telly

Envy, Bony and Why The Beach Bum is So Bad

/ darkislethebooks / 1 Comment

Hi, how’s everyone? Hope you’re all well!! So exciting news! Envy comes out in three days’ time” THREE DAYS!! Woohoo. It’s another of the Sisters of Sin series, it’s romantic suspense (available as a paperback and romantic suspense Kindle book) and what I would describe as action adventure. The heroine is Izzy Starr, an assassin, who is given a job by her ex to see is an international chocolate company is indeed using child slavery on its African plantations.

Heres the blurb:

Envy loves her life as an assassin working for the Sisters of Sin…until her ex, Adam, shows up begging her for help.

Someone’s forcing children into slavery on African cocoa plantations.

Pretending to be a couple, Envy and Adam fly out to the Ivory Coast to investigate.

What they find sickens even her…and now she’s armed and very, very angry.

Enemies to lovers. Action and adventure. Fake relationship. Steamy Sex. Envy has it all.

https://geni.us/envydanelson

HALLOWEEN PARTY

Okay, so what else has been happening a Nelson Towers? Me and the kids were at a Halloween party on Saturday night at our next-door neighbours’ house. It was a fab party. I was originally going to go as Cruella de Vil. I’d bought the costume last year, but it came too late, so I brought it out Saturday afternoon only to find the damn thing doens’t fit me. Despite ordering a size up from my normal curvy self, this was waaaaaay too skinny fit for me. Sigh. Way to go costume makers! You’ve made a plump woman feel even fatter! Anyway, I dug out last year’s costume (a black stretchy dress) and wore that instead. I back-combed my hair (big mistake, took me ages to brush it on Sunday morning!) and donned black shoes. It was a fab night. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a picture of myself taken.

Our beloved Bonya, gone but not forgotten.

BONYA

The night had a tinge of sadness over it however. We had to have our beloved pug, Bonya, put down a few weeks ago. She was old and had various health issues, so it was the best thing to do for her. We were all devastated, and I couldn’t sleep properly for about a week afterwards. Apart from her farting, she was a terrible snorer, and my bedroom was just too quiet. Anyway, Bonya always came with us to any party our neighbours were having (and they have loads) and became known as Party Pug. This was our first party without the wee soul. She was missed. She will, however, never be forgotten…mainly for her lovely personality, her cuddly-ness and her farts that could clear a room. She was an amazing animal, and we were so lucky to have had her in our lives.

BOOKS

Right, on to happier things. So, my mum gave me a book, The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley, and I desperately want to like it. But it’s boring me to tears. It’s dragging on and on and I just don’t want to finish it. My mum really enjoyed this book and its sequels, but I’m going to have to give it back. I feel like I’m wasting my time on it. Sorry Lucinda Riley.

I am reading Robin Sharma’s The 5am Club, which, while the storyline is a bit cheesy in places, does have some good solid advice to give to people who want to improve their productivity and their lives in general. While I won’t be getting up at 5am, I am trying to get up earlier. I am very productive anyway, but I’m looking to add more hours to my day. I can’t do it after dinner (6pm-ish) as I’m just too tired by then, but maybe getting up at 6am instead of 7am is doable. I’ll let you know how I get on.

TELLY

Right, so there are some amazing programmes on tv right now and I’ll briefly take you through what I’ve been watching.

Firstly, I re-watched Carnival Row on Prime because it’s just so amazing. If you like fantasy and history, this is the series for you. It stars Cara Delevigne and Orlando Bloom, and is just amazing. I cannot wait for the second series!

Secondly, everyone’s been talking about The Empress on Netflix. It’s about the life of Empress Elizabeth of Austria and is excellent. It’s stunningly shot as well.

Thirdly, Walter Presents Agatha Christie’s HJerson (I watched in on More Four) is a superb Swedish crime drama based around a tv producer and an ex cop. Hjerson is the main character of Ariadne Oliver, the writer in the Poiro books. Anyway, this is a modern look at that character and what he might get up to. It’s clever, it’s funny and I just loved it.

