Blogger Book Fair 2013 February 8 DAY 2

                                     

             BLOGGER BOOK FAIR 2013

                             WELCOME

                  BLOGGER BOOK FAIR  - 

            THE WORLD FOR A SHILLING

WHEN:  FEBRUARY 7-10, 2013

WHERE:  www.bloggerbookfair.blogspot.com 

WHAT IS IT:  This is the second bi-annual Blogger Book Fair, featuring over 75 authors and bloggers of all genres.

There will be give-aways and free promos. Plus,you can pick up some good deals on some fantastic books.  

COST: Absolutely free to log on and browse. 

                    FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: 

                       www.facebook.com/bloggerbookfair 

    This year our theme is The World for a Shilling, based on the cost of the entrance fee back in 1851 for the Great Exhibition held in Hyde Park, England. 

        The Great Exhibition was organized by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert and attended by notable writers of the day including Charlotte Bronte (Wuthering Heights), Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist), Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland), George Eliot (Silas Marner, Middlemarch), Alfred Lord Tennyson (Ulysses, Lady of Shalott).

     It was meant to be a platform where the countries of the world could display their achievements.  

    A special building called the Crystal Palace was built to house them.

    Six million people or roughly one third of the population of Great Britain visited the exhibition.  

In keeping with the theme of the Great Exhibition of 1851, I’d like to announce a CONTEST and then introduce a fabulous author and his work.

First, the CONTEST:

Read the blurb of Wild Point Island and leave a one sentence comment with your email.  During each of the four days of the Blogger Book Fair, one reader will win a free Kindle e book  of my newest paranormal romance.  At the end of Day Four, I will pick again from all the readers who have participated.  The prize: $25.00 Amazon gift certificate. 

And, now the author:

Dan O'Brien

Dan is a psychologist, author, philosopher, freelance editor, and skeptic. Dan O’Brien has published several novels and currently has many in print, including: The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, The Journey, The Ocean and the Hourglass, Deviance of Time, The Portent, The Twins of Devonshire and the Curse of the Widow, and Cerulean Dreams. Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) or visit his blog at http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com.

He also works as an editor at Empirical, a national magazine with a strong West Coast vibe. Find out more about the magazine at www.empiricalmagazine.com.

Here is an excerpt from Dan's book:

ⱷ

Fe’rein

T

here was a grand crystallized window along the port side of the vessel––the Harbinger. It afforded a view that overlooked Terra, as the blue planet had been called for the past thousand years. The sun cast a glare over its edges. Had one known what the world had looked like millennia previous, they would have seen the changes. The dark coloration of the seas, the murky, bruised clouds that covered a good portion of the land––save for the hundreds of square miles just beneath Culouth, the world above as it was called by those below.

A figure stood abreast the window; the one-piece jumpsuit was dark black, matching his short-cropped hair. The tight spikes were flushed forward. Hands clasped behind his back, he wore the expression of a military man.

His furrowed brows formed a sinister line over his cold brown eyes; the solitude that encompassed him reflected in his frozen glare. The corridor around him was bathed in shadow. The only light came from the glow of the planet below and faded illuminators that lined far off into the distance.

He was called Marion. Once he had been a respected member of the House of Te’huen, a warrior sect of Culouth that had waged wars against man and rim worlds alike.

He broke from Culouth, a clear distinction being made between those who chose to align themselves with Intelligence: fiber optic enhancements and regenerative replacements and those who opposed these technological interventions.

The clicking of footfalls resonated in the dismal chambers.

Marion did not bother to turn.

His dark eyes watched the slow rotation of Terra. His cheek muscles flexed. “So Kyien would not come himself I see,” Marion spoke with an air of confidence.

Deeper down the hall the lights flickered.

The running lights dimmed and then exploded in a shower of clear sparks. Black boots walked over the carpet of glass as each one shattered in turn. The face was shadowed over; only the stark white pants and the dark boots emerged from the darkness that seemed to surround the being.

“To see you?” responded the shadow man.

Marion lowered his head.

Eyes closed, his hands were still firmly placed behind his back. “A peace must be reached. Even your master must understand this….”

The man snorted indignantly.

