A new eBook - The Fault Lies Beneath

I'm sneaking in a new blog for May...just in time.  And today, I announce another eBook.  But this is a little different because this is the first story contained in my original eBook, Seven Doors of Time.

This has been downloaded more than any other book I've written so far and this particular story features as the first story.  But because it is longer, 'The Fault' can stand on its own and is a contemporary story about a subject we have all been made aware of through the media.

While this is a fictional tale, it explains about much of the science being Global Warming, new global information about the shift in our climate, and some of the repercussions from that shift.  We've all seen the tsunami that impaled Japan last year and the devastation it caused.  And from what our climatologists tell us, the same thing has the same potential on the Atlantic side of the world, only this would be far greater and impact countries with boundaries along the Atlantic - which includes the Eastern Seaboard of the US.  And what would happen to the United States if the New Madrid Fault split our country in two through a behemoth earthquake?  Could that actually happen?  Probably not, but given what the world has and is experiencing now, who knows?

Soon another book will be joining the listings on Smashwords.  Northwoods Forest Mystery is the first book in my Sanderson Series (of four books) which was originally in print through PublishAmerica.com.  But in the coming months, it will be published as an eBook and eventually the entire series will follow.  'Northwoods' has been combed through, checked for grammar and spelling, added to and refreshed for its new format.  As soon as I am able to publish it, I will make the announcement.  An entirely new audience will be able to follow Roan and Shauna on their adventures in the Northwoods of Minnesota, onto Europe and Ireland.  If it's possible to fall in love with characters, I suppose I have with this bunch...and I hope you will, too.

You can find the listing for The Fault Lies Beneath at: https//www.smashwords.com/books/view/167634 and you can sample the story.  Cost for this eBook is $1.99 with over 36,000 words.  I have also reduced the price of four of the five other eBooks books by reducing their prices by $1.00 each.  The Town Gray Built is only $.99 so I couldn't reduce that!!  You can't even buy a Happy Meal at McDonald's at these prices!!

As we approach Easter...

This photograph was on Facebook this morning and I had to share it.  We are always looking for craft ideas and here's one I particularly like. It's easy to make and has a deep meaning for those of us who live for Christ.

You and your kids can make this in no time.  It's a saucer from a plant pot, dirt, gravel, a small pot for the cave (along with a stone to place in front of it) and twigs for the crosses.  Plant the dirt mound over the small pot, place the gravel around the front and you have a wonderful and meaningful centerpiece for the family.  Spread the "hill" with grass seed - which should come up in less than 10 days (don't forget to water it, too).  And finally, place the crosses on top.  Anyone can make this.  What a great project to share God's message of Resurrection, Faith and Hope.

As all of you know, I adore kittens and this photo caught my eye.  Of course, it looks like my darling Tyler Jalen, but it also reminds me of Spring with all the flowers popping up, the trees blooming (it would be nicer without all the pollen though) and the promise of a new season of growth.    How can you not love that little face?

Hyacinths are such a beautiful flower and smell so sweet.  They will soon pop out of neighbours' gardens along with other flowers and trees which add their growth in the Spring.  If we had a garden here, I'd certainly plant some of these, along with my daffodils and roses for the summer.  It may sound silly, but when you do take the time to 'smell the roses/flowers' you see just how wonderous these simple things are in your life.  As we grow older and all the glitz and glamour of "things" dims, the most natural treasures are in the mundane - the every day.  We grasp each with new vigor and enjoyment.  Life's joys are so simple - just like flowers.

When I sit on the hillside looking out over a lake in the Lake District in England, I am always astonished at how tranquil it is.  Little has changed over the years and I reflect on how much I have changed.  At least I hope I have.  I have new interests as I get older.  Retirement is a good sorter and you find new things to make you happy.  A view such as this one, makes you take stock of those new interests and perhaps gives one a new sense of peace - I'd say, a renewed peace.  No wonder Beatrix Potter got so much enjoyment from the Lakes - her inspiration.  It's mine, too.

But here, looking out from Grandad's Bluff in La Crosse, Wisconsin, I am also reminded of where I live now.  This is a beautiful city with enormous vistas for the enjoyment of everyone who visits.  The Mississippi River - or just the "River" to those of us who grew up along its banks - can be seen in the distance, along with the bluffs and the Coulee - the land between the bluffs.  It's where Minnesota and Wisconsin seem to be one state - not divided.  The eagles and hawks soar as if taking off from an unseen runway, gliding on the air currents as they provide sentry duty to those of us below.  (Of course, they could be looking for lunch, too!)  And just like the Lakes in England, La Crosse has its own beauty to share.

