Milo… growing up!

You will probably remember Milo. That adorable marmalade and white kitten who arrived unexpectedly just before Christmas?

Turned out to be a bit of a monster. Still adorable, of course. Very affectionate and all that, but still a monster.

There are times when we wonder if there can be such a thing as a cat with schizophrenia, as he does seem to have a split personality. He can leap from docile to demonic in seconds, and his temper has to be seen to be believed. He also has one hell of an appetite and has grown so much with no sign of stopping.

Milo had been desperate to go out for ages but had to wait until he was vaccinated and chipped. When we finally unlocked the cat flap, we thought he would sail through it, more than ready to explore. He had spent enough time looking out of windows, so his reluctance seemed odd.

We tried everything. We put his toys outside where he could see them. This didn’t work. He followed me everywhere, always hoping for food, so I went outside, expecting him to follow. Not a chance. Maybe he knew there was no food out there?

After a while, we gave him a little shove. We were getting a little desperate by then, as he still wanted to go out, but only if we opened the door.

He liked being outside, although he didn’t venture very far. When he had enough, he shot back through the flap like a bullet! To this day, he won’t go out through the flap but always comes back that way.

See what we mean? Milo is a very crazy cat. His temper is worrying us, though.

We first began to notice it in the mornings after our number one son leaves for work. Milo runs around the house like a ninja on speed, wrecking anything that gets in his way. We learned the hard way not to interfere or offer any condolences, to simply wait until he calmed down. I was badly bitten just by offering to console him, which hurt my pride somewhat.

His favourite pastime is trying to rip the roller blinds in the living room down. He can jump to reach the chains but also hangs on the bottom, managing to drag all the material from the roller. All carpets are his scratch pad, despite spraying them with a multitude of deterrents.

So you see, life with Milo is certainly different and not what we are used to. Well, mostly. When he is asleep or affectionate, he is lovely…

Birthday Customs…

Image from Pixabay.com

Yesterday was my 79th birthday, and I thought it arrived much quicker than usual. Time is whizzing past us now, and getting anything done gets more challenging every day.

We are so far behind on almost every front and have accepted that we can never really catch up, so new ways of adjusting to the workload must be found.

The small voice at the back of my head insists that we should be grateful to be capable of doing anything these days.

That is right, but that doesn’t make it acceptable.

Back to the birthday.

In our house, we have a custom on birthdays. We must only do the things we wouldn’t mind repeating for the rest of the year. This is much harder to implement than you think, but we still try.

Ignoring the housework comes easy, something I have been practising for ages. LOL…

No arguments, angry words or sticky, frustrating situations.

The diet can take a walk; this is your day.

Be your best, shower, wash your hair, and wear your best clothes. It is just for one day, after all…

I had to use the computer to ensure its presence for the rest of the year but limited myself to the basics. On the same theory, I spent an hour with the WIP, adding spice to the outline.

Next was the family visitation, birthday cake, cards and happy conversation…

Weatherwise, it was a brilliant day. The sun was welcoming, so a little gardening was necessary. Nothing drastic, just a little planting and tidying up.

My day had turned out quite well, I thought. These are just two instances that tried to upset the apple cart.

On the phone with an absent family member, I described my day and the lovely pink birthday cake. I was instantly corrected by one and all, saying the cake was blue. The senility angle reared its ugly head along with my hackles. I tried not to mind; these things often happen when you get to my age.

Later, while gardening, rather than asking for help, I lifted a far too heavy rock and carried it some distance. Not something I care to repeat, so that was silly.

I managed to reverse the first of these instances.

The remains of the cake were in the kitchen cupboard, and I desperately wanted to look. But what if it was blue? How would that make me feel?

Eventually, I did look, and it was pink.

I will remember the red faces of my family when I showed them the cake. Very gratifying!

WIP Wednesday… To Write… continued

True to my word in last week’s POST, I turned off the computer yesterday and moved to my writing chair. I opened the current WIP folder and spread the contents out on the desk. There were six chapters and quite a lot of notes and research material.

If I thought I could simply start writing a new chapter, I soon realised how foolish that was. I had to climb back into the story to get my bearings first.

This story, with the working title of The Mystery of Folly’s End, is about two sisters, Charlotte and Angela. They have been estranged for years and living very different lives, but when tragedy strikes, Angela seeks her older sister’s help.

