Because I love history and nature so much,I am interested in preservation -- especially of historical places, both here in the States and in the UK -- particularly Scotland.
A wonderful organization is TREES FOR LIFE (www.treesforlife.org.uk/)
This charitable group is dedicated to the regeneration and restoration of the ancient Caledonian Forest in the Highlands of Scotland. This great forest once covered over 1.5 million hectares. Today, only one percent remains. I cannot encourage you enough to visit their website and donate to this endeavor.
Another great organization is SAVE TARA. They have a page here on MySpace for more information. This organization is trying to preserve and protect ancient and sacred land in Ireland from being lost forever in the face of commercial expansion. I think it is so very important to cherish the land and the rich heritage of your culture whether it be the land itself, customs, traditions, language, or music. This is what makes the world not only diverse but so wonderful. And I'll warn you now, I hug trees. It has been known to embarrass my friends and family when I see a beautiful tree. I think this must have something to do with my Irish blood. Maybe I have some wee faerie folk in my family tree. LOL Well, 'tis possible.
Music
I like all kinds of music really but some of my favorite albums and artists are on my playlist. Mainly I listen to Celtic, Jazz and Baroque Classical. I love Celtic artists like Mediaeval Baebes, Enya, Mary Fahl, Loreena McKennitt, Eimear Quinn, Peatbog Faeries, Celtic Woman, Moya Brennan and Jim McDermott. I'm also a big fan of Harry Connick, Jr., Chris Botti, Boney James, Michael Buble, Sting, as well as some newer artists like Emmy Rossum, Corrine Bailey Rae, Matt Cusson, Jamie Cullum, and Evanescence. Then again, I'm crazy about the music and harmony of The Ditty Bops, and the blue-grass innovative sheer genius music of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. However, I have to say that my favorite writing music is either Celtic (especially the music of Mediaeval Baebes)or Baroque Classical.
Movies
I absolutely love Sweeney Todd! I have seen it twice so far and the soundtrack is wonderful (includes dialogue). Johnny Depp is amazing in this role, as is the rest of the cast. If you'd like to view the trailer, pause the music playlist.
In actual fact, I love all Tim Burton films -- especially Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow. Well, um...I have to admit I did not like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Sorry, I have to say I prefer the Gene Wilder version.
Other favorites include:
300, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, TIMELINE, DRACULA 2000, DEAR FRANKIE, REIGN OF FIRE (poor Creedy), and BEOWULF & GRENDEL.
I love THE WIZARD OF OZ. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE gets me every time. One of my favorite older movies is GASLIGHT with Ingrid Bergman and REBECCA with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. I really like seeing films that have meaningful stories or intriguing plots that are well done and/or feel good comedies.
I also love any film based on anything by Jane Austen. I can watch A&E's PRIDE & PREJUDICE with Colin Firth over and over again. Any film adaptation of Jane Austen's works.
Television
PUSHING DAISIES
GHOST HUNTERS on Sci-Fi!
LOST!!!!
I mean, look at this killer smile! Josh Holloway is great as Sawyer (aka James Ford).
Here is a clip from "PUSHING DAISIES" with Kristen Chenoweth and her wonderful Broadway talent.
Books
..
Okay, after the shameless plug to my website and my FIRST romance novel (Available NOW!!!)
. "Darkest Dreams" by Jennifer St. Giles
. "Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country" by Rosalind Miles
. "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami
. "Ghostly Scotland" by Lily Seafield
. "Blue Moon Magic" - A Romance Anthology by Highland Press
I love romance, especially historical romance. Among my favorite authors are Kathleen Woodiwiss, Johanna Lindsey, Jo Beverley, Mary Balogh, Jennifer St. Giles, Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham), Kathleen Kirkwood, Josie Litton, Sandy Blair, and -- of course -- anything by Victoria Holt and Daphne du Maurier.
I believe in heroes, people who are kind and decent -- who are willing to stand up for the things they believe in and who think of others before themselves. I have also been very fortunate to have what I call "George Baileys" in my life -- people who came into my life (sometimes very briefly) but who through a word, gesture, or example helped me on my journey. This is why I love "It's A Wonderful Life" so much. It tells us the power of one person's life and how much good we can do without realizing it. One of my personal heroes was my first friend and older sister, Karen. She was a nurse who dedicated her life to helping others and lost an 8-year battle with cancer in May 2005. I miss her terribly. So, for Karen and for all my heroes (past and present), I dedicate these photos of my beloved Scotland.
