Chaos and More Chaos!

As if there hadn't been enough chaos in Kelso town centre this year due to new pavements being laid, the town  is in an uproar all over again. For some reason no one can fathom, it suddenly became necessary to move the taxi rank a few feet, from one spot to another. In doing so, several disabled parking places had to be lost and the white paint on the road was changed to yellow to show that the spaces were for taxis only.

However, the new yellow paint hardly had time to dry before there was another change of plan. The disabled parking was restored with a fresh coat of white paint marking the places. Meanwhile the taxi rank has been moved into the next street - fresh yellow paint and all. Was all this messing around simply to keep drivers on their toes or could it be that someone at the council had over ordered white and yellow paint and needed to use some of it before stocktaking took place and the mistake was found out?

Yet Kelso isn't the only place to be in an upheaval at the moment. I had to take a trip to Galasheils last week and I had to drive around the town three times before I could find anywhere to park. When I say drive around the town, I mean right around the town. Back out and then back in again!! Not only had the car park disappeared, but the bus station had, too. To tell you the truth, I had no idea where I was going and by the time I got what I went there for, I was all too anxious to find my way out of the town and head for home. Whatever has got into the Scottish Borders Council, I only hope it evaporates by midnight 31st December. Enough is enough!

But Christmas is almost upon us and it is the season to be jolly, so let's talk about something else.

On Thursday a friend popped in and we had some champagne to start the festive season with a bang, I have to say it was really a very pleasant afternoon.

Last Friday evening four of us went to a Cabaret evening with show girls singers and acrobats at Springwood Park here in Kelso. Yes, can you believe it? There really was a dinner and a cabaret here in Kelso. It was really very good and I'm sure everyone had a wonderful night out.

Tomorrow afternoon - Christmas Eve - we are going to a friend's house for a glass of something wonderful and some nibbles. There are to be a few others there, so it should be a lovely afternoon among friends.

And then, of course, it will be Christmas Day.

My friend and I haven't managed to get to Newcastle for a couple of weeks now and I must admit we have missed our jaunt around the shops, usually followed by the glass of wine or two in the M&S Deli bar. But rest assured we will be there in the New Year. So if you see us in there, stop by and say hello!!

I think that is all for the moment, except to say that if you have forgotten to buy someone a Christmas Present and they have a kindle, then perhaps you could offer to download a copy of Only Twelve Days for them......  :-)   You can't blame me for trying.

Party hats on at the count of three
One...

Two...

Three!!!

Have a wonderful Christmas & all best wishes for 2014

Cheers!!!

Odds & Ends 2

During the summer, you might recall me mentioning that the town of Kelso was in an uproar as new pavements were being laid.  Well I have to say, it does look better, but, and there is a big but here,  can you believe it --- the work is still going on! Yes, the town is still in an uproar. There are still red and white barriers all over the place and I'm afraid I can't see an end to it before Christmas. Why on earth has it taken so long?

Stop Press: Christmas is definitely on its way.  Kelso town's Christmas decorations have been brought out of wherever they are stored.  The tree is already in place in the town centre, so it won't be long before we have the switching on ceremony. I have to say that the Christmas lights in the town always look very pretty. Long may it last.

Our nephew is being Christened on Sunday. Yes Christopher Ian, to give him his full title will be going to church for the first time. I do hope the weather stays dry for his big day.

Talking about the weather, we have had some wonderful sunny days this autumn. How lovely to see all the autumn colours in their full splendour. Though I should add it is getting much colder now. In fact my friend and I went through a snow shower on our trip to Newcastle this week. Snow in November!!

Yes I was at Newcastle again this week. More Christmas presents bought so I think I am almost ready for Christmas now.  I also strolled down to Fenwicks Christmas windows. They always put on a wonderful display for Christmas. Don't miss them if you happen to be in Newcastle.  Of course we had out usual liquid lunch at the M&S Deli Bar before dashing for the bus to come home.  The bus was packed again this week - standing room only at one point.  I'm not sure whether I will get there any more before Christmas. On the other hand, I would  miss a trip to that wonderful city.

By the way, if you are looking for a Christmas present for the bookworms among your family and friends, you might like to give my novel a thought.  It is called Only Twelve Days and is a heart-warming romance. Have you read Fifty Shades....  Well, - it is nothing like that :-)
Available from Amazon so you don't even have to go out of the house to buy it. It can be delivered straight to your door! I gather you can even have it gift-wrapped!.


I think that is all for the moment.

Take care everyone and have a brilliant day wherever you are.

Cheers!!

A Little bit of This & A Little Bit of That...

A little bit of this and that! Okay, where on earth do I start?

What has gone on in my life over the last week that you could possibly be interested to read about? The answer to that is simple - absolutely nothing. Yes I seem to have been flying around all over the place, but at the end of the day, nothing stands out. There is nothing that pushes its head above the cloud and says - yes - here is something you have all been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to hear.

But then aren't most people's lives like that? Not everyone can be like James Bond and lead an exciting life flitting around the world to keep the UK safe from... whatever it is he keeps the UK safe from. No, most people simply to plod along from one day to the next and I am afraid I am one such person.

Therefore since my last post, the most exciting thing I have done is go to Newcastle and do some Christmas shopping.  Yes, you read that right - I have done Christmas shopping already!  I made up my mind that I wasn't going to rush around at the last minute this year. No! This year I was going to be prepared. So I have made a start.  However, I have to add that I was absolutely shattered when I got home. But don't misunderstand. Don't think for one minute that I am some weakling, who can't do a bit of shopping without having to sit down every five minutes and gasp for air. Let me tell you I have shopped until I have dropped from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road and back again before now. But dashing around the shops in Newcastle and leaving time for a glass of wine at the M&S Deli Bar before having to rush for the bus back to Kelso is something else entirely. Only having three hours to shop in town is enough to leave anyone breathless. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the day and hope to do it all over again this week.


My novel, Only Twelve Days, is out there in the big, wide world of Amazon if anyone is interested in heart-warming romances. However, despite Amazon being such a big wide world I'm sure you will find it with the help of the link from the title above.

Can I just add that Only Twelve Days would make an ideal Christmas present if you are stumped about what to give someone who enjoys reading romance novels.

BLURB.

"It is almost Christmas – one of the most wonderful times of the year. Nearly everyone is eagerly looking forward to spending the festive season with their loved ones.  Children see it as a magical time. A time when wishes come true and longed for gifts miraculously appear under the Christmas tree.

But what about those who are facing Christmas alone? When Christmas means nothing more to them than working from home, rather than the office or the college?

Bill and Sally are two such people. Both are shy and rather lonely; both left behind when the rest of the country was caught up in the changes of the swinging sixties. Will they avoid the holiday season, as they usually do and spend it alone? Or, this year, just for a change, will Christmas catch up with them?"

This morning I met some writing friends at a local hotel for a chat. We tend to talk about all things, rather than just writing, so it was rather interesting to meet up. Looking forward to the next get-together.

That's all for the moment.

Have an exciting day, wherever you are.

Cheers!!

Only Twelve Days...

Only Twelve Days, to what?? I can hear you saying.


Well in this case, Only Twelve Days refers to the name
of my latest novel.  It is a heart-warming romance and is set during the twelve days before Christmas.

Only Twelve Days would make an ideal Christmas present for someone who enjoys a tender romance, so I am relying on you to pass the word around for me.

Talking about twelve days, it must only be around that time since my husband and I came back from our holiday. But as I have been flying around all over the place, it seems more like twelve weeks.  Amazing isn't it? You wait all year for a holiday and it passes over so quickly, then when you are home, you don't even feel as though you have been away. So when is the next one to be?

                                                                                                           
                

The next event on our calendar is our nephew's Christening.
I saw him last week. It was the first time I had seen him for a few weeks and I noticed immediately how much
he had grown.

He was looking gorgeous and gave me  the most wonderful smile.
So we are looking forward to the Christening when we
can catch up with him again.

