A small selection of posts I have enjoyed and hope you will head over to read in full.. thanks Sally.
The first post is from Jessica Norrie who is celebrating five years of blogging and shares some of the highlights along the way.
Five glorious years!
WordPress tells me I’m five this week! Not a message I expected to see when I wrote my tentative Welcome in 2016. Right now I’m very preoccupied by what’s best described as a Demanding Family Event so will keep this post brief (at last! you sigh). It’s a quick rundown of the posts you and I liked best every year. Thank you for travelling with me; do please revisit and return, and I’ll do my best still to be writing for you (and me) in 2026.
2016: My most popular post with (for me) a whopping 1,357 views obviously struck a chord with the teaching profession I was about to leave. Read my thoughts on teaching writing at Back to the Writing Bored. I haven’t changed my mind! But the post that pleased me most was The Great Amazon Dinner Party because my first novel The Infinity Pool had done so well. If Shakespeare had sat SATs was aimed at the same audience as the writing bored. I’m also pleased to reread my memories of a wonderful workshop with Professor Marina Warner at Dartington, which led eventually to The Magic Carpet.
Head over to enjoy the rest of Jessica’s highlights over the last five years:
Jessica Norrie – Five Glorious Years
The next post is from Staci Troilo writing on Story Empire with some words of wisdom from two legendary figures… following a landmark birthday.
Words of Wisdom – Staci Troilo
Ciao, amici! This will not be my usual post. I find myself being very introspective these days. Over the years, there are certain dates that take on different meanings to us. Days that used to mean nothing suddenly mark a happy occasion, like a baptism or anniversary. And days that used to mean something special we stop giving meaning to or try to forget.
As we get older, I’m not sure where our birthdays are supposed to fall. I know as a child, I wanted to grow older. I couldn’t wait to reach double digits. Then to be an official teen. Then sixteen, then eighteen. Twenty-one. By the time I reached a desirable age, time had speeded up and obligations had piled up and I wasn’t able to enjoy the age I wanted to be because it had already passed me by.
I turned 50 on April 4. My life is far different than I expected it to be. Hence a lot of the introspection.
So, today, instead of my donning my professor’s hat and imparting what little wisdom I’ve gleaned over the years, I thought I’d turn to two experts I share my birthday with who made more of their careers than I’ve managed to make of mine (so far).
Head over to find out which legends Staci is sharing and their words of wisdom:
Story Empire – Words of Wisdom – Staci Troilo
Doug Parker has a FREE offer on his latest book until 17th April. Rites of Passage: A contemporary fantasy action adventure. (The Rites Trilogy Book 1)
About the book
It’s a world full of magic…
…and ghosts aren’t supposed to be real.
Can two high school pariahs survive the path to adulthood?
Orphan Cassius is stuck with no girl, no car, and magic that breaks whenever he tries to use it.
His luck begins to turn when he sets his sights on righting an old wrong, but when a deeper evil is exposed it threatens the one person he holds dear.
Will their bond be strong enough to help them survive?
Can he master his magic?
And about that car…
You’ll love this fast-paced adventure, because of its captivating characters and thrilling twists.
Get it now! This is Book 1 of a 3-Book Novella Series.
An early review for the book
I really enjoyed this novella. The use of magic was unique and the characters were intriguing. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author, specifically about this story.
Head over to download the book FREE: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
And the final post today is from K. Lewis Adair and it shares an offer on her ebook version of The Windmill that has recently been added to the shelves in the Cafe and Bookstore.
About the book
What is love at first sight? What do we mean by destiny? Are things sometimes just meant to be? And are there messages within our dreams?
Told through a lens of three snapshots in time that are connected by a ‘soul’s journey to reunite with past loves, K Lewis Adair’s astounding fiction debut, The Windmill, focuses on three people against a stunning historical backdrop. Both spiritual and historical, it is ideal for readers looking for an emotionally immersive read.
Virginia ‘Ginny’ Lewis Faulkner thinks her luck is in when she inherits a previously unknown property. Little does she know all that awaits her as she begins a genealogical investigation to discover more about her Great Aunt Florence Stanley, whom she and other family members have little knowledge of following her disappearance in war-torn Holland in 1940. But there are skeletons within the cupboard that were hidden for a reason…
One of the recent reviews for the book
Drew A real page turner…wants you wanting more
All in all, I’d recommend this book to anyone that wants to delve into a story and the subjects of who we meet, befriend and fall in love with during our lives. The Windmill is not a linear read in any sense, this makes it interesting and different for that. Twists and turns and clues, easy to miss if you skim through, help us the reader and the characters discover some of the answers.
A well-constructed book of substance, some moving sections with depth that will make you think and want more after you’ve finished.
Read the reviews and buy the ebook for 99p: Amazon UK – And $1.36: Amazon US
Links to buy through Troubador can be found in this post:
The Windmill ebook special offer
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will head over to enjoy these posts and Doug Parker’s and K. Lewis Adair’s book offers.. thanks Sally.
Thank you for sharing these awesome blogs, Sally. I’m heading over to read the ones I haven’t already read. 🙂
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Fantastic thank you Jan…hugsx
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Thank you for sharing Sally. I have made some great contacts through you over the past few years and as long as I can keep thinking of things to write about hope to make many more.
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Pleasure Jessica and I look forward to sharing this space with you for many years to come..hugsx
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All of these look good. I like the review for The Windmill.
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Thanks Jacqui.. sounds like a terrific book..xx
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Hi Jacqui, thank you for your interest in The Windmill and I am so pleased you enjoyed the reviews, hopefully with the ebook available on offer you may enjoy it for yourself. I would love to hear your feedback if you do. Best wishes Karen
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I’m looking forward to it, Karen. It sounds like creative storytelling.
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Thanks so much, Sally.
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Pleasure Staci..hugs
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Wonderful writers…and posts. Thank you, Sally!
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Thank you Gwen…hugsx♥
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Wonderful shares. Thanks, Sally.
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Thank you Craig..hugsx
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Another fantastic collection, Sally!
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Thank you Joan.. enjoy your week..xx
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Great collection, Sally! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you Mae..hugsx
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Great posts, Sally:) Thanks for sharing them.
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Thanks Denise…enjoy your day…hugsx
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Congratulations to Jessica! Thank you for the very interesting recommendations, Sally!
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Thanks Michael.. hope you have a good day..the sun is shining here and hopefully after grocery shopping I will be awarded an hour in the garden..hugs
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Hey, you are meeting Filigree? 😉 Congrats to the sun. Here today we are having too, but with the traditional temperature around 5 degrees (C). Enjoy your gardening! hugs xx
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Thanks Michael.. I have meetings with Filigree to decide which direction we shall take the sequel I am writing for later in the year.. hugsxx
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Yeah! Best wishes! 🙂
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Thank you Michael!
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Great round up, Sally. Thanks for sharing. Hugs xx 🙂
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Thank Harmony.. I hope you have some sunshine today…just about to head out into the garden..hugs
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Thank you Sally for sharing The Windmill and its links. I have enjoyed meeting new friends through your other posts and truly appreciated their interest in The Windmill. Thank you all. Best wishes Karen
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Pleasure Karen and they are a very warm and generous community and love helping each other out..hugs
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