Fourthly, again Walter Presents, Astrid: Murder in Paris is about a woman with autism who helps Parisian police investigate murders. It’s quirky and clever, and very very enjoyable.

Fifthly, (and I haven’t just been watching telly all day, promise), I watched The House of the Dragon. It was a bit of a drag at first. I stuck with it, though, as I’m such a huge Game of Thrones fan, and thank God it did heat up towards the end.

And finally, my current obsession thanks to a recommendation by my sister, Vicky, and that is The Tudors.  Oh my God, this series is so GOOOOOOOOD. Okay, not 100% accurate (the history lover in me has winced a few times at story lines that weren’t correct), but very addictive. I’m on season two right now.

A BIG RASPBERRY

Things I would not recommend are: The Beach Bum starring Mathew Macconaughey. It’s dire. I watched half of it hoping it would get better. It did not. I didn’t like the characters and the storyline dragged. A big raspberry from me!

WRITING LIFE

I’ve signed up to do another anthology, which is due out in February next year. I’ll let you know more nearer the time.

I’m also about to embark on writing a new fantasy book for adults. It’s set in Victorian Scotland. More on that later.

Right, I need to say adieu just now. I am away to the dentist to get a filling replaced. It fell out two-and-a-half years ago in the midst of the pandemic and this is me just getting it replaced now.  My dentist has only just reopened to non-urgent patients.

Okay, that’s me off now. Till next time.

Dawnxxx

 

Ukraine Anthology, Babs, The Anchor Line and Das Boot

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

 

I decided that in this post we all need a bit of cheering up, so I’m filling it with sunlight and flowers. Well, the images will be that. How are you all? Hope you’re all fine.

So, first things first, let’s talk about Ukraine. I’ve felt so horrified about what’s been happening and have been giving to charities helping people on the ground as much as I can. A friend of mine basically spent her entire life savings helping four families escape. They are the families of people she has been working with and they are currently in the Netherlands. They’re hoping to get them to the UK at some point. When I say life savings, I’m talking five figures, nearly six. My friend is amazing. I don’t have that kind of money, but I have been involved in a fundraising anthology to raise funds for Ukranian children in need.

Here’s the details (they were in the last post, but here you are again):

｡☆✼★Preorder: https://books2read.com/u/47QGJq ★✼☆｡
Protect the innocent.
Provide for families.
We stand with Ukraine.
Across the globe authors have come together to provide stories filled with hope, heart and understanding, inspired by the events of February 2022.
STAND FOR UKRAINE is a collection of romance, women’s fiction and poetry. Proceeds go to Save the Children’s efforts to provide Ukrainian children with food, warmth, shelter and psychological support.
I’ve already submitted my short story and I’m looking forward to seeing this fly off the shelves (metaphorically speaking). Well done to the ladies of the Romance Cafe who organised this, including my friend Sofia Aves (who is a superb author).
Right, moving on. What else has been happening? I managed to actually go out last weekend. I met up with three friends who were up from London. We had dinner at Babs (really nice Mediterranean food) in Glasgow and then drinks at The Anchor Line. I had a fab night. I’ve known the three of them for more than 20 years and being with them again was like no time had passed. Yes, we’ve all gotten older, but our sense of humour stays the same. Thanks for a great night guys.
Over the weekend, I also caught up with my parents and visited my niece and her wee boy who is around five months old and totally gorgeous.  So, busy weekend.
What I’ve been watching: I am totally loving the new series of The Marvellous Mrs Maisel. It’s superb. So funny, so stylish, so beautifully written.  I’ve also been watching the newer version of Das Boot (I remember the original series) and it’s also really, really good.  Gripping storyline, brilliant characters and just all round excellent series.  It’s mostly in German with some French and English. Talking of German programmes, I cannot wait until the new series of Babylon Berlin comes out. I believe they are working on it now. Cannot wait! Also cannot wait for the new series of Outlander and I’m hoping there will be a second series of Carnival Row, which is in my top three all time amazing tv series along with Babylon Berlin.
Films – I watched the majority of Marley & Me the other night, but had to switch it off when Marley got old. If you know the film, you know the outcome and I couldn’t bear watching it again, especially as we have an elderly pug, Bonya, whose legs are starting to go and who has issues with incontinence. She’s an old girl, we love her and it’s unbearable to think she might not be around soon. I’m hoping we’ve got another year with her. Keep everything crossed for us!
Yes it’s another image of tulips, but they are my favourite flowers – equal billing with peonies. Ooh can’t wait til peony season!
Right, so that’s us up-to-date so far. Please preorder the anthology and, if you’d like more information about Sisters of Sin, other authors and freebies, please sign up to my newsletter. Til next time,
Dawn xxx

