tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26038061503669485752024-03-10T13:47:07.032+11:00Breathless In the BushThe blog of writing group Breathless in the Bush (BITB). This is an eclectic group of writers who share a love of Romance, the enjoyment of a good laugh, and a dedication to learning all they can about the craft of writing.HelzKathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01921987291520604201noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-44929057837299193192024-02-12T01:00:00.124+11:002024-02-12T01:00:00.388+11:00Celebrating Love Around The World<p> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Celebrating Love Around The World</b></span></p><p><i>by Sharon Bryant</i></p><p>It's almost Valentine's Day. Have you planned to do something special? There are so many ways to celebrate. You might be celebrating the love you and your partner share, or the love you feel for someone you care about. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkfKRZZ8DiXJ6x6ber4HyxbsO64vIODoBZXPA-z2jQi7aitie5wL0E4Yv-oEXVAjQd5BQTTQcJKsBgZhX5MkNuAZSAuJsOG76UiBUjpg24I1RA4QQhxuMg58d3kY-s2erK_zSJkTEvdsxIAcz87t0T9cajKig5COpxCIDKXPvIohpZuzSPULGmEkbKNMn/s1920/oziel-gomez-L8-0SAy-aoQ-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkfKRZZ8DiXJ6x6ber4HyxbsO64vIODoBZXPA-z2jQi7aitie5wL0E4Yv-oEXVAjQd5BQTTQcJKsBgZhX5MkNuAZSAuJsOG76UiBUjpg24I1RA4QQhxuMg58d3kY-s2erK_zSJkTEvdsxIAcz87t0T9cajKig5COpxCIDKXPvIohpZuzSPULGmEkbKNMn/s320/oziel-gomez-L8-0SAy-aoQ-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Love Around The World</b></span></p><p>Love is celebrated in different ways around the world. I thought it might be fun to explore this a little.</p><p>Japanese women traditionally give men chocolates on Valentine's Day. They used to give inexpensive chocolates, <i>giri choco,</i> to co-workers though this is less common these days. <i>Honmei choco </i>(special chocolate which is often homemade) is reserved for romantic partners. Japanese men generally don't give women Valentine's Day gifts. They reciprocate one month later on White Day by giving gifts that are two to three times the value of what they have received.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEpytNkIxrO8eEv2kKD6LEeHPe2_Nbwo56ODkaKMhu_CvJTwrGK5Iusw3Re0qLjRpt_PycqrAWW_DZIqc2Gpr8MVH9v7PfgDO4IFGmxvg1j6vp_ksY3y1h6O8dUdfufnax9eTtMxkKIwGmC5-dQJeMPXV6nZAbfPWkGZYMmgtXg_0QNoA96l069c6cdRQ/s1280/valentines-day-2057745_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEpytNkIxrO8eEv2kKD6LEeHPe2_Nbwo56ODkaKMhu_CvJTwrGK5Iusw3Re0qLjRpt_PycqrAWW_DZIqc2Gpr8MVH9v7PfgDO4IFGmxvg1j6vp_ksY3y1h6O8dUdfufnax9eTtMxkKIwGmC5-dQJeMPXV6nZAbfPWkGZYMmgtXg_0QNoA96l069c6cdRQ/s320/valentines-day-2057745_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In Germany, it's traditional to give Valentines gifts of chocolates, flowers, or cartoons or keepsakes of pigs. Pigs symbolise good luck in Germany and are just as much a part of Valentine's Day as cupids in some other parts of the world.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq8VuWCfL4U8Ee0xcsQVg6-P98lyOA5cQW8nBzKgm16xEbzGcZURxFz4l2XayeAoZrqeSxNGMBl8XNNmgNEvBM_NE2YuHEfrAN6FL-EAaDuc7RPPPF9QlfqQo6J_yGsRxUpI4Jzb2OvtLvOuexXluvTxwYaBpnS2bW0RYea-Tvj69wxNF18-7OH88-Ltj/s1280/pig-5652_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq8VuWCfL4U8Ee0xcsQVg6-P98lyOA5cQW8nBzKgm16xEbzGcZURxFz4l2XayeAoZrqeSxNGMBl8XNNmgNEvBM_NE2YuHEfrAN6FL-EAaDuc7RPPPF9QlfqQo6J_yGsRxUpI4Jzb2OvtLvOuexXluvTxwYaBpnS2bW0RYea-Tvj69wxNF18-7OH88-Ltj/s320/pig-5652_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Saint Valentine is a patron saint of spring in Slovenia. Valentine's Day is celebrated as the time when life begins to stir again. One traditional Slovenia idea is that birds "propose" on Valentine's Day. Traditionally people walk barefoot through the icy fields to see and appreciate the changes that springtime brings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OeMBkrIqY1SNceTMjF5Pa4YB967KpF5zkUvXqUg6jKGRKalAq7xHfDptY9JcOoYkmK-eXhE62ucaRUKvS3HutPcdTVvkDctlhkqfQ3hT7oWMgqDOm4FWfJ6qNHIKo3x8hJj6VK9Jj-8ag-xrCvC3Uky7rYc1R0H0vb4pQ8y5albVuZKpTpIUIaD8B0a8/s1280/lovebirds-6018588_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OeMBkrIqY1SNceTMjF5Pa4YB967KpF5zkUvXqUg6jKGRKalAq7xHfDptY9JcOoYkmK-eXhE62ucaRUKvS3HutPcdTVvkDctlhkqfQ3hT7oWMgqDOm4FWfJ6qNHIKo3x8hJj6VK9Jj-8ag-xrCvC3Uky7rYc1R0H0vb4pQ8y5albVuZKpTpIUIaD8B0a8/s320/lovebirds-6018588_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>There are so many other beautiful loving traditions: Welsh love spoons, mountainous wedding ceremonies in Thailand, a four day festival in Verona with a letter writing contest to Juliet, and mass wedding ceremonies in public spaces in Manila.</p><p>I hope you thoroughly enjoy February 14 either thinking of or being with someone you love.</p><p><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">How do you plan to spend Valentine's Day?</span></i></b></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">I love to love</span> spending time with my husband, family and friends.</p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">I love to laugh </span>with friends and family.</p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">I love to learn </span>more about love around the world.</p>Sharon Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01662544181464130756noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-11169475095555470402023-12-04T05:00:00.539+11:002023-12-04T05:00:00.159+11:00CHRISTMAS BOOKS! A wonderful time of year!<p>Hello, my darlings! It's been too too long! Lovely to be back here on Breathless to bring you my bumper Christmas reading suggestions - and we're spoilt for choice. </p><p>Let's dive into what I've already enjoyed.</p><p>I know I'm super-duper predictable, but <a href="https://debbiemacomber.com/" target="_blank">Debbie Macomber</a> always makes my Top Ten (Top Eleven this year). Her novella <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Frost-Novella-Debbie-Macomber-ebook/dp/B0CD15GHC6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LN8TRJGX98Z5&keywords=jack+frost&qid=1701048647&s=digital-text&sprefix=jack+fro%2Cdigital-text%2C465&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Jack Frost</a> was a gorgeous start to Christmas reading with a grumpy/sunshine pairing. When Jack and Lindsay get accidentally locked into their work Christmas party when everyone leaves, Jack<i> </i>is totally a super grump. But only at first... Enjoy!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPwFUt0wqt_wsh6CcfA0FboiGia6z_kKfrQklXlxfls5I8H4a4GyhhYg-h_VbuF6R0BoSIcXq7jvLNvGYQ4NCvfdznICKICkXGu2j6rKYduC1qdApvOgtE9c0ii6QZWVQ8fbUwVDqpsrddP0KnAW_Uk3LN3Cpz9485cIbL04fJVFkLVwQwOKUXqPZG5Mk/s445/Jack%20Frost%20by%20Debbie%20Macomber.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPwFUt0wqt_wsh6CcfA0FboiGia6z_kKfrQklXlxfls5I8H4a4GyhhYg-h_VbuF6R0BoSIcXq7jvLNvGYQ4NCvfdznICKICkXGu2j6rKYduC1qdApvOgtE9c0ii6QZWVQ8fbUwVDqpsrddP0KnAW_Uk3LN3Cpz9485cIbL04fJVFkLVwQwOKUXqPZG5Mk/s320/Jack%20Frost%20by%20Debbie%20Macomber.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I'm sure you read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Bookshop-Jenny-Colgan-ebook/dp/B08X6MP3M5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28JJ5O7B6OIBX&keywords=the+christmas+bookshop&qid=1701048932&s=digital-text&sprefix=the+christmas+bookshop%2Cdigital-text%2C310&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Christmas Bookshop</a> by the Scottish author <a href="https://www.jennycolgan.com/" target="_blank">Jenny Colgan</a> last year. Did you worry that Carmen's relationship needed a bit more resolution at the end? Fear not, here is the sequel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Christmas-Bookshop-Jenny-Colgan-ebook/dp/B0BYNCK3HM?ref_=ast_author_dp" target="_blank">Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop.</a> It's worth reading both books because they're all about saving Mr McCredie's old bookshop, and that booky story thread is utterly fab and quite funny in parts. Set in snowy Edinburgh, it makes me want to go back there. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLp5o7uEyhx08l56mdELIfOp63yW5M1eb6dQTWDgXdgPwe1c2RGsvT1AOx5J8PAGAV4t8iNbbd5wBoi9W_jXsCjC_GeDSukBOis2ecLZFunEQ-Q2H9IB12z8a9M84iVMbYsvQ9B1GDI8eygGWF2pghmRDz0RuVYh-IAP7Zih-3nUU2T2XGgzjOnR_zfoT/s466/Midnight%20at%20the%20Christmas%20Bookshop%20by%20Jenny%20Colgan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="303" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLp5o7uEyhx08l56mdELIfOp63yW5M1eb6dQTWDgXdgPwe1c2RGsvT1AOx5J8PAGAV4t8iNbbd5wBoi9W_jXsCjC_GeDSukBOis2ecLZFunEQ-Q2H9IB12z8a9M84iVMbYsvQ9B1GDI8eygGWF2pghmRDz0RuVYh-IAP7Zih-3nUU2T2XGgzjOnR_zfoT/s320/Midnight%20at%20the%20Christmas%20Bookshop%20by%20Jenny%20Colgan.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div>I was thrilled when I found <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Dogs-Christmas-Novel-ebook/dp/B0BSFRMS2R/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BY4O5P52E7P9&keywords=the+twelve+dogs+of+christmas&qid=1701049512&s=digital-text&sprefix=the+twelve+dogs+of+christ%2Cdigital-text%2C358&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Twelve Dogs of Christmas</a> by <a href="https://www.susanwiggs.com/" target="_blank">Susan Wiggs</a> in my library! Who could resist those furry little faces? Christmas-hating Brenda gets roped into driving twelve rescue dogs across the US to their new owners for Christmas. What could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately something does...and hot single dad paramedic Adam comes to the rescue. Can he change Brenda's mind about Christmas? And wow, all those dogs involve some lovely mini stories too. A must for dog lovers and actually, everyone.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXarLBO7dR2935wX7Z3RouALR_Ng-kWkAyQCocTliUq6GD2Qd2BnQQqMWFekgFpmt2iFVk4rfOzr72o2SZZK-YA525TaImBo_a1hL7-VeOiTAT33NZD0XhfI08upoOpQ86ZBWOzRTjh1SUOcTfvbUD6FJ5mDD9tb2yOenTDMLQp8Ru82EG48yVabYIJag/s466/The%20Twelve%20Dogs%20of%20Christmas%20by%20Susan%20Wiggs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXarLBO7dR2935wX7Z3RouALR_Ng-kWkAyQCocTliUq6GD2Qd2BnQQqMWFekgFpmt2iFVk4rfOzr72o2SZZK-YA525TaImBo_a1hL7-VeOiTAT33NZD0XhfI08upoOpQ86ZBWOzRTjh1SUOcTfvbUD6FJ5mDD9tb2yOenTDMLQp8Ru82EG48yVabYIJag/s320/The%20Twelve%20Dogs%20of%20Christmas%20by%20Susan%20Wiggs.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Do you know, so many <i>many </i>lists of favourite Christmas romances include Rosamunde Pilcher's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Solstice-Rosamunde-Pilcher-ebook/dp/B003LPUXGW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30N46R2FN2DQO&keywords=winter+solstice+by+rosamunde+pilcher&qid=1701050109&s=digital-text&sprefix=winter+solstice%2Cdigital-text%2C432&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Winter Solstice</a>. It's also continually listed as a comfort read, 'one I reread every Christmas', 'on my keeper shelf' and so on. I decided to read it myself this year, and now I totally get what everyone is talking about. It is <i>gorgeous</i>, my friends, about a group of people who've made some right and wrong choices in their lives, even had tragedy occur, but they bravely struggle on and eventually all end up together one snowy Christmas. Oh my dears, there's so much <i>love </i>in this book it will fill your heart. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm94N9yGg9G6Qu-Ai8J_m48YQGzf_5t7rOWKhLBLkwE1Cdhyphenhyphen-znJhB7sVVLVutxd5rDN3j9aDs6EZ5odIyo4Z5-XL6z-8ebh06neh8IpiLCXqMNMjCD6vG8ybCE9BoZGCgCaspgc2gstYubgwck7TT8iRLCyU0kAgVkH2f3edUjdUdxjxcJCIwYtoOvFW/s445/Winter%20Solstice%20by%20Rosamunde%20Pilcher.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm94N9yGg9G6Qu-Ai8J_m48YQGzf_5t7rOWKhLBLkwE1Cdhyphenhyphen-znJhB7sVVLVutxd5rDN3j9aDs6EZ5odIyo4Z5-XL6z-8ebh06neh8IpiLCXqMNMjCD6vG8ybCE9BoZGCgCaspgc2gstYubgwck7TT8iRLCyU0kAgVkH2f3edUjdUdxjxcJCIwYtoOvFW/s320/Winter%20Solstice%20by%20Rosamunde%20Pilcher.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Back to Sydney, Australia, and beautiful Manly Beach, which features highly in <a href="https://belindawilliamsbooks.com/" target="_blank">Belinda Williams'</a> new novella <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Escape-Romantic-Holiday-Novella-ebook/dp/B0CGXVJ8JN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IB6RV8UM06VH&keywords=the+christmas+escape+belinda+williams&qid=1701050704&s=digital-text&sprefix=the+christmas+escape+belinda+williams%2Cdigital-text%2C290&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Christmas Escape</a>. It might be a shorter book but it is mighty, tackling the problems of long distance relationships. Do they really work or is it all too hard? Well, cough, if you came all the way from England and met Jaz, professional surfer, single father and cafe owner, you might be inclined to change your mind. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWz69Ut9NN-IdxYZ1otCd3MrF3vfBoa43bATYjb9pKswfrg8NhHLKukEvAoMcg3YkYMJt-2oZGzMfI1qMVlu3QjG4pRtQCVXX8Sc0DCtohrfH-mG9FLr1MaD2j7CL718BtyfILruwR4VLzzyCoskOgmJAlYNoICkwLPg5JvvtNB0VQsLG5qNiWvTMwENR/s466/The%20Christmas%20Escape%20by%20Belinda%20WIlliams.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="291" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWz69Ut9NN-IdxYZ1otCd3MrF3vfBoa43bATYjb9pKswfrg8NhHLKukEvAoMcg3YkYMJt-2oZGzMfI1qMVlu3QjG4pRtQCVXX8Sc0DCtohrfH-mG9FLr1MaD2j7CL718BtyfILruwR4VLzzyCoskOgmJAlYNoICkwLPg5JvvtNB0VQsLG5qNiWvTMwENR/s320/The%20Christmas%20Escape%20by%20Belinda%20WIlliams.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>We all know and love <a href="https://maryjoputney.com/" target="_blank">Mary Jo Putney</a>, and she's given us a <i>kitten </i>for Christmas, in her new novella <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Tart-Regency-Novella-ebook/dp/B0CDW4TJQ8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DBRO4YG7TSKO&keywords=the+christmas+tart+mary+jo&qid=1701051283&s=digital-text&sprefix=the+christmas+tart+mary+jo%2Cdigital-text%2C290&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Christmas Tart</a>. We <i>so</i> need kittens at Christmas, and also need the very nice new baronet Sir Philip Selbourne. Yes, please (gets stocking ready...). This one's quick enough to read in a sitting, the perfect length in this busy time. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqROMhp8fgTO4VUgI8BKyFHK8cWgnI1sYvMy_acOlk87naGEEiVLUgNBUd6aFPX-HJohP4r5wjy3MkV0GtovR2ndrTiRDtZAHgAzHWbOeKUIhDYvWu4QWwVTi8IjNag9SRTNXUcW0lTKeXKXiuaWy-LJz_y-E2H4O7qtdNiJgm7CU6Jr6jGb86EeW7GAAe/s466/The%20Christmas%20Tart%20by%20Mary%20Jo%20Putney.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="311" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqROMhp8fgTO4VUgI8BKyFHK8cWgnI1sYvMy_acOlk87naGEEiVLUgNBUd6aFPX-HJohP4r5wjy3MkV0GtovR2ndrTiRDtZAHgAzHWbOeKUIhDYvWu4QWwVTi8IjNag9SRTNXUcW0lTKeXKXiuaWy-LJz_y-E2H4O7qtdNiJgm7CU6Jr6jGb86EeW7GAAe/s320/The%20Christmas%20Tart%20by%20Mary%20Jo%20Putney.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Hang in there, five final Christmas books. I haven't read these, but December's looking excellent to do so.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've just started <a href="https://kandyshepherd.com/" target="_blank">Kandy Shepherd's</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mistletoe-Magic-Tahiti-Christmas-Pact-ebook/dp/B0CDZ2B3NL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1M3NXGQUVQ7OU&keywords=mistletoe+magic+in+tahiti&qid=1701233141&s=digital-text&sprefix=mistletoe+magic+in+tahiti%2Cdigital-text%2C355&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Mistletoe Magic in Tahiti</a>, so by the time this post goes live I'll be sitting in a HEA cloud at the end; Kandy is always swoon-worthily romantic. This is part 1 of The Christmas Pact Trilogy featuring three sisters, so go right ahead and indulge in them all: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMK6Y9RN?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1701233141&sr=1-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn" target="_blank">Cinderella's Costa Rican Adventure, and Snowbound Reunion in Japan.</a> Tahiti! Costa Rica! Japan! They all sound fabulous, don't they? Love Christmas 'done' in a different country... </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuKavW5TMhVnWBqV2eqo4gItVulYL9td4zLPb0BIKQsGlyXc9r436IOCkqNOU4sL0qWC2MfAMSvhKNeNPoh2aG-uCYZ7L-_p8PhFljHjdxOvag3dxpdkkqsQxlkZ-_fLivMUNCMOOerz3Ta5J2DZPf-Kd8Fzvp6WYU93YmXXChZsFGUqHN_qypg80-fEC/s466/Mistletoe%20Magic%20in%20Tahiti%20by%20Kandy%20Shepherd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuKavW5TMhVnWBqV2eqo4gItVulYL9td4zLPb0BIKQsGlyXc9r436IOCkqNOU4sL0qWC2MfAMSvhKNeNPoh2aG-uCYZ7L-_p8PhFljHjdxOvag3dxpdkkqsQxlkZ-_fLivMUNCMOOerz3Ta5J2DZPf-Kd8Fzvp6WYU93YmXXChZsFGUqHN_qypg80-fEC/s320/Mistletoe%20Magic%20in%20Tahiti%20by%20Kandy%20Shepherd.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Well-Never-Have-Paris-proximity-ebook/dp/B0C9XP5Q9R/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7411ZA8WCC8I&keywords=we%27ll+never+have+paris&qid=1701054515&s=digital-text&sprefix=we%27ll+never+ha%2Cdigital-text%2C282&sr=1-1" target="_blank">We'll Never Have Paris</a> by <a href="https://www.adrianaanders.com/" target="_blank">Adriana Anders</a>. This is described as another grumpy/sunshine book (I cannot get enough of these) when the grump (a Welshman) and the sunshine (an American) get stuck in an elevator on Christmas Eve. But seriously: <i>Paris! On Christmas Eve!</i> Say no more! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJA9tM3THb-VZ-OeXKXcSMdmbiFPedXYIoq3DZxjDP0_F8ZdZ6xdC_eO7KjcnttRBKsFT7Zl6RHLd-Wf4Tj7zgkOCXiawj1MKGjBrjsHBl8dOIbVjc1ibkeFfW8LXb-j5-mG6QKHyQXhfHV9Cs09dio2yJmV_BIQsGVEdCQV2EoKX-hkgK70ch9GtCeGz/s466/We'll%20Never%20Have%20Paris%20by%20Adriana%20Anders.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="291" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJA9tM3THb-VZ-OeXKXcSMdmbiFPedXYIoq3DZxjDP0_F8ZdZ6xdC_eO7KjcnttRBKsFT7Zl6RHLd-Wf4Tj7zgkOCXiawj1MKGjBrjsHBl8dOIbVjc1ibkeFfW8LXb-j5-mG6QKHyQXhfHV9Cs09dio2yJmV_BIQsGVEdCQV2EoKX-hkgK70ch9GtCeGz/s320/We'll%20Never%20Have%20Paris%20by%20Adriana%20Anders.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>For those who love a hot Christmas, and vets, this is high on my TBR: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Country-Vet-Christmas-Stories-Australian-ebook/dp/B0C1DC8T9F/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23OVVDNEPUU1U&keywords=a+country+vet+christmas&qid=1701055356&sprefix=a+country+vet+christm%2Caps%2C329&sr=8-1" target="_blank">A Country Vet Christmas</a> by five - count 'em, <i>five </i>beloved Aussie authors: <a href="https://lilymalone.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lily Malone</a>, <a href="https://www.alissacallen.com/" target="_blank">Alissa Callen</a>, <a href="https://www.penelopejanu.com/" target="_blank">Penelope Janu</a>, <a href="https://www.pamelacook.com.au/" target="_blank">Pamela Cook</a> and <a href="https://www.stellaquinnauthor.com/" target="_blank">Stella Quinn</a>. What a fabulous anthology for a very modest price. 667 pages of great reading ahead, I can't wait. Fellow Breathless blogger <span style="color: red;">Enisa Haines</span> mentioned this in her column last month, but it's such great value I'm going to recommend it again. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuNc0QguD_wATd03FOPS7eNrnGtnChshofY3WTXUdAGFq2X7KK7TgP_kreJ1RoDLNu0keq78whqXC14p-VXMm2bOb9MvcLJJwBMG9VLONru1L2R1f2mAARd54KUH2WH8PfPU1kJNBuEthxku8M4Jrsfc48NiwpI_lQUZhRNZbCygZENs7Wdm3qujiY6pa/s466/A%20Country%20Vet%20Christmas%20-%20Aussie%20authors.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="305" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuNc0QguD_wATd03FOPS7eNrnGtnChshofY3WTXUdAGFq2X7KK7TgP_kreJ1RoDLNu0keq78whqXC14p-VXMm2bOb9MvcLJJwBMG9VLONru1L2R1f2mAARd54KUH2WH8PfPU1kJNBuEthxku8M4Jrsfc48NiwpI_lQUZhRNZbCygZENs7Wdm3qujiY6pa/s320/A%20Country%20Vet%20Christmas%20-%20Aussie%20authors.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div>This definitely has to go on my Christmas list: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Club-Hotel-Sarah-Morgan/dp/1335005129/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QPJ22GG6N039&keywords=the+book+club+hotel+sarah+morgan&qid=1701398371&sprefix=book+club+hotel%2Caps%2C368&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Book Club Hotel</a> by <a href="https://sarahmorgan.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Morgan</a>, which also goes by the title <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Book-Club-best-selling-heartwarming/dp/1848459203/ref=sr_1_1?crid=161IX1JNPB8MK&keywords=the+christmas+book+club&qid=1701399425&sprefix=the+christmas+book+cl%2Caps%2C454&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Christmas Book Club</a> in the UK. I listened to her audiobook <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Snowed-In-for-Christmas/dp/B09WC11M6K/ref=sr_1_2?crid=181RRFCJQMFN&keywords=snowed+in+for+christmas&qid=1701399489&sprefix=snowed+in+for+christ%2Caps%2C519&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Snowed In For Christmas</a><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>last year, and absolutely loved it, so I'm downloading this one too. I really enjoy a good audiobook, they bring the stories alive.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqey7FMF2VaGyU2zpqoxp2K5BjtaU7jUE50sTdMoTeaIaehXD39BoQhuB9l5KriT582eSQv_UciToTNYC4CrYpwoXnhF4vtwc8UrMclEbSdJQnlXkBCdHNkxODRFbXONFxb21vQ9orFYGA6PtlXZXDaZiFl8vxvVi8vibJIckMJF7kwH7kIQ6WCuXoLL37/s445/The%20Book%20Club%20Hotel%20by%20Sarah%20Morgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqey7FMF2VaGyU2zpqoxp2K5BjtaU7jUE50sTdMoTeaIaehXD39BoQhuB9l5KriT582eSQv_UciToTNYC4CrYpwoXnhF4vtwc8UrMclEbSdJQnlXkBCdHNkxODRFbXONFxb21vQ9orFYGA6PtlXZXDaZiFl8vxvVi8vibJIckMJF7kwH7kIQ6WCuXoLL37/s320/The%20Book%20Club%20Hotel%20by%20Sarah%20Morgan.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Last but definitely not least - and probably not the last (cough) on account of all I can see in my Kindle are more and more and <i>more </i>Christmas books - I found this charming inspirational romance, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Christmas-Dilemma-Uplifting-Inspirational/dp/1335597018/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A0R7C5CPRI0P&keywords=the+doctor%27s+christmas+dilemma+by+danielle+thorne&qid=1701055963&sprefix=the+doctor%27s+christmas%2Caps%2C373&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Doctor's Christmas Dilemma</a> by a new-to-me author, <a href="https://www.daniellethorne.com/" target="_blank">Danielle Thorne</a>. I'm really looking forward to it: a second chance of love with a bit of faith thrown in. Sounds perfect.</div><div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwNQfrxiJ5NtB5W5iXgm3D8hyphenhyphenD2PqIQf89mCx3BO-sHvlMCn_mboI4hOh5ZBJPAXadxnoUyG1ULD26jGrOsu8aDprPhb2-t52CW4hCqyugv-xd9KjzsE4rtdTO8liiMo7T6aPW6EHFCl-1IfXgIoTT-IXmOSedcZbzVgJsgM93GrUphKtgyuEjcjCBCxZ/s466/The%20Doctor's%20Christmas%20Dilemma%20by%20Danielle%20Thorne.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwNQfrxiJ5NtB5W5iXgm3D8hyphenhyphenD2PqIQf89mCx3BO-sHvlMCn_mboI4hOh5ZBJPAXadxnoUyG1ULD26jGrOsu8aDprPhb2-t52CW4hCqyugv-xd9KjzsE4rtdTO8liiMo7T6aPW6EHFCl-1IfXgIoTT-IXmOSedcZbzVgJsgM93GrUphKtgyuEjcjCBCxZ/s320/The%20Doctor's%20Christmas%20Dilemma%20by%20Danielle%20Thorne.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />So that's me, folks. Be kind to each other, be generous, be loving, be safe. And of course read as much as you can. May your Christmas be full of booky goodness and lazy days to enjoy it all. See you in 2024!</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>With love for a happy Christmas and a wonderful new year,</i></span></h3><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>Miranda xx</i></span></h1><div><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Love to Love:</span></b></div><div>I guess we all know I'm going to say, Christmas romance!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Love to Laugh:</span></b></div><div>...and cry, through all the delightful Christmas movies now screening. So much Christmas festiveness and hot chocolate and wow, emotion.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Love to Learn:</b></span></div><div>What is special to you at Christmas. To me it's family, faith, friends, fun, and love. Always love. And food! You?</div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16395027098663054678noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-50154925685820656742023-11-06T06:00:00.004+11:002023-11-06T10:55:55.930+11:00Romance and the Magic of Christmas<p><i>by Enisa Haines</i></p><p>It's a season many days away yet but everywhere I turn it's looking a lot like Christmas. Streaming services such as Netflix and Hallmark bring an enticing array of Christmas romance movies while publishers spoil us with a plentiful choice of Christmas romance novels. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrN7QYjHUcmftcamfMLkoVJRtnKpVnbX4xe60Z2kgR7Z6nYiDn7jxOxaPymgwPSnVQybLOczi1m0meXo0mEV5ni9iLxNmAqiAe21jrQRp7NgU64C61Tdr6VZU_ZmUwSMgAzcd6SiiFlqzXbdCwo7nDmdg0hJziXdzQQ8Y6t0_ZrpVrK-9bgfaYeCPnyBdx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrN7QYjHUcmftcamfMLkoVJRtnKpVnbX4xe60Z2kgR7Z6nYiDn7jxOxaPymgwPSnVQybLOczi1m0meXo0mEV5ni9iLxNmAqiAe21jrQRp7NgU64C61Tdr6VZU_ZmUwSMgAzcd6SiiFlqzXbdCwo7nDmdg0hJziXdzQQ8Y6t0_ZrpVrK-9bgfaYeCPnyBdx" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>What to choose? Our voracious romance reader Miranda will be talking about that in her next post, just in time for a Christmas book binge. What I'm wondering about is this abundance of Christmas romances. </p><p>These stories have lured readers since the time of Victorian England (yes, Christmas romances were popular even then). What is it about them that calls to readers and movie-goers alike? </p><p>Christmas is a time where happiness abounds. Families get together, as do friends and even strangers. Gifts are exchanged, delicious meals served, reminiscences shared. Moments to celebrate, where joy, generosity, a sense of belonging, and love - of family, of friends, neighbours, workmates - is all around.</p><p>And it's love that is the highlight of these beloved romances. Though many stories may not focus on the true spiritual meaning of the season, always these romances are set in the days or weeks leading up to Christmas or through the three days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. </p><p>Magic exists at that time. Wishes are made and there's the promise that if you believe what you wish for it will come true. And what are romance novels but stories where readers get the happy-ever-after they crave in fiction. The heroine wishes the life she's experiencing at the beginning of her story will change by the end. The hero, a man beset with problems of his own, also wishes for something better. Circumstances bring them together but it is love that heals past hurts and shows them that together they have the life they once thought would only ever be a dream.