The picture shows him in his pumpkin outfit. All set for Halloween!

You might recall a few months back I commented on Marks & Spencer's tights. How I was rather surprised to find that even the medium size could almost be hoisted above my head and tied in a knot. I wondered who on earth they were made by.   Well after I had written the blog, they seemed to shrink back to a normal sort of size, but now they have suddenly grown again. Or could it only be me who has this problem?  I certainly hope they get it sorted out - fast.

I am having problems with my hair!  (More problems) Not only is it falling out, but my scalp has turned very dry and itchy. If it's not one thing it's another. The Doctor has given me something to rub in at night and a shampoo to wash it with the next morning. Hopefully this will sort out the problem. I have only used it once, but I expect it will take a while to cure.

Well I think that is all for the moment,

Have a good day whatever you are doing.

Cheers!!

A Couple of Things...

I just thought I would bring you all up to speed - by that I don't mean we are all going to speed off somewhere. No, my days of racing around are over. Nowadays I rather like to take life at a slower pace. So by bringing you up to speed,  I simply mean that I am about to tell you about what has been going on during the past week.

My husband and I went to Nidd Hall. It's a country house hotel, run by Warners Leisure Hotels for adults only. A lovely place where you can sit and relax or for those who feel more energetic, there are lots of activities going on during the day and evenings. Anyway, we were there to relax, so relax we did.

Last weekend, there was a celebrity chef at the hotel giving a cookery demonstration.  However I decided to give that a miss. I find there are too many cookery programmes on TV, without me going to see another when I am suppose to be chilling out from everything that normally goes on in the kitchen.  But I gather there were a lot of people were very interested and that they all came away with lots of new ideas.

One of the evening's entertainers was a comedian, who was really very good. And another evening we saw a group of singers and musicians called, Forever In Blue Jeans. They were excellent, so if you get the opportunity to see them, don't miss out.

My next piece of news is that my novel, Only Twelve Days has been published, both in paperback and on Kindle. So for me, it has been quite a week!

Only Twelve Days

Only Twelve Days is a heart-warming romance set during the twelve days before Christmas. Therefore, is you know anyone who enjoys reading a romantic novel, this has got to be the perfect Christmas Gift. There you are, you have one Christmas present sorted already, you can cross one off your list. Or even two; you might know two people who would enjoy Only Twelve Days

Anyway, there you have it, my week in a nutshell.



I hope you all had a brilliant week and are enjoying the weekend.

Cheers!!

Catch Up - Well, Sort Of!

Before I write anything else, can I just mention that both my novels, The Trojan Project an action packed thriller and Divorcees.Biz are at a very low price on Kindle at Amazon at the moment. And I really mean low!  I'm not sure how long the offer will last, so if you are looking for a novel which will either keep you on the edge of your seat or one that will make you smile, then make your choice and download a copy right now.

I am sometimes asked why I decided to write the two novels in completely different genres. Most writers stick to one genre.  Well the answer to that is, I really don't know. The best I can come up with was that when I decided to write The Trojan Project, I wanted to write something that would grab everyone's attention. Something that would make the reader gasp and keep them glued to the edge of their seat.  I say glued to the edge of their seat here as I didn't want anyone falling off their chair and needing medical attention.

However, when I came to writing the second novel, I felt I wanted to write something completely different. Something light-hearted, something which would make the reader feel good and relax and even make them smile. I must add here that I thoroughly enjoyed writing about the four women in Divorcees.Biz. Especially Sadie, the scatty one. She is a bit like me - grown up but not yet really got to grips with it. But then aren't we all a little bit like that deep down?

Okay, so I have given my novels a little bit more than a mention. But you will understand that these two books took me some time to write and now, looking back, they are a real part of my life. They are me.

Sooo... moving on, you will be delighted to know that my friend and I managed to get to Newcastle last Monday. I can't remember the last time we were there as my husband has been so poorly. I have really missed our visits to that wonderful city.  The only trouble was that because we hadn't been there for so long, the time passed too quickly. Going on the bus from Jedburgh saves a a great deal of hassle with traffic and parking and everything else that spoils a trip anywhere. But it does mean that you have to watch the clock. There is only one bus per day and if you miss it, then you are stuck there until the next day.  Nevertheless, it is good fun day out and we did make time for our liquid lunch in the M&S Deli Bar Gosh it wouldn't be the same without stopping off in the M&S Deli Bar. The staff there are so friendly and it is wonderful sitting there on the bar stools, sipping a glass of wine and watching the world go by.

Apart from my trip to Newcastle, my husband had three medical appointments last week, so that meant we couldn't really plan to do anything else on those three days. Isn't it amazing, some weeks we have nothing going on, no appointments etc., and then along comes a week when we can't do anything else but visit the hospital, doctor's surgery or clinic.

This morning was coffee morning at our social club. My husband gave it a miss, but I decided to go and catch up with all the local news. However, there wasn't much news going around this week. But the club did have three events to promote running up to Christmas, so we all have something to look forward to.

My laptop is giving me trouble. It seems to freeze up when I want to do anything. I have no idea what is wrong with it, but I have given it a verbal warning. Any more messing me around and it will be joining my last laptop in the land of unusable computers - the council recycling dump. I will keep you posted. If it the reprimand works, then I will hire myself out to people whose computers need a good talking to!!

I called this post 'Catch Up', as I thought I could bring you up to speed on the week's events. But it seems I don't really have much to catch up on as I thought I had. Anyway, I think I have rambled on enough

But, as always have a good day

Cheers!!

The West Wing - and More...

It occurred to me that I hadn't mentioned that wonderful series, The West Wing for some time. I wondered whether you might have thought I'd gone off the series, as I have mentioned it for a while.
Let me assure you that I have most certainly not gone off The West Wing.  In fact I doubt I could ever 'go off' the series. I watch it every opportunity I get and then when I have finished viewing the whole series - I simply start all over again.

How I wish they had carried on with Matt Santos as the new President (played by Jimmy Smits) especially as they brought Sam Seaborn back into the fold (Rob Lowe)  I must add here that the whole cast were brilliant. But as they didn't continue with the new President,  I guess I am just going to have to continue watching the original series over and over again.  Does anyone else have a favourite programme/series that they can't stop watching?

All else in my life is the same. My novel, The Trojan Project, now available on Kindle, is doing okay. Though a few more sales would be good. But I expect every writer/author says the same thing. It is so very difficult to get your work known. You might recall that The Trojan Project is a thriller, set in The Cheviot Hills in North East England.

At the moment I am working on the final edit of a novel called, Only Twelve Days. It is a rather tender romance set around Christmas time in the early 1980s - before computers and mobile phones had taken over the world.  Anyway I do hope you all enjoy it, when it finally reaches the kindle stage. Hopefully about the end November.

My husband's health is continuing to improve. He was so poorly just over a month ago, so it is good to see him doing so well. In fact he is doing so well, he has been helping me to sort out our garage. Now when I say sort out the garage, I don't mean there are a few unwanted things in there. No, what I mean is the place is piled high with unwanted things. I have no idea how it came to get into this state - well I suppose I do, really. If there is something we want out of the house, we usually just put it in the garage. It's an easy way of getting it out of sight. Anyway, we had come to the stage where it was difficult to get through the door, so something had to be done.

The problem is, there are also spiders lurking in there. I am terrified of spiders and I think they all know it.. Therefore, my husband was put on spider alert, while I had a crack at sorting out the rubbish. At this point, I must give three cheers to our friends and neighbours who had hired a skip to get rid of some rubbish of their own. They very generously suggested we dump some of our stuff in there, too. I had planned to make a few trips to the local refuse dump, but I think I would have been making daily trips for the next six months if they hadn't allowed us to use their lovely skip.

I haven't been to that wonderful city of Newcastle for some time. I'm not sure how the shops are coping without us, so I guess we will have to get ourselves down there very soon.

