Wednesday, December 16, 2015

ANITA BIRT - STORY TELLER

Was anyone curious about my last post, "Astrologer & Love Psychic."where he mentioned "jadoo." and 'Vodoo." If you were afflicted he could get rid of them forever.

So I Googled "jadoo," and "voodoo." My goodness if, by chance, you have been bewitched with either then you look after your mental health. They are dangerous beliefs!!! For the believers.

I'll let you look after both and read about these strange beliefs.  Seems they are real to a lot of people and can cause serious damage to them! I now understand they the advertisement continues to appear.

My question, who believes in either "jadoo," or "voodoo," in this day and age of computers, internet, cloud coverage and much more of which I know a little.  Both play with people's minds, analyze dreams, evil thoughts - of course, behind it all someone is making money "providing protection."

Enough of that. We've had three whole days without rain or raging storms. Such a relief.  I wrote a letter to family and friends to tell them what I've been doing with myself. I am the oldest person in the family and they are interested in what I'm doing to stay alive and well.

It's a genetic thing. My grandmother and my mother lived long lives. My grandmother died at 87, my mother at almost 100. It's a Scottish characteristic! Tough women who are interested in staying alive even when one or two of them make lives miserable for their children. Yes they do! I've been there.

Does anyone have the slightest interest in know what it's  like to be OLD? If so, comment or I won't tell you..

My book, "Lady Mary and Murder in the Canal Boat," has passed 50,000 words. It's meant to be a short book, part of a series. I'll wind it up soon and then the hard work begins, printing and revising. I need a new printer! I like the characters in my book. Most of them live ordinary lives in an English village - until!

Please buy my books: A VERY DIFFICULT MAN.  ISABELLE'S DIARY. ISABELLE'S STORY.. RING AROUND THE MOON.  TOO YOUNG TO DIE. And my e-book THE GHOST WRITER MYSTERY. All my books are available as e-books.

www.anitabirt.com







Wednesday, December 9, 2015

ANTA BIRT - STORY TELLER

Another day of wild weather. Gale fore winds, pouring rain and white caps on the sea. I intended to go out but feared I'd be blown away. I've had wind shift me sideways so I stay home until I see or hear the all clear. Being blown into the sea!

I have to share an advertisement that appears once a week on the back page of the National Post, business section. Here it is: ATROLOGER & LOVE PSYCHIC (I won't quote the local telephone number)

Pandit: SAI GURU. Love, Husband-wife, relationships. Health, Marriage, Depression, Secret Matters, Teenage Issues. Jealousy, etc. Removes Black Magic, Jadoo, Vodoo. Witchcraft and provides 100% Protection

There you have it. Supposed to last a lifetime. Two other adds offering similar healing appear. I had no idea that Black Magic, Jadoo, Vodoo and Witchcraft were  problemsat the present time. Any comments on this issue. I am fascinated.

Back to Christmas Magic. I decorated my small apartment this morning and am pleased to see all the old Christmas decorations from years gone by giving me pleasure. Each piece has a story. That feels like a story coming on. Something magical for a child to enjoy. I shall set my mind at work and will let your know if a story ensues.

In the meantime: buy my romance novels all available as e-books. A very low price to enjoy my well-written stories. A VERY DIFFICULT MAN.  ISABELLE'S DIARY.  ISABELLE'S STORY. RING AROUND THE MOON. TOO YOUNG TO DIE.

If you search the Internet you may be lucky and find a copy of my non-fiction book: THE HOUSE AT BRIDAL VEIL.As inspiring story of a small group of Franciscan Sisters who managed to buy an architect designed house on the Columbia River that had fallen into ruin. With hours of hard work. Dealing with Rats! And snakes. And rain pouring through the roof. They worked during the day in Portland and headed out to the old house with sandwiches and flasks of coffee and set  to work.

Try and find my book. THE HOUSE AT BRIDAL and enjoy a truly inspiring, down to earth story about five Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.

Anita Birt


Sunday, December 6, 2015

ANITA BIRT - STORY TELLER

This will be a short post. I've had family visiting, my great granddaughters, Caroline and Imogene - and their loving parents. I miss them and feel hollow inside as if a special part of me has gone missing. I know it will come back and I will return to my usual comfortable rut. Missing are the two children, Caroline is two and Imogene is three months. They have taken up residence in my heart and I am blessed to have had them visiting.

