BACK ON BAY!

 

Bay Street - the bleachers are up and everyone is ready for Junkanoo!

Christmas lights along the Western Esplanade, Nassau

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah! 

After two years absence from Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, due to the pandemic, the Bahamas’ world famous Junkanoo is back on Bay Street, downtown Nassau!

Fifty-seven years' ago, I rode side saddle on the back of Erskine's scooter "Over The Hill" after a New Year’s 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 mystery romance novel "Dangerous Devotion" (described by Juanita Coulson, "The Lady" Books Editor, as "A moving tale of family dynamics and relationships in later life"), Gordon and Violet experience the Christmas season in Nassau. Then as Gordon is Scottish, they fly back to Scotland for Hogmanay.

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 and in paperback. Click the links below to buy on Amazon:-

DANGEROUS DEVOTION AT AMAZON U.S.

DANGEROUS DEVOTION AT AMAZON WORLDWIDE

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperous 2023!

 

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NEW REGENCY MYSTERY ROMANCE RELEASED!

I’ve just finished reading Bahamian bestselling author Paul Bethel’s latest Regency novel “The Whispering Tongues”, full of scandal, romance, mystery and murder! The U.K. publishers Joffe Books sent me an advanced reader copy and I also preordered it on Amazon because I liked it so much! Paul writes his Regency novels under the pseudonym Beth Andrews. 

The Whispering Tongues is Book Three in the Beth Andrews Sussex Regency Romance Series. It became a #1 Best Seller as soon as it was released today by Joffe! 

I thoroughly enjoyed it, like I did Books One and Two and several of his other books! The Kindle version is available now at the special launch price of just £0.99 | $0.99.

CLICK HERE FOR THE WHISPERING TONGUES

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REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY BAHAMAS 2022

 

So good to be back in Starbucks, Baha Mar! It’s been a long haul.

It’s Remembrance Sunday here in The Bahamas. Fondly remembering my late parents who served in World War Two – Josephine Johanson, Women’s Royal Air Force, and William Johanson, Royal Australian Air Force.

Erskine and I also had a fast walk all around Baha Mar. It’s been over two years since we were last able to do this. Felt great!

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TROPICAL STORM NICOLE TO BECOME A HURRICANE IN THE BAHAMAS

 It may look like bliss in this photo, but when I tried to get closer to the beach to get a better shot, I was driven back with the wind and rain. I nearly got blown over!

Tropical Storm Nicole is now in our region and predicted to become a Cat 1 hurricane over the extreme North Western Bahamas. Fortunately, New Providence is out of the cone, so we should only get some rainy, windy weather here, although we have been told to expect tropical storm conditions.

We are praying for Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Bimini, which are predicted to have hurricane force winds by tomorrow night. Grand Bahama and Abaco suffered so much from Cat 5 Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and many of the survivors of that terrible storm haven’t recovered from it yet.

 

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KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

 It’s important to still keep active while you’re writing! Erskine and I haven’t been to the gym since the pandemic started, but we have a little “home gym” now, which we use just about every day. We will also start walking again once the weather here in Nassau cools down!

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FREE FOR LIMITED TIME ONLY!

 

I am currently offering the e-book version of my mystery romance novel “Dangerous Devotion” FREE until tomorrow night Wednesday, October 12th, at 11.59 p.m. PDT.

“If your relationship was threatened, what lengths would you go to in order to save it?

“Facing imminent danger and fierce opposition to love a second time around, Violet and Gordon seek a new life in Gordon’s homeland of Scotland, thousands of miles away from where they had lived in Nassau, Bahamas, but trouble catches up with them in their little loch side cottage.

“In the meantime, back in Nassau 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.”

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

CLICK HERE FOR DANGEROUS DEVOTION AT AMAZON U.S.

CLICK HERE FOR DANGEROUS DEVOTION AT AMAZON WORLDWIDE

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FRUIT GALORE!

 

Don’t know how long this fruit stall has been located on West Bay Street across from Arawak Cay, Nassau, but it’s been there a long time and is very popular!

 

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HURRICANE STORIES

Damage after a previous storm (Nassau, Bahamas)

Hurricane Ian is churning up some bad weather in our region. We are praying for the West coast of Florida, which is in the direct path of this dangerous Cat 4 hurricane. Thankfully, The Bahamas is only experiencing the outer bands of the storm.

In my novel “Dangerous Devotion” (Book One in my Buchanan Mystery Romance Series) a fierce hurricane hits The Bahamas. Here are two excerpts from the book:

……“We’d better get back now.” Pete turned on the wipers and headed for home, but the wipers couldn’t move fast enough to clear the rain and debris from the windshield. He swerved to avoid fallen tree limbs on the road. And as large and heavy as his truck was, the wind wrestled wildly with it. He kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel. Then, just as they manoeuvred between bending casuarina trees on either side of the narrow road, they heard a loud crack. A large branch crashed on the truck, shattering the windscreen. The children screamed as the truck skidded out of control.