Spring is here across the globe.  Just like these plants, we have a chance to change - to grow more fully into the life we have been given.  We have the opportunity to stop for a moment and look at everything around us. We have the chance to say thank you or I love you, rather than simply texting it or tweeting it. Seasons are short and they get shorter as we grow older, so never forget to say the things we need to say and so often forget to do.  Never take these simple things for granted for they can be gone in an instant.  Enjoy your Spring!

March Madness

Cliffs of Dover

You've heard of the stock market crash - the economic crash?  Well, the Cliffs of Dover at Crab Bay in Kent, England had its very own crash.  The winter thawing and water pushing into the chalk cliffs are thought to have caused the monumental fall of tonnes of the cliffside.  What a mess.
 Fortunately no injuries, other than to the cliff itself.  Many people enjoy walking along the cliff tops and this is sad, indeed.

Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, Ireland

 And now it's time for us to celebrate St. Patrick and what, in our house, is a national holiday! Mick and I are both of Irish heritage and on this very special day, we celebrate it more than others.  My confirmation name is Bridget/Brigid, one of the other saints of Ireland.  To the right is Croagh Patrick, a place of pilgrimage to Catholics from all over the world.  Climbing it in bare feet is not uncommon, as it is done as a symbol of penance.  It's rugged, steep and very difficult to attain.  At the top of the very large hill (not really a mountain, but close) is a chapel and I think the aid station to assist those who have been injured.  This is not a place for the faint hearted - or faint of faith.  Perhaps some day I'll climb it.

West of Ireland in Connemara

This is a beautiful photo of the west coast off Connemara in County Galway.  The Atlantic Ocean crashes against the rocks here - sometimes in gentle waves and often in gargantuan rollers!  It's one of my favourite places to be, photograph and enjoy.

Here again is another photograph of Ireland with the Twelve Bens in the background.  Okay, I'm passionate about the West of Ireland and could easily live there year 'round.  Maybe that will happen someday!!

And now the Student Chapel at Kylemore Abbey.  Unfortunately the school is no longer functioning but you can still tour through the Abbey and grounds, which includes the chapel.  This is well worth the time and offers fantastic photo ops.

St. Bridgid/Bridget of Ireland was a contemporary (kind of) of St. Patrick.  When I was asked to name my patron saint when I was received into the Catholic Church, my original patron saint (for the Anglican Church) was Katharine, but I really admired Bridget for her tenacity and honesty.  She might have been a feminist of her time and she didn't suffer fools but went about her ministry with gentle forcefulness, great faith and vision.  So Bridget was chosen and it seems to match me perfectly.  Her Saints' Day is February 1st.

County Cork, Ireland.  What a perfect photograph.  What more can I say?

Do the Happy Dance as we celebrate the Irish heritage (in most of us).  Raise a glass to St. Patrick and St. Bridget - and enjoy your corned beef and cabbage, a pint of Guinness and good fellowship.  Slainte!!

From the Scriptorium: Snow in Britain but not Wisconsin

From the Scriptorium: Snow in Britain but not Wisconsin: I'm always fascinated when I see photographs of home, especially those which feature animals or flowers. This one makes the sheep look down...

Snow in Britain but not Wisconsin

I'm always fascinated when I see photographs of home, especially those which feature animals or flowers.  This one makes the sheep look downright frozen in place!

Here in Wisconsin, we would normally have several feet of snow on the ground right now, but the goofy weather patterns have our snow melting instead of falling.  What was a lovely winter scene is now reduced to brown grass and gritty, dirty frozen slush.  Our local ski festival had to cancel all but the last day of competition due to poor snow conditions.

Over in West Yorkshire, this photo shows a typical winter scene.  Not that much snow (in my humble opinion) but starkly beautiful none-the-less.  But just a few inches of snow snarls up traffic, shuts roads and creates a lot of ice.  Britain, after all, is an island and subject to the sea effects.  You'd think all the salt in the water would keep the ice off the roads, but NO!!