He still hid in the shadows. His eyes were now illuminated crimson. Billowing energy flowed freely from his face. “There can be no peace. There will be no peace.”

“Why then did you bother to come here?”

The shadow man paced outside of viewing range, ignoring the question and posing another. “How many refugees are here with you?”

Marion’s surprise showed visibly in the cock of his head, looking back toward the shadowed figure. The twin clouds of energy shone like two animal eyes in the night. “What?”

“How many of your tainted kind walk this hollow home?”

“What is the meaning of this?”

The man emerged from the darkness, his features apparent for the first time. His bald head was tan. A jagged scar ran diagonally across his face, carving a ridge over his eye, nose, and ending just below his lip. A light brown beard covered his chin.

His brown eyes were tainted.

Crimson clouded where white should have been.

He wore a gray suit, fitted around his waist and flared out loosely over his thighs and legs. Marion inhaled sharply upon seeing the man move into the light.

His features darkened, outlining the set of his strong jaw. “He who kills his own kind,” whispered Marion. His words were like a hiss, a curse at the man who stood before him.

“I have no kind.”

“You have tainted the power of Terra, used its energy for the Intelligence. You were once a man, a human not unlike us,” reasoned Marion, his voice wavering.

“How many are here with you?” pressed the warrior with a level, unrelenting glare. A sweep of his hand dismissed Marion’s words.

“I am alone,” responded Marion.

The shadow warrior turned his head and looked toward the corridor wall. His face curled into a cruel grin. Turning back to Marion, the shadow warrior clucked his tongue against his cheek. “You lie,” he spoke with a hint of sarcasm and wagged his finger as if he were doing so to a sullen child.

“No,” called Marion, but it was too late.

Five Star Review from Amazon.com:

Wow! I was blown away. 5 Stars for readability, excitement and character development.

It's a sci-fi allegory of today's society. "Intelligence" runs the show, like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain, where everyone lives in a controlled environment and seems happy because the truth has been hidden from them. And, the closer humanity embraces cybernetic enhancements & technology, the greater hold the Intelligence will have on them.

Although it's a simple plot, the forces of light vs. dark, the story is more complex. It is entertaining and even humorous. You feel as if you really know the characters.

Like the description says, the protagonist will define a realm where evil does not sleep, and neither will you once you start reading it. The book is hard to put down, especially the closer you get to the end.

(Ten reviews - Average 4.5 stars)

Links for Purchase for The Path of the Fallen and other Works by Dan O'Brien:

Path of the Fallen (US): http://www.amazon.com/The-Path-Fallen-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B009D2PNIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348005293&sr=8-1&keywords=the+path+of+the+fallen+dan+obrien

Path of the Fallen (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Path-Fallen-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B009D2PNIU/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348194299&sr=1-2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordanobrien 

  

Bitten (US):  http://www.amazon.com/Bitten-Lauren-Westlake-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005METJLU/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328663974&sr=1-1  

End of the World Playlist (US): http://www.amazon.com/End-World-Playlist-ebook/dp/B0072KE9EO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328663887&sr=1-1  

Cerulean Dreams (US): http://www.amazon.com/Cerulean-Dreams-ebook/dp/B005S9ZKLM/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664085&sr=1-1

 

The Journey (US):  http://www.amazon.com/The-Journey-ebook/dp/B005MEND1M/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664146&sr=1-1 

The End of the World Playlist (UK):  http://www.amazon.co.uk/End-World-Playlist-ebook/dp/B0072KE9EO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664608&sr=1-1  

Bitten (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitten-Lauren-Westlake-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005METJLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664631&sr=1-1  

Cerulean Dreams (UK):  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cerulean-Dreams-ebook/dp/B005S9ZKLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664681&sr=1-1   

The Journey (UK):  http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Journey-ebook/dp/B005MEND1M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664706&sr=1-1  

Blog: http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorDanOBrien

Blogger Book Fair 2013 February 7 DAY 1

 

                 BLOGGER BOOK FAIR 2013

                             WELCOME

                  BLOGGER BOOK FAIR  - 
            THE WORLD FOR A SHILLING

WHEN:  FEBRUARY 7-10, 2013
WHERE:  www.bloggerbookfair.blogspot.com 
WHAT IS IT:  This is the second bi-annual Blogger Book Fair, featuring over 60 authors and bloggers and 170 books of all genres.
There will be give-aways, free promos, and great deals on some fantastic books.  
COST: Absolutely free to log on and browse. 
PLUS: CONTEST ALERT!!!