……The squatters’ house where Anthony was staying had been hit hard. It had previously fallen into disrepair and the occupants weren’t sober enough to prepare for the hurricane. The roof gave way and the ceiling fell in. Some of the people inside crawled into corners of the house where they thought they would be safe. Anthony Brown woke up in a panic as rain poured down on him. He grabbed the ice pick from under his pillow, shoved it into his deep trouser pocket, and rushed out into the storm. Tree branches, coconuts, bins and garbage whirled around him as he sought shelter in the nearest building that still had a roof - a small latrine outhouse. He completely forgot about his ankle monitor.

DANGEROUS DEVOTION ON AMAZON U.S.

DANGEROUS DEVOTION ON AMAZON WORLDWIDE

 

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QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S SPECIAL PLACE

 

With Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral having focused worldwide attention on bonnie Scotland, I decided to offer my e-book "The Scottish Connection: A Journey Back - Mini-memoir" FREE until tomorrow evening 11.59 p.m. Pacific time! 

- Just after the Border Forest, a carload of excited, waving people passed us going in the opposite direction. We knew we had reached Scotland at last! The boys cheered. My mother and I were home again, in that land of soaring mountains, rushing burns and ancient glens.” - From ancient glens to sparkling lochs to soaring mountain tops, a family rediscovers their Scottish roots!

- Driving long distances in a short space of time throughout the United Kingdom is the norm nowadays. However, in the seventies it was often an adventure to cover the length or breadth of Britain. In this illustrated mini-memoir Stirling-born Fay Knowles shares memories of her 1978 journey back to Scotland with her mother and young sons, to revisit their Scottish roots.

- Fascinating Scottish Memorabilia - The Scottish Connection contains a wealth of information - Scottish ancestry, historical facts, genealogy, comparable 1978 prices, geographical descriptions, personal anecdotes, nostalgia and precious old photos.

- "The Scottish Connection" with an abundance of colour images is also available in paperback for $15.99 or your country's equivalent.

CLICK HERE FOR U.S.

CLICK HERE FOR WORLD WIDE

 

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NATIONAL HOLIDAY TO BE OBSERVED IN BAHAMAS FOR QUEEN'S FUNERAL

Along with the millions of people around the world who are mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, we have been saddened here in The Bahamas by her passing and The Bahamas Government has announced that the day of the Queen's funeral will be observed as a National Holiday. 

I came across this beautiful tribute by All Things Straw on Facebook:

All Things Straw
"A Tribute- Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022)"

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"DANGEROUS DEVOTION" EXCERPT

 

I know it's hard to think of cooler weather right now, but as we approach the Fall, here's a Scottish excerpt from my novel "Dangerous Devotion", set in Scotland and The Bahamas, with scenes in Fort Lauderdale, New York, London and Devon:

"It was a crisp autumn morning as Jim MacDougall drove the couple up the gravel drive to the majestic old Culbeinne House. Pigeons flew into the air from the tall trees around the grounds, their wings clattering at the intrusion. Leaves a multitude of red, gold, ochre and russet hues lay on the ground below, waiting for the next rainfall to mash them into the earth.

"The lawn in front of the house was newly mown, so the sweet scent of grass cuttings filled the air. With winter on its way, the gardener would soon get some relief from pushing the lawn mower across the wide expanse of grass.

"'Can't you just imagine smoke spiralling from the chimneys, darling?' Violet could picture her and Gordon lighting a log fire in the living room hearth.

"'Yes I can, lassie.' Gordon imagined him and Violet snuggled on cushions in front of a roaring fire.

"MacDougall smiled as he brought the car to a standstill at the front door of Culbeinne. Everything was going the way he'd hoped.

"As the estate agent swung open the heavy front door, the house had a different feel about it. Whereas the interior had a welcome coolness during the warmer weather, it now made Violet shiver, even though she had dressed warmly." 

FOR DANGEROUS DEVOTION CLICK HERE!

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IT'S ALL IN THE FAMILY!

 I am so proud of my sweet sister Deslie Bailey from Wales, U.K.! Her delightful poem "Seaside Memories" has been featured in the Summer 2022 issue of "Evergreen - Britain's Lovely Little Green Quarterly". It's not her first success in the poetry field and I hope she continues to write and inspire!

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ORANGES ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE BAHAMAS!

 

I was surprised to find that my orange from Fresh Market, Old Fort Bay, today was Australian! Not from Florida - or even better if it had been local. 

I wonder why there no large orange groves in The Bahamas for local and overseas consumption?! Same with pineapples and bananas. 