This is an incredible photo.  You can certainly see the power of Mother Nature in this frozen waterfall.  We have pictures like this here in the States, but I found this quite powerful.

In 2010, this was the scene from our back door.  It was a rollickin' good winter with lots of snow and plenty of icicles.  This one was especially fun to watch grow but Mick finally had to take it down because it was actually very dangerous. 

Climatologists tell us that as we progress through this decade, our weather here in Wisconsin will slowly turn into the same weather patterns as Southern Missouri.  I hate to think how hot it will be there! Summers can hit over 100 degrees here already, so I suppose we need to see to our air conditioner maintenance!!

This is an aerial view of St. Mary's Church in Horsham, UK.  My guess is those are people down below and not headstones.  Are they sliding down to the church hall for tea and biscuits after services?  Certainly looks cold there, doesn't it?

I'll end my wintry tale with a photograph of a bridge in York.  Lovely, isn't it?  Reminiscent of Central Park in New York City.  Perhaps all park bridges look like this in winter, perhaps not.  It only serves to remind me that no matter where you go in this world, there is always something beautiful about it.

Thanks to the BBC News for these photos.  Most are pictures taken by local folks who have captured some great scenes.  I only wish I could have been one of them!!  Good on ya, folks!!

From the Scriptorium: Book It!

From the Scriptorium: Book It!: Why all this stuff about my books? Well, I'll tell you. When I became more disabled with my Post Polio, I knew something had to change in ...

Book It!

Why all this stuff about my books?  Well, I'll tell you.  When I became more disabled with my Post Polio, I knew something had to change in my life.  Gone was my ability to be out on the road in sales - which saddened me greatly.  Gone was my mobility, added was arthritis in my hands, ankles, shoulders, back and knees.  What joy!  NOT.  So, I needed to do something to earn a living and at age 55, I decided to write a novel.  How stupid could I get?  Plenty.

When I was in college, I took writing courses as part of my degree - English, of course.  I'd written a lot as a child, mostly those silly childhood poems Mom posted on the fridge door and I thought I could draw on that past experience and education. Hmm - faulty memory strikes again.  One thing I did learn is to fine tune your craft BEFORE you begin.  Gone was my common sense, proper punctuation, quotation mark placement, yata yata yata.  Oh the content and story lines were great - and so is the writing, but technically?  I didn't have a clue.  And once the books were in print, it would cost my first born to change them...so I was stuck....and still am.

But I began to learn.  I dealt with rejection from publishers - over 300 of them.  Newbies rarely get noticed by a reputable publisher unless you know someone who knows someone else. I found what I thought was a wonderful publisher and in actuality, it didn't turn out that way.  The publishing business was in the process of changing radically.  EBooks weren't thought of yet, but marketing and strategies were.  Publishing was a whole new ballgame and I wasn't ready.  I was wearing my rose colored glasses then.  They certainly aren't on now.

My first novel, Northwoods Forest Mystery, introduces my main characters, Roan Sanderson and Shauna McGuire, college friends at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.  They'd lost touch over the years then re-established their friendship after Shauna's husband died in a tornado.  She and her son Conor come home to Minnesota after the funeral but no one expects these friends to fall in love and marry. However they do and this story begins a four-book saga of their lives and those of their friends - and enemies.  It crosses continents and decades, plus the first book sets the stage for a mystery which began many years earlier in a logging camp in Bemidji, Minnesota.  A crime was committed - yes.  But not by the innocent man who was convicted.  Roan and his friends work diligently to solve the mystery and bonds are formed which cannot be broken, not even by death.  We meet some absolutely wonderful characters (including Franco, the goofy waiter and Miss Lulabelle Lavinia LaFontaine, Doyenne of literary societies, plus a religious sister who sports a visible tattoo) and folks who you will remember long after you've read the books.  There is love and heartbreak, great joy and much sadness we can all relate to.

This is an excellent first book, but as I mentioned earlier, it is my first foray into writing, so technically I am not pleased.  I have, however, re-written it so it IS technically correct and ready for a new publisher.

The second book, Death Across the Pond, deals with the loss of a character's sight due to a plane crash.  It also introduces a dark character - an internationally sought assassin who begins to follow Roan and Shauna on a European honeymoon. What follows is a deepening mystery - one which will test their faith and strength in dealing with the devil.

