Now, who's hungry for a Q&A? I've got one for you!

The lovely Ute Wegmann, the fantastical photographer from Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales, the fantastic wildlife conservation and rescue book that i recently reviewed and gaveaway a copy of,  has answered a few questions for me!
Thank you ever so much Ute and I hope you all love this fantastic Q&A! (It's got some awesome wildlife pictures to go along with it, too!)

This is Bubbles, the echidna.

*What made you want to help animals?
I grew up in a culture (Germany) where animal liberation was a lot more powerful than it was here in Australia at the time. My wish to help animals developed naturally. In addition, I have a caring nature, so of course that makes me want to help not just animals but humans, too. I think that was also the case for Dr Tony Helman, who wrote the text for Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales.


*What is one of the founding reasons you decided to compile the book, Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales? 

Dr. Anthony Helman.

I nursed a rainbow lorikeet back to health (with the help of a bird specialist), which was injured by a car and released it where I had found it. Since (most) parrots pair up for life, I was really hoping it would find its partner again. It felt good to know that I had saved its life and I realised that this must be one of the main reasons why other people rescue wildlife. No one really gives these wonderful people much recognition, so I thought here is an opportunity to do just that and at the same time draw attention to the whole issue of wildlife rescue and conservation.







*What is your deepest wish it (Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales) will do to the world?
Encourage other people to support and help wildlife and animals in general.



*Why do you love the world's animals?
We evolved from animals - I feel connected to them. Just look into the eyes of a orangutan (not that I do that very often!) or a dog and I am sure that you know what I mean.



*Do you have a favourite creature?

Ute Wegmann, who's answered these very questions!

Yep - it's a pig(let)! They make me smile. Don't you think Babe is a lot cuter and smarter than Lassie or Skippy???



*Is there a most inspiring story of wildlife carer and animal you heard?
Yes, I was most impressed by the whole aboriginal community in Mapoon (not just one particular carer) in Far North Queensland which decided to rescue sea turtles instead of eating them! They support a turtle conservation centre and train their own rangers to help them. If you want to know more about it, read my book!


*Were there times you believed Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales would be pointless, futile?
Never!


*Overall, what do you think it has accomplished as a point of getting people to understand their actions and work on helping animals and living more wisely?
Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales has just been released, so I don't know yet. I hope it will make people think more about these issues.


*For aspiring nature workers, carers, what ideas can you give to getting a job working with animals in need of care?

The lovely platypus Millsom.

I think being a volunteer in a wildlife centre is a good start since it's not just about caring for cute animals. It can be challenging having to deal with injured animals and it's heartbreaking when one of them dies. You have to find out first if you are able to deal with that. If so - the better educated you are in this field, the more effectively you can help wildlife. Do a proper course and/or degree, and think of your own future, too.

This is a baby Oive Ridley turtle.

And this is a baby possum.

Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales by Ute Wegmann and Anthony Helman, available now from Wakefield Press.

Thank you again Ute!
Romi.x

I’m published!

I’m published! Yes me!
Well, you’re all probably totally confused now, because I haven’t mentioned anything about sending manuscripts off or getting signed, but this isn’t quite what you think...

I’ve got two etsy shops, rief4000 and the new willowsandwhispers (where I plan to transfer all the items from rief4000 to when they expire) and over the weekend I made a couple of zines, little inspirational hand bound, hand written and hand illustrated books!
So as a matter of fact, I took the jump and am now officially self published! I’m so happy! I should be getting the royalties any day now.......

*Note the should be.*

Anyhow, I’ve so far written three little books, one is called Brave Love, one is called The Lonley’s and one is called Never Forget you are You...

To see these little bookies that I made myself, and to maybe buy one... clicky clicky clicky here abouts.

*I’ve linked each shop name, book title and the clickyness, so you can pretty much click anywhere you like and you’ll go somewhere!

And I’m also selling some of my wares on Madeit, an Australian crafty shop website, so if you prefer to use that, click here and you’ll see my shop, and also on the American store Big Cartle, so click here and you’ll see this version of my shop. 

