Tag Archives: Dogs

Shaking My Booties!

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Dec 1st, only twenty-four days before Christmas, Miss Penny speaking. I am not sure what all the fuss is about or exactly what Christmas is but it certainly gets a lot of attention and it seems to put me in my create more often as Susan goes out shopping. On her last shopping trip, she came home with two things for me, one good and one bad. The good thing was a new toy, it is a pink animal, exactly what it is, is hard to determine, but it is just the right size and fits in my mouth perfectly, it squeaks and I can shake the heck out of it. The other item is not so great and as much as I shake these things called booties they snuggle up to my feet. Susan tells me it is to keep the salt and ice off my feet and I will admit that is a good idea. However, getting these booties on is an ordeal, they are small and stretchy but getting my paw inside is a challenge. I’m not sure it’s worth it and I suspect Susan feels the same. I noticed yesterday afternoon; we went walking sans booties. I’m fine with that because if I pull my paws up and look as though I’m in pain and shiver–I can do that well– Susan picks me up anyway.

I thought after the books were published things might be quiet, but this week Susan has been making videos, which is very disturbing. There I am, taking a nap in my bed and suddenly I get a blast of Susan’s voice coming from her laptop. Now that is weird! Okay, now I’ll explain. Susan is reading into her laptop and then she uploads it to her Youtube Channel, no idea what that is, and then she plays back through her laptop. It’s kind of cool; especially as I actually star in one of the movies… well, perhaps more of a cameo performance. Susan says to tell you, if you’re looking for books to give away as gifts she has a supply on hand and of course Amazon and other retailers have them for sale. That’s it from me today over to Susan.

Miss Penny is correct, I have made four short videos this week; short readings from the new books. Click here for my Youtube channel and this is the start of regular readings on YouTube. I’m thinking of serializing some of my books, your comments on the subject would be appreciated. Comment below or email. If you are interested in listening to regular readings, subscribe to my YouTube Channel. More about my videos and the unique family connection and story behind my interest in video making in Susan’s Reading Group News. If you’re not on the list sign up today. I promise I do not spam. Read the article in December’s issue.

Book News:

Authors and publishers rush to get books out for Christmas so there are many being released but nothing is standing out. I had to search for book news today. This is what I found, The Secret Orphan by Glynnis Peters due for release December 18th. The ad compares it to The Secret Wife by Gill Paul, which is a favourite of mine. I don’t know the author but the cover and title grabbed me immediately, (always judge a book by its cover) and the story is about the blitz in Coventry U.K. during WW 2, a place and time that interests me because of my own historical writing. The advanced reader reviews are mixed, which I also find exciting and a challenge to form my own opinion.

Books I’m Reading: Fiction:

Kate Morton is my current reading, I am a big fan of Ms. Morton’s books and this is the latest The Clockmakers Daughter this book is not an easy read, there are multiple points of view and multiple time settings. It took me a while to get into the story and I had difficulty following some characters. I actually started it three times. I was over a hundred pages in, before I figured out the clockmaker’s daughter. But now I’m into the story and it is looking good.

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 courses 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 will come at the end of this year.page. A great Book club read

Beauty and the Beast!

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Beauty and the Beast that would be me, Miss Penny speaking! As you can see, a bad hair day that’s the beast part and after the groomer the beauty part. Pet Agree on Castlefrank Road in Glen Cairn and it is across the street from Susan’s daughter’s house, a bonus as we got to visit Rose. She has the perfect little backyard to run in and out. It was raining, so it didn’t do the hairdo much good and that was followed by a windy walk in Britannia Park.

It has been a busy week. Susan and I launched the new romance novel When Love Ends Romance Begins, the book thing was good but for me, it was the visitors. I’m quite popular and spent the afternoon going from one lap to the next, lots of cuddles and tummy rubs. If you missed the launch, we still have some copies; call us or email. Yesterday we did a book signing at Coles Billings Bridge on Riverside Drive. Susan likes that store, the staff are awesome and they work hard for local authors. I need to clarify, it’s not really, we as I’m not allowed in shopping malls. I can’t imagine why but I was left at home. That’s all from me today over to the boss.