I had opened the story with Charlotte, Charly to her friends, and those chapters seemed fine. The trouble arrived when I realised that I didn’t know her sister very well, if at all. Most stories have just one protagonist, but I envisioned Folly’s End as having two. I wanted both sisters to rule over this one, so both characters must cut the mustard if you know what I mean.

Despite countless distractions from visitors and some unwanted help from Milo, I spent most of the afternoon reading those six chapters and making more notes along the way before coming to the conclusion that I must complete far more detailed profiles for both sisters.

Despite the shaky start this year, I love this story already. I am so glad to be back in the saddle again…

Dark Highland Skies ~ (Lizzie’s Scottish Romances)Dark Highland Skies ~ #Scottish Historical Romance #Review @lizzie_lamb

Astrophysicist Halley Dunbar has spent her career searching for the one-in-a-billion exoplanet outside our solar system capable of sustaining life. Required to travel to Lochaber, Scotland to arrange her great-uncle’s funeral, she leaves the world she knows behind and encounters people who make her realise there’s more to life than searching for something that might not exist.

Laird’s son, Tor Strachan rocks up, and she discovers the one man capable of making her happy. However, there are obstacles in the way, and it becomes clear that Afghan veteran Tor must confront his demons before he can be the man Halley deserves. As for Halley, she has secrets of her own; ones she can’t share with anyone – not even Tor.

A good man is hard to find.

Early Reviews for Dark Highland Skies

“I knew by the end of Chapter One that Halley Dunbar was another of Lizzie Lamb’s fabulous heroines who was going to make me laugh out loud, root for her all the way and feel every emotion going. Lizzie’s portrayal of Scotland and all things Scottish, from the landscape to the mannerisms and customs is outstanding. Janet Brigden

Another unputdownable Highland tale from the Queen of Scottish contemporary romance – 5 Stars
When Halley Dunbar returns to the Highlands of Scotland to say her final farewells to her beloved uncle, memories, past prejudices, and strong emotions are reawakened − despite her determination to stay grounded in the present and focused on her future. Adrienne Vaughan

“I love Lizzie Lamb’s novels. You can guarantee there will be not only a handsome kilted hero, but also a feisty heroine. There is also a certainty that they will be surrounded by a great supporting cast (some you’ll love, others you won’t) and, of course, stunning Scottish countryside. Highly recommended.” Jo Lambert

Our Review

From the very first page, I wondered why a dedicated astrophysicist would travel thousands of miles, leaving Hawaii for a man she hasn’t seen for twenty years?

Or was something else calling her?

I visited Scotland when I was a child and looked forward to experiencing more of the Scottish way of life. The glorious descriptions in Dark Highland Skies took me back there in no time at all. This was when I made a mental note to read more of Lizzie’s stories!

It is always interesting to see and feel the growth of a relationship first-hand. Judging their progress and their failings.

We judge them against some internal chart. None of us is an expert in romantic endeavours, but we always have an opinion, don’t we?

I enjoyed the way both characters show their true feelings, not always to each other, but at least we knew what was going on. This is one of the best romances I have ever read, as the electricity between Tor and Halley was brilliantly captivating.

But how can their romance come to anything if they prefer to live at opposite ends of the world?

Lizzie Lamb

Hi, I’m Lizzie and I like writing about the ‘moment’ when the hero and the heroine fall in love. That, and trying to track down the all-elusive hero-in-a-kilt, is what gets me in front of the computer each morning. Since 2012 I’ve published six novels: Tall, Dark and Kilted, Boot Camp Bride, Scotch on the Rocks, Girl in the Castle, Take Me, I’m Yours and Harper’s Highland Fling. My latest novel, Dark Highland Skies is due to publish February 2023 and I’ve loved writing it. I organise the Leicester Chapter of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and present workshops on indie publishing to new writers. My feel good/uplit novels would be very happy to sit alongside Jilly Cooper, Jenny Colgan, Jill Mansell and Carole Matthews on your bookshelf.

I love writing because it’s given me the chance to celebrate everything I love about my homeland – Scotland, and to share those feelings with my readers. When I’m not writing, I spend summer with my husband touring Scotland in our caravan researching my next novel and avoiding the midges.