I am so around the place.

Well, I must be off,

Toodle-oo poppies,

Romi.x

Or Roma.xx

Winner Announced...

Dun di dun dun dun....
The winner of the amazing book, Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales is... Bree! Congratulations! Your entry was wonderful! Thank you to Imogen also for entering; it's such fun holding competitions and I look forward to holding many more in the future!
Thank you again for entering both of you!

Romi.x

Veggie Burgers Every Which Way by Lukas Volger review... (day 5 in cooking days!)

Synopsis:
The essence of Veggie Burgers is in this book, not the ones from the grocery store, but the home made ones, recipes follow for every possible kind of veggie burger, and side dishes as well as a few burger bread recipes too! This is the perfect book for anyone who wants "The real Burger experiance!"

Thank you exuberently to Wakefield Press fo this review copy!

What I thought:
I would definitely try most of these veggie burgers, they all sound fantastic and are, of course, the kind of thing that'd I'd love to eat and do love eating! The author, Mr Volger, is very passionate seeming about his veggie burgers, and it does at times feel as if it were a bit of a battle between him and the reader, trying to show them that homemade is best made, which was odd, but it doesn't make the recipes any less amazing! I shall absolutely try them very soon!

Romi.x

One Bowl- Allergy Free baking by Linda Bosnic review... (Day 4 of five in cooking days)

Synopsis:
One Bowl baking is a book that is full of easy recipes for everyone, so as not to leave those who can't eat nuts, dairy or gluten out- inspired by the writers own nephew and her need to be able to let him eat whatever he wanted when he was with her, this book is terrific and every recipe is the kind of recipe that is normal, things you'd have regularly (mostly sweets, yes) but the recipe has been changed easily so that they are safe for those with intolerances.
It's Wonderful! Set out in a very easy way to look through, 30 minute one bowl and a sauepan ect. this a book for lots of people and will be (I am sure) used again and again!

Thank you to Wakefield Press for this review copy!

What I thought:
I'm really in love with the thoughts behind this cookbook, I think it's always sad when those with food intolerances can't join in at a birthday party or when going out to dinner, as you'll hardly ever see them being catered for, and that, I think, will be hard for them particularly, being that littel bit seperate.
So this book is wonderful for fixing those situations, so there don't need to be any! And it's not like you have to ook these things all the time, you can still make the origonal version, but when  someone with a food intolerance is coming over, this book will be a wizz! It's fantastic! And, guessy! A blurb by one of the wiggles on it! YES!


Romi.x

Hungry by Guy Mirabella review....(day 3 of 5 in the days of cooking!)

Synopsis:
Hungry is the food made in Guy Mirabella's resteraunt- and they are  a little flashy, yes, but made with love and there is a tale behind everything, a few of which you may just be let into...
There are some amazing and hunger filling sweet flavoured recipes in this book, which I am sure I shall have a lot of fun making one day, and this book really just gives a welcoming insight into the life of a famous cook, who cooks what he loves and does what he loves, every-single-day.
Come in, it says, and meet us.

Thank you to Macmillan for this review copy!

What I thought:
I lilked the sound of the sweeter items in this cookbook, but didn't find myself drawn to many of the others- it is still a very interesting book, filled with inspiration and interesting recipes, but many of them did not draw me towards them- I found that, though that's what it is supposed to be, it was too muh a resteraunt cookbook, and I didn't feel that many of the things would be things I'd cook on a regular basis.
It is a good book though, very interesting, especially, I am sure, for fans of Mr. Mirabella, but it wasn't a wholly winner for me.
That won't stop me from making a few of the sweeter options though.
Oh no!