Supporting Ukraine, book news and Castle on the box

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

Hello, how are you? Hope you’re all well. I’m not normally political on this blog, but I just want to say I totally support the Ukrainian people against the oppressor Putin. I can’t believe in this day and age  someone like him can think he can get away with entering someone else’s country and try and take it by force. It’s horrific. I really hope the international community can do more to stop this. People are dying. I should also mention the people of Finland, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia etc who must be wondering if they are going to be next.  These are scary times.

Right, on to more pleasant things.  This week has been really busy as per usual.  I’m continuing to work on my Sisters of Sin novels (whoop whoop!) and the first one of the series, by my lovely friend Terry Wells-Brown, is due out on June 5 this year. My novel, Greed, follows on July 5 and I have a second one a few months later. Basically, myself and the SOS group of core writers will be launching one a month right into next year. So, watch this space for details.

In other book news, I’m in the process of planning my new steampunk/historical thriller series and I hope to launch that next year. I sat yesterday and planned out the next few months of work. It’s going to be hard work, but worth it. I’m not going to say any more, but sign up to my newsletter and you’ll get more news on this series, on Sisters of Sin and my friend’s new releases, as well as any freebies that are going!

TV and film wise – I’ve finally finished the last episode of Castle. I re-watched all the series and loved it all over again. It’s inspired me to watch again Nathan Fillion’s other big series, Firefly, which I love. I’ve also started watching Das Boot. I watched the original series in the 80s and this new version is superb. Really recommend it. I haven’t watched a lot of films lately, but yesterday I was hankering back to the 90s and watched Grosse Point Blank which must be the best movie to come out of that decade. It stars John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Joan Cusack and Dan Aykroyd and is a superb comedy thriller. It’s one of those films you could watch again and again. John plays Martin, an assassin for hire, who returns to his home town for a job and for the high school reunion. He meets up with Minnie Driver as Debi Newberry, his ex girlfriend and the one who got away. I’m not going to say anything more about it other than: download it, buy it, watch it, it’s superb.

Before I finish up for today, I just want to wish one of my besties, Tracy, a very happy birthday on Monday. Have a great weekend and enjoy your day. 😘😘😘

Right, I’m going to go.  Stuff to do, people to see and all that. Til next time.

Dawn xxx

 

Free books and Only Murders in the Building

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

Hey, how’s it going? Hope you’ve had a good week. This week has been a bit mental for me. I’ve been super busy juggling work, home and various events. I’m writing this on Thursday night (with Extreme Couponing on the telly, I’m addicted to that programme, we can’t coupon like the Americans can here in the UK, but it’s fascinating to watch people get hundreds of dollars worth of goods for hardly anything)…anyway, where was I? Oh yes. I’m writing this tonight as it’s the first tiny bit of time I’ve had this week. To date, I have: worked every morning, come home, had lunch, worked every afternoon (on my uni assignment, social media business and script writing), took my son and picked him up from his club, met a couple of friends on Tuesday night for a drink (cola, I was working the next day), worked until after 10pm last night to finish the assignment, took my kids out for my daughter’s birthday (she’s 17 today, happy birthday E) and this weekend (weather permitting, it’s been bad this week – a storm yesterday and one due tomorrow) am hopefully seeing other friends. I’m exhausted.  Roll on Saturday morning and a lie in. Well, as long a lie in as the dogs will let me.

