Jane Eyre, what be your thoughts?

Now, I have a dreadful confession to make and I'm not proud of it. Those of you who know me will obviously understand how much I love books, how much I ADORE books! All styles, genres, eBook, print, you name, I love it. I'm very precious over them and IF I lend one to somebody, I hand it over with a list of rules (do not bend, do not hold near food or drink, do not let it get damaged in any shape or FORM!) Anyway, I'm digressing as usual. Let me get back to my point....

Jane Eyre. I don't own a copy! **Shock, horror, shock!**




There, I said it. Its out there for the big wild world to see. I hang my head in shame. As an avid reader this really should have been in my ever growing collection of books. (my poor book case looks like its going to collapse at any given second!)It should be standing proud in my collection of classics. I feel I have let my writer/reader alter ego down by not having experienced the story of Jane Eyre sooner than now.

My husband saw the new adaption of JE advertised on SKY the other evening and asked if I wanted to watch it with him. Sure, I said and happily sat down thinking what is this all about. I mean, I had heard of JE and Charlotte Bronte, but never really knew of the storyline. WELL. Now, this film was GOOD but boys are always my first love. They can simply conjure up a whirlwind of emotion through the skill and delicate positioning of words. Just words. I don't mean 'just' words as if they are nothing. I mean it as in, just words, simple little words, letters, that can evoke so much power, that really it is quite incredible. Films need actors, locations, costumes, makeup artists, directors and the rest of the army. Yet a book, all it requires is one writer with a huge, passionate imagination. Oh gosh, I'm going off on one again.....

So, we watched the film and I loved it. Yes, the film was amazing, the colours and acting ofcourse, but the story of JE, it was just wonderful. I love Jane. Here effortlessly beautiful and unique personality, her strength and power for herself and all women. I loved her passion for Mr Rochester and the turbulant journey she has to endure to reach her happy ending. It's hauntingly eerie edge, combined with a love story makes this work of art quite unique and in my opinion, simply beautiful. For it's time, 1800's - Bronte was a talent in her own right.

The film got me thinking, I really do need to get myself a copy in print. There is no excuse! On payday, JE will have a pride of place position on my caving-in book case!

Now, for those of you have seen/read JE, what are your thoughts on the story?

'Til next time

Sam :-)
X

Who said writing is easy?

I thought I would do a little blog update about how my writing is coming along. Well, there is only one word really. SLOW.

Whoever said writing is easy, they're lying. It's hard work but I love it and I still hold on to that hope and dream that one day I WILL be able to do it full time and all of the time. Bye bye regular day job and hellooooooo published author, Sam. For now though, it is still aspiring author, Sam and boring day job:-)

Daniella and Luca are still alive (on paper, I mean!) and coming along nicely. Each month I have been sending a chapter off to the lovely Annie Seaton to be edited and polished up. At the moment we are on chapter four (I think?) And whenever I have a little extra cash, I aim to send her two a month. So, all in all, their complex love story should be finished in the next few months!

My critique partner (the lovely Faith Thomas) and I are aiming to enter a little competition for short stories. Mine is based on a couple called Thana (AKA Ana) and Tom. Ana is a Middle Eastern beauty, and a princess in line for the throne. She falls in love with her London born bodyguard, Tom. Their relationship is forbidden and when they are caught, Tom's life is just about spared and he is sent back to London, whilst Ana is exiled to live with distant relatives. I wont tell you the whole story (though there isn't much, it is only 3000!) just incase it does get pub'd :-)

Then, I also have a vampire story in the pipeline and that one I really am excited about!! Just need to find the time to get going on it. Check out my pinterest boards when you have time, I have a few pics of him on there. A nice blend of Cillian Murphy and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Watch this space!

So, ladies and gents, that is where the story (ies) stand at this moment in time.

'Til next time!

Sam :-)
X

Proud Mummy moment alert

 Today is DAY ONE of our little family jaunt to Hastings. Courtesy of The Sun's £9.50 holidays (which end up a lot more than £9.50! But still, a lot cheaper than if booked without those pretty little collectable tokens!)

So, after dropping the pooches off to Great Nan's (she's doggy sitting), packing, loading up the cars, risking and succeeding with the dreaded M25, stopping for a spot of lunch, the six of us arrived safely! Mum, Gerry, Sandy, Sacha, Neev and me. All checked and accounted for!

After quickly unpacking, we had a wander around the park and let the boys have a run about in the playground. We're staying at Combe Haven Holiday Park, Hastings and I have to say I'm impressed so far. Clean, friendly and great facilities. All good for a Sun bargain :-)

When it came to bed time, we tried to keep to the boys routine as much as possible. Dinner, Bath, milk and then sleepies. We put them into the double bed and covered them over with their blankets from home and snuggled them close to their fav teddies. After half hour of giggling....there was silence! I opened the door and peeked around to see this....

I feel so proud of my tiny baby boys! It's their first night in a grown up bed, alone. I expected tears and tantrums and hours of having to carry them back into the room kicking and screaming. I couldn't have been more wrong. They were so well behaved and didn't even step a foot out of the bed! My boys never fail me and ALWAYS make me proud and tonight was no exception. Now, I just hope they stay put all night so their Daddy and I can get some sleep and re-energise for a full day of swimming and sight seeing tomorrow! 

Night all

'Til next time

Sam :-) 

X

My shiny new blogspot

Hellooooo! 

I'm waving to you lovely folk from my new, quirky, all singing and dancing blogspot. Isn't it just so pretty and elegant and professional (well, it is in my opinion). I wanted to tidy it up, add a few interactive gadgety type things and in general just make it more effortlessly chic :-)

But, unfortunately I can't take credit for this little beaut. Oh no. It is actually all down to my new, sweet friend Layla and her creative talents. Layla is a fashion promotion student (I hope I got that right, Layla??) 

