reach and encourage a lifelong love of the written word.
This week, “Introducing…” speaks to children’s author Vanessa Canevaro.
1)    How gratifying is it to write for children?
It is so gratifying being a children’s writer. Kids always want to know what is going happen next, so it keeps me on my toes as I write so I don’t drag out a storyline or focus too intesely on one particular thought. Also, a child’s imagination is endless; I think as we grow-up we start to lose that perspective, the idea that anything is possible.
2)    Tell us how your upcoming book Remembering Grampa came about.
Remembering Grandpa was written as a way of coping with my father’s death. So in a way it was used as an outlet for me to deal with the loss of my dad and an aid to help my boys understand death and life without their grandfather.
3)    When writing for children, what is the most important thing to keep in mind?
Kids don’t care what the plot of the story is or what message the writer is trying to convey. Kids just want to be entertained so they have the desire to read further. Stories need to be colorful, full of intersting characters and incredible places. I have a very short attentions span so I usually write what I would want to see in a story, keep me entertained when I read, that’s what I try to give the kids who read my books.
4)    Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
I am the mother of 3 boys. This has given me enough material to last a lifetime.

“I Want a Dragon” by Vanessa Canevaro

5)    Do you market your books directly to children, or through their parents, or both? What is the most effective way to do so?
Both. I want my stories to be fun and crazy with a bit of the unepected thrown in for excitement, but also have a good moral or lesson within them.
I have found the most effecive way to market my books is by getting out there and promoting them myself. Book store signings have been the most effective for me. I have also sold my books as promos for different companies that they use as giveaways to their clients.
6)    Do you have an audience outside of Canada as well? Do you find children overseas can be entertained with the same books as children here?
My books have been sold in Canada and the US. My ebooks have gone overseas. I think kids are the same everywhere, they want to be intrigued and entertained by a story. A kid is a kid.
7)    Have you ever had a desire to write for adults, young or old?
My first historical/fiction novel, Of Lions and Lambs, is due for release in October, 2013. The sequal to this novel is already in the works.
8)    What’s next for Vanessa Canevaro?
Up next for me is the promotion of  Of  Lions and Lambs and book two of the series. I have a lot of children’s books on the go as well, so I will more than likely be releasing other Vanessa Canevaro stories in the next few years. Hoping to get a movie deal for my novel.
9)    On a personal note, what’s the most exciting thing you’ve ever done?
The most exciting thing I have ever done is taking my life and career into my own hands and actually living my dream as a writer. DREAM BIG!!  ‘Your life, your choice!! You are the creator of your own world and what and whom you let into it!’ Is my motto.
10)   Where can readers connect with you and your work?
My personal website is www.vanessacanevaro.com and www.vanessacanevaro.ca .You can email me at vanessa@vanessacanevaro.com or vanessa@vanessacanevaro.ca .
Thanks Vanessa for speaking with us and for helping to give children the joy of reading.
See you out there!
If you’re a writer, write. And if you’re a reader, keep reading. We need you!

Author Richard S. Todd

Richard Todd is a novelist, screenplay writer, and Social Media guy. Plus a few other things that get lost in the clutter. Visit him online at www.richard-todd.com.

No Sympathy for The Stars

This post is a bit of a rant, so please, bear with me.

Rarely do I watch the news or any of the entertainment shows. I'm a History Channel, Big Bang Theory, Superhero kind of girl. Sometimes I do flip through a magazine or catch a headline on FaceBook that talks about the struggles of a Star. Their drug/alcohol addiction, erratic behavior and the stresses they face with such fame and fortune and how they cope by self-medicating.

Believe me, I do have pity for your struggles:

I am sorry you are having a hard time dealing with people always wanting a piece of you.
I am sorry you feel like everyone has their hands in your pocket.
I am sorry you feel pulled in half, needing to be here or there at the same time.
I am sorry you never have any time for yourself.
I am sorry you never get one second alone.
I am sorry you are shelling out money to everyone for everything.
I am sorry you don't feel you are in control of your life.
I am sorry people are always screaming for your attention.
I am sorry you are dog tired and feel like you need to get away.
I am sorry you have NO privacy.
I am sorry people take your belongings.
I am sorry you feel used.
I am sorry you feel scared.
BUT...THE BIGGEST THING I AM SORRY FOR IS:

I AM SORRY YOUR LIFE SUCKS BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE PARENT.

My Interview with Sista Monica Parker, The Blues Lioness!