Ooh, before I forget, I need to say happy birthday to my dear friend Raymond. Happy birthday handsome!

Moving on. Have you signed up to my newsletter yet? That’s the place where you’ll get news about new books PLUS a whole load of freebies. The current newsletter has two free books available. Can you afford to miss out?? I think not!

Right, hard sell over, what else has been happening? Well, the aforementioned uni assignment was done comparing Ali Smith’s Hotel World and Girl Meets Boy. Can I just say that both books are amazing reads and I heartily recommend them, but I don’t want to look at either of them for a while to come. I’m shattered after writing the assignment and a tad tired of them at the moment. 😉 Of the two, Girl Meets Boy is my favourite. It’s superb.

For tv, I really recommend Only  Murders in the Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez.  It’s available on Disney+ and I started watching it because I’ve always enjoyed Steve Martin’s films, so I thought I’d give it a go. I watched the first episode and was hooked. It’s really good. It follows three residents of a New York apartment building who get together because they are hooked on true crime podcasts. Then someone is murdered in their building and they decide to investigate. It’s exciting, it’s clever, it’s funny. I loved it.

Right, I’m going to finish up now and go to bed. My dogs are starting to give me “go to bed” evil looks. They are creatures of habit and like to be in bed at the right time. 🤣🤣🤣 Til next time.

Dawnxxx

Sisters of Sin News, Wandavision and Castle

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

So, the excitement grows. The Sisters of Sin series is being launched this year 🥳🥳🥳and over the coming few weeks, I’ll put up the  links for the  pre-orders so you can be the FIRST to get the books. This is set of nine romantic thriller novels about a group of kick ass female assassins and the hot sexy men in their beds. Over the coming weeks, I’ll share information about seven authors behind the series, do cover reveals and give you more info about the books themselves…including sneak peak chapters. Watch this space for more!

 

So, how are things with you?  I’ve been busy as usual running around like a blue arsed fly trying to keep all the plates spinning. Hopefully once the books are launched, things will be a bit quieter.  I’ve been mostly doing domestic stuff, writing Envy (one of my two Sisters of Sin books) and working. I’ve also had a busy time with my degree course. I’m currently reading The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy as part of this year’s course. It’s a really great book. I’m thoroughly enjoying it, I love the way Roy writes. It’s about a family from Kerala and how tragedy in the past affects them in the future.

What else have I been doing? During the odd times I have some time, I’ve been watching telly. I finished watching Wandavision on Disney+ recently and I really enjoyed it. The first couple of episodes were odd and I wasn’t sure I liked the series. However, I stuck with it and I’m glad I did because it really took off. After that I moved on to reruns of Castle cos it’s highly enjoyable. Nothing taxing, just a good watch.

Due to the pandemic, I had to cancel a whole load of things I had planned over the festive season and as Covid is still raging here (although it’s mostly the Omicron variant which appears to be not as nasty), I’ve not managed to reschedule those yet. So, it’s been pretty boring around here. I’m desperate to meet friends for lunch or just get a change of scenery. However, I’ll need to be patient. This weekend I can’t go out anyway as I have a big uni assignment to write: 2000 words on Ali Smith’s Hotel World. I hadn’t read Smith before I did this uni course and I thoroughly enjoy her writing style and storytelling. I’ve now also read her Girl Meets Boy and it’s really good, beautifully written.

Right, I’m going to go now. Got housework to do 🥱🥱🥱 (I hate doing housework, it’s such  a bore) and my uni course work. I also want to get 2000 words of Envy done if I can. So, I’ll say adieu for now and see you soon.