</p><p>Whether we immerse ourselves in Christmas stories for the setting and its spiritual meaning, or for the expectation that the hero and heroine will find their 'forever love', it seems to me that it's the happiness that fills us while we're immersed that we seek. And Christmas romances always give us joy.</p><p><i><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">As lovers of Christmas romances, is it the same for you?</span></b></i></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Love to love: </b></span>Several native plants fondly called Christmas Bush for their gorgeous displays of flowers from October to January are found throughout Australia. My favourite is the NSW native <i>Ceratopetalum gumniferum</i> and now I have one of my own for my balcony. </p><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix8rsXhM2hWJ4E9eohSdDQUnM3FaslSpMA01eCP--cXC8HVLNxeZwk-qMF9E7xQtm14RPrmFH8fXzEV24p07uhGHPuHII1IB0hjapi9DAOtBhxRaTz8XDUmeZeba-Ra52mQQYxpWTbJ9vw5dySGFYd-6iP_kq-v59bpx4XuySBqfQlZVfvrDPWpnRJQl4E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix8rsXhM2hWJ4E9eohSdDQUnM3FaslSpMA01eCP--cXC8HVLNxeZwk-qMF9E7xQtm14RPrmFH8fXzEV24p07uhGHPuHII1IB0hjapi9DAOtBhxRaTz8XDUmeZeba-Ra52mQQYxpWTbJ9vw5dySGFYd-6iP_kq-v59bpx4XuySBqfQlZVfvrDPWpnRJQl4E" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Love to laugh: </b></span>romantic comedies are both a joy to watch and oftentimes you can't help but laugh.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Love to learn:</b></span> Christmas has so many traditions. Christmas trees, Santa Claus, the hanging of mistletoe, fruit puddings and cakes are ones that spring to mind. Each intrigue me as to their origin and so I have the urge to explore. </div><div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Enisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14618040099949009436noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-53617625054210478232023-10-16T00:00:00.083+11:002023-10-16T00:00:00.151+11:00Spring has SPRUNG!<p>I don't know about you but spring is my favourite time of the year (maybe because it opens with my birthday!) but how can you NOT love the mild, sunny days, the blooming flowers, the beginning of daylight saving, and the sense of emerging from the winter hibernation.</p><p>Spring is also a great season in which to set a romance or read a romance and so, this month, I thought I'd share a couple of my favourites with you (to help fill those TBR piles!)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX9o6SMZFh-fTvAuwDpojL0GOOC6zLXP3S75PXCNTGPC035RuITFwzVJtrENdZa9Se2tSlIH6H49ONytxmBIhjlrLRb3y2hJIM2TgXUqfjViAwFvWWRT4Pj4vi-FbBmyN1JhdGS1g3EgF2jKRLh3c6_YcP5PPo-dBmrAqFXHiDlda89Uac-9l9C3Dl3k/s466/Westgarth.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="291" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX9o6SMZFh-fTvAuwDpojL0GOOC6zLXP3S75PXCNTGPC035RuITFwzVJtrENdZa9Se2tSlIH6H49ONytxmBIhjlrLRb3y2hJIM2TgXUqfjViAwFvWWRT4Pj4vi-FbBmyN1JhdGS1g3EgF2jKRLh3c6_YcP5PPo-dBmrAqFXHiDlda89Uac-9l9C3Dl3k/w140-h224/Westgarth.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>Firstly, this one's been out a little while now but, if you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? <a href="https://mybook.to/V0OtD" target="_blank">The Vintner's Muse</a> by Jennifer Westgarth is set in the spring in South Australia (mostly in the beautiful Clare Valley) and opens with one of the best scenes I've read in a while (no, I won't tell you what it is because that would be a spoiler!).<p></p><p>This is Jennifer's debut, and it's a great one... I have quite the soft spot for professional women (like our FMC Shannon) who are trying to make sense of their lives when their plans go off the rails. And our MMC, Ethan is her perfect foil, with similar dilemmas, and our two dummies clearly have to work out that they're made for each other. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtqqRZRfvw6azSbRroCzV2-Es3fsma9U5EjUo47bOoh5JFqbscqnRGDcl8TFI5nZpPASMUQkUP3IMJwmvOeOeaaA66_mJh4wCWMiyN2qafFagsvCSvPwHPcEeWfznQPhHC6XL6MRzb8tygwdW5cmsJSBS7ILKL8Xrxv9x1jf-078baPA2AwvBnU2y5Io/s445/Roberts.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="282" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtqqRZRfvw6azSbRroCzV2-Es3fsma9U5EjUo47bOoh5JFqbscqnRGDcl8TFI5nZpPASMUQkUP3IMJwmvOeOeaaA66_mJh4wCWMiyN2qafFagsvCSvPwHPcEeWfznQPhHC6XL6MRzb8tygwdW5cmsJSBS7ILKL8Xrxv9x1jf-078baPA2AwvBnU2y5Io/w125-h198/Roberts.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>Secondly, an oldie but a goodie, Nora's A Bed of Roses, the second book in the Bride Quartet series. I've not linked this as I'm expecting that most of you will have already read this but, it's always great for a re-read and, if you haven't read it, you really should - the series is a little older now, but still generally holds up. <div><br /></div><div>A Bed of Roses is a friends-to-lovers story involving the Quartet's florist, Emma and their architect, Jack. It's also a romance set amongst an abundance of weddings (and the occasional Bridezilla to balance the mood!). This book (and its series siblings) are also great because of the sense of family (especially found family), and the focus on women successfully navigating a successful business together. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMDp_gGBL4oSa4IJ57PEtaMs80B_0dPBg_3mT4ErnKFavWnOAcOn-1azzS01TwRGo7A1HH2JmoKWVovJfq93SdMoNwkBykmoQEtMWT5IvbxMFrm9JROfLYqvOZ0RidgMR62pDOcSDaQO0g1kYV5Ctz7aolkR03t1LbGJrDfIzHRdw1rdm8bGvlxZWCsI/s466/Center.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="304" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMDp_gGBL4oSa4IJ57PEtaMs80B_0dPBg_3mT4ErnKFavWnOAcOn-1azzS01TwRGo7A1HH2JmoKWVovJfq93SdMoNwkBykmoQEtMWT5IvbxMFrm9JROfLYqvOZ0RidgMR62pDOcSDaQO0g1kYV5Ctz7aolkR03t1LbGJrDfIzHRdw1rdm8bGvlxZWCsI/w166-h253/Center.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>Thirdly, we have one that's not 'strictly' a romance but rather a women's fiction book, Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center. This one also isn't, strictly speaking, set in spring (in fact I can't quite work out the season where we begin) but I got it for my birthday, which is in spring, so I say it counts. I asked for this book because I'd seen one of my fave actresses (Missy Peregrym from FBI and Rookie Blue) had apparently optioned it for a movie, so I wanted to see what it was about.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's an interesting book... and I'm still thinking about it so that means it must have resonated somehow. Cassie Hanwell, Texas firefighter, is our protagonist, who has to uproot her life and move to Boston, partly to deal with her own actions and partly to deal with an unwell parent. The story follows her finding her way through vulnerability and forgiveness, and it can be a little blunt instrument in parts but, overall, is worth a read. Note though, it doesn't seem to be available in ebook in Australia.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6_KOP2M305UfVEsMamE2pV0RP9eHB7grhVYH7XqarlD4v0tkEvLGZI-2hTDW5ze2xZV66bFB0_Cugl3WBjtW4Y92sYVOaepVhlgzAdWlkpGQOpgJr4nckb4HW0CT4avZzVv3exANRJi8bpJLXjwEUvYUcmCF_E190WpiHtYGBroPj1U5Wo8btlkbjRo/s445/Gover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="291" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6_KOP2M305UfVEsMamE2pV0RP9eHB7grhVYH7XqarlD4v0tkEvLGZI-2hTDW5ze2xZV66bFB0_Cugl3WBjtW4Y92sYVOaepVhlgzAdWlkpGQOpgJr4nckb4HW0CT4avZzVv3exANRJi8bpJLXjwEUvYUcmCF_E190WpiHtYGBroPj1U5Wo8btlkbjRo/s320/Gover.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>Finally, RUBY AWARD WINNING The Library at Wagtail Ridge by Janet Gover is my current read (a spring read, even though it's set in summer) and I'm loving it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love Janet - she was a 'newbie' at the Romance Writers of Australia conference in 2015, the same year as me and some of my closest friends, and we've remained friends since... Janet writes amazing rural romances, and this one seems no different.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Library at Wagtail Ridget tells the story of Lou Taylor uncovering the story of her birth mother via her inheritance of a cottage, a mobile library, a scattering of letters, the town of Wagtail Ridge, and her new neighbour, Jake Barnes. And, who doesn't love a MMC named Jake?! They're always a little trouble and a lot worth it! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm still in the middle of this one, so if you've read it, reach out and let me know your favourite parts.</div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpkvcs6f7vo2rNOFPYk9xWiwTlJdfmWq9xqtI6Pv_Y_dxGm4IQo9a2pA5AVcKNSSPhcieVGwU96awRB2VAZiam-QhamwFDJuaQ8Ke30nuFbuOSwCWqQ8Lz_lFxBXzW3kmfBhPKkjgzMfzgAmfl4nncgvdPQuRKMppCjJj8_Ig5EZyd7S6TPHUYdTPU90/s9760/AdobeStock_627721017.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2542" data-original-width="9760" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpkvcs6f7vo2rNOFPYk9xWiwTlJdfmWq9xqtI6Pv_Y_dxGm4IQo9a2pA5AVcKNSSPhcieVGwU96awRB2VAZiam-QhamwFDJuaQ8Ke30nuFbuOSwCWqQ8Lz_lFxBXzW3kmfBhPKkjgzMfzgAmfl4nncgvdPQuRKMppCjJj8_Ig5EZyd7S6TPHUYdTPU90/w538-h139/AdobeStock_627721017.png" width="538" /></a></div>So, what else has sprung in Spring? A little shameless promotion to end this month.<p></p><p></p>November 14 this year sees the launch of Love for Maui a jam-packed anthology of all kinds of romance shorts and novellas with all proceeds going to the University of Hawai'i Foundation, to assist those impacted by the Maui wildfires last August. I've submitted my award-winning, sexy contemporary short story, Cuffed. You can preorder Love for Maui <a href="https://books2read.com/LoveForMaui" target="_blank">here</a>.<div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJLALZ5KrTVK2nODNa4PnUsILLn2YopSivGsnlISDJwI3e1ryDyBComuL0bNS1OXfnOLv-buBaBTW_j1cNjRIzpcloPwmxzogKzRed3PbgUNkxEPTT39tToq5jr0Gb47AKTVWUy3KxeWerzRdEKBbA9FmZYoUBHb2foIpksKysMw8GnxOop__-Q5X2d8/s1080/387737483_1034231881308094_825638607565956996_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJLALZ5KrTVK2nODNa4PnUsILLn2YopSivGsnlISDJwI3e1ryDyBComuL0bNS1OXfnOLv-buBaBTW_j1cNjRIzpcloPwmxzogKzRed3PbgUNkxEPTT39tToq5jr0Gb47AKTVWUy3KxeWerzRdEKBbA9FmZYoUBHb2foIpksKysMw8GnxOop__-Q5X2d8/w275-h275/387737483_1034231881308094_825638607565956996_n.jpg" width="275" /></a><span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-weight: bold;">LOVE TO LAUGH: </span>When is it impossible to plant spring flowers? When you haven't botany!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">LOVE TO LOVE:</span> </b>The first blooms of my Mum's roses.</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #d5a6bd;">LOVE TO LEARN:</b> I attended the Toronto Romance Writers Conference this month and while I confess to not attending most of the sessions in real time (as time zones are a pain) I really enjoyed hearing from their guests... Zoe York and Farah Heron in particular. And everything you hear is true, Canadians are the NICEST people!<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn0OSP6Ag3-b4vPbH1HEgFeL0Hra-zbfJzJVEUViIFCerROATpqUknK6OdQEGAXgluTY72Gq-UBhLoEWd7usoQ4ySQHpVBwxyIldH2MGYA1n0B3WK41wAkouHpDjeeXpB7dhgCP78zYe27wH-_VirpTMk1x-_LY9dVq4aSYc1md0GyhgrXxqQLxVNxxU/s3808/Low%20Res-7%20CROPPED.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3808" data-original-width="3782" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn0OSP6Ag3-b4vPbH1HEgFeL0Hra-zbfJzJVEUViIFCerROATpqUknK6OdQEGAXgluTY72Gq-UBhLoEWd7usoQ4ySQHpVBwxyIldH2MGYA1n0B3WK41wAkouHpDjeeXpB7dhgCP78zYe27wH-_VirpTMk1x-_LY9dVq4aSYc1md0GyhgrXxqQLxVNxxU/w172-h173/Low%20Res-7%20CROPPED.jpg" width="172" /></a></div><br />Kristine
Charles writes sexy tales where coffee (and red wine) is abundant, designer
shoes and handbags are cheap, chocolate has no calories, and men always put the
toilet seat down. Find her at her <a href="https://wordsbykristinecharles.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, or on various social media platforms <a href="http://linktr.ee/wordsbykc" target="_blank">here</a>. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Kristine Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13225943245120896454noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-18305489502788134602023-07-10T02:30:00.000+10:002023-07-10T02:30:00.163+10:00The Joy of Romance Reader events<p><span style="color: red;"> by Alyssa J. Montgomery</span></p><p><br /></p><p>From the 1st to 5th June this year, I was in Houston, Texas, at the Book Lovers Convention and it was a fun, up-beat event, but there was some sadness and a lot of nostalgia too, because this was the last Book Lovers Convention.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYLPEbpDAgB3PymcUcpoALnvZQsWWX4xbsMyuOQliA7i70PJzt0RPk4M0MhYweoViFgxbZuSYS7KMdicqdDs3YV2to4CR7UANA96Yehjmhx1jQid29Z3Ncs88R2EQ2OXuXX7z9aMQWm6YpylvAZByLf_Ur8puvXZ-8TGQ2Apt53wJrPSIPomGfNdQI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="960" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYLPEbpDAgB3PymcUcpoALnvZQsWWX4xbsMyuOQliA7i70PJzt0RPk4M0MhYweoViFgxbZuSYS7KMdicqdDs3YV2to4CR7UANA96Yehjmhx1jQid29Z3Ncs88R2EQ2OXuXX7z9aMQWm6YpylvAZByLf_Ur8puvXZ-8TGQ2Apt53wJrPSIPomGfNdQI" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Taking a step back in time...The amazing, and trail-blazing Kathryn Falk founded Romantic Times and the RT conventions. She created a unique environment where writers, agents, publishing houses, cover models, reviewers, librarians and readers were all able to come together. Behind the scenes, Jo Carol Jones was the wonder woman who organised the events for- I think - about 20 years. So, when Kathryn announced that the RT convention in Reno was to be the last event, all those in attendance were thrilled to learn that Jo Carol was going to pick up the baton and continue the annual event as the Book Lovers Convention (BLC!). The slogan "I can't wait for BLC" was particularly apt.</p><p>We talk about having a 'tribe' that isn't familial and my tribe is my romance writers/authors and reading friends. I've always enjoyed the RWA and ARRA events and gatherings, but I was on happiness overload when I attended my first RT event in 2014 in New Orleans (From memory there were approximately 3000 people there and the event was one of the most well-attended RT convention of all time).. </p><p>From that first New Orleans gathering, I reunited with the RT then BLC "family" in Dallas, Las Vegas, Reno, New Orleans and Houston. And, as silly as it might sound, the incredible group of volunteers who stuck with Jo Carol, other authors, and especially the romance readers embraced me as part of the "family". It became the norm for me to walk through the foyer of the hotel to calls of "Alyssa! Hey girl, how are you doing?" (The fact that I'm an Aussie and many "I just love your accent" comments were made, probably made me a bit of a novelty!). </p><p>The joys of these particular reader events were:</p><p>- meeting and connecting with like-minded people (both romance readers and writers)</p><p>-discovering new authors (and models!!)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZsTb73IEhXeAGiMlivaVnGU0pOU9gGIUX4X68pgPJDqm39TqOlNrDTv0Rx9MTc0T2Za1FpxUHgLcEIx5nKoj8mG3y1lGKzRdOJbWj2Pl_z5htDsev-yAYKfC0MpLFxY1H-FIQvMhlCQrH1BXaUPt25V7HBs6Ec4SO8DfchW4maJlICDF44hNxZjLJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1529" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZsTb73IEhXeAGiMlivaVnGU0pOU9gGIUX4X68pgPJDqm39TqOlNrDTv0Rx9MTc0T2Za1FpxUHgLcEIx5nKoj8mG3y1lGKzRdOJbWj2Pl_z5htDsev-yAYKfC0MpLFxY1H-FIQvMhlCQrH1BXaUPt25V7HBs6Ec4SO8DfchW4maJlICDF44hNxZjLJ=w211-h283" width="211" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT8ehnVJTmDjkXv29bbs23q9GqWqm7ajurR0y8J-AOwFSaGT8j9QuMEyQ-jgL4hpBUJr7tvlTKENDwVTO972jY7fOqyjyBeo4HaNoX_VZrJ0Ywe_eb7XhrnRLKPGJO7Ta_OJBmv193rQ1c6vDINEKSsyvDiYTJPFwKAcw18wjFicZs_hcTiVi5B3Ox" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT8ehnVJTmDjkXv29bbs23q9GqWqm7ajurR0y8J-AOwFSaGT8j9QuMEyQ-jgL4hpBUJr7tvlTKENDwVTO972jY7fOqyjyBeo4HaNoX_VZrJ0Ywe_eb7XhrnRLKPGJO7Ta_OJBmv193rQ1c6vDINEKSsyvDiYTJPFwKAcw18wjFicZs_hcTiVi5B3Ox" width="180" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">With some models, Jade Lee/Kathy Lyons and at a Book Bash signing event. (Images Copyright: Alyssa J </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Montgomery)</span><p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPpfnDXKBk_prCwFcQNU4tcciFI7P6Pku0Fcsqkvgp4OEJeSNuU32J66AxTvXs-nC6IpBr2vDnJT0cHdVKlqt216aLOSbP1z2XonOZ0WUUw4qod3mmru2vFayW9y3UND8SZ5nh2DS_U3rY1vO3939VCH_1iwXFQXY6GdTYVKO8f3u7GVl8prU9CCzQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="2048" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPpfnDXKBk_prCwFcQNU4tcciFI7P6Pku0Fcsqkvgp4OEJeSNuU32J66AxTvXs-nC6IpBr2vDnJT0cHdVKlqt216aLOSbP1z2XonOZ0WUUw4qod3mmru2vFayW9y3UND8SZ5nh2DS_U3rY1vO3939VCH_1iwXFQXY6GdTYVKO8f3u7GVl8prU9CCzQ=w269-h201" width="269" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>-learning more about the industry from other writers and from industry professionals</p><p>-all manner of fun in the form of dinner and dance parties, author and publishing house events, games to play and craft activities in which to participate. (Better still, dressing up is encouraged at these gatherings)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT8ehnVJTmDjkXv29bbs23q9GqWqm7ajurR0y8J-AOwFSaGT8j9QuMEyQ-jgL4hpBUJr7tvlTKENDwVTO972jY7fOqyjyBeo4HaNoX_VZrJ0Ywe_eb7XhrnRLKPGJO7Ta_OJBmv193rQ1c6vDINEKSsyvDiYTJPFwKAcw18wjFicZs_hcTiVi5B3Ox" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLefxM3v-MNAgCSdW6GwTHsks20Y2pVrop9odDmIUtifxzRVOZnSTnR_jM_Vcq88lxDK9EknP3P3LQTikKpISsgyxNCB8xzKkagfOmaxxokhSU_l4DRQQyH_9GvbD8Op9UHmkFtjwpTceLZ4izrTvaPLXjb3R9lHHkeMfZmI8Gk-hyX0b5RBdiKebQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1587" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLefxM3v-MNAgCSdW6GwTHsks20Y2pVrop9odDmIUtifxzRVOZnSTnR_jM_Vcq88lxDK9EknP3P3LQTikKpISsgyxNCB8xzKkagfOmaxxokhSU_l4DRQQyH_9GvbD8Op9UHmkFtjwpTceLZ4izrTvaPLXjb3R9lHHkeMfZmI8Gk-hyX0b5RBdiKebQ=w144-h185" width="144" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgemPOiC2N-2kE6A_6T0zz-bSSHshzfiVblWoT3g-YZRBXcIc5XuEPPQC9zJJiv-6L2N_N0V8YCoGlPQbxOeleb5ON2P0v374KWuY33XjgLo_qFHH0Rz1eyQ3LX_jGShPQaFyK3h2ZMUEcDYK_upYQjkBgmwwVXxtqitASITzMijR6LuYMEcpme4PFt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="750" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgemPOiC2N-2kE6A_6T0zz-bSSHshzfiVblWoT3g-YZRBXcIc5XuEPPQC9zJJiv-6L2N_N0V8YCoGlPQbxOeleb5ON2P0v374KWuY33XjgLo_qFHH0Rz1eyQ3LX_jGShPQaFyK3h2ZMUEcDYK_upYQjkBgmwwVXxtqitASITzMijR6LuYMEcpme4PFt=w184-h120" width="184" /></a><br />(Fancy Dress Events! With my friends Susan and Libby</div><br />So, what's next?<p></p><p>Well, since Kathryn Falk first showed us the way with the RT Events, there have been several other large reader/writing/industry professional conventions that continue to 'spring up'. I've just been to the BABE23 event in Sydney (amazing event run by Tate James and Jaymin Eve), but they say this was the last BABE event in Sydney as well.</p><p>Next year I'm going to be at the READERS TAKE DENVER event in April. Tickets and accommodation are almost sold out, so if you'd like to attend, you'd better get your skates on!! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXGr_NtQQcxkAASyQPt6zDqSX_a4iCd_bDiM0gxuEg3i_yqSATI2_HNJh9LMQTa7GbXGfGM633wWE1jq_3Nsz5gaBPW7s5pgZ5MXaww0sh1arEYNxWwQ7uFWaIhU5YGvqEyIxUltMCpVBL1baxVV2hf4hxnPHfS2OF8j3DG6J1TQv7TPO6EuaJ1V51" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXGr_NtQQcxkAASyQPt6zDqSX_a4iCd_bDiM0gxuEg3i_yqSATI2_HNJh9LMQTa7GbXGfGM633wWE1jq_3Nsz5gaBPW7s5pgZ5MXaww0sh1arEYNxWwQ7uFWaIhU5YGvqEyIxUltMCpVBL1baxVV2hf4hxnPHfS2OF8j3DG6J1TQv7TPO6EuaJ1V51" width="241" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Have you any international book conventions you're keen to attend? If so, please let us known about them.</p><p><span style="color: red;">Love to Laugh</span> in sheer happiness at being in attendance at one of this incredibly up-beat reader conventions.</p><p><span style="color: red;">Love to Love</span> reuniting with friends I've met through the Romance reading events and making new friends..</p><p><span style="color: red;">Love to Learn</span> about what all my friends have been up to - what they are reading/publishing.</p><p><br /></p><p>Best wishes to all,</p><p>Alyssa</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>-</p>Alyssa J Montgomery http://www.blogger.com/profile/04062923136693943821noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-44648009471214448572023-06-12T05:00:00.013+10:002023-06-12T05:00:00.146+10:00<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What Makes ‘Good’ Book?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">By Marilyn Forsyth</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ikMwHYRzomcC8Del3wHTIDGWOgdehQPC_JAlV9i-GTQs-pNNFB6jXByinzrrVYSri04lx8HMNBYgHWBqCDOnAaSQcFoNlsXH6a9K62OcUugo9OyxtXXky3X-Wiw3_dJ_tpSkgpf3wpv9j3ui5TqlMg4uAApNLYKFlc7FHO7PG2_t3-8OB5WDp2vSvA/s300/reading4.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ikMwHYRzomcC8Del3wHTIDGWOgdehQPC_JAlV9i-GTQs-pNNFB6jXByinzrrVYSri04lx8HMNBYgHWBqCDOnAaSQcFoNlsXH6a9K62OcUugo9OyxtXXky3X-Wiw3_dJ_tpSkgpf3wpv9j3ui5TqlMg4uAApNLYKFlc7FHO7PG2_t3-8OB5WDp2vSvA/w192-h192/reading4.gif" width="192" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">I’ll start by stating the
obvious: the concept of a ‘good’ book is totally subjective.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">But...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">There <u>are</u> certain qualities
all readers expect from a book they’d recommend. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">From what I’ve read, what many
readers identify as the most important quality of a good book is a <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>CAPTIVATING
STORYLINE</b></span>. They want to be sucked into the story and transported to another world
for the (often) all-too-brief hours of the read.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuqWd5s4doX4G81_FJmUumsXvsO-bSXkKU4BeduFbw029LdZ8QCIRN9xFiiASdZK3a1RlXaH1QwR8r0PM1-8iklWDKvYi55YvnyjX1EdPEOyZDqHJlGzAdYlEIjmdKR7FQ9bS_GGUPhfWfT4XMuXGlVGgIu7fPqi7P7r_F_Rvi9jM_4uy12a_CSRz6g/s480/reading2.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="480" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuqWd5s4doX4G81_FJmUumsXvsO-bSXkKU4BeduFbw029LdZ8QCIRN9xFiiASdZK3a1RlXaH1QwR8r0PM1-8iklWDKvYi55YvnyjX1EdPEOyZDqHJlGzAdYlEIjmdKR7FQ9bS_GGUPhfWfT4XMuXGlVGgIu7fPqi7P7r_F_Rvi9jM_4uy12a_CSRz6g/w235-h192/reading2.gif" width="235" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Next in importance is </span><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>COMPELLING
CHARACTERS</b></span><span>. Readers want believable characters they can identify with and come
to care about. They want to laugh with them, cry with them, and think about
them long after the book is finished. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyu9gBaQCnqgpyfq_j3QktMie8Fpr55voAbM3Hp5q9-yYRWPlzx36JAJMufNClBiNVnRTupOzhjoy3Zbps42ae9ZywoHdHB17cyrtqvxUjnnmGQtPjPiR1y6XagduzDI1Lv2KhmLSi_jDr11FLx7Nw0crxt6T_aG2EjC1S3xoBwe2fSSl413NxHQAuw/s322/reading%203.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyu9gBaQCnqgpyfq_j3QktMie8Fpr55voAbM3Hp5q9-yYRWPlzx36JAJMufNClBiNVnRTupOzhjoy3Zbps42ae9ZywoHdHB17cyrtqvxUjnnmGQtPjPiR1y6XagduzDI1Lv2KhmLSi_jDr11FLx7Nw0crxt6T_aG2EjC1S3xoBwe2fSSl413NxHQAuw/s320/reading%203.gif" width="253" /></a></div><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who can forget Katniss Everdeen??</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">For many readers it’s the
author’s <b><span style="color: #274e13;">LANGUAGE STYLE</span> </b>that makes a book memorable. Every author’s voice is
unique to them, their personality emerging in the tone of the book, in their
word choice, in the way they structure sentences and use punctuation. I think
dialogue comes in here, too (I love good banter).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">A <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>SATISFYING ENDING</b></span> is the gauge
of a good book for many readers. Getting to the end and closing the book with a
sigh of happiness or a fist pump of celebration is, for them, the final decider.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJyUpHCwJIr9LEERiTZLjGRPHj7S3bXyLVOVYtYRlAen_wFDqPLqP74b6LhscYfO_mbuy7P6AX0s4tGAP9vcc3FiIop7_o7MKX3TWtGu9_5UfbcXwzieqHNf3CDKHvwymQlAuFXNtIRoQsUfO5HgP9IpJFlyCjYeFaiQ7tOaGghowaHyMRvJ4hAAOug/s480/reading%20end.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJyUpHCwJIr9LEERiTZLjGRPHj7S3bXyLVOVYtYRlAen_wFDqPLqP74b6LhscYfO_mbuy7P6AX0s4tGAP9vcc3FiIop7_o7MKX3TWtGu9_5UfbcXwzieqHNf3CDKHvwymQlAuFXNtIRoQsUfO5HgP9IpJFlyCjYeFaiQ7tOaGghowaHyMRvJ4hAAOug/w287-h215/reading%20end.gif" width="287" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Other things mentioned as features
of a good book are pragmatic things like auto-buy authors, thorough research, and decent-sized print (although this isn’t an issue with e-books). Some readers judge
from a scan of the first page (or the first few lines) whether the book will grab
them and not let go. Others nominate themes like old houses, family secrets, etc. as good books because they're into that genre.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">For me, I judge how good a
book is by how much it makes me ‘feel’ as I’m reading. If I can feel each
character’s excitement or delight, sadness or anger or regret, that’s exactly what
I want. And if it keeps me up reading into the early hours (even knowing I’ll
pay for it the next day), that’s a bonus.<o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDAf41Q9FYR6T8dB5VBoy0kAIlwgr8-o82zhP8a1BW0S6VS6EmXenQQsrGMmTzNK_1i-zNH5pNb84oN2z7qWnETayVXJtrF3gomR_ZBvzjoahjqbZqHNOTm-j-_uTG-UB30GAerv7AON7EX4RyYHXyw27p3xLtpfMK-lQSCKDt21m_DIO9SmEhhbMXw/s400/emotions.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDAf41Q9FYR6T8dB5VBoy0kAIlwgr8-o82zhP8a1BW0S6VS6EmXenQQsrGMmTzNK_1i-zNH5pNb84oN2z7qWnETayVXJtrF3gomR_ZBvzjoahjqbZqHNOTm-j-_uTG-UB30GAerv7AON7EX4RyYHXyw27p3xLtpfMK-lQSCKDt21m_DIO9SmEhhbMXw/w263-h148/emotions.gif" width="263" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">I can’t finish this post
without mention of things that spoil a potentially good book. These are my no-nos:</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lack of thorough copy-editing (grammar/spelling/punctuation
mistakes take me out of the story)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Inconsistency in character
behaviour (takes away from believability of the character)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Plot holes (should never
happen)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The book not meeting genre/cover/blurb
expectations<o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How about you? I’d love to
know what <u>you</u> think makes a book ‘good’ (or bad)? Let me know in the
comments.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Love to Love</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: holidays! We
recently returned from Khao Lak in Thailand. Such a relaxing time in a gorgeous
place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Love to Laugh</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: at crazy memes.
