#AtoZChallenge: M is for Music

Music. I totally couldn't live without it. It relaxes, inspires, takes you back in time, gets you in the mood (for whatever it might be that you want to get in the mood for!!), makes you cry, makes you laugh, makes you sing... out loud (especially when you're alone or in the shower)... it really is an amazing thing. I always wished I could sing or play a musical instrument. Sadly I can do neither... not that it stops me from singing, and I have been known to get up for karaoke (yes, I'm one of the embarrassing ones that thinks they sound good when... well, it's probably really quite the opposite. Especially when I'm singing something like Like a Virgin... cringe. Thankfully, I no longer get drunk enough to do this any more!).

Here are just a few of my all time favourite songs (I got a bit carried away so there are quite a few!)...

Cry Little Sister, Aiden

Stay, Shakespeare's Sister

Black Velvet, Alannah Miles

Poison, Alice Cooper

Born To Die, Lana Del Rey

Skyfall, Adele

1000 Years, Christina Perri

Rule The World, Take That

I'll Be There, Jackson 5

Skyscraper, Demi Lovato

Hear You Calling, Aurora (this one gives me the shivers!)

Possibility, Lykke Li

The Voice, Celtic Woman

The Promise You Made, Cock Robin

She, Elvis Costello

Mystic's Dream, Loreena McKennitt

All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, Heart

Somewhere Out There, Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram

Perdoname, Pedro Alboran & Carminho

Take On Me, Aha

Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler

Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

Gangsta's Paradise, Coolio

Time After Time, Cyndi Lauper

Titanium, David Guetta featuring Sia

Love Bites, Def Leppard

Hungry Eyes, Dirty Dancing

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), Eurythmics

Fields of Gold, Eva Cassidy

My Immortal, Evanescence

Big Girls Don't Cry, Fergie

Chocolate, Kylie Minogue

Nothing Else Matters, Metallica

November Rain, Guns n' Roses

Said I Love You, But I Lied

Home, Michael Buble

I Bruise Easily, Natasha Bedingfield

Empire State of Mind, Alicia Keys

When Doves Cry, Prince

Who Wants to Live Forever, Queen

Fable, Robert Miles

Crazy, Seal

Wherever You Will Go, The Calling

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. Raven, the first book in my other series (The Raven Saga) is also FREE!

#AtoZChallenge: L is for Love

Love. It makes the world go round, right? It's not money... it's love! And in the words of Marti Pellow (Wet Wet Wet), Love Is All Around. Sigh.
I'm one of the very lucky ones. I met the love of my life (sorry to sound so cheesy) when I was 16. We've been together ever since... 21 years in fact! Yes we have our ups and downs. Doesn't everyone? But he completes me, you know? I'd hate to even imagine life without him.
Here we are. Me and my very own soulmate (sorry, I got a bit carried away as I reminisced down memory lane)...

Christmas 2012

1992

Gibraltar

Fancy dress!

Our very first wedding anniversary

Fancy dress... again!

Canada

Chatsworth House, UK

Before I had my teeth done!

Montreal

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

 

New York

 

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. Raven, the first book in my other series (The Raven Saga) is also FREE!

#AtoZChallenge: K is for Kindness

Ever since I started out in this self publishing malarkey, I have seen nothing but kindness from fellow authors, bloggers and readers. They have been so incredibly supportive that I have been blown away. I never expected to make so many friends online just by creating a blog and publishing a few books, but I did and I love them all!
There have been a couple of exceptions, of course but let's not dwell on those. Not today. Not ever.
So I just wanted to say thank you for showing me such kindness. You guys and gals rock!
Here's a virtual hug...

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. Raven, the first book in my other series (The Raven Saga) is also FREE!

#AtoZChallenge: J is for Josiah

Josiah, as in Josiah Grimshaw, a character in one of my books, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw (a Morgan Sisters novel).......

Adopted sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane are polar opposites, but when the same strange 'tattoo' suddenly appears and winds its way up their bodies within days of each other, they soon realize there's more to their relationship than they could ever have imagined.
Sent off to London for two weeks of 'work experience', the Morgan Sisters soon find themselves being initiated into the ancient Praxos Foundation, one that protects the innocent while fighting evil, both human and supernatural.
At the same time, Lana Beth and Emma Jane must also investigate why the sweet but sometimes pesky ghost of Josiah Grimshaw just won't leave them alone.

This book has had some fantastic reviews, with one book blogger saying "I would go so far as to say that this book could be the beginnings of a series as good as those by J.K. Rowling!" 

Don't forget that there is also a novella (Daisy Madigan's Paradise) in the Morgan Sisters, which is FREE.  Raven, the first book in my other series (The Raven Saga) is also FREE!