There are new relatives introduced, some of which are quite strange (and we all seem to have those, don't we?).  One is a serial murderer, but what happens to him and how is he connected to the 'Ghost'?  "Death" begins to take the characters deeper and deeper into a psychological mystery with plot twists one wouldn't expect.

Book three, The 'Ghost' in Bolton Hall, moves the Sanderson family into an entirely new direction as they restore an ancient family manor house in England, but the 'Ghost' follows them to Britain and wreaks havoc on the family and the people of Bolton-by-Bowland in Lancashire.  This time, we see history, generations of family pride, ownership and greed - greed by the 'Ghost' who plots revenge for the death of his wife and greed from a gaggle of shady characters with centuries of ties to the Sandersons.  The family story line has now become dark and sinister, but with the addition of several new characters - and I do mean characters, the Sanderson family and friends are able to move forward again, only to have their hard work destroyed in a fire.  And Roan must deal with heartbreak and the death of a beloved family member.  This story line never stops moving.

                                                                   
The final book, Murder and Pasta Don't Mix, wraps up the Sanderson saga and goes back and forth between Ireland, Italy, the UK and the States, with Franco, the nutty Italian actually becoming a mature man in love, who, unfortunately, gets his heart broken by his childhood sweetheart.  The Sandersons find out they have inherited a large plot of farm land in Tuscany, near Franco's family home town and what insues is hysterically funny, but also a dangerous time for the Sandersons.  The 'Ghost' is still on the loose - but not for long and they also encounter a crime boss out for his own style of revenge.

These are adult, family-oriented novels (not for children under 18).  Yes, there is violence in them, a tiny bit of blue language, hysterically funny bits and definitely romance, but no sex scenes.  When I began writing these books, it was because the members of a Mom's group I belong to said they didn't like all the gratuitous sex in novels today and could someone try to write a book they could all read?  I took that challenge and ended up writing not one book, but four.  I simply couldn't stop.  But I accomplished my goal and now I was a published writer.

You can find all my book titles listed on our family web site at: http://www.thecookcompanies.com/ and it will give you a few links on how to purchase them.  The eBooks are there, too.  And those are the ones I am most proud of.

And now, being part Irish, I think I will imbibe with one of the famous Irish brews: 

'Tis a grand way to spend an evening, relaxin' by the fire with a pint and good friends.  (I know, I don't have a fireplace - but I can dream, can't I?)

From the Scriptorium: Who plays golf in January in Wisconsin?

From the Scriptorium: Who plays golf in January in Wisconsin?: Right now, in the City of La Crosse, people are playing golf on the local courses. There is no snow, temps in the 50's and the greens are s...

Who plays golf in January in Wisconsin?

Right now, in the City of La Crosse, people are playing golf on the local courses.  There is no snow, temps in the 50's and the greens are still playable.  I must admit, the thought of no snow in Wisconsin as we approach mid-January is rather curious.  Is it La Nina?  Is it El Nino?  Is it some cosmic shift in global warming?  Naah, it's just Red Dwarf coming out of orbit.

This is what I picture.  A crackling fire, a glass of wine or perhaps a brandy.  A cat cuddling by the foot of my chair on the afghan I just finished.  Or just sitting by the window watching the snow falling gently on our yard.  HA - none of those wistful pleasures to be certain.  No fireplace and no cat.  And NO SNOW.  This is the craziest winter I have seen in ages.  Who doesn't have snow in the middle of January in Wisconsin?

Addendum:  The following day, we received over 5" of snow.  Right now temps are in the low teens and the golfing range has closed for the season.  The Mt. La Crosse Ski Slopes are open for business and now don't have to make snow.  Winter finally made it to Wisconsin...January 12, 2012.

I'm excited about the football playoff games.  I can't wait to watch Clay Matthews - No 52 on the right, make his titanic tackles and glamourous takeaways, then do his victory dance to the delight of all the fans in Lambeau Field.  I get positively rowdy watching these men in green and gold.  Naturally I wear my own ensemble of green and gold with custom made necklace and earrings for the support of my team.  I've even thought about making my popcorn green and gold but that might be difficult.  I must be content with the traditional stuff and being a dedicated fan in Packer Nation.  For Greg, Donald, Clay, BJ, TJ, and my other Facebook and Twitter pals, you can count on me to be cheering in front of my little television and raising the roof - so to speak.