(I’m an Ed Sheeran tragic but this made me laugh out loud.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFyvXKgIyaoGpF6tDQ8s-Dp8ovdYhlGMe7hRQ-Ra-ac2I8XKfUEzPuaoKBIJsd1t-wXVNJrgciFHZvgJKjtpNAJwfTjNFHsIvCkcqg3wMRRFjPdT41gmXthR49DmfgLyHhPZN9JW1NvKQOAqeChDX8lW8HLVILu9DIV80HWbxhtpxdDpmmwDWot6Y6Q/s670/ed%20sheeran.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="564" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFyvXKgIyaoGpF6tDQ8s-Dp8ovdYhlGMe7hRQ-Ra-ac2I8XKfUEzPuaoKBIJsd1t-wXVNJrgciFHZvgJKjtpNAJwfTjNFHsIvCkcqg3wMRRFjPdT41gmXthR49DmfgLyHhPZN9JW1NvKQOAqeChDX8lW8HLVILu9DIV80HWbxhtpxdDpmmwDWot6Y6Q/w175-h208/ed%20sheeran.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><div><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>Love to Learn</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: I’m doing an
on-line Watercolour class at the moment. (I'd share but I'm not happy with my efforts yet. 😉)</span><p></p>Marilyn Forsythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17264683453138649702noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-45748062799211521712023-04-10T04:30:00.087+10:002023-04-10T04:30:00.260+10:00The myth and folklore that is the Easter bunny and his eggs<p><i> By Cassandra Samuels</i></p><div class="WACEditing EditMode EditingSurfaceBody FireFox WACViewPanel_DisableLegacyKeyCodeAndCharCode usehover" contenteditable="false" id="WACViewPanel_ClipboardElement" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; overflow: hidden; visibility: visible;" tabindex="0"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">It is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> Easter </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">Monday,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> so I wanted to talk about that other part of Easter. </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">Everyone</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> loves Easter, if not for the religious </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">aspect,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> then for the love of chocolate. How did a rabbit become tangled in all this?</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> And how is it connected to eggs?</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">That is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> what I am going to try and explain today.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> \</span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhRnfHmdydZr5IVLqIIoDbFhcBEgHYDBeV1tlWJsnQEGGiPUj8lT_8ZdhDtjkWl6fUYDBfDLOj2NoxByePnvim0WcdiEHRRXGmLo9E9XUR-1TV-65W2lYfQ8wzzI4Q9oxgOLeoT3W-pH_a9psIOY8O10JI4GLrUYtZW3KpQlYYOJL2tjaHgs8BwAk/s264/easter%20bunny.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="264" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhRnfHmdydZr5IVLqIIoDbFhcBEgHYDBeV1tlWJsnQEGGiPUj8lT_8ZdhDtjkWl6fUYDBfDLOj2NoxByePnvim0WcdiEHRRXGmLo9E9XUR-1TV-65W2lYfQ8wzzI4Q9oxgOLeoT3W-pH_a9psIOY8O10JI4GLrUYtZW3KpQlYYOJL2tjaHgs8BwAk/s1600/easter%20bunny.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Creative Commons<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">We all know they </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">don’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> lay eggs so how are chocolate eggs connected? To explain we </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">must</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> go all the way back to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">the Pagans</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> They celebrated the festival of Eostre</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> or Ostara</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> (a great northern goddess</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> of Spring</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">) whose symbol is the hare. </span></span><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpd902iHznFfOwjHv9ARtHZAntTrArPv4ZOalwARcwaCFpyNI2pKH7ssYHotjEIZMAYHaghXtwmTsL7lwc0JaDzVzUImUWNZcczNkQrsLWCE1qTs-uVR-s79SxjPHSJXgIYPCy-eo1q1FA5hmRmtbA7VTCjYCorKB1DPxf4BT67Ta0MORznQ-RH0Y/s428/Eostre.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpd902iHznFfOwjHv9ARtHZAntTrArPv4ZOalwARcwaCFpyNI2pKH7ssYHotjEIZMAYHaghXtwmTsL7lwc0JaDzVzUImUWNZcczNkQrsLWCE1qTs-uVR-s79SxjPHSJXgIYPCy-eo1q1FA5hmRmtbA7VTCjYCorKB1DPxf4BT67Ta0MORznQ-RH0Y/s320/Eostre.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy of Creative Commons</td></tr></tbody></table>Easter, as you know is not a fixed date every year, but is commanded by the phases of the moon, again a nod to the pagans. The hare also <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">represents</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">spring and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">fertility</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">. We all know the saying about rabbits, so what about the eggs because we all know rabbits do not lay them.</span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1sNgEweTkgLG4X3roWNH7_KLFkQY153Va86jMnHLBjt0KdV25G_fZwsbeeUxIv27uMMuJJw2-omcWloig_yKeMsxSwqsNrZylj4JF4W8y825ueZqtLPvKpio0KsNBJmLkXjuEOfqA9EYzcHUuR9YAGKu-pVQiOfwcj-kOQWvTF0RdQROJxPdD0tr/s6000/bermix-studio-OV5IgSZw2oQ-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1sNgEweTkgLG4X3roWNH7_KLFkQY153Va86jMnHLBjt0KdV25G_fZwsbeeUxIv27uMMuJJw2-omcWloig_yKeMsxSwqsNrZylj4JF4W8y825ueZqtLPvKpio0KsNBJmLkXjuEOfqA9EYzcHUuR9YAGKu-pVQiOfwcj-kOQWvTF0RdQROJxPdD0tr/s320/bermix-studio-OV5IgSZw2oQ-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@bermixstudio?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Bermix Studio</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/red-eggs?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; text-align: left;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">Since ancient times German folklore has connected rabbits and eggs where the Easter Rabbit puts colourful eggsin nests and baskets of good little children. They then took this custom with them as they migrated around the world. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; text-align: left;"> </span></div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">The </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">Greeks</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> have a more orthodox reason for dying eggs red at Easter. The egg is dyed red to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">represent</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> Christ’s blood, its shell the tomb of Jesus and the cracking of the shell the resurrection from the dead and escaping his tomb.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IdqJkAPGc_dwodKG4t8nqjoqztNZDY_g5yeTpLR6O9HQwoaQiL1LZKU5Ine_eRN9YB338OpBuz6PIoO73oCpPQA42t9HsfOKbvnZ10oWF32MMaeNcLRM_J-vy1pzk2RypHaWIFE-q-qdeRhksGGAxUBK6yPbPMIwSR94C_8i2BGJnMutomKs7ieP/s3764/alexandra-torro-Op0QgzkrSIc-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="3764" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IdqJkAPGc_dwodKG4t8nqjoqztNZDY_g5yeTpLR6O9HQwoaQiL1LZKU5Ine_eRN9YB338OpBuz6PIoO73oCpPQA42t9HsfOKbvnZ10oWF32MMaeNcLRM_J-vy1pzk2RypHaWIFE-q-qdeRhksGGAxUBK6yPbPMIwSR94C_8i2BGJnMutomKs7ieP/s320/alexandra-torro-Op0QgzkrSIc-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@alexandratorro?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">ALEXANDRA TORRO</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/greek-easter-eggs?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">But what about the chocolate? I hear you ask. In the early 19</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-fontsize="11" style="vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> century</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> France and Germany started introducing chocolate eggs as eating chocolate. Before that chocolate was consumed as a drink but once they perfected the process of separating Cocoa from the seed, they were able to start using chocolate as it is mostly consumed today. Apparently, Fry and sons </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">around</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> 1</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">8</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">6</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">0</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> invented the first chocolate bar from paste, sugar, cocoa butter, and chocolate liquor and moulded into a bar.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> Fry’s first chocolate easter egg was around 1873</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF7ogHfuGvK6uNj6lk26kDqAugjiYCiRBbnmVG_aUaAx0pf556vHvovDJX0ogU25KZQfbFvagq_PWwA5me67x1tt96ixCZYHRcs9US3FEqCtmz_h3mwF3RvdGJqnPm378amipoKxHJFXmre4Uvq7kl7FY1yBNI5k3Wal6zd4-IHB0FjBcap9MoJbE/s602/egg%20moulds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF7ogHfuGvK6uNj6lk26kDqAugjiYCiRBbnmVG_aUaAx0pf556vHvovDJX0ogU25KZQfbFvagq_PWwA5me67x1tt96ixCZYHRcs9US3FEqCtmz_h3mwF3RvdGJqnPm378amipoKxHJFXmre4Uvq7kl7FY1yBNI5k3Wal6zd4-IHB0FjBcap9MoJbE/s320/egg%20moulds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Preston's Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">The first Cadbury Easter egg was made in 1875 and now there are more types of Easter chocolate than you could possibly consume. </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">So, there you have it. Easter is a combination of folklore, festivals, and religion. Over time they have become combined in a celebration that can be shared by all.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">I hope your Easter break was a wonderful one.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"></span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> How is your Easter spent?</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> Have you ever read a Romance novel set over Easter?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #93c47d; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">Love to love watching the children </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">participating</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> in the Easter egg hunt.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="color: #93c47d; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #6aa84f; line-height: 19.425px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">Love to learn all about </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">how the first chocolate eggs were made and how they related to the Easter Bunny.</span></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="direction: ltr;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW98383219 BCX2" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-AU" style="color: #38761d; line-height: 19.425px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2">Love to laugh at my silly new puppy Buddy</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW98383219 BCX2"> as he plays with his toys.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d; line-height: 19.425px;"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW98383219 BCX2" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, "Calibri_EmbeddedFont", "Calibri_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d; line-height: 19.425px;"><br /></span></span></p></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-61923367541292077172023-02-13T01:00:00.269+11:002023-02-13T01:00:00.256+11:00Holiday Romance Novels<p> <i>by Sharon Bryant</i></p><p>I love reading romance novels and watching movies about Christmas, as well as those with a holiday theme. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Hanukkah, there are so many holiday seasons incorporated within romance novels and films. </p><p>Each Christmas, I look forward to Miranda's special post on this blog site. I download the books she recommends, and spend my spare time in January reading my way through them. So much fun! </p><p>As a Debbie Macomber fan, I was delighted to find her novel "The Christmas Spirit" amongst this year's recommendations. It's a fabulous novel, well worth reading.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4zhjtdQAOIcx_KaruwkHo8Gcxgw3t5clRPqkragCeLfRrjdUWDZsSoJ_0Ics3G_zFbsqZUlOlmhu-WaqFRO4Dxmt3O_X5C1owL3mLBRYtq_kdbDleZgOSOLdX3LYD1J37ow3-KR0721J_R_W9S18LQaouwlq7gyxZDzCivTX_pvc-LqzRAPTpcrV7w/s503/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-07%20at%202.55.24%20pm.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="339" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4zhjtdQAOIcx_KaruwkHo8Gcxgw3t5clRPqkragCeLfRrjdUWDZsSoJ_0Ics3G_zFbsqZUlOlmhu-WaqFRO4Dxmt3O_X5C1owL3mLBRYtq_kdbDleZgOSOLdX3LYD1J37ow3-KR0721J_R_W9S18LQaouwlq7gyxZDzCivTX_pvc-LqzRAPTpcrV7w/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-07%20at%202.55.24%20pm.png" width="216" /></a></div><p>I'd also like to recommend a Hanukkah-themed holiday romance novel, "The Matzah Ball". The heroine Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a chronic disease who secretly writes best-selling Christmas romance novels. She runs into difficulties when her publisher insists she diversify and write a Hanukkah-themed romance. She has no idea where to start, and decides to attend the Matzah Ball on the last night of Hanukkah, hoping to find her muse. This means working with her archenemy from summer camp days, Jacob Greenberg. </p><p>My favourite Christmas films are the timeless ones like "It's a Wonderful Life", "The Holiday" and "Love Actually". "Sleepless in Seattle" is my favourite film with a Valentine's Day theme.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i_q068PQndSLH0jGBffYP3CIHwkU5VOwD2N5dzA7q8o2fLI5gs2i_Am69k3bgeEUBfOWusDCZtSXJfjPx_gb3L7u_9CtnX-G62X6EoCGZxCvHSB89FGEUW1bsJexeGKVOMUeUpRs-oOXOaABBb3Q_JP4dJD-R1AN8LbradFR8Mh9VyFgybseZwYVzw/s395/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-07%20at%203.01.03%20pm.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i_q068PQndSLH0jGBffYP3CIHwkU5VOwD2N5dzA7q8o2fLI5gs2i_Am69k3bgeEUBfOWusDCZtSXJfjPx_gb3L7u_9CtnX-G62X6EoCGZxCvHSB89FGEUW1bsJexeGKVOMUeUpRs-oOXOaABBb3Q_JP4dJD-R1AN8LbradFR8Mh9VyFgybseZwYVzw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-07%20at%203.01.03%20pm.png" width="215" /></a></div><p>Do you love Christmas and holiday-themed romance novels and movies as much as I do? Have you ever wondered what makes them so special?</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Why Are Christmas Romance Novels So Special?</b></span></p><p>Nan Reinhardt, romance author and blogger, thinks Christmas romance novels use the romance tropes we enjoy so much, but the holiday themes can make the romance seem much sweeter. </p><p>Hayley Walsh, author, relates the popularity of Christmas romance novels to the way people like to feel - good, hopeful and happy. "Christmas novels are usually full of love, hope, fun, laughter and leave with that warm fuzzy feeling inside." </p><p>Penny Jaeger, author, argues that Christmas novels amplify the universal desire for love because Christmas is "the time of miracles, the time of wishes being fulfilled".</p><p>All of these authors link the popularity of Christmas romance novels to the way we feel or would like to feel at Christmas time.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>Why do people like to read books and watch movies with a holiday theme?</b></span></p><p>Associate Professor Brent Rodriguez-Plate argues that holiday movies are popular because they offer their audience a "glimpse into the world as it could be." Holiday movies offer hope and can provide "solace, reaffirmation and sometimes even courage to continue working through difficult situations", and can serve as a "barometer for how we might wish to live".</p><p>The holiday-themed romance novels and films that I love all meet these criteria. I read and watch characters solving difficult problems, and finding ways to live their lives that more closely approach how they would like to live. This is often accompanied by lessons learned, personal growth and recognition that although life is never perfect, it can be good. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOletynDdhm_MulQB3VQkSun5DeKq9eNo6L2QyW8Aj0__yTUKBwiaxyRWu-rHgJt_ViRxuSidfnsWPiI8N9Nd0pDC3h_RydgSYOPYjLls5dcTPS0KXnDn2H3ViW32tc7xR-GBz4dzz4PKYX68U8tsOHEjn48lfPxH4JYQFH5cT0UBMwyG9keDCcsjXcQ/s574/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-07%20at%202.51.11%20pm.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOletynDdhm_MulQB3VQkSun5DeKq9eNo6L2QyW8Aj0__yTUKBwiaxyRWu-rHgJt_ViRxuSidfnsWPiI8N9Nd0pDC3h_RydgSYOPYjLls5dcTPS0KXnDn2H3ViW32tc7xR-GBz4dzz4PKYX68U8tsOHEjn48lfPxH4JYQFH5cT0UBMwyG9keDCcsjXcQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-07%20at%202.51.11%20pm.png" width="251" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;"><i>Do you have any favourite holiday-themed romance novels and movies? If yes, please share the details.</i></span></p><p><i><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;">Why do you think holiday-themed romance novels and movies are so popular?</span></i></p><p>I hope you had a good Christmas, an enjoyable holiday season, and wish you a fulfilling 2023. Happy Valentine's Day.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I love to love</span> holiday romance novels and films.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I love to laugh</span> with friends and family.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I love to learn</span> and grow.</p>Sharon Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01662544181464130756noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-32355611583203839652022-12-19T05:00:00.339+11:002022-12-19T05:00:00.247+11:00MIRANDA'S CHRISTMAS MUSINGS <p>Hello my darlings, it's <b><i><span style="color: red;">CHRISTMAS</span></i></b><span style="color: red;">!</span> I just love it: the music, the tree, decorations and lights, the excited faces on the children (and maybe a few adults, eg. me), church, the <i>food</i>, oh my gosh, the <i>food</i>, social get togethers, romantic Christmas movies (definitely addicted), the gifts and cards, oh my. I'm a total Christmas tragic. You?</p><p>I always start my Christmas reading early. It gets me in the mood and totally sparks joy, so why not? Here's six of the best festive reads I've found (and there's heaps more waiting on my Kindle).</p><p>I truly loved <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Spirit-heart-warming-festive-bestseller-ebook/dp/B09QYLBM69/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1671267470&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber.</a><b style="color: red;"> </b>You all know I love her annual Christmas story, and this one kicked off the spirit of the season for me. Two single friends, Peter - a small town pastor, and Hank - a pub owner, impulsively decide to 'swap jobs' just before Christmas, each convinced they work harder than the other, and maybe a little concerned their busy lives have prevented them from finding romance. Ha! Cue frantic-ness with two lovely romances to enjoy. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwEsd9jDJBXMqFcQVfHR45jEGSUZxZ995XRrIO7IFhm2TcP3xy1KgQbdKjiNeAX_PbQMaf29eX7InimqyqCzkK1lgxhkpl6ygXeOMJBg57gyyfagju-M68xBP-dIlB4ZJplyMpHWiUO-Borz0d90f-lw8ew36xfAOr2P5q-hjnTs7ia0ZIHa8gfP0-A/s500/The%20Christmas%20Spirit%20by%20Debbie%20Macomber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwEsd9jDJBXMqFcQVfHR45jEGSUZxZ995XRrIO7IFhm2TcP3xy1KgQbdKjiNeAX_PbQMaf29eX7InimqyqCzkK1lgxhkpl6ygXeOMJBg57gyyfagju-M68xBP-dIlB4ZJplyMpHWiUO-Borz0d90f-lw8ew36xfAOr2P5q-hjnTs7ia0ZIHa8gfP0-A/s320/The%20Christmas%20Spirit%20by%20Debbie%20Macomber.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Christmas-Knight-Kathleen-Creighton-ebook/dp/B00962F3UU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GXR8MYBBNLF&keywords=one+christmas+knight+creighton&qid=1671268051&s=digital-text&sprefix=one+christmas+knight+creighton%2Cdigital-text%2C293&sr=1-1" target="_blank">One Christmas Knight by Kathleen Creighton</a> is a blast from the past, first published in 1997 but making a charming comeback. It's a sweet story about a pregnant woman who - yes, you guessed it - goes into sudden labour when she's driving through a blizzard. A soft-hearted trucker stops to help, and he is totally <i>fabulous </i>the way he copes. All the love here! A baby and Christmas!<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-ATTpw2oq8RpzVpCaeQmVnuq3RU6wcPEg0oHYiZAFSt3T3IKHEMM1xiw-6cECPOov7hlr8ICizvJVKJwnZEXT2clgulGyhzpZKC-LKJ_R6jP-iviunSUw9gTrKZ0seN8EHAF5hsynle-i7e7fuPIJSl7eG9QT4WW1a6U1q46wZ9AiEMsvtgIt8rksw/s500/One%20Christmas%20Knight%20by%20Kathleen%20Creighton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-ATTpw2oq8RpzVpCaeQmVnuq3RU6wcPEg0oHYiZAFSt3T3IKHEMM1xiw-6cECPOov7hlr8ICizvJVKJwnZEXT2clgulGyhzpZKC-LKJ_R6jP-iviunSUw9gTrKZ0seN8EHAF5hsynle-i7e7fuPIJSl7eG9QT4WW1a6U1q46wZ9AiEMsvtgIt8rksw/s320/One%20Christmas%20Knight%20by%20Kathleen%20Creighton.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Scrooge-Girls-Next-Door-Holiday-ebook/dp/B0B9R885CW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JSBZI1CPD0WD&keywords=scrooge+and+the+girls+next+door&qid=1671268466&s=digital-text&sprefix=scrooge+and+the+girls+next+doo%2Cdigital-text%2C324&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Scrooge and the Girls Next Door by Melanie Jacobson</a> was LOL fun, a wonderful grumpy/sunshine Christmas story. The grump is <i>awful </i>at the beginning, totally uptight, but I'm pleased to report there's much less grump by the end. Imagine my delight when I realised this is a series, I'm totally getting the other stories. Loved this one so big.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox8PNbDqc-PLu1VO2Y2MBREtd6T6YECQEjEsMKj4WVlEL92BTTRAxQtlN7z_sgLHQxAJK3IYIJj8TH0vz6cH_q9W2ngpbVNRBiwX7-05cYB7RulXBmC3GIBcKxEdj1H01MXZbGNe8r1_9ubbP-LieSfD_lP7kktLhsgPnIgoOuh_cQLC1H7OGF0c7Qg/s500/Scrooge%20and%20the%20Girls%20Next%20Door%20by%20Melanie%20Jacobson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox8PNbDqc-PLu1VO2Y2MBREtd6T6YECQEjEsMKj4WVlEL92BTTRAxQtlN7z_sgLHQxAJK3IYIJj8TH0vz6cH_q9W2ngpbVNRBiwX7-05cYB7RulXBmC3GIBcKxEdj1H01MXZbGNe8r1_9ubbP-LieSfD_lP7kktLhsgPnIgoOuh_cQLC1H7OGF0c7Qg/s320/Scrooge%20and%20the%20Girls%20Next%20Door%20by%20Melanie%20Jacobson.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Snowed-Christmas-Novel-Sarah-Morgan-ebook/dp/B09SB9V9Y8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37BMADAM8B9ZI&keywords=snowed+in+for+christmas&qid=1671269077&s=digital-text&sprefix=snowed+in+for+christm%2Cdigital-text%2C403&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan</a> is an absolute delight. Get a big extended family and various assorted others and snow them into a big Scottish mansion at Christmas, and it's a recipe for disaster. No, wait, a recipe for <i>romance</i>, right? RIGHT? Ha, read it and see. All the feels in this one. I do love Sarah Morgan's ability to make me care so much. Ah, Christmas. 💝</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CuM4YcypWNgzIuhfoIu1rMRXTfEQU2WHxlMVcQfKAiKPdFUYd6GO5U3K9C5grOEjMe3s85Rj0UtohvAPlsDNk_DQrUhUZN2jfJmHvuKbRbZAWI_m4TtT4sBGbOungpP5KwhSWd5iJI6I01cYlHB5w4IflPGxcP1QaOppgf0s3H_0Wbp4I64Mx8AwuA/s500/Snowed%20In%20for%20Christmas%20by%20Sarah%20Morgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CuM4YcypWNgzIuhfoIu1rMRXTfEQU2WHxlMVcQfKAiKPdFUYd6GO5U3K9C5grOEjMe3s85Rj0UtohvAPlsDNk_DQrUhUZN2jfJmHvuKbRbZAWI_m4TtT4sBGbOungpP5KwhSWd5iJI6I01cYlHB5w4IflPGxcP1QaOppgf0s3H_0Wbp4I64Mx8AwuA/s320/Snowed%20In%20for%20Christmas%20by%20Sarah%20Morgan.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><p>I promised you six books, but wow, I confess that Life Has Rushed Past and I still have two more I'm absolutely dying to read before Christmas. Think I'll make it? The first is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mistletoe-Kisses-Nana-Malone-ebook/dp/B0BMB4RPYB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NTL1PWBXZEOJ&keywords=mistletoe+kisses+nana+malone&qid=1671271046&s=digital-text&sprefix=mistletoe+kisses+%2Cdigital-text%2C385&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Mistletoe Kisses by Nana Malone</a>, and isn't the cover absolutely divine? A brooding billionaire (nice) gives our heroine a reason to love Christmas after she's been dumped by some loser we don't need to care about. Yes please. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_0nEBKw7zchfEULrbjF3Cxrnh5qHCZCYZHBQ3Yg_xnh19-BHmj_uR5JM8jxpsahVjuTOYgWEU8rIPxgLsZgiX_5i3EtZJuJfD0m0dGKDUqmo9bsjH4RdO4ctOrskBRuLtYhoBYyn8DmiueEhGeA8IurGTkHHlxAl_Ft2j7w9MQQJx21wvV5mWF8cLw/s500/Mistletoe%20Kisses%20by%20Nina%20Malone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_0nEBKw7zchfEULrbjF3Cxrnh5qHCZCYZHBQ3Yg_xnh19-BHmj_uR5JM8jxpsahVjuTOYgWEU8rIPxgLsZgiX_5i3EtZJuJfD0m0dGKDUqmo9bsjH4RdO4ctOrskBRuLtYhoBYyn8DmiueEhGeA8IurGTkHHlxAl_Ft2j7w9MQQJx21wvV5mWF8cLw/s320/Mistletoe%20Kisses%20by%20Nina%20Malone.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I've been hearing a lot of buzz about Viola Shipman, so I've just picked up his book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wish-Winter-Viola-Shipman/dp/1525804847/ref=sxts_entity_rec_bsx_s_def_r00_t_aufl?content-id=amzn1.sym.a36c3969-f821-4d5b-a8e8-be129cf4aa4a%3Aamzn1.sym.a36c3969-f821-4d5b-a8e8-be129cf4aa4a&cv_ct_cx=a+wish+for+winter+viola+shipman&keywords=a+wish+for+winter+viola+shipman&pd_rd_i=1525804847&pd_rd_r=ba452d83-f43c-4584-9a9e-bb36e897bea5&pd_rd_w=IrKpY&pd_rd_wg=V8cch&pf_rd_p=a36c3969-f821-4d5b-a8e8-be129cf4aa4a&pf_rd_r=4PZHKMWYY7XXTNCK78QN&qid=1671270156&s=digital-text&sprefix=a+wish+for+winter%2Cdigital-text%2C406&sr=1-1-ef9bfdb7-b507-43a0-b887-27e2a8414df0" target="_blank">A Wish For Winter.</a> According to the blurb, it's a book for people who love books about books, missed connections and the magic of Christmas. With a mysterious Santa in there somewhere. Tick, tick, tick, tick, wow, can't wait.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw54bvdvcADD3C5pjR5McDrvPHGunADDdZUn0hns8w_wRyjNrJxE8xng7qqt5igTUJeBwaJsH4sngajG90wC0RmEY7cniK800Z5fMOlvI4LCUUQFVLeiTdjVWdtMZG6mYc9sziD7-maHxucjXojEkadnxx1m7ikeMhDXcZrYSQQNq8TuKPouv5S28Mw/s499/A%20Wish%20For%20Winter%20by%20Viola%20Shipman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw54bvdvcADD3C5pjR5McDrvPHGunADDdZUn0hns8w_wRyjNrJxE8xng7qqt5igTUJeBwaJsH4sngajG90wC0RmEY7cniK800Z5fMOlvI4LCUUQFVLeiTdjVWdtMZG6mYc9sziD7-maHxucjXojEkadnxx1m7ikeMhDXcZrYSQQNq8TuKPouv5S28Mw/s320/A%20Wish%20For%20Winter%20by%20Viola%20Shipman.