SEASON'S GREETINGS!

 

This is an old photo from the mid-nineties when Erskine and I managed The Islands Club, oceanfront condominiums opposite Quality Food Store, Cable Beach, and next to what became the luxury Bayroc condominiums. We lived in a lovely little cottage on the grounds and this is the gorgeous beach where The Islands Club was situated.

Most of the residents back then were “snow birds”, who flew down to The Bahamas in the winter to escape the freezing cold weather in the north. Usually there were no owners in residence during the summer and Erskine was able to do his real estate broker work in his spare time. Now The Islands Club mostly has occupants year round.

I hope you are enjoying this special time of the year wherever you are. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad….! May your holiday season and the New Year be filled with much joy, happiness and success.

 

SUNBEAMS FROM THE HEART AVAILABLE LOCALLY

 

“Sunbeams from The Heart: A Collection of Twelve Romantic Short Stories” is now available at Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay, Nassau, Bahamas! As you walk towards the books, Sunbeams is on the first bookstand facing you. You can’t miss it!

A BEAUTIFUL KEEPSAKE! Love themes in this delightful collection of romantic short stories tell of nostalgia, bright new beginnings, homecoming, second chances - and the unexpected!
HEART-WARMING STORIES that propel you on a journey through Scotland, England, The Bahamas and rural America.
“HUGELY POPULAR...Charming and surprising”: The Lady magazine, London, England, wrote about one of Fay Knowles' short stories, first published in “The Lady” and now appearing in “Sunbeams from the Heart”.
EMAILS FROM READERS
- “The stories are very sweet and refreshing.”
- “I have bought your Kindle book today and will enjoy reading it when I'm on boring train journeys!”

EXCERPT FROM “SUNBEAMS FROM THE HEART”:
"That Christmas, when Tessa returned to the small town where her great aunt and uncle had spent most of their lives, the rooftops were white with snow. Shop windows glinted with decorations of reds and greens and golds and silvers. A Christmas tree with twinkling lights, shimmering garlands and a flashing star on top stood beside the town hall entrance. Outside, huddled together on the pavement, a small group of warmly wrapped people sung old familiar carols. But for Tessa it would be a bleak Christmas..."

 

 

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NASSAU BAHAMAS TROLLEY TOURS?

 

A TOURIST TROLLEY STOPS AT

MARGARITAVILLE BEACH RESORT,

NASSAU, BAHAMAS

This is something new in Nassau, Bahamas. Haven't seen these trolleys here before. I think it might be Trident Pedal Tours.

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TRYING TO FIND A HOME AT CHRISTMAS!

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad! Hope you are enjoying this special time of year. Sorry I haven't posted here for a while. After living in our current apartment for almost eleven years, our landlord gave us notice in October, as he wants to renovate.

I have been busy trying to find another apartment for my husband Erskine and me. It was quite a job, as good, affordable rentals in Nassau are difficult to find. But we have been blessed. Through a friend, we finally found a lovely apartment, still in Cable Beach, which we have come to think of as our "home town"! The apartment meets all of our requirements, including the price range. We move in on January 14th. 

This photo was taken on the beach in front of The Islands Club, Cable Beach. Erskine and I managed those luxury condos some years back. Accommodation was provided there for us, as well with other properties that we have managed. We never had to look for rentals back in those days. However, with the influx of foreign workers and foreign companies willing to pay big bucks for rentals, as well as the increase in AirBnB rentals, our search was nearly exhausted.

We didn't give up though. I continually posted on several Facebook pages and received a lot of suggestions, but nothing was suitable. We couldn't find anything in the local newspapers either. When I finally found the apartment we're taking, I posted again on Facebook about it, and over 300 people posted back congratulating me! It just shows what you can achieve with perseverance, as well as a lot of prayers!

PAST & PRESENT NEW YEAR'S DAYS IN NASSAU, BAHAMAS!

The aftermath of a past Junkanoo in downtown Nassau, Bahamas

 

New Year's Day in The Bahamas this year doesn't ring with the excitement of New Year's Day 1966 and successive New Year's Days because of Covid-19. Sadly the popular Junkanoo festivals here in The Bahamas have been cancelled this time. 