I am working on my historical novel, which involves the gentleman on my left - John Paul Jones, the first Commodore of the US Navy.  His flagship, the Bonhomme Richard features prominently in this historical drama about a series of murders committed in 1779 in Whitby, England.  However, his is not the only Bonhomme Richard IN this book.  The Bon Homme Richard of World War II and our current ship, Bonhomme Richard are also featured in the book.  A sailor from each must come through a vortex to use the skills from each century to solve these murders.  Sound intriguing?  Ah ha...this is the best one I've written yet.  "The Marlinspike Murders" should be ready for publication at the end of this year (2012), hopefully in both ebook and traditional paperback formats.

I understand Tesco wants to build a new store on the west side of Holmfirth, close to the setting for "Last of the Summer Wine" television series.  They tried to get planning permission once before and failed, because a store such as Tesco should be placed downtown for shoppers to come to the town centre - not to the fringes of it.  And understandably, one would not want to spoil such a pastoral setting with a store and traffic.  I suppose if the store is placed in an area which doesn't impede traffic and doesn't spoil the countryside views, it might be okay.  Tesco has offered to set up bus service to and from town centre so people can shop in both locations, but being the purest I am, I'm not certain that would fly with Holmfirth residents.  We shall see.  I wonder what Nora, Compo, Clegg and Foggy would think of a Tesco store over by Compo's Cafe?  Would there be a place for Howard and Marina to ride their bicycles away from prying eyes?  Goodness, the shock of it all!!

Don't forget these fine eBooks available through http://www.smashwords.com/

or these

Good reading at a reasonable price.

Until the next time, happy reading.  Stay warm and cuddle with the one you love.

The Town Gray Built

These days we all seem so preoccupied with getting the best deals on "Black Friday."  Funny how we seem to lose the meaning of Advent - lost in the plunder we bring home, but right now, this very minute, we should be planning for the coming of the Christ child - not how much we can spend on something we don't need.

My latest eBook reflects some of the meaning of Advent.  Odd, it didn't start out as that, but the more I read it, the more I realized this IS an Advent story.

"The Town Gray Built" began as a dream.  In fact, this IS the entire dream as it was given to me.  This has happened only twice while I have been an author.  The first was "Always Have - Always Will" and for some reason, I wasn't the writer, only the vehicle to put the message on paper.  God has a funny habit of doing these things.

"The Town Gray Built" tells the story of Mary, a young woman who has been hired to manage a store on an island off the east coast and although she's quite enthusiastic about her new assignment, she finds the task a bit more complicated than just running a store.  The town she moves to looks like something out of the Twilight Zone rather than a happy, bustling town.  The place seems to be shrouded in a gray fog that envelopes everything - and everyone.  Somehow the people of the island feel she can change that for them and Mary wonders what she's gotten herself into.  After all, she is simply one person.  What can she do?

But Mary perseveres in her new quest and this story reflects the success she hopes for.  It's a story of love, redemption and the renewal of Christmas faith.  Mary works her magic for the people of the town, called Sunshine, never thinking of herself in the process, but along the way, an unexpected blessing comes her direction and the sunshine is restored to the entire island.

Once again, "The Town Gray Built" has been published by Smashwords.com and is available now.  The story is a "short" - too long for a short story but too short for a long novel, so I kept the price at $1.99 to make it affordable for everyone (and all these books can be read on a computer - you don't need an eReader for them!).  All my ebooks come with a small price tag, too.  Don't forget these:  "Seven Doors of Time" @$4.99, "Always Have - Always Will" @$2.99 and "Good Old Uncle Norman" @$2.99.  The prices reflect the size of the book.  And of course, my fiction series in print at PublishAmerica.com with "Northwoods Forest Mystery", "Death Across the Pond", "The 'Ghost' in Bolton Hall" and "Murder and Pasta Don't Mix."  Check the publisher for all their latest special prices, as they change quite often or you can get them through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and other book retailers.  And you can check our web site for more details: http://www.thecookcompanies.com/

In this season of Advent, which we are about to enter, perhaps it's good to reflect on the true meaning of the season.  It isn't Christmas, but the prelude TO Christmas.  It isn't about giving gifts or spending money, but taking a look back at our year and seeing where we need to improve. This is a penitential season - one of great love, giving of oneself and faith.  We live in the hope of a better and brighter new year and that we may benefit from the wisdom of reflection.