#AtoZChallenge: I is for Imagination

Neverending Story

Without a wild imagination, my books simply wouldn't exist. I think I've always had a bit of a mad thing going on in my brain. My husband tells me so all the time! Not only am I constantly coming up with ideas for future stories, but I also see things that aren't really there. We'll be driving along the road and suddenly, there's this huge creature, like something out of Neverending Story right there on the side of the road. 

Of course, it's nothing of the sort, it's just a large stone boulder in an unusual shape. A little while back, we were sitting watching TV and I saw a little old witch hobbling along the wall behind our house. It turned out to a black bin bag that had blown into the garden and was moving in the wind.

And then of course there's our massive banana tree that has overtaken our back garden... I reckon it's related to Jack's beanstalk!

See? A wild imagination! 

Don't forget to download Raven FREE right here, and Daisy Madigan's Paradise, also FREE right here.

#AtoZChallenge: H is for House for sale!

So I couldn't resist including the sale of my house in the A to Z Challenge... hoping that a reader in the world somewhere just happens to be searching for a lovely house in the Algarve! Do we have any takers? Curious perhaps? Or just plain nosy? I don't mind!
Here it is:
Three bedroom modern villa, two bathrooms (one en-suite), large open plan living / dining / kitchen. Wood burning stove. Stunning views across to the Monchique mountains. Lovely lawn garden and vegetable patch / orchard with fruit trees. Large garage. Beautiful spot. Could be yours for just 269,000 euros!!

It has been the most wonderful house to live in. Hubby and I have some fantastic memories here but it's time to move on and, after 27 years of living in Portugal, we're ready for our next big adventure. So we're heading for England where we plan to live for a few years, see how it goes and then perhaps move across the pond to Canada!
Don't forget to download my YA books: Raven FREE right here, and Daisy Madigan's Paradise, also FREE right here.

#AtoZChallenge: G is for Gorgeous

G is  Gorgeous

It's one of my favourites words. Admittedly, I do use it a lot but when you see something that is so well... gorgeous, what can you say?
Here are a few things that are quite simply... gorgeous...

OMG!! Hades Amina shoes... ggggggorgeous!

Poison Rose T-shirt from http://www.the-black-angel.com Gorgeous!

Cosmo King Side Bed from Aston Furniture. Talk about gorgeous!

Simply gorgeous chairs from http://www.kijkbijfrancine.nl/

My book cover designed by Ravven. Gorgeous!

My husband!! The most gorgeous guy I'll ever meet!

Don't forget to download Raven FREE right here, and Daisy Madigan's Paradise, also FREE right here.

#AtoZChallenge: F is for Forever Fredless

F is for Forever Fredless

Huh? I hear you say. Yes, it's a strange title, I know. But it's the title of a book I've been writing for well, years. It's a change from my usual YA books, this being in the chick lit genre. I grew up reading chick lit. Loved it. Learned a lot from it (if you know what I mean?!). Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins, Harold Robbins, Danielle Steele... I read them all from around the age of 12. An eye opener, I can tell you.
Anyway, back to Forever Fredless, I started writing it about 8 or 9 years ago. Needless to say, I've been distracted so many times that I've never got round to finishing it. I was supposed to get it done before Christmas... oh well, perhaps next Christmas?
So what's it about? Well, here's a brief description to whet your appetite:

Kate met, and lost, her soulmate when she was just a child. Will she ever find him? Or will she be, forever, Fredless?
Aged ten years old, Kate stumbles upon the most beautiful boy she has ever seen, but she is whisked away by her parents before she gets the chance to meet him. Years later, she continues to compare all potential mates to the boy she dubbed Fred, but no-one comes close. Except a handsome stranger with whom she has a disastrous one night stand. So bad in fact that she decides she must move on with her life and forget about her soulmate. But when she becomes the heiress to a massive fortune and her story is plastered all over the tabloids, all kinds of characters come forward claiming to be the boy she loved and lost. Will she find him? Or will she be, Forever Fredless?
What do you think? Intrigued? What do you think of the potential cover? This is the first time I've shown it to anyone!
Don't forget to download Raven FREE right here, and Daisy Madigan's Paradise, also FREE right here.

#AtoZChallenge: E is for Elegance

E is for Elegance

No, I'm not talking about women who seem to have that certain je ne sais quoi (did I spell that right?), you know the type... they look like Audrey Hepburn, like ALL the time? Well, I'm not talking about how I wish I had that certain something, today I'm talking about the book by Kathleen Tessaro. Now I'm not reviewing it and I'm not telling you what it's about...