I think that is all for the moment, except to say: if you find a moment or two in your busy day, take a peek at The Trojan Project on kindle at amazon. You never know, you might just feel like reading it. But be warned, it is an edge of the seat read..... Enjoy!!

Cheers!

The Trojan Project - Now on Kindle!!

Do you remember my novel, The Trojan Project, that action packed thriller set in the Cheviot Hills in northern England. Of course you do, how could you possible forget, I ranted on about it enough at the time it was first published.

Well, sorry folks, but I am starting the ranting all over again, as The Trojan Project is now available to download onto Kindle.  It has been re-edited, as it was going to be released in the USA. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, this didn't happen and all rights were reverted back to me. 

It has taken me a little while to decide what to do next. The thought of sending out the manuscript to one publisher after another filled me with dread. So I decided that I wasn't going to go down that road again. Then I thought of an ebook, but I am not really a technically minded person.  Nevertheless I have somehow managed to get my head around uploading The Trojan Project on to Kindle. 

Yes I did it. It is up there now in all its glory. New cover and all, (pictured here) really love the cover. It was designed by a lady in the US and I think she really got it right.  

So please, head on over to Amazon and take a look. I would hate to think that I had puzzled over the ins and outs of self publishing to Kindle and no one was going to even take a look at it.   

 Simply follow the link to the new Kindle edition on  AMAZON

If you do decide to download a copy I really hope you enjoy this fast paced roller-coaster read.

Do let me know what you think,

Have a good day,

Cheers!!

Update!!!

Well I just though I would give you all an update on our new little nephew, Christopher. I am happy to say that he is doing well. He is eating, sleeping and making his presence known to his parents, just as babies should do. But he is absolutely gorgeous with it!

In the photo, you can see how much he has grown. Though I expect he will be even bigger now as the picture was taken a week or so ago.  I should also say that in this particular photo, he looks just like his father.

Christopher, his parents and gran came to visit a couple of weeks ago and it was so lovely to see them all.

Our new bed arrived a couple of weeks ago. You will recall how we had to go back to the showroom because the lift was broken and my husband can't do stairs any more. Well the order went through, the bed as made and delivered.

The new bed is wonderful, well I think it is. My husband is still getting used to climbing into it, as it is so much higher than the old one and the mattress is also very much deeper, but I think it is great. Mind you, we are still stuck with the old one until I organize the council to take it away. If anyone who knows me personally and would like the old double bed as a spare, 4ft 6ins,  then let me know. But you would have to collect as we don't have any means of delivering,

Apart from that, everything has been much the same here. Except, I have been to Newcastle a couple of times with my friend. How exciting is that!! As you know, we always end up in the Deli Bar at M&S for a glass of wine and something to eat. The staff have come to know us now and we look forward to seeing them and having a little chat when they aren't rushed off their feet. If you have never tried this wonderful style of eating, then you must do so without delay. But, please, don't all go there all at once, as there won't be room for my friend and I and I have to say it is the highlight of our week!!

Okay, I can hear some of you say how sad it is that the highlight of someone's week is a visit to the Deli Bar at M&S and you could be right, if your life is full of wonderful happenings. But we don't have that sort of life any more, (though we used to and I must admit it was fun while it lasted - whoopee!!!) so it is lovely to have one little thing to look forward to.  :-)

Divorcees.Biz is doing okay at the moment. Just in case you haven't noticed it is is at a super low price to download from AMAZON at the moment. I'm not sure how long this will last, so download your copy before you miss out.

I hope you have all been enjoying the summer. Here in the UK it has been drier than it has been for the last few years, so we have been making the most of it. Goodness knows what the winter will have in store for us.

Well I think that's all for the moment. No doubt I will have forgotten to mention soe rivetting piece of news, but is can wait until another time.

Have a great time wherever you are.

Cheers!!

Really Exciting News!!

Yes, I have some really exciting news I am a Great Aunt. How about that?



Our niece and her husband became the proud parents of a gorgeous baby boy on 20th June. And I do really mean gorgeous. His name is Christopher Ian and he is absolutely  beautiful. Phil and I are so happy for them all.

The photo shows all three of them at home shortly after my niece was released from the hospital in Newcastle.

Phil & I only managed to get to see them all last Monday as Phil had so many hospital appointments the week before, but it was worth the wait. The little boy is just wonderful. I even got to hold him, though I have to say I was terrified I might break something.

There is only one teeny weeny little snag...  I am not too sure sure about my new title - Great Aunt!  Don't you think that it sounds like someone has leaped from the pages of Great Expectations?

One person put forward the suggestion that I be called Grand Aunt, but truthfully, can you put your hand on your heart and tell me that it sounds any better? So I have decided Christopher shall call me Auntie Eileen or even better, Eileen. At least that sounds like I am his friend and not some crusty old aunt from the world of Dickens.

So now we are looking forward to our next visit. Perhaps I will feel more comfortable at holding him. However, it won't be this week as are diaries are filled with visits to doctor, hospital and dentist. I have to say that this growing old business is no fun.

I think that is all for today except to add that I hope all is well in your world,

Cheers!!

(c)Photo: by kind permission of Helen Dobson Whitwell

Sunny Days ... and worms!

Well the Borders Book Festival is over and everything is packed away until next year. The weather stayed dry and sunny, which is rather nice because one year when I was there the heaven's opened and it poured with rain all day.

You will recall I had six copies of Divorcees.Biz on sale in the Festival Bookshop. They were simply on the counter with hundreds of other books. I really didn't think anyone would buy a copy as all the big named authors were speaking at the event and were all doing book signings.  Nevertheless three copies were sold, so I was really quite delighted about that.

Tomorrow, with a bit of luck, I am going to Newcastle with my friend. We are going to spend a few hours looking at the shops and then finishing up in the M&S Deli Bar in the food hall. Okay, I know I have told you this before, it is really wonderful chilling out in there with a glass of wine and a light lunch, before we both rush back to the bus stop for the bus home to Kelso.  We can't miss it, because it is the only one going all the way back up to Jedburgh where we have left the car.....  On the other hand - I have just had a lovely thought here - if we missed the bus we could spend the night in one of the motels on the Quayside and then do the whole thing all over again the next day.  Note to myself - must speak to Helen about that!!

Meanwhile all else is much the same here in Kelso. Except for the streets, which have been in an uproar for the last few months, and are still in an uproar. Traffic lights, cones and lots of red barriers are all over the place. To tell you the truth I have no idea why it is taking so long. Okay the pavements are being relaid and no doubt they are looking better, but did they really have to have every streetin turmoil at the same time?

But there must be more going on than new paving slabs being laid. Outside the Town Hall, right in the very heart of this lovely town, there is now a deep trench and, what looks like, new, green, concertina pipes are being laid. Or else there is one enormous green worm down there.

oh my goodness, now there's a thought! I don't know whether any of you have heard about the Lambton Worm, which, as legend has it, lived in a deep hole in Northumberland. The little worm was thrown there by someone who caught it while fishing believing that was the end of it. But unfortunately, the worm grew and grew to enormous proportions and terrorized the local people. So, what if this is the same sort of thing. A worm waiting to take it's revenge out on the locals... No! Leave it! Best not go down that road...

Well everyone, now that I have frightened the lives out of you, I am going to close and try to pick up the threads of the sequel to Divorcees.Biz.

Don't forget, Divorcees.Biz can be found on Amazon UK and Amazon.com.  It's a light-hearted, fun book to read while you are enjoying the sun, sand, sea and....... ice-cream. :-) Now what did you think I was going to say??

Cheers!

Borders Book Festival 2013

Today I called at the Borders Book Festival to take a photo of my novel Divorcees.Biz which is on sale in the Festival Bookshop. (My publisher suggested it might be a good idea.)  I had thought it might be quiet today as the events were starting late in the afternoon..