In the meantime. Back at the ranch. We had wild, wild weather yesterday. Lots of damage done on Vancouver Island but we missed the worst of it in Victoria.

Last night with the wonderful "LIGHTED TRUCK CONVOY." Possibly the only such event in the whole wide world. Check it out on the Internet. Every imaginative kind of truck is lighted in many different ways. It's one of the highlights of Christmas in and around Victoria. Millions of lights. So much work went into making this a wonderful event. The truckers ask for donations, money and goods for the local food bank. 

And now for the advertisement! Readers of historical romance fiction will love ; A VERY DIFFICULT MAN. He returns from the Crimean war wounded, lost his right leg below the knee. He is bitter about the way hundreds of men and horses, part of the Light Brigade, who were sent into battle without sufficient cover - a mistake had been made! Buy my book and learn about the Light Brigade and some of the men who died! Also there is a romance that starts off all wrong.

He does not want the companion his mother is foisting on him and makes her life miserable - starting off he  throws books at her! He is rude and determined to get rid of her. But she needs the money paid to her by his mother and cannot give it back!

There's a gypsy fortune teller in the book, an old friend of my heroine. Buy my book and enjoy a compelling story.

Anita Birt
www.anitabirt..com




Monday, November 30, 2015

ANITA BIRT - STORY TELLER

Memories of the little bumps we have as we journey on until THE END.

Back in February I was taken by ambulance to the hospital. I had a high fever.

I was dying. I knew it. I felt it. Comforted by the way my long life was ending. No pain. A gentle way to leave the world behind. I didn't feel a bit apprehensive about what would happen next.

Wheeled into the emergency department at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. I closed my eyes. Dying. Letting go. Calming. Then:

A gentle touch. A gentle male voice. "Mrs. Birt.." The doctor on call  decided I wasn't dying.  Instead I was admitted to the hospital.

In all my long life I had never been a patient in a hospital! This new experience captivated me. I enjoyed the attention. The great nursing staff. The doctors who cared for me. Such a fuss and I enjoyed it all.

I had family visiting from England and my darling great granddaughter, Caroline climbed up on my bed with a book so I could read to her.

That's my hospital story.

Find my e-books on line. Please buy them! Enjoy page turning wonderful reads. Like: A VERY DIFFICULT MAN.  ISABELLE'S DIARY.  ISABELLE'S STORY.  RING AROUND THE MOON.  TOO YOUNG TO DIE.

If you like a time travel romance. RING AROUND THE MOON is the book for you. It takes place in Cornwall, England.

Anita Birt.
 www.anitabirt.com 


Sunday, November 29, 2015

ANITA BIRT - STORY TELLER

Frost is on more than a pumpkin to-day. The field across the way was covered in frost so was the sidewalk. I do not venture out when there's a risk of me falling. At my age a fall could be the end of the road for me. I went out this afternoon in bright sunshine, the kind of day when I feel how good it is to be alive.

I miss seeing my family. My son and daughter-in-law will be our for a visit either before or after Christmas. But joy of joys, my grandson, Fraser, his wife, Francesca and their two little girls, Caroline and Imogen are coming to see me next week!  Wonderful.

I eagerly await hearing from my hundreds (?) of readers about a bump along on a life journey. Surely I  am not alone.  It's interesting about me being strange about worms, throw one at me and I'll start running scared and screaming.

Fear is a strange thing.

1944. When the ship behind mine in the convoy was blow out of the ocean by a huge torpedo the explosion lifted me right up and slammed me down on my bunk. I wasn't afraid! I obeyed all the rules, dressed in warm clothes and carried my life jacket to the salon where we passengers assembled awaiting orders. Our ship was not damaged! The captain would not allow us out on deck. More explosions rocked my ship. We sailed on. Not until days later did we find out the awful nature of the sinking of two ships. If you want to read my account, leave your name and e-mail address and I'll send it to  you.

In the meantime buy my books: A VERY DIFFIVCULT MAN.  ISASBELLE'S DIARY.  ISABELLE'S STORY.  RING AROUND THE MOON.  TOO YOUNG TO DIE.

Read about them on my website. Look at the beautiful covers.

Anita
www.anitabirt.com


Saturday, November 28, 2015

ANITA BIRT - Bumps along life's journey

My bump left me paranoid about worms - plain ordinary earth worms.  I told my daughter-in-law, Alana what I had written. I often wondered why she went ballistic when a  wasp came near. Now I know. It was a bump along her life journey.