So, grab yourself a brew (or something fizzy and alcoholic, I don't judge), pull up a chair and have a look around. I hope you love it as much as I do. 

Thank you, Layla! 

'Til next time

Sam :-) 
X

Free Fallin'

I just wanted to share this perfect little cover of Tom Petty's Free Fallin'. Max Milner's voice....aw, what can I say, it's just perfection and flawless. Makes me feel all tingly and warm :-D

I love his cheeky little smile at 0.37.

ENJOY!

Max Milner's cover of Free Fallin' right here!

Sam
X

Love -- I mean Inspiration is in the air!

Prepared to be loved up....

On Saturday we went to my cousin's wedding and boy was it HOT! For the last couple of week's the typical British weather couldn't make up it's mind if it wanted to be hot, cold, raining, windy, cloudy, foggy, humid, freezing; you name, we've had it!! 

Anyway, Saturday was into the 30's and was kind of unbearable at times, especially when you are running after two toddlers and trying to suck in the tummy for the happy-snapper photographer who was lurking everywhere you went (why oh why didn't I wear the bridget jones 'suck it all in' knickers?!) So kudos to the happy couple who didn't look phased by the heat at all! The wedding was beautiful and went off without any hitches. Though, the moment when the registrar says "does anyone know of any reason why these two people should not be wed, speak now" silence filled the room and then one of my boys decided he'd had enough of the quiet and let out a big raspberry type sound! Embarrassing, but hey it kind of broke the tense atmosphere and had people laughing. Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent here, back to the moral of this post...

The groom looked handsome (I have to say that, he's my cousin :-p ) and the bride was blushing (and beautiful!) The ceremony was held at The Boatyard in Leigh-on-Sea and it really was lovely; contemporary and really slick, but strangely in the centre of the pretty and historical town of Leigh! Juxtaposition or what! Completely different to the wedding we attended last weekend, which was traditional and classic. This one was ultra modern, clean and sleek lines (in my opinion, but hey I'm no wedding planner.) You can see the difference in styles for yourself in the photos below, I've done a little compare/compare.

So, with all these weddings taking place, vows being exchanged and unconditional love being declared left, right and centre, tears of happiness (God, I hope not sadness?!!) being shed and champagne and mojitos (Jess!) flowing, it got my creative cogs ticking. All that emotion and love was a fantastic source for inspiration and ideas, of which I have jotted down a few for future stories! I love weddings, the whole 'united' love and lifetime of happiness, the first kisses, the first dances, the speeches....oh the speeches!! At both weddings, the father's of the brides both did such lovely and thoughtful speeches...I had tears in my eyes for both. Thanking their wives for giving them such wonderful daughters and how proud they were....(awww!! I'm welling up again!) I must remember this type of 'open for all to see' sincerity and honesty and genuine compassion for my Alpha's in the future! I love a good old emotional tug on the heart strings. 

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. 

I love, love. Hence why I love reading and writing romance! Always have and always will. You could say I have a love affair with love! 

Wedding number 2

Wedding number 1

They were two completely different weddings, two completely different styles, different vows, different dresses, different suits, different menus, different wedding favours, different first dances, everything was completely and utterly different, apart from one thing....One element was the same....Love! Our two sets of special friends and family had that one thing in common throughout their special day, which can't be altered.  It should be something so natural and effortless (of-course you have to work at a relationship, who doesn't!) but ultimately love DOES make the world go round. 

Wedding number 1

Wedding number 2

Love is love. Nothing more, nothing less. You can't change it to fit a particular style or trend and you can't pretend to love, because at the end of the day people can see true love. And I can honestly say that is what we witnessed on both these special occasions....True love....in it's most exquisite and natural form. Just how it should be.

Wedding number 1

Wedding number 2

And just a little piccy of my lovely husband, our gorgeous twins and me!

I'm also feeling so honoured and privileged that my cousin and his now wife asked me to be a witness to their marriage. 

They had asked me months ago, in-fact maybe a year ago and of-course I agreed! But, me being me and my memory failing me, the special request slipped my mind. 

So, on the day my cousin reminds me I'll be needed to stand and sign etc. Oh Shit! I forgot! I try to look calm and smile "of-course!" He's like "you forgot didn't you?" Yes, yes I did (I hang my head in shame!) I'm sorry! Now I feel like a terrible cousin and an even more terrible witness! But here goes, I'm needed and I try to do my best ever witnessy impression...I walk to the front of the room (in heels, which I NEVER wear and STILL sucking in the tummy!) all the congregation watching and I'm sure they can see me sweating and shaking. Talk about pressure! And I wasn't even the bride...get a grip Samantha! Phew! 

But seriously, I want to thank them for letting me be in such a position, I feel flattered and honoured to be apart of your joining in matrimony!

I found this quote and instantly thought of you both, Richard & Lori -- "Love is friendship set on fire."

And I thought I'd share this quote too, just because I LOVE it :-D 

"We're all a little weird, and life's a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." -- Dr. Seuss. That sums it right about up I think! 

Hope this post has got you all feeling the love. I'd LOVE to know your thoughts on weddings and all things lovey-dovey so feel free to drop by and comment :-) 

'Til next time, remember to love, love! 

Sam :-) 

X

I'm still alive....

I'm still here (**waves frantically**)

Wowza, it has been a busy few weeks! Where shall I start....

We had my Mum's birthday to celebrate.
The we had my twin boys 2nd birthday to celebrate.
Then we had a friend and her twin girls come to stay for a few days.
Then we had a friend's wedding.
AND we have another wedding to go to this coming saturday!!

I'm tired just typing all of this! Phew!

But what can I say, it's been a fun and beautiful couple of weeks and I would love to share some highlights with you in the photos below....

'Til next time!

Sam x