I know there are farmers' markets with locally grown produce and of course there is BAMSI, but these are not sufficient. It needs to be done on a much larger commercial scale, so we don't always have to depend on tourism as our main industry. 

As for the "backyard farming" our government is encouraging, the problem with that is that not everyone here has a back yard! The late Alex Knowles, Sr., a relative of Erskine's, used to grow tomatoes very successfully on a large scale and he exported them to Bermuda. We need more Bahamians to follow in his footsteps.

 

 

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BLOOMING NASSAU!

The Poinciana trees lining Collins Avenue, Nassau, Bahamas, are absolutely spectacular right now. I could hardly choose which photo to use, so here are a couple!

Poinciana trees are mentioned in "Dangerous Devotion", Book 1 in my Buchanan Mystery Romance Series. Here's one excerpt:

"On Monday, Violet and Gordon had lunch in a restaurant on the other side of town, where they thought no one would spot them. They sat at a corner table outside on the wooden deck, away from the lunchtime chatter. A Poinciana tree with brilliant red blossoms provided natural shade from the midday sun. A gentle breeze flowed from the ocean. It was the kind of setting that made a hot, humid summer’s day tolerable." 

DANGEROUS DEVOTION U.S.

DANGEROUS DEVOTION WORLDWIDE

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ISLAND PICTURES FOR 49TH ANNIVERSARY OF BAHAMAS INDEPENDENCE

 

Pictures depicting each island of The Bahamas have been on show in Rawson Square, downtown Nassau, Bahamas, for the 49th anniversary of The Bahamas' Independence July 10th, 2022. Also visible in the middle rear of the square is a statue of the late Sir Milo Butler GCMG, GCVO, who was the first Bahamian Governor General (1973 to 1979).

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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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THE PASSING OF BAHAMIAN PUBLISHED AUTHOR VERA CHASE

I was shocked and saddened to hear that published author and President of The Commonwealth Writers of The Bahamas Vera Chase had passed away. Vera and I shared our love of writing and she was always so supportive and encouraging to me.

She accomplished much in her lifetime. I just hope and pray that others will fulfill the dreams that she still had.

She worked hard at trying to establish a place here in Nassau where Family Island Junior Writers could stay when they came to Nassau and she also tried to get monetary and other support for her Pompey Project (a movie about "Pompey: A Slave’s Revolt (1830)").

Deepest condolences to Vera's husband and family.

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THE LONG ISLAND REGATTA IS BACK!

The Long Island Regatta, Salt Pond, Long Island -

Photo credit The Long Islanders Association

The Long Island Regatta is back after being absent for two years because of Covid! Visitors flock from near and far to this fabulous annual event.

Check out the Long Islanders Association Facebook page for more great photos and videos:

THE LONG ISLANDERS ASSOCIATION FACEBOOK PAGE

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BARCODES ON AMAZON'S PAPERBACK COVERS

 

Above is an example of a barcode from the back cover of my novel "Dangerous Devotion". The barcode is at the bottom right.

When I uploaded a new replacement paperback cover on Amazon recently there was a section to tick a box if I already had a barcode; otherwise leave it blank and they would add one. I always get confused about this, so I messaged Amazon. I was told if you do not have a barcode the option does not have to be checked as they would add one.

Well, I was still confused, because my existing paperback cover did have a barcode, but the new cover I was uploading didn't! Amazon told me yes, it would need a barcode and that "No matter how many times you make changes we will need to add a barcode."

I hope this helps those of you who may have been confused too!

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THE PEOPLE'S FRIEND NEW SHORT STORY COMPETITION!

The People's Friend has this exciting new short story competition!

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THE TINY LIBRARY!

 

This is the little "library" beside the swimming pool where we now live. It's hidden in a nook in the wall behind two small doors that meet in the middle.

The Swimming Pool at our new residence

Exploring, I had pushed on the narrow doors and they opened to reveal shelves stacked with books. I wondered about the history of these books, where they had been, who might have read them and who had placed them there over the years........!

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AN EQUESTRIAN BEACH GOER!

 

When we spotted this horse on Saunders Beach some time ago, but still during the pandemic, we thought it was a good sign of everything gradually going back to "normal". Saunders Beach is a public beach with beautiful white sand and a children's playground at the beginning of Cable Beach in the western outskirts of Nassau.

UP AND AWAY!

 

These e-scooters are all over Nassau! They have slots for people to pay for them by credit card and then off they go!

LOCAL GUEST HOUSE IS INSPIRATION FOR FICTIONAL INN

 

Realtor Danielle Dillet Knowles of Islandeaze Realty Ltd. stopped by today to pick up the paperback copy of "Deadly Deceit In Paradise" that I'd ordered for her. She'd said she doesn't buy online, but she really wanted a copy of Book 2 in my Buchanan Mystery Romance Series because Hummingbird Inn is featured in it.

