Anita Birt's Note Book and other ramblings

My publisher surprised me. My two ISABELLE stories have been combined in one book. I think it's a fabulous idea and it does work.

The historical - Isabelle's story is set in and around Llandrindod Wells in Wales. I mentioned that in my last blog. 1895 - 1900. Isabelle lives with her parents and brother. Her father makes all the family decisions, reads all the mail no matter to whom it's addressed, he makes decisions about Isabelle's future without consulting her. It's the wish of her parents that she marry but Isabelle isn't in hurry until her parents try to foist a young clergyman on her. She detests him.

She accidentally meets a titled young man visiting the town where his mother and grandmother are "taking the waters" at the Spa.  It's the beginning of a love story with tragic overtones. A page turner. A love story.

Isabelle's Diary - a contemporary romance. Sally Carter is on a walking holiday in Wales and stops in a cafe in Llandrindod Wells for a morning coffee. When she sees a young girl dressed in black weeping over the pages of a  a diary Sally is compelled to offer help. When the girl disappears Sally tries to trace her without success. But ...

There's a wonderful love story when Sally asks for help from a handsome Welsh historian.

Isabelle's Diary has twists and turns. A page turner until the last few pages when ...

Buy ISABELLE from Amazon.com, Amazon.ca. If you live in the States, my book is available in your favorite book store. My publisher does not market in Canada or the UK.  Order from my publisher, Ellora'scave.com as well.

Two great reads in one volume. What could be better?

Anita
My web site is still in transition.

Anita Birt's Note Book and other musings

About the re-issue of my e-published book, Isabelle in trade paper back, as ISABELLE with a gorgeous new cover. Price is interesting. On the Ellorascave.com web site my book is priced at $18.99 . On Amazon.com the price is $14.27 There's a war of words and perhaps legal action pending against Amazon's pricing. They are taking away the profit from the publisher who promotes and publishes the books. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there. Not pleasant.

My publisher is sending me author's copies of my book. I want to hold the book in my hot little hands and admire the cover.

In the meantime, I have started writing another book. A whole scene suddenly appeared inside my head. What to do? Ignore it. It didn't want to disappear so I have kick started a book. This takes place in a care home for people suffering from dementia and/or Alzheimers. Not a pretty picture but my character is not suffering from dementia. Why is she there?

That's all to report this Sunday. I am awaiting the birth of my first great grand child in  England. The baby is due any minute now. My son and daughter-in-law are eagerly awaiting their first grand child. So much excitement.

Do order ISABELLE and enjoy a historical romance, 1895-1900. The setting is in and around the town of Llandrindod Wells, in Wales.

I'll let you know when my new web site is up and running. My web mistress wants me on Face Book to promote my books.

Anita

Anita Birt's Note Book

I should be used to it by now but having one of my e-books now available in trade paper back is always a thrill, especially ISABELLE  with the lovely new cover. I hope I will never get to the point in my life where I ignore a "thrill" and miss the pleasure of anticipating something new.

My mystery novel, A GHOST WRITER MYSTERY is still in the hands of my editor, whom I am paying, to give my book a professional touch.

When I wrote my romance novels for Ellorascave.com they provided the editor. She lived in Australia. We did all the work via the Internet. It worked out well and my books all had excellent reviews.

I received my royalty cheque yesterday from Ellorascave.com. My historical romance, A VERY DIFFICULT MAN, sells better than my other books. If you haven't read it, try it as an e-book or in trade paper. My royalty is better when you purchase it in trade paper.

Do try my other books. ISABELLE'S DIARY, only available as an e-book. Read it before buying ISABELLE (You are buying it, are you not? Makes a wonderful Christmas or birthday gift for a woman who enjoys a good read. It's a historical romance.)

RING AROUND THE MOON - a time travel with a difference. He comes from the past to the present time. It's set in magical Cornwall where the unexpected can happen. Dip your writing toes in my book and enjoy the journey.

TOO YOUNG TO DIE - a contemporary murder/mystery where my courageous heroine, in order to escape from a man with rape and murder on his mind, has to save herself and the three month old baby she is caring for by heading into the  Cascade mountain forest at midnight.  Bears. Cougars. Lynx. Who knows what lurks in the trees? Enjoy my book as an e-book or in print.

ISABELLE is now available in trade paper back. Cost. $18.99
Save your pennies. Buy a copy for a woman who enjoys a page turning historical romance. It almost didn't have a happy ending. Came close though.

Anita Birt

Anita Birt's Note Book and other ramblings

I think Ellora's Cave must have the price wrong for my historical romance, ISABELLE. Who is going to pay $18.99 for my book? USA dollars makes it even more expensive for Canadian buyers. The price is way out of range for romance novels.

Go have a look at the cover. See it at, www.ellora'scave.com  Type in ISABELLE in the search box.

