10 Good Things in 2014

1. 5* reviews on www.amazon.com and www.amazon.co.uk of my historical novels, Tangled Love, False Pretences, Sunday's Child and Far Beyond Rubies.

2. Signing the contract for my historical novel The Captain and The Countess with MuseItUp Publishing.

3. Attending The Festival of Romance in Bedford.

4. Two of my grandchildren doing really well at their secondary schools.

5. My niece making a full recovery from a death-threatening illness.

6. A holiday in beautiful Woolacombe Bay in Devonshire with my daughter and her children.

7. Bumper crops of apples, pears and plums in my organic garden, plus lots of delicious soft fruit, herbs and vegetables.

8. Visits to places of historical interest.

9. Very happy extended Christmas season with my large family.

10 The love and support from my family throughout the year.

Festival of Romance

I've decided to leave earlier than necessary for The Festival of Romance to give myself a little time to have a look around Bedford. Amongst other things I want to visit the Higgins Museum.

I'm a little nervous as the paperback copies of Far Beyond Rubies haven't arrived, and I'm wondering if people will stop at my book table to help themselves to postcards featuring the jacket covers of my books and to some nibbles.

Once I'm part of the festival I know I shall enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones so I am looking forward to it.

I shall post about the events next week.

Festival of Romance

Tomorrow, I shall attend the Festival of Romance in Bedford. For details or to buy last minute tickets visit www.festivalofromance.co.uk.

Everything I plan to take with me is lined up on the beds in the spare room. Later on this morning I shall pack my bags. Hopefully, I have not forgotten anything I shall need.

I'm really looking forward to meeting friends, making new friends and acquaintances and the opportunity to meet members of the public who enjoy reading.

Kitchen Sink Drama etc. Continued.

When the carpenter turned up at 8 a.m. yesterday, I had emptied the cupboard under the sink and the work surfaces. The new cupboard did not match the other ones. He called out his supervisor who measured up and said all the cupboards and worktops need to be replaced. I also need to have parts of the walls re-tiled and the area behind the oven tiled. Hopefully the work will be completed in a fortnight. Deep, deep sigh! Since August, while waiting for the wall under the sink to dry, the kitchen has been in chaos. Anyway, at least the plumber came and re-connected the water.

 

As for the etc. I sorted out the postcards illustrated with the cover of my novel Far Beyond Rubies - they should arrive today. However, the copies of the novel have not yet arrived from my publisher and there are only 2 and a 1/4 days to go before I leave for the Festival of Romance.

 

Another problem has been solved. Thank goodness, the mechanic from the AA sorted out my car. Hopefully, I shall reach Bedford and return home without incident.

 

In spite of all the upheaval I managed to write and keep up with writerly activities, but, today, I need time out so my daughter and I are going to swim and visit the health suite at the local sports centre and enjoy the Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

A Trying Day

On some days it would be better to pull the duvet over my head to shut out the world , which involved many phone calls before the plasterer and the plumber came in the afternoon. While waiting for them I wanted to track missing postcards for my book table at the Festival of Romance. The order number is in an e-mail. When I tried to log on my isp was down in my area. Connection was not restored until 5 p.m. by which time it was too late to phone about my order.

 

With no water in the kitchen, I decided to dine out and then attend Watford Writers to cheer myself up. Guess what! My car wouldn't start. The battery is flat. Somewhat later I did go to bed and pull the duvet over my head.

 

Sometimes it is hard to be philosophical, but today is another day. Hopefully, the carpenter and plumber will be on time, I'll arrange for the postcards to be sent, and call the AA to sort out the car.

Blood Pressure Rising

My blood pressure must be soaring.

There's a long drawn out saga about my kitchen . The wall under the kitchen sink was wet. The kitchen cabinet had to be removed. The wall was treated and for months the contractor has been waiting for it to dry out. For the fourth time I emptied the kitchen and was ready for the plasterer at 8 a.m. At 9.30 a.m. I phoned to see why he had not arrived. He had not finished yesterday's job and could not start the work at my house but the work would be started on the 7th. I nearly exploded. Instead I said that I do have a personal life and the 7th is inconvenient. (I shall attend the Festival of Romance although I did not tell her that.). The person I spoke to said she would phone back in an hour to let me know what was happening. She has not and I daresay the saga will be long drawn out.
Sympathy please.

Indian Costume Jewellery

I bought a beautiful matching set comprising a necklace, earrings and a ring as well as eight bangles to wear at a special event at the Festival of Romance, where I shall wear a sari. The fancy dress is appropriate for the theme of my novel Far Beyond Rubies.

Dream World

Before I attended the Festival of Romance I was taking antibiotics. After I returned I was unwell and consulted my doctor, with the result that I am now taking very strong antibiotics. However, whether as a result of them or not I experience an amazing dream last night. As a rule I don't remember more than snatches of my dreams but I remember the emotion, the event and the glorious technicolour of this one.

For a long time I have been toying with the idea for writing a children's fantasy novel but couldn't imagine a portal into another world. Well, I experienced the portal. In my dream I passed through it into a parallel world.

Whether or not I will have time to write the novel is questionable, but I shall try because the concept intrigues me.

The Festival of Romance

I've returned from The Festival of Romance. I congratulate Kate Allan who organised it. Altough I was short listed my novel Tangled Love did not win the award, but I'm pleased to have been on that list. I met lots of interesting people and made some contacts which might be useful.

Rosemary Morris' Novel Short Listed

I am delighted to announce that my novel, Tangled Love, set in Queen Anne's reign, 1714-1714. The results will be announced on the 17th November at the Romance of Festival's gala ball in Bedford.


Tangled Love is available from:

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/

Amazon Kindle and elsewhere