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Because I can, I'm going to add one extra. Many of you know Robin Lee Hatcher for her stunning award-winning book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shepherds-Voice-Robin-Lee-Hatcher-ebook/dp/B002VECTNO?ref_=ast_sto_dp" target="_blank">The Shepherd's Voice.</a> It's how I discovered her, and I've been a faithful reader ever since. So, ta-da! here's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09H6D7QXH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o07?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">A Carol For Christmas</a>. I'm <i>so</i> looking forward to it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXsL0OlYSmoXKukvqObHrFK1hH09Na5Jp3KVsqxEKmGy5tkQL_Lkmcdp-zkXEdGRH3Px6aMgkULhf8sm_S2_r8h3Zu_ie5Rz223dFHALGRs4133yCboBYODD1IPFqR4gx9WK-CjmiNPIEed2_LKrTOqrSEYhsh6znwodwC3gjzgFPtI6cblw4z4nu3Q/s500/A%20Carol%20For%20Christmas%20by%20Robin%20Lee%20Hatcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXsL0OlYSmoXKukvqObHrFK1hH09Na5Jp3KVsqxEKmGy5tkQL_Lkmcdp-zkXEdGRH3Px6aMgkULhf8sm_S2_r8h3Zu_ie5Rz223dFHALGRs4133yCboBYODD1IPFqR4gx9WK-CjmiNPIEed2_LKrTOqrSEYhsh6znwodwC3gjzgFPtI6cblw4z4nu3Q/s320/A%20Carol%20For%20Christmas%20by%20Robin%20Lee%20Hatcher.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Ah, readers. So many books, so little time, but I hope and pray you do have time to sit down and enjoy some festive reading. You deserve it! Give yourself a little Christmas gift: read a book.</p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Be kind, be careful, be the best you can be. </span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas precious people, and may you have a bright, shining Happy New Year!</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Love from Miranda xxxx</i></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I love to love: </b>you guessed it, ALL the Christmas romances. </span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I love to laugh: </b>at unexpected humour in books. <i>Scrooge and the Girls Next Door </i>did that to me.</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>I love to learn: </b>what your fave Christmas authors/romances are. Do tell!</span></p><p><br /></p></div>Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16395027098663054678noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-49772047103897975102022-11-14T00:30:00.000+11:002022-11-14T00:30:00.235+11:00What's Keeping You Going in 2022?<p>As I sit down to write this blog it's 9:02 pm the night it is due... publication is but a short three hours away, so it needs to get done.</p><p>Also open on my screen is the short story I mention further below (the one that's due to be published in January) which is not finished. That deadline sailed about six weeks ago and I'm embarrassed to have missed it. The publishers are GREAT, don't get me wrong, but it's not a good feeling to know that you've not met a commitment. For those who've taken the Strengths test with Becca Syme, I'm a #1 Responsibility, so missing a due date bites hard. I've sworn to myself it'll be done tonight.</p><p>And, I don't know about you, but I feel a bit like a mouse running on one of those little wheels... I'm working the day job, recruiting to replace two members of my team, managing lots family stuff, sitting down to write only almost falling asleep at the desk, trying to figure out how we're fitting everything in around Christmas and I'm TIRED! Pretty sure I'm still processing 2020 and we're almost into 2023! </p><p>I just want to take to my bed with a good book or twelve and pretend the world doesn't exist until the New Year rolls around and we're all inspired to begin with a clean slate.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5pib-j9NmgRUaN_pBze3B9AGxAmx2R16HAc-NskqhOsgKC-kzxl-3YRJtgFDzYIeYFynnvfOtc2ycW0VAL1ErRqpvgktDYvywV9Q_wo8QPzOyZeQUEBy42ADu7azSZd19-sOz0eJGL9R7GlXgPyd6GqdpOZX3iKFtqHVjMzeGJKkNnLODuHXo8L-/s5184/DSC00486.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5pib-j9NmgRUaN_pBze3B9AGxAmx2R16HAc-NskqhOsgKC-kzxl-3YRJtgFDzYIeYFynnvfOtc2ycW0VAL1ErRqpvgktDYvywV9Q_wo8QPzOyZeQUEBy42ADu7azSZd19-sOz0eJGL9R7GlXgPyd6GqdpOZX3iKFtqHVjMzeGJKkNnLODuHXo8L-/w310-h232/DSC00486.JPG" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanauma Bay, Oahu. Author's photo</td></tr></tbody></table><p>But that's not possible! </p><p>Instead, I decided to plan a holiday. </p><p>I mean, a holiday to Hawaii (who doesn't love Hawaii) is definitely something to look forward to, right?</p><p>And I've spoiled myself booking a four night stay at Volcano House with an extra special room overlooking Halema'uma'u Crater (part of the Kilaeua volcano). I CANNOT WAIT!</p><p>I also decided to give myself a little grace.</p><p>We are all only human, and we can only do what we can do. </p><p>I'm trying to focus on the important things at work, and I'm looking for opportunities to ask for help. And I'm making sure I get a little fun every day - #WillowsDiner (link below) helps a lot with that!</p><p>All that being said, I'm still working on getting through one day at a time and so I thought this would be a good place to crowdsource some other ideas. </p><p>Tell me below, what's keeping you going in 2022?</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">A little shameless self promotion</h3><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGtcMwT0PQARtPKItmPgApq3p4NYa_pFXbDVl-FLltc4EwmX20c_L0kMQWy4dv5qClap5aoYOqu1Qpdyvl_gZr6MlgcUkNL1p_mcaDU237laYUJPzu0HuNMxjmmu_eYr_zmyhV65VavWIUWknLDDC_wyNcTMvuh4q2vOZNyhEvgR4AXPSTcbjVMZ6/s1080/It's%20Always%20Been%20You.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGtcMwT0PQARtPKItmPgApq3p4NYa_pFXbDVl-FLltc4EwmX20c_L0kMQWy4dv5qClap5aoYOqu1Qpdyvl_gZr6MlgcUkNL1p_mcaDU237laYUJPzu0HuNMxjmmu_eYr_zmyhV65VavWIUWknLDDC_wyNcTMvuh4q2vOZNyhEvgR4AXPSTcbjVMZ6/w305-h305/It's%20Always%20Been%20You.jpg" width="305" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dearest
Breathless Readers, today I’m finishing my blog with a little shameless self-promotion,
introducing you to <b>The Billionaire Fling</b>, a short story anthology which
launches in January 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My story – One
Night with London’s Most Eligible Bachelor – is in the anthology with more than
twenty other shorts from best-selling and award-winning authors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is an international anthology, organised by The New Romance Café/Romance
Café Publishing and it is particularly close to my heart because all proceeds from sales of the anthology are donated to the Breast Cancer Research
Foundation. Both my mother and sister have had breast cancer, and my sister (in the wedding dress!) is
still fighting it, so anything that brings us closer to a cure is worth it in
my book!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0cm;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AD9hTnCxIz7f-zU4hpe4To6V7vYbAebYskLmnvKRP_cP4J0PMXYbn13934pAxzQWvXAPfAotDPWj4irUJ7MD1-w471oVB6JJ4OtjyEOofMOPCbISWS20heSx4k1McoQvV9b1ziNDw-6lz1asMuVxKeHtY62kz8G7Kn6hn1wLocwD6ds5lc6_xX24/s842/284091256_10160028360819248_2136801336847542554_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="526" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AD9hTnCxIz7f-zU4hpe4To6V7vYbAebYskLmnvKRP_cP4J0PMXYbn13934pAxzQWvXAPfAotDPWj4irUJ7MD1-w471oVB6JJ4OtjyEOofMOPCbISWS20heSx4k1McoQvV9b1ziNDw-6lz1asMuVxKeHtY62kz8G7Kn6hn1wLocwD6ds5lc6_xX24/w127-h204/284091256_10160028360819248_2136801336847542554_n.jpg" width="127" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If you want to buy, <b>The Billionaire Fling</b> can be pre-ordered <a href="books2read.com/u/bx1B1e">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 14.2pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Champagne,
sports cars, private jets: these powerful billionaires can buy everything but
love. </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 14.2pt;"><i><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 10pt;">With the world at their command, how will they cope with the one person who wants their heart, not their money?</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 14.2pt;"><i><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Strap on your red sole stilettos, pop open the champagne, and dive into our billionaires' glittering happy ever afters.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0cm 6pt 14.2pt;"><i><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Over twenty </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">titillating</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> stories from USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance authors in a spicy billionaire collection curated by The New Romance Cafe, with ALL proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.</span></span></i></p><span lang="EN-US"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPtwLSSNWKtXWExw4P_3FIqOdAfIrw51OTgOXj7IfwWIwwqETglCTRGlEAd-PVxVCeZBgTx62koeQ890fbGGYedbwCNevmqia5TzIlAA3acD9cDabKYD6jozrND7eHfiObs4469MaE9PsK8631Q4Tq5evFJ40H62BOWdsF4Y_9FTPm3xf7brTsrQ_/s3808/Low%20Res-7%20CROPPED.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3808" data-original-width="3782" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPtwLSSNWKtXWExw4P_3FIqOdAfIrw51OTgOXj7IfwWIwwqETglCTRGlEAd-PVxVCeZBgTx62koeQ890fbGGYedbwCNevmqia5TzIlAA3acD9cDabKYD6jozrND7eHfiObs4469MaE9PsK8631Q4Tq5evFJ40H62BOWdsF4Y_9FTPm3xf7brTsrQ_/w140-h141/Low%20Res-7%20CROPPED.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>Kristine
Charles writes sexy tales where coffee (and red wine) is abundant, designer
shoes and handbags are cheap, chocolate has no calories, and men always put the
toilet seat down. Find her at </span><a href="http://www.wordsbykristinecharles.com"><span lang="EN-US">www.wordsbykristinecharles.com</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram via <a href="https://linktr.ee/wordsbykc" target="_blank">Linktree</a>.</span><div><br /></div><div><b>LOVE TO LOVE</b>: holiday planning... when I need to escape, I spend five minutes looking up something new to see or do in Hawaii. Bring on my trip in February!<p></p><p><b>LOVE TO LAUGH</b>: Check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saruh2themax/">@saruh2themax</a> on Instagram (or TikTok). Her #WillowsDiner videos are THE BEST. They cheer me up every day!</p><p><b>LOVE TO LEARN</b>: from Sarra Cannon. I'm starting to think about my plans for next year and I'm using Sarra's HB90 method (which, in short, has you plan in 12 weekly chunks with a focus on what tasks move you towards your goals). If you want to check Sarra out, her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/HeartBreathings/featured" target="_blank">YouTube</a> channel is great. </p></div>Kristine Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13225943245120896454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-32747523939232199482022-10-10T01:00:00.140+11:002022-10-10T01:00:00.199+11:00Rekindling One's Creativity<p> <br /></p><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Rekindling One's Creativity</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>By Jayne Kingsley</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, it's been a year. Quite a few, really, but let's not delve down that rabbit hole. I agreed to write this blog months ago; fresh into a new year for which I had grand romance writing and kick ass life plans. January rolled into February, and I started a new career path by returning to university, naively thinking I could handle full time study, kids, a house, being an awesome wife, and writing romance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">HA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a confession. I haven't written a word of romance since February. In fact, I haven't read a romance novel in over two months and quite frankly feel like my creative skills have packed up, dusted their brain space a little and trotted off to Bora Bora to soak in the sunshine and sip mimosas all day long. And I'd like them to come home now, please!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5d01_S22bSpgklZLSduo9Rl_yiYtejhUisoLt408AH6MH5rOnxYiCn0wz2aKsBZVnXEK6P7HhMLYKOlwT8y-iFJmX_mRFbhQcMcL5fckppPUWDfEGVDufi8xyh-vheWDN94cz1xE-u_I0D-bCiBsgGbitclqL1vekPMlCEKuW6UPm_6sQewH5mwq/s400/minions.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5d01_S22bSpgklZLSduo9Rl_yiYtejhUisoLt408AH6MH5rOnxYiCn0wz2aKsBZVnXEK6P7HhMLYKOlwT8y-iFJmX_mRFbhQcMcL5fckppPUWDfEGVDufi8xyh-vheWDN94cz1xE-u_I0D-bCiBsgGbitclqL1vekPMlCEKuW6UPm_6sQewH5mwq/s320/minions.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giphy.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> But how does one switch from writing carefully crafted and extensively researched academic reports and essays back into the wonderful world of creative writing? My brain is full to the brim with behaviour management skills, literacy blocks, and mathematically rich lesson plan sequences, (I'm retraining as a teacher btw, so yes, I really DO need my creativity back to keep up with my future students) but creatively I feel ... almost numb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I miss writing romance. I miss reading romance, the type that draws you in and shakes your very core. I miss my tribe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Regrettably, the university year still has a few months before I'm freed from its clutches for this year, but I decided to hunt for a few tips on adding a little more balance to my days, hoping that by doing so my creativity will naturally follow the golden path back to where it belongs (one can only hope; Bora Bora and mimosas are a pretty temptation to leave).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Tip 1:<a href="<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/QMc5WeTRGhyZyvxYBC" width="480" height="480" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/space-cosmos-astrology-QMc5WeTRGhyZyvxYBC">via GIPHY</a></p>"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Mindfulness</span></a></span></h3><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sure you've heard of it. It's the practice of being present in the moment, being aware of our thoughts and just taking a beat. My daughter, Miss 7, does mindfulness at school, and asked me to install the app Smiling Minds. It's free (no, this isn't some weird third-party promo I promise!) but I gave it a go and well, I'm a bit of a fan. Finding just five minutes a day to sit and soak in my thoughts, listen to the world and be present can only be described as a delicious treat amongst the hectic schedule that is my life. I highly recommend this one. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1DQIwodiHGPWzKBP68SinwX8CdYW6G_NIQkOeNxFbbKPikNUAs7b-fQe_bnrbWt1jNpONkrMDvFkA2rYIwSNzR7Zq3ujUUY1SclkgYk-PE8_LrcSm1C-zIZShx5rw6fIu6sOiRaqW2VGD5YjIYQ0luwelnMTEPqP1XCoxmy4mcBSi8Hg4ZaY5UOI/s200/mindfulness.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1DQIwodiHGPWzKBP68SinwX8CdYW6G_NIQkOeNxFbbKPikNUAs7b-fQe_bnrbWt1jNpONkrMDvFkA2rYIwSNzR7Zq3ujUUY1SclkgYk-PE8_LrcSm1C-zIZShx5rw6fIu6sOiRaqW2VGD5YjIYQ0luwelnMTEPqP1XCoxmy4mcBSi8Hg4ZaY5UOI/s1600/mindfulness.webp" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giphy.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Tip 2: Colouring</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess this is linked to mindfulness, since adult colouring books are still a huge trend, but I'm putting it separately as I feel they deserve their own time allotment. I love drawing, and it's another activity that I need to find more time for. It's peaceful, and ever so rewarding to see colour bloom across a once blank page. I even have a few colouring apps on my phone now. Not as blissful, I'll admit, but they do hit some of the criteria.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Color-Your-Dreams-Juliet-Madison/9781492633938/?a_aid=jtm76" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWGZFkn_C9_8O-Kjf6Gu82r_HNzLzUvzf_3ppDn95hMMzHMk0RYdN_IECrgipoXlxj4TnrnhMhjEq5az796c-SJbqCb_kEULHpTm2J1ApWYUUONuSZZFwwvvkpiude8BHrMRo0semmfK6xc-NDk8_3IM7_LAKtb5Ru732rEwlArxqB7jxJXD6MqI3/w233-h320/cyd-auscover.jpeg" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Color-Your-Dreams-Juliet-Madison/9781492633938/?a_aid=jtm76" target="_blank">Buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Tip 3: Daydreaming</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is perhaps the one that I am lacking the most. I used to lie in my head, characters nattering to be written, ideas appearing thick and fast for yet another story I wanted to write. Now I daydream about having already handed in an assignment and receiving a distinction on my last maths exam. Sad, but true. I used to have a lot more time alone, where I could go for a walk and let my mind wander. These days, not so much, but it's a good goal that's certainly going on my list.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3natXUHoq9nKR5kNIVRxPrJzWMuAlb41ePMa_1B5hnMbsfeuZ7qvGQDoZ5OgLTIktSmtdmft4W1GK4CRyY6weXRO7ZNj5gv6vh8CQ8Hs71fHdqFLVBtM6aFZ_gMK4YhEAC7oxmdWCXPWuLrBJmWSMO5fepedFsLUFs1G2lkS1atkJ4Uiu0gNs5Jd/s200/daydreaming.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3natXUHoq9nKR5kNIVRxPrJzWMuAlb41ePMa_1B5hnMbsfeuZ7qvGQDoZ5OgLTIktSmtdmft4W1GK4CRyY6weXRO7ZNj5gv6vh8CQ8Hs71fHdqFLVBtM6aFZ_gMK4YhEAC7oxmdWCXPWuLrBJmWSMO5fepedFsLUFs1G2lkS1atkJ4Uiu0gNs5Jd/s1600/daydreaming.webp" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giphy.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Tip 4: Dancing</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dance like no one is watching, and if they are, tell them to come shake their booty too! I love to dance, and I make it a habit to try and fit in at least one danceathon with my kids each week. It's fun, it makes you smile, and it is good exercise to boot. All things that can help one's inner creativity find its way back to the surface.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdp9IZZjnZOV9pDzGo4uQQGhba2mTmrNaRr9YzCO_MdzuDNoqq44JWQDonqPqQr6FfLruYJJlhVI393xQBO-v2unpFABLtUYMWEuJZXn7n1VB6PsbVTunuXVjWjIhocPgsxUkbefz5YRSbN8SL-cAgT5E4NYm2thRst3-O0_FvmTGy0C0rP2cn-oyg/s480/dance.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdp9IZZjnZOV9pDzGo4uQQGhba2mTmrNaRr9YzCO_MdzuDNoqq44JWQDonqPqQr6FfLruYJJlhVI393xQBO-v2unpFABLtUYMWEuJZXn7n1VB6PsbVTunuXVjWjIhocPgsxUkbefz5YRSbN8SL-cAgT5E4NYm2thRst3-O0_FvmTGy0C0rP2cn-oyg/s320/dance.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giphy.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sure there are loads more tips for bringing a spark of creativity back, but these are the four that I plan to start incorporating into my life. I'd love to hear if you have any suggestions?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>I love to love</b></span>... watching kids movies with my girls during school holidays (Let It Go rendition anyone?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>I love to laugh.</b></span>.. at my terrible attempts to learn the floss dance move.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">I love to learn</span></b>... how bees make honey. We've just bought a beehive so bring on more learning! (Okay, I may be my own worst enemy).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><br />Sharon Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01662544181464130756noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-57945467098658268642022-09-19T00:00:00.001+10:002022-09-19T00:00:00.222+10:00#RWAus22… Baby, we’re BACK!<p>Over a
month ago now, #RWAus22 wrapped up in Fremantle and, as usual, I’m only now
getting to wrap my head around the absolute whirlwind that was our first fully
national, in-person conference in THREE YEARS! #RWAus19 in Melbourne was SO
LONG AGO!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This year,
I’m blogging my takeaways for Breathless in the Bush, and those takeaways can,
for me, be grouped into three main headings: Decisions, Consequences, and
Character.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Check out
why these three headings below.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">#1
Decisions<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">International
guests Becca Syme and Zoe York both talked at various times about decisions, and
how those decisions then impact on writing, and writing careers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One of the
fundamental skills Becca teaches is to ‘question the premise.’ I can hear you
all asking what that means, so, to illustrate, here’s an example from Becca’s
book, Dear Writer, You Need to Quit (which I have bought in actual book form,
read twice, highlighted and it now lives on my desk):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Good writers write every day.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But, do they?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here’s
another one:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You can’t edit a blank page.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But, can’t you? (And, sorry to all the La Nora Stans
who are stoning me in their heads right now for challenging this one. I love La
Nora too, promise) <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Becca’s
whole perspective is about finding what works for you, given your particular bundle
of strengths and characteristics and ways of doing things. To stop making
decisions about how you do things based on how OTHER people do them and make
decisions that WORK FOR YOU. And, if you want more about that, check out Dear Writer,
You Need to Quit by Becca which is an easy, and FABULOUS read.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa6Vi38Ih9KtqRYl4Ksy-gH_MSvOZToY5VGBmXa052Ff_ZLSBaSkHGaZz9AUG_0eBwMbEJPY93jNy_OrQ5b38sr-IwqYqCDySTs2uYvEFYN8imMcx67HEI2pv6QIlk4BQvRwj4sIrYR0sGY9hVBeqE6aYp759ryzGFpWlEJy3g3Bt9zgHSpggyfHB/s661/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="619" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPa6Vi38Ih9KtqRYl4Ksy-gH_MSvOZToY5VGBmXa052Ff_ZLSBaSkHGaZz9AUG_0eBwMbEJPY93jNy_OrQ5b38sr-IwqYqCDySTs2uYvEFYN8imMcx67HEI2pv6QIlk4BQvRwj4sIrYR0sGY9hVBeqE6aYp759ryzGFpWlEJy3g3Bt9zgHSpggyfHB/s320/Capture.PNG" width="300" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Similarly,
Zoe also talked about not just doing what everyone else is doing and thinking
that will build your career. She talked about not seeking ten-word answers
(i.e. the easy answer) but asking better questions (see the three minute scene from
The West Wing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85dKvletfSo">here</a>
which explains this way better than I can, and you can watch the BRILLIANT
Martin Sheen doing the BRILLIANT, albeit pretend, Josiah Bartlet). She also
talked about questioning the goals of the person giving you advice and making
sure that their goals align with your goals before making the decision to TAKE
the advice.</span></p><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">#2
Consequences<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Following
on from Decisions – we have consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another
message I took away from the conference was to be aware of where I expend my
energy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Becca uses the
idea of energy pennies to illustrate this idea: imagine you have a finite
number of energy pennies to use for each day, and every decision you make
expends a certain number. One penny when you decide what you have for
breakfast, twenty to process all the negativity when you start scrolling
through Facebook or Twitter, even more when you start fighting with posters,
whether online or in your head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The limited
number of energy pennies you have is why you need to make good decisions! You don’t
want to be expending energy on decisions that aren’t the right decisions for
you, or for your writing career.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">#3 Character<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And then,
decisions and consequences come together in your CHARACTERS!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyBPfDxWvNZ9Y9ROtTyRuRNzNbMU139euXQh27k2o4bK_-kiKBpIxfS63fbAOesh3yM1D2qJV59EpmpV4U6hjmdwBHVj5cb5M_qn65moNADKTsSvJNAsDSkf8Rcv4bb2IfHG8rH6labeWPTkEZYQHXVZr6X-f8E08RrK-VGqgoj_0i2KI6RjTAf8s/s665/Capture2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyBPfDxWvNZ9Y9ROtTyRuRNzNbMU139euXQh27k2o4bK_-kiKBpIxfS63fbAOesh3yM1D2qJV59EpmpV4U6hjmdwBHVj5cb5M_qn65moNADKTsSvJNAsDSkf8Rcv4bb2IfHG8rH6labeWPTkEZYQHXVZr6X-f8E08RrK-VGqgoj_0i2KI6RjTAf8s/s320/Capture2.PNG" width="294" /></a></div><br />We were
lucky enough to get a two-fer when Maisey Yates and Jackie Ashenden presented
their Driven by Character session. Maisey and Jackie are both great - #BFFGOALS
– and they talked some about the push/pull of decision and consequence as
driving characters along. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They also
talked about those decisions and consequences having to be in accordance with
the character’s character (i.e. what makes them them), and those decisions and consequences
having to have emotional ramifications. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You know,
it all sounds so easy when I write it in one little paragraph but… This stuff
is hard, and this session was a great reminder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And,
finally, the Award Winners<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Last, but
not least, CONGRATULATIONS to all of the RUBY award winners for 2022 (list <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/blog/2022/09/05/amy-in-romancelandia-27-books-by-tobias-madden-nicola-marsh-and-more/">here</a>
at the end of Amy Andrews’ latest Booktopia blog), and to the EMERALD (Carrie
Clarke) and SAPPHIRE (Tanya Nellestein) award winners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If you were
there, tell us below what were your take aways from Conference? If you weren’t