I bought the book in hardback, and was really looking forward to reading it as I'd read another of her books prior to this and had thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very different from anything else I'd read and it was quite refreshing.

So anyway, there Elegance was, safely on my book shelves in the spare room until we got this little rascal...

Then Elegance was no more. Yes, she completely ripped it to shreds. But what can you do when such an adorable little cutie pie looks at you like this? We've had her two years now and she's still a little terror (but an adorable one at that!)

#AtoZChallenge: D is for Daisy Madigan's Paradise

D is for Daisy Madigan's Paradise

I could't resist the Ds today. I just had to tell those of you new to my blog about Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a FREE novella I wrote last year. Currently number 73 in the Free Kindle Store for teen fantasy, the book has been receiving a lot of positive attention, with 80 reviews averaging 4 stars (cool eh?!).

When tragedy falls upon 15 year old Daisy Madigan, she escapes to the only place she feels safe, the cemetery of Abney Park. There, in the company of the dearly departed, she realizes she is changing, growing stronger and faster by the day. But in the darkness lurks a terror even she can't imagine facing. Daisy Madigan's Paradise is a Morgan Sisters novella and its FREE. 

Don't forget to download Raven for FREE right here, and Daisy Madigan's Paradise (part of the Morgan Sisters series), also FREE right here.

Check out the trailer...

The A to Z Challenge features bloggers from all walks of life posting about everything and anything every day (except Sundays) during the month of April. As I'm a complete newbie to this challenge (and I'm in the middle of edits for book six), I haven't given myself a theme to adhere to! Enjoy!

#AtoZChallenge: C is for Cycling

The A to Z Challenge features bloggers from all walks of life posting about everything and anything every day (except Sundays) during the month of April. As I'm a complete newbie to this challenge (and I'm in the middle of edits for book six), I haven't given myself a theme to adhere to! So, on with the challenge. Today...

C is Cycling

photo credit: Eleaf via photopin cc

Finally, after months of almost constant rain, yesterday afternoon I finally got out on my bike for a lovely cycle out with my husband. It was incredibly relaxing, not to mention soothing on my back after sitting down at the computer all day (week/month/year) long. Granted, my muscles are a bit sore this morning though!

I've never been a particularly active person. I hated P.E at school and was pretty useless at most sports. Even as an adult, I failed miserably at keeping fit. I tried everything: aerobics (I couldn't keep up with the instructor), swimming (I couldn't stop picturing Jaws and piranhas in the pool), pilates (breathe in and zip up... huh?!), yoga (Forward Doggie what?) but nothing ever stuck. I'd do it for a few weeks and then just get back in to my usual routine of, well, nothing. 
Anyway, about a year and a half ago my husband was introduced to cycling. He bought all the kit and went out once or twice a week. While he was out enjoying himself, I was feeling sorry for myself. So we went out and bought a fabulous bicycle for me too and I haven't looked back since!
When the weather was good enough to cycle, I felt better than I had done in years. My problematic back was much improved, my wobbly bits were far more toned and even the those pesky little thread veins on my legs had disappeared! Hurray!
 Don't forget to download Raven for FREE right here, and Daisy Madigan's Paradise (part of the Morgan Sisters series), also FREE right here.

#AtoZChallenge: B is for Barber

The A to Z Challenge features bloggers from all walks of life posting about everything and anything every day (except Sundays) during the month of April. As I'm a complete newbie to this challenge (and I'm in the middle of edits for book six), I haven't given myself a theme to adhere to! So, on with the challenge. Today...

B is for Barber

And I don't mean men's hairstylists! I have introduced a new character in my new book and aptly named him Barber. Okay, so perhaps his name isn't entirely apt because he doesn't cut hair for a living... but he does have a mass of long hair, if that matters? No? Oh well, I tried. 

Anyway, Barber is probably the most gorgeous guy in the Morgan Sisters series. Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that he is a vampire. Groan, you say. So predictable. I know, I know. But he just came to me in the middle of writing a scene and I couldn't shake him off. I knew then that he was here to stay. I'm actually quite fond of Barber now. 

Barber is 17, although he has been 17 for a long, long time. He has thick dark wavy hair that tumbles down his shoulders and has a body like a rugby player (you know the kind, strong and powerful with wide set shoulders and muscly arms and legs - but not too muscly mind). His eyes are such a dark shade of blue that they just suck you in. Intrigued yet? The book is due out in May. I'll keep you posted. 

He's how I picture him. A kind of mix between Steven Strait from 10,000 B.C and Jason Momoa from Game of Thrones.
Both totally swoon-worthy with long hair, don't you think?

 Don't forget to download Raven for FREE right here, and Daisy Madigan's Paradise (part of the Morgan Sisters series), also FREE right here.