Til next time

Dawnx

Exciting news about the Sisters of Sin and Christmas telly

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

Good morning from dreich and overcast Scotland. And no the pictures used in this post are not recent ones taken from the lovely scenery around about me. Unfortunately, we’ve not had any snow yet. 🙁  I love the snow. However, we’ve had a bit of rain and there was a smattering of snow on the hills overlooking Port Glasgow. Anyway, to assuage my desire for snow I’ve decided to enhance this post with pictures of it that were taken in Scotland.

Firstly, the exciting news. The Sisters of Sin books are in production and the first one is due out at the beginning of June. Woohooooo!!! I know I’ve been talking about this for two years now, but we’re ready to go. We have a core group and we’ve recently invited two guest authors to join us. I cannot wait to get this series out. Watch this space for more details!

So, how was your Christmas? Hope you had a good one. As the rest of my family were away doing other things, it was just me and my two kids, three dogs and four chickens for Christmas this year.  I spent the day watching crappy movies on telly, flicking through the numerous books I got and eating chocolate and we had stuffed chicken and veg for dinner. I much prefer chicken to turkey which is why we had that. Turkey is okay, but I much prefer the taste and texture of chicken. We had chocolate log for afters. Was a nice, quiet kind of day. On Boxing Day we just had buffet type nibbles for dinner. Easy peasy.

I’ve just realised I haven’t posted anything for quite some time and, to be honest, the reason for that is partially because I have nothing to tell you. I’ve been working and because of Covid I had to cancel several nights out I had planned. This included an ABBA tribute act, a lunch with my besties and a night out at the Barrowlands to see Goodbye Mr Mackenzie on their 30th anniversary tour.  I was not happy, I can tell you. However, I felt in the circumstances (ie the Omicron variant is running rife in Scotland) it was the best thing to do. It’s meant we couldn’t enjoy our Christmas break as much as we’d like. I had also planned to take the kids out to dinner in Glasgow. We love going to see the Christmas lights and then getting something to eat.  Sigh. Never mind. Surely this bloody pandemic will be over soon!! They say the Omicron variant isn’t as dangerous, but what it is doing is forcing people in key jobs to take ten days off work which in turn is putting pressure on the health service, police, supermarkets, their supply chains and public transport. We were already seeing the effects of the variant on public transport before Christmas. Anyway, all these events I had to cancel will be rearranged…that’s a promise!

On to books. I’ve been reading Ali Smith’s Hotel World (superb book) and Edmund Blunden’s Undertones of War (also excellent) as part of my OU course. I’d never normally read either, but this course has opened up a whole new avenue of writing for me. Ali Smith is a brilliant writer and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Hotel World. Blunden’s Undertones of War is also good, but, and maybe it’s just me being tired when I read it in bed at night, I’m having to reread the odd passage or paragraph to ensure I get the full meaning of what he’s saying.  The first read often leads me to go: what? What’s he saying here and who’s he talking about? So, I have to reread it and sometimes I get the meaning and other times I don’t so I read on. I think it might be the language and the text tends to jump about from scene to scene to scene. Anyway, I’m still enjoying it. I’d better get it finished because I’m supposed to have done that by now!

What else has been happening? Have you been watching A Very British Scandal? Watched the first one last night and was hooked.  The Duke of Argyll’s behaviour towards Margaret is really nasty, but then she’s not really a nice character either.  It’s highly addictive watching. Going to watch the next one today.

We’ve been watching all the Harry Potter films and are now halfway through the first Deathly Hallows. Such great books and really enjoyable films. My daughter is a huge fan, so talks all the way through which is annoying. However, I’m still enjoying it. As a Terry Pratchett fan, of course, I watched the Hogfather. Love that version. Mark Warren as Mr Teatime is superbly creepy.  I’ve also recorded a few Christmas films to watch, including Elf and Scrooge (the musical), although I am hankering for a bit of Muppets Christmas Carol so may dig that out the Christmas DVDs box this afternoon.