However it was not to be, the town was packed and parking in Melrose was horrendous.  I was moved on once by some guy with one of those little bug-like phones glued to his ear. He told me that coaches wouldn't be able to pass my little Ka. I pointed out that there were two enormous rubbish bins in front of me, but he simply shrugged and turned away.

Not wanting to cause a fuss, I went back to my car and drove around the town in the direction of the car park.  However, a large coach was parked across the entrance. Now if that was not causing an obstruction...  Best not go down that road.

Anyway, once I got parked, I walked back down to the Festival grounds. The place was packed with school children. I guess the schools had taken them to see the Marquees with the off chance they might meet someone famous.  But they had to make do with me :-)   I took a couple of photos of the bookshop and my books on the table before coming away.  I hope you like them and will pass the word around that my little novel, Divorcees.Biz is on sale alongside books whose authors are giving talks at the four day festival.

Cheers everyone!!

Some Good News!

Well I have a bit of good news today. Two pieces of good news, actually. No, I haven't won the lottery, which reminds me, I need to buy another ticket. Winning the lottery would be more than good news - it would be an absolute miracle.

No! Unfortunately, my good news is much more down to earth than that.  Nevertheless, I want to share it with you.

Firstly, The Borders Book Festival, which is held in Melrose a few miles west of us, agreed to add a few copies of Divorcees.Biz to the shelves of the Book Festival Shop. Now before you all sit back and have a groan, saying 'the people will only go for the big names,' can I just add that I know that already. But I will still have a presence. Signed copies of Divorcees.Biz will be up there with the big names.  So if you know of anyone who is going to the Book Festival, ask them to at least lift my book from the shelves.  You never know, they might like the feel of it and buy a copy.  The Book Festival begins on Thursday 13th June and runs for four days.

My second piece of news is that my publisher tells me Divorcees.Biz is going to be free to download on Kindle for the next few days. Therefore if you want to take advantage of the offer, then head over to Amazon UK  and Amazon.com right now before you miss out.

But there is also a little something else.  If you would like your copy on kindle to be signed, then follow this link to Authorgraph and then follow the instructions.  I have no idea how this works, but somehow it does as I have been asked to sign a couple of copies recently.

That's all for the moment,

Enjoy the sun while it lasts,

Cheers!!

The Sun is Shining and All is Well

Well the good news this week is that I went shopping in Newcastle with my friend. It has been weeks since I was last there as my husband has been so poorly, so as you can imagine, I spent some money. Well I say 'spent' some money, but actually no cash exchanged hands. No! That part will come when my credit card company send me the bill.

It is so easy when you use a credit card. Because no money changes hands, it doesn't feel as though you have actually parted with the cash. The notes in your wallet are still there, yet you have a bag full of shopping. It is only when the bill comes at the end of the month that you realise that now comes the crunch and you have to pay up.  On the other hand, I never feel quite so bad about paying up because it means I have a clear card and I can do the whole thing again next time.

Okay, I realise that is a crazy way at looking at it, but it works for me. I am happy, the stores are happy and the credit card company is happy, so I guess it has worked for everyone else, too. That's my theory, anyway.

After a great deal of discussion, my husband and I decided that we needed a new bed. So after several days of putting off the moment, we set out on Wednesday to the store in Selkirk as they have lots of beds to choose from and I really wanted to bounce around on them all just like they do in the adverts on TV.  However, when we got there, the one and only lift was broken. Therefore, as the beds were all upstairs and my husband can't do stairs anymore, we couldn't look at the beds after all and my moment of leaping about was lost.  It seems the lift has been out of order for about three weeks. I wonder how many customers have been lost due to the lift repair men not being able to repair it. Ah well, that's life I guess. I suppose it could have been worse, the thing might have broken down with us in it. If that had happened we could have still been stuck in it to this day!!  It doesn't bear thinking about  :-(

Today, we are waiting for the Gas man to call as it is time for the boiler to be serviced. I have to say that this boiler has served us well for the last fourteen years and long may it continue. Anyway, we shall see what the guy has to say today. Hopefully the service will keep it going for a while longer.

So that has been the excitement for this week - a trip to Newcastle, then to Selkirk and the disappointment of broken lift and today the Gas man.  Except of course for the weather. It has been glorious all week and I gather from the forecasters it is going to continue over the weekend. So at least I end on a high note - well almost. I donated three copies of my latest novel to the libraries in this area. However it seems two have been lost in the system... how disappointing is that??

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Cheers!!

Plan A or Plan B?

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while. However, my husband was in hospital last week  and I have been dashing back and forth like a maniac possessed!

Thankfully he is home now, though he still has to go back as an outpatient for a couple more tests & scans. But I have to say that things are certainly on the up.

Our local hospital is very good, considering the cut backs and everything else our government are doing to ruin our wonderful health service - though they won't admit it. Oh no! As far as they are concerned, the health service is safe in their hands.  Really?? Even I could tell them where they are going wrong.  But don't let me get started on that. This is supposed to be a fun blog. Somewhere you can come and read a few lines and chill out for a few minutes.  Well that's Plan A.

It is so easy to say that you want to keep the blog light. But I always manage to end up having a moan about what is going on in this country. Let's face it, we do have plenty to moan about and I shall certainly have something to say when the MP's start knocking on my door at the next election. But there I go again. I will try to think of something light-hearted to tell you about. How about I try Plan B?

I haven't bee to that wonderful place called Newcastle for sometime now - what with my husband being poorly and then rushed to hospital. However, my friend and I will have to have a think and try to make it one day in the near future. My friend went on her own one day a couple of weeks ago and she told me it wasn't the same without me there. Wasn't that nice?  She even brought me a couple of cans of Gin with a hint of Elderflower just to make me think I had been there. I have to say, they really were very enjoyable. I'll have to put that on my shopping list!! Anyone else out there like Gin & Tonic? If so, you should give it a go.

I am still plodding on with my latest novel. You might recall the title is - I Haven't a Clue'. I have managed to to around 9,000 words down, so I really will have to get my head around catching up.

Divorcees.Biz is doing very well out there. Can I just say that if you are planning to jet off to the sun, then Divorcees.Biz is the perfect read while you are chilling out on the beach. It's light-hearted and easy to read. Available from an Amazon near you. If you would like a me to sign your copy on Kindle, then please go to Authorgraph and I can do that for you. Isn't technology wonderful??

Well I think that's all for the moment.

Have a good day wherever you are

Cheers!

PS  Recently I read a western novel called Calico By Dorien Grey, which I really enjoyed. I have since learned that it is now available as an audio book, so if your prefer to listen to a story, then why not check it out on Amazon?

Odds and Ends!!

I'm afraid I haven't really anything exciting to blog about at the moment. Not that I ever have. But today I can't even drum up a bit of nonsense about my trips to Newcastle, as I haven't been for quite some time. I can't mention anything about the last coffee morning in our village, as we weren't there. Nor were we at the fish & Chips supper and, to top it all off, we won't be at the Race Night,being held this evening.

You might be wondering why our social lives have taken such a sudden decline. Unfortunately my husband has been very poorly for the last couple of months. He has been in so much pain, he has hardly been able to move. Hopefully the Doctors are on to it no, so with a little bit of luck and a fair wind, they should get it sussed and then we can get back to some sort of normality.

I don't know why I said 'and a fair wind', as we have had nothing but strong winds for the last few weeks. For some reason, the wind seems to like it here in the Borders because once it came it decided to set up shop and stay here.

You'll recall I mentioned that I had started a new novel, called 'I IHaven't a Clue'. Well I'm afraid I haven't got very far with it. Only about 6000 words. Which means I am going to have to get my head around it and get back to writing about the four ladies who set up a detective agency.

I seem to have done a great deal of reading lately and have just finished a book called The Final Winter by Iain Rob Wright.  I really enjoyed it and it kept me glued to my chair, which is probably why I haven't been writing!

