Category Archives: Kobo

At the Vets & New Novella

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*** “I’m not sure I’ll like that!

Miss Penny Speaking. I don’t remember going to this place before, it’s called The Vets. I’m not sure I liked it. Oh, the people were nice and I put on my charm, who can resist me, but I was prodded about and then unexpectedly poked with two needles and it hurt and Susan seemed to think it was okay. I thought it was rather rude. Susan said it was my vaccinations and the vet said I was too skinny, I thought that was rude too. Anyway, the skinny part is good because I now get some very tasty food — meat in gravy — that was good for a couple of days but now I’m full. Susan is fussing because I’m not eating enough. Let’s see what she tempts me with next. And… can you believe I was left alone all day, well not quite, grandson, William came to look after me in the morning and Sheila came in the afternoon. You may have noted that the blog is a day late because Susan was selling her books at the Hintonburg Craft Fair. I had better, pass you over to Susan as she has some book news.

More Romance is in the air! I have excellent news, Christmas at Lavender Cottage click here – A Christmas novella in The Narrowboat Series is available from a variety of online retailers as an e-book and both e-book and paperback are available from Amazon. Link to your retailer of choice. Or if you prefer to wait, I will have paperback copies $10 on Dec 8th. Did I mention that this novella includes recipes and I broke down and I am sharing my coveted, yummy, Scottish Shortbread recipe in this book?

If you didn’t get your copy of When Love Ends Romance Begins I still have copies. I think the two books would make great Christmas gifts? As a bonus, I have matching coffee mugs to give away. (pick-up only. Sorry postage is too expensive and unreliable) Live on Youtube; readings coming next week

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: I finished  The Kingfisher Secret the headline that sucked me in — The author is a respected writer and former journalist. His identity is being kept secret in order to protect the source of the ideas that inspired this novel — was not deceiving but I found the story lacked something, perhaps because of all the secrecy and anonymity. It definitely was not in the James Bond category for a spy novel. If, and I understand this was the target, it was written to reveal the political truth and point fingers at a governing president and his wife, it succeeded in the sense of similarities of characters and some events, but I fail to see the intended impact. Perhaps if the reader can read more into the political intrigue they might enjoy it more than I did.

The books are available at online retailers. Click the title, make your choice

The Blue Pendant Book I     Anna’s Legacy Book II    Sarah’s Choice Book III

First in series The Blue Pendant  on sale on  $4.99

Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice E-book at all online retailers $4.99

Check out the synopsis on My Books page. A great Book club read

Writing Courses: I have put the marketing of these course on hold until after Christmas, Get Rid of Page Fright & Write – Course 1 is available at the discounted price of $47 at http://just-for-writers.teachable.com More updates on the other courses will come at the end of this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Disturbing Happenings!

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Miss Penny speaking. I wanted to play today; I thought the boss would write the blog, as there’s a super promo on Kobo, 40% off all three books. See details below. However, she’s doing housework the Historical Writing Ladies are coming this afternoon. Our cleaning lady up and quit on us, no notice just quit, some people! Susan is washing floors. Psst! She hates housework, so she’s a bit cranky. She even told me my paws made the floors dirty. I find that hard to believe. Have you seen the size of my paws? Susan’s big toe is bigger than my paw. But it has been a stressful week. The jackhammer is back on the balcony, and next door and above and below.  The noise is horrendous and my hearing is a zillion times sharper than human hearing but there’s a bright side. Susan worries about me and I get to sit on her knee when she’s typing. This week was interesting, Susan was researching London bombings in the First World War and I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like for the dogs and cats living through Zeppelin attacks and bombs falling from the sky. Imagine your house disappearing into a mound of rubble, your owners trapped or hurt. I’d be so scared and if they were injured and taken to the hospital or worse killed, I’d be wondering the streets all alone. I can’t think about it, it’s too sad. I’m so grateful to have a good home but even in peace-time I know not all dogs are as lucky as me. That’s all from me this week. Have a playful week, I plan too. 

Shout out: 40% off on all three trilogy books The Bue Pendant, Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice at Kobo August 23 – 27. Look for the promo code on Kobo’s Home page, and you’ll get 40% off when you check out. What a great deal!

Writing Updates: The new outline for the Sophie series is complete and the writing is back on track, which means the scheduled Christmas release will go ahead as planned. 

Books I’m Reading: Fiction – I enjoyed Twenty-one Days by Anne Perry an excellent book. Now I’m reading Michael Ondaatje’s Warlight. It’s not an easy read but an interesting story and thought provoking, I’ll be more specific next week.

