Benn 1st July 1999--23rd Nov 2009

We lost our beloved best friend last night.  Rest in Peace, Benn.  I'll miss you every day.  You were the best dog in the world. 

Alicia Dean

Alicia is my editor over at The Wild Rose Press and her debut novel comes out in December.  Right now--for a short time only--it is specially priced at $3.50 if you buy direct from the Dorchester site.  I'm so excited for her.  And I can't wait to read it.

Back Cover Blurb

There is a monster on the loose, a serial killer murdering young women near Oklahoma City. On each corpse he writes his name in blood: THE TIN MAN

But while the villain claims to be heartless, he’s not beyond making a mistake. This time he left his prey alive, and ex–homicide detective Nick Lassiter plans to use her to crack the case wide open. Yet, Ravyn Skyler is nothing like he expects. She remembers little of the crime, and for a victim she has a deep reserve of quiet strength. In her eyes he sees both helpless waif and merciless vigilante, in her kiss he tastes both passion and power. With a tale of a tin man, it only seems fair that there’s a witch. And this witch guards a secret that threatens not only their lives, but their souls.

My New BFF

I got a little snapshot of my life in January through March the other day.  I sat with the contract for our French house in one hand and my little French disctionary in the other. 

I'm pretty sure we have a cooker, fridge, bathtub, shower, washing machine (lave-linge particulier), tumble dryer, TV (hah), an iron and ironing board (always useful), two different types of toilet (we will be in France after all), a small garden and terrace.  Best of all we are only 2 km from the sea. 

The kids have longer days at school, 8.45 am-4.30 pm, but an hour and a half for lunch.  Not sure if they are supposed to come home then or not.  Will be tricky juggling everything, but exciting too.  My French is terrible, I'm going to rely on the French peoples' goodwill and friendliness and my new BFF and the kids.  If that fails I'll have to start wearing makeup again and flutter my lashes in confusion.  Shouldn't be difficult. The confusion part that is.

ARGH

Must stop calling erasers 'rubbers'
Must stop smirking when someone introduces themselves as Randy
Must stop thinking that getting a lube job at Mr Lube is illegal.

Happy Birthday Grandad

Happy Birthday, Grandad John

89 today!!!

Mistletoe and Murder

 One minute, probation officer Mallory Larsen is handing out hand-knitted Christmas gifts. The next, there's a gun at her head—and a bomb exploding. Fellow probation officer Shamus Burke saves her life, and she'll be sure to thank him for it…once she gets his assistance again. A girl's life depends on Mallory, and no one but Shamus can help her do what needs to be done. As the threats against Mallory escalate, she shows Shamus she won't back down on saving anyone—including him. But now someone's dead set on stopping them both from ever celebrating Christmas together.

***

I just bought this as a Christmas present for my grandad.  I don't generally read inspirational novels, but Florence Case recently died and it made me feel so sad for her and her family that she didn't see this book on the shelves.   So I bought it and figured grandad would get a kick out of a little romance.  Rest in peace, Florence.  By all accounts she was a lovely lady. 

Armistice Day

The Armistice that ended the Great war was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.

A moving memorial service on Armistice Day marked the passing of the First World War generation at Westminster Abbey.

The final three veterans of the war living in Britain died this year. William Stone died in January at the age of 108, followed by Henry Allingham, 113, and Harry Patch, 111, in July. Heads of the armed forces were joined by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and senior politicians for the traditional two-minute silence to remember those who died for their country.

"The Great War was over. Lives, friendships, families, societies, nations had been shattered. Everything had changed," said the Very Rev Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, in his service recalling when the guns fell silent at the end of the war.

"On this day two years later and at this hour, an unknown warrior, chosen at random to represent all those of these islands who had fought and died, accorded the highest honour of a state funeral, was buried here."

He continued: "We remember, with grief, the gas and the mud, the barbed wire, the bombardment, the terror, the telegram; and, with gratitude, the courage and sacrifice."


It is the end of an era that was both tragic and brave.