When she was three years old, she'd been playing in the garden and a bee flew straight at her, she ducked and it somehow got into her little panties and stung her. It hurt a lot. She screamed for her mother who caught the bee and stamped on it. Alana still remembers what the bee looked like, squashed. From that day to this, Alana is truly fearful of wasps and bees. Like me with worms, she can't get over the fear. If perchance a wasp gets into the car - get off the road safely and get rid of the wasp.

If someone reads my blog, do you have a story to tell about a bump along your life's journey? Please share it as a comment and I'll add it to my "bump" collection.

Do boys have fearful moments in life?

Change of topic. "Fill your life with the things that bring you joy, and see how they touch other people and realize their lives are not so different." A quote from a book: :"Bread, Wine, Chocolate." by Simran Sethi.

I'm tempted to buy the book but : Get thee behind me, Satan.   Books to me are like an addiction. I must stop buying them  My small apartment has no more room. One of us will have to go, me or the books!

I live in a retirement community. Thanks to the efforts of our librarian, Mary Norton, we have a splendid collection of everything from biographies to murder, mysteries to romance novels, to humour - the collection is amazing. All my books are in the library.

Anita Birt author of: A VERY DIFFICULT MAN.  ISABELLE'S DIARY.  ISAELLE'S STORY.  RING AROUND THE MOON.  TOO YOUNG TO DIE. My e-book. THE GHOST WRITER MYSTERY. My non-fiction book; THE HOUSE AT BRIDAL VEIL.

I'd love to have a comment!

www.anitabirt.com




Thursday, November 26, 2015

ANITA BIRT - STORY TELLER

My blog is up and working. So many ideas have run rampant through my brain I'm not sure where to start. One of my ideas was to talk about incidents or an incident in my long life journey and how it impacted on me as I grew up.

So to begin: When I was a little girl, four years old, I was playing on the grass and on the sidewalk at the front on my house. My brother, younger than me, was pushing himself on a kiddy-car. It was summertime. Some big boys came past and one of them put a big earth worm down the back of my sundress. I ran screaming for my mother. She came out immediately and got the worm out. It was a terrifying experience for a little girl.

From that day to this I cannot touch worm. We lived in Burlington when I was a teenager. Word soon got about worms were useful to terrify me. On rainy mornings with worms on the sidewalk I left for school early to miss the boys and the threatening worms.

It probably sounds ridiculous since worms are harmless little creatures but the horror stays with me. I have tried to touch one and can't, even with a glove on! When we lived in Montreal our house was next to a field, our daughter came in with a grass snake in a jar. "OUT! I cried."  Lesley ran off with her snake. I never want to visit Africa in case a snake falls out of a tree and slithers round me.

Have any of you had an experience that affected your life in one way or another? Doesn't have to be a major trauma. Look what a worm did to me. Share it with my blog.

Next blog let's look at the things that bring us joy. A famous Greek philosopher, whose name escapes me, thought life was meant to be pleasurable.

Anita Birt, author of :  A DIFFICULT MAN.  ISABELLE'S DIARY.  ISABELLE'S STORY.    RING AROUND THE MOON.   TOO YOUNG TO DIE. They are available as e-books and in hard cover.

Anita Birt
www.anitabirt.com


Friday, November 20, 2015

ANITA BIRT - STORY TELLER

My blog has been out of commission for days and days but my wonderful computer helper as me back at work. Now where was I? Over the lazy days of summer I have neglected everything including my book, "Lady Mary and Murder on the Canal Boat." However, it is coming along. I have 45,000 words and I can see the end approaching.

I do hope you have been buying my romance novels. Here they are again to jog your memory and your wallet. They are available as e-books and are really cheap!

A VERY DIFFICULT MAN (Historical romance,when a young lady is hired to read to him! He does not want her and does his best to get rid of her. Throws books at her!)

ISABELLE'S DIARY, ( Contemporary with a ghost and link to the past. A modern romance to keep you turning the pages)

 RING AROUND THE MOON (A time travel romance he comes from the past to the present time.
she's an American who has rented a cottage in Cornwall, England. A man from two hundred years in the past! An artist. He has no modern documentation, how can he survive? Falling in love helps.)