Romi.x

The Good Life by Adrian Richardson review... (day 2 of five in the cooking days)

Synopsis:
A book of happy days, goood lives and exceptional years- this book goes with you through the seasons and helps you to work out what is the best to make right now- the photography is extrodaniary- it is mide boggling and I would adore quite a few of the photos as prints, they're so amazing and inspiring, exactly capturing nature throughout the seasons.
There are so many vegetarian recipes in this book, but it also heartily caters for the meat lovers in the world, and the little stories from the authors life and experiances throughout it makes this a treasure not to be easily left behind.

So it deserves two pictures.

Thank you to Macmillan for this fantastic review copy!

What I thought:
I was in love with this book as soon as I saw it, felt it, smelt it (I've got a kind of obsession over smelling books...not a bad thing- any of you do it? Weird question, but interesting... okay, back to the review) and then looked through it.
The pictures are just amazing, they're fabulous and I can't honestly get enough of them, it could just be a photography book and that in itself would be enough and the recipes! Oh my! I am totally in love with some of them, and have already made a Raspberry Lemonaid twice from this, and some honey cookies- the lemonade is a favourite, the cookies, well, I think something major went wrong there.
The recipes are so easy to follow, and it's not (as the appauling McDonalds add says) "Smanchy" whatever that it, this is filled with the kind of food that you'd want to make and eat regularly, and will, of that I am sure!
This is probably one of my all time favourite cookbooks... I love it!

Romi.x

The Blue Ribbon Cookbook by Liz Harfull review... (Day 1 of Five in Cookers Days)

Synopsis:
The Blue Ribbon Cookbook is recipes from all over Australia, classic sweets and savory's that have been entered into our shows for years upon years- Anzacs, Sauces, cakes and numerous other delicous and amazing food items- but that's not all, no no no.
There is history of Australian Agricultural Shows, tips from the different cooks and judges, and though I don't feel that I'd ever bake for a show, there is a vast amount of food in this very fabulous book that I would make again and again!

Thank you emmensley to Wakefield Press for this review copy!

What I thought:
I really enjoyed this cookbook, and though, as I've stated above, I wouldn't find myself cooking for a show or anything of the kind, I was intreigued by the recipes and ideas in it- I found some of the judges comments a bit funny (saying things like "Make sure the lables are straight" and slightly over the top particular things like that... including mentions of warnings against re-spreading your quince jelly ect.) but for anyone who wants the kind of yummy food that you can see winning show prizes, this is the perfect book! And I was most impressed to see a few male entrants, especially the orange cake maker.
This will be very useful!


Lots of Love and more in the cooking days tomorrow-
Romi.x

FOLLOWERS COME HITHER- COMPETITION EXTENDED

I am calling upon you, my dear followers to enter the competition I'm currently holding on my little bloggy, and I've decided to extend it until Monday the 26th of September to enter, just go here and answer my simple little question in the comments! Hurry, it's a book not to be missed!
The winner, as you know, wins a copy of the below book which I reviewed a little while ago here.

Yes, you do.

Enter now, before it's too late!
Oh, and check my other blog, quick quick quick! I'm sharing my extra exciting news!!!!!!! YAY!

Romi.x

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh review...

Synopsis:
Victoria wasn't kept by her parents, but given up; from there she was sent to many people, trying to be adopted but always being sent back, she saw the good and the bad, went to courts and eventually was given no more chances,
Finally she can get out of her group home and make a life, if she chooses to, and from there the story goes from memory to present, Victoria's meeting and staying with Elizabeth the lover of plants, living on a vinyard and a unique (but slightly creepy to me) person, to living in parks, trying to get money and sending messages with plants... the thing she most loves to do, but what happens, when someone starts to answer her messages, replying in The Language of Flowers?

Thank you to Macmillan for this review copy!

What I thought:
The Language of Flowers- from title to cover to description thrilled me- but the story didn't.
I wasn't pulled in this time, I didn't like the characters or get attached to them, I didn't like the way it was written and for some reason, as can quite easily happen with books, it wasn't for me, as much as I truly wish it was, but I will try it again in a few years, because maybe I just wasn't quite ready for it...
I have just noticed, the cover is like a camoflie of whatever those things are, that is very awesome!
I love that cover... a lot. Maybe I'll frame it... no, best not.