                    FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: 
                       www.facebook.com/bloggerbookfair 

    This year our theme is The World for a Shilling, based on the cost of the entrance fee back in 1851 for the Great Exhibition held in Hyde Park, England. 

        The Great Exhibition was organized by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert and attended by notable writers of the day including Charlotte Bronte (Wuthering Heights), Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist), Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland), George Eliot (Silas Marner, Middlemarch), Alfred Lord Tennyson (Ulysses, Lady of Shalott).

     It was meant to be a platform where the countries of the world could display their achievements.  

    A special building called the Crystal Palace was built to house them.

    Six million people or roughly one third of the population of Great Britain visited the exhibition.  

   In keeping with the theme of the Great Exhibition of 1851, I’d like to announce a CONTEST and then introduce some fabulous authors and their work.

First, the CONTEST:

Read the blurb of Wild Point Island and leave a one sentence comment with your email.  During each of the four days of the Blogger Book Fair, one reader will win a free Kindle e book  of my newest paranormal romance.  At the end of Day Four, I will pick again from all the readers who have participated.  The prize: $25.00 Amazon gift certificate.  

And, now the first author:

Shannon McRoberts

The Daughter of Ares: The Complete Trilogy

Blurb:  

Take what you know about mythology and throw it out the window....

Athine has long been told she was the chosen one. Only problem is she doesn't want to be chosen for anything; she wants her own adventures. She gets her chance when she learns that her new powers allow her to kill other immortals.

Follow Athine from the beginning as she learns about her heritage and being an immortal born. See how she interacts with some notable immortals such as Zeus, Hera, Odin, and Morrigan. Learn about the origins of the vampire and what happened to the dragons! 

What reviewers are saying:

"McRoberts does an admirable job of building upon the classical legends we're already familiar with, adding additional branches of goddesses and demigoddesses to Zeus' rather convoluted family tree. Rather than try to replant the stories we already know, she uses them to establish roots for her tale, telling new stories that have either grown from or developed alongside those classic branches."

"This author has offered her readers a unique perspective of going through the story in each character's POV and I believe it worked very well. Books two and three go on to tell the adventures of Athine and her role as protector of N'Loron with plenty of action."

Here is her buy link for The Daughter of Ares:  The Complete Trilogy:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Daughter-Ares-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B008HJO5X4

And now the second author:

Jami Gray:

Great Book Find: Shadow’s Edge, the debut Urban Fantasy novel by Jami Gray

Hey beautiful people! I found another great book for you to check out. Fans of edgy heroines, pulse pounding action and twisty plots should really enjoy this one. It looks like Shadow’s Edge should interest anyone who also likes Magic Bites from Ilona Andrews’s Kate Daniels world and Moon Called from Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series.

Amazon Rating:

“Loved this book. I was looking for something dark and broody to read, but without a heroine who was weak and needed a man to protect her/help her breathe. Shadow's Edge perfectly fit the bill!”—MeNMine

“I crave books with strong, confident females who aren't afraid to kick a little butt. This book was everything I love about fantasy with the added bonus of having a woman main character who knows how to put a man in her place.”—Crystal

Shadow’s Edge: Book 1 of the Kyn Kronicles

Everyone fears what hunts in the shadows—especially the monsters…

It takes a monster to hunt one, and for Raine McCord, forged in the maelstrom of magic and science, she’s the one for the job. In a world where the supernatural live in a shadowy existence with the mundane, a series of disappearances and deaths threatens the secrecy of her kind and indicates someone knows the monsters are alive and kicking.  Partnering up with the sexy and tantalizing Gavin Durand proves to be a challenge as dangerous as the prey she hunts.

When the trail points back to the foundation which warped Raine’s magic as a child, her torturous past raises its ugly head.  Gavin and Raine sift through a maze of lies, murder and betrayal to discover not only each other, but the emerging threat to them and the entire magical community.

