Tag: Edwardian

Afflictions, Puppies & Anxiety

Separation anxiety is an affliction dogs get when left alone, Miss PennySpeaking. I am afflicted. Susan has left me a few times recently.  At least

Pl-e-a-s-e come home soon!

this corona thing kept her at home, but now she’s venturing out. She went to Anna at PurEnvi Spa to get a pedi, whatever that it is, something to do with feet. Perhaps, because she only has two they get worn out. Then the next day she went to deliver books to Coles Bookstore. I don’t know why I can’t come with her, but then I don’t like the car either. Yep, I’m a puppy princess. Speaking of which, I hear rumours about a new puppy. What! Susan wouldn’t dare, would she? So, I’m abandoned again, the cheek of it and she goes off to Frank and Glenda’s and that’s not all… get this… to visit Lily the new puppy. Phew, at least it’s not my house. Oh yes, and on her return she goes on about Lily being cute,

This is the adorable Lily!

adorable – adjectives reserved for me – remember me, the puppy princess? Mind you it’s better than the enormous dog they had before. He was friendly but big and played rough. After I flipped my nose back into joint, that’s a wild expression, my nose is perfectly fine, I’m quite excited Susan says I can play with Lily when she’s had all her shots. Shots! As in gunshots! I discovered she meant vaccinations at the vet. Um, poor Lily the vet is never a good thing.

 

Oops! That evil eye again. Susan is telling me to talk about writing, anyone would think she’d written a new book, to be truthful she’s been slacking off but I will concede that she’s been writing all this week. The Heart of Sophie’s War is progressing. May I suggest you read Prelude to Sophie’s War while you wait for the sequel – London 1915, German Zeppelin attacks are not the only thing Sophie battles at Bartley Hospital. Will her courage be enough to keep her sane and alive?

 

 

The Blue Pendant and Book 2 Anna’s Legacy  Book 3 Sarah’s Choice   All ebooks and paperbacks on Amazon. Please, pretty please take a minute and write a review after you read the books. Thank you!

If you like the elegance of Edwardian society, bold characters, and decades-spanning adventures, then you’ll love this historical fiction.

 

The Sackville Hotel Trilogy – Ebook Box Set      Click here for details  

She defies Edwardian protocol. Avoids marriage, but loves twice. Anna’s epic story of a strong woman’s determination and courage spans two continents and three decades.

Classic trilogy, historical, family saga, from the drawing rooms of the Edwardian era to ruthless spies of the 60s Cold War.

The latest Susan’s Reader News came out this week. If you didn’t get a copy click here and if you’d like to receive it in your Inbox click here. Issued 3 or 4 times a year.

New release…… Believing Her Lies – A Lavender Cottage Book (3)  Kobo and Amazon  

 Book Depository. Click here to read the synopsis and chapter One

Book one e-book is Only .99c click here  When Love Ends Romance Begins 

 

Remember Ruins in Silk? The prequel to The Sackville Hotel Trilogy.

Well, it is also the prequel to Prelude to Sophie’s War, young Sophie in Ruins in Silk has grown up, left The Sackville Hotel and her story continues in London as she trains to be a nurse.

Save Some for Me – A single mother’s memoir

Could you survive an abusive man and raise five children alone?

This was a brave, insightful, revealing, and well written book of what must be one of the hardest experiences any person can go through. The courage and grace with which you tell this story is a truly affective reading experience…….  Judge’s commentary: Writer’s Digest  

Click for the retailer of your choice.   Available in paperback or e-book.

Quick Reference:

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

 My books – Synopsis and Where to buy

Contact Susan – susan(at)susanajennings.com

 Susan’s YouTube Channel All videos – click here  

Friends in the Park Covid Style!

Friends in the park, covid style, Miss Penny speaking. Well, what an adventure I had today. Although I was miffed at first, my walk was very short this morning and I thought Susan was going out and I hate being left alone, I have separation

My toy comforts me when I have separation anxiety.

anxiety, but just as I was about to hide and play dead, that’s when I go all floppy and Susan can’t pick me up, ha.ha, Susan put on my leash and I’m excited but not that much as this could mean the car and I hate the car, I know I’m a princess. Except we went out the front door, psst! Don’t tell anyone, some folks in our condo building, get their knickers in a knot if dogs go through the front door, it’s kind of weird as Susan carries me. Anyway I digress, we wait by the front door and Rita pulls up in her car and we get in and I can sit on Susan’s lap, now I don’t mind this car. I don’t understand why I can’t sit on Susan’s lap when she’s driving; she says it’s

On Susan’s lap!