Nonfiction: – No specific book but historical research from all sources 

Writing Courses: – First Sentence to First Sale – Course One is complete and will be uploaded to Teachable next week and open for pre-sale. Official released date August 31st.

Would you like to write? I hear this comment all the time. “I want to write a book?” But few people actually write. First Sentence to First Sale is an online writing course that helps you decide if writing is for you and gets you started on your writing journey.  Due for release soon, we’re a little behind schedule so please stay tuned Click here for details

The books are available at online retailers. Click the title, make your choice

The Blue Pendant Book I     Anna’s Legacy Book II    Sarah’s Choice Book III

First in series The Blue Pendant  on sale on  2.99 A perfect summer read 560 pages of reading pleasure

Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice E-book at all online retailers $4.99

Check out the synopsis on My Books page. A great Book club read.

A gift of an e-book Ruins in Silk prequel to the trilogy. A perfect summer afternoon read. And the opportunity to sign up for Susan’s Reader’s Group.  

“Her mother’s death sets a path of tragedy; betrayal, misguided love and even murder ” 

  Click to download your gift of a free e-book   

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After the Cut

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I knew it, I knew it! I am naked. This is Miss Penny, again, Susan is busy having an epiphany—whatever that is—as you can see I had a haircut, more like a skin shave, but I have to say my face and tail, nick-named happy tail because it wags very fast, both look good and the shaved part was inevitable as my fluffy undercoat had matted. I can’t say I like the look but it sure is nice and cool. Thanks to   Max & Kat’s Great place for doggie daycare and holiday stays. So this week has been boring as I mentioned Susan had this epiphany, judging by the reading aloud and the new comments about London in the Great War the epiphany seems to be about the Sophie series. After discovering that London was bombed by Zeppelin airships in 1915 causing death and injuries to civilians not unlike the blitz of WW2, Susan has decided that the first book in the Sophie series will be about London, which means Sophie won’t go to war until Book 2. In my opinion, and as we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, dogs have opinions, I think this is brilliant as the stories of London at war, on the home front, are heartbreaking and inspiring. Well, that’s it for today, I think Susan will be back next week. I almost forgot, if you would like to sign up for Susan’s Reading Group she will gift you an e-copy of Ruins in Silk just click here– Read about Sophie’s young an tragic life, from privileged young woman to hotel maid. Even then she was strong and resilient, or if you read the book or just want to join the reading group without the book click here.

Writing Courses: First Sentence to First Sale –  Thanks to the Apple Store workshops. Apologies for the delays. As is often the case there is far more work than expected. But it is coming soon.

Would you like to write? I hear this comment all the time. “I want to write a book?” But few people actually write. First Sentence to First Sale is an online writing course that helps you decide if writing is for you and gets you started on your writing journey.  Due for release soon, we’re a little behind schedule so please stay tuned Click here for details

The books are available at online retailers. Click the title, make your choice

The Blue Pendant Book I     Anna’s Legacy Book II    Sarah’s Choice Book III

First in series The Blue Pendant  on sale on  2.99 A perfect summer read 560 pages of reading pleasure

Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice E-book at all online retailers $4.99

Check out the synopsis on My Books page. A great Book club read.

A gift of an e-book Ruins in Silk prequel to the trilogy. A perfect summer afternoon read. And the opportunity to sign up for Susan’s Reader’s Group.  

“Her mother’s death sets a path of tragedy; betrayal, misguided love and even murder ” 

  Click to download your gift of a free e-book   

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Fuel for Stories!

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Zoomed back into childhood; that happened to me this week. I was ten years old sitting in the dickie seat (a seat inside the boot/trunk of a sports car) of my dad’s grey Triumph Roadster with my friend Margaret, our hair blowing in the wind, waving, usually the royal wave, and giggling at the reaction from passersby. We felt very important. Pictures from Classic cars

One perk of writing historical fiction is the research, it can be boring on occasions but, more often than not, it’s intriguing and like my research this week it brings back memories. How I came across 1949 Triumph Roadsters when I was actually researching British cars in 1917, is a bit of a puzzle, no matter, because I love the happy memories. 