Slainte Mhath.

A Little Unexpected…

Image by AVAKA photo from Pixabay 

Just when my keep busy campaign was working well and I hadn’t had a single negative or worrying thought about my upcoming hospital test, life decided to throw a curve ball at us.

Anita’s health has settled down a lot over the last year. The medications were all doing their job, and although she would love a little more energy, there were no worrying elements. That has been my department since last summer.

The latest round of routine blood tests revealed that Anita had developed diabetes, either 1 or 2, and the jury is still out on which, also a worrying rise in her thyroid problem. Two new medications were prescribed.

We were suitably impressed by the efficiency and speed in all of this but utterly unaware of what was to come.

Two days later, Anita’s health started to deteriorate. She felt ill and looked terrible. It had to be the new meds, but which one?

She decided to stop taking the one for diabetes. An easy choice, as this was a huge tablet. Another two days later, Anita felt worse and could barely move, so presumably, we had chosen the wrong med to stop. At that point, my sister wanted to put all her meds in the bin, and I couldn’t blame her.

Yesterday, she didn’t take the levothyroxine, and by the end of the day, she felt better, almost back to her usual crazy, happy self.

We will test the other med before presenting the facts to our doctor.

So, just when I needed to stop thinking about all things medical, I wished my symptoms would vanish overnight, as this was not a good time for me to be out of action…

Letting Go… The Defiant Sisters Duet- Book1 #Family Life Fiction @JacqBiggar

A coming-of-age novel about the pain of misconceptions and learning from them.

When life gives you lemons…


Izzy

Mom is barely in the grave and the prodigal child is here to pick the bones clean.

I don’t want her here. My sister’s defection is a wound that won’t heal, and her return simply rubs at the scabs covering my heart.

I’ve managed just fine without her. She can go back to her fancy college and forget about us- that’s what she does best anyway.

If only I didn’t need her help. Or miss her so much.

Renee

The day my dad committed suicide I ran. I’ve been running ever since.

Going home is supposed to be the answer. Instead, it makes me question every thoughtless decision I’ve made.

My sister hates me. My little brother barely knows me. And Simon… is engaged.

None of it matters- or so I tell myself. I’m here to make amends and face a past haunted by regret.

As long as I can convince myself to stay.

Letting Go is a young adult romance dealing with tragedy, restitution, and love in all its aspects. The story relates to sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers.

Jacquie Biggar

Jacquie Biggar is a USA Today bestselling author of romance who loves to write about tough, alpha males and strong, contemporary women willing to show their men that true power comes from love. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!

In her own words:

“My name is Jacquie Biggar. When I’m not acting like a total klutz, I am a wife, mother of one, grandmother, and a butler to my calico cat.

My guilty pleasure are reality tv shows like Amazing Race and The Voice. I can be found every Monday night in my armchair plastered to the television laughing at Blake’s shenanigans.

I love to hang at the beach with DH (darling hubby) taking pictures or reading romance novels (what else?).

I have a slight Tim Hortons obsession, enjoy gardening, everything pink and talking to my friends.”

http://jacqbiggar.com

http://Facebook.com/jacqbiggar

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/84…

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jacquie-…

https://www.audible.com/author/Jacquie-B…

http://instagram.com/jacqbiggar

Newsletter-

http://www.subscribepage.com/jacqbiggar

Our Review

As a sister myself, I wondered which character would get my sympathy. It was really interesting to see both sides of the story and know what either sister was thinking and feeling. I can think of times in my relationship when this would have been so helpful and enlightening.

I couldn’t put this book down. The fast-paced tension had me breathless as the wonderfully complex characters worked together to create one of the best emotionally charged and magical stories I have ever read!

Seek, and you will find?

Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay 

I was looking for inspiration this morning. Something, anything to get my tired old brain working properly again.

Image by Dave Boardman from Pixabay 

This beautiful face reminds me of a ghost from 60 years ago, a treasured childhood companion.

She later returned as my muse when I needed a friend, to help me through a time of confusion and worry. Seeing this picture brought back so many different memories, and I wondered if this could be a message to help me now. I can already feel her calming presence starting to work its magic.

I have been trying to stay calm and optimistic, but it has been so hard. Maybe she will stay with me for a while until I am back on track again…