Buy Yours Now:

Amazon (US) | ARe | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Black Opal Books

Add it on Goodreads

About Jami Gray

Growing up on the Arizona-Mexico border, Jami Gray was adopted at the age of 14 and suddenly became the fifth eldest of 37 children. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and three minors-History, English, and Theater.  Shortly after marrying her techie-geek hubby (who moonlighted as her best friend in high school) she completed a Masters in Organizational Management from University of Phoenix Oregon.

Now, years later, she’s back in the Southwest where she’s outnumbered in her own home by two Star Wars obsessed boys, one Star Wars obsessed husband, and an overly-friendly, 105-pound male lab.  Writing is what saves her sanity.

Connect with Jami

Website | Blog

Facebook | Twitter | The 7 Evil Dwarves

                                            Amazon | Goodreads

       

Chuck Is Put Off by Mummies In Crypt

Usually when the “rascal cat” and I end up in unusual situations, it is Chuck’s idea.  But this time, in Palermo, as we sped across town in Alesandro’s taxi, we had a date with destiny because I couldn’t get an idea out of my head.  

Ever since I’d heard about the Capuchin Monastery in Palermo and the bodies they had on display, I had a yen to see them.  

And, yes, once you understand what I’m referring to you, you might consider it a bit macabre . . . but imagine, nothing like this kind of display exists in America.  

But let me explain. 

I’d been to Sicily four years before, but never made it to Palermo because, unfortunately, we’d stayed on the Taormina side of Sicily and been on a rather tight schedule.  This time when we returned to Sicily, I was determined to spend the bulk of our time in Palermo and carve out a visit to the “Catacombe dei Cappucini.”

        I imagined that I’d be there for hours, but Alesandro, who volunteered to wait while Bob, Chuck and I went inside assured me that we’d be out in less than an hour.  

How curious, I thought, that he would say that, or had I somehow misunderstood.

After all, Alesandro spoke only Italian and I was using my best tourist Italian to communicate.  

“You will see,” he predicted.  “Forty five minutes even.”

I shot him a puzzled look.

He tried to explain, and then I understood.  

It is difficult to stay too long, he seemed to be saying, amidst so much death.  

        That was my first clue that maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, after all.

But let me give you some history because I knew the history of these catacombs going in.  

The Catacombe dei Cappucini was first a 16th century cemetery until the monks began to excavate the crypts below the cemetery.  In 1599 they “mummified” one of their members who died, originally intending the crypt only for the monks.  BUT over the centuries dignitaries and townspeople began to consider it fashionable to be buried and preserved there.  Relatives visited and paid money to see their family members displayed in a prominent place.  When the money ceased, the bodies were moved to less prominent places and categorized. 

There were sections created for Women, and Men, Virgins and Priests, etc.  The catacombs were closed in 1888, and by that time the crypt contained 8,000 mummies.  

Although the crypt was officially closed, burials continued.  One of the last people to be embalmed and brought to the crypt was the most famous--two year old Rosalie Lombardo--famous because to this day she is the most well preserved of all the people there. Dubbed “Sleeping Beauty” she shows little signs of decomposition despite the passage of time.    

I was anxious to see this display.  

We arrived precisely at nine, and the large wooden door to the crypt was closed and locked.  I knocked but no one answered.  Alesandro shrugged.  Italians.  They are not known for their punctuality.
           Sure enough, within a few minutes, the door opened and for a minor fee of a few Euro, we were allowed in and directed down a long hallway that smelled a bit musty.  

           We passed whitewashed walls with large signs that said -- No Photos.  But I soon realized that we were the only ones there.  The floor slanted downwards.  We were descending into the bowels of the earth.  

What did I expect to see? In truth, I hadn’t done much research.  I read a little, but hadn’t seen any photos or You Tube videos so the first sight of the bodies hanging on hooks along the walls stopped me in my tracks.  And there were bodies on shelves, lined up against the wall.  And more bodies posed in various positions.  We walked up and down the aisles, minute after minute, passing women and men, young and old.  We read the categories and noted the professions.  

Some of the people were better preserved than others.  Some looked peaceful; some did not.  

I stopped a few times to catch my breath.  To take a closer look.  To look away.  To absorb the moment . . . that this catacomb contained a microcosm of the human race over a span of approximately 400 years.  