My web mistress (sounds like a spider at work!) is reconfiguring my web. Change of colour. Scene changes. She might put in a swan since it was seeing a swan swimming in the sea and writing;
THE MISADVENTURE OF TILLIE,  A SWAN, that I found my writing voice.

I have done no writing to-day. Had an appointment to see my doctor. Unusual for her, she was running late. Made me late getting home and by that time my energy level had dropped. I also walked over 1000 metres in the morning. Can't do everything.

The Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield has written a book titled, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. Worth a read. He spent six months commanding the space vehicle (can't think of its name) He played guitar and sang. Entertained classrooms of kids. Inspired we on earth to live well, think well and do well.

That's all my ramblings for tonight. I have to send e-mails to family, friends and various hangers on to buy ISABELLE and make me smile.

Anita Birt

Anita Birt/s Note book and breaking news

The news is not about my mystery novel. I have just discovered my publisher Ellora's Cave has taken my historical novel, Isabelle's Story, renamed it Isabelle, created a beautiful cover but. . .
My name is misspelled on the cover. Sigh.

The book is just on the market so the name can be changed. It's listed under my name but my last name is wrong on the cover. It's in trade paper back listed at over sixteen dollars. Will it sell?
That's my news for to-day.

My new story is coming along slowly. The story is writing itself, so to speak. I await what happens next.

If you are anxious to look at the cover of Isabelle. Go to www.ellora's cave.com, search for Isabelle and it should pop up. The cover is really pretty.

Anita
Web site in transition

Anita Birt's Note book and earnest remarks

I made up the bit about "earnest remarks," because I don't have any. As I mentioned in a previous blog, unread, of course, I am at loose ends, having finished my very first mystery novel. What to do? 
A scene came into my head. A woman in a care facility of some kind had a craving for a piece of apple pie with a small chunk of aged cheddar cheese.  She  pushed a call button on the arm of her chair. An Aid dressed in white knocked on the door and entered. Aid's name is Martha.  The name of my character is Lorna Ritchie. 

The vague smile on the Aid's face is one Lorna has seen many times before. A pity for the demented patients in the facility but she dislikes the  look of disgust that she has to deal with women who are not "all there."

Lorna is certainly not demented and knows it. She is incarcerated against her will. She pushes the limits. "I want a piece of apple pie with a chunk of old cheddar cheese to go with it."

"But it's tea time, Mrs. Richie. We don't have apple pie. We have small cakes, cookies and crackers with cheese." "Crappy cheese," snaps Lorna."

This is a strange start to a story. I have no idea where it's going. I shall follow it and see what happens.

In the meantime. Continue to purchase my romance novels. A VERY DIFFICULT MAN,

 ISABELLE'S DIARY,  ISABELLE'S STORY,  RING AROUND THE MOON,

TOO YOUNG TO DIE. Sometime in the future I'll be urging you to purchase my mystery novel. Stay tuned.

Anita
My web site is in transition

Anita Birt's Note Book and various trivia

I have finished editing my mystery novel and await to hear from the professional editor who will read and comment and make suggestions.  In the meantime, what am I to do? I've been busy writing day after day I'm feeling a bit lost without something to do.

I have an idea or two. A novella appeals to me. I don't want to tackle another full length novel. My Ghost Writer Mystery came in at 85,000 words. Not a long book but I'm not as young as I used to be and something short appeals to me.

I might add another adventure to Tilly. Remember her. "The Misadventure of Tilly, a Swan." Or pick another animal, like a little goat or little donkey.

Anyone wanting a copy of The Misadventure of Tilly, a Swan, leave your e-mail address in the comment section below. I cross my heart never to keep your address on file.

Big article in the newspaper about the making of a hamburger in a lab from a cow's stem cells is yucky. No thanks. Too freaky for me.

I shall return. It's time for lunch.

Anita
My web site is being changed, refreshed and intriguing. Stay tuned.

Anita Birt's Note Book and things of interest

On my July 4th blog I mentioned my daugher-in-law's father's Al Smith whose aircraft had been shot down over France on July 4, 1944. The crew all survived thanks to the French farmers who sheltered them before someone in the network betrayed them to the Gestapo. Al, his crew and other captured airmen were thrown in Buchenvald concentration  camp.

Al was in the RCAF, 419 Moose Squadron. Their motto was Fear The Moose.

He and the others who were shot down in flames, eventually walked out of the camp  (Russians were coming and he German guards ran away) The men walked to the Baltic Sea, Al weighed 90 lbs when he was rescued.

The men who survived and escaped were awarded the Caterpillar Pin. A much prized pin. Al was 92 when he passed away. Not many survivors left to tell the tale.

As he floated down that night he saw Chartres cathedral.

As for me. I am progressing with editing of my book. Adding bits, taking out bits. I like my story whether a publisher will is a moot point. Great Summer weather. Great for walking by the sea where there is always a cool breeze.

Leave a comment if you feel like it.

Anita Birt