Right, I must love you and leave you. I have a couple of thousand words to write for my second book in the Sisters of Sin series, my first one having been completed already, and I have to catch up on my uni coursework which has been sadly neglected recently.

Until next time!

Dawn xxx

Koen De Bouw and Writing Tips

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

So I’m writing today feeling all mellow having spent last night in my friend’s hot tub in her back garden looking up at the stars and drinking wine. It was amazing. Magical. Thank you A for having me over to enjoy the tub. I did, however, fall in when I tried to get in which had us all laughing. Typical of me!

Anyway, how are you all? Hope you’re well and have been having a good weekend.

I’ve not a lot to talk about this week as I have been mainly writing. The Sisters of Sin series is definitely going to come out next year. We’ve set new deadlines and we are sticking to them. I’ve written one book and have a good plan of the second book. I just need to sit down and write it. My tv series script is moving forward at a faster pace now and we’ve put in some amazing plots developments. I’m so excited about it. I’ve also been writing and uploading a load of articles on to Medium and Vocal media, and have shared their links in my social media posts. However, I’ll slot them in at the and of this article if you’re interested in reading them. I hope you do. Please give me a clap on Medium and heart on Vocal if you enjoy the articles. Some are older, but I’m promoting them again.

Koen De Bouw as Professor T

Last week, I also watched the entire third series of the original (Belgium) version of Professor T and, I hate to say it, but the British version is not a patch on it. I like the British version, but the original is far quirkier and sharper. It stars Koen De Bouw as criminologist Professor Teerlinck who helps the Federal Police solve murders. It’s a comedy and highly entertaining. De Bouw is excellent as the oddbod Professor T. It’s on Channel 4 boxsets and is part of the Walter Presents series, which is also excellent. I’ve downloaded several other of those series to watch and I’ll let you know how I get on.

My Open University course started yesterday, but because I was so busy (I also met other friends for a late lunch), I’ve not started it yet.

In other news, I’m currently attempting to hatch some Silkie chicks. Not from my own girls, but fertilised eggs I bought of Ebay (you really can buy anything from Ebay). I’ve got another two weeks to go and I’ll let you know how I get on. It’s looking hopeful for two of the eggs.

Right, that’s me for this week. I’m away to make lunch and start another Walter Presents series. Til next time,

Dawn xxxx

Those links:

The tragic story behind the creation of the Morse Code https://vocal.media/fyi/the-tragic-story-behind-the-morse-code

The truth about the Battle of Hastings and how Harold really died. https://vocal.media/fyi/the-truth-about-the-battle-of-hastings

Ten of the best quotes for when you feel like giving up writing https://dawnnelson-46858.medium.com/ten-best-quotes-about-writing-3e2c07493d2b

The Chinese Pirate Queen https://vocal.media/fyi/the-chinese-pirate-queen

Ten quotes about writing https://dawnnelson-46858.medium.com/ten-best-quotes-about-writing-3e2c07493d2b

The things I’ve learned as a writer https://dawnnelson-46858.medium.com/the-things-ive-learned-as-a-writer-68d8940c99b5

Five online tools to help with your writing https://dawnnelson-46858.medium.com/five-online-tools-to-help-you-plan-your-novel-982aed39a1dd

A whirlwind three weeks, TRNSMT and living like the Amish

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

So

So, how have you been? Hope all is well with you and yours. It’s been a mad few weeks here at Nelson Towers as life opens up again in Scotland. We have all fully recovered from Covid-19, which is a relief. I have been out every weekend for the last three weekends and I loved every minute of it.

Firstly, I went to a Queen tribue night at Glasgow’s O2 theatre with three great friends. It was a band called The Bohemians and they were superb.