Hummingbird Inn was inspired by what I'd seen advertised about Dillet's Guest House before it closed and was turned into an Art Studio. Violet and Gordon, who feature in each edition of the Buchanan Mystery Romance Series, love to stay at the Hummingbird Inn when they are in Nassau, because of its natural Bahamian ambiance! Just like Dillet's Guest House was.

She told me: "The fact that Dillet's Guest House was inspiration for you is a compliment".

ABOUT DEADLY DECEIT IN PARADISE:

A mysterious death in paradise leads a young woman down a path that will determine her future.

A stand-alone whodunnit filled with intrigue, romance, scandal and mystery that will keep your mind on it long after you’ve read the last page.

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? And will she have to choose between the two handsome men she meets?

The paperback of Deadly Deceit In Paradise is available on Amazon and other online retailers for $8.99. You can also buy the e-book for only $2.99.

CLICK HERE

OR HERE!

WHEN MOVING GETS IN THE WAY OF WRITING!

VIEW FROM OUR APARTMENT

   THE BEACH!

 Last October our landlord gave us notice, as he wanted to renovate the apartment we'd rented from him for eleven years. My regular writing basically stopped right then until we could find another apartment. I have never in my whole life (and that's pretty long) been without the pleasure of writing.

I just posted and posted and networked etc. trying to find us another place to live. We nearly took one place, but it wasn't secure enough. Then the next one was going to have a lot of renovations going on as well. Finally, third time lucky, we found a lovely garden apartment in an oceanfront gated community, which unbelievably was in our price range! We moved here two weeks ago.

It was quite a move, but we managed it. We can now have lunch on our porch and enjoy the trees, flowers and shrubs that grow profusely here in The Bahamas. We can walk down to the beach in the evening and sit on a bench there, watching the cruise ships on the horizon and the waves lapping at the white shore. We will of course start swimming too, once we are completely settled and the weather warms up a little. NOW I can write again!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

 

Great for this time of year! - "Sunbeams from The Heart: A Collection of Twelve Romantic Short Stories" is available on Amazon in paperback (regular and large print), as an e-book and through Kindle Unlimited.

Love themes in Sunbeams from the Heart tell of nostalgia, bright new beginnings, homecoming, second chances, and the unexpected. The stories propel the  reader on a journey through Scotland, England, The Bahamas and rural America.

"The Lady" magazine, England, wrote about my short story "Love at Sunset", that first appeared in their July 19th 2013 Summer Collector's Edition and which features in Sunbeams from The Heart: “Hugely popular … Charming and surprising!” Most of the stories in this short story collection were first published in The Lady.

I was delighted when shortly after its release in 2015 Sunbeams from the Heart made Amazon's top 100 paid best-sellers' list in the Literature & Fiction/Short stories category next to Stephen King’s "Hearts in Atlantis". And the following month, Sunbeams from the Heart again made the top 100 paid bestsellers' list in the Literature & Fiction/Short Stories category, this time alongside Agatha Christie's "Miss Marple - The Complete Short Stories".

An Amazon reviewer wrote about Sunbeams from the Heart: “While each story is unique, all share that one common thread we humans yearn for: LOVE….Valentine or not, Sunbeams From The Heart is indeed a delightful read.”

Excerpt from the short story Love at Sunset: “Once out of sight from the main road, they relaxed on a seat beneath a casuarina tree and kissed. Then they gazed out across the sapphire blue sea to a lone sailboat on the horizon. The sun was going down, the sky like an artist’s canvas with gold and orange brush strokes. The sweet aroma of a barbecue drifted along the sea shore.”

BUY HERE! 

M47 ALTERNATIVE ROCK BAND FROM BAHAMAS IN DEVON DAILIES!

M47, the new alternative rock band from The Bahamas, is featured in two Devon dailies!

THE EXETER DAILY

THE DEVON DAILY

M47 ROCKS THE BAHAMAS - SETS SIGHTS ON THE WORLD!

M47, new alternative rock band from The Bahamas, releases their debut single "Hints"!

@m47_official

JUNKANOO THEN AND NOW!

The aftermath of a past Junkanoo 

in downtown Nassau, Bahamas

Sadly, our popular Junkanoo festival here in The Bahamas has been cancelled again this year. The New Year's Day holiday, which will be observed on Monday, January 3rd, won't ring with the excitement of New Year's Day 1966 and successive New Year's Days because of Covid-19. 

Fifty-six years' ago, I rode side saddle 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" (described by Juanita Coulson, "The Lady" Books Editor, as "A moving tale of family dynamics and relationships in later life"), Gordon and Violet experience the Christmas season in Nassau, but because Gordon is Scottish, they fly back to Scotland for Hogmanay.

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 $13.99. Click the link below to go the book's Amazon page:-

DANGEROUS DEVOTION

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy 2022!