ISABELLE'S STORY (historical - linked with ISABELLE'S DIARY  (did she really come as a ghost to the present time? Why? Read how she almost died on a desolate moor)

TOO YOUNG TO DIE  (a nanny has a three month old baby to care for but international thieves have murdered the baby's parent and now search for the nanny. She has knowledge they must have and will stop for nothing)

I am close to finishing my mystery which is the beginning of a series with Lady Mary, A quiet but determined solver of mysteries - with help from the police. She seems to stumble into problems, like fining a dead body. I'll let you know when I finished and polish my book.

In the meantime, life goes and I age. I don't have the writing energy I used to have so sitting and writing means setting aside an hour or two a a day to write. My husband is no longer with me. I miss  his quiet encouragement.

I'll be back soon now I have my blog up and running.

Anita Birt
www.anitabirt.com

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Anita Birt - blogging for fun?

I wish I had a social media presence pointing at the bad people in the world and what to do without them. I'm afraid, that's why. A bad person may come after me and I'm too old to fight back. Imagine knocking off an old lady. Would anyone care? Would you?

How about the old people, of which there are many, does anyone care about them.? Where do they live? What if they require medical assistance and can't afford it? Lucky us in Canada where most of our medical requiirments are covered. We pay taxes to cover the cosr. For instance, I was in the hospital for seven days last Feburary and the costs were all covered. It must be awful in the States to have huge medical bills. How do you manage? I remember sailing to Seattle on the Coho and speaking with a family who were in dire straights who feared they'd have to mortgage their home to pay the bills.

Let's turn to a more cheerful subject. Out for my walk by the sea this morning I saw a heron fishing. They stand so still on their long thin legs waiting for a fish to swim by.  A hard way to get a meal to fill such a large creature.

Lady Mary and The murder in the Canal  Boat is coming long. It's not a long book. I'm aiming for 50,000 words. I have no real hoipe of finding a publisher unless trhe publisher has a soft spot for an old, old writer who refuses to lie down and die.

One a writer always a writer. It's an addiction.  I'm always coming up with new ideas for stories but I haven't the energy to get down to writing them.

I hope you are all reading Richard Flanagan's books. He won the Man Booker Prize for "The Narrow Road to the Deep North." I've read all his published novels and am in awe. He gets into the hearts of the characters in his novels. The last one, "Death of a River Guide," took me to places on the Franklin River in Tasmania that had me almost afraid to turn the pages. Amazing description of the work of a River Guide.

And that is it for now. Comment about anything!

Anita Birt
www.anitabirt.com



Friday, June 26, 2015

Anita Birt - blogging is not working for me. No catchy title. No social media. I am an outcast.

I am an outcast hanging out waiting to be saved for something better than this; such as offering brilliant thoughts  to bring in brilliant responses. Not going to happen. I am an elderly woman having lived a long and interesting life. I've lived in five different countries. I've had five romance novels published to great acclaim. I sailed across the Atlantic in a 79 ship convoy  during the war. Our convoy was attacked by a German submarine. Two ships sunk with a great loss of life. But the submarine was tracked down and sunk two months later. More lives lost.

I am writing a mystery. Lady Mary and Murder in the Canal Boat. Mary accidenatally discovers a body in a rented canal boat - the body much decayed. Not pleasant.

There's a wonderful dog in the story who becomes Mary's companion. Her name is Kim. She is a border collie. Smart and protective of Mary. Don't mess with a border collie they are clever animals. I knew a dog when I lived in Wales, She wasn't border collie but did take delight in rounding up the chickens out in the field.

Do keep purchasing my romance novels. They are real page turners. Try TOO YOUNG TO DIE and find out! Imagine having a three month baby  in your arms and escaping into a dark forest with four nasty thugs looking for you. Gives me the shivers thinking about. Here is the list of my romance novels.

A VERY DIFFICULT MAN (historical) ISABELLE'S DIARY (contemporary) ISABELLE'S STORY (historical) RING AROUND THE MOON (contemporary but with a time travel twist) TOO YOUNG TO DIE (contemporary, murder mystery)

THE GHOST WRITER MYSTERY (e-published. costs pennies to buy)

I'm away to think about Lady Mary. My book is almost finished. How to end it?

Anita Birt
www.anitabirt.com

Comments are welcome.




Sunday, May 17, 2015

Blogging for fun - Anita Birt

I should be writing a few lines of my Lady Mary Mystery. The Canal Boat Murder, but I am digressing for a few minutes.