Well I won't keep you any longer except to remind you that The People's Book Prize competition will be closing 20th May. Therefore if you would like to vote for Divorcees.Biz, then please head over to the website now. The link is above...  Oh what the heck! Here it is again  The People's Book Prize  A big thank you to everyone who has already shown their support by voting.

Have a great day wherever you are.

Cheers!!
PS  I have just watched this and I simply had to share it with you. Follow this link and enjoy! It is so cute. But vote first!!  :-)

http://www.youtube.com/embed/bu_E2f0mQmI?rel=0

Head Down Again!

I am at it again. I think I might have mentioned that I have started a new novel called "I haven't a Clue."
Well, if you didn't know, you know now.

Yes I have started a sequel to Divorcees.Biz.  Now I can hear you asking why I would want to start another novel about the four ladies who have given me so much grief over the last few months, and quite honestly, I did wonder that myself.  But you see a few people asked me what happened next??  What did the troublesome foursome decide to do with their lives when they closed the dating agency.

My first answer was, I haven't a clue, what they did. And it was true, I hadn't given it a single thought. But then my ladies started to complain that they wanted more from me, they wanted to come alive again. So for the sake of a little peace and quiet, I decided to dream up another story about them.

Though I tend make up my stories as I go along, I do like to have a title in my mind, something to work with. So I decided to go with my initial thought "I Haven't a Clue" so that's it, That's the title.

So hear I am, around 4,500 words into the tale.  Okay, I have a long way to go. But at least I have made a start and my ladies have stopped nagging at me - well at least they have for the time being.

By the way, if you haven't yet read Divorcees.Biz it is available on Kindle and in paperback from Amazon. There are some great reviews up there, too. Well, a tiny few aren't so great, but you know something, we can't win them all

My friend and I haven't been to Newcastle for a few weeks.  And before you ask, there hasn't been any snow to stop us. It's just my husband hasn't been at all well and I wanted to be here.  But you know what? He is looking a great deal better, si hopefully we will be on the bus, trundling down the road very soon.

I think that's all for the moment, but if you would like to vote for Divorcees.Biz in the People's Book Prize there is still time. So why not head over there now.

Take care all and have a good day,

Cheers!!

Ups! and.... Ups!!

I have some very good news today - yes, there are still some good things happening in my world, though I agree, not as often as I would like :-) The good news today is that  my husband is feeling ever-so slightly better this morning. He has been quite poorly for the last two months. But this morning I could see an improvement, so I do hope it continues.

I had to cancel a routine appointment at the Edinburgh Infirmary, as I didn't think he could get up there. You will recall the Edinburgh infirmary is the one with the oh-so uncomfortable seats downstairs in the reception area. (Well, that's my opinion anyway.)  Instead our doctor has made some appointments closer to home.

The other 'UP' in my life is that my publisher tells me that nearly 450 paid copies of Divorcees.Biz were downloaded during the month of March. How cool is that??


My four ladies were absolutely delighted. In fact they were so excited, they wouldn't let me get to sleep the night I heard about it. They kept bursting into my mind, as they sipped their champagne.  I do hope all you lovely people who bought the book enjoy it and that it brings a smile to your face. It is meant as a light-hearted, fun read. Something to blow away the long winter blues.

Now if I could just get a few more votes in The People's Book Prize competition, I think it would make my week.  Quite a change from last week, when I told you it was Let's Bash Eileen, week. Thankfully, I am getting over that one. Therefore, if you would like to vote then follow the link - People's Book Prize and register. They will send you a password to use during the voting procedure.

That's all for the moment, but watch this space...  there could be more to come...

Have a great day, I hope you are all having a good day!

Cheers!!

Spring is in the Air!! Or is it??

Spring is in the air - or at least I hope it is. The sun has been shining here in Kelso and it has been noticeably warmer today. Even the birds have been chirping away. It seems they are happy, too.

Yes I am happy - well reasonably happy. My husband is a little better today. He has been quite poorly for the last 2 months, so it has been very worrying, and I am getting over the 'Let's Bash Eileen' week. (It seems it was my turn, though I could have done without it at the moment)   So - yes - it's safe to say I am reasonable happy.

I met a few friends at the coffee morning at our social club. It was the AGM, so I though I had better go and pay our subs for the coming year. Everyone was quite cheerful, I think they, too, were delighted to see the sun. Anyway, the morning went well and our club has a committee for the coming year, so at least it will be able to carry on.

I also sold a couple of my promotional shopping bags. I can't remember whether I told you about them. Anyway, I ordered one for myself on a freebie offer and when my friends saw them, they said they wanted a one, too.

So I went ahead and ordered ten. They seem to have taken
 everyone's eye, as the last two went this morning.

I have added a photo, so what do you all think??  I would be interested to know.

It seems that Divorcees.Biz is still continuing to sell, but perhaps these eye-catching shoppers will help even more.  Well, that's the theory.


I think that's it for the time being, however if anyone would like to add their vote for Divorcees.Biz in The People's Book Prize, please follow the link.

I am very grateful for all the support I have received so far. People have been so kind.

Have a great day wherever you are, and enjoy the sunshine,

Cheers!!

Sunday Morning and I have an update  I think I spoke too soon yesterday. This morning we have strong winds and rain. I guess spring isn't in the air after all.  :-(

My New Kindle Fire

I have a new Kindle Fire. Well it actually isn't new any more. I have had it for a few weeks now.  But it just occurred to me that I might not have mentioned it before and I just had to tell you that it is the most wonderful thing. I have absolutely no idea how I have managed all these years without this marvelous device. Not only can I download books to read, but I can also reach out to the internet without having to move off the sofa.

Okay, I know, I am very likely preaching to those who have had such a gadget for some time now and it will be old hat to them, but for me, this is the closest thing to magic that I am likely to see.

I think I might have said that when I got a new all singing and all dancing mobile phone.  To me that was magic and I sung the praise of whoever had the brains to invent such a device, because if it had been left up to me, we would still be using two empty tins and a length of string.

How the world has changed over the last fifty years. It seems that there is no end to the new gadgets that are becoming available, so while I might not be the one who discovers these things, I shall certainly be looking out to buy one, though it might take me a little longer to get my head around how it works  :-)

My new shopping bags arrived. These are the one with a photo of the cover of Divorcees.Biz printed on it. When my friends saw mine, they said they would like one too, so I ordered ten more. I have added a picture below, so what do you think??

Well, I think that is all for the moment, except to say that if you would like to vote for Divorcees.Biz  then please follow the link.  The People's Book Prize,  I really could do with your help.

Have a great day everyone,

Cheers!!

Blog Interview

Just to let you know that my blog interview with Susan Whitfield is now up and running!!

Why not head over to the Susan Whitfield Blogspot and check it out. You might even like to leave a comment and I'll get back to you.


All else here is quiet today, but it has been for some while now.  However, I have seen a few people out tending their gardens or mowing their lawns, so I guess spring is on the way after all.  Fingers crossed for that!

Cheers!!

Author Interview.

On Monday 8th April at 8am EST, Susan Whitfield will be posting my interview on her blog. I would hate you to miss it, so be sure to check it out.  Simply follow the link Susan Whitfield blogspot and enjoy the chat.

I think we are around 5 hours ahead of EST. Therefore it will be around 1pm before it shows here in the UK.

I would also be very grateful if you would meander over to The People's Book Prize and add your vote for Divorcees.Biz. I believe there is another month to roll before this session closes, however, why wait until the last minute, check it out while you have it fresh in your mind.

I am enjoying a very lazy weekend. Well, I say lazy, but yesterday I decided to brush away the leaves which had gathered at the bottom of the steps. It's strange isn't it? Leaves seem to gather in some little nook and cranny and refuse to be blown out again. of course it might be because having been blown around the street for a few hours once they find a cosy spot they want to stay there. And who can blame them?   Anyway, I made up my mind that enough was enough, it was time to move them along, so I brought out the broom.