Where to find all of Susan’s Books:

Susan’s stock at The Britannia  – Coles Bookstore Billings Bridge – Amazon  ,com/.ca/.Uk etc. see specific titles below. Kobo also has free short story downloads

Writing Updates: Keep your fingers crossed, it looks as though Christmas at Lavender Cottage will be ready for Dec 1. It is at the editor’s and the cover is almost ready. I enjoyed writing this book, its light, romance with a bit of adventure and a lot of suspense. Katie tries to get a perfect Christmas together and as we all know is often a recipe for disaster. Speaking of recipes, I had fun browsing the old recipe books and have included a few, including my coveted shortbread recipe.

Book News: I am not normally a fan of political intrigue but a friend sent me this headline The author is a respected writer and form journalist. HIs identity is being kept secret in order to protect the source of the ideas that inspired this novel. The title of the book The Kingfisher Secret A Novel Author Anonymous. We live in such troubled political times, full of secrets and untruths; I have become jaded and suspicious even of the politicians I once thought I could trust. Is this why this new book appealed to me? Am I searching for the truth? Will I find it in a novel? By definition a novel is fiction, but it is also the perfect way to expose true facts.

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: I am reading The Daisy Children by Sophia and to honest I’m notsure about this book. The story is based on the true story of a school tragedy in New London Texas in 1937. It has some merit and I will finish it but not sure I would recommend it.

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.

Doggie Coat Time!

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Miss Penny Speaking, imagine the shock I had on Wednesday morning when Susan pushed my paws through a thing and then snapped it around my middle. It was a doggie coat. I vaguely remember wearing something like this a long time ago. It is warm and cozy and once we got outside for our morning walk I understood why Susan thought I needed to wear it. It was cold and very windy. I’m not convinced I need a coat, they are rather prissy. I have a perfectly good natural fur coat. Shush! I wouldn’t admit this to Susan, but, it stops the wind blowing my fur about, I hate that; it feels like tickles and makes me want to scratch. I’m pleased to say as the day warmed up I didn’t have to wear it again.

One exciting event, Suzanne who works in the building came up to see us with a box. She played with me, in the hall and I barked. Of course, I’m a dog and should bark but barking is noisy and scares me so I don’t do it often but Suzanne gets me going. It was the box that excited the boss; she doesn’t bark, but, oh boy, was she excited, jumping up and down and talking so fast I couldn’t understand her. Then she ripped the tape off the box and handed me a book. Now that was exciting all those months of work and finally, we have the book. When Love Ends Romance Begins. It is a great read—I know, I can’t read yet, but I listen and it’s a good story. Get your copy $15 contact, Susan. Just a little plug. That’s all for this week, over to the boss.

Writing Updates:  A great writing week, 7,000 words. My head is in creative mode which is where I like to be.  When I’m in the zone, the story often unfolds in the strangest places and that happened this week. Then I doubt myself—a common attribute with writers—but I’m sure this is working. As more of the character’s past is revealed, we see a different side to even the evilest of characters and that happened this week too. The first draft of Christmas at Lavender Cottage is close to completion.

Books I’m Reading: Fiction: After the terrible Christmas story, not even worthy of one star, I went back to Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. I enjoyed this book. The premise of the story was how a mother coped when her daughter went missing. The plot was about finding the truth and getting closure. Ms. Jewell did a wonderful job of–for want of a better phrase–getting into the mother’s head, and she did it well. One might think this kind of story would be morbid but it wasn’t; it was human and warm. I highly recommend this story with five stars. I just started a new book, another author I haven’t read before The Address by Fiona Davis

Nonfiction: Webinar on running an author business

Writing Courses:  Big sigh! I have put these on hold until after Christmas. I don’t have time to market or work on Course 2 & 3 as I prepare my novels for Christmas Craft Fairs and signings. More updates on the other courses will come at the end of this year.