Some of you may know that I am now writing for the Calgary Beacon News an independent online local news paper, http://beaconnews.ca/. Vanessa Canevaro, Arts and Entertainment Blog Mistress (I created that title for myself.)

My very first assignment was to interview one of the star performers at The Calgary International Blues Festival.

Mr. Stuff has been a HUGE blues fan all of his life and introduced me to the old blues of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Lead Belly, Son House and who could ever forget Bo Carter's Pig Meat is What I Crave song, YIKES!! So, needless to say I wasn't really a big fan of blues music, not because it didn't speak to me, because there is no doubt the artists felt great emotion in their music, that is evident, but because I really couldn't understand what the heck they were saying.

Then I started to listen to Billie Holiday, Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin and began to understand why Mr. Stuff had been drawn into the blues. Blues music comes from the heart and soul of the performer. There is no hiding the raw emotion felt as they belt out their songs or the depths they went within to construct their music.

My fingers fumbled on the keyboard for the link to the Calgary International Blues Festival, the first name that stood out, Sista Monica. I had never heard of her before, but she definitely sounded like someone I would want to meet and interview.

She did not let me down!

At 8:20 Sista Monica took the stage and the crowd went wild. Her powerful voice filled Shaw Millennium Park and immediately I thought, Aretha Franklin. Such a strong stage presence totally captured the entire audience as families, vendors and volunteers bopped around the site. She recounted the day her name was on the marquis with the great BB King, and thought this was her chance to seek him out for a personal photo. "Hug me like you love me!" King said. This inspired her to write the song, Hug Me Like You Love Me.

After her set I waited patiently for her to sign t-shirts, cd's and a red cowboy hat. Fans were asking to hug Sista Monica and have their picture taken with her, many saying they had seen her at a previous festival and couldn't wait to hear her again. I was excited and a bit nervous. A blues great was going to give me time to talk with her, I was thrilled.

I looked over the questions I had jotted down; How long have you been performing? Where are you from? Same old same old generic questions that I was sure every other interviewer had asked before. The mosquitoes were bad and the air chilly, I did not want Sista Monica to have to endure answering the boring questions that I could find the answers to on her bio. So I decided only to ask her two.
1. You talked about Etta James being your idol and carrying the baton for the next 30 years. How do you want the next generation of blues and gospel women to shape the music and carry on?
2. You are a cancer survivor. How has that experience affected or changed your music?

Finally, the line was gone and it was my time with The Blues Lioness. I knelt down beside her and set my scratch book on the table. I shook her hand and said, "It is an absolute pleasure to meet you Sista Monica. I am Vanessa Canevaro with the Calgary Beacon. I know you are cold and tired so I only have 2 questions for you. IT WAS AWESOME!!!

She thought about each question and gave wonderful, well thought-out answers.
1. “Stay true to the tradition with original songs and writing that touches hearts and feelings.“ and, “Experience or understand and experience the pain you have to go through.”
2. “Authentic and true to myself, feelings and emotions when I sing or write a song.”
(Here is the link to the actual article)

This was my first EVER interview, I have been interviewed before but have never been the interviewer. AND I ROCKED IT!!

Thank you Sista Monica for the honor of being my first celebrity interview. Blues on Sista!!!

Vendor's Market and Treasures that Didn't Make it Out of My House

This past weekend I had the pleasure of being a part of a wonderful vendor's market at All Through the House & Red Barn Mercantile in Okotoks, AB.

If you know me you will also know that I am an absolute FREAK for anything antique, vintage, industrial, shabby chic or rusty so this event was the perfect place for me to show my wares and make connections. It was an stellar day of meeting wonderful new people who have the same passion for all things old and pretty as I do (not to mention it was pretty darn cool to make some money to help feed my treasure hunting addiction as well.)

This is my booth at the market. Of course Monika and Karin from All Through the House and Red Barn Mercantile had everything organized and were amazing hostesses.

Sometimes when I find treasures there are a few that definitely wouldn't break my heart if they didn't sell. That little iron doll bed has found a home with me. I loved it from the start and don't know how I could have ever thought I could live without it. It's probably why I didn't try super hard to sell it. MINE!!! That orange chair stayed with me as well. I have visions of it painted red or cream with a French pattern or burlap coffee bag cushion added for comfort. MINE!! And for some crazy reason I have grown attached to the two colorful bird pictures with the black frames. They just grabbed me. MINE!! Also, three of those antique wooden radios have been claimed for my home. YAYYY!!

I love hunting for treasures and always items are purchased with the intention of reselling them to a good home, BUT sometimes these treasures don't even make it out of my house again because I really have fallen in love with them.