there, do any of my take aways resonate for you?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhALXn2LaUQCPtij6HMsMFH6pgCATwWY8DxdqxOOapO4-W7SDBBdMH_chrLOT06MHiLGdxzP4f_LZRAYPkicDN4RCaoTe8h6NsGrxBvIr4L_Cbza1Q1Y0ZE4pvHJWGQZFBB_9qCA6AAin4IVtTHxJ2aEojnQzED9-cs2EDFe_-8uMV8Ths_CXpn71/s960/Kristine%20Charles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhALXn2LaUQCPtij6HMsMFH6pgCATwWY8DxdqxOOapO4-W7SDBBdMH_chrLOT06MHiLGdxzP4f_LZRAYPkicDN4RCaoTe8h6NsGrxBvIr4L_Cbza1Q1Y0ZE4pvHJWGQZFBB_9qCA6AAin4IVtTHxJ2aEojnQzED9-cs2EDFe_-8uMV8Ths_CXpn71/w71-h106/Kristine%20Charles.jpg" width="71" /></a></div><br />Kristine
Charles writes sexy tales where coffee (and red wine) is abundant, designer shoes
and handbags are cheap, chocolate has no calories, and men always put the toilet
seat down. Find her at <a href="http://www.wordsbykristinecharles.com/">www.wordsbykristinecharles.com</a>
or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also get her latest - Catch and Kiss - in the It's Always Been You charity anthology (proceeds to breast cancer research) <a href="https://books2read.com/u/m0lAv7" target="_blank">here</a>.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;">LOVE TO
LOVE:</span> the book I’m reading, Ainsley Booth’s PRIME MINISTER, book one in the
Frisky Beavers Series (Ainsley is also Zoe York!). This book is fabulous!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">LOVE TO
LAUGH:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2ohKr828hTNhTQprt74BdjWvX6Hks82zF84ZaLNHcMUKTaWInN2UwyoXRnqCcTtGNJ1Oh4xYm5c2ZcSdygsD3kgHguR0TLmRgqgDKRKnIS30wM0d3KtEqdQRRc50DOd2fx9bTKr4tT05g8ALcG-B5Qsu2IGxRJVkmUVtt5kj6mP2faUtFz2zvGBcP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="940" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2ohKr828hTNhTQprt74BdjWvX6Hks82zF84ZaLNHcMUKTaWInN2UwyoXRnqCcTtGNJ1Oh4xYm5c2ZcSdygsD3kgHguR0TLmRgqgDKRKnIS30wM0d3KtEqdQRRc50DOd2fx9bTKr4tT05g8ALcG-B5Qsu2IGxRJVkmUVtt5kj6mP2faUtFz2zvGBcP" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">LOVE TO
LEARN: </span>From Becca Syme. Her Write Better-Faster courses, and Need to Quit books
are the BOMB!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Kristine Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13225943245120896454noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-91897045769165796492022-08-08T10:31:00.000+10:002022-08-08T10:31:19.569+10:00What is the Grand tour? <p><i>By Cassandra Samuels</i><br /></p><p><br /><br />With the exciting news that the next Bridgerton series (3) on Netflix will focus on Penelope and Colin I thought I would talk about <i>The Grand Tour</i>. In the first series, Colin goes off to do his grand tour where Pen writes to him faithfully while he is away. Although the "Tour" was not specific to the Regency period it was important to the men of the upper classes to gain maturity and experience through travel.<br /> <br /> The Grand Tour was a time for privileged young men to travel abroad and gain an education that could not be found in books or the hallowed halls of Cambridge and Oxford. <br /><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGaXHhe2fvEaBN3Wg3yFZriMgqP5ET90dGaYRcldTdFXiQVMS8JFrjdjE2KIwwcc8zaon1QVfY6y-7amtn9h47SnQPEGNlYhJMLJLrBVsjxMliJ-6EPQgephxyw2XOud5rdr6iY3ajhd1rx9EUrw_7_UEM1AQ_XR_JXvG1mGIh7qf84N1TANVN5fN/s140/Grand%20tour%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="106" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGaXHhe2fvEaBN3Wg3yFZriMgqP5ET90dGaYRcldTdFXiQVMS8JFrjdjE2KIwwcc8zaon1QVfY6y-7amtn9h47SnQPEGNlYhJMLJLrBVsjxMliJ-6EPQgephxyw2XOud5rdr6iY3ajhd1rx9EUrw_7_UEM1AQ_XR_JXvG1mGIh7qf84N1TANVN5fN/w242-h320/Grand%20tour%201.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span>Emil Brack - "Planning the Grand Tour"</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span>by Marcus, GK</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><br /><p></p><p>The tour was usually undertaken by young men and their tutor. They would travel to such places as France, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece and sometimes, if one was particularly keen, even as far as Africa and Egypt. Although some women were known to also travel broadly during this time they would not have had the same freedoms as men.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUxhkGsF8DstxnEIjs_j-7OnE0BaHPy7fkqfzsUgaOtcz9sJ_fRhkHADqWhwIPwy_xo-xfIcFoaCJ2mVsyXuexwZUsl8_SWL-Y-xGpcc3y3YuzBvCv_HZIOfSJjhXC_DCF4pyKShi8NGbAZDAfY00fiz7UDwmhj9J4p6tE7_pdsiAcJMvvA4ZuD6Z/s140/Tutor%20bear%20leader.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="106" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUxhkGsF8DstxnEIjs_j-7OnE0BaHPy7fkqfzsUgaOtcz9sJ_fRhkHADqWhwIPwy_xo-xfIcFoaCJ2mVsyXuexwZUsl8_SWL-Y-xGpcc3y3YuzBvCv_HZIOfSJjhXC_DCF4pyKShi8NGbAZDAfY00fiz7UDwmhj9J4p6tE7_pdsiAcJMvvA4ZuD6Z/w242-h320/Tutor%20bear%20leader.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A young charge and his tutor </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(or Bear-leader)</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p></p><br />The whole idea of the tour was for young men to have the opportunity to travel and learn about the different cultures, languages and history of the places he visited. This would give him extra polish and a certain sophistication that was necessary to form character before taking on the daunting task of the family responsibilities - such as running an estate. It would also give them an edge over others in society who could not afford a Grand Tour.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh8w3cZuBoLdNBBx5GaCy9Cls9Buzwtfmo3xgJVWkoDgaEjXleDRyW7H1QkjS0JrHoGT2MH0uN33B4HsYTZz0wXsbvjZ2qluck6KrL4jg2s8i27DPgG_1Z0LkMNKajtRRxbemDlg6hEbB8uEHnHn5E3M6cZgxiGmG0IHSqiYyB2uLNcBIEgtFEOtV/s1024/parthenon%20CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1024" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwh8w3cZuBoLdNBBx5GaCy9Cls9Buzwtfmo3xgJVWkoDgaEjXleDRyW7H1QkjS0JrHoGT2MH0uN33B4HsYTZz0wXsbvjZ2qluck6KrL4jg2s8i27DPgG_1Z0LkMNKajtRRxbemDlg6hEbB8uEHnHn5E3M6cZgxiGmG0IHSqiYyB2uLNcBIEgtFEOtV/s320/parthenon%20CC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CC - The Parthenon<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>This jaunt abroad could last anywhere from two to four years and cost his family a fortune. This was not generally seen so much as a burden but as the finishing touches of a young man’s necessary education.<br /><br /> Gentlemen would return laden down with art collected on their journeys. Often the paintings would be portraits of themselves in front of historic landmarks to record their time away. They would also send back keepsakes such as rugs, furniture and antiquities. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuH7CtgNjtj7Uau84VkgRxmKmgIiOwrQ0cEXR69oVWVSMt8T3JhMJrl68n4p07r-YptCN38q892roV1bCR4Q_wsgkMLM0IVyzj2XQPKpT68t5OG4gIQpUYJUTw_4d73pAZ9up7nFVniWQZ_SYZwsaVMKxDa03dkh69dDZYSYr856a-Ivkmz1iwIv9Y/s140/GT%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="140" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuH7CtgNjtj7Uau84VkgRxmKmgIiOwrQ0cEXR69oVWVSMt8T3JhMJrl68n4p07r-YptCN38q892roV1bCR4Q_wsgkMLM0IVyzj2XQPKpT68t5OG4gIQpUYJUTw_4d73pAZ9up7nFVniWQZ_SYZwsaVMKxDa03dkh69dDZYSYr856a-Ivkmz1iwIv9Y/w320-h295/GT%20map.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Beckford's 1780-1781 Grand Tour through Europe shown in red</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Although the Grand Tour was made more difficult during the Napoleonic Wars, as soon as it was safe to travel again, young men flocked back to the continent and beyond in search of education and adventure. However, with the invention of the railway, travel became easier and more affordable for people of lesser means, and so the elite exclusivity of the Grand Tour was all but lost.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpRZAHplu0pl_7EVOUGNo_MX8UpH61SBu6wU82mOZ6Q-doc3reysNYl1RN1BFXDw13E-RjF9w31G2jyaCHYob9CZS3qt2vPESfdJj66bhWmA2dZ4JomXPIiRA8lVZLPh97NqSUF1RbjUtkTE7l-WR7lyODHGZk0deh8-tzfJ9mClN3z2-zXCoZD6u/s1024/8011390980_2ea64a6d13_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1024" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpRZAHplu0pl_7EVOUGNo_MX8UpH61SBu6wU82mOZ6Q-doc3reysNYl1RN1BFXDw13E-RjF9w31G2jyaCHYob9CZS3qt2vPESfdJj66bhWmA2dZ4JomXPIiRA8lVZLPh97NqSUF1RbjUtkTE7l-WR7lyODHGZk0deh8-tzfJ9mClN3z2-zXCoZD6u/s320/8011390980_2ea64a6d13_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45482849@N03/8011390980" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Canaletto - View the Arch of Constantine with the Coliseum [1742-45]</a>" by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/45482849@N03" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gandalf's Gallery</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0</a>. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>This may all sound delightful but there were many dangers to be encountered when travelling abroad. A young man was likely to have his money stolen (if not his life), become infected by some kind of sexually transmitted disease, fevers and other nasty ailments and sometimes even kidnapped for ransom. However, this did not seem to stop many young men from taking the treacherous journey across the sea (which was a risk on its own) in search of enlightenment. </p><p>Instead of taking bags of blunt with them, most would travel with letters of credit, which they would present at the major cities – a little like travellers cheques so that they only carried around the coins necessary to pay for food and lodgings. They also often carried letters of introduction as well, so that they could integrate into the local aristocracy. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcx6FPe-qmUz9oizpubeydkzsYLCSje1UTbaWHGilplaZO-rmyrEXBFehf0-DJw5ivZ06PhplEHaQpm3PUF-eN1AeMcVPm9WQ6QrSu2Zu7IHyI-GyC834iLcq1ElXcf79_56axBLHkR4b06QHZe7iv_dEJQEnUu6VUUwDw8D0-prRxnCxBYZ_lV7rI/s360/GrandTour01.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="360" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcx6FPe-qmUz9oizpubeydkzsYLCSje1UTbaWHGilplaZO-rmyrEXBFehf0-DJw5ivZ06PhplEHaQpm3PUF-eN1AeMcVPm9WQ6QrSu2Zu7IHyI-GyC834iLcq1ElXcf79_56axBLHkR4b06QHZe7iv_dEJQEnUu6VUUwDw8D0-prRxnCxBYZ_lV7rI/s320/GrandTour01.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of wikimedia commons<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Later in the Victorian period, travel abroad was more often taken by families and young women with an artistic bent or an adventurous spirit. They were encouraged to spend time in Italy and France admiring art and culture in all its forms. (See the movie, Room with a view for an example of this sort of travel.)</p><p>Of course, the world seems so much smaller now than it was then. With the advancements in air travel and the infinite resources of the Internet, you can travel and learn about other cultures from the comfort of your armchair, but it can never quite replace the thrill of seeing those sites in person.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you could have done a grand tour during your early adult years where would you have gone first?</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Love to Love</span></b> having my daughter relocate back home with us.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Love to Laugh</b></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> at the TV show <i>HaveYou Been Paying Attention</i></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Love to Learn</span></b> about History in all its forms - I just wished we learned from it as well.<br /></span><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-74859484387997074342022-07-11T01:00:00.107+10:002022-07-11T01:00:00.220+10:00Plotter or pantser?<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;">Ways of writing</b><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></span></h1><div><i>By Sharon Bryant</i></div><div><br /></div><div>How do you approach your writing? Are you a plotter who creates a detailed outline before you begin your novel? You may be a pantser who prefers the more organic approach of not knowing where a story is going when you begin to write it. Perhaps your approach to writing lies somewhere between these two extremes. </div><div>Plotters often consciously utilise the structure of a romance novel when they are in the planning stage. They may make detailed notes re their characters, settings and plot lines. Some will use cards to summarise the key events in each chapter as they plot out the hills and valleys of their stories. Many story problems can be identified in the planning stage using this approach. Plotters may also know their characters well before they start to write. This can result in producing well-rounded characters who the reader can relate to. </div><div>Pantsers may dislike detailed plotting, finding it stifles their creativity. Instead they allow their story to develop organically. If they reach a dead end, they go back, identify the problem and rewrite as needed.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclwhPXxWT-7zlYkeFrM2eQZQbFuS6HI2cfVQSKV7kptm4uDC32rGHcYUVe2RZQ8DfkmJFOuFrkUCE-lVOrKmk7ZEwSaSQPRQR1Q4MK_Ok25Ph0gZhEEwXo5Xi3OEYlRTjSEIui3saHei3XBjVpP3W5rveUxeB1FTIhheRIexGk0LVb9r_0eqM3CM_xg/s1920/arm-g595578e4c_1920.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclwhPXxWT-7zlYkeFrM2eQZQbFuS6HI2cfVQSKV7kptm4uDC32rGHcYUVe2RZQ8DfkmJFOuFrkUCE-lVOrKmk7ZEwSaSQPRQR1Q4MK_Ok25Ph0gZhEEwXo5Xi3OEYlRTjSEIui3saHei3XBjVpP3W5rveUxeB1FTIhheRIexGk0LVb9r_0eqM3CM_xg/s320/arm-g595578e4c_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>pixabay.com.au</b></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>Which approach is the best?</b> </span></h1></div><div>I don't believe one approach is better than the other. Both have advantages and disadvantages. </div><div>Plotters know their destination. This may make it more likely for beginning writers to finish a novel without getting lost on the way. If you prefer not to write your novel from start to finish, plotting may help you link different scenes together. It may also allow you to avoid extensive rewriting. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, the plotting approach has disadvantages. You need to put in a lot of work before you begin writing your novel. Plotters may spend so long in the plotting stage, that they find it difficult to begin writing. Some plotters lose confidence and leave a project without starting their actual novel.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1XskEfg0UCk-NcPK57HDQZ2rSvvqW1G64opRRrEr04_eXVOb1C8ZCFjJimYjke7UnZIUMTT8R2hIU4B8il6JXIOUbW18BN_HrKiBy9lI25eOBEJoh-wuzEYgxS-BVlrCiBkfnePdeTf7uPY8Ot6ytLIs6tq6R7p2CYOJnOfkjajp7dfaL0t9feM8-g/s1920/coffee-gb4d1cca40_1920.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1XskEfg0UCk-NcPK57HDQZ2rSvvqW1G64opRRrEr04_eXVOb1C8ZCFjJimYjke7UnZIUMTT8R2hIU4B8il6JXIOUbW18BN_HrKiBy9lI25eOBEJoh-wuzEYgxS-BVlrCiBkfnePdeTf7uPY8Ot6ytLIs6tq6R7p2CYOJnOfkjajp7dfaL0t9feM8-g/s320/coffee-gb4d1cca40_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">pixabay.com.au</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
Pantsers have the freedom to just begin writing, and take their story wherever they wish. They spend more of their valuable writing time, immersed in the writing process so it may be easier for them to develop their own voice. This immersion may aid the creation of well-developed characters. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, pantsers may write themselves into a corner, and become blocked, uncertain where the story should go next. Some writers find this very frustrating. They may also find it more difficult to write when inspiration doesn't strike. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTvFwNDiW7wucw1L-HD5r3nA6Pp5uAqrE-f7N4MlY3Obt89VX15xifuGWO2C_5sJojBp-kZNpc1wQe01u4kgsJ6VuLpEcUHtTB0LFBDd7gC2QRjkSmhwkgui4ceGs-44cTapMeuGTilnjErtOTAzS75RKLdDpgIVNzHAWwl7Z-62cLRSV4BSbbYRHtA/s1920/influencer-g70e887270_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1920" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTvFwNDiW7wucw1L-HD5r3nA6Pp5uAqrE-f7N4MlY3Obt89VX15xifuGWO2C_5sJojBp-kZNpc1wQe01u4kgsJ6VuLpEcUHtTB0LFBDd7gC2QRjkSmhwkgui4ceGs-44cTapMeuGTilnjErtOTAzS75RKLdDpgIVNzHAWwl7Z-62cLRSV4BSbbYRHtA/s320/influencer-g70e887270_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">pixabay.com.au</span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">How do you approach your writing?</span></b><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></h1><div>There is no one correct way to go about writing your novel or short story. Your approach will be as individual as you are. How do you write? Are you a plotter, a pantser or somewhere between? </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><b><i>I love to love</i></b></span> <span style="font-size: medium;"><i>thinking about what I may write. </i></span></div><div><span style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><b><i>I love to laugh</i></b></span> <i><span style="font-size: medium;">with my writing friends. </span></i></div><div><span style="color: #660000; font-size: medium;"><b><i>I love to learn </i></b></span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">more about the process of writing.</span></i></div>Sharon Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01662544181464130756noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-85412853353906600622022-06-13T04:00:00.015+10:002022-06-13T04:00:00.206+10:00The Protege Effect<p><i> By Alyssa J. Montgomery</i></p><p><br /></p><p>I have always found the romance writing community to be incredibly generous in terms of support and encouragement. Fellow writers have constantly been prepared to share knowledge and experiences. Although I am still honing my skills, I have always been happy to try to assist others along the road to publication when the opportunity presents and to share any knowledge I've gleaned. </p><p>This past weekend I've just finished co-teaching a writing course. When it wrapped up, we received a lot of very positive feedback and gratitude from course participants. However, we were both left feeling we had gained as much, if not more, than we had given. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxN9n9O8JK4Gbas22I0vuvb7CxkZZ3HJiBK4aMF0fTC86VyBmmut31BK5Gx8sxvLAgtSeMXL4gQMMHgQ8Ylcl7SiQmqO-nmVpmU5y7Uj6r9bcB-hw5ku4ePnT9iW4Buv7paRKmCAyeT_U9awuozqXhzotkW5QJd3LlBdQjKtuMK_zmQMw6BfE_L-b/s960/Never%20Stop%20Learning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="960" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxN9n9O8JK4Gbas22I0vuvb7CxkZZ3HJiBK4aMF0fTC86VyBmmut31BK5Gx8sxvLAgtSeMXL4gQMMHgQ8Ylcl7SiQmqO-nmVpmU5y7Uj6r9bcB-hw5ku4ePnT9iW4Buv7paRKmCAyeT_U9awuozqXhzotkW5QJd3LlBdQjKtuMK_zmQMw6BfE_L-b/s320/Never%20Stop%20Learning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image from PixaBay</span></div><br />The term "Protege Effect" is the effect that when we teach, we explain ideas to others and this reinforces our own understanding. There have been numerous studies done which demonstrate the effect. In one I recall reading about, two groups of students were taught exactly the same material. Prior to the lesson, one group of students were told they would be tested on the material; the others were told they would need to teach the material. Although no teaching was ever required, both groups were asked to complete a test at the end of the lecture. The group who had been told they would need to teach the subject matter were found to have more correct responses and generally better recall.<p></p><p>The course I co-presented was one for beginner writers in the 25+ age bracket. The subjects we covered included characterisation, character development, plotting, Goal/Motivation/Conflict etc. All very basic writing topics that authors 'know' and hopefully understand and apply instinctively. However having to teach on these topics sent me back to notes and textbooks so I could make sure I imparted the subject matter concisely and accurately. Reviewing the topics reinforced and perhaps deepened my understanding. I wanted to make certain of my knowledge and to ensure I didn't have gaps in these areas.</p><p>Through teaching, I re-discovered things I already knew and solidified my knowledge. The ensuing questions and discussion on the topics with the course participants also gave me some new insights into things which I hadn't considered.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAxKDuzJuGBixzF-2CQxCs3p0QMMs5l7S5TR4Ee_yQcNmPXRr7VK-Cd8A62E56gdbUBqBHmC_vV8hJTvk-azmT-n2OPYgo2v7aSTqu9EdzfYNztx_v_QkYxm99jrzrW7rT7CzmIYORTOcMX1VPyYRPaLHBPQZJNIqF9fN8ihH2YDXvM1f-n1ta9wn/s720/Seneca.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="606" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAxKDuzJuGBixzF-2CQxCs3p0QMMs5l7S5TR4Ee_yQcNmPXRr7VK-Cd8A62E56gdbUBqBHmC_vV8hJTvk-azmT-n2OPYgo2v7aSTqu9EdzfYNztx_v_QkYxm99jrzrW7rT7CzmIYORTOcMX1VPyYRPaLHBPQZJNIqF9fN8ihH2YDXvM1f-n1ta9wn/w130-h155/Seneca.png" width="130" /></a></div><br /><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Image of Seneca courtesy of Pixabay</span></p><p>The philosopher, Seneca, said "While we teach we learn". It's true that I've learnt again in my preparation of the course material. I've also had my mind opened to other angles on the subjects through the discussion with, and questions from, the participants.</p><p>One of the aims of the course was that the participants would go forward and form their own writing support/critique group. Part of encouraging them to gain confidence in critiquing each others work and accepting the critiques of others involved time to critique their work. Again, this was beneficial because critiquing the work of others can make us aware of flaws or weaknesses in our own writing styles. </p><p>It felt great to be able to (hopefully) help aspiring authors along on their journey to publication. It was lovely to meet this enthusiastic and very talented group of writers and I benefited from this course by reviewing basic writing topics and principles. After a long hiatus from writing (due to the time demands from my professional speech pathology hat), I felt like a writer again and have been re-energised to write. </p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQY3ooxkG3YZHo8qVDm6Bra3miuPHc5fFP7jNBn1Qnwm_t0UX7xIRSJBk4GvI2dCoC8znqlprEXdv5FH5C5IRKkQ2igM44a3rxcBSgAnpzmJqFtmqP4NuE8Rqwa-90Xqss_vApoq05YGQDo4RTBvDMYEyQAzyxTDS_gycUwcSHGF83AlSv0lys_gn/s960/Candle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQY3ooxkG3YZHo8qVDm6Bra3miuPHc5fFP7jNBn1Qnwm_t0UX7xIRSJBk4GvI2dCoC8znqlprEXdv5FH5C5IRKkQ2igM44a3rxcBSgAnpzmJqFtmqP4NuE8Rqwa-90Xqss_vApoq05YGQDo4RTBvDMYEyQAzyxTDS_gycUwcSHGF83AlSv0lys_gn/w251-h188/Candle.jpg" width="251" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of Pixabay</span></p><p>In an internet article, "Small Things and the Surprising Benefits of Teaching others" (medonegroup.com), Robb Stevens writes:</p><p> "A candle loses none of its own light by lighting another.</p><p> In fact, lighting another candle only adds more light."</p><p>I love candlelight. Let's not be a single flame but use the light we've been given and, whenever we can, let's keep lighting some more!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cR_4xg3KgRuxyNObYfWz61Tuj1yCkCLxGuztbk9fgPCx5U68K4a1jZuoXEG4vbjbWj1u71RTHNnUa07M8ir0BBityIPq5fz8gYNb5xNGirXvqzB4kcbNU00wgPYLEquiVTGkoUv1_JShc8byhC-uCUV6F5-BePPLljXXzjnnJSVh8PJPDnbxlalH/s960/candles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="960" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cR_4xg3KgRuxyNObYfWz61Tuj1yCkCLxGuztbk9fgPCx5U68K4a1jZuoXEG4vbjbWj1u71RTHNnUa07M8ir0BBityIPq5fz8gYNb5xNGirXvqzB4kcbNU00wgPYLEquiVTGkoUv1_JShc8byhC-uCUV6F5-BePPLljXXzjnnJSVh8PJPDnbxlalH/s320/candles.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Image courtesy of Pixabay</span></div><br /><p>Would love to hear of your thoughts and experiences.</p><p><br /></p><p>Love to love encouraging others on their journey to publication.</p><p>Love to laugh as I recount some of the mistakes I made on my journey to publication.</p><p>Love to learn through teaching others.</p>Alyssa J Montgomery http://www.blogger.com/profile/04062923136693943821noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-87430028316283018422022-04-11T05:00:00.053+10:002022-04-15T10:35:35.397+10:00An Interview with Nicola Cornick<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>By Marilyn Forsyth</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">At the
end of last year I applied for, and was successful in gaining, a mentorship </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">through <a href="https://thehistoryquill.com/">The History Quill </a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">with international best-selling dual timeline author Nicola Cornick. I cannot
praise both Nicola and The History Quill enough. I learned so much with the
help of this lovely lady and, to cap it all off, she agreed to this interview.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7dki7JGn7E3RmvtIA1BTKdV-5PA1bgnh-ga-yuzkYBh8iw1tEBjpbmfep8gVWXynBEw6EAVZDf14PHQU-5Y2LARY2XFVZqYpLj_0diICKh8ZjT-RBpVTwPL52FsA-1V0NMAa6iaFXSLG7cUa606kVHPsgZuLJrWRNsozj_0DyJB9ab-j_e3UJIv7PQ/s2000/nicola%20cornick%20portrait%20-%20medium%20res.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1385" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7dki7JGn7E3RmvtIA1BTKdV-5PA1bgnh-ga-yuzkYBh8iw1tEBjpbmfep8gVWXynBEw6EAVZDf14PHQU-5Y2LARY2XFVZqYpLj_0diICKh8ZjT-RBpVTwPL52FsA-1V0NMAa6iaFXSLG7cUa606kVHPsgZuLJrWRNsozj_0DyJB9ab-j_e3UJIv7PQ/s320/nicola%20cornick%20portrait%20-%20medium%20res.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Welcome to our blog, Nicola. We’re delighted to have you here. </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What is one ‘must have’ when you’re writing? </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A cup of tea, English Breakfast for preference, no matter the time
of day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Can't beat English Breakfast! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What was your big break in publishing? </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">My big break came when I had been writing for 12 years and the
historical editor at Harlequin Mills and Boon sent me a page of revision
suggestions for a manuscript that I’d sent in and encouraged me to resubmit it.