Unfortunately, because they had been there so long, I found that when I removed the leaves, there was a large patch of sludge lying underneath where they had been.  So the simple task of brushing up of the leaves, became a larger one. I had to go and get bucketfuls of water and bleach and wash the steps.  I have to say it looks a great deal better now. Nevertheless, I got more than I bargained for.

Well that's it for the moment,

Have a great day, but don't forget to check out Susan's blog on Monday.

Cheers!!

Yes!! Yes!! Yes!!

Yes!!  That was the cry my friend and I made when we stepped on the bus yesterday. We couldn't believe that were going to make it after all.  We had been prevented from making the trip for a couple of weeks or so because of snow. Or should I say, road/traffic problems caused by snow.

But Yesterday we made it. We were almost singing on the bus, but resisited the urge for fear of making the driver nervous. There was no way we were going to put him off. The journey down was great, There was still snow on the hills at Carter Bar, the hill at the Border of Scotland & England, but some wonderful man had been out with his trusty brush and cleared the road leading up the hill and down the other side. I guess he must have been reading my blog over the last few weeks and taken pity on us. So a huge thank you to him.

The strange thing is, I had been looking forward to trip for so long that when we arrived in Newcastle, I didn't know where to go first. How stupid is that??  Therefore I tried to go everywhere in the three hours before having to catch the bus back. (Not forgetting we tend to spend an hour in the M&S Deli Bar over a bottle of wine and a light lunch)

Anyway, I saw everything I wanted to see, despite my aging hips and dodgy knees complaining as I stormed around the Eldon Square shopping Centre. I simply told them they would get a rest on the bus back.

Can I just say they have had the last laugh, as I was as stiff as a board when I woke up this morning. However, I've promised them that once they've managed to get over the shock, I'll take them off on another trip next week!

One thing I did do as I strode around Eldon Square, I dropped off a few of my promotional cards for Divorcees.Biz on one of the stands advertising various things going on in the city. I do hope it isn't a thumbscrew offence, But you know, I have to get the word about my book out there somehow. Come to think of it, if I did get my thumbs rammed into a thumb screw, it would drum up so much publicity in the newspapers, it might well be worth it......  Ouch!! Perhaps not.

I have just heard of a Cafe in Station Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear that is now running meetings for those who might like to take up writing.  It sounds like a real fun idea, so if you live in the area, why not pop in and have a coffee and chat about your aspirations. Oh, I nearly forgot, The name of the Cafe is 'Made'

I think that is all for the moment, except to add, be sure to have a nice day wherever you are.

Cheers!!

PS   Oh I almost forgot, Susan Whitfield will be posting an interview with me on her blog on Monday April 8th.  Why not check it out at: www.susanwhitfield.blogspot.com 

How on earth could I forget something like that???

With Fingers Crossed & Baited Breath. Sshhh!!

I an sitting here with fingers crossed and baited breath that the weather will stay dry so my friend and I will get to Newcastle tomorrow.  (by the way, I am whispering this. I would hate some distant cloud, filled to the brim with snow to get wind of what I am saying and drift across to spoil the day.)

You will recall that last week a snow cloud heard me talking about a trip, to you know where,  and flurried across during the night and shed its load. However, with a bit of luck we will make it this week.

We had a very quiet Easter here in Kelso. Well, when I say here in Kelso, I don't expect the whole town was quiet. I'm sure some folks were out and about, rolling eggs, partying, and anything else people do at Easter.  No, what I mean is, we, the two of us, had a quiet time over the holiday. Frankly it was too cold to go anywhere. We didn't even book into the Cross Keys in the Square for lunch on Easter Day, something we have done for a few years now. Instead we stayed home, read books and watched TV. How boring is that.  So, as you can imagine, I am raring to go to Newcastle tomorrow.

I am still waiting for my cotton shopping bags to arrive. At least my friends and neighbours are. I already have one and it will be going with me on the bus with me tomorrow.

Because I had such a quiet weekend, I haven't really got anything else to blog about. I simply thought I would keep you up to date with what is or perhaps I should say, what isn't, going on in my world.

Hopefully I will have more to say the next time.

Meanwhile, enjoy your day.

Cheers!!

Updates!!

This is just a quick update to tell you that there are now nineteen wonderful reviews for Divorcees.Biz on Amazon UK and twelve on Amazon US.   Can you believe it??  Wow!  I am so delighted, I simply had to let you all know so you could take a look for yourselves..

Therefore is you are still looking for a fun read over the Easter break, then why not order a copy from an Amazon near you.

Amazon.co.uk 

Amazon.com

I also have another little bit of news. I had ordered myself a cotton shopping bag displaying the cover of my novel. However, when my friends saw it, they wanted to buy a one, too. They wanted to advertise my novel in the town. So I have ordered a few more shoppers.  Watch out Sainsburys, the Divorcees.Biz crowd are on their way  :-)   Whoopee!!

Can I also mention that my friend and I had a lovely afternoon together last Wednesday. You'll recall we were due to go to Newcastle for a spot of retail therapy. However, the snow put an end to that. But not wanting to be outdone, we spent a great time sipping our drinks and talking about everything and nothing. My four ladies would have been proud of us!!  We are going to have another try at going this week, but will have to see what the weather has in store for us.

Enjoy your Easter everyone, wherever you have decided to go - as for us, we are staying home.  Simply can't trust the weather at the moment. So I'll be curled up with a good book and a glass of wine by my side.....

Cheers!!

The Day That Never Happened!.

To day, my friend and I should have been on the bus hurtling its way to Newcastle. Today was a going to be a fun day out. I was reveling in the success of the freebie offer of Divorcees.Biz and my friend... well my friend is always walking on clouds at the thought of a trip to Newcastle. Actually she is walking on clouds at the thought of a trip to anywhere where there are lots of shops. Nevertheless,  she has come to love Newcastle the way I do.

Yet it didn't happen.. Already I can hear your brains ticking over wondering what on earth could have happened to cause this wondrous adventure to come to an abrupt end before it even got off the ground,  Well let me tell you what happened... snow happened!!!

Yes! Snow was falling this morning and it looked as though snow had fallen in the night as there was a layer of the white stuff all around the village. Can you believe it? We didn't dare risk getting stuck in the bus on Carter Bar, the hill that you have to get over to reach the south. So here we are, stuck up here in the Borders, when we should have been doing some wonderful retail therapy in that Beautiful city, Newcastle.

However, so that the day isn't a complete disaster she is going to come around this afternoon and we are going to split a bottle of wine and drown our sorrows.

I have to admit, missing out on a trip to the shops is a small price to pay after seeing the damage the snow has done to other villages, towns and cities not a million miles from us. So I'll stop moaning now and think of how lucky we are.

Therefore on a lighter note, I was delighted to see the comment on Divorcees.Biz facebook page this morning. Someone said they were reading Divorcees.Biz and she couldn't put it down, despite the fact that she worked a twelve hour shift.  Hearing news like that does help me to get over any other disappointments of the day. Follow the link if you would like to take a look.  (And please add a like before you leave.)

I think that is all for the moment, except a quick reminder that I could do with a few more votes in The People's book Prize  --- and if you would like an electric autograph for Divorcees.Biz follow the link to Authorgraph

Have a great day,

Cheers!!

Freebie was a Success!!

As you know, Divorcees.Biz was free to download last week. Well I would just like to tell you that it was a roaring success.

My publisher tells me that 17,500 copies were downloaded.  But it doesn't stop there. It seems that Divorcees is continuing to be downloaded even though the offer has ended. How about that? So if you want to grab a copy for yourself, then head over to Amazon.UK and Amazon.com right now. You never know, the price might rise.....

Meanwhile, those of you who have read and enjoyed Divorcees.Biz, I would be grateful if you would leave a few nice words on Amazon.

I don't really have anything else to tell you. The weather here as been very cold, though up to now the snow has stayed away - I hope I haven't spoken too soon. I don't want to see snow tomorrow as I am meeting up with a few writing friends for coffee at around 10am and I would hate it to be called off.