About me:
"CEUD MILE FAILTE!" One Hundred Thousand Welcomes!
Thanks so much for visiting my page on MySpace. I write historical romance. My first novel, THE SENSE OF HONOR (published by Highland Press) is now available online at Amazon.com (USA, UK, Canada, Japan, France, and Germany), as well as Barnes & Noble.com, Borders.com., Powells.com, Books-A-Million.com, AND you can get it from your local bookstores, too!
This novel is a romantic suspense set in Regency England and won numerous awards, including the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense.
VOTED BEST SINGLE TITLE BOOK OF 2007 by SingleTitles.com!
Please take a moment to look at the video trailer for THE SENSE OF HONOR. Pause the music on my page's playlist so you can hear the hauntingly beautiful music on the video.
.. Online Videos by Veoh.com
As for me personally, basically I love history and have always felt I was born in the wrong time. I would definitely be first in line to be transported to the Regency or Georgian periods. Hey, I'd settle for the Victorian era too. I've never been too interested in going forward in time. And movies that portray the future as a very dark, bleak place are upsetting. Basically, I have more faith in humanity.
Right now I am working on a sequel to THE SENSE OF HONOR and a series of books set in Scotland -- all of which are historical romances with paranormal elements. On my last trip to Scotland I did loads of historical research. I think I visited every corner of Scotland, including the Orkneys and Western Isles -- losing my heart in the process.
You should know that Scotland is my spiritual homeland. After all my nickname is "Highland Lass". But I have always wanted to live there...even as a wee child. I'm sure this is because of family stories and the rich heritage shared with me from loved ones. Perhaps one day I shall go home to stay. But for now, my heart is definitely in the highlands.
Scotland is such a beautiful country and the people are wonderful. Of course, since my ancestry is Scots (with a wee bit o'Irish thrown in for good measure), it can be emotional for me...especially Culloden and Glencoe I felt an affinity there and got to see where many of my Scots ancestors lived and died. Here are some pics I took and made into a short video. Hope you like it.
Who I'd like to meet: I'm not enchanted or impressed with stardom or fame. I used to live in LA where I was a drama student of the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Met lots of famous people and ended up wishing I hadn't. It's very disappointing when you meet someone you admire and they turn out to be an arrogant creep.
Fortunately for me, I am married to my Knight in Shining Armor.
PLEASE NOTE: I DO NOT ACCEPT FRIEND REQUESTS FROM PRIVATE PROFILES. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SPAM AND HACKERS THIS WAY. THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING.
I was wondering if you haven't already - would you look at my website, launched just over a month ago and let me know what you think. The link is www. novel-storm. com. If you would would register then even better - it takes seconds and is totally free. Better still if you would submit some material or read and comment in the forum.
Hello Highland Lass, many greetings to you and thanks for the add! Welcome to CAL support, it's great to have you as a friend! Keep enjoying CAL's music ! All the best to you and many greetings, Elke
Another great organization is SAVE TARA. They have a page here on MySpace for more information. This organization is trying to preserve and protect ancient and sacred land in Ireland from being lost forever in the face of commercial expansion. I think it is so very important to cherish the land and the rich heritage of your culture whether it be the land itself, customs, traditions, language, or music. This is what makes the world not only diverse but so wonderful. And I'll warn you now, I hug trees. It has been known to embarrass my friends and family when I see a beautiful tree. I think this must have something to do with my Irish blood. Maybe I have some wee faerie folk in my family tree. LOL Well, 'tis possible.
I mean, look at this killer smile! Josh Holloway is great as Sawyer (aka James Ford). 
I believe in heroes, people who are kind and decent -- who are willing to stand up for the things they believe in and who think of others before themselves. I have also been very fortunate to have what I call "George Baileys" in my life -- people who came into my life (sometimes very briefly) but who through a word, gesture, or example helped me on my journey. This is why I love "It's A Wonderful Life" so much. It tells us the power of one person's life and how much good we can do without realizing it. One of my personal heroes was my first friend and older sister, Karen. She was a nurse who dedicated her life to helping others and lost an 8-year battle with cancer in May 2005. I miss her terribly. So, for Karen and for all my heroes (past and present), I dedicate these photos of my beloved Scotland.
..