Fifty-five years' ago, I rode on the back of Erskine's scooter "Over The Hill" after a party that he and his band "The Invaders" had played at on West Bay Street. Discarded Junkanoo floats and costumes were strewn all over the streets. We went from night club to night club until the wee hours. I wore a long white evening gown, but by the time the sun rose my dress was no longer white!

In my novel "Dangerous Devotion", Gordon and Violet experience the Christmas season in Nassau, but because Gordon is Scottish, they fly back to Scotland for Hogmanay (Scottish New Year).

Excerpt from "Dangerous Devotion":

"Bell ringers stood at strategic points on downtown Bay Street, collecting money for charity in Salvation Army kettles. The street was decked out with festive decorations. A heavily laden Christmas tree towered next to the colonial buildings in historic Rawson Square. Bleachers for the upcoming Boxing Day and New Year’s Junkanoo parades were already in place."

"Dangerous Devotion" is available on Amazon as an e-book at $2.99 and in paperback $10.12. Click the links below to go the book's Amazon page.

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON U.S.

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON U.K.

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON CANADA

CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON AUSTRALIA

LOCKDOWN STRESS!

 

What a time this is! We're under a two week lockdown on New Providence. Except for essential workers, we can't go anywhere at all on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday (except for exercising in our yards or 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. in our immediate neighbourhood). We've had lockdowns before, but none as long as this one. It's rumoured that it might be extended and may even be more restrictive!

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, food stores, gas stations, hardwares (but only for those carrying lumber and concrete, and for curbside pick up only), pharmacies (curbside pick up only), and banks (mornings only) are open. We're supposed to just go there, shop, and return quickly to our homes (hah!). One person per family is supposed to be a designated shopper (that's not working!).

Because of the severe restrictions, on the days we can go to any of these, it's crazy with people crowding and standing in long lines, many not wearing masks or wearing them incorrectly. The overcrowding must be defeating the purpose of trying to reduce the number of positive Covid-19 cases. Then supplies fly off the shelves, so shoppers have to dash from one store to another.

Erskine had a terrible rush yesterday trying to get enough groceries for the weekend. Then our water delivery guy couldn't make it, as they were restricted to only three days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday - plus Saturdays for essential workers only). He said he could drop our water today. However, by the time it got to mid-afternoon, we were getting worried. We didn't have enough drinking water to last until Monday. Anyway, he eventually got here and saved the day.

Someone we know says he had quite a time at a gas station the other day. When he paid for his gas, the cashier angrily informed him that the $20 bill he gave her was counterfeit. He tried to replace it, but was short $1.51. He told her he would have to come back to pay the $1.51. She didn't want to accept that, but in the end he drove off, got more money from his house and returned to pay her the $1.51. He worked out later that the counterfeit note had been in change he was given at a food store. 

If Covid-19 doesn't kill us, all this lockdown stress will!

HURRICANE ISAIAS PAYS US A VISIT!

Neighbours lose shingles during Hurricane Isaias

Well, we have survived. Hurricane Isaias has left The Bahamas!

When I woke up Saturday morning to crazy weather, I felt quite nervous. The power was off, wind howling and rain beating down. We had been warned that Isaias would bring quite a lot of rain and possible storm surges.

It reminded me of Hurricane Matthew, which I wrote about HERE. I prayed we wouldn't get another one like that - or even worse, a "Hurricane Dorian", which Grand Bahama and Abaco suffered terribly from in September 2019!

However, we were lucky. My husband Erskine summarized it for me. When Isaias approached us, the eye was 45 miles south of New Providence. Hurricane force winds were only 35 miles from eye, so we were 10 miles away from hurricane force winds and only had tropical force winds. The eye of the storm passed over Andros, which is west of us. By Saturday evening we knew we were in the clear.