Romi.x

Marion by Marion Grasby review... (a cookbook!)

Synopsis:
Marion Grasby loves to cook, and this is her cookbook; but it's more, much more than just a ordaniary and boring cookbook, it's a story and a photographers/travelers dream.
There are all sorts of recipes, recipes from Asia to Australia, it's a story from not knowing what you want to be, to finding it and doing it.

Thank you to Macmillan for this review copy!

What I thought:
I wasn't capured by the recipes overall, but that's totally alrigjt, because of this- the story was brillant! I love the sort of cookbook that has a story behind it, I've only recently come into contact with cookbooks that do have that, and that's always thrilling and brilliant! I loved reading of Marion's growing up and what she did with her cooking, and the photography, wow! Some of those pictures are just truly awesomely overwhelmingly teriffical! I'd buy them and frame them! Yes I would! And it smelt so noce, so so nice- I love nice smelling books!
So though the sound of "Deep Fried eggs with Smoked Eel Mash" and "Piggy Patties with Wasabi Mayonnaise and Apple Salad" don't exactly say "Romi, eeeat me", they in fact make me feel a tad queasy (Vegetarian to the core!) it doesn't mean that I in any way didn't love this book, I adored it! It is a fairly meat based cookbook, but you can always alternate meat for something vegetarian, can't you? I adored it!

Romi.x

Bag in the Wind by Ted Kooser review...

Synopsis:
A bag, perfectly good for use, got thrown out and has ended up in the dumpster, where is is unearthed by a woman driving her bulldozer about, and that's the beginning.
Throughout the day, wind tugs and pulls at it until finally it get's out of it's spot and slies through the sky, meeting new people who do and don't notice it, who can and can't find a new use for it- this is an amazing story about keeping things that ought to be kept.

Thank you to Walker Books for this review copy!

What I thought:
Such an amazing story as this ought to be given out to everybody, I think, there is almost a duty like feeling of other people HAVING to read it, because it's inspiring, sad and wholly truthful.
The story clicked within me and made me remember and repent, it could well be about every person in the world, this story, only not everyone will find a use for a bag flying about on the street, no matter how good it is.
I loved how there was the bag's story, and all the people it saw's as well, a giant thing for you, the reader, to think over and over, during the tale and afterwards; the pictures only complimented this amazing book, a book for everyone!

Recycle lots today and everyday,
Romi.x
P.S. Remember to enter a booky competition here! It ends on the 21st, so hurry!

Tin Toys by Bruce Whatley review...

Synopsis:
Christmas is a-coming and yet again all the new, shiny toys on the shelves are being sold at once, and the old toys, the tin toys, are still gathering dust on the back shelf; but how could they leave, they are a community of friends and they need to sort out a problem- the old toy "Space Ride" hasn't been working for a long time and they need to prove to some of the new toys that they are just as good as them, but they need to get the key, and that'll be tricky; but on christmas, anything can happen!

Thank you to Random House for this review copy!

What I thought:
Neither the story or the pictures in Tin Toys captivated me, not truly- it was an interesting book, but no more than that to me, sadly.
For all the posibilitys that it held and can/does hold for others, I was sadly (I always am sad when I don't fall for a book that I wanted to) disappointed.
I didn't find the magic that I could've, the pictures were unusual but just that, not captivating; and I didn't feel at all for the characters or storyline.... it just wasn't me.

Have you/are you planning to get/read this? What did you think?

Romi.x

The Keepers: City of Lies by Lian Tanner review...

Synopsis:
After the events that shocked and released the community of Jewel only six months previously, the residents have all relaxed and finally let their children be just that- children.
But Goldie has a problem, she's been asked to be the 5th Keeper of the Museum of Dunt and though she yearns to take up the oppertunity, her sickly parents leave her feeling guilty and as if she can't leave them, so she sets out one night with her friend Toadspit and his sister, Bonnie, to refuse this amazing offer in person; but then Bonnie and Toadspit are both kidnapped and Goldie must travel, stowed away on a ship, to save them... arriving in a new, forign seeming place, where lies are something welcomed and Goldie will need all her abilitys to survive.....

