I was reading a post somewhere on positive gossip which is a really good thing when one has no wish to discuss the news anymore. I was thinking back to how my writer friends and I would get together and go out for coffee and talk about writing and publishing and it was so much fun. Such fun! Occasionally we’d hit several cafes, although thank goodness for our cholesterol, it tended to be the coffee and tea more than the cakes and muffins.  But with changes in life, work, family, where people live, I rarely do that anymore.   In fact, the very last time was about 18 months ago when some friends came to town and about six of us met at a very nice cafe and talked writing for several hours. But they were very fun times back then, and memories to treasure, and so much the better for a nice cafe with several hot drinks under the belt. Magill, Kenneth, 1910-2000 :Tea, coffee and cocoa. [1930-1935].. Magill, Kenneth, 1910-2000 :[Five posters advertising pantomimes and food. 1930s]...

Here is an excerpt from The Gabardi Baby, the story of Angelo Gabardi and Teddy (Theodora) Jones. Enjoy!   Even more, the woman at the table worked for the company, although in what capacity he had no idea. She could have worked in any division and although he didn’t believe in signs, he had seen her three times in the past day. At the least, she might be someone to pass a few minutes chatting to. He pushed himself up from the table, pocketed his phone, and walked over to her table. She looked up as he approached, and her eyes abruptly widened. “Good evening,” he greeted her. He waited, but she appeared to have gone mute. He gestured to the empty chair. “Do you mind if I join you? For a moment?” She looked around, and then back up at him. She shook her head. “Sorry?” she said. He put his hand on the back of the chair and assured her, “We have met before. Although?” He cocked one eyebrow. “It’s possible that you don’t remember.” Her face flushed charmingly, and s...

  It is nearing the end of 'No News September' and I have to say, I have missed… nothing. I have missed absolutely nothing! In fact, when I occasionally jump on to a news website, (to see what the headlines are and I have done this maybe six times?), well, I just can’t be bothered reading anymore, I don't even scroll down, and I promptly exit. At   home, I have been around when there has been news on the TV when someone is watching it but really, I don’t take much notice. The news is indeed a business, news outlets are in competition with each other and that’s all it is. May 'No News' reign. However. Having said that....  There will quite possibly be one exception to all this ‘no news’ business. When a certain election comes around in November, I predict I will be sitting there watching the results come in. We may even have two tellys going, cluttering up the lounge, because it's always interesting to see how the different networks interpret things. It...

 Both From This Day , and Now and Forever are free this week on Amazon.com! If you haven't read the Bluebell Road series than now's a good time to try. The first in the series, These Magic Moments, is priced at $2.99 TRY FROM THIS DAY ! A cosy, emotion-packed, sweet romance to warm your heart and brighten your day! Katie O'Connor's life is finally coming together after being jilted. She's moved into the flat on Bluebell Road with new friends Lydia and Julia, and her job at Frampton's Coffee is going just fine. Even finer, is her boss's friend, James Rutherford. Katie has long admired the gorgeous lawyer and when he asks her to help with her boss, Danny's, divorce case, she begins to see a side to him that no-one else has ever seen before. But can she take a risk loving a man like James, when his past is anything but in the past for him? James Rutherford is a man devoted to his legal career and to his family. Especially his sister, Zara, and her "Ess...

My sister sent me a photo the other day when she was holidaying in Wales, of the smallest house in Britain . Eek. I am so lucky that even though I don't have a dedicated study as such, I have plenty of room in which to write. In fact, I am perfectly okay to write in the bedroom, and even the spare room, or in the lounge. Admittedly, if it is in the lounge, it is not in the healthiest of positions, that is, it is most likely reclining on the couch with a cup of coffee at the side and my pens and notes spread out. Same with the bedroom, that is not at a desk, but sitting up in bed with said papers and coffee. I tell you, it is very, very fruitful for the creative process, it really is. And cross fingers, no bad back yet. I have never been a fan of the coffee shop for writing though. Maybe its the temptation of all that delish food in the cabinets, why would I resist the cakes and the cookies and the pastries, why? But I see the point of having a dedicated space to write with no house...

I thought it would be nice to share some reviews that have come in over the while. Thank you so much for reviews and ratings, they really are gold to an author struggling to make a go of the writing biz!!   For These Magic Moments I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author! It was a clean romance and I appreciate so much when an author knows that a book can hook you in without sex scenes!! It also delved into blended families, death of a parent, working mothers and betrayal, all tied up nicely at the end. I enjoyed the likeable people in the story, too.  (From Amazon.com) This is a lovely gentle romance that is both touching and emotional. This is the second book I have read by this author and am looking forward to more soon. Rare nowadays to find an author who can write romance without feeling the need to add excessive content that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. Lovely ending. (From amazon.co.uk)  

"no news september" is coming along well. I am resisting the temptation, which isn't much of a temptation now, to look up the news websites to read the headlines.  The first week of 'no news november' is going well. It has been interesting though, not knowing the news. I was out with a friend the other day and she commented on the murder in the neighbouring suburb. I had no idea!  I got to work yesterday to find there had been a delay on the trains coming into the city during rush hour because some people had been electrocuted on the train tracks. Terrible news, and I had no idea. Then I got home today and was told there was a murder, but in another area of town from the first murder. Around that time we heard a helicopter overhead so I looked up the news website to see that yes, there had been a gunman, people were injured, and a person is dead. Geez. I have to say so far, no news september is going okay and I do not miss the news and especially the terrible news...