We understand there has been no severe damage, no injuries and no deaths anywhere in The Bahamas. However, some homes have been affected by high water from the rain in low lying areas. My heart goes out to those residents. Our power was restored after eight hours. Others were not so fortunate.

Now Isaias is heading for the Carolinas as a Tropical Storm (possibly becoming a hurricane again). I wonder if everyone will be able to pronounce the name Isaias properly by the time it dissolves!

WHY?

A fellow author in the U.S. reached out to me the other day, saying: "You've been quiet lately. Is everything OK with you and yours?"

That's a good question. I guess he meant because I haven't been continually writing, marketing my books and revealing plans for more books, as I usually do! Also, I haven't been saying anything about how things are in The Bahamas and there sure has been a lot going on.

I think a lot of writers worldwide are grappling with the current Corona virus situation. I see them discussing this on writers' forums. But I don't know what's up with me! I keep trying to pull myself together and get on with it. Get on with what though?

I do go through the motions - doing secretarial work for my family, cooking, cleaning, exercising as much as is currently allowed, and so on...... But something's missing and it's not just the writing or not being able to physically socialize with friends!

Why am I like this right now? I think this question will only be answered after everything gets back to "normal", whenever and whatever that will be!

Nevertheless, here I am writing again, so maybe this is the best way to go right now. If you are having difficulty applying yourself to whatever you love to do, don't worry about it. It will all come back to you at just the right time. I truly believe that!

EXCITING FOURTH BOOK IN THE LUCILLE PFIFFER COZY MYSTERY SERIES!

#1 Bestselling Bahamian Author Tanya R. Taylor has just released her 31st book, "Blind Fury"! "Blind Fury" is the fourth book in Tanya's entertaining Lucille Pfiffer Cozy Mystery series.

CLICK HERE for the Amazon link to the Lucille Pfiffer Series. 

A copy of my Tribune feature article about Blind Fury, published last weekend, is above.  CLICK HERE for the link.

I have thoroughly enjoyed each book in this series and am  looking forward to Book Five! My article about "Blind Fury" also appeared in The Punch and Nassau Guardian. A big thank you to all of these newspapers, which continue to support local authors.

A STORY FILLED WITH INTRIGUE, ROMANCE, SCANDAL AND MYSTERY!

DEADLY DECEIT IN PARADISE, Book Two in the Buchanan Mystery Romance Series - "What a ride! This book was sooooo interesting, I literally hated when I had to put it down." - Amazon Customer.

A mysterious death in paradise leads a young woman down a path that will determine her future. Natalie Barrett flies from London to Nassau, Bahamas, to attend a favourite uncle's funeral and the reading of his will. While staying at her deceased uncle's home, she notices a string of suspicious events that lead her to believe he may not have died from natural causes as reported. Will her curiosity and subsequent amateur investigation point to murder? A story filled with intrigue, romance, scandal and mystery that will keep your mind on it long after you’ve read the last page.

Discounted on Amazon for a limited time only! A stand alone read. Also available in paperback.

CLICK HERE FOR DEADLY DECEIT IN PARADISE!

UPCOMING EXMOUTH AIR RADIO INTERVIEW!

I am so excited! Exmouth Air (Devon, England) Radio Presenter Howard James will be interviewing me on his show Sunday, May 10th, about the latest book in my Buchanan Mystery Romance Series, Deadly Deceit In Paradise (as well as Book One in the series - Dangerous Devotion), with questions such as what was my inspiration for the books; my background; my link to Exmouth; why I moved to The Bahamas and my life here; why I moved to Devon years ago and my life there; my published work; how people can find out more and obtain my books; and future plans for more books.

Howard James, a former BBC radio presenter, has a long career in broadcasting. And Exmouth Air covers a wide area that includes Exmouth, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Topsham, Sidmouth, and Budleigh Salterton.

CLICK HERE FOR HOWARD JAMES, EXMOUTH AIR RADIO

I will have to get up early for the interview, as the U.K. is five hours ahead of The Bahamas. Won't be easy, but I'll do anything for my craft!

A couple of days after the interview, it will run 24/7 for two weeks on their website and I will be able to download it from there!