That was <i>True Colours</i>, my first Regency romance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Wow! 12 years! Persistence <u>does</u> pay off. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What do you think are the key ingredients for a great historical
novel? </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A great story to tell, an immersive historical world and
characters who are authentic to their time but are dealing with timeless themes
we can all relate to. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Which historical novelists do you like to read? </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Susanna Kearsley, Anna Campbell, Diana Norman and Daphne Du
Maurier to name only a few of my favourites!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">How lovely to see our own Anna Campbell there! And I love Susanna Kearsley, too. What is your fa</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">vourite historical period to write about? </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It’s hard to choose but the seventeenth century in England just
edges in as favourite. The Civil War period gave women more freedom and
opportunity as well as creating enormous emotional conflict. It’s a fascinating
period to write about.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What inspired the story of <i>The Last Daughter</i>? </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2L8Im3340zqqALD-jUo3I7fNx_pfPdDy5B27tMLh-a-GbWiKShDMosgIOGE_EM3idR9Onwc_3Xyhbuii3JVnPWGQapphBF3DA67rPBTvKfiG80zG1e2rJYvsFktr3NSwxRPB5nIMBo6ecjeki3FOiF-hIunCBvOX1jhXi4P_1qTFDkdu05-8C5q29A/s1080/LastDaughter(1b).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2L8Im3340zqqALD-jUo3I7fNx_pfPdDy5B27tMLh-a-GbWiKShDMosgIOGE_EM3idR9Onwc_3Xyhbuii3JVnPWGQapphBF3DA67rPBTvKfiG80zG1e2rJYvsFktr3NSwxRPB5nIMBo6ecjeki3FOiF-hIunCBvOX1jhXi4P_1qTFDkdu05-8C5q29A/s320/LastDaughter(1b).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Last-Daughter-spellbinding-gripping-historical-ebook/dp/B08Q2YCH8C">Link to buy (Aus)</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></div><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I love exploring real life historical mysteries. <i>The Last Daughter</i>
was inspired by the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower during the reign
of Richard III. It’s a complicated time period that has interested me for
years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Such a beautiful cover! And the Princes in the Tower remains a fascinating mystery. Can you tell us more about the story? </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>The Last Daughter </i>is a dual time story set in the present and the
15<sup>th</sup> century. Serena Warren returns to the village of Minster Lovell
in Oxfordshire to try to find out what happened when her sister Caitlin
disappeared ten years before. In doing so she uncovers a family mystery that
links her to the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower five hundred years
before. The historical part of the book tells the story of Anne, wife of
Francis Lovell, the closest ally of Richard III, who is drawn into a plan to
protect the princes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">I am so looking forward to reading this! Who would you cast as your main characters?</span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jonathan Bailey from <i>Bridgerton</i> would make a brilliant Francis
Lovell, and Catriona Balfe would be a perfect Anne.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1MmNGyPgOD9m52I0KUr568DkXMI4xliTLOrptg_l1xxmVVTjyYcpMqukc7tG-41zVjUBztTPw9LamHhfVSWFek1RCdapFQLCKlmcLimeWWTZWZnoaXmStjabtqLFnbm6jiVqkPnL_sgSDPSVuhrXgGt4hP7iz_o3vEinqhkCAuieyNZMcmEjV9atoA/s353/jonathon.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="236" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1MmNGyPgOD9m52I0KUr568DkXMI4xliTLOrptg_l1xxmVVTjyYcpMqukc7tG-41zVjUBztTPw9LamHhfVSWFek1RCdapFQLCKlmcLimeWWTZWZnoaXmStjabtqLFnbm6jiVqkPnL_sgSDPSVuhrXgGt4hP7iz_o3vEinqhkCAuieyNZMcmEjV9atoA/w134-h200/jonathon.jpg" width="134" /></a></span></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1jtb_I2vCrp4HUjSftWNbAv-6ghBXQePOX9GaigL4TUQJunLvc7I_lRrN0C6ot3_rNaUCNfDCn9T_OqAptCL0JTeeRS8C6uTmJABTWgaEEk8mK02NIs5y24-MhdskVGf2pBBx5zUtRrZA2nVD8PX0PqfGPqHBiHAXIUxT1SdE4bwcuUvO2LX6PvF-g/s711/catriona.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1jtb_I2vCrp4HUjSftWNbAv-6ghBXQePOX9GaigL4TUQJunLvc7I_lRrN0C6ot3_rNaUCNfDCn9T_OqAptCL0JTeeRS8C6uTmJABTWgaEEk8mK02NIs5y24-MhdskVGf2pBBx5zUtRrZA2nVD8PX0PqfGPqHBiHAXIUxT1SdE4bwcuUvO2LX6PvF-g/w133-h200/catriona.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Gorgeous pairing! I adore Catriona! </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What challenges did the book pose for you? </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Writing dual time books is always a challenge for me as I am a
pantser by inclination and having to intertwine two time periods requires a lot
of planning. <i>The Last Daughter </i>was also hard because it was written during the
pandemic when I was finding it difficult to concentrate and was also dealing
with family issues. I was also trying to fit a huge swathe of complex history
into a comparatively short word count and I had to edit heavily. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">I have absolutely <u>no</u> idea how a pantser can write dual timelines, and yet you do it so brilliantly. I greatly enjoyed <i>The Phantom Tree</i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;">What are you working on next?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JnnJfZzQEqwI0EnoWMO_nTxLTMJMgqCgMMYSiZGh2zQEbMdKn449UuLcY-cc8s1KREAab_o_0iPOV3cWm071StCFgVO8qlWZ71P1jE0uOeRTRfFiCOJupRmnYxviHtNWAodLPtVt6EGRfjtXMRupbmNU6vsHpGzBTQrIlxDLz8I-M-00iex_wJSTww/s448/winter2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JnnJfZzQEqwI0EnoWMO_nTxLTMJMgqCgMMYSiZGh2zQEbMdKn449UuLcY-cc8s1KREAab_o_0iPOV3cWm071StCFgVO8qlWZ71P1jE0uOeRTRfFiCOJupRmnYxviHtNWAodLPtVt6EGRfjtXMRupbmNU6vsHpGzBTQrIlxDLz8I-M-00iex_wJSTww/s320/winter2.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Winter-Garden-Nicola-Cornick-ebook/dp/B09WHCJCMX/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=the+winter+garden+nicola+cornick&qid=1648691203&s=digital-text&sr=1-3">Link to pre-order (Aus)</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I’m currently revising my next book, <i>The Winter Garden</i>, which will
be published in October. It’s another dual time book, set in the present and at
the end of the Tudor era/beginning of the 17<sup>th</sup> century and it looks
at the women behind the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. We hear a lot about Guy Fawkes
and Robert Catesby, but what role did their female relatives play in the story
and how did it impact on their lives? I enjoyed exploring that.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs29S6NXfGs0TQInjUXyV2zlUKUywU_a0DcDLNOZ3oVD-C6Gu1LMJ-fxMdTC8cOq84WGW5SDM9ceAy9E_tP-7aIdCXnGWctxQu99aWrLYRYHjvdbQut2XVzXMOBT1atYs8tstDbLthiYSUQynaAplk4D4AvlWPYzR_KxCprKkLpWoqi6avFcYPzpHuA/s640/Parterre%20picture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="416" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs29S6NXfGs0TQInjUXyV2zlUKUywU_a0DcDLNOZ3oVD-C6Gu1LMJ-fxMdTC8cOq84WGW5SDM9ceAy9E_tP-7aIdCXnGWctxQu99aWrLYRYHjvdbQut2XVzXMOBT1atYs8tstDbLthiYSUQynaAplk4D4AvlWPYzR_KxCprKkLpWoqi6avFcYPzpHuA/s320/Parterre%20picture.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashdown House Oxfordshire.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Research is one of my favourite parts of writing about history. Any advice for aspiring/emerging historical fiction writers? </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">For any writer, I’d always suggest writing about something you
feel passionately about. Your love for your subject will shine out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Excellent advice that I've tried to follow!</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Love to Love</span></b> my family and friends for their generosity, kindness
and support.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Love to Laugh</b></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> at the antics of my 8-month-old puppy!</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Love to Learn</span></b> more about history all the time.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 48px;">Thanks so much for joining us, Nicola! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 48px;">If you have a comment or a question for Nicola, she would love to hear from you!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><b>BIO</b>: Nicola Cornick is an international
bestselling and award-winning novelist who has written over thirty historical
mysteries and historical romances in a career spanning twenty years. Her
books sell in over twenty-five countries, have been translated into many
languages and been published in multiple formats including e-book, audio and
manga. She currently writes dual time fiction for Harper Collins HQ. She is
historian and guide at the National Trust 17<sup>th</sup> century Ashdown House
in Oxfordshire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span>In her spare time Nicola is a guide dog
puppy walker.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLYMiroXy0y8tKURJWc7gguQCeiug9Wg_4IweNIvDpaV-3mBHBYQRzC02w2msW9pLjDO4o2ljqSG2-nVhJhy501Srt-guwYGsdkooSrVU9d3NY6XBTlFR5p_Ed70utI0m47LnJcw3B3zWRFRs-PEHT73p6AnxAZn2Gm_C2wacEIW5TLdyyDBQOXCnsQ/s640/Baden%20by%20the%20river.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLYMiroXy0y8tKURJWc7gguQCeiug9Wg_4IweNIvDpaV-3mBHBYQRzC02w2msW9pLjDO4o2ljqSG2-nVhJhy501Srt-guwYGsdkooSrVU9d3NY6XBTlFR5p_Ed70utI0m47LnJcw3B3zWRFRs-PEHT73p6AnxAZn2Gm_C2wacEIW5TLdyyDBQOXCnsQ/w200-h150/Baden%20by%20the%20river.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorgeous Baden, guide dog.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Website: <a href="http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk/">www.nicolacornick.co.uk</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nicola.cornick/">https://www.facebook.com/nicola.cornick/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/NicolaCornick">https://twitter.com/NicolaCornick</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Blog: <a href="http://www.wordwenches.com/">www.wordwenches.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Link to buy The Last Daughter paperback: <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Last-Daughter-Nicola-Cornick/9780008278526">https://www.bookdepository.com/Last-Daughter-Nicola-Cornick/9780008278526</a></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 48px;"></span><p></p>Marilyn Forsythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17264683453138649702noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-67010300923289516362022-02-14T05:30:00.051+11:002022-02-14T08:26:02.820+11:0010 Valentine's Day Gifts for Writers<p> <i>by Enisa Haines</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuciZGNPbPhcJEyjIqBwkx-AvJkUXmldSW4oG92YeKV9Lb-AakGoHtTbot8daZNWtZcoljccHdmMJRWcI9AovZftzRVQf-llL0wJeT7rhVXAfiR5qRKwKJyJaxZiwFZEs4WxLZmXA52ICbqqdSKZ_tmlDSCo0OmJ1BFSj43dGBx4tWKZItNvXEhdq0Zg=s3399" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3399" data-original-width="2889" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuciZGNPbPhcJEyjIqBwkx-AvJkUXmldSW4oG92YeKV9Lb-AakGoHtTbot8daZNWtZcoljccHdmMJRWcI9AovZftzRVQf-llL0wJeT7rhVXAfiR5qRKwKJyJaxZiwFZEs4WxLZmXA52ICbqqdSKZ_tmlDSCo0OmJ1BFSj43dGBx4tWKZItNvXEhdq0Zg=s320" width="272" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="LrzXr kno-fv wHYlTd z8gr9e">Ⓒ Enisa Haines<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p></p><p>It's Valentine's Day today, the day we can tell the people most important to us they are loved. What to gift them? We all love a dazzling bouquet of fragrant red roses, chocolates temptingly displayed in a heart-shaped box, a teddy bear or a sparkling piece of jewelry, but gifting our loved ones something unique, something more personal, shows how much they mean to us. And if our loved ones are writers here's a list of gifts that will let them know how very special they are.</p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>1. Paper roses</b></span></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWHpoEzHT9hs51SdG6glbEKYMIv1NH-Sk5TjKgoGotp-TfDADF-TIUtVXUB54VI7Dj9zNw0Zxh3aAmHz4lss-mawR7qblKo2e5COHbXRKTkOXgkGxHWHD3mWL9g8id_UeqA8tGiOiI3wqKXBOS-EOodQ9qXQ8RbtHrymDagSsOJS8VQAaqvRXzcn_oQA=s794" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="794" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWHpoEzHT9hs51SdG6glbEKYMIv1NH-Sk5TjKgoGotp-TfDADF-TIUtVXUB54VI7Dj9zNw0Zxh3aAmHz4lss-mawR7qblKo2e5COHbXRKTkOXgkGxHWHD3mWL9g8id_UeqA8tGiOiI3wqKXBOS-EOodQ9qXQ8RbtHrymDagSsOJS8VQAaqvRXzcn_oQA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/AlanaPhoenixandCo?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=553988764" target="_blank">Buy here</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>If your writer loves flowers then a rose made to order from the hand-cut pages of a preloved copy of their favourite novel, each petal shaped by hand, will be sure to inspire.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">2. Journal</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgusSI9J7Fctsq0oB5etRHt6WbVUdZFIsFZ1j1xPnxUiUdI5yNQUylvQ5AY8Pjixl-0eafn78Ctw8jpe3NQNdRy9cT4d__u75Yz6lS6ONCqzTPKAxDNZ0RBFT0Qtr32Pbqiu9OggN5HYJMGYeIPB5XVZqaNxROrb0kaWxqf1ZsNG-62kue0hYclSKm-Rg=s500" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgusSI9J7Fctsq0oB5etRHt6WbVUdZFIsFZ1j1xPnxUiUdI5yNQUylvQ5AY8Pjixl-0eafn78Ctw8jpe3NQNdRy9cT4d__u75Yz6lS6ONCqzTPKAxDNZ0RBFT0Qtr32Pbqiu9OggN5HYJMGYeIPB5XVZqaNxROrb0kaWxqf1ZsNG-62kue0hYclSKm-Rg=s320" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.paperblanks.com/en/product/journals/imagination/pb3508-4" target="_blank">Buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p>For writers who love to write by hand, whether to jot down ideas for characters, settings, conflicts or plots, or to write the complete story, journals with inspiring cover illustrations like the one above are gifts they'll treasure.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">3. Feather Quill or Fountain Pen</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizj7QvzzkAIa_ye2P_2CNoUE58BZLf-rRFqgnojLBrxffuxplzPFEuhdJm0twsvWqghCfjT2PZ98h82ut7tYGmQNctm1jqsOJY_47ohh8rMcnxsdz4yGSTz_Oaddev-txnFih5AkUimvTyK-UwMb06gndjODbkSYdu2un6I1aSL5bL0o-PL-jR8HIIOg=s1459" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1459" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizj7QvzzkAIa_ye2P_2CNoUE58BZLf-rRFqgnojLBrxffuxplzPFEuhdJm0twsvWqghCfjT2PZ98h82ut7tYGmQNctm1jqsOJY_47ohh8rMcnxsdz4yGSTz_Oaddev-txnFih5AkUimvTyK-UwMb06gndjODbkSYdu2un6I1aSL5bL0o-PL-jR8HIIOg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/334132290184?hash=item4dcbd62288:g:RYwAAOSwGG1hLnHq" target="_blank">Buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>What better way to inspire writing by hand than to hold a feather quill like those used by beloved authors of long ago.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">4. Week/Month/Year Planner</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij_UnkENecRJJcGjAwhQt9TfnHhbGGOAyXt0RFXy0vY4HHhWmptFIN5qcdos6ekuOzlYLAZM-cYkeSyN_-TTlVR4ye4HBWPA4xnpXahN5t4HsIr0zoO_ukAmXAJWqg1eXEQ8JG6a6s3RETGmXwdzQ0E60mL5qlCFB6-TtKX0MFU53ptIec0xBC7MGAwg=s540" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij_UnkENecRJJcGjAwhQt9TfnHhbGGOAyXt0RFXy0vY4HHhWmptFIN5qcdos6ekuOzlYLAZM-cYkeSyN_-TTlVR4ye4HBWPA4xnpXahN5t4HsIr0zoO_ukAmXAJWqg1eXEQ8JG6a6s3RETGmXwdzQ0E60mL5qlCFB6-TtKX0MFU53ptIec0xBC7MGAwg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://notely.com.au/products/2022-wall-planner-feat-anna-manolatos-sirmano" target="_blank">Buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Organising a week or month or year is a great way for writers to then focus on writing and keep track of their progress and other goals such as manuscript submission and book publication dates.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">5. Online Writing Course/Writing-Editing Software/Creative Tools Subscription</span></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWNnYCDuTOJN9DOvnUdtt1SoqyPTVjcyNApjFKZfi43BR0ntwm6koSIso1GgWa7tIYUi2rdmdnE9VdicM9HtEPUG-tIWXRojzI88OBk0jLkxQBGxlhRdtesRWe-NDVORO8IspJNyKwCXkGvKc7PWBaoakfe4A1dzFbqFsDurmtcLnTWOAcbZqMUqXxWw=s3702" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="3702" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWNnYCDuTOJN9DOvnUdtt1SoqyPTVjcyNApjFKZfi43BR0ntwm6koSIso1GgWa7tIYUi2rdmdnE9VdicM9HtEPUG-tIWXRojzI88OBk0jLkxQBGxlhRdtesRWe-NDVORO8IspJNyKwCXkGvKc7PWBaoakfe4A1dzFbqFsDurmtcLnTWOAcbZqMUqXxWw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://onestopforwriters.com/" target="_blank">Buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p>Whether a beginning writer or a successful author with multiple books published, mastering storytelling is the common goal. Ways to achieve that include enrolling in online writing courses, enlisting the aid of writing or editing software or subscribing to online sites such as <a href="https://onestopforwriters.com/">One Stop for Writers</a> that provide creative tools.<p></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">6. Noise-Cancelling Headphones</span></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv8dSMXYwcwpQiGDnjWKXwokctn6-gbWnB7ENnb-b3ZV7vS-uqY59vxcUK1hA0sHtx5RMGFUZYmgSRB4X8Fz-jifn2ORdcXNPSB--NeDucEq0ppJh7aMOujj5rGUXG_z25xR3lFe_obNYLNT6HFxUaf87ht1jPiiIVJPqRuO6T0yN-GDYxODXiF3tVEQ=s1500" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv8dSMXYwcwpQiGDnjWKXwokctn6-gbWnB7ENnb-b3ZV7vS-uqY59vxcUK1hA0sHtx5RMGFUZYmgSRB4X8Fz-jifn2ORdcXNPSB--NeDucEq0ppJh7aMOujj5rGUXG_z25xR3lFe_obNYLNT6HFxUaf87ht1jPiiIVJPqRuO6T0yN-GDYxODXiF3tVEQ=s320" width="218" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Sony-Over-Ear-Headphones-Black-WH1000XM3B" target="_blank">Buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p>If background noise is distracting then noise-cancelling headphones are just what a creative muse needs.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">7. Kindle-Unlimited Subscription</span></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9ZtDhCsaYmwcGVUSsE0BZCzOK7mRTwiuCymqGl74Pl0p9qCNX-S7uxonrey-a5S-fK2baErejAmpUA4QqKX5gtVvN26a9xX8_pLHiQMMRtMOzzzEz_6I8JzaF5tLpuaraZNoiLf1eSPjYVg-rdzgfCx8iEb_k1p3DuKUeJEAdT47mn3dmqhbPd7Hhjg=s3454" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="3454" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9ZtDhCsaYmwcGVUSsE0BZCzOK7mRTwiuCymqGl74Pl0p9qCNX-S7uxonrey-a5S-fK2baErejAmpUA4QqKX5gtVvN26a9xX8_pLHiQMMRtMOzzzEz_6I8JzaF5tLpuaraZNoiLf1eSPjYVg-rdzgfCx8iEb_k1p3DuKUeJEAdT47mn3dmqhbPd7Hhjg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/kindle-dbs/hz/subscribe/ku" target="_blank">Buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p>Every writer loves to read so the gift of a digital subscription to accessing millions of books is one they'll be grateful for.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">8. Writer's Clock</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpKaLumiW2dbrnOIsk3DYPE-k7t7Ulw5J4UCS8Dktt1oklW9BbbNbjIq3IHWpGvFUj7IRXBMQAAeUWVG_TmBxvIAtQmNlKoyZVq4NV7cyR2fRrjcWLkpdCSSTqMDjYimui0wi1ozVTqsx90uqf50wSTEl9GJ5cWr9eeaxi3xMqrvVoscfvhnHr-UVtlA=s3058" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3058" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpKaLumiW2dbrnOIsk3DYPE-k7t7Ulw5J4UCS8Dktt1oklW9BbbNbjIq3IHWpGvFUj7IRXBMQAAeUWVG_TmBxvIAtQmNlKoyZVq4NV7cyR2fRrjcWLkpdCSSTqMDjYimui0wi1ozVTqsx90uqf50wSTEl9GJ5cWr9eeaxi3xMqrvVoscfvhnHr-UVtlA=s320" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writer's clock - <span class="LrzXr kno-fv wHYlTd z8gr9e">Ⓒ</span> Enisa Haines<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>When immersed in writing, writers often lose track of time. With a special writer's clock, they'll always know the time for the next task.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">9. Ergonomic Chair or Coccyx Seat Cushion and Lumbar Support Pillow</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBDT6v3N3bZnU4u0efdl3UpHEhJ7PQdG1P86A1yA6MdGqrcET9SNXcgqHcZDGyowFj_8ZzklV6o_LhMYEpKilRxB4KZ5l9T5QflfmRmDwVtKeKMNBcDF7mLNXE5-ufS7gD62QR-06cYnw0is5RZxNVQnxLFM8SzTs_uPxo3xf_2Zc0sg9m6zrAkGN8Wg=s3855" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3855" data-original-width="2276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBDT6v3N3bZnU4u0efdl3UpHEhJ7PQdG1P86A1yA6MdGqrcET9SNXcgqHcZDGyowFj_8ZzklV6o_LhMYEpKilRxB4KZ5l9T5QflfmRmDwVtKeKMNBcDF7mLNXE5-ufS7gD62QR-06cYnw0is5RZxNVQnxLFM8SzTs_uPxo3xf_2Zc0sg9m6zrAkGN8Wg=s320" width="189" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coccyx and lumber support - <span class="LrzXr kno-fv wHYlTd z8gr9e">Ⓒ</span> Enisa Haines<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Writers can spend hours seated at their computers, often with bad posture that leads to sciatica, lower back or tailbone pain. Sitting in an ergonomic chair will alleviate pressure on the coccyx/tailbone, relieve sciatic nerve pain, support the back's curve and provide healthy posture. If the budget doesn't allow for a chair, then a coccyx seat cushion and lumbar support pillow giving the same benefits can turn a bad chair into a good chair.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">10. Writer's Retreat</span></b></p><p><span>Getting away from the responsibilities of daily life to a place where focus is solely on writing is every writer's dream. Time away at a writing retreat surrounded by other writers inspires motivation and lets creativity flow. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIeZXQqAy9sHBbsSWScBLF3uS7QyaDo3yto6qBuqeXSi9ZL01iX6mlFY2AkI37wrsw9FwdOREQ-JwTC-SEDVFEqGnxo-7N0AnKm1qxVBMMX7aVgUTIwTlKxfoMGb4dy0jnXpIAbQXhkCUySDrFPVLKbtkrPa53Lh93OHbazN6kzVtG1rPwn1tSAdvE3A=s960" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIeZXQqAy9sHBbsSWScBLF3uS7QyaDo3yto6qBuqeXSi9ZL01iX6mlFY2AkI37wrsw9FwdOREQ-JwTC-SEDVFEqGnxo-7N0AnKm1qxVBMMX7aVgUTIwTlKxfoMGb4dy0jnXpIAbQXhkCUySDrFPVLKbtkrPa53Lh93OHbazN6kzVtG1rPwn1tSAdvE3A=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writer's retreat - <span class="LrzXr kno-fv wHYlTd z8gr9e">Ⓒ</span> Enisa Haines<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><i>Would the writer in your life like one of these gifts? Or is there something else they'd love to receive? </i></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Love to love:</b></span> writing by hand. My creativity loves it too!</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-weight: bold;">Love to laugh: </span><span>romantic comedies are always fun.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>Love to learn: </b></span>for all things writing, One Stop for Writers is the subscription to have!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: medium none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: medium none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote></div></blockquote><br /><p><br /></p>Enisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14618040099949009436noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-7770859097985847372021-12-20T05:00:00.434+11:002021-12-20T05:00:00.232+11:00MIRANDA'S CHRISTMAS MUSINGS!<p> Well, <i style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">hello </i>my darlings, long time no see! I'm delighted to be back with you and chatting about my absolute favourite thing: <i style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">CHRISTMAS BOOKS!</i> Christmas is tremendously special for me, and combining the love of the season with romance is a complete winner. I've got ten special books to share, so I'm going to dive straight in.</p><p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitjfB36C1yJRoY85dkjDVseRfcGI320YE33OTyqSoazn3K35toe-b9hm6cUvBJRsswqv9ML0IUjSTFN8lGjX1yiGhKOSeXpMpxH1DJEcbZVfLWTv2mDKQLpfH7_wIeGsCOtQH620llWPWpGWtRdu6lXYqS0-hWZKr2a-MUvr0YcF0OoiF703A5nDMFlg=s346" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitjfB36C1yJRoY85dkjDVseRfcGI320YE33OTyqSoazn3K35toe-b9hm6cUvBJRsswqv9ML0IUjSTFN8lGjX1yiGhKOSeXpMpxH1DJEcbZVfLWTv2mDKQLpfH7_wIeGsCOtQH620llWPWpGWtRdu6lXYqS0-hWZKr2a-MUvr0YcF0OoiF703A5nDMFlg=w208-h320" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Santa-heart-warming-romance-perfect-ebook/dp/B0948JXWSW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1639533584&sr=1-1">DEAR SANTA</a> by <a href="https://debbiemacomber.com/">Debbie Macomber</a> is a lovely way to kick off your festive reading; I always enjoy her Christmas books. How many of you remember writing letters to Santa when you were little, with a wish list? How many wishes came true? Lindy Carmichael's just had her heart broken - then her mother gives her all her old Santa letters, and Lindy realises sometimes Christmas wishes do come true, with a little help from you-know-who. No, not Voldemort, of course I mean Santa!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx7Up88BE0DSCkbFNGDhbZhBv76FMBGWRAXmgDSsTutOMAGzP2OoDo4K7LVWSyTtJ3zw_mWF8Y22lFGvKRgwTO9BO6-92nFNc5n7k221GFC8UGH3jyP7szlDLvKoroNvLYtWqmDKTqNxoPwJhNEQlNpUaRIGk0Q5z_QFfHKg4TdBYv0rIhppmt3fSA2Q=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx7Up88BE0DSCkbFNGDhbZhBv76FMBGWRAXmgDSsTutOMAGzP2OoDo4K7LVWSyTtJ3zw_mWF8Y22lFGvKRgwTO9BO6-92nFNc5n7k221GFC8UGH3jyP7szlDLvKoroNvLYtWqmDKTqNxoPwJhNEQlNpUaRIGk0Q5z_QFfHKg4TdBYv0rIhppmt3fSA2Q=s320" width="197" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Fancy a cowboy for Christmas? Don't we all! <a href="http://vickilewisthompson.com/">Vicki Lewis Thompson</a> gifts us the scorching novella <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Its-Christmas-Cowboy-Sons-Chance-ebook/dp/B09KZF7BJ6/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=it%27s+christmas%2C+cowboy&qid=1639534046&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">It's Christmas, Cowboy</a>, and we do need to pop this in our Christmas stocking. With the always-poignant trope of second-chance-at-love, old school friends Tucker and Lacey reconnect. And boy howdy, do they ever! This is fast and furious, so if you've only got a short break, choose this.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8tRtkXeqTDItOpcmjQ23e0AlG4QsnVs37IaQVfYcLOuUNet_CwIOJ2_3aX47SJO7tx7clJofko-XPMt-KHNNE6vZ82o6kPgCaVGbNR2vV34noSSLmJAfN9XKV_EKEA-XYNHSUHsQrCdGvusk4t3ll8Du8At8X67MzoTjQmsrDR2sen8y_yK4itD27OQ=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8tRtkXeqTDItOpcmjQ23e0AlG4QsnVs37IaQVfYcLOuUNet_CwIOJ2_3aX47SJO7tx7clJofko-XPMt-KHNNE6vZ82o6kPgCaVGbNR2vV34noSSLmJAfN9XKV_EKEA-XYNHSUHsQrCdGvusk4t3ll8Du8At8X67MzoTjQmsrDR2sen8y_yK4itD27OQ=s320" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>And speaking of cowboys - ranchers - ranch <i>builders </i>- <a href="https://kellyhunter.net/">Kelly Hunter's</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Must-Love-Christmas-Kelly-Hunter-ebook/dp/B09JL8PHF8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=must+love+christmas&qid=1639534470&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">Must Love Christmas</a> is totally fabulous, one of my 5 star reads this year. Seth Casey is such a dream hero, strong and rugged and sexy and capable and, well, also nice. Madeline is the rich girl who owns the ranch he wants to own, and she says no to his offer to buy it. I thought this might degenerate into a fight (sorry Kelly, I should've known better), but they're both so heroic it turns out to be a heart-grabbing romance. The scene on Christmas Day here is enough to move even the stoniest of Christmas scrooges (sniff). </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX3JLTF6txsOgdQffCKwO1hkdjXb_t7TdGtW-t-27ALM09wopS_KYLldkY5FT94F5S1AJsKADaKiS27Jdx6eARXcdvkQd_xC20doVe1jCOtsODApuRcJzbRtkGEDyyP2v1vgw1kQOXJc4NPVwav4G6ujfjnyzXI36NNTXNZxdZLXNwStmTN1ATo4YFXg=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX3JLTF6txsOgdQffCKwO1hkdjXb_t7TdGtW-t-27ALM09wopS_KYLldkY5FT94F5S1AJsKADaKiS27Jdx6eARXcdvkQd_xC20doVe1jCOtsODApuRcJzbRtkGEDyyP2v1vgw1kQOXJc4NPVwav4G6ujfjnyzXI36NNTXNZxdZLXNwStmTN1ATo4YFXg=s320" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><a href="http://www.rebeccaraisin.com/">Rebecca Raisin</a> is a new-to-me author this year, and I read the two books loosely linked to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Floras-Travelling-Christmas-Shop-bestselling-ebook/dp/B09D972MDT/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=flora%27s+travelling+christmas+shop&qid=1639535491&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop</a> and loved them: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rosies-Travelling-Tea-Shop-absolutely-ebook/dp/B07HCX41MV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UWCJNHLVTA17&keywords=rosie%27s+travelling+tea+shop+by+rebecca+raisin&qid=1639535692&sprefix=rosie%27s+tra%2Cdigital-text%2C392&sr=8-1">Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arias-Travelling-Book-Shop-uplifting-ebook/dp/B07XNNW1PW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1I38NY1A12VPD&keywords=aria%27s+travelling+book+shop&qid=1639535748&sprefix=aria%27s+trav%2Caps%2C382&sr=8-1">Aria's Travelling Book Shop</a>. Both were terrific, especially the latter (it's about books!). I couldn't resist the third one, set in the most fairytale of all places at Christmas: Lapland! I'm not kidding. With reindeer and snow and hot chocolate and omigosh the food, and Christmas trees and, cough, Connor, a bit of a Christmas grinch. Flora's about the sort that out, quick smart. This is a gentle romance, and it's sparkly with tinsel and glitter and everything Christmassy.<br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbK-SyW2qy8mz76tY-mZhxAkqdHg7Y3dtcClHN71favZ_Z96qO7BluAooGEy8EYRU57Oc76EyRfTa7-VGcTQFHp7m2HnVd0tbfIzFFTa9bj9hJmrz5Olo-hOqy3_igewJytNgSHlMTpGAexQCufi-MKzTtLWeiSJO73urAOAZ3yoaS1hQ-ssU_sbrRQQ=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbK-SyW2qy8mz76tY-mZhxAkqdHg7Y3dtcClHN71favZ_Z96qO7BluAooGEy8EYRU57Oc76EyRfTa7-VGcTQFHp7m2HnVd0tbfIzFFTa9bj9hJmrz5Olo-hOqy3_igewJytNgSHlMTpGAexQCufi-MKzTtLWeiSJO73urAOAZ3yoaS1hQ-ssU_sbrRQQ=s320" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>From Lapland to Edinburgh! I discovered <a href="https://www.jennycolgan.com/">Jenny Colgan</a> last year, and she combines warm humour and romance with festive fun and food: a complete reader seduction. When you add in the booky setting for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Bookshop-Jenny-Colgan-ebook/dp/B08X6MP3M5/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+christmas+bookshop&qid=1639536052&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">The Christmas Bookshop</a>, it's winning all the way. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like Carmen: she was aimless and a bit thoughtless. When her mother and sister foist her into a pretty hopeless destined-to-fail job at the bookstore, it takes a while for Carmen to shine. But, happily, shine she does, and just in time for Christmas. The romance is a little bit different, and the quirky characters totally capture your heart. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5EefNxAL6uURACGwHdbLDq6p2GghqqfsE6WyiuwJAAH28jdSunKTVq9IQ64q9m_w9d5ypNVT5EDjv6jgDtiGpOrOJ2Ri47ftgI6X-mDrBA5R1ShW0XYg3v_ePcUX551FemtPeiWuYdxvTxzAEoD29Y1lFo9j7rGGAYhogUT6akxk6liRNbCU4iBu1hg=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5EefNxAL6uURACGwHdbLDq6p2GghqqfsE6WyiuwJAAH28jdSunKTVq9IQ64q9m_w9d5ypNVT5EDjv6jgDtiGpOrOJ2Ri47ftgI6X-mDrBA5R1ShW0XYg3v_ePcUX551FemtPeiWuYdxvTxzAEoD29Y1lFo9j7rGGAYhogUT6akxk6liRNbCU4iBu1hg=s320" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Christmas-Secrets-Regency-Anthology-ebook/dp/B09C4D7994/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29J5Z6LS6AOQZ&keywords=sweet+christmas+secrets+a+regency+holiday+anthology&qid=1639536741&s=digital-text&sprefix=sweet+christmas+secreys%2Cdigital-text%2C371&sr=1-1">Sweet Christmas Secrets</a> is a stunning anthology with ten festive Regency stories written by ten Aussie authors. Kudos to them all! I had a fabulous time reading my way through the lushly romantic stories. Every one is just long enough to sit and enjoy as a mini break in-between all your Christmas busyness. They each feature a letter and/or a secret, and there are many misunderstandings and broken hearts before we get our happy ending. What a Christmas bliss bomb.<br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUussFYqxskJ88nbNOsEah_4OSlRF5X5FkefjOQaZk0kwXCslllYllxsV1d5Z6N1M8gxz2JxdQ3NSayCdcAZYQg4i_TPmgkxkXBbhW78tbJzzIUNsdsRRM63kSHYewlYKwlVWECJpgUkMOmy3JMIk-QH7JyGF9AINPCFeRfkTbFUBICfMfWyxVpqWtTg=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUussFYqxskJ88nbNOsEah_4OSlRF5X5FkefjOQaZk0kwXCslllYllxsV1d5Z6N1M8gxz2JxdQ3NSayCdcAZYQg4i_TPmgkxkXBbhW78tbJzzIUNsdsRRM63kSHYewlYKwlVWECJpgUkMOmy3JMIk-QH7JyGF9AINPCFeRfkTbFUBICfMfWyxVpqWtTg=s320" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>While we're in Regency mode, treat yourself to the charming novella <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Love-Redeemed-Alison-Stuart-ebook/dp/B09CSCNWYX/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+christmas+love+redeemed&qid=1639537033&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">A Christmas Love Redeemed</a>, by fan favourite <a href="https://www.alisonstuart.com/">Alison Stuart</a>. It's a second-chance-at-love story, and it's simply lovely. Another one to enjoy with a quick hot chocolate and a fruit mince pie. Our hero is French (swoon) and the heroine English, so that leads to high tension when the hero is caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Such a special treat.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCDictx25C79nNiyRcI9X8LaZlNRffMdxgMtkv_JzCLMVB9wH6d--i8JevZmXVLoRZiLR-gbOJdXJdrCvX9PuEBqPkmir7VZ-eDgy5E9e25l9yidkLt09PvXfbvhdAQaty5aQGWJb3peT3zutX4O6J541iW4cvRpaBgVCYWTPRLhY0Dqn7uXBZxXbQzw=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCDictx25C79nNiyRcI9X8LaZlNRffMdxgMtkv_JzCLMVB9wH6d--i8JevZmXVLoRZiLR-gbOJdXJdrCvX9PuEBqPkmir7VZ-eDgy5E9e25l9yidkLt09PvXfbvhdAQaty5aQGWJb3peT3zutX4O6J541iW4cvRpaBgVCYWTPRLhY0Dqn7uXBZxXbQzw=s320" width="204" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Who can resist the two sweet cherubs on the cover of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Their-Yuletide-Healing-Bliss-Texas-ebook/dp/B09CSLW6B4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=their+yuletide+healing&qid=1639538659&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">Their Yuletide Healing</a>? Not I! This is another new-to-me author, <a href="https://mindyobenhaus.com/">Mindy Obenhaus</a>, who writes for Harlequin <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/love-inspired.html">Love Inspired</a>, a series where faith is a main element in the books. Have to say, faith and Christmas sort of go together, and also reconciliation and forgiveness and healing. Here the town Scrooge suddenly finds his guarded, lonely heart invaded by these two little foster kids and their foster mom. Just. Beautiful. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWUpnWCaM0KJ1f5UR_KAumUOGAlG7aBLWNK-hIGPt7_wT7Z_Yg7V7KpXuYfRTwTml_TskDwXDo879HBiWqgo12_zbyHJkmHcwZ_nPKcnvu4o3UIEXs6qBlyCEWO7SNaOhfJDS8SDxNs2el-PzLKnrRDuv9LT9X2qtIqZPM9vO6OLRV1tKq9zjXQFt1Q=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFWUpnWCaM0KJ1f5UR_KAumUOGAlG7aBLWNK-hIGPt7_wT7Z_Yg7V7KpXuYfRTwTml_TskDwXDo879HBiWqgo12_zbyHJkmHcwZ_nPKcnvu4o3UIEXs6qBlyCEWO7SNaOhfJDS8SDxNs2el-PzLKnrRDuv9LT9X2qtIqZPM9vO6OLRV1tKq9zjXQFt1Q=s320" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>It truly is a pleasure to read another Christmas story from <a href="https://sarahmorgan.com/">Sarah Morgan</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Escape-Novel-Sarah-Morgan-ebook/dp/B08SKGNDB9/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+christmas+escape&qid=1639539264&s=digital-text&sr=1-1">The Christmas Escape</a> is marvellous. And, again, shock, off we go to Lapland! Is the Universe telling me something? Do I need to book an escape to Lapland? (Yes. The answer is obviously yes.) It's not just snow and the cold and festivities, however. This is a deeply moving story of a little family in crisis, of reconciliation, and a zinger do-I-hate-you-or-love-you? romance. (Spoiler: love. The answer is obviously love.) </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQaKv7udcf0_v8dOFhD53FhlzZN6JOPv31oMRdz4ZFDtCJa3Mu_ZuJuRGAVvE9217Oebe8f-lRvTPhch6a9rYok9gC_WJjH8q6u8dQgjGR6uNCwpZOQ2kEFaWAfww_pCNJTr-E1GxoUv81jQJwm8A1d0eI1H_KqDIsnHHpT64VrD8Z_2lGLNtb02VO7w=s346" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="215" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQaKv7udcf0_v8dOFhD53FhlzZN6JOPv31oMRdz4ZFDtCJa3Mu_ZuJuRGAVvE9217Oebe8f-lRvTPhch6a9rYok9gC_WJjH8q6u8dQgjGR6uNCwpZOQ2kEFaWAfww_pCNJTr-E1GxoUv81jQJwm8A1d0eI1H_KqDIsnHHpT64VrD8Z_2lGLNtb02VO7w=s320" width="199" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: amazon.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I've been told the cover of <a href="https://www.trishaworld.com/">Trisha Ashley's</a> book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-More-Christmas-Castle-bestseller-ebook/dp/B08ZHB4M2M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IG8397OE85E7&keywords=one+more+christmas+at+the+castle&qid=1639539730&s=digital-text&sprefix=onr+more+christmas+%2Cdigital-text%2C356&sr=1-1">One More Christmas at the Castle</a> is all glittery and gorgeous, so it almost seemed sacrilegious to read it on my Kindle. I wanted all that razzle dazzle in my hands, sigh. But any which way you read this book you'll love it. You'll also put on weight just reading about the lavish <i>food</i>, oh my. I have no idea how these characters stayed trim. All that walking in the snow? An elderly widow invites a few key people from her family and friends - and the Heavenly Houseparty catering company - to mastermind her last Christmas at the castle (bit sad). The burning question is who will inherit, but I kept getting distracted by the Christmas cake and cheese straws and...never mind. Not one but two romances here, so terrific, and a fabulous cast of characters. And I'm not going to mention decorations or the food any more. Although there was the mulled wine and the mistletoe...no. A wonderful book that happily wallowed in Christmas from beginning to end, and it made me happy. I now want to live in a castle and have Heavenly Houseparties cater for me, forever. Enjoy.</p><p>So that's my little list. Happily I have many, many more also ready to go, including my annual reread of the classic <a href="https://www.foliosociety.com/au/a-christmas-carol.html">A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.</a> If you click on the link you'll see I've indulged in a very special new edition. </p><p>Merry Christmas, dear readers. May your festive time be merry and bright, and I hope Santa brings you some wonderful reading.</p><p>Do stay safe and well, and hug your precious ones tight.</p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Loads of love from Miranda xxx</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #38761d;">Love to love: </b>Christmas! Everything and all things Christmassy!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #38761d;">Love to laugh: </b>I'm a bit like Cassandra Samuels, I love funny Christmas movies.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #38761d;">Love to learn: </b>What are you reading? And some last minute hot tips for the Christmas stockings? <i>Please</i> tell? Pop it all in the comments. below. </span></p>Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16395027098663054678noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-38334692854054589042021-12-13T04:30:00.187+11:002021-12-13T04:30:00.237+11:00There was a time Christmas was banned - Was it all Cromwell's Fault?<p><i>By Cassandra Samuels</i></p><p>Believe it or not, back in 1647, Christmas celebrations were forbidden by law. No festivities were allowed and there were big consequences for disobedience, but how did it happen?<br /></p><p><i><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpdMHhw5qh_I9EmIXsNB5jXVYNrZPfDo7Gnik-HYHSUz4gackDguL293zFTh8Xkaq6U6g9QmqYSDkmJMTF_4RKn9GAgoF-OWSB18laknlwjfY_3iPwXPdk240KOyhpVoGnvW2zyaWGAZPM2gFLlHCHd0zrhyNpTRvB00L5DHHkz1a-L1oi1ewg6RRh=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Care of Creative Commons<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></i></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpdMHhw5qh_I9EmIXsNB5jXVYNrZPfDo7Gnik-HYHSUz4gackDguL293zFTh8Xkaq6U6g9QmqYSDkmJMTF_4RKn9GAgoF-OWSB18laknlwjfY_3iPwXPdk240KOyhpVoGnvW2zyaWGAZPM2gFLlHCHd0zrhyNpTRvB00L5DHHkz1a-L1oi1ewg6RRh=s600" imageanchor="1"><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></i></a></i></div><p></p><p><br /> The parliament won the Civil War in England, and Oliver Cromwell and his mates decided to incarcerate King Charles at Hampton Court<i>. </i>The Church of England was abolished and replaced with the Presbyterian Church. They had strict ideas about how the people should behave. The Presbyterian Church believed the religious holiday was for prayer, not parties.<br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZhyZ6czmiNLhqA7olBP-e4LJzTNsBhkDhQNI4YnMhNBebaJrXfI5ct2zG_zvNju_dmcrSazq-wCx2kRExNIWWOkec3UEJJ7vo5nLC_k1L8cme9ZWj6BWCAT7r6jDQdSQeg_6tgPC3Vuej7vGGKQlmOrMgsVPDAH-Mi7w2VXLfx5jWyuc1I7tmltDh=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="681" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZhyZ6czmiNLhqA7olBP-e4LJzTNsBhkDhQNI4YnMhNBebaJrXfI5ct2zG_zvNju_dmcrSazq-wCx2kRExNIWWOkec3UEJJ7vo5nLC_k1L8cme9ZWj6BWCAT7r6jDQdSQeg_6tgPC3Vuej7vGGKQlmOrMgsVPDAH-Mi7w2VXLfx5jWyuc1I7tmltDh=s320" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_usage-attribution is-block" data-v-e1c1f65a="" id="attribution"><a data-v-e1c1f65a="" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/25334641@N08/2757104944" rel="noopener" target="_blank">"Oliver Cromwell statue outside Parliament"</a> <span data-v-e1c1f65a="">
by
<a data-v-e1c1f65a="" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/25334641@N08" rel="noopener" target="_blank">UK Parliament</a></span>
is licensed under
<a class="photo_license" data-v-e1c1f65a="" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=ccsearch&atype=rich" rel="noopener" target="_blank">
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>They brought in new restrictions that did not go down well with the populace. These new restrictions included no more than 12 days of Christmas celebrations. All the shops had to stay open on Christmas Day, and no decorations were allowed.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEJ0xnl3TLpBTTqq1uzxlYsIAzGnfqlfW1LvU3471z05oKg89feUn9YFVqfUIJnZt38BV04m3Oudi2EBvWjHyq6TkJpBEMu_ldEl9kEWAQd0imuNAaUVPWQIZBoQUk_obIc7lv7yjsgJ-NutyaI13x12jQ50NZE4SIdw2jUVnVH9YL03uqYS_jSWrT=s600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEJ0xnl3TLpBTTqq1uzxlYsIAzGnfqlfW1LvU3471z05oKg89feUn9YFVqfUIJnZt38BV04m3Oudi2EBvWjHyq6TkJpBEMu_ldEl9kEWAQd0imuNAaUVPWQIZBoQUk_obIc7lv7yjsgJ-NutyaI13x12jQ50NZE4SIdw2jUVnVH9YL03uqYS_jSWrT=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_usage-attribution is-block" data-v-e1c1f65a="" id="attribution"><span data-v-e1c1f65a="">by
<a data-v-e1c1f65a="" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/79874304@N00" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sister72</a></span>
is licensed under
<a class="photo_license" data-v-e1c1f65a="" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=ccsearch&atype=rich" rel="noopener" target="_blank">
CC BY 2.0 </a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_usage-attribution is-block" data-v-e1c1f65a="" id="attribution"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_usage-attribution is-block" data-v-e1c1f65a="" id="attribution"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The people were not happy and all throughout England, Scotland and Ireland they refused to conform. Armed forces had to be brought in to control the people and stop festivities. Even the church wardens at Westminster Abbey were arrested for not stopping the celebrations. The Mayor of London was verbally abused for trying to take down decorations of holly and ivy that adorned the shops. The Mayor of Norwich turned a blind eye and was summoned to explain himself. It all ended in a riot that culminated in an explosion, and the death of forty people.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVjv64h4iJhzN5KAgB1QLVCbOAwP4-Iz_soJRDdtsMYdSQL5q4LeyMo5bF9qPPEAU6l80yIceRbs_DBr8XgkLrQMLrbZitK08Ep2nR93rwnLDFxuKzCLru2x-ecTTIX3ZXP1VbTHhRVKyS-6eVddbhxZ-_BexFhePLOBtS05CyT4ZXYOcCcw1Ymrm4=s600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVjv64h4iJhzN5KAgB1QLVCbOAwP4-Iz_soJRDdtsMYdSQL5q4LeyMo5bF9qPPEAU6l80yIceRbs_DBr8XgkLrQMLrbZitK08Ep2nR93rwnLDFxuKzCLru2x-ecTTIX3ZXP1VbTHhRVKyS-6eVddbhxZ-_BexFhePLOBtS05CyT4ZXYOcCcw1Ymrm4=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">care of creative commons<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> In the following years, there were more riots that ultimately led to the second civil war after King Charles was executed. Revolution followed. </p><p>Christmas was reinstated and the people were happy. So, although it wasn't solely Oliver Cromwell's fault, he was part of the parliament that brought in the Puritan restrictions and caused such drama.</p><p><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Love to Love</b></span>: Christmas movies and books including our own Breathless Anthology.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7IwhsTdL60KxZDvlOwcrFe2QzZmZgYlDI7Ibk8ggp49pm63Jr9pzotG3QpvGKGReGv96eRt4O5pNcz0oFztVpmGr1L72VvfiG5tIJXs-ll-txQZ0qt5n5dINGHmAs6AFg5crTFPvnIpzKhL_aiHO0UXxNvxPve_Wf4L6Qj0vq7DSGEua3pHYNkBSR=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1131" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7IwhsTdL60KxZDvlOwcrFe2QzZmZgYlDI7Ibk8ggp49pm63Jr9pzotG3QpvGKGReGv96eRt4O5pNcz0oFztVpmGr1L72VvfiG5tIJXs-ll-txQZ0qt5n5dINGHmAs6AFg5crTFPvnIpzKhL_aiHO0UXxNvxPve_Wf4L6Qj0vq7DSGEua3pHYNkBSR=s320" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Very-Aussie-Christmas-Enisa-Haines-ebook/dp/B0783Q8P94/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+very+aussie+christmas&qid=1638704094&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Buy here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>Love to Laugh</b></span>: at the joy of my grandsons when decorating the Christmas tree.<br /></p><p><br /><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>Love to Learn</b></span>: That when things are bad, I have so much love and support from friends and family. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-69450837710784903812021-10-11T05:00:00.008+11:002021-10-16T10:01:55.217+11:00Beta Readers: Why You Need Them<p> </p><br /><i>By Marilyn Forsyth</i><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When my first timeslip, <i>Gwenllian’s Ghost</i>, was (finally) finished, I was advised by an editor that it was 45 000 words too long to even be considered by a publisher (100 000 max for a debut author).</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3RX81tmVLmsXgX_-Gs9fzGrkH99BxmKzOoz2Ml0ZDVJo9KWLzfAYtKmrG4rNGTOiqJCTAlRvPmdDdtaA096toR1gvivEBKa06hhyphenhyphenvv0OYfShRTji_XGgIRPA1I9aviKgrYciFKHpEL1B/s960/Gwen%2527sghost.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3RX81tmVLmsXgX_-Gs9fzGrkH99BxmKzOoz2Ml0ZDVJo9KWLzfAYtKmrG4rNGTOiqJCTAlRvPmdDdtaA096toR1gvivEBKa06hhyphenhyphenvv0OYfShRTji_XGgIRPA1I9aviKgrYciFKHpEL1B/s320/Gwen%2527sghost.webp" width="153" /></a></div><br />Well, I culled those 45K words. The problem was, I knew that story so well it was impossible to recognise whether I’d cut out scenes and chapters that were vital to the story. I needed to find readers who could look at my story with fresh eyes and give me objective feedback on what worked or didn’t work in my manuscript. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I needed beta readers. </span></b></div><div><br /><u><span style="font-size: medium;">What is a beta reader?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></u>“A beta reader is a test reader of an unreleased work of literature or other writing who gives feedback (to the author) from the point of view of an average reader...This feedback is used...to fix remaining issues with plot, pacing, and consistency. The beta reader also serves as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounding_board">sounding board</a> to see if the book has the intended emotional impact.” (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_reader">Wikipedia </a>)</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5p_3xRZ6JDugx4YdQbCy5qhW2dSjT3Lb2SmpHG_UDravtzqcHIYOeIRIcuQe6p22pd5uEx1zsjxj5EqVYguiayla8jVqEtz-kp0FZdPQOVY_8mUMMVTgqQLVlqS96PyPHfAwnhFOZ_br/s480/reading+meme.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5p_3xRZ6JDugx4YdQbCy5qhW2dSjT3Lb2SmpHG_UDravtzqcHIYOeIRIcuQe6p22pd5uEx1zsjxj5EqVYguiayla8jVqEtz-kp0FZdPQOVY_8mUMMVTgqQLVlqS96PyPHfAwnhFOZ_br/s320/reading+meme.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><u><span style="font-size: medium;">How do you find beta readers? </span></u><br /><br />My crit partners, family and friends, and members of my writing group, had all given valuable feedback along the journey. But I needed the point of view of readers who belong to my target audience—who actually read and love the timeslip genre—and who wouldn’t be concerned about hurting my feelings. My ego was not important; all that mattered was that the story was authentic and enjoyable. <br /><br />I chose to go with a paid Beta Reading Service, and I could not have been happier with the result.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnjjUJeWRc1VinWDVcH4-oB4PtX0w6e6VzJjFIRKrixSJ1ZKVe8ZDcAqS6GL_AlufupSJmv8Cl7aPmGcyjGBzhICdqj_Cbv5tpLnJhR18Oxm4S43I8kJnmWPE1fIm2EYamSE9IdA8ld2D/s750/history-quill-main-logo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="750" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnjjUJeWRc1VinWDVcH4-oB4PtX0w6e6VzJjFIRKrixSJ1ZKVe8ZDcAqS6GL_AlufupSJmv8Cl7aPmGcyjGBzhICdqj_Cbv5tpLnJhR18Oxm4S43I8kJnmWPE1fIm2EYamSE9IdA8ld2D/s320/history-quill-main-logo.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href=" The History Quill | Historical Fiction Specialistshttps://thehistoryquill.com">The Historical Quill </a> guarantee comprehensive feedback from at least 6 readers (I ended up with 8). I wrote a short premise of the story and readers were selected from those who indicated they’d like to see the whole manuscript. <br /><br />The feedback was amazing! <br /><br />Overall, it was very positive, (except for one reader who hadn’t read a timeslip before and thought the contemporary story unnecessary). After reading through all 8 critiques, I let the comments percolate for a day or so before I went back to my story. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUumU6SXNvPH40tjDcqtiCzNr5laNH8UWjmjiLV2b5zIAXlyIsooQxpi01PRFtQKZQqWEL4dqSdnPu6QFNSSoKNXEtj16HdTuy7ViShalEaLU_UA6Q0n6FEIWKIVdNoUlDBTLMlaeSWlT/s480/no+yes.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUumU6SXNvPH40tjDcqtiCzNr5laNH8UWjmjiLV2b5zIAXlyIsooQxpi01PRFtQKZQqWEL4dqSdnPu6QFNSSoKNXEtj16HdTuy7ViShalEaLU_UA6Q0n6FEIWKIVdNoUlDBTLMlaeSWlT/s320/no+yes.webp" width="247" /></a></div><br />I made note of each reader’s comments (positive and negative). If two or more commented negatively on the same thing, it was obviously something that needed working on. If one reader didn’t like something that another reader liked, I went with my gut in deciding what to do about it. I was lucky that some of my betas were from Wales and they were able to point out mistakes I’d made (with geography - Google maps is not infallible). <br /><br />Like I said, I couldn’t be happier with the History Quill service. It was fast (6-week turnaround) and efficient, and most of the negative comments were constructive. They’ve helped me make <i>Gwenllian’s Ghost </i>the best it can be. I’ve asked for 5 of those beta readers to be on my ‘street team’ when my story gets published. Now, all I have to do is get <i>Gwenllian’s Ghost</i> out there. <br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;">Have you used a beta reader service? How was your experience? </span></i><br /><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Love to Love</b></span>: Spring! The Botanic Gardens at this time of year are magical.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB684Uv78mgOR773wZYNSbE0KZRH8vdzqSlpqF8s-pO3ZZlLa_WvJNpPdNZ-wlOSP4Ey9ttHTKO0nz2pQAtuQascI_cI_aXvcHoRPTkCe3UXxTdp8QKORLUAOHicAspWkZEHsFK2wkyfmH/s705/spring.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="526" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB684Uv78mgOR773wZYNSbE0KZRH8vdzqSlpqF8s-pO3ZZlLa_WvJNpPdNZ-wlOSP4Ey9ttHTKO0nz2pQAtuQascI_cI_aXvcHoRPTkCe3UXxTdp8QKORLUAOHicAspWkZEHsFK2wkyfmH/w218-h292/spring.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>Love to Laugh</b></span>: at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/253202155032603">Writers, Readers and General Tomfoolery</a> </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CKEvKHJl2nVOisR4qH9EIVkx6T4CoXDuCcmvM7ArrSvi7viNN7XWlDr60UCOmyApuyzkVbhIvosDxO4P_LqjEubATP8lyXZoTuBxk2a_kU8trvaVQc0CagIQLk0oAZ1KhBqbzKUUwTYA/s526/blog+meme.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="526" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CKEvKHJl2nVOisR4qH9EIVkx6T4CoXDuCcmvM7ArrSvi7viNN7XWlDr60UCOmyApuyzkVbhIvosDxO4P_LqjEubATP8lyXZoTuBxk2a_kU8trvaVQc0CagIQLk0oAZ1KhBqbzKUUwTYA/s320/blog+meme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b>Love to Learn</b></span>: my way around <a href=" One Stop For Writershttps://onestopforwriters.com">One Stop for Writers</a>. Genius! (And they have an article about where to find beta readers <a href="https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/02/how-to-find-critique-partners-beta-readers/">here</a>.)</div><div><br /></div><div>All images are free to use.</div>Marilyn Forsythhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17264683453138649702noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-70520782466327188442021-09-20T05:30:00.041+10:002021-09-20T05:30:00.209+10:00Guest Post - Katrina Coll - <p><i>by Enisa Haines</i></p><p>Please welcome Katrina Coll - an Aussie who fell in love with an Irishman and let her heart lead her to the Emerald Isle. With that in her history what else would she write but romance, or as she says "kissing books that leave you wanting"? Winner of the Contemporary Romance Writers Stiletto Award she is now celebrating the release of her first published romance novel, <span><i style="color: #351c75; font-weight: bold;">A Match Made for TV</i><span>, and giving us a little insight into her life.</span></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSR8H-EoFWFUvdE3uoSl2GUlCEsTqF-77QmxzhjlYbTi-0lcWzRi7HhQE0cYlD-dMgkeRzk_u3Wt-WPwRRI9oJNDKkWWG7Vhusr6vTQJu86I3BRm9RJ3jmLywE_MyZ5yAjPYhR7pseN7L/s569/KatrinaColl-headshot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="569" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSR8H-EoFWFUvdE3uoSl2GUlCEsTqF-77QmxzhjlYbTi-0lcWzRi7HhQE0cYlD-dMgkeRzk_u3Wt-WPwRRI9oJNDKkWWG7Vhusr6vTQJu86I3BRm9RJ3jmLywE_MyZ5yAjPYhR7pseN7L/s320/KatrinaColl-headshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /><i><br /></i></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">What is one 'must have' when you are writing?</span></b></p><p>My Macbook. I literally can't write without it so it goes everywhere I go. Always.</p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">What are you reading at the moment?</span></b></p><p>I've just finished <i><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>Shadowheart</b></span></i> by <span style="color: #351c75;">Laura Kinsale</span>. I have <span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i>Playing it Safe</i></b></span> by <span style="color: #351c75;">Amy Andrews</span> pre-ordered and that'll be my next read.</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Name one thing you're scared of. </b></span></p><p>Something bad happening to someone I love.</p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Like to share something that recently made you happy?</span></b></p><p>We visited a fairy garden last week that was pure magic.</p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Who is your favourite literary crush? </span></b></p><p>Weirdly, I can't say I've ever had one as a reader. As a writer, though, I love my heroes so hard it hurts to let them go.</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>What is the last photo you took with your phone?</b></span></p><p>A screenshot of a Duolingo question. I'm trying to learn some Irish and the spelling is mind melt. I'm slowly getting the hang of it but don't ask me to say anything: the only thing worse than my spelling is my pronunciation.</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>If you were a main character in your favourite book, who would you be?</b></span></p><p>If I had to be a character in any book, I'd have to say Lizzie Bennet in <i><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Pride and Prejudice</span></b></i> because she's marvellous and nothing too awful happens to her. But my favourite book? I love too many to choose one.</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>What is the premise of your latest book?</b></span></p><p>A celeb with a secret. A doctor with a dilemma. Faking they're in love makes for good TV. But whose heart will break when reality bites?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxnjt4Twxn0By9-A_1ZDOKQxnrLVIpAmQGtmsDlWr_pKFtsq8eb_rhH3nk9p1zVwb6KU51WB6Bmm8CSNUhQmeMWq2HUsvjKXKEzyQyJP2EnpDFAMN4X6Kst1WWiebS2pGv-kn9tylE-2t/s640/katrina.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="https://books2read.com/A-Match-Made-for-TV" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxnjt4Twxn0By9-A_1ZDOKQxnrLVIpAmQGtmsDlWr_pKFtsq8eb_rhH3nk9p1zVwb6KU51WB6Bmm8CSNUhQmeMWq2HUsvjKXKEzyQyJP2EnpDFAMN4X6Kst1WWiebS2pGv-kn9tylE-2t/w214-h320/katrina.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available as an e-book worldwide.<br />Buy links: <a href="https://www.evernightpublishing.com/a-match-made-for-tv-by-katrina-coll/">https://www.evernightpublishing.com/a-match-made-for-tv-by-katrina-coll/</a>; <a href="https://books2read.com/A-Match-Made-for-TV">https://books2read.com/A-Match-Made-for-TV</a></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><br /><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ria DeLorenzo is a damn good doctor. Or was. Burnt out before she's begun, a three-month paid vacation as the medical consultant to a reality TV show is just what she needs to recover her mojo.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cancer survivor and headline grabber Griffin Stromberg is desperate to reboot his ultra-macho image. Typecast by years of fame, showcasing his softer side with a picture-perfect relationship should do the trick. Until Ria breaches show protocol and gets Griff fake girlfriend disqualified.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Now Ria's only hope of clocking out of reality is to check in to a fantasy by becoming his new partner. Griff, however, wants their relationship to be the real deal, not one of his infamous life-hacks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Can a man renowned for taking shortcuts prove he's ready to commit to a forever relationship? Or will reality bit once filming is over?</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000;">Who would you cast as your main characters? </span></b></p><p>Chris Hemsworth and Gal Gadot if she had a Texan accent.</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>What unique challenges did the book pose? </b></span></p><p>Trying to immerse my characters in a reality TV show without making the filming mechanics too intrusive.</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>What are you working on at the moment?</b></span></p><p>A follow-up book with the same match-making producer but featuring a cook and a chef. It's a reunion romance during a bake-off.</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Are you a plotter, pantser or somewhere in between?</b></span></p><p>I'm a puzzler. I have elements of the book (part of a plot, the characters, some scenes) and I figure out how they go together as I write.</p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Do you listen to music as you write? </b></span></p><p>I've tried but usually I can't. That said, I have a soundtrack for each novel to listen to when not writing to spark ideas/nail emotions I want to capture.</p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>What do you love to love?</b></span> Food. I love to love the whole process of cooking but I also love it when others cook, trying a new combination of flavours, sharing meals with friends, eating out. I'm a foodie from way back.</p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b>What do you love to laugh at?</b></span> Comedians/ At a Billy Connolly gig once, I laughed so hard I fell off my chair. Here in Ireland, there's a trio of guys called Foil, Arms and Hog. As a family, we watch their weekly uploads to YouTube every Friday. We even have their t-shirts.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">What do you love to learn about?</span></b> </span>Learning is my absolute favourite thing to do. I'll happily fall down a rabbit hole researching almost any subject. In fact, I used to get paid to research as part of my job as a business consultant. However, history and mythology would be lifetime loves.