Summer is creeping its way on to Vancouver Island. I walked to James Bay this morning and it was hot! First I took off my scarf. Then I took off my jacket. That's where I stopped.

I'm reading The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. It's a real page turner. I make myself stop reading when it's time to go to bed. I like having to look forward to the next day.

I do not read fiction during the day! Don't ask. It's a family thing. My niece, Elspeth, allows herself to read fiction after 4.00 pm. Friends laugh at me! I'll read non-fiction during the day but not often. Has anyone else such a rule. I have no idea where it comes from up.

I'm thinking my Scottish grandmother might have encouraged serious business during the day and keep enjoyment until later.

Buy my books and keep me smiling during the summer, fall winter and spring. A VERY DIFFICULT MAN.
ISABELLE'S DIARY.  ISABELLE'S STORY.  RING AROUND THE MOON. TOO YOUNG TO DIE.

A VERY DIFFICULT MAN is a historical romance. takes place in England, 1856.

Anita
www.anita birt.com

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Blogging - Anita Birt

I wrote a blog yesterday about all sorts of interesting things and accidentally deleted the whole damn thing. How did I do that?

My granddaughter is visiting from Toronto. She works for the television program, The Property Brothers. She enjoys her work and is glad of a rest out here in God's country. The weather is co-operating, sun is shining and the sky is blue. We walked part of the break water at Ogden Point and watched an otter swimming. No octopus this time.

About writing. My e-book, The Ghost Writer Mystery by Anita Birt is lagging in sales. It's costs pennies to buy and download on your e-reader or other device. So make my day and buy a copy. It's a good read with all kinds of twists and turns. One of the central characters is a GHOST. Enjoy my book.

My Lady Mary Mystery and The Canal Boat Murder is coming along. It's not going to be a long, long book. Although stories have characters elbowing into a story and demand attention. that's part of the fun of writing, something turns up to make the author's life interesting.

Back to work. Buy my romance novels. A VERY DIFFICULT MAN. ISABELLE'S DIARY.  ISABELLE'S STORY. RING AROUND THE MOON. TOO YOUNG TO DIE.

www.anitabirt.com


Sunday, April 5, 2015

ANITA BIRT - Blogging about my heart!

Is anyone out there blogging anout the miracle of having a human body? I got thinking about my heart. It began beating inside my mother's womb and conintued beating after I was born. This same heart continues beating ninety-two years later.

My body is a functioning miracle. I breathe. My body has ways and means to clean itelf. Nothing stays inside very long once its usefulness is done. Then the process starts over again when I've eaten  and drunk.Whatever is useful is used the rest is excreted. This happens day after day. I don't have to give it a thought.

 I have the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and tongue I started with all those long years ago. My feet are basically the feet I started with, grown big to suit my growing up. Same with legs, arms, toes and fingers.

Think about it. Think about the miracle of your body. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Yes, illnesses  come to test our body's ability to take care of itself. Modern medicine lends a helping hand  That in itself is a miracle. I know from my hospital stay my body needed help, especially my right knee and the pseudo gout playing merry hell with it.

Any comments. How often do you think about  your heart? How long have you had it? Are you taking care of it? WHAT ABOUT YOUR BRAIN? It's the big controller, silently keeping track of this and that. Can't live without it.


Anita Birt, Romance and Mysterry author.
www.anitabirt.com


Saturday, March 28, 2015

Blogging about Books - Anita Birt

I did not spell Neil Gaiman's name incorrectly in my last blo. I spelled it "Gaman." Wrong, it should be Gaiman. Do rush  out and buy  "The Grave Yard," book it is a great read for old and young.

And I am very old! Ninety-two years old and I really enjoy Gaiman's books. Reading is such a wonderful pastime, I learn a lot  and lost myself in a well told story.  I am reading slowly, "From The Beast To The Blonde," by Marina Warner. The first story tellers were woman getting about their regular tasks, doing the laundery by the river, chatting with other women while spinning, attending a birthing. Women were out from under their husband's eyes and learned a lot from each other about life, sex, giving birth, illnesses and how to deal with an abusive husband.

Spinning tales, gave us "Cinderella," "Bluebeard."  "Red Riding Hood," "Mother Goose stories."

However, I want to blog about getting old, what it feels likes, how to cope with an aging body and brain, grieving the loss of a loved one. I speng a week in the hospital in February. In my entire life I had never been a hospital patient. Iwent in with a high temperature. Bless the doctor who examined me in the Emergency
Department. "I'm not ending a ninety-two year old woman home without a thorough diagnosis."