 This large gold plaster frame went directly from a flea market to my bedroom. It is now hanging lovingly beside another gold plaster frame. They will live happily ever after.

 NEVER do you find a complete wash set with a pitcher, basin, shaving cup, soap dish and cup. How could I possibly let these beauties go? Yep, had the same issue with the pretty chamber pot and salesman case as well.

 I have decided that I need to start collecting ironstone. Don't know why, but I love it. This milk pitcher and bowl are the perfect start to my collection.

 How could anyone walk away from these cute inkwells. They are a family and it would just break my heart to separate them. This grouping is from The Netherlands.

This one is gorgeous!! She was all alone at the same flea market I purchased the gold frame from. Nothing this pretty should ever stand alone. That's why I saved her and I believe she is very thankful.

Ya...I seem to keep some of my finds as rewards for a job well done. I put a lot of hours looking for just the right things to add to my collection and OH, add to my goods for sale as well. Just feeding my addiction.

My Interview with Simon Rose from Children's Authors and Illustrators on Facebook

An interview with Vanessa Canevaro

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was raised on a farm outside of Muenster, Saskatchewan and have been writing since the age of six and have absolutely fallen in love with the whole process. I am a history fanatic and love when a piece I am working on involves historical research and study. My life is absolutely amazing as I am the mother of 3 young men and the wife of a most supportive husband. I believe that books should be full of imagination and take a reader to places they have never been.

What is your latest published work?

My latest published work is Zero the Superhero – a first novel for ages 6-8.

Where do you get your ideas from?

All my children’s books ideas have come from life with my 3 sons. Believe me; having 3 boys has given me lots of material.

What are you working on right now?

I have three projects on the go right now. My first full length adult historical fiction novel Of Lions and Lambs is currently in its final stages of the editing process and will be released in 2013 and I’m working on part two of this series, The Devil’s Redemption. Book two, Zero the Superhero, The Island of Mr. No! is also in progress.

Do you have any tips or advice for aspiring authors?

Do what you love to do and dabble in different genres because you don’t want to limit yourself. If you want to write a children’s book, do it. If you want to write a book of poetry, do that! A writer’s limit is only the limits the writer puts on herself.

Do you have a crazy story about an aspect of the writing life, perhaps from a school visit or event?

I was at a funeral in my hometown and a lady came up to me after the mass and asked if I was Vanessa Canevaro, the author. That was the first time someone had recognized me from my picture on the back of my book, I Want a Dragon and I have to say it was pretty awesome. I did receive a letter from an 8 year old girl asking if there is a book two to I Want a Dragon, she said the ending ‘haunts’ her, that was cute.

Is there anything else you'd like to add, such as a website or blog?

www.vanessacanevaro.com, www.vanessacanevaro.ca

Holy Moly it's Been a Long Time Since I Posted!!!

YIKES!!! I didn't realize it has been such a long time since I last posted on my blog. 

So, I guess now that spring has sprung it's time to clear the winter cobwebs from my brain and start getting to my blogging again. Sheesh, November was my last post. Whoopsy :)

My amazingly awesome editor Ricki has been busy editing my novel, Of Lions and Lambs and I am so EXCITED!!! Only two chapters left and it will be finished. This novel has been 2 1/2 years in the making and finally it is so close to being completed. YAYYY!! Now, all I have left to do is finalize the cover (which I think I have already done thanks to an incredible artist, Daniel) and send that baby off  to Smashwords  because I plan to release this novel as an eBook first, I think. Maybe.

Actually, I am undecided what I should do. On one hand I would love to have that baby as a thick paper book. The kind of book one can really dog-ear and high-lite all the great parts in. But, on the other hand launching as an eBook first is so much easier. Let's just say I am undecided and go with that.

I have also started book 2 of this novel series, The Devil's Redemption. Actually, I have two different outlines going for this book, sooooo...yaaaaaa. I'll see where this ends up.

Lately, I have been getting the urge to go junking. I absolutely love the hunt for old rusty-rustic things and with spring comes everyone's need to get rid of all their great junky stuff. I just can't wait to see what treasures I find waiting to be brought home to add to my decor or repurposed or sold again to feed my trash to treasure addiction.

Spring is a funny time for me. It's like anything is possible in the spring. I guess that's because with spring comes rebirth of the Earth and with that brings the feelings of new hope. It's never too late to start over or do a redo of your life. Life is sort of funny that way, it can take you one direction and then totally turn you around and lead you down another path. That's the great thing about life it's yours to chose, so there is always hope.

Peace out!!