</p><p>Find out more about Katrina here:</p><p>Website: <a href="http://www.katrinacoll.com">www.katrinacoll.com</a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="KatrinaCollAuthor">KatrinaCollAuthor</a></p><p>Pinterest: <a href="A Match Made for TV">A Match Made for TV</a></p><p><a href="#novel">#novel</a> <a href="#contemporaryromance">#contemporaryromance</a> <a href="#arrangedmarriage">#arrangedmarriage</a> <a href="#lovestory">#lovestory</a></p><p><br /></p>Enisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14618040099949009436noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-37930707585362670252021-08-09T03:00:00.014+10:002021-08-09T03:00:00.230+10:00A few things not to say when meeting a romance author!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>By Alyssa J. Montgomery</b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m sure many if not most romance authors have experienced this conversation. It could be at a black-tie cocktail party or a backyard BBQ. Someone mentions there’s a romance author present and the reactions vary from, “Really? I love romance novels” to the words, “You write romance?” (the latter accompanied by a snicker of disbelief, a discreet cough and a little titter from someone else). The conversation switches swiftly to romance novels and the same timeless myths are trotted out by males and females alike. </span></div><div><br /></div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZIPb7PlWerSmN02RzLlqMBe_wFQOA5Or2dVW2XyPNDVhFgE3Sqp-cIbJXFUkX3uMKN-Xti4_AlZBIZzo6ClQTfRohp7vIv7S0UD-OI_Dfd7Q4ROO315SKMXuUlBCXeLp29ZpRr1HY9I/s245/laughing.webp" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZIPb7PlWerSmN02RzLlqMBe_wFQOA5Or2dVW2XyPNDVhFgE3Sqp-cIbJXFUkX3uMKN-Xti4_AlZBIZzo6ClQTfRohp7vIv7S0UD-OI_Dfd7Q4ROO315SKMXuUlBCXeLp29ZpRr1HY9I/s0/laughing.webp" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne Gracie wrote an article for the Victorian Writers’ Centre magazine <i>WriteOn</i> about some “Myths of Romance”. The ones she mentioned – “formulaic writing”, “they’re all the same”; “soft porn for women” “cardboard characters, clichés and bad writing” as well as having “absolutely no value to the world”, are still being bandied about by ignorant, and (I think) arrogant individuals. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzVvPS13tm84LBvjM7uQV_Cyed5WMwVefcnb9xM0LW2jj3zRf1-T-jLcRYqVl31i-PuXkTd-OJhZMKQG9kGCOhCtaZBl3BMsbHAIdIfoum3pCf06tCeW_YX1_bPJbK295H0GZSFANyf0/s200/dumb+you+are.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzVvPS13tm84LBvjM7uQV_Cyed5WMwVefcnb9xM0LW2jj3zRf1-T-jLcRYqVl31i-PuXkTd-OJhZMKQG9kGCOhCtaZBl3BMsbHAIdIfoum3pCf06tCeW_YX1_bPJbK295H0GZSFANyf0/s0/dumb+you+are.webp" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dG-vykfxpL0Nmd6v87IlGjBJYvdUdin1EryseEqzobNgYd2nMzk4FLYScsr_Zb637nSNMoyk5lnow1f5rT2IURqN-JLrbOWhlFIAkSVCtvKise0lXT7yYMgFmg1hl5PUy9joZzDX8os/s200/dumb.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dG-vykfxpL0Nmd6v87IlGjBJYvdUdin1EryseEqzobNgYd2nMzk4FLYScsr_Zb637nSNMoyk5lnow1f5rT2IURqN-JLrbOWhlFIAkSVCtvKise0lXT7yYMgFmg1hl5PUy9joZzDX8os/s0/dumb.webp" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Back to the conversation...Barbara Cartland is mentioned and I immediately point out that Dame Barbara sold over a billion books worldwide in at least 36 languages. Then, having written an article on this Breathless in the Bush blog about how romance novels empower women, I launch into my defence of romance novels, all the while wondering how my wonderful hosts can be entertaining people who are so downright rude! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The conversation takes a personal turn when an acquaintance expresses surprise that I write “those books” because “you’re an educated woman”. I barely contain my eye-roll back at the man. When I ask what sort of person he thinks writes a romance novel, he has the grace to look slightly embarrassed, but then volunteers: “Someone who’s desperately unhappy and can’t find their own romance”. The floodgates open. One negative comment flows after another from ‘sex-obsessed’ (with a wink and a nudge to my husband) to “a middle-aged, unemployed cat lady”. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCRpscG74WuKtrKnRcxdtLiswDnyibKKGZQ4JCR3Jx7_jGWcCH5RY8Li5bPL8HdRYrTuvt_FNWfuN4jZM2uxCaw_lqo_gvFHjcNKDwl3nuTrIZTAGylQrpYPmzJ5cTiMEAHFqpSskBmw/s200/Eye+rolling+gif.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCRpscG74WuKtrKnRcxdtLiswDnyibKKGZQ4JCR3Jx7_jGWcCH5RY8Li5bPL8HdRYrTuvt_FNWfuN4jZM2uxCaw_lqo_gvFHjcNKDwl3nuTrIZTAGylQrpYPmzJ5cTiMEAHFqpSskBmw/s0/Eye+rolling+gif.webp" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, thank you very much!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, these people are simply displaying their ignorance and appalling manners. None of their comments are original, but for the record, here are some things NOT to say if you ever meet a romance author.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“How long does it take to write one of those books? A couple of days or a week or so?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Are your books like 50 Shades of Grey?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Did your publisher give you a formula?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Did you have a crush on Fabio when you were growing up?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSCKGYVzHykHQOWuOkO5LlIpOSvYxAHZI1O92Xc8RTuwM-5P8MH1Qgevj_f3Eq4gxcaA-d6OCg4x7hgj0LSgZD31VIcdSbTQVcWn82xx45OEcMeLSg20cXfAkvkePVyVXfRqFwfmgbJo/s266/fabio.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSCKGYVzHykHQOWuOkO5LlIpOSvYxAHZI1O92Xc8RTuwM-5P8MH1Qgevj_f3Eq4gxcaA-d6OCg4x7hgj0LSgZD31VIcdSbTQVcWn82xx45OEcMeLSg20cXfAkvkePVyVXfRqFwfmgbJo/s0/fabio.webp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><i style="font-size: large;">“I downloaded your book from a free site, then I shared it to another free site because I enjoyed it so much!”</i></div><div><i style="font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Do you have to write a certain number of pages of sex scenes in each book?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Do you research the sex scenes with your husband?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i> “Where can I get a free copy?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Please don’t use the words smut, porn/mummy porn, trash, or bodice ripper and please don’t do what ‘fans’ of Julia Quinn did to her and launch into a long-winded review of why you didn’t like the book and what the author should’ve done differently!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thankfully the ill-mannered individuals are far outnumbered by respectful people.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Love to love</b> awesome, empowering romance novels.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Love to laugh </b>at the stereotypical images of the romance writer!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Love to learn </b>what experiences others have had in regard to ridiculous comments people have made about romance writers/the romance genre, so please leave a comment below.</span></div><div><br /></div>Alyssa J Montgomery http://www.blogger.com/profile/04062923136693943821noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-280026135514424902021-06-14T00:30:00.101+10:002021-06-14T00:30:00.263+10:00Where do romance writers get their ideas?<p> <i>By Sharon Bryant</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Where do you get your writing ideas? I recently posed this question to some writer friends. Their responses were enthusiastic, creative and varied.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One friend with strong visualisation skills envisages characters and situations. Another finds inspiration in dreams, even nightmares.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The most common response was that writers get their ideas from everyday life. Sometimes a writer may have no idea how a particular thought entered his or her consciousness. The best ideas may pop into a writer's head during the process of writing.</div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pwsIi9eGPd-en40XRc59KrMT3DAwoi2FETPSgiOjWuKnB8qvyxMZWhEh5QsfwGzMoHjwTr9_QJhwRikSWMyHndD9tLWZv6rww6rmA-fhoWGM6GimRKcR92S-BgqIZpK_HREo8rk_fp46/s1280/writing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pwsIi9eGPd-en40XRc59KrMT3DAwoi2FETPSgiOjWuKnB8qvyxMZWhEh5QsfwGzMoHjwTr9_QJhwRikSWMyHndD9tLWZv6rww6rmA-fhoWGM6GimRKcR92S-BgqIZpK_HREo8rk_fp46/s320/writing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">pixabay.com.au</span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></h2><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Where do you start?</span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So where does an aspiring author begin? Overheard conversations, newspapers, magazines, the internet, books, movies, people you've met, and situations you've encountered may all play a part in the writing ideas you generate.</div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iB4RKaNj8hljfzbuLXyDGGdqMMdS2NzFUirpQB0McM_YP-32xqDPdElZDFbBdvb7QTklZZLmLcEwBO7ZwVkP0ENymjV9Xd-Lmm2987savqAkb55E_RGZk1uYczZbzHt7oPdwX8sNRa9h/s1280/bike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iB4RKaNj8hljfzbuLXyDGGdqMMdS2NzFUirpQB0McM_YP-32xqDPdElZDFbBdvb7QTklZZLmLcEwBO7ZwVkP0ENymjV9Xd-Lmm2987savqAkb55E_RGZk1uYczZbzHt7oPdwX8sNRa9h/s320/bike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">pixabay.com.au</span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></h2><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The role of writing exercises</span></b></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some beginning writers find writing exercises designed to promote creativity most helpful. These can include letting your stream of consciousness run free, the use of creative writing prompts, or writing a story then rewriting it in a different character's viewpoint. Another useful approach is flash fiction where you start with basic knowledge of your plot, characters and conflict. Next you sit down, and immediately write your story in 500 words or less.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABQyhdDD8BGcGuhooPbe0iuEY6mxSSPaK4xXeKQnGHz80XavMVVPHaGeHDHOXNztWEk5kM_nQ5o4yFmlSkUkXuWqDncyUcSLqR6qP2uHSi6gLejm7lcXiGpBnRoO70sN9xFdwxKV8ecKP/s1280/village.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABQyhdDD8BGcGuhooPbe0iuEY6mxSSPaK4xXeKQnGHz80XavMVVPHaGeHDHOXNztWEk5kM_nQ5o4yFmlSkUkXuWqDncyUcSLqR6qP2uHSi6gLejm7lcXiGpBnRoO70sN9xFdwxKV8ecKP/s320/village.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">pixabay.com.au</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Where do you get your writing ideas?</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Have you ever used creative writing exercises like the ones I've described? </b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>Were they helpful?</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>I love to laugh at life's eccentricities.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>I love to learn more about the culture and history of the places I visit.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>I love to love precious time with my family and friends.</b></span></div><br /><br /><p></p>Sharon Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01662544181464130756noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-70033516358386758462021-04-12T00:01:00.019+10:002021-04-12T00:01:00.196+10:00Two steps behind...<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Contemporary romance heroes who have no problem walking behind their heroines</b></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following the
passing of Prince Philip a few days ago, one of the photos that keeps popping up
is one of him dressed in full Grenadier Guard regalia as the Queen passes him by,
and the Queen is giggling like a schoolgirl. You know the one. You can see a copy
of it (and get the story behind it) </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-56242398">here</a></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The photo had me
thinking about the relationship between he and the Queen for the some seventy
odd years they were together. For all of Prince Philip’s failings, and I’m sure
there were a few, he seems to have happily taken on the role of always being a
few steps behind his Queen (unlike the another Prince Consort who "threw his toys
out of the cot" and absconded to France for a bit). There was never any suggestion
that he strayed and, despite some expressed concerns about not giving his name
to his children and his predilection to "put his foot in his mouth", he seems to
have been a wonderful partner. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It got me thinking
about romance heroes who would have absolutely no problem with walking a step
or two behind their partners. This is what I came up with:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i></i></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJx_UJE2zFfwYCLDvZZCjrQ7CKup4P3VrgCMHsvssqAnxnYSviu243G5TutMTpCFp__qE4w2qrvTUAot2avdfRYPnY70Br0nCEUJifGVNAQatS79iv3qfeT3gi_JxrxxLT_bAmRzMCW8/s500/51yDvXHPicL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJx_UJE2zFfwYCLDvZZCjrQ7CKup4P3VrgCMHsvssqAnxnYSviu243G5TutMTpCFp__qE4w2qrvTUAot2avdfRYPnY70Br0nCEUJifGVNAQatS79iv3qfeT3gi_JxrxxLT_bAmRzMCW8/w198-h298/51yDvXHPicL.jpg" width="198" /></a></i></b></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Officer Reuben
Price from Amy Andrews’ All’s Fair in Love and Chocolate</i></b></h3></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Reuben is a police
officer in Marietta, a small town in Montana and Viv Dawson is a successful businesswoman
who brings her chocolates to town. </i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Reuben is a Good
Bloke™ who is confident in his own skin. He makes pasta for his woman while she
soaks away a hard day in the tub, knows how to show a lady a good time (both in
and out of bed) and is prepared to make the tough declarations of love first
when required… even if it takes his woman a little while to come around. </i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Reuben would have
NO issue walking a few steps behind Viv and would absolutely enjoy the view.</i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i></i></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuXlHSL0RqIuEOtixU-rs4pGkmOjgnik0RFZQluvDuBs6P166u3Qai178-O-qh0MafAU90QmNc4zsVxWYJEanbU33gZQsZhUVGcvVbaN5LT02g6l7VbNIUdeIPq-XLMFO29cju7mwOV8/s500/51nTPzLNyML.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuXlHSL0RqIuEOtixU-rs4pGkmOjgnik0RFZQluvDuBs6P166u3Qai178-O-qh0MafAU90QmNc4zsVxWYJEanbU33gZQsZhUVGcvVbaN5LT02g6l7VbNIUdeIPq-XLMFO29cju7mwOV8/w225-h350/51nTPzLNyML.jpg" width="225" /></a></i></b></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Oscar Mendoza
from Alice Clayton’s Cream of the Crop</i></b></h3></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Oscar is a small
town, boutique dairy farmer who looks a lot like Jason Momoa and Natalie
Greyson, a curvy, big-city advertising exec is assigned to a project designed
to put his small town back on the tourism map.</i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Oscar has a
particular love for – his words – Natalie’s great big ass… in fact, at an early
meeting he tells her that the first best part of his Saturday is watching her
walk away from his city farmers’ market stall where she buys her cheese. He’s
also absolutely ready to compromise with her make their relationship work… and
to give her the time she needs to wrap her head around what the word compromise
looks like.</i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Oscar is absolutely
comfortable sitting back and watching Natalie be the life of the party… and,
like Reuben, he’s definitely enjoying the view.</i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>And this was not
meant to be a hymn to all the men who love booty but, it kinda turned out that
way!</i></span> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i></i></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_2UPBkvJhE6gGc_Ln_wkCr3krSXthchBjWt3KAxYuGPhgizNbGHCp5juXeIKRNqxLyGc39NyjauuwIw7yN-GEAQZ95d5c0g6xe1gX7rKtnxe9xcFY6ieLYe6-U6ix7FxDOmdXA1QZKs/s218/81GIsLD6viL._AC_UY218_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="136" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_2UPBkvJhE6gGc_Ln_wkCr3krSXthchBjWt3KAxYuGPhgizNbGHCp5juXeIKRNqxLyGc39NyjauuwIw7yN-GEAQZ95d5c0g6xe1gX7rKtnxe9xcFY6ieLYe6-U6ix7FxDOmdXA1QZKs/w238-h383/81GIsLD6viL._AC_UY218_.jpg" width="238" /></a></i></b></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Jafar from Katee
Roberts’ Desperate Measures</i></b></h3></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>And then, there’s
Jafar. </i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>If you’ve not read
Katee’s Wicked Villains series… it’s a ride. She’s created a world in which characters
based more or less on Disney villains have a LOT of sex while running various
crime syndicates in one city. It’s the best kind of madness and, in her first
book, we meet Jasmine and Jafar…just after Jafar has ordered Jasmine’s father be
killed so he can take over the syndicate.</i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>It’s not giving too
much away to say that…Jafar has no issue with Jasmine ending up as the head of
the crime syndicate, and being known as her second-in-charge, provided that she
submits to him in the bedroom. It’s hot. And quite the contrast given that some
sex play (albeit in future books) happens at a neutral club called the Underworld
where everyone knows that she’s running the show but Jafar is her Dominant.</i></span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And, just a
warning, this one is spicy, and contains some consensual non-consent</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Which of your favourite romance heores (or heroines) are happily walking a step behind their loves?</span></p><br /><p></p>Kristine Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13225943245120896454noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603806150366948575.post-34954017010530684002021-02-15T06:00:00.931+11:002021-02-15T06:00:11.439+11:00Valentine's Day Customs Around the World<p><i> by Enisa Haines</i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lE2VuvpSHWYRCj4hFZg65Zdc_S8cfC8OoBm4EUleSa5Y_Yi8z5mJHIhhSi1BP0fha8KzSlCZlz9tOH0K2tdcJW9fuJeWXd1hRa1cYEUIJhndrZYeY0Nz5CGkJuDgsbzIzqD5p3s7ocHX/s480/valentine%2527s+day+giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="480" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lE2VuvpSHWYRCj4hFZg65Zdc_S8cfC8OoBm4EUleSa5Y_Yi8z5mJHIhhSi1BP0fha8KzSlCZlz9tOH0K2tdcJW9fuJeWXd1hRa1cYEUIJhndrZYeY0Nz5CGkJuDgsbzIzqD5p3s7ocHX/w400-h238/valentine%2527s+day+giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of: giphy.com</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Valentine's Day was yesterday, as witnessed by the overflow of red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, cute teddy bears, balloons and jewelry in shops all around the globe. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXl8PHhUAm4lCxlNjOueVXKz1kJGk4NMZNVL8RWKtGTZw7BsJkSN6sHArNcww8-tEww1RdL5UGjvAtHs245TgtpKoIwRJ6q99XOteLVcYctsZhNXFaD3AQjl_A97b0gdVjloJuNNknIey/s2048/IMG_20210213_111002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1817" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXl8PHhUAm4lCxlNjOueVXKz1kJGk4NMZNVL8RWKtGTZw7BsJkSN6sHArNcww8-tEww1RdL5UGjvAtHs245TgtpKoIwRJ6q99XOteLVcYctsZhNXFaD3AQjl_A97b0gdVjloJuNNknIey/s320/IMG_20210213_111002.jpg" /></a>'s</td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author's photo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Too consumerised? Many a loved-up couple splurged anyway - it's about love and romance, after all - some also enjoying customs unique to their country. Here I take a look at some of those customs.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Argentina</span></b></p><p>Invented for commercial reasons and now a yearly tradition, Valentine's Day is celebrated in a 'week of sweetness' from 13-20 July with lovers giving chocolates and other sweets. </p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Brazil</span></b></p><p><span>To avoid clashing with Carnival held in February or March<i>, <span style="color: #674ea7;">Dia dos Namorados</span></i> festival, also known as 'Lovers Day', is celebrated on June 12. As well as the usual exchange of chocolates, cards and flowers, there are music festivals and dance performances. 'Lovers Day' is not only for couples but is enjoyed by family and friends too. The following day, Saint Anthony's Day - honouring the patron saint of marriage - single women hoping Saint Anthony will bring them a husband do particular rituals or <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">simpatias</span></i>.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Bulgaria. </span></b></p><p><span>On February 14, Bulgarians celebrate <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">San Trifon Zartan</span></i>, the 'day of winemakers'. Couples young and old celebrate their love with a glass of local wine.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">China</span></b></p><p>Valentine's Day in China is <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">Qixi</span></i>, the Seventh Night Festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year. Chinese lore reveals that Zhinu, a heavenly king's daughter, fell in love with Niulang, a poor cowherd. They married and had twins but when the news reached Zhinu's father, their union was not to be. Zhinu's mother came to bring Zhinu back to the stars. However, when Niulang's cries and the cries of the children rang through the heavens, the king said Zhinu and Niulang could meet once a year on <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">Qixi</span></i>. During the festival, women hoping to find good husbands offer melons and other fruits to Zhinu while couples pray for happiness and wealth. At night, everyone watches the sky, looking on as the stars Vega and Altair (Zhinu and Niulang) come close in their annual reunion.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Czech Republic</span></b></p><p><span>On Valentine's Day, May 1, young couples go on a pilgrimage to the statue of the poet Karol Kynek Macha and for good luck kiss under the cherry trees.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Denmark</span></b></p><p><span>Celebrated in Denmark since the early 1990s, the day of love and romance is celebrated with a twist. Instead of gifting roses and chocolates, friends and lovers exchange handmade cards with pressed white flowers ('snowdrops'). There is also the exchange 'lover's cards'. When first used these cards were transparent, showing a picture of the card giver giving a gift to his love. Today a 'lover's card' is any card given on Valentine's Day. Another custom is the gifting of <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">gaekkebrev</span></i>, a 'joking letter' with a funny poem written on elaborately-cut paper and anonymously signed with dots. If the women receiving the 'joking letter' correctly identifies the sender, she receives a chocolate egg at Easter.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">England</span></b></p><p><span>On Valentine's Day some women used to place bay leaves on their pillows, one at each corner and one in the centre, so they would dream of their future husbands. Other women placed bay leaves wet with rose water across the pillows. In Norfolk, Jack Valentine acts as a Santa for Valentine's Day. Children wait for Old Father Valentine who, out of their sight, places lollies and small gifts on their porches.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Estonia</span></b></p><p><span>February 14 is <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">Sobrapaev</span></i> or 'friendship day' with everyone - couples, singles, family members, friends - celebrating love with the exchange of gifts.</span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Finland</b></span></p><p><span>Like Estonia's <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">Sobrapaev</span></i>, Finland's <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">Ystaan Paiva</span></i> celebrates friendship with gifts and the greeting, "Happy Friendship Day." </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">France</span></b></p><p><span>In 1415 Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from his prison cell in the Tower of London. Many believe those love letters were the first ever Valentine's Day cards, a custom still popular today, especially in the French village Valentin, called the epicentre of romance for its beautiful yards, trees and homes decorated with love cards, rose and marriage proposal flakes. Another custom was the <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">une loterie d'amour</span></i>, 'drawing of love'. Men and women in houses facing each other called out to one another, pairing off. Men not happy with their match would leave the woman for another while the women left unmatched gathered around a bonfire where they burned pictures of the men who rejected them, all the while hurling insults. Over time the bonfires became disorderly and violent that the French Government banned them. </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ghana</span></b></p><p>Using the fact that Ghana is one of the world's biggest cocoa producers to increase tourism, the Ghana government named February 14 as <span style="color: #674ea7;">National Chocolate Day</span> with chocolate being the main item on restaurant menus and the theme in musical events and performing arts.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Italy</span></b></p><p>In ancient times Valentine's Day was celebrated as the Spring Festival. Young people looking for love got together, enjoying music and poetry readings before strolling with their love interest. As well young single women would wake up before dawn expecting the first man they spotted to be their future husband. Today's celebrations include romantic dining and the exchanges of gifts, the most popular being <span style="color: #674ea7;"><i>Baci</i> <i>Perugina</i></span>, small, chocolate-covered hazelnuts wrapped with a romantic quote.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Japan</span></b></p><p><span>On February 14 it's the women buying chocolates for their male companions or lovers, with high-quality chocolates for husbands and boyfriends, cheaper chocolates for colleagues or acquaintances. On March 14, 'white day', those who were given high-quality chocolates then give their loved ones more expensive gifts such as jewelry.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Philippines</span></b></p><p><span>On Valentine's Day in an <i>en masse</i> gala event sponsored by the government, Philippino couples marry or renew their vows.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Romania</span></b></p><p><span>Celebrated on February 24, Valentine's Day is the day young people get engaged. Spring season is also celebrated with young men and women picking forest flowers and other couples as a sign of good luck washing their faces with snow. </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Slovenia</span></b></p><p><span>February 14, the first day of the New Year of working in the fields, and the day plants begin to regenerate. For this reason the people of Slovenia revere St Valentine is a patron saint of spring. The people also believe that on this day birds 'propose' to each other and to see this they have to walk barefoot through frozen fields. The day of celebrating love is March 12, Saint Gregory's Day.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">South Africa</span></b></p><p>In ancient times, during the pre-Roman pastoral festival of <span style="color: #674ea7;">Lupercalia</span>, women pinned the names of their love interests on their sleeves. So, too, do South African ladies and the men learn of their secret admirers. </p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">South Korea</span></b></p><p><span>The romantic couples in South Korea celebrate the day of love in a variety of ways on the 14th of every month. In February women court their men with chocolates, lollies and flowers. In March, on the 'White Day', men add gifts to the chocolates and flowers they give their women. F</span>or those who are single, April has 'the black day' where singles mourn being alone by eating bowls of <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">jajangmyeon</span></i>, black bean-paste noodles. In May it's back to celebrating romance with the 'day of roses', in June 'the day of kisses', in December 'the day of hugs'. </p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">South West China</span></b></p><p><span>On 15 March, the people of Miao in southwest China celebrate the <span style="color: #674ea7;">Sisters' Meal</span> festival. Women wearing beautiful dresses accessorised with silver offer a variety of dishes featuring coloured rice placed on silk fabric to young men walking the roads. If two chopsticks are found in the chosen rice, the destiny of the lovers is love. If a clove of garlic is found, love is not to be.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Spain</span></b></p><p><span>On 9 October, the <span style="color: #674ea7;">Feast of Saint Dionysus</span>, as parades fill the streets of Spanish villages, men make <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">macadora</span>,</i> a marzipan figurine, as their gift to their female lovers. </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Wales</span></b></p><p><span>The Welsh don't celebrate Valentine's Day. Instead, on January 25, they celebrate <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">San Dwynwen</span></i>, Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, with the gifting of love spoons, a custom begun in the 17th century where Welsh men carved intricate patterns onto wooden spoons as a symbol of their love for a woman. Today love spoons are also gifted at weddings, births and anniversaries.</span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><i>Whether single or in a loving relationship, we all have many traditions to enjoy on Valentine's Day. What's your tradition?</i></span></p><p><span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love to love:</span> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">love spoons in Wales - swooning!</span></span></p><p><span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love to laugh:</span> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Not funny really but can't help a giggle at the garlic for the unlucky in South-West China or cheap chocolates in Japan. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love to learn:</span> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">about all the fascinating Valentine's Day traditions</span></span></p>Enisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14618040099949009436noreply@blogger.com11