Thursday, August 21, 2014

Helen Hollick - A Lady with Tuxedos and Hats

Helen Hollick 

is the 

Author of the rollicking

Sea Witch Voyages

(and many other novels too numerous to picture here).











Helen favors black and white only when it comes to her animals.


Here we have her black-and-white tuxedo-clad pets.

Kitty Mab 




and Labrador/Collie Baz











And then, there is Sybil who eschews a traditional tux in favor of a more free-style design.





Confidentially, I have been told there are more animals on the loose around the barnyard, including four horses, several chickens, and ducks.




 And let's not forget the white goose.





When it comes to her novels, however, Helen traverses easily through the colors of the rainbow.

Her kings and queens (British, of course), pirates, damsels, and old ships sail the high seas in the 18th Century when a lady was a lady (at least, in public) and a boy became a man quickly, or died trying.

Check out her many interesting novels:

No one evokes the old saying “Give a busy person a task and it will be done” more than Helen. Not only a prolific author, she is also the Managing Editor of the Historical Novel Society’s Indie Reviews: 
http://historicalnovelsociety.org/

As such, she has become a great champion of the Indie. Throughout the year, she accepts submissions, collates them, and sends them out to be reviewed by her UK team. In the US, her colleague Steve Donoghue does the same.  (I was fortunate enough to have my KHAMSIN not only reviewed by him, but chosen as his Editor’s Choice for that month)
http://tinyurl.com/l5zehvx

This year, Helen brought to life and organized the judging of the First Indie Award at the Society’s London Conference. It was something she had to fight for as the conference organizers wanted to stick with trad-published books.

It takes really dedicated people to choose, read, and select the best from among hundreds of the outstanding offerings. Eight novels wound up on the short list. From those, four finalists were chosen. (Khamsin was NOT among those, although it did make the original shortlist of eight out of quite a few books, I was consoled. Still, it is something I am proud of and thankful for.)

Did Helen swipe us four aside like pesky has-beens? Certainly not. On the contrary. She graciously featured each of us among the four finalists on her blog. This will give especially the four of us who didn’t make it into the finals added exposure (being somewhat on the prissy side, that’s one type I don’t blush about one bit).

I am not just happy to feature another interesting novelist, animal lover (and let’s not forget fearless wearer of great hats), but this is my way of a much too small Thank You to a tireless champion of the Indie Author.

Thank you, Helen, as well as your team members of intrepid reviewers.

We Indies appreciate you all


Be sure to read more about Helen and her books on her website and connect with her through her social sites:

Website: www.helenhollick.net
Main Blog: www.ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com
Leaning on the Gate – Devon Diary: www.leaningonthegate.blogspot.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenHollickAuthor
Twitter: @HelenHollick
Newsletter : www.h2unews.blogspot.co.uk


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Pasha - A Name by any other Cat

Sometimes - okay, regularly - I browse the Internet for cat pictures/videos. Why? Boredom (unlikely), Inspiration (it helps to get the imagination flowing), and simply Love for that mysterious, mischievous, oft-maligned creature, The Cat.




When I adopted "Cody" from the shelter, I wanted to bestow upon him a name to reflect his regal bearing. PASHA seemed to fit and he subsequently made good use of it, demanding deference and adoration. I was quite proud of myself to come up with it, too.

Lo and behold, just the other day, among my browsing, not only did I come across another cat named Pasha, but a Red-and-White Maine Coon: 
http://cats.about.com/od/breedpictures/ig/MaineCoonPictureGallery/MaineCoonCatPasha.htm
Check it out; there are some wonderful scenes of the breed, lounging, sleeping, stretching--you get the picture.

I guess, my name for my "best cat ever" wasn't so far-fetched after all.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Celebrating Being a Lady (again)

After all the yard work in the hot weather, or being cooped up in the house writing, blogging, tweeting -- all that nonsense we call being productive, I wanted to feel like a lady again.


So, I celebrated ... went shoe-shopping in 'the big town.' 

I tell you, there isn't anything else (well, almost nothing else) that will lift a gal's spirit higher than a beautiful pair of Italian pumps, wearing pearls and drinking Champagne.







Anyway, I love my new shoes. And so does Pasha. So there!


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

A Celebration with Author Brian Braden

TEARS OF THE DEAD,

the exciting  sequel to BLACK SEA GODS,

by Brian Braden,

debuts August 8th


Brian Braden is hosting a Facebook debut party, with dozens of authors and several businesses giving away over 100 e-books, paperbacks and audio books. Joining the event gives you a chance to win.

The winning starts August 7th 

and continues through August 9th.


I will be giving away a print copy of SIROCCO, Storm over Land and Sea, 
Book 2 of the Legends of the Winged Scarab (US/Canada/UK only).


For Details see my other blog: http://devilwinds.blogspot.com/