That's how I became a patient in the Royal Victoria Hospital. Before this shocking event in my life I walked five or six days a week. I had strong legs now I couldn't stand. I wobbled. Time cures most ailments and I soon staggered around using a walker. Recovering is slow, I'm not the woman I used to be. I listern to my body and walk until I tire and turn back. I am blessed with a loving family. More about getting old on my next blog!

Anita Birt

Sunday, March 22, 2015

BECOMING RICH AND FAMOUS

BECOMING RICH AND FAMOUS. Is there a secret to crack the code? Write a best seller. (I'm not talented enough) Go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and survive. (too scared) Save a child from drowning (I could do that but I'd rather not see a child in big trouble.)

Give it up and be a very ordinary person, with a loving family and a  very minor writing talent. Being a hosptial patient for the first time in my long life tempts me to write about the experience. But during some of the experience I was out like a light. I'm not sure I have completely recovered. My memory isn't as sharp as it was before my hospital visit. I tire more quickly.

Stop complaining. You're alive.

Do your read Neil Gaman's books, if not I urge you to try, They are fantasy meant for young people but I love them for the brilliant stories and wonderul writing. Go out and buy, or order it from Amazon.com, The Grave Yard Book. Start with it and read others. But of all the Neil Gaman books I've read, I love The Grave Yard Book best of all.

Keep reading what  you enjoy.. Romance, expecially my romance novels, are well written with great stories. Check my web site and buy one or two or three.

Anita Birt
www.anitabirt.com

Thursday, March 19, 2015

BLOGGING ABOUT BOOKS - ANITA BIRT

I set up this Brilliant idea, Blogging about Books, on Febrtuary 14 or close to that date. But fate stepped in. I
I was knocked sideways. Sent to the hospital with a raging fever. "I'm not sending a ninety two year old woman home without a diagnosis." So said the doctor who examinded me in the  Emergncy on February 22.

Stayed in hospital for seven days, came home to recover. It's taking awhile to get back my energy.

About books.  I recommend. "PEOPLE OF THE BOOK," by Geraldine Brooks. She touches lives in different time periods. Six centuries of Jewish and world experience as the Sarajevo Haggadah, is rescued from certain detruction by Jews, Muslims and Christians. I  promise you a wonderful read.

Which reminds me. I hope  ou are buying my romance novels. They are never out of date.

 A VERY DIFFICULT MAN.  ISABELLE'S DIARY.  ISABELLE'S STORY.  RING AROUND THE MOON (an unforgettable time travel)  TOO YOUNG  TO DIE. (imagine being stalked by armed thugs as you escape in the dead of night into a deep forest with a three month old baby in your arms!) Breath taking.

May you enjoy reading every day.

Anita
www.anitabirt.com




Saturday, February 14, 2015

BLOGGING ABOUT BOOKS - Anita Birt

This is Valentine's Day and here is a wonderful opportunity to heal the heart of a darling little boy.

The baby,  Grant Weaver and his mother fell into a fast flowing, freezing cold river on Vancouver Island on January 30. Passersby got the baby out of the water in 25 minutes. He was rushed to hospital where he is making a slow recovery from the ordeal. His mother died. His father remains at the baby's side, night and day.

When I saw the baby's picture in the Times Colonist newspaper, a beautiful baby with his eyes closed and narrow tubes up his nose and down his throat my eyes filled with tears. A fund raising campaign has started. I have contributed. Can you help out, it's easy.

Go to  http://gofundme.com/l6lwss

Grant is making progress. Isn't that wonderful? Please help out if you can. Help mend his heart.

This is VALENTINE'S DAY with hearts and flowers and chocolates galore.

Onward to my writing. I'm enjoy writing my Lady Mary mystery. Little gems of ideas pop into my head so I have to backtrack to where they'll fit in. Writing is fun, especially when it's going well, not to much fun when I'm blocked. Doesn't happy often. Mostly when I'm tired and need a break. A fast walk by the sea, breathing wonderful fresh air revives my spirits.

When I say,"fast walk," I mean "fast" for me. I take account of my age and let nature do the rest. I can stop and look for humming birds, the ones that winter here.

The daffodils are in full bloom as are the flowering trees lining many of the streets in Victoria. Absolutely gorgeous.

I'll download the first page of another of my books, either Isabelle's Diary or A Very Difficult Man.