dangerous and I’m shoved in the back so a whine, very loudly. So, today I’m comfy as Rita drives us to Andrew Haydon Park where we meet more ladies, social distancing and masks at the ready and they talked, and I mean talk… a lot, and laugh very loudly. I preened with the compliments of how cute and adorable I am, which I know but I like to hear it. Then I watched the chipmunks and

Squirrels where are you?

squirrels, who always seem to be just out of my reach. There was one bossy Canada goose that honked too much but Canada geese are wimps, they are afraid of me and run, well sort of waddle when they see me coming and often take flight. Can you believe it, little me, an 81/2 lb Shih Tzu, can scare off those big honking birds. Oops! Just a minute, the evil eye. I’m being interrupted by the

Time to talk about books.

author, my boss. Susan is telling me to talk about writing, anyone would think she’d written a new book, to be truthful she’s been slacking off but I will concede that she’s been writing all this week. The Heart of Sophie’s War is progressing, although the research into WW1, particularly the field hospitals, is slowing it down. She’s doing a heck of a lot of reading. Susan tells me that she was surprised to discover that despite the injuries, death and inhuman conditions, most of the patients and medical staff were very cheerful. Interesting!

News flash –  The Blue Pendant sale is ending Book 2 Anna’s Legacy starts today and Book 3 Sarah’s Choice soon. All ebooks on Amazon. Please, pretty please take a minute and write a review after you read the books. Thank you!

If you like the elegance of Edwardian society, bold characters, and decades-spanning adventures, then you’ll love this historical fiction.

The Sackville Hotel Trilogy – Ebook Box Set      Click here for details  

She defies Edwardian protocol. Avoids marriage, but loves twice. Anna’s epic story of a strong woman’s determination and courage spans two continents and three decades.

Classic trilogy, historical, family saga, from the drawing rooms of the Edwardian era to ruthless spies of the 60s Cold War.

The latest Susan’s Reader News came out this week. If you didn’t get a copy click here and if you’d like to receive it in your Inbox click here. Issued 3 or 4 times a year.

New release…… Believing Her Lies – A Lavender Cottage Book (3)  Kobo and Amazon  

 Book Depository. Click here to read the synopsis and chapter One

Book one e-book is Only .99c click here  When Love Ends Romance Begins 

 

Remember Ruins in Silk? The prequel to The Sackville Hotel Trilogy.

Well, it is also the prequel to Prelude to Sophie’s War, young Sophie in Ruins in Silk has grown up, left The Sackville Hotel and her story continues in London as she trains to be a nurse.

Save Some for Me – A single mother’s memoir

Could you survive an abusive man and raise five children alone?

This was a brave, insightful, revealing, and well written book of what must be one of the hardest experiences any person can go through. The courage and grace with which you tell this story is a truly affective reading experience…….  Judge’s commentary: Writer’s Digest  

Click for the retailer of your choice.   Available in paperback or e-book.

Quick Reference:

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

 My books – Synopsis and Where to buy

Contact Susan – susan(at)susanajennings.com

 Susan’s YouTube Channel All videos – click here  M

Sticky Burrs!

Have you heard of ‘burrs’ or perhaps I should say felt burrs, Miss Penny speaking? They are little round things covered in hooks, the seeds of the Burdock plant, and they stick to everything including me. During our walk the other day I got covered in them. I had one hanging from my face, several in my paws. Susan pulls them out and that stings a bit, but I know it’s for the best. But, we missed one. I was in agony with this thing digging into my tummy. It twisted into my fur so the fur pulled every time I moved and the little hooks of the burr dug into my skin. I hardly had a wink of sleep as it was morning before Susan found it. She had to cut it out. Oh, what a relief! Can you guess what happened next? Yep, the groomers! Kind of like adding insult to injury. Now, I’m cold, I had a lovely long coat, but it was getting mattered and those burrs were a problem. Although I say it myself, I look glamorous. Susan’s catching up with admin work and getting ready for the Small Press Book Fair, signings to finish the year off.

 

 

 

Remembrance Day! I love history but not always the effect it has on people. Researching WW1 for Prelude to Sophie’s War I became painfully aware of the stubbornness of powerful men that took so many lives, not just soldiers but innocent Londoners. Prelude to Sophie’s War tells of those innocent lives changed forever https://books2read.com/u/mgG0M0

Prelude to Sophie’s War – A captivating historical novel of love and loss

Prelude to Sophie’s War  is now available through international distributor for overseas fans. An alternative to Amazon, check out your local bookstore and make a request.