We were almost at the end of the catacomb -- and by design the tourist is led to Rosalie Lombardo.  Her casket covered in glass and two other tiny caskets are behind metal bars in a chapel.  I peered through the bars and the glass, then stared at the complexion of a girl who looked asleep and yet who died of pneumonia on December 2, 1920.  

It seems to be almost a miracle until you learn the story behind what seems an illusion.  When Rosalie died, her griefstricken father approached Alfred Salafia, a noted embalmer, to preserve her.   When he died, it was believed the secret of his technique died with him, but recently his techniques were discovered in a handwritten memoir that he wrote.   

And what was Chuck doing all this time?  Absolutely nothing.  For the first time, the kid was as good as gold.  Well behaved.  And, perhaps, a bit off put by the surroundings?

But I’d had enough.  I needed fresh air and sunshine.  

It was exactly 45 minutes.  

On the way out, we did what every tourist does . . . we stopped at the Gift Shop and bought the most exquisite rosary beads . . . pretty enough to wear as jewelry.    

        MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE, WILD POINT ISLAND, IS AVAILABLE IN MASS MARKET PAPERBACK AND E BOOK AT AMAZON.COM AND BARNESANDNOBLE.COM.  4.8 STARS FROM

AMAZON READERS 

Chuck Dreams of Rock Cottage in Antigua

        

        Chuck had another fantasy.

It seems he’d come to Antigua with two dreams--to meet Eric Clapton, his hero, and to stay at Rock Cottage.

Now, Rock Cottage, is a premo cottage located in Blue Waters, the resort that Bob and I were staying at while we were in Antigua.

Surrounded on three sides by the Carribean Seas, it is very private, sequestered far away from the villas and rooms of Blue Waters. It sports an elegant pool, a secluded beach, a hot tub, multiple sun decks, open balconies with beautiful water views, a private bar and dining area, full kitchen--everything the visiting traveler could want to relax and be happy.

Chuck wanted that experience.

He wanted to be pampered and surrounded by quiet and beauty.

So here we were, thoroughly enjoying ourselves in our villa when Chuck lowered the boom.  

Rock Cottage.  

Since we were not part of the rich and famous set and couldn’t afford to actually stay there, he at least wanted to see it and pretend for a brief moment, well, life was different and that he was more than just “almost famous.”

At first, I objected, but Chuckie is hard to resist when he puts on that face.

So, one morning after breakfast, we trekked up the magnificent path that leads to this cottage.  Our intention was to get a look-see inside.  Unfortunately, Rock Cottage prohibits pets and the cottage was closed for renovations so we had two problems that needed solving.  

The path we followed was flanked on either side by greenery and beautiful flowers.  We gazed out to our right--to the dazzling Caribbean water shining brightly in the sun.  Bob said, “We’ll just have to do what we always do--we’ll stuff the kid in your smart bag and sneak him past the workers.”

So Chuck went into my bag, and Bob and I put on our best charming faces and somehow wheedled our way through the impressive stone archway, up the steps and into Rock Cottage. 

Luckily, the men were busy working outside so we had the chance to walk around and see the inside.  Chuck hopped out and began to sniff around.

Yeah, we were taking a chance.  Any minute someone could spot him, but after his disappointment in not meeting Eric Clapton, I didn’t have the heart to say no.
         And then I lost sight of him.

        I was intrigued with this wonderful place and imagined what it would be like to stay here for a week or two.

        My mind was filled with images of delicious meals and sunbathing on the deck.  Suddenly, I snapped back to reality in a panic.

        Where was Chuck?

Bob grabbed my arm.  “Look. Look what the kid is doing now.”

I glanced outside the cottage. There was Chuck, laying on the deck, in the sunshine, gazing out to the Caribbean Sea.  Oh, brother.  He looked like he belonged there. 

“Just give him a minute,” Bob said.

Chuck got his minute.  And then we quietly went back to our villa. 

I supposed that night that Chuck, the “almost famous” cat, dreamed of Rock Cottage and maybe becoming “famous” one day.    

        MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE WILD POINT ISLAND WAS RELEASED IN E BOOK AND PRINT ON JUNE 15, 2012.  IT IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM AND BARNESANDNOBLE.COM

"Cool Cat" Chuck Longs To Meet Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton in Barcelona in 1974 courtesy of Wikipedia

           Ever since we adopted Chuck, we’d called him the “rascal cat,” the “chuckster,” and even at times, the “bad boy,” because this orange and white tabby we took in as an “almost feral cat” seemed to have a knack for getting into trouble.  

Nothing serious, mind you, but when Molly is hiding under the bed afraid to come out or Stanley is in the hallway growling, we know that Chuck has been there and done something to rile them up.

Yeah, he’s cute and yeah he’s smart, but he’ll also go to the limit at times to be an “all play and no work” cat. 

As we continued to tour around Antigua, Chuck had the attitude that we were on vacation.  He appreciated the beautiful beaches and the delicious food.  He was on the “lookout” for other cats.  

And this is where things got ugly.  

Chuck, for the first time in a long time, had done his homework.  He’d researched Antigua and discovered that his idol lived and worked here.  Chuck, otherwise known as “the cool cat” --at least in his mind AND as my husband was fond of saying -- Chuck was a legend in his own mind -- had discovered that Eric Clapton had a home on Antigua. He owned a mansion in the most beautiful and wild part of Antigua.  And Chuck wanted to see the house and possibly meet the man.  

Now, talk about an impossible dream.

Meet Eric Clapton?

Are you kidding me?

      And why, you may ask?

Well, “cool cat” Chuck is into rock ‘n roll.  Some of his favorite music harkened back to the tunes that Clapton played way back when.  We’re talking about the beautiful “Layla.”  We’re talking about Cream.  And the Yardbirds.  And Derek and the Dominoes.  

The kid just loves Clapton's music. 

My plan, on the other hand, was to enlighten Chuck with historical information.  We were on Antigua, and I wanted him to know something about the island’s history. 

The port, known as Nelson's Dockyard, is now an historic site.

       For example, I knew that during the 18th Century, Antigua was used as the headquarters by the British Royal Navy’s Caribbean fleet.  Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson commanded the fleet.  The port the English used was a sheltered and well-protected deep water port.   

This port is still a popular port for boats, even today.

  Today it’s an historical landmark, and that’s what I wanted Chuck to see.

Almond, the owner and operator of Pelican Safari -- www.pelicansafair.com  -- took us first to the port itself so that we could see up close and personal the historic buildings that surrounded the U shaped inlet where the ships were kept.

        Now, of course, those buildings are museums or restaurants, but still we listened and tried to imagine people living there over two hundred years ago.  Chuck, on the other hand, looked at the beautiful boats and yachts in the water.  

We then left the port and traveled the road that journeyed up the mountain, way up the mountain.  Our final destination were the cliffs that peered down on the port. Back in the eighteenth century, this is where the English Navy placed their canyon, aimed down at the entranceway of the port.  
Any ship naive enough to sail into the port without permission would face the wrath of the British canyon.  

Juet one of the many canon that used to line the cliff, overlooking the port.

It was a perfect set up.  The inlet protected the British Navy not only from foreign ships but also from harsh weather.  

The U shape of the port gave it protection from both the weather and invading ships.

But Chuck wasn’t interested in the history nor in the magnificent views. He didn’t want to hear any stories of battles.

He had eyes for only one thing.  

Eric Clapton’s mansion.

If you stand on the very edge of the cliffs, with the wind howling behind you, and squint as you gaze down, you might be able to make out his house, which looked to me to be all boarded up.  

But Chuck didn’t care.  He was gazing on the house of his hero. 

The buildings you see in the distance comprise the home of famed guitarist Eric Clapton

He listened intently as Almond explained that Clapton not only lived on Antigua but he’d also started a rehab facility in 1998 on the island called Crossroads Centre.  Chuck had that look of longing in his eyes.

I knew what he wanted.

“Is there any chance of meeting him?” I finally asked Almond. “I’m a big fan,” I said.

Almond smiled.  “Well.  Actually he’s not on the island at the moment.”

Chuck’s dreams were dashed.  

The only thing he could take solace in was that he’d seen his house -- from a distance.