26 December 2014

Happy Boxing Day!!

When I was small and the family still gathered for Yuletide, things were so traditional.   And in many ways more special.   Of course, there were chances of a White Christmas back then, which seems so rare these days.  With a good layer of snow on the ground, we would pull out the horse sleighs for Boxing Day, and ride around to visit neighbors and tenants.  While Christmas was always magical, I loved the unique time of the day following -- Boxing Day.  We made up cakes, cookies and small gifts, and we would deliver them.  The neighbors were thrilled to see us, and opened their doors; in turn, they offered their hospitality with cups of mead or wassail, and special treats of fairy cakes, yulelogs, fruit and nuts. We would get to see their trees.  Naturally, they were not the sleek, commercial versions we have today - but trees decorated with garlands made from strung popcorn and cranberries, and the ornaments were handmade or passed down for years, if not generations.  It was so exhilarating riding in the sleighs, all tucked up under thick wool tartans and furs, the sleigh bells jingling.  Such wonderful memories.

Alas, so rare comes the heavy snows, even less frequently is the White Christmas.  The family is scattered, off to form their own traditions. The sleighs set covered in an hold barn, dusty and ignored.  But I still hold tight to those cherish memories and keep Boxing Day in my heart.

25 December 2014

Montlake promoting two of Dawn's books

I love how Montlake Romance/ Amazon Publishing continually promotes their authors. 

 The Bride of Time and The Ravening (Blood Moon Book 3) will be included in our Kindle Book Sale in the US Kindle Store, starting 12/25/2014 and running through 1/25/2015. 

 Beginning 12/25/2014, you will see the promotion here: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b?ie=UTF8&node=10300226011.


24 December 2014

Merry Christmas!!


Nollaig Chridheil
to everyone

Merry Christmas Eve!



Hard to believe it's Christmas Eve!!! I always loved this day more than Christmas. Christmas seemed rather anti-climatic. So many memories crowd in on me this day. Of times past...of dear people and friends and cherished pets lost. So many white Christmases when there are few anymore. That child's view of the magic of this day...
Life changes, and I am content here in my small Victorian town. But for this day, my thoughts swirl with images of those no longer here and hold dear those reflections.



06 December 2014

Final days for Montlake Romance special sale price of A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing

A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing is included in a new Kindle promotion in the US, 200 Kindle ebooks for $1.99 each. That promotion began on November 19 and will run through December 14. You can see the promotion here: http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=10300225011



Montlake Romance offers two of Dawn's books for sale

Montlake Romance/Amazon Publishing is offer two of Dawn's books The Privateer and Prisoner of Flames in a new Kindle promotion in the US, the December Big Deal.
The ebooks will be priced at 1.99. This promotion will begin on December 5 and will run through December 21. Once live, you will be able to see the promotion here: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b…


  

Montlake Romance deal for The Invasion of Falgannon Isle

Montlake Romance has a new Kindle promotion in the US, the December Big Deal. The ebooks will be priced at 1.99.  And my title The Invasion of Falgannon Isle is also included, at 1.99. This promotion will begin on December 5 and will run through December 21.  you will be able to see the promotion here: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b?ie=UTF8&node=6180870011



12 November 2014

Special sale price of Dawn's The Falcon's Bride




I’m very happy to let you know that The Falcon's Bride will be included in a new Kindle promotion in the US called the November Big Deal. It started Nov 7 and runs through Nov 23. The title will be priced at 0.99 for that time.

You can see the promotion here:   http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b?ie=UTF8&node=6180870011

This was Dawn's third release for Dorchester Publishing. They were shortsighted with anticipation of sale of a new author, and so it sold out right after release. It took too long to get more printed and on the shelf, so a lot of people couldn't find it. Now Montlake Romance/Amazon Publishing has the rights, I am happy to see this book out there...especially at this delight price!!

26 September 2014

Remember me Thursday - Sept 25th





Check out Remember Me Thursday PSA to raise awareness and be a #LightForPets.