Perhaps after the meeting, I'll be able to come back and tell you about the sort of wonderful things going on in the heads of these fine writers.

But for the moment, that's it.

Have a great day,

Cheers!!

PS  If you would like an electronic autograph added to your Kindle for Divorcees.Biz then go to Authorgragh and follow the instructions Cheers!!

Freebie!! Freebie - Read all About It!!

Yes, you read the title correctly.  Divorcees.Biz will be free on Kindle for a few days this week.  It is available on both Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com  So why not head over there write now and download your copy while you can.

Not only that, but if you follow this link to Authorgragh You will also be able to request a digital author's signature to your kindle.  I have no idea how this works, but isn't it a great idea? Who would have thought it possible?  Whatever will they think of next??

All this technology has come too late in my life,  Believe you me, I do use it, when I can. Though I don't always understand how it works :-)  But then do I really need to know how it works? I mean, if it looks good then I will learn how to use it, but it doesn't mean to say I have to actually know all the ins and outs of the thing.

There I go again, rambling on about whether I need to know everything about how a computer works. For goodness sake, I switch on the light every night and I marvel that someone had the brains to make this happen.  But I haven't a clue how the thing works.

I haven't a clue! Now there's a thing, that is the title on my new novel. I am 3,500 words in and I actually haven't a clue where I am going with it.  But I guess if it rattles around in my head for a while, I'll come up with something.

All this chatter has led me away from the point of this post, which is Divorcees.Biz is free for a few days. So now that I have reminded you, I'll sign out till next time.  ---- But don't forget to add your vote in The People's Book Prize Gosh! I nearly forgot that!!!!

Have a Great Day!!

Cheers!!

Spiders and things!

My friend and I went off to Newcastle again yesterday and had a wonderful time.

We were a little anxious on Monday and Tuesday as the snow was really trying to get in the way and spoil our trip, but it held back and we were able to scramble on the bus and head south to the shopping centre of the world.  Okay, I know that to you, your nearest shopping centre is the one to visit. But I guess we all have our favourites and I have to say, Newcastle is mine.

My only wish is that we had just a little longer to spend in the great city. The bus arrives in Newcastle at around 11am - a few minutes earlier with a fair wind on our tail, but it leaves again at 2pm and with all those wonderful shops to see, there just isn't enough time. Especially if you want to spend a short while at the wonderful Deli-Bar in M&S food hall, where my friend and I have a glass of wine before dashing to catch the bus home. There have been the odd occasions when we have had to run to the bus station and leap aboard the bus before the driver heads away back north.

Anyway, we have a lovely time shopping as to our hearts contents, as far as time will allow :-)  Perhaps it's just as well we are there longer, as I guess we would spend too much money.  Yesterday I bought a skirt and........ wait for it....... a spider catcher....... a one where a long tube sucks in the spider or bug without you having to actually get too near it.

I hate spiders of any shape or size. But over the years I think they have started to get bigger. Do you think so, too?  Some of them are really enormous now. I sometimes wonder whether they are planning to spin webs that would encase us in our homes.  Ugh!! What a thought.  Now my mind is running away with me - at least I hope it is and this isn't for real!!   Let's not go down that road - not in my lifetime, anyway.  So back to the spider catcher. I think that even I will be able to catch the monsters with my new gadget and put them outside, where they can run around till their heart's content.  I think I will end the bit about spiders now, I feel as though they are crawling over me.  Big shiver here.

I am off to the hairdresser's today. I think she is going to get a shock at how much my hair has grown over the last month. You must understand my hair is quite short, but there are times when it grows like mad in between appointments, and this is one of those times.  Therefore, I am going to look quite bald when I leave the hair salon this afternoon.  It also means I am going to feel the draft!

Well I think that is enough excitement for one day so I will leave it there.  Except to give a big Thank You to those who have voted for Divorcees.Biz. If you haven't, then there is still time to head over to the People's Book Prize and add your vote.

Have a good day,

Cheers!!

Cold Day

Just when I thought the winter was over, it has turned bitterly cold again today. We have had rain, snow, hail strong gust of wind and sunshine. Can you believe it? When is it going to end?  Well all I can say is that it had better sort itself out by Wednesday because I an planning another trip to Newcastle.

I have started on another new novel. I am making this one a sequel to Divorcees.Biz, so the four ladies are returning. I'm not sure where they are going are what they are going to do this time around, but I'm sure I'll come up with something. Meanwhile I have all four of them sitting in a wine bar mulling over the past three years (It begins three years later after the last one ends)  However, I do have a title - I Haven't a Clue!  How does that sound?  Is it zany enough for Sadie? Or perhaps too zany for Connie?  Well it doesn't really matter what they think, because that is the title!

Meanwhile I am delighted with how Divorcees.Biz is doing. It seems to selling, so that is something. I would hate my four ladies to be sitting alone on the shelves at one of Amazon's vast depots. I would also hate them not to have a few votes in The People's Book Prize competition, so please, if you haven't voted yet, follow the link now. (or at least when you have finished reading this post)

I started a group on Facebook quite recently. It's called Promote Your Book! and the number of members has swollen to 182. The idea is that we authors help each other by simply not posting your latest novel and then flitting off to do the same somewhere else.  What I am hoping is that people will take the time to look at the work of other members.  I have downloaded some really interesting books onto my kindle over the last few weeks. Books I wouldn't normally have read - or even heard of - if it hadn't been for this group.

Since starting it up, I have asked another member to help me with the admin and he kindly agreed. He has also come up with some good ideas, the latest being that it might be nice if we could all meet up somewhere. That would be really nice.

It was my husband's birthday last week so we were invited to a friend's house for a glass of something sparkling. Very nice. She had asked a few other friends around to, so it was a quite a get-together. Good fun!

Well I think that's it for the moment,

As always I hope all is well with you wherever you are,

Cheers!!

The Sun is Shining - again

Yes, we have had the most wonderful weather for the past week up here ing the Scottish Borders. The sun has shone, the birds have been singing and all has been wonderful. I do hope this hasn't been our summer, though.  I recall last year when we had glorious weather in April/May and then it rained for most of the summer months.

Took the opportunity to take a trip to......  Yes, Newcastle!  --  I bet you were mouthing the word Newcastle as you read it. My friends and I spent a lovely few hours meandering around the shops. Brilliant!  The trip down was good, too. The bus trundles over Carter Bar, the top of the hill where Scotland and England meet. The views from the top are breathtaking, especially when the weather is at its best.

Of course I had to spend some money. Who can possibly go to the most wonderful city in England and not spend any money?  Okay, I suppose my husband can and a few other men I could mention, but he wasn't with me, so I shopped merrily for all I was worth, before finishing up in the Deli cafe in M&S with a glass of wine to round off the day.

Something else exciting has happened this week. Divorcees.Biz has been entered into The People's Book Prize competition Spring selection. Well I think it is exciting!!  It's not everyday you novel is entered into such a prestigious competition.  The comp began on Friday 1st March and will run for three months, before the summer selection is introduced..

Therefore, and I am taking a deep breath here, I would be most grateful if you would follow the link and vote for my novel. Please don't let my book be the only one sitting there without a vote :-) Once you are on the competition website, you will need to register, as they send you a password to use before you can vote.

Well I think that's all for the moment, but I'll get back to you if something else pops into my head.  Meanwhile keep reading Divorcees.Biz and vote for the book!!

But most of all have a great day, wherever you are.

Cheers!!

A Beautiful Day!

The sun is shining here this morning. Doesn't it make you feel a whole lot better. Even the birds are singing, though I suppose it is still very cold out there. Despite the sun, I haven't ventured out yet.

There so many things I could be doing this morning. A long brisk walk, springs to mind. It would help dust of the cobwebs and hurl those winter blues to one side. But somehow I don't think I am up for it. I don't know why. This is the sort of morning I have been looking forward to for the last few weeks and yet, now that's it's here, I don't know what to do with myself.