However, if you are eager to get started the first course  Get Rid of Page Fright & Write – Course 1 is available at the discounted price of $47 at http://just-for-writers.teachable.com

New release: When Love Ends Romance Begins  Get your copy today

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Mugshot!

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Mugshot, I’m famous, no I didn’t get arrested. Miss Penny speaking, I thought I might as well take over. Susan’s busy again. Before I forget the Kobo.com 40% off until Aug 27 Promo code AUG40. 

Last week we talked about editing and poor Susan ate her words. She was almost ready to upload the new course First Sentence to First Sale when a friend pointed out a couple of typos, which allowed all the other typos that were hiding, as typos do, (every writer knows what I’m talking about) to jump off the screen and have a party. It was intense around here. I need say no more. I’m getting quite clever with this humour thing, don’t you think? 

So what does this have to do with mugshots? Nothing actually, but in the middle of this editing frenzy Susan’s son-in-law, who thinks I’m very cute, has started a new promotion business and because of my cuteness, my photo is now on a coffee mug, along with some of Susan’s book covers. How neat is that? That’s all for this week, time to play.

What! I said I was going to play! Now you are mad at me! This white fluffy stuff is perfect and it’s never-ending, I can pull and pull. Oh, I’m not supposed to destroy cushions. 

 

Writing Updates: Not much creating this week, too much, left brain editing. I’ll be back to writing next week.

Books I’m Reading: Fiction – I finished Michael Ondaatje’s Warlight. It was okay, a bit disappointing. I had trouble getting into the story. My latest read is Gill Pauls’ Another Women’s Husband I’ve only just started it so it’s too early to tell. It is a time-slip novel, Princess Diana and Wallis Simpson are the main characters, an interesting concept.

Nonfiction: – Nothing this week.

Writing Courses: – First Sentence to First Sale – Course One is delayed but it shouldn’t affect the release date of August 31st.

Shout out: 40% off on all three trilogy books The Bue Pendant, Anna’s Legacy and Sarah’s Choice at Kobo August 23 – 27. Promo code AUG40  Kobo’s Home page, and you’ll get 40% off when you check out. What a great deal!

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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Behind Closed Doors

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Hello! Miss Penny speaking. Susan is busy writing, the new Sophie book, so I told her I would write the blog today. We recently had guests staying, which was great, lots of ear tickles and tummy rubs, except for the bathroom door.  It was closed. I soon learned to scoot in fast before the door shut, but sometimes even when I raced across the apartment, I was too late and my nose hit the closed door. Now, this is a scary thing for a nine-month-old puppy, Susan and I are inseparable. What goes on behind closed doors? Is there a secret exit and Susan will disappear forever or mad dogs might attack her or it could be aliens, not that I know what aliens are but the grandkids talk about them. So I whine a little, I could howl but that might disturb the aliens. The whining does the trick; the door opens and Susan is fine, I, of course, inspect the bathroom but no mad dogs and no aliens; Susan is safe and I trot at her heels. But that bathroom is still a mystery. Why does the door open and close so often when we have visitors? 

Work in progress: Susan’s new book Love’s Endings and Beginnings – A sweet romance novel – Heartbreak to Second Chance is now at the editors, the lovely Meghan Negrijn. While that’s being edited Susan is researching nursing in the Great War for book 1 of the Sophie series.  Sophie is completing her nurse’s training and will, be heading for a field hospital in Passchendaele. Shush! I’ll tell you a secret, a long-lost love appears and it’s not Bill. Hee-hee! I’d better not say anymore, no spoilers or I’ll be in trouble. 

What I’m reading. Still reading Elizabeth George for fiction and researching WW 1 for non-fiction. So not much to report

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

 

All 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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