Secondly, I attended TRNSMT on the Saturday of the festival. TRNSMT is an annual music festival and we – me and the same friends – were supposed to go last year, but it was cancelled. My ticket was bought for my by aforementioned friends for my 50th birthday last year (thank you guys, it was bloody brilliant). Due to Covid, the festival didn’t happen until two weeks ago and it was superb. I love live music. I saw Keane, Primal Scream and Liam Gallagher to name the music acts I actually knew! 😉  I’m not a fan of Liam Gallagher or of Oasis, but he was really good. Anyway, it was brilliant, but I was shattered the next day. Totally worth it.

Last weekend (and another 50th birthday present from a different friend), I went to see Chicago at The King’s Theatre in Glasgow. What a brilliant production. I first saw the live show in London eleven years ago for my 40th and this one was for my 50th last year. It was superb. You know how your heart sings when you are somewhere you just love being? That was me watching Chicago. Thank you V for the ticket and the great company (along with J).

Okay, so this weekend, I am at home and putting my feet up. I’ve had a lot of events recently, time to have a quiet one I think.

So, what have you lot been up to? Hope you are all doing well. Unfortunately, Covid still rages on in Scotland. Cases went up when the kids went back to school in mid August, but seem to be going down again, thank goodness.

Okay, on to the important things. What have I been doing? Apart from scriptwriting (my God our script is complicated, but it’s so goooood. I really hope it gets made one day) and my social media business, I’ve been working on another Sisters of Sin book. And watching telly and reading books.

The Darling Buds of May

TV – I just love nostalgic series, so have started watching The Darling Buds of May again. I just LOVE it. It’s easy watching and well, just nice. I’ve also been watching Vigil on BBC. It’s the only BBC programme I’ve watched in a long time and it’s good. It’s quite gripping, the storyline is good, but I’m finding it hard to like the main character.  Suranne Jones is a great actress, I love her in Gentleman Jack, but I’m just not warming to her. Anyway, we have one more to go of this series to find out who the baddies are.

Books – still on my love affair with John Boyne and reading his The Thief of Time. I’ve got about three chapters left to read and am loving it. He’s a superb writer. I also recently read Living Without Electricity: Lessons from the Amish by Stephen Scott and Kenneth Pelman, which was a very enjoyable books about Stephen and his wife’s time living in an Amish-like community for 18 months. It’s not a book on how to do things, but about their experiences. Really interesting and a great read.

Right, I am currently getting pestered by a hungry elderly pug and her two doggy peers who know it’s around their dinner time. So, I must go and I will see you again very soon. Til next time.

Dawnxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two videos, The Nevers and flexing my writing fingers

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

Hi, how are you all? Hope you’re well. Today, I’ve got a couple of videos to share with you. The first is just an awkward hello from me. Here it is…

That’s my very messy study in the background. I have loads of books and loads of bookcases, those behind me are a fraction of what I’ve got. It’s a bit of an addiction I’m afraid.

The second video is a wee advert for me and my books. What do you think?

I made it on a site called Boosted by Lightricks. I had a lot of fun doing it and plan to do many more. You have been warned!

Right, so what have you been up to over the past week or so? I’ve been really busy doing a few training and business development sessions. Plus, I also set down a plan which involves getting up earlier so I can write 1500 words of my latest novel. The aim was to get up at 6am and was supposed to start today. What time did I get up at? It was 7am. I must have hit snooze several times. Sigh. Anyway, tomorrow I plant to rise earlier.

The Nevers

Have you seen the new Joss Whedon series, The Nevers? It’s showing on HBO, stars a number of well-known and not-so-well-known British actors and is very good. I was hooked from the start. Disclaimer: I should point out that I am a huge Joss Whedon fan and loved Firefly, Buffy Vampire Slayer and Angel. God love them, but the kids have been indoctrinated into Joss Whedon’s genius from very early on and are also fans of his works. Anyway, please give The Nevers a look, it’s good.