Listen to an excerpt click here..YouTube 

Online retailers

Susan’s contemporary romance series has a new look and new series name – The Lavender Cottage Series (aka The Narrowboat Romance Series)

Retailer of your choice click here

 

Save Some For Me  – And what about you?

Could you survive an abusive man and raise five children alone?

This was a brave, insightful, revealing, and well written book of what must be one of the hardest experiences any person can go through. The courage and grace with which you tell this story is a truly affective reading experience…….  Judge’s commentary: Writer’s Digest  

Click for the retailer of your choice.

Available in paperback or e-book.

Remember Ruins in Silk? The prequel to The Sackville Hotel Trilogy.

Well, it is also the prequel to Prelude to Sophie’s War, young Sophie in Ruins in Silk has grown up, left The Sackville Hotel and her story continues in London as she trains to be a nurse.

Free download from Kobo and most Online retailers

The Sackville Hotel Trilogy – Ebook Box Set                  New cover

She defies Edwardian protocol. Avoids marriage – for a while – but loves twice. Anna’s epic story of a strong woman’s determination and courage spans two continents and three decades.

Click here for your details.

Click here for retailer.

 

Classic trilogy, historical, family saga, from the drawing rooms of the Edwardian era to ruthless spies of the 60s Cold War. More details 

The Blue Pendant              Anna’s Legacy                 Sarah’s choice

Quick Reference:

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe  

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

 My books – Synopsis and Where to buy

Contact Susan – susan(at)susanajennings.com

 Susan’s YouTube Channel All videos – click here  

YouTube video serialized version of The Blue Pendant

Excerpts from Lavender Cottage Romance Series(formerly The Narrowboat Romance Series). Readings from the book launch

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe  Rain

Squirly Squirrels!

Susan corrected me and said, ’squirly’ isn’t a word, Miss Penny speaking, I guess she would know as she’s the author. I like ‘squirly’ it describes the way the squirrels dart around in the grass and shimmy up trees. I try my hardest to catch them, I want to play, all furry things are playmates. But squirrels…. I can’t even get them to stop long enough to say hello. It doesn’t help that Susan keeps my leash very tight. If only she would let me run loose like the squirrels, I know I could catch up and maybe enjoy tasting an acorn or two. Now, this is neat, they hold nuts and acorns in their front paws and nibble on them. But it’s a mystery; why do they shove acorns in their mouth? It’s quite rude actually as they stash far too many in their cheeks. Susan says they store them to eat during the winter, they don’t have owners to feed them. Ah, that’s not good for the squirrels and as this is Thanksgiving weekend I am grateful that Susan feeds me every day. Perhaps I’ll catch squirrel today. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Don’t forget to come visit Susan at the Ottawa Book Expo at Lansdowne Park Oct 20th.

Susan’s contemporary romance series has a new look and new series name – The Lavender Cottage Series (aka The Narrowboat Romance Series)

Retailer of your choice click here

 

 

 

 

 

Save Some For Me  – And what about you?

Could you survive an abusive man and raise five children alone?

This was a brave, insightful, revealing, and well written book of what must be one of the hardest experiences any person can go through. The courage and grace with which you tell this story is a truly affective reading experience…….  Judge’s commentary: Writer’s Digest  

Click for the retailer of your choice.

Available in paperback or e-book.

Prelude to Sophie’s War – A captivating historical novel of love and loss

Prelude to Sophie’s War  is now available through international distributor for overseas fans. An alternative to Amazon, check out your local bookstore and make a request.

Listen to an excerpt click here..YouTube 

Online retailers

Remember Ruins in Silk? The prequel to The Sackville Hotel Trilogy.

Well, it is also the prequel to Prelude to Sophie’s War, young Sophie in Ruins in Silk has grown up, left The Sackville Hotel and her story continues in London as she trains to be a nurse.

Free download from  My website susanajennings.com or Kobo and some Online retailers

The Sackville Hotel Trilogy – Ebook Box Set                  New cover

She defies Edwardian protocol. Avoids marriage – for a while – but loves twice. Anna’s epic story of a strong woman’s determination and courage spans two continents and three decades.

Click here for your details.

Click here for retailer.

 

Classic trilogy, historical, family saga, from the drawing rooms of the Edwardian era to ruthless spies of the 60s Cold War. More details 

The Blue Pendant              Anna’s Legacy                 Sarah’s choice

Quick Reference:

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe  

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

 My books – Synopsis and Where to buy

Contact Susan – susan(at)susanajennings.com

 Susan’s YouTube Channel All videos – click here  

YouTube video serialized version of The Blue Pendant

Excerpts from Lavender Cottage Romance Series(formerly The Narrowboat Romance Series). Readings from the book launch

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe  Rain

Radishes!