The 1917 car information was for my current book Sophie (working title). Carlos, Sophie’s lost-recently-found love is taking her to dinner in his car, a Model T Ford. Now, in 1917 personal cars were few as the War Office commandeered them for war services and the men who were the drivers, although that was changing, were fighting the Great War. Fuel, that would be petrol, was scarce and pretty much impossible to find for personal use. Another interesting fact I discovered was that gas, (the vapour kind not the North American word for petrol) was used as fuel. They attached a large inflatable balloon to the roof of the car or van, which fuelled the vehicle for short distances, the limit was about 30 miles. Um… not sure I would want to be driving around with explodable gas sitting on my head! Pictures from  BBC Schools 

Back to Sophie, Carlos is now, an orthopaedic surgeon, for those of you who read Ruins in Silk, you’ll remember he worked for Sophie’s father; we will catch up with his past life as the story unfolds. As a practising doctor, he would have a car and a petrol allowance, for emergency calls. Perhaps not intended for taking a lady to dinner, but if an emergency arose at the hospital while dining, he would need transportation.

If you would like to join Susan’s Reader’s Group online and receive a gift of the e-book Ruins in Silk. Click here or if you would prefer to purchase either an e-book or print book Click here

Writing Updates: The article above updates the progress of Sophie this week. However, I have interesting news about the contemporary romance Love’s Endings and Beginnings – A sweet romance novel – Heartbreak to second chance romance. My wonderful editor Meghan Negijn has worked her magic on the manuscript. I will correct it this week, write the front and back matter, design the cover and have it ready for you in a few weeks. 

Books I’m Reading…. Fiction – I am on the final leg of Elizabeth George, a new Inspector Lynley and DS Barbara Havers, mystery. I am finding this book very different from Ms George’s other Lynley books. There is a mystery, but it isn’t the main focus of the story. The story is more about the characters, in particular, DCS Isabelle Ardrey. The characters are well developed and interesting but for a 690-page book, I think I would like more mystery. Just my thoughts on The Punishment She Deserves 

Nonfiction – Not much reading this week mostly Google searches.

Would you like to write? I hear this comment all the time. “I want to write a book?” But few people actually write. First Sentence to First Sale is an online writing course that helps you decide if writing is for you and gets you started on your writing journey.  Due for release soon, we’re a little behind schedule so please stay tuned Click here for details

The books are available at online retailers. Click the title, make your choice

The Blue Pendant Book I     Anna’s Legacy Book II    Sarah’s Choice Book III

First in series The Blue Pendant  on sale on  2.99 A perfect summer read 560 pages of reading pleasure

Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice E-book at all online retailers $4.99

Check out the synopsis on My Books page. A great Book club read.

A gift of an e-book Ruins in Silk prequel to the trilogy. A perfect summer afternoon read. And the opportunity to sign up for Susan’s Reader’s Group.  

“Her mother’s death sets a path of tragedy; betrayal, misguided love and even murder ” 

  Click to download your gift of a free e-book   

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Don’t Miss Kobo Specials

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Kobo e-books featuring… 900 pages of summer reading!

The Blue Pendant 1st in series $2.99  until July 5 (Regular price $5.99) Click to  Get your copy 

Anna’s Legacy Book II   30% off until June 26 (price varies according to country) Promo Code JUNE30  Click to Get your copy   Don’t forget the promo code

Weekly snippet from Susan’s writing desk...

Sarah’s progress – While you are reading this summer Sarah and I will be writing. I’m not crazy, well, maybe a little. After being with Anna for six years through her first journey at the Sackville Hotel as a receptionist, a feisty young woman determined to be independent, The Blue Pendant Book I. She returns to the Sackville as an owner with a new husband and daughter as partners Anna’s Legacy Book II. I know these characters, they are in my head as alive as though they are standing next to me. As Anna is aging I feel her rheumatism, her love for Bill, daughter Isabelle and her need to pass on her legacy. Now it is granddaughter Sarah’s turn, (no title yet,) I’ve been with Sarah since she was born, I know how passionate she is about art and how she loves her parents and grandparents.I understand her conflict, she has some big decisions to make. Now you understand why it is Sarah and I writing this final story.

P.S. If you have an idea for a title send me an email. A couple of suggestions so far..Sarah’s Choice, Sarah’s Inheritance

If you prefer print books go to Amazon or Chapters/Indigo

NEW! UNIVERSAL LINKS TO THE RETAILER OF YOUR CHOICE

Ruins in Silk –           https://books2read.com/u/bw8DjY

The Blue Pendant: – https://books2read.com/u/mlK7YP

Anna’s Legacy –       https://books2read.com/u/m2XAxO 

NEW! Nonfiction – 

 

 

I Decided to Self-Publish – https://books2read.com/u/bzp5r2

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