THE VOICELESS DOGS OF NASSAU, BAHAMAS

This is my latest “Woman in Action” article that appears in “The Punch” on page 15 today about Chella Phillips Melnechuk, founder of “The Voiceless Dogs of Nassau, Bahamas”. Chella rescues stray dogs, many of whom are suffering from debilitating diseases, and finds them happy homes in the U.S.  The Punch features an outstanding local woman in their “Woman in Action” column every Thursday, with my articles usually appearing every other Thursday.

PIRATED E-BOOKS!

I was dismayed to discover that the e-book edition of my book "Sunbeams from the Heart - A Collection of Twelve Romantic Short Stories" was being pirated online! 

I reported it to Amazon and they said: “I can confirm that we have not authorized these sites to loan your book and have not provided your file to them. If you have found your work available on an unauthorized website such as the sites that you referenced, we suggest contacting that website to confirm your rights and request removal of your work. If you distribute your book through other sales channels, you might contact them to inquire as to whether they have authorized the inclusion of your book on other sites. Our lending program allows a purchaser to lend a title once and does not allow the recipient to re-loan that book.” 

Amazon gave me a link to more information about Kindle book lending. None of this was of any help to me. I haven’t distributed my book through any other sales channels and I am reluctant to contact the pirated sites direct.

Fortunately, I found the following most helpful article by Derek Haines on this topic. It seems that there's really nothing any of us can do; that people who access these pirate sites can have their computer infected by viruses anyway; and on the plus side these pirates even get the word out about our books and can indirectly bring us more sales! Some sensible book buyers wouldn't dream of downloading a book from a pirate's site, but they may take note of the title and go to a respected source to buy it!

"Ebook Piracy Is Rampant And Impossible To Stop" by Derek Haines

I guess I could contact the pirates and ask them to cease and desist. Apparently this sometimes works for a while, but it’s not long before they start popping up again. And then there’s the risk of getting a virus on my computer from these rogue sites.

I suppose I should just take it all as a compliment, as “Jenny Martins” posted on one of these pirate sites: “Finally I get this e-book, thanks for all these Sunbeams heart collection romantic stories I can get now!” and “Markus Jensen” wrote: “I did not think that this would work, my best friend showed me this website, and it does! I get my most wanted eBook.”

As the saying goes: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”!

PASSING OF LEGENDARY BAHAMIAN MUSIC ICON RONNIE BUTLER

RONNIE BUTLER - PHOTO COURTESY
THE TRIBUNE AND NATIVE STEW

We were saddened yesterday to learn of the passing of legendary Bahamian entertainer and cultural music icon Ronnie Butler. Ronnie was born in 1937 and was made a Member of the British Empire (M.B.E.) in 2003.

We loved his singing, especially when we went dancing in the “Big Bamboo” on downtown Bay Street in the sixties. And when we moved to England for a year in the seventies I used to dance around the living room to Ronnie’s lively and charismatic records, feeling very homesick for The Bahamas!

More information at THE TRIBUNE 

NEW LOOK FOR #1 BEST-SELLER CORNELIUS!

Tanya R. Taylor's #1 Best-seller CORNELIUS has a new look! Buy it at 

CORNELIUS ON AMAZON

And Book 2 in "The Cornelius Saga", CORNELIUS’ REVENGE, is FREE right now, so you can get a taste of this brilliant series -

CORNELIUS' REVENGE ON AMAZON

HAPPY HAITIAN WORKERS!

A Haitian painter in Nassau, Bahamas
(Haitian workers are also not afraid to work at great heights!) 

Listening to Haitian workers chattering away as they worked, I commented to Erskine, “I wonder why they talk so much while they’re working.” He replied: “It’s because they’re so happy to be employed!”

That is very true. There is a large population of Haitians here in The Bahamas, many of whom arrived here on rickety boats, not knowing what their future would be if any.

Cap-Haïtien produces skilled workers, such as painters, carpenters and masons. The gardeners that are employed on many Bahamians’ properties hail from Port-de-Paix.

WOMAN IN ACTION ROCHELLE BUTLER WINS WEIGHT BATTLE!

Here is my latest “Woman in Action” article that appears in “The Punch” on page 15 today about Rochelle Butler, who has lost a tremendous amount of weight and is an inspiration to all of those struggling with weight problems. 

The Punch features an outstanding local woman in their “Woman in Action” column every Thursday, with my articles usually appearing every other Thursday.

TERI M. BETHEL'S BAHAMIAN AUTHORS DIRECTORY

I’m honoured to have my author bio on Teri M. Bethel’s online directory of Bahamian authors. Teri is an author herself, as well as being an Interior Designer by profession, textile artist and handbag designer. Author Vera Chase kindly referred her to me. Teri is the author of empowering fiction, as well as non-fiction books for adults and children. Both in her daily living and in her books, she seeks to encourage and empower people to be the best they can be.

Here’s the link to Teri’s Directory: BAHAMIAN AUTHORS DIRECTORY