Can you see that little red ball? Miss Penny speaking, I had so much fun, Susan said it’s called a radish; what kind of name is that? It came to me from the sky, well not quite but from above my head, the kitchen counter. Susan was making a salad, yuck, veggies and things she says are good for you. I’ll stick to chicken and kibble. But this little red ball rolled around the floor and it had a little tail, Susan said it was the root, that I could grab with my teeth and throw it in the air and let it bounce and roll. I accidentally bit into it and what a shock I got, it burned my mouth so I spit it out. It rolled under the cupboard and I let it stay there. It was fun while it lasted. Susan is a little cranky, although she laughed at my radish antics, she had a new cover made for Christmas at lavender Cottage and I think the designer screwed up and now Susan’s worried she won’t have the books ready for Ottawa Book Expo on Oct 20th. However, there is good news she finished the first draft of book three of the Lavender Cottage Series. Doubts and rumours plague Katie and Piers’ romance. Will the love birds marry or part ways forever? Aren’t I naughty teasing you? If it helps, we do get the answer in this book. Susan’s searching for a title; what do you think of  Believing Truth or Lies ? It probably won’t be published until after Christmas, it has to be edited, formatted and a cover designed—I hope she has better luck with this book.

The Sackville Hotel Trilogy – Ebook Box Set                  New cover

She defies Edwardian protocol. Avoids marriage – for a while – but loves twice. Anna’s epic story of a strong woman’s determination and courage spans two continents and three decades.

Click here for your details.

Click here for retailer.

 

 

 

Save Some For Me  – And what about you?

Could you survive an abusive man and raise five children alone?

This was a brave, insightful, revealing, and well written book of what must be one of the hardest experiences any person can go through. The courage and grace with which you tell this story is a truly affective reading experience…….  Judge’s commentary: Writer’s Digest  

Click for the retailer of your choice.

Available in paperback or e-book.

 

Prelude to Sophie’s War – A captivating historical novel of love and loss

Prelude to Sophie’s War  is now available through international distributor for overseas fans. An alternative to Amazon, check out your local bookstore and make a request.

Listen to an excerpt click here..YouTube 

Online retailers

 

 

 

 

Remember Ruins in Silk? The prequel to The Sackville Hotel Trilogy.

Well, it is also the prequel to Prelude to Sophie’s War, young Sophie in Ruins in Silk has grown up, left The Sackville Hotel and her story continues in London as she trains to be a nurse.

Free download from  My website susanajennings.com or Kobo and some Online retailers

 

 

Quick Reference:

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe  

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

 My books – Synopsis and Where to buy

Contact Susan – susan(at)susanajennings.com

 Susan’s YouTube Channel All videos – click here  

YouTube video serialized version of The Blue Pendant

Excerpts from Lavender Cottage Romance Series(formerly The Narrowboat Romance Series). Readings from the book launch

Susan’s Readers Group News – Subscribe  Rain

Whacky Words!

Whacky Words! Miss Penny Speaking that might seem odd coming from a dog because I can’t talk, I can bark although I don’t do that very often, the noise scares me. I may not speak but I understand several words. Hungry means dinner’s on the way, Ah, she’s so cute means some loving is coming, good girl means I’ve done you-know-what in the right place and I get treats. Oh yes, and treats means a milk bone or tasty morsel. Where’s your baby, means go fetch my pink lamb that’s usually at bedtime. So, why am I talking about words? Susan has been embroiled in words this week, 352 thousand words that’s how many words there are in The Sackville Hotel Trilogy Boxset, three books in one (e-books). However, last night just as they were being uploaded Susan discovered some chapters in the wrong order, talk about words… well, the words I heard were not for my young ears… it was not a pretty sight. Susan’s okay now and the boxset will be ready later today. By the way, body language works just as well as words. I get most of what I want by looking cute. Susan says to tell you the next edition of Susan’s Readers Group News will be out this week. Bye for now!

 

 

Strong, beautiful Anna as clever as any man, defies society, challenges marriage but loves passionately twice. Survives betrayal, bullying, even murder that almost breaks her. An epic saga that spans five decades from Edwardian Britain to the 1960s Cold War. Heartwarming and at times heartbreaking. Kobo.com

 

 

Quick Reference:  

Susan’s website – http://susanajennings.com

My books –

Susan’s Readers Group News –

YouTube

The Blue Pendant – Serialized episodes

 The Narrowboat Romance Series.- Readings from the book launch

Please note: Books I’ve Read and Work in Progress are now featured in Susan’s Readers Group News.

The Squirrel Syndrome!