Sex in the City

Apart from that, I’ve been binge watching Sex in the City. I was an avid fan of it in the 90s and early noughties, and hadn’t seen it since it finished (apart from the two films). I’d forgotten how funny it was. I watched it and was back in my 20s again. It was heaven. I love being nostalgic and Sex in the City brought it all back. I’ve completely finished the tv series and am now going to watch the two films. I never thought they were as good, but we’ll see.

My writing

Okay, the important stuff now. My writing. I’ve done very little lately so busy am I with my social media/PR work plus I had to do my end of module assignment for my uni course. That is now finished, so I have no excuses for not writing. Flexing my writing fingers as I type.

General Life

It’s been great lately. I’ve managed to see a few friends and relatives over the last three or four weeks. It’s been such a long time since we got together, it was fantastic to just be together. Scotland is hopefully coming out of this pandemic. However, the Indian variant of Covid is on these shores, there are cases here and I’m worried we’re looking at another lockdown. Fingers crossed that isn’t the case.

Right, I am going to finish up here and say goodnight. Am away to watch more of the The Nevers. Till next time.

Dawnxx

 

Jeezo! I haven’t sat still

/ darkislethebooks / Leave a comment

Well, it’s been a crazy kind of time in Nelson Towers lately. Since we’ve been easing out of lockdown in Scotland, my social life has rocketed. I’ve been able to see family (in the garden and in unseasonably warm weather, thank goodness) and friends. The friends part was last weekend when I went for a drink round to our local pub with my friend from next door and a couple of others. Then on Sunday, I joined two others for a socially distanced lunch in La Lanterna (great food btw) in the west-end of Glasgow and had a Zoom call that night with two women I’ve known since school (one I’ve known since I was four, the other since I was about 13).  It was busy, it was mad, but it was great. It killed me that I couldn’t hug anyone, but it was still so nice to actually be around people again.

So how’s your week been? What have you been up to? Are you guys finally getting back some normality in your lives? I hope so. Terrible news about India. My heart goes out to them. I’m afraid we’ll continue to see people dying from Coronavirus for some time yet.

Line of Duty

Anyway, let us move on to better things. Firstly, what was that last episode of Line of Duty all about? It just all felt so flat. I was one of the many disappointed fans. I can get that they were trying something different, but I don’t think it worked. Never mind, the rest of the series were amazing.

I also watched Shadow and Bone. I ‘ve never read the books, they are aimed at children (although that never puts me off, some children’s novels are amazing) and they were brought out well after I completed my childhood! 🙂 However, I did watch the series on Netflix and really enjoyed it. The first episode was a little meh for me, but I stuck with it and am glad I did. Ben Barnes (who as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia) is still gorgeous and did a great job, as did the rest of the cast. I don’t want to go into it too much as I don’t want to spoil anything, but it is good.

Talking of good, anyone know when Carnival Row’s second series is coming out? I’ve now watched it about five times (something I rarely do) and I just love it.

Some of the cast from Shameless series 1.

Other tv I’ve been watching includes the UK (and better version) version of Shameless. I’m coming close the the end. There are 11 series and I’m halfway through series 10, and I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s funny, quirky, dirty and a damned good watch.

Reading – currently on my bed stand is still Babylon Berlin by Volker Kutscher. It is similar but different to the tv series (pictured), but very very good. I am halfway through it and thoroughly enjoying it.

What else have I been up to? Well, I’m continuing to write the script and I currently have a novel with beta readers. I’m a bit nervous about the latter, I really hope they enjoy it. Won’t be long till they’re back with their comments. Gulp. No matter how many books I write or how long I do this, I’m still worried that no-one will like my books. It’s the curse of the writer, I’m afraid!

Right, that’s me for this week. I’m actually focussing this entire week on my end of module assignment for my uni degree. But I’ve taken a break and snuck out to chat to you for a bit. Back to the grind.

Til next time,

Dawn xx