Miscellany

I often wish I had a talent for painting pictures but I have to make do with words and photographs. It may only be my opinion but modern publishers do not seem to like fiction writers spending too much time, or space, on descriptions. Many of today's reader also prefer to get on with the story rather than sidetracked with detailed settings.

  Even photographs do not always capture the magnificent splendour, or the emotion the sight might arouse. This was a truly magfiicent winter dawn but I did not manage to capture all the colours.

 The woodpecker keeps himself very smart in his black and white with his red spot while a blue tit waits patiently for breakfast.

Piggy contentment wallowing in mud

 I was surprised to see this owl perched on my garden seat during the day. S-i-l thinks it is a young sparrow hawk.

Spring at last

My guest today is Serena Clarke

Today I have a guest from New Zealand - the other side of the world to where I live. Do tell us a little about yourself Serena and your writing 

Thanks so much for having me to visit with you Gwen!

Like lots of New Zealanders, I have a strong Scottish heritage, so I feel kind of at home here with you! In fact, tracing my ancestors back from my great-grandmother Ellen Kidd, I come to one infamous Scot: Captain William Kidd. He was once characterised as a ruthless pirate who left buried treasure hidden around the world. But he’s recently been recognised as a privateer – a pirate hunter who even had a commission from King William III of England. His adventures ended in treachery and betrayal by a true pirate who walked free. Charged with piracy and murder, Kidd was unable to prove his innocence, and his final journey was to the gallows in London.

This sounds intriguing Serena. Are there any pirates in your book?

 

No, there aren’t any in All Over the Place – although there might be in a future book! However Livi does find herself trying to figure out the true character of one man. And she also begins to realise that there might be another side to a man she thought she knew. Of course, neither of Livi’s potential heroes come to a sticky end like Captain Kidd, and she gets her own treasure – a happy ending!

All Over the Place is contemporary romantic fiction with a chick lit feel.

Livi Callaway has fled back to London after a reality TV disaster in New Zealand. Safely anonymous in the big city, she’s determined to stay under the radar from now on. But her attempts to build a new life are complicated by unexpected visitors from her old one, and new dangers and temptations lie in wait.

Late one night, she meets a mysteriously sexy American on the Underground – and the events that follow take her from Pooh Bear to the golden lights of Paris, via a trail of rock stars dead and alive. A family in disarray, a determined Swede, a crazed Australian and a childhood friend (who might yet be more than that) have her all over the place as she tries to discover the American’s secret – while keeping her own.

With help – and occasional hindrance – from her friends, what she eventually finds is something unexpected...sometimes, running away can lead you to exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

All Over the Place is available at all major e-book retailers, including:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Over-Place-Crimson-Romance-ebook/dp/B00B2B0X9E/

http://www.amazon.com/Over-Place-Crimson-Romance-ebook/dp/B00B2B0X9E/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/all-over-the-place/id594641901?mt=11

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-over-the-place-serena-clarke/1114286511

Thank you Serena. I shall look forward to reading about Livi's adventures. 

About Serena Clarke

Serena grew up in a family of itchy-footed readers and dreamers – not concentrating, reading the atlas and Narnia books, and planning to escape somewhere magical as soon as she could. When she was 16, she went from New Zealand to live in Sweden for a year. It was the beginning of many travels and adventures – and quite a few disasters! She didn’t know it at the time, but eventually she’d be grateful for all the downs as well as the ups. As writers say in the face of adversity: “I can use that.” She’s now living back in New Zealand, where she writes stories reflecting her determined belief in magic, possibility and second chances – and happy endings!

 Serena would love to hear from you!

http://www.serenaclarke.com

https://www.facebook.com/SerenaClarkeAuthor

https://twitter.com/Serena_Clarke

More developments at Lochandee - Books 4 & 5

Books 4&5 were originally published in one volume in hardback for the libraries under the title  A Tangled Web. The full novel is now published as The Legacy of Lochandee or available in two parts  - see below.  