The Squirrel Syndrome! Did I read that correctly? Miss Penny speaking. Oh, boy! This will be a good blog today. I love squirrels. When we go for our morning walk, I try to catch them. I want to play chase; up trees, down fences and across roads, although that’s a bit dangerous. Unfortunately, Susan keeps my leash tight so I can’t catch them… get this, they run up trees and chase each other around the tree trunk. Wow, would I like to do that? As good as any mid-way ride. And before you know it they are off in another direction and I’m confused; where did the squirrel go? Um… are you wondering what squirrels have to do with writing or reading. You have a good point, I’ll ask Susan.

The squirrel syndrome or sometimes known as the next shiny thing is about distractions. The most prevalent distractions today are the bings, peeps and buzzes from electronic devices, a message here, a text there and we feel compelled to answer, in fact, the sender now has an expectation that a reply is imminent. Like the squirrel darting from tree to fence to road, we find our minds jumping from our current occupation, which for me it is writing and breaking concentration to answer messages or deal with unrelated tasks; the result is a busy day with little to show for it. As a writer, I find this particularly disheartening and frustrating because accomplishing my writing goal depends on the number of words I write per day. The solution is simple; it is called a Do Not Disturb button. When pressed, like magic, the bings, peeps and buzzes go away, no more squirrel distractions. Try it, it works!

 

Writing Updates: Squirrel distractions seem to have grasped my creativity and this week. Perhaps because I have been working on the romance book cover—here’s a sneak preview—I thought about book two in the series and I have outlined a Christmas story for the Narrowboat Romance Series. That, of course, means that Sophie has taken a back seat for a while, but she’ll be back.

 

 

Books I’m Reading: Fiction – Gill Pauls’ Another Women’s Husband a time-slip novel, is turning out to be interesting. I’m on the fence about the believability of the protagonist’s association with Princess Diana but the Wallis Simpson story is engaging and interesting.

Nonfiction: – Nothing this week.

 

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

The Blue Pendant Book1 Anna’s Legacy Book 2 and Sarah’s Choice Book 3. E-books and print  at all online retailer

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   

Mugshot!

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   

SaveSave

Disturbing Happenings!

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   

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Polish and Shine

Hi! Did you miss me!

Good Day! I’m giving Miss Penny a rest today, although she likes to be the centre of attention, the subject of the blog is of a technical and serious nature and Miss Penny prefers playing. I have very much been in left brain mode this week, outlining and altering the Sophie series as we discussed last week and putting the finishing touches to the new writing course. It always amazes me the number of typos that seem to hide and then suddenly jump out at you when you are least expecting it, which brought me to thinking about the editing process.

Polish to a Shine, editing, is an essential part of writing, putting the final polish to many hours of work. As a reader, editing probably never comes into your head… unless… you find a typo or worse a piece that escaped the editor. Most professional writers would agree that editing is the most important part of the writing process and the most expensive both in time and money. Even then there are always the typos that escape all eyes and that could be three or four sets of eyes and 10 – 20 readings. I guarantee the reader will spot them. And, please if that happens let us know. In today’s digital world it is relatively easy to correct mistakes. 

However, sometimes the spelling is not incorrect, depending on the writer’s style of English. American English does not use U in words like neighbour or colour, British English uses S and not Z in words like realise and then there’s one L or two in the word counselling or counseling and just to complicate things more, Canadian English is a combination of British, American and Canadian. This is the style I use most of the time and that confuses everybody, except Canadians. When I asked a colleague, a British author who sells millions of books, what style she used, she answered, ‘American English, because if I use British spelling the Americans complain but when I use American English, no one complains.’ I guess I’m a purist but so far I have stuck to Canadian English and yes, I get complaints. Please forgive those pesky typos and mistakes but I can assure you, I do my best to keep them at a minimum.

Writing Updates: This week, as mentioned, I made major changes to Sophie, I have decided that the first book in the series will take place in London as we follow the nurses at River House, their work and romances and how Londoners fought their own battle with bomb ladened German Zeppelins. 

Books I’m Reading: Fiction – Twenty-one Days by Anne Perry an excellent book. Ms Perry’s long-standing mystery series about Charlotte and Thomas Pitt in Victorian London has evolved into the 1900s with their grown-up son, Daniel Pitt, who is as a lawyer, but has his parents aptitude for solving crimes. 

 

 

Nonfiction: – I’m still working on the cover design reading. 

Writing Courses: – First Sentence to First Sale – Part one is close to being finished. Much more work than I expected but at last I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Thanks to the Apple Store workshops. I have all the material and just need to blend the slides with the video. 

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   

SaveSho