Anita Birt
www.anitabirt.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Blogging about books - Anita Birt

I received books for my birthday, February 2, and have to find room for them in one of my book cases, a daunting task. Stuck in the back I found a book I borrowed from my Welsh nephew. "Song of the Earth," by Alexander Cordell. Never open an old book and start reading. I am hooked again on the book. I am also reading "Good Morning. Midnight by Reginald Hill. and The New Yorker arrived this morning. And I have the new books to read.

I'm feeling a bit over whelmed. Do you ever get t he feeling there are not enough hours in the day? I made a New Year's Resolution to write a minimum of 500 words a day. As soon as I finish this blog I shall write my 500 words to My Lady Mary Mystery, "Murder on the Canal Boat."

I also have flowers sent for my birthday, some are growing in their pots and need my attention. I am distracted.

Did anyone rush out and buy, "Too Young to Die," after I posted the first paragraph. Or did you purchase, "Ring Around The Moon," when you were hooked on the first paragraph? I'll know when my royalty cheques arrive in the mail. Both books are page turners.

I am away to write my 500 words.

Anita
www.anitabrt.com


Friday, January 23, 2015

Blogging my books - Anita Birt

My romance novel, RING AROUND THE MOON. First page

Beth glanced at the clock on the dash as she pulled into the parking space beside Quest Cottage. Midnight.

The drive from Heathrow airport had been hell on wheels. Bumper to bumper traffic on the motorway had delayed her planned arrival  in Cornwall. Achingly tired, she cut the engine, rolled her shoulders to get rid of the crick in her neck and got out of the car.

Bathed in the silvery glow of a full moon, the thatched cottage was fairy-tale beautiful with a trellised front porch laden with summer roses. Faint traces of their scent lingered on the still night air. Flower filled window boxes trailed blooms from the ledges of two windows set deep in the whitewashed walls. Behind he curtains, welcoming light gleamed.

Cool. She wouldn't have to poke around in darkened rooms feeling for switches. She'd make tea and have something to eat before getting her suitcases from the car. The estate agent handling the rental had promised to stock the cottage with food and Beth's longing for a thirst-quenching cup of tea had passed the point of no return.

Patting her stomach she whispered to her baby. "I've got to remember I'm eating for two and I'm starving." Her whispered words drifted into a silence so intense she could hear herself breathe.

Life had stirred for the first time on the flight from the States and Beth hoped the little one didn't feel as jet-lagged, lightheaded and hungry as she did.

Filled with mellow thoughts of thatched cottages the promise of restful days ahead she lifted the latch on the gate.
Rusty hinges squeaked as she pushed through. Key in hand she hurried up the flagstone path to the door.

"Elizabeth is it really you?" A man's questioning voice shattered the silent night.

Buy my book and read my time travel romance. RING AROUND THE MOON. It's a page turner.

www.anitabirt.com


Monday, January 5, 2015

ANITA BIRT'S - NOTE BOOK

TOO YOUNG TO DIE - A mystery/murder/romance all in one book. Here's how the book starts:

"Keep singin' lady." The armed man sitting across from Ellie in the nursery casually pointed his assault rifle at her.

Ellie cuddled the whimpering baby and tried unsuccessfully, to stay cool and remember the words of the old nursery rhyme. "Rock-a-bye baby, on the..." Her voice cracked on the first line.

"Sing."

"Can't sing. Can't breathe. Throat's too dry. Can I get a drink of water from the bathroom?"

He shambled to his feet. "Don't move. I don't hurt ladies and babies."

"Then what the hell are  you doing here?" Ellie shifted Nicki from one arm to the other and gulped air into her oxygen-deprived lungs.

"Don't give me that crap. You're up to  your neck in this, same as the rest." He slung the weapon under his arm. "Sing to the kid while I get you a drink."

"I can't."

"Do it. Keep the kid quiet." He lowered his brows. His eyes sank into the folds of scar tissue. "Sing about the mocking bird, you sang it before."

Ellie cleared her tense throat. "Hush little baby, don't  you cry...that one?"

He nodded and propped his beefy shoulder against the door. "My old lady used to sing it to my little sister."

The gorilla had a human mother. Hard to believe he hadn't come fully formed from the lab of a mad scientist.

That's the first page of TOO YOUNG TO DIE  Buy my book. Ellie has to save the baby. But how?

www.anitabirt.com