I know we are all so busy at this time of year, in particular today, as many of us are getting ready to gather with friends and family to celebrate the festive season. So, I’m going to keep this short, especially since I can see how quiet blogtown is today, lol.
I want to wish all my friends and readers a beautiful holiday season and thank you all with deepest gratitude for all your visits, shares and interactions here for the past year(s). May you all be blessed with love and hope and gratitude for you and yours.
Also, for you bloggers who are looking for a great blog party complete with all things festive – food and drink and great music, and some wonderful Christmas wishes added from several authors over at Sally Cronin’s Christmas Smorgasbord, the post is still running hot and live throughout the holidays. So come take in some festive cheer over at Sally’s blog!
Wish – Guests, Food, Music and laughter
The theme for this year’s party is ‘Just One Wish’. We are all familiar with the story of Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother, who was pretty liberal with that magic wand of hers and managed to turn a pumpkin into a golden carriage.
Unfortunately, she has long since retired and hung up her wand, but because I asked nicely (and she would like me to promote her memoir –The Prince Charmings I have Known!) she has agreed to allow my guests, just one wish…
My thanks to everyone who sent in their special wish and with a great deal of positive thought from us all, and of course a little assistance from the magic wand of the Fairy Godmother, they might just come true…
Please help yourself to food and drink and if you would like to dance on the tables… that is great. You will find links to authors author pages and a selection of their books and their social media so please head over and discover more. . . Please head over to Sally’s and join the fun!
Sally Cronin has done it again . She’s come up with another wonderful holiday season series at the Smorgasbord Invitation. Sally invites writers to join her Christmas Bookfair to showcase your books and stories.
Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – The Christmas Book Fair with Guest Writers – starting November 18th 2019
I know that this is a tad early but the series will be starting on Monday November 18th to ensure that every author that is in the Cafe and Bookstore is featured before Christmas.
Each author in the Cafe and Bookstore will have one of their books showcased, and I will usually pick the first in a series, with links to the other books, or the author’s latest release.
I will include the best review for that particular book and the usual links to Amazon, Goodreads and social media.
If you are on the shelves, you don’t need to do anything, but I would be grateful if you would share the post on your own social media to help promote, not just your books, but the other authors that are featured.
Guest posts for the Christmas Book Fair.
This year I will also be running a separate series alongside the book fair. I will be inviting some special guests along to talk about various aspects of writing, proofreading,editing, formatting and design as well as those who write within a specific genre such as non-fiction, romance, crime thrillers and fantasy.
And I will ask some book reviewers to share the key elements they look for in what they consider to be a four or five star rated read.
New Books on the Shelves of the Cafe
If you have a new book coming out between now and Christmas then please let me know. For those already in the Cafe and Bookstore, all I will need is the link on Amazon either as pre-order or available.
There will be other promotions in the run up to Christmas including A Christmas Blog Party on Friday 20th December that everyone will be invited to.. food, drink and music… and an opportunity to promote your blog in the comments.
In the meantime.. do not forget to let me know about new books due out before Christmas…thanks Sally.
Sally Cronin is hosting the 12 Days of Christmas at her blog daily, and I was thrilled to be featured with my best Christmas gift along with 2 other authors, Lizzie Chantree and Joy Lennick. Every day of the 12, Sally shares a fun story and lots of food and drinks to celebrate the season.
As a bonus feature, I’m sharing Sally’s generous offer on her blog now through Christmas Eve where Sally is offering 5 of her ebooks absolutely FREE! Please check out the second link at the bottom of the post to get to Sally’s book promotion and take advantage, I promise Sally’s books never disappoint!
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Christmas – The Fifth Day of Christmas with guests D.G. Kaye, Lizzie Chantree and Joy Lennick
Welcome to the fifth day of Christmas, and today my guests are D.G. Kaye (Debby Gies), Lizzie Chantree and Joy Lennick. We will find out more about their most favourite Christmas memories later.
As I continue to reflect on Christmas Past… I came across some pictures of Saas Fee in Austria the Christmas of 1995, here is a mountain shot that I found on Pixabay which is far better than the ones I took with my old camera. It was to be a memorable festive break for more than one reason… We stayed in a lovely hotel which was family run and the guests were mainly German speaking. There was one other English couple and the management kindly put our two tables close together in the dining-room. We actually got on with them very well and over the course of the 10 days we went on some excursions as a foursome. The other thing that the management did to make our stay more enjoyable was to translate their morning newsletter and guide to the day’s menu from German into English.
These were the days before Google Translate was offering such a useful service and I know that the two pager must have taken considerable time to convert especially as there were only four of us who could not speak German. That is true customer service. However, it unfortunately did lead to some hilarity at the breakfast table despite our best efforts to maintain a stiff British upper lip. There were a number of ‘moments’ including our confusion over the ‘Cancer Butter’ to be served with the salmon at dinner (Crab butter) and the title of the Version Original film to be shown at the local cinema ‘The Hard with a Vengeance’ (Die Hard with a Vengeance).
David was hitting the ski slopes every day whilst I explored the trails around Saas Fee by foot. However, between Christmas and New Year the four of us decided to try out the very long toboggan run from the top of the tree line down into the town. Luckily there was a ski lift up to the top where we collected our individual sleds. I was not very proficient to begin with and the other three were soon on their way as I trailed tentatively behind. The route took two hours normally and by the time I got to the last down hill stretch David and our two companions were gathered enjoying a mulled wine and waiting for my arrival. That last slope was both steep and lengthy and I perched over the lip prepared for a fast ride.