Have you ever felt like that? Do you look forward to doing something, but when the time is right, you have gone off the boil about the whole idea?  The trouble is, I seem to be getting into a rut and I really can't let that happen.

I based my character, Sadie in Divorcees.Biz on myself because I like to think I am a happy-go-lucky person. Yet here I am having a moan because the sun is shining and I don't know what to do with myself. I can hear Sadie screaming in my ear, telling me to snap out of it and get myself down to the bottle bank with all those empty wine bottles. (she must have taken a peek in my utility room when I wasn't looking) I suppose I should do that before someone falls over them and breaks their leg :-)

Though truthfully, I am not doing absolutely nothing. I am at least sitting here typing this blog for you, which must count for something. I have also had a text conversion with my one and only niece, who is expecting a baby in June. Both she and her husband are very excited. (And so am I)

Phil and I never had children; it just didn't happen. Therefore, you will understand why I am so delighted for my lovely niece and her husband.

By the way, did anyone read the wonderful review for Divorcees.Biz in my last blog? It is up there on Amazon.com with another seven reviews, while there are fifteen reviews on Amazon.co.uk Now that can't be bad, can it? I must have got something right.

I think that is all for the moment. Have a great day wherever you are.

Cheers!!

PS I have just had a thought as to why I am feeling down - I have just finished watching The West Wing for the umpteenth time. You will all know by now that I love that show.  Ah well,  I guess I will simply have to start all over again.....  See! I feel brighter already. Now, Sadie, where are those wretched bottles!!!!!

WOW!! New Review for Divorcees.Biz

I saw this fabulous review for Divorcees.Biz and I just had to share it with you

Fran Lewis

HERE IT IS: MY REVIEW OF DIVORCEES BIZ: LET's OPEN FIVE GLASSES OF THE BUBBLY FOR EILEEN THORNTON: 

Divorcees Biz: EILEEN THORNTON

Divorce often means that some women begin to cower, hide or even spend their time wallowing away in sorrow feeling wronged. Ex-husbands sometimes seek revenge for no reason, want their ex’s to feel the financial strain caused by having to pay alimony and child support by demanding changes in the already signed agreement. But, some women as you will learn take the as some might say bull by the horns, lift themselves up, shake off all the anger and decide to do something that will not only benefit others but just maybe help them snag the next Mr. Right. Meet Connie, Sadie, Lucy and Jenny and why not become a member of the newest online dating agency Divorcees Biz and along with them fill out the application, pay the fee and start on your road to what some might call husband hunting but with a definite touch of class.


Connie seems to be the brains behind the organization and the one who wants to set the bar high and the clientele on an upper echelon level. Lucy has computer savvy and she’s the one that created the website, the codes, the client profiles and keeps track of who wants to meet who, when, where, why and much more. Jenny is kind, sweet and just wants to help where she can and even attempts to learn the computer. Sadie I have to say is my favorite no holds barred, says it as she sees it, tells it like it is and is truly someone you want as a friend even if she is not as she puts it so tidy. 


Four friends with wild and different personalities who have decided to risk it all for the sake of love. So, what happens that just might put a snag in their opening? Well, the champagne is poured, the appetizers are set out and the guests are arriving and what happens? One ex-husband shows up in all his glory hoping to not only join the agency but with a hidden agenda in mind. The expression on Connie’s face as described by the author is priceless, her reaction definitely believable. But, with the help of her friends and their quick thinking things turn for the positive in a situation that could have brought this whole thing down before it got off the ground. So, when the rests of the guest arrive and everyone is milling around talking to everyone, it’s Sadie who reminds Connie that these people need to sign up or the evening would not be a success. Now, for the hilarious part that will definite crack you up as poor Connie tries to shout, scream and get everyone’s attention to no avail. But, Sadie does what my Aunt Tommy would have done, puts two fingers in her mouth and you guessed it whistles louder than a police whistle and definitely gets everyone to focus. The end result is a riot but each and every guest does join and the end result is just what he or she hoped for. But, when people have to come clean and tell the truth about certain things what they read in some of the profiles is right out of a tabloid that has personal ads. For anyone that has ever been divorced or joined one of these online agencies or dating services this book will bring it all into focus for you and is totally filled with real life situations that will make you laugh, cry and root for our four brazen, smart and savvy women.


The agency has started up, the enrollment is high and then of course not everything goes as planned. When Connie’s ex fills out his form what he writes alerts her and the rest of the group that something is wrong and she decides to confront him. What happens is right out of a Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn movie you have to read it for yourself. But, when he approaches Lucy ex-husband the encounter will make you shudder as will the one with Jenny’s ex too. Stalking, abuse, and rudeness and much more follow as the four friends join together to make sure that everyone is safe, no one is alone proving that their friendship is stronger than steel.


Each one of them wants what’s best for the other so Sadie decides to intervene on Connie’s behalf. Now, if you think I am going to tell you what she does I am not. The form is confidential and the information can only be revealed when you read the book for yourself. When Sadie goes to the bank little does she know that the security guard would decide to join the agency just to connect with her. Okay, so I gave you that much but what happens I will not reveal. But, when she and Mike, the guard go out you just won’t believe the reason he joined, paid the huge fee and what she learns about him that could nix the entire deal or maybe not!


One ex was a womanizer, one a bully and the third a loser and one just a nice guy who made a mistake. When Connie and Jenny decide to go for dinner what happens next will enlighten you to the rules many restaurants put in place, the discrimination singles might encounter and the chutzpah of one woman named Connie who will not mince her words and gets what she wants. As the evening enfolds things fall into place as two men find both Lucy and Jenny attractive and poor Connie begins to feel left out as Sadie tries to enlighten Connie about Andrew’s true feelings for her. But, fear and the thought that he might be playing her you might say stops her cold at times from giving him a second chance. Are her problems her own making? Does she need to take a reality check? When will the light shine on her and the bulb be bright enough for her to see the real light?


As Sadie and Michael get close, Connie worries about Andrew’s date with Lucy’s aunt; the two men they met call Jenny and Lucy, As one of their clients seems to be most popular and one cannot get a positive response you begin to wonder if they are going to have to put some rules on their site, guide some of their members as to what to look for in mate that would be more suitable for them and what do you do when a date is a no show?
Sadie is really committed to helping Connie see the light when it comes to Andrew and when he decides to ask her for a date to move things along what happens is short of a Lucy and Ethel episode and only reading it will bring it to life for you. It is hysterical and quite clever. Author Eileen Thornton has really hit the top mark with this novel as she brings readers both married and divorced into the world of dating whether online or when someone actually asks you out. The situations are real and the end results well you have to read it for yourself. As these four very distinct, different and intelligent women take on the world of online dating, men and much more.


Relationships heat up while others change and then Connie makes one statement that might change it all. An agency that is bringing in a lot of clients and money was what they hoped for. But, when Connie, Sadie and possibly Lucy find happiness what will they decide to do next? Is keeping the agency and helping others find happiness in their future? What will happen if they decide to sell it? 


Things at the agency seem to become strained as Connie and Andrew bond more closely, the day-to-day activity seems to be lagging behind and someone’s ex comes out of the dark in order to ruin the sunshine in one of the four women’s life. Lies, truths, deceits, revenge and the happiness of four strong women is at stake when the past becomes the present and a major decision has to be made what will the four decide to do? Divorcees Biz: Sell: Keep it: What do they decide? What happens to each of these four vibrant women you will have to learn for yourself. Where do they wind up? Are they going to live happily ever after? Will their friendships stay strong? Read this outstanding novel to find out.
Can four women prove to the world that they have what it takes to start from scratch and be successful? Meet Sadie, Connie, Lucy and Jenny and find out. Only author Eileen Thornton can create four diverse women with four distinct personalities and pen one Five Star Novel.

Fran Lewis: reviewer: Open the champagne and give this novel : FIVE GLASSES OF THE BUBBLY