Remember Me Thursday is TOMORROW: Sep. 25



Remember Me Thursday is a project of Helen Woodward Animal Center >>> www.jgalaxy.us/Wn0i5S

20 September 2014

Kentucky Highland Festival

Bright and early, Candy and I donned plaid and sallied forth to the Kentucky Highland Festival at Eminence, Ky on this bright sunny Saturday.  It was a perfect day.  Started out cool, but quickly warmed up.


Miss Midget looks adorable in her new plaid skirt.


notice the Wallace covered pumpkins


Candy in front of Charlie's Place


Drunk & Sailor was the first act up for the day.  We have seen them perform about two dozen times over the last two years, but they really rocked the hall today.  During the Renfaire they are not allowed to use the acoustical amplification. It sees them trying to sing over the constant chatter.  This time they were wired and in turn, they wired the whole audience.   Capt'n Amos (Bob Watters) and Philip McGuinness (Dieter Zimmerman) were SUPER!!





This great show was followed by the official opening ceremony



My favourite shot of the day was Erika Spidle Napier giving her best "MOM FACE" to the Minions of Mischief (the teen cast members of Briarwood).  PRICELESS!!!


The crowd was large, lines for lunch were very long!



pipers finished with their competition


We had a great time.  So wonderful to see Capt'n Amos, Dieter, Erika Spidle Napier, yet there is a touch of sadness to the place.  The high summer fun of the Renfaire is gone, replaced by the more subdued autumnal air.  Other friends such as Tara and Mark Reed, Dragon Bob (Robert Barker) and Daniel Higgins and his lovely wife Kim were not present, on to other Renfaires.  They were missed.  The magic is dormant for now...but never fear they will return next May along with the Briarwood Faeries.






16 September 2014

Louisville's Pagan Pride Day


Me at Louisville's Pagan Pride Day
on the Waterfront Park.

Dragon Bob (Once Upon a Dragon Time) invited Candy and me to Pagan Pride Day.  Candy and I headed down there armed with Google directions.  They were very good, until they said to turn right onto third street.  I thought sure we needed to turn left (which we did).  We finally found this big crowd near the Belle of Louisville, so we asked the guy on the parking gate.  He said he didn't know what the crowd was, but they were all Japanese.  Another lady said she thought we needed to go way down River Road.  With her assistance we headed (finally in the right direction).

We spotted Captain Amos (Bob Watters) and his parnter Dieter Zimmerman - Drunk N Sailor.  You cannot miss Captain Amos' red feathered Pirate hat!!!  I told her we should follow them as they were likely heading to the festival, too!  I rolled down the window and yellow at them, only to have Captain Amos yelling back, "Where the Hell is this Pagan Thing?"  Well, blind leading the blind I guess.

We finally made it!!  Found Dragon Bob (in the middle) with Captain Amos and Dieter not far behind.
Sort of like old Renny Home Week...lol.  Captain Amos and Dieter were passing out flyers for Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Dragon Bob was performing at the festival

Candy looked lovely sitting by the river

 Jug Band Park at the Waterfront

 She took a nifty picture of me.

 Dragon Bob (Robert Barker) was glad to see Candy made it.




Dragon Bob preparing for a show

Candy sitting at the docks of Jug Band Park on the Ohio River



Me sitting before the docks at Jug Band Park.  You can see Big Four Bridge in the background, which is now a walkway between Kentucky and Indiana.
 Dragon Bob's Dragons guarding his stage

 The River is so lovely here, hard to see how big the Ohio River is from this little branch

Competition in the Dragon Taming Department!!!

Perfect way to enjoy the River Front

Candy with Dragon Bob's Cat Puppet


Dragon Bob and Candy with young dragon tamer

 In the midst of the performances Dragon Bob teaches a young lass the proper Cello technique

'Pictus Rocking out the Festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdy9QKFEr3g


All in all, it was a glorious day, great fun, grand to see friends again.  Thank you Dragon Bob for inviting us!