#FridayFictioneers ‘Frosty Quarrel’ #FlashFiction #100words

Time again for a new episode of Friday Fictioneers featuring our indomitable heroine, Alice Pendragon, who will discover the downside of falling in love…

Thank you Rochelle at Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple for this week’s prompt for hosting this fabulous weekly flash fiction challenge. Thank you © Dale Rogerson for this week’s icy photo prompt.

Frosty Quarrel

“You asked me how I feel, mum?” Alice said walking over to the window and lifting her chin towards the wintry garden.

“Like ice. My heart is crying frozen drops of dew, hanging onto the freezing branches. I’m chilled to the core and dead to the world. I’m paralysed by frost and trapped in a tiny iceberg.”

Alice remembered their argument and sighed. “Billy’s not coming back this time.”

Her mother chuckled. “He left an hour ago.”

Alice shook her head. “You don’t understand, mum.”

Her mother smiled. “Trust me, I do. Call him. He’s feeling like the frozen pool.”

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All my ‘Alice’ flash fiction stories, written for the Friday Fictioneers Challenge, can be read as standalones, but if you’d like to read previous stories of Alice’s adventures, here they are!

#BookTour ‘Christmas Secrets’ #Author Interview @donnahatch

Interview with Author Donna Hatch

  1. Could you tell us something about why you wrote this novel and where the idea, or inspiration, came from.

I’ve been toying with the strangers kissing idea for a couple of years, and have had a few false starts. Finally, I brainstormed the concept with a critique partner. After trying several options, I finally landed on one that worked for me.

2- You are a bestselling author of Regency Romances. Why do you think this genre is so popular 200 years after the original romances were written?

I think there are many reasons. One reason they are popular is due to all the recent movies based on famous historical books such as all the Jane Austen films, North and South with the dreamy Richard Armitage, and many other historical novel adaptations as well as BBC series that take place in historical eras.

Another reason historical romance novels stay popular is because most people read either to relax or escape—which are kinda one in the same. We crave a reprieve from our troubles. The fantasy of vicariously living the life of the very rich, wearing beautiful gowns, having handsome heroes vie for our favor or even dueling over our honor is very appealing, and giving those stories a historical setting furthers the fantasy.

In Regency England, manners were very formal. There was a protocol to everything from how many sets a lady could dance with a gentleman in one evening (two), to what to wear while walking (a walking gown).

I love the eloquent speech used during the Regency and how they also prized wit. My job as a historical novelist is to include witty dialogue in every historical I write. I also love the manners of the Regency: gentlemen stood when a lady entered the room, removed their hats, cleaned up their language, and bowed. Yes, I do wish men still did those things today. Regency men were educated as well as athletic; they rode horses, fenced, and boxed. They were strong, noble and honorable—to the point of being self-sacrificing. And that is why I love them!

3- Have you ever thought about writing another genre, such as contemporary romance?

Not contemporary but I have written a fantasy, which is currently out of print, and I’d like to write more in the future. I also am considering writing young adult fantasy or futuristic/science fiction.

4- What are you writing at the moment?

I am working on book 5 of my Rogue Hearts series, and I’m brainstorming a new series about spies during the Napoleonic Wars.

5- What would you like readers to know about you?

I love chocolate and cute fluffy baby animals.

Here is my official bio: Best-selling author, Donna Hatch, is a hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, the force that drove her to write and publish twenty historical romance titles, including the award-winning “Rogue Hearts Series.”  She is a multi-award winner, a sought-after workshop presenter, and juggles multiple volunteer positions as well as her six (yes, that is 6) children. Also a music lover, she sings and plays the harp, and loves to ballroom dance. Donna and her family recently transplanted from her native Arizona to the Pacific Northwest where she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Connect with Donna here:

Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~  Goodreads ~ Twitter ~

 

Holly’s two Christmas wishes this year are to finally win her mother’s approval by gaining the notice of a handsome earl, and discovering the identity of the stranger who gave her a heart-shattering kiss…even if that mystery kisser is the resident Christmas ghost.

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~

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#FridayPhoto ‘Season of Leaves’ #Poem #Autumn

Season of leaves,
Tumbled from trees,
Covering the ground,
Crunching the calm
Autumn mornings,
Breath-taking scenes.

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Photos taken yesterday during my morning walk.

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#WordlessWednesday ‘Resisting the Fall’ #Haiku

Lonely leaves on trees

Dangling from brittle branches

Resisting the fall…

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Photos taken this morning in a park near my home.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

#Writephoto ‘Endless Sunsets’ #FlashFiction

Endless Sunsets

Jack sat by the window.
Tears slid down his deep wrinkles, splashing onto his black suit.
 “What will I do without you?” he beseeched the fiery sunset.
“Remember the glorious skies we watched together.” He heard her voice echoing in his mind. “Now we’ll be watching endless sunsets.”
He spun round, swinging his arms in the air in frustration. “It’s not enough. I can’t see you or touch you!”
“Feel me in your heart,” she whispered as he held his hand over his chest and implored the crimson heavens to take care of the love of his life.
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Thanks to Sue Vincent’s weekly photo challenge #Writephoto for hosting and organising this weekly photo prompt. Why not join in?

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#SundayWalks around #Córdoba Old Town #SilentSunday

Alcazar of the Catholic Kings XVI Century
One of the many doors to the Mosque
Part of the Mosque Tower from the outer walls.
The Mosque Tower from inside the Orante Tree Patio.
A Narrow Cobbled Street near the Mosque.
Whitewashed walls and iron window bars with flowers.
Casa Palacio Bandolero by the Mosque.
Paella looks good and it was!

See you next Sunday for another walk 🙂

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#Writephoto ‘Hope’ #Haiku #MondayBlogs

Hope

Broken moon, shining

on cherished dreams. Azure sky.

Hopeful heart, smiling.

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Thanks to Sue Vincent’s weekly photo challenge #Writephoto for hosting and organising this weekly photo prompt. Why not join in?

 

 

#SilentSunday #Christmas Market and #Book Fair #SundayMorningWalk in #Cordoba

Christmas Market in the Main Square ‘Plaza de las Tendillas’
Everything you need for your Nativity Scene ‘Belen’.
Hand-made wooden toys for children’s Christmas presents.
Delicious little houses, ‘Casitas’ you can eat made with chocolate and more…
Feeling hungry? Who can resist one of these home made cakes?
The Square is presided by Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, Gran Capitán, a Spanish General who fought in the Conquest of Granada in 1492, among other battles.

Welcome to the Antique Book Fair
Books Galore for everyone!

Hope you enjoyed the walk! See you again next week!

How was your Sunday morning?

#Writespiration #140 #52Words in 52 Weeks ‘Unused Baby Booties’ #FlashFiction

This week, our challenge is to write 52 words…. EXACTLY, no more, no less about a pair of shoes.

Isn’t it amazing what can be done with just 52 words? Why not join in Sacha’s challenge?

 

 

Unused Baby Booties

Kathy rummaged through the winter clothes in the charity shop. She couldn’t afford expensive presents for her grandfather, but he needed a warm sweater, so she’d buy one.  

She only had him to look after, for now.

Her fingers brushed over unused baby booties.

What would he say when he found out?  

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This week’s prompt reminded me of the following famous six word, flash fiction story, attributed to Ernest Hemingway, ‘For sale: baby shoes. never worn,’ and from there it took me to a charity shop and my 52-word story including a pair of unused baby booties.

Thanks to Sacha for hosting and organising her weekly #writespiration and Ernest Hemingway for writing the most inspiring flash fiction ever.

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