Thank you to Lian Tanner and Allen & Unwin for this review copy!

What I thought:
I have been egarly anticipating this, book 2 in one of my favourite trilogy's- The Keepers, since I finished the first book, just over a year ago, and when I got it in the post, I was over the stars and sky in joyous joy! And after thrilling over the amazing cover, awesome hardback copy that I got and the throught of once again delving into the land of Jewl and Goldie's life, I just got more excited!
I loved every moment of this book, I finished it in 2 days flat and was exhilarated, thrilled, scared and filled with many more emotions throughout the story, haterid came for some of the very evilist characters and I am already very ready for book 3, especially because of such a cliffhanger ending as it was! Everyone who's read book 1 in this series will know just how amazing an author Lian Tanner (I did a Q&A with her a little while ago here!) is and the way she can so easily wisk a reader away to another land, and anyone who hasn't read this series is very much missing out.
The City of lies is one of my most favourite books of this year, and now I've only got 1 more to read on my booklist, if it'll ever come from the library!

Romi.xxx

Want to win, win a book?

Hi!
Remember this book I reviewd a little time ago? Brilliant! Well, as it's such an amazing book and I want to do my very upmost to get others out there reading it, Wakefield Press has ever so kindly donated a copy for me to give away here! Thank you Wakefield!

Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales is an amazing book all about endangered and rescued animals, it's truly teriffic!

To be the lucky winner, all you have to do is he following-

be a follower.
read my review (click the link above) and comment on this page, telling me "Why you Think I think you should read this book..." Interesting, huh?
This competition will go from the 14th until the 21st of September, when I will blind read all entires and choose the winner!
make sure you comment below with your answer and good luck!


Romi.xxx

Can We Save The Tiger? By Martin Jenkins review...

Synopsis:
Can we save the Tiger? is a book bringing together short and intricate stories of animals who's lives we've* destroyed and then either saved from the brink of extincition or have kept hunting and letting our animals kill, until they are no more.
Combined with short information sections on a few of the many animals we ought to be saving, and are too, and marvalously brilliant and generally totally amazing illustrations by conservationilist Vicky White, this is a book for any age, because it's something we can all read about and ought to, it's not a short book, but not overwhelmingly long either, for a picture book- picture book, this is a murder mystery, a thriller, a YA, a childrens and an adults book, as well as being a picture book.
It is overwhelmingly teriffical.

Thank you to Walker Books for this review copy!

What I thought:
Oh I knew this would be a brilliant book, but never did I imagine just how thrilling, devistating and overall "We need you" it would be.
The details, the intrivcate and beautiful pictures, the story and just everything about this story leaves me wanting more, it leaves me wanting to go out and move to Vietnam to help this kind of animal, Tigers, Elephnats... now.
It's the kind of book that could start a revolution, and I wish it would; a revolution of helping creatures great and small, from the Tigers to the Kakapo's and to the very small and endangered Partula Snail.
It is a once in a lifetime book about the important things.


Romi or Roma, whichever you like.x

*I say We because I mean we- I believe that it is all of us who do these things, even if we don't know it. It is people, everyone around us, people hundreds of years ago, and people today. It's all us.

Imperfect Birds by Anne Lamott review...

Synopsis:
This book re-acquaint's the reader with the child Rosie and mother Elizabeth (from the previous books in the series, Rosie and Crooked little Heart) and they have changed.
Rosie is late into her teens, and Elizabeth is out of her plight with alcohol, but there are deeper things to contest with in this novel, about the love of a mother and daughter, that will always be strong no matter what fate tosses them.
Elizabeth can't wait for Rosie to leave, but some days she can't bear that thought and can't figure out what she really wants, and as for Rosie, she is moody, doing drugs and is with people who her parents don't wholly approve... but can the deep love that binds the two main characters together, hold out through all?