Part Four of an historical romance saga

 set in the Scottish Borders.

World War II has ended, rationing is still in force and building material is scarce - the first priority is repairing the homes destroyed by the German bombs. Rachel and Ross Maxwell, remain married and living at Lochandee, having survived various challenges. Daughter Bridie is being wooed by Nick Jones, her brother Conan’s business partner. She is very innocent and Scotland at the time is not the easiest place for courtship. Rachel struggles to sell her beloved heirloom to help the young couple build a house of their own.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxwell-Loss-Laird-Lochandee-ebook/dp/B00AY1ESYY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357664164&sr=1-1

http://amzn.to/UV6DUI

Free Download 6^th to 10^th February

Part Four of an historical romance saga set in the Scottish Borders.
World War II has ended, rationing is still in force and building material is scarce - the first priority is repairing the homes destroyed by the German bombs. Rachel and Ross Maxwell, remain married and living at Lochandee, having survived various challenges. Daughter Bridie is being wooed by Nick Jones, her brother Conan’s business partner. She is very innocent and Scotland at the time is not the easiest place for courtship. Rachel struggles to sell her beloved heirloom to help the young couple build a house of their own.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxwell-Loss-Laird-Lochandee-ebook/dp/B00AY1ESYY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357664164&sr=1-1

http://amzn.to/UV6DUI

Free Download 6^th to 10^th February

Part Five of an historical romance saga set in the Scottish Borders.
Maxwell family tensions grow as Bridie wants to control her farming destiny, her modern ideas at odds with Ross’s traditional ways. Nick and Conan’s business partnership is strained as it becomes ever more successful. Meanwhile, Conan’s past indiscretion comes to light, and romance is born out of tragedy and an old rivalry. Emerging from the post-war tough times there is new hope for the future. What will the Maxwell legacy be?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxwell-Profit-Laird-Lochandee-ebook/dp/B00AY1EUU6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357663777&sr=1-1

http://amzn.to/UV6DUI

Free Download 6^th to 10^th March

 

A Very Inspiring Blog Award

 Thank you to Kate (http://katejacksonswriting.blogspot.co.uk/)

for giving me the  'Very Inspiring Blog Award.

I have to tell readers 7 random facts about myself.
Here they are – probably more random than of interest.

1 I have never been in an aeroplane

2. I used to love baking but stopped since I became diabetic.

3 I live north of the Scottish Border six miles from the nearest post office

4 I have just read 2 Jeffrey Archer novels and await the next impatiently because he finished a good story on a cliff hanger.

5. In the spring my eldest grandson died from a brain haemorrhage – one of the most unexpected and unwanted lessons in life. His degree was in English literature and he was starting to write poems and plays in his spare time.

6 The first writing I had published was in People’s Friend. It was about my school days and payment was a half tea set .

7 I used to love driving a pony and trap, trotting along with the wind in my hair, when I was younger. It would need a sturdy pony now!

.
Here are the rules:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate other bloggers for this award and link to them.
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements.

I nominate:-
Gill Stewart
Rhoda Baxter,

Paula Martin

Joan Fleming

Myra Duffy

Six Christmas Offers - Almost finished

A Maxwell Takes Flight FREE to download until Sunday 6^th January

Part Three of The Laird of Lochandee - an historical romance saga set in the Scottish Borders between the two World Wars.
As their children grow, Ross and Rachel continue their battles to consolidate the farm at the Glens of Lochandee, fighting against a corrupt landlord and the ravages of disease. Overshadowing the country are the dark clouds of another World War, awakening doubts and fears as well as youthful determination to fight for freedom. Introducing new people and customs to the relatively tranquil Glens of Lochandee

http://amzn.to/WdfZG1

Another Home Another Love

My latest novel is one of the books selected by Amazon for their 12 Days of Christmas promotion. It is reduced to 99p until 7^th January.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Another-Home-Love-ebook/dp/B009PQF7Z8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1339768800&sr=8-1

Fairlyden Series available to download for 99p each until 14^th January 2013

 

Fairlyden http://amzn.to/UaKNtm

Mistress of Fairlyden http://amzn.to/SYSAN2

Family at http://amzn.to/ZTMNtW

Fairlyden at War Fairlyden at War

 http://amzn.to/ZTNAv3

Amazon's twelve days of Christmas selection

This is one of the books selected by Amazon for their twelve days of Christmas promotion during the period 25th December to 6th January 2013
Now 99p reduction of £6 while promotion lasts.