Don't forget, the e-books for Deadly Deceit In Paradise and Dangerous Devotion are currently available for down load at a special price (limited time only). The books are also available in paperback.

CLICK HERE FOR BOOK ONE IN THE BUCHANAN MYSTERY ROMANCE SERIES

CLICK HERE FOR BOOK TWO IN THE BUCHANAN MYSTERY ROMANCE SERIES

LAST DAY!

LAST DAY FOR FREE NOVEL! LOVE AT SUNSET: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE - The Buchanan Mystery Romance Series Book One (a stand alone novel) is available for FREE download on Amazon  HERE 

Set in The Bahamas and Scotland, with scenes in Fort Lauderdale, New York, London and Devon.

Note (February 13, 2021): "Love at Sunset" is now called "Dangerous Devotion"

TWO DAYS LEFT!

TWO DAYS LEFT FOR FREE NOVEL! LOVE AT SUNSET: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE - The Buchanan Mystery Romance Series Book One (a stand alone novel) is available for FREE download on Amazon HERE   

Set in The Bahamas and Scotland, with scenes in Fort Lauderdale, New York, London and Devon.

OFFER RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 11^TH

AND Join my Mailing List to be notified when the Buchanan Mystery Romance Series Book Two “Oleanders End” (also a stand alone read) has been released: -    

FAY'S NEWSLETTER

With Oleanders End, as usual there will be lots of romance but also some mysterious deaths!

WHAT TO DO WITH OLD MANUSCRIPTS!

MANUSCRIPT FOR ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVEL
"LOVE AT SUNSET" BY FAY KNOWLES

INSIDE MANUSCRIPT FOR "LOVE AT SUNSET"

What do YOU do with your old manuscripts after your work has been published?! I’ve been doing a lot of purging and was going to throw away my manuscript for my romantic suspense novel “Love at Sunset”, because after all, it’s published and I have hard copies of the actual book! However, son Gavin said: “Oh no, you should keep it, as you never know, a movie producer might contact you about the book and want you to send them the original manuscript!” Here it is above, all 325 double-spaced typed pages of it, showing a bit of the content! This converted to 360 pages in the regular print published book.

And here’s a short description: “Facing imminent danger and fierce opposition to love a second time around, Violet and Gordon seek a new life in Scotland, thousands of miles away from where they live in Nassau, Bahamas, but trouble soon catches up with them. The couple finds themselves in and out of one adventure after another! In the meantime, an unscrupulous attorney appears on the scene back home, along with a crooked realtor. What they do and the extent they would go to leads to a shocking ending. Greed, jealousy, family secrets and bitter grudges worm their way throughout this story!”

“Love at Sunset: A Romantic Suspense” set in The Bahamas and Scotland, with scenes in Fort Lauderdale, New York, London and Devon, is available on Amazon as an e-book and in paperback (regular and large print):

CLICK HERE TO BUY LOVE AT SUNSET ON AMAZON.COM

CLICK HERE TO BUY LOVE AT SUNSET ON AMAZON.CO.UK

BAHAMAS WRITER'S PUBLISHING PORTFOLIO!

My published books! Available on Amazon as e-books and in paperback:-

“SUNBEAMS FROM THE HEART - A COLLECTION OF TWELVE ROMANTIC SHORT STORIES” -
SUNBEAMS ON AMAZON

“LOVE AT SUNSET”, a Romantic Suspense novel set in Scotland and The Bahamas, with scenes in London, Devon, Fort Lauderdale and New York -
LOVE AT SUNSET ON AMAZON

“THE SCOTTISH CONNECTION: A JOURNEY BACK - MINI-MEMOIR”-
THE SCOTTISH CONNECTION ON AMAZON

“HOW TO BE THE BEST WRITER EVER!” – An Informal Guide and Source of Inspiration for New and Not So New Writers Worldwide
BEST WRITER ON AMAZON

Coming soon – another book of short stories!