Thank you to UWAP for this review copy!

What I thought:
I really was interested in this novel, from the blurb to the cover it attracted me, but I think Anne Lamott isn't the writer for me, I just can't seem to get into her writing style and the rythem of the story is put off by that, not making sense to me and not being at all enjoyable- maybe in a year or two I'll find that my tastes have changed and I'll really enjoy the book, like I thought I would to start off with, but I'm not sure, it's worth a try.
The story is one of love and going off the lines, not having read too much of the sort, I can't recommend it to people who like this or that author's writing... but for some reason, I'm going to say what's lurking in the depths of  my mind.
Readers who enjoy Melina Marchetta will love this novel.

There, I said it. *Smile's.*

Lots of Love Warm sunny days,
Romi.x

Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales by Ute Wigmann review...

Synopsis:
Wild Whiskers and Tender Tales is a book filled with the amazing and inspiring stories of the amazing animals behind Australia's native animals and the people who tenderly look after them when they are injured by cars, bush fires and everything that can tear apart a person and a animal's life for ever.
This only a section of the amazing tales of these people, people who live their life to help animals, who are trying to get endangered numbers back up and who do amazing work, every single day.

Thank you to Wakefield Press for this review copy!

What I thought:
I was amazed by this book, it's inpsired me and I loved every single story, every single animal (though the snakes were a tad scary) and I want to help more than ever now.
I need to help.
We all do.
This is a one of a kind book, your never going to read one quite like this... It's going to be a short review, but all I can say is that I'm speechless... it's so heartrendering and powerful... please get a copy...

Romi.x

I'm off to the land of Islands...

Hello,
I'm off to Bruney Island, a four hour car trip away, for a week and have set a few posts for you, but won't be back and properly blogging for a while, as there is no internet connection where we'll be going.
And if there is, I don't mind, because I'm having a break! YAY!
So, my book list is as follows (and also over there--->)
Fantastic Mr Fox. (If I ahven't already finished it)
The Thief Lord.
Mao's Last dancer.
And maybe the Strangers Child if I have room.

I can't wait! And I'm really excited about coming back too, for numerous, and secret at the moment, reasons! Yippie! You can also go t TheDreanyTree, my other blog, if you feel like reading something from me, I'll have some posts over there too!

Have a lovely week and think of me in a treehouse!
Romi.x

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell (period setting! YES!) review...

Synopsis:
Margaret Powell lives an overcrowded and underfed life with her family, clothes are something that come at a painstaking price and food is even harder to get with her parents meger wages, so when she turns 14, she is sent to make a living, because otherwise, she won't be able to survive, it's as simple as that.
She get's a job as a kitchen maid in one of the big, upper class houses, and that is the start of her journey from house to house, staying from 3 months to 2 years in one place at a time, going to London in search of better wages and nicer people and living the busy and tiresom live that she must.
With her eyes set on one day becoming a cook, Margaret is making a life for herself, and she's let us all in for an insight on it...

Thank you to Macmillan for this review copy!

What I thought:
I'm pretty much in love with period novels, and I think of the 1920's as a period setting, so I am and was in love with this book before I even started reading it.
Buut that's not to say that I couldn't have been disappointed, if it wasn't my sort of book I wouldn't have made myself enjoy it just because of the era, but as you can probably tell from the look on my face in the above picture, I enjoyed it.
A lot.
I adored the witty anddescriptive way that it was written, making it seem as if I lived in that time too, was a kitchen maid beside Margaret, it was amazing!
I was shocked at the awful people, servents and employers alike, and amazed by the way that the staff all drooled over anyone of the male circula, and it was always funny when she said "But now they'd just say shove off, we'd never have risked that back then, men being in short supply" ect.
And on the front of the book is a quote by Eileen Atkins and it says "Anyone who enjoyed Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs will relish this feisty memoir" and I'm watching DA at the moment, and it's just simply and brilliantly, True.


Keep reading those period Drama's,
Romi.x