Rosemary Palmer-Farr loves farming and animals and has spent much of her childhood at Bengairney Farm with her dearest friends, the Carafords. Now, as a young woman, she wants to prove herself a good businesswoman by running the gardens of her father's dwindling estate. Her mother, Catherine, is not impressed and wants her to secure a good marriage. She looks down on the Carafords because they are only tenant farmers. When childhood friendship deepens into love, Catherine takes action and extracts a promise from Sam Caraford calculated to keep the young couple apart. She throws Rosemary into the company of eligible young gentleman, but Rosemary despises their attitudes and yearns only for Sam's love.

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Another-Home-Love-Gwen-Kirkwood/dp/0709096305/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339768800&sr=8-1

More bargains + Romy Gemmel's Mischief at Mulberry Manor

 Read about Rosemary's new novella at her blog below and available to buy on amazon co.uk and .com

http://ros-readingandwriting.blogspot.com
 I have already downloaded this book and I look forward to reading it over Christmas.

There is nothing I enjoy more than relaxing with some really engrossing books after the main celebrations at this time of year.

 Now for my own bargain quartet.

Here are the other two Fairlyden books with links to Amazon where they can be downloaded for 99p until 14th January 2013

Family at Fairlyden

http://amzn.to/ZTMNdJ

In 1906, Beth Jamieson, is a little girl of eight, with honey gold curls, blue eyes and the sweetest nature. Her father is Mistress Fairly’s right-hand man and when Nick’s wife dies, Sarah Fairly treats Beth as her own.

Sarah’s daughter Sadie is jealous and does everything she can to prevent the growing relationship between the small girl and Logan, Sadie’s youngest brother: `She’s a labourer’s brat! She’ll never be mistress here! Never!’ she is heard to say. Yet, sharp tongued and vicious though she is, Sadie fails to stop the first childish closeness then, as the years roll by, the encompassing love that draws Logan and Beth together.

Throughout the country, the early years of the century are a time of social change: in London suffragettes chain themselves to railings and the Kaiser visits the King; in the Scottish borders, the Fairlys witness the first motor cars and increasing mechanization on the local farms, while on the far horizons dark clouds of war are massing.

Although Logan would rather breed cows and horses and stay with Beth at Fairlyden, he knows he must fight. As they take their leave beside the burn, one soft autumn day, the lovers cannot foresee the problems, the heartbreak and the joys which the future holds. Or who will inherit Fairlyden.

As the third volume in this magnificent Fairlyden quartet, The Family at Fairlyden takes up the moving love story of Beth and Logan while also chronicling the continuing saga of the Fairly family in this beautiful corner of rural Scotland.

Fairlyden at War  Book 4

http://amzn.to/ZTNAeE

It is the 1930’s with men desperate for work and food. Fairlyden has survived due to Logan’s skill and his wife’s thrift. Their daughter, Kirsty is proud of her father’s achievements but her brother, Luke is afraid of animals and his fear leads to tragedy.

James MacFarlane has spent his first twenty three years learning all he can from Logan Fairly at Fairlyden. So when he chooses to live with his great-uncle at Nithanvale, the Fairly family’s greatest rival, Kirsty feels betrayed. To make matters worse she is jealous of Mary MacFarlane, who is the last of the MacFarlane line, along with her half cousin.

Kirsty’s responsibilities are heavy when the second world war breaks out and they are increased when evacuees arrive at Fairlyden but her sense of humour sees her through and her determination to keep the farm never wavers