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN THE BAHAMAS

St. Mary The Virgin Anglican Church,
Nassau, Bahamas

St. Mary The Virgin Anglican Church is one of the many Christian churches in The Bahamas. It is located on Virginia Street on the edge of downtown Nassau and was founded in 1844.

St. Mary’s Facebook page declares: “To be a welcoming church that proclaims and teaches the gospel, fosters a spiritual growth and encourages its members to offer their services, time and talents in missions and ministry for the building up of God’s kingdom.”

The church is also adjacent to the old Greek section of Nassau. When our sons were small, I used to take them with me to a little old wooden house near there when I visited an elderly bedridden lady called Mrs. Clarke. She enjoyed being read to and I would read children’s stories to her that she liked as much as our sons! I was referred to her by Christ Church Cathedral, which my family and I attended at the time. Visiting someone in need was a good lesson for our boys in humility.

WEST HILL STREET, NASSAU, BAHAMAS

West Hill Street, Nassau, Bahamas, where the famous and very elegant Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant are located is really looking quite spectacular these days!

TEA TALK BY INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BAHAMIAN POET OBEDIAH MICHAEL SMITH

This coming Saturday, June 8th, at 4.00 p.m., internationally recognized Bahamian poet Obediah Michael Smith will be giving his first poetry reading publicly since returning from Africa where he resided from 2014 to 2018. The event will take place at Gypsy Books and Tea on Parliament Street, down town Nassau (phone number 242-376-2466).

Obediah Michael Smith was born in The Bahamas and has published twenty-two books of poetry. He attended Memphis State University and Fisk University and has also lived in Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica and Paris. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech and Drama. He attended writers’ workshops at the University of Miami and at UWI, Cave Hill, Barbados, conducted by Lorna Goodison, Earl Lovelace, Grace Nichols, Merle Collins, and Mervyn Morris.

His poems in English are included in literary journals and anthologies throughout the Caribbean, England, Kenya and the U.S.A., and his poems translated into Spanish are included in anthologies in Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Spain and Venezuela.

Click here for Obediah’s 20th book of poetry, “Women in Jinja - 28 Poems”, inspired by women he met while travelling through Jinja, the Eastern Region of Uganda, Africa: 

"Women in Jinja - 28 Poems"

Obediah Michael Smith’s Facebook page:

facebook.com/obediah.m.smith

SEASON'S GREETINGS!

This is a photo from the mid nineties when Erskine and I managed The Islands Club, oceanfront condominiums opposite Quality Food Store, Cable Beach, and next to what became the luxury Bayroc condominiums. We lived in a lovely little cottage on the grounds and this was the gorgeous beach where The Islands Club was situated.

Most of the residents back then were “snow birds”, who flew down to The Bahamas in the winter to escape the freezing cold weather in the north. Usually there were no owners in residence during the summer.

I hope you are enjoying this special time of the year wherever you are. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad….! May your holiday season and the New Year be filled with much joy, happiness and success.

"LOVE AT SUNSET" - THANKSGIVING SPECIAL!

“LOVE AT SUNSET” – THANKSGIVING SPECIAL!

In gratitude for all of the blessings that have recently been sent my way, I thought now would be a good time to offer a THANKSGIVING SPECIAL on my Romantic Suspense Novel “LOVE AT SUNSET”! Just $0.99 cents for the e-book! The Special starts NOW on Amazon and runs through American Thanksgiving Thursday, November 22nd!

Here’s a taste of my novel, described as “Gripping, alluring and so wonderfully romantic on many different levels!” -

LOVE AT SUNSET: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Facing imminent danger and fierce opposition to love a second time around, Violet and Gordon seek a new life in Scotland, thousands of miles away from The Bahamas, but trouble soon catches up with them. The couple finds themselves in and out of one adventure after another!

In the meantime, an unscrupulous attorney appears on the scene, along with a crooked realtor. What they do and the extent they would go to leads to a shocking ending. Greed, jealousy, family secrets and bitter grudges worm their way throughout this story!

$0.99cents

BUY ON AMAZON US

BUY ON AMAZON UK

BUY ON AMAZON AU

BUY ON AMAZON CA