At that moment the three of them turned to face the slope and began waving.. as did most of the other spectators. I was quite chuffed by the attention as they all waved both arms over their heads and shouted encouragement. Taking a deep breath I launched myself off and gathered momentum very quickly…. too quickly and barely keeping the sled under control I hurtled downwards towards the waiting crowd. The end of the run ended in a gradual slope upwards to slow the progress of over eager tobogganers.
It was obvious to those watching that I was not going to be stopping anytime soon and the crowd parted as I rushed through them and I heard what they had been shouting to me on the way down as they waved their arms in the air “Ice, Ice, walk down on the edge – don’t do it. I took off from that ramp like Santa and his sleigh and thankfully landed in a snow drift positioned as a precautionary measure…. As I rose to my feet unharmed I turned to find anxious faces peering over the edge. I was laughing with adrenaline overload and with that everybody began clapping and slapping each other on the back… It was obviously the best entertainment in town….
Time for my first guest and it is D.G. Kaye.. Debby Gies who is not just a wonderful friend and supporter of the blog but also a much valued contributor. In particular the monthly Travel Column which has taken us to warm and exotic locations in the Caribbean and The Lesser Antilles…on cruise ships with all the know-how necessary to get the best value and enjoyment from our holiday. Recently Debby has been keeping an eye open for funnies to enhance the Laughter lines including this recent post
Debby shares her very poignant best Christmas Gift ever.. the first year that she was married.
My best Christmas gift was marrying my husband in October 1999. One week after our marriage I became almost fatally ill and spent the first few months of marriage in and out of hospital. The steroids I was put on made me gain a bunch of weight and my face wasn’t spared with the often talked about ‘moonface’ many experience on that drug. I was sick, depressed and couldn’t stand looking in a mirror. My husband caught me secretly crying in the bathroom and asked me what was the matter. I tried to explain how I felt through my fit of tears and here was his response: “I love you to the moon and back. You will always be beautiful to me and that’s all that counts.” If I hadn’t already known I married a prince, I knew in that moment.
Please continue reading at Sally’s blog, for more food, fun,memories and videos.
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Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Buy a Book for Christmas – The last author to be (self-promoted) and Free Giveaway – Sally Cronin!
Time for some self-promotion…. but I do come bearing gifts!
I am going to share the books and one of their reviews, and offer five of the E-versions to you as a Christmas gift. I have no expectation of a review, but I write books to be read, and it gives me pleasure to know that someone is intrigued enough to want to accept the book.
The offer runs from today 18th December until Midnight Christmas Eve 2018 wherever you live – Please visit Sally’s post to take advantage of her generous offer
Sally Cronin invites authors to join in the Christmas party of books at the Smorgasbord Invitation’s Bookstore and Cafe. There’s still time to get in your books. Read the post for instructions how to participate!
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – #Christmas author and blog promotions 2018 – It’s party time again.
It might only be mid-November but with 160 authors in the Cafe and Bookstore that all will be included in the Christmas promotions..This includes existing authors on the shelves and any new authors who join them from now to December 25th.
Here is how to let me know about your Christmas release
Author in the Cafe and Bookstore already.
Please send me the link to your book on Amazon – available or on pre-order to sally.cronin@moyhill.com…. I have all your details on record.
New author to the Cafe and Bookstore.
Link to Amazon for the book (preferably your author page even if you only have one book this is an essential marketing tool and makes it a great deal easier for people like myself who are promoting your work) Also if you have a central book link site on your blog or website that is useful.
If you do not have an Amazon author page yet, then I will need an author profile photo or image and your official author’s bio. Please send any images attached to the email not inserted into it.
You main social media links including website, blog, twitter, facebook, linkedin, goodreads and google+. Links in full please not short links, as they do not always work when inserted into WordPress.
In my experience of promoting authors in the last 14 years, it is not as effective if you do not have some presence on social media and a central page on Amazon or Goodreads where readers can connect with you and see all your work together in one place.
Please note that my blog has some young followers so I do not accept 18+ books.
The first of the Christmas new book on the shelves is going out Monday morning so you see how yours will look when posted.
For authors already in the Cafe and Bookstore, all will be included in the Christmas bookstore updates each week and there will now be additional posts until December 25th so that you are all mentioned.
It is Christmas Party time with traditions, food and special guests. Also an opportunity to join in and leave a link to your own Christmas Posts.
Beginning on Thursday December 13th until December 24th – The twelve days of Christmas will feature four guests each day along with traditions, food music and humour.
I will be featuring my regular contributors but that still leaves 40 spots for additional guests and if you would like to be a guest then there is something I need to bring with you. I would like a brief description….100 words about the very best Christmas present you can remember… email me on sally.cronin@moyhill.com
Please continue reading all Christmas promos in detail at Sally’s blog HERE
Join Sally Cronin’s ‘End of Summer’ party at the Smorgasbord Invitation. Sally is inviting everyone over to her summer’s end party this weekend! To take part in the fun, read her post below, choose your favorite food and music by answering 3 simple questions:
Smorgasbord End of Summer #Party – Weekend August 25th/26th 2018 – Invitation.
You are invited to the End of Summer Party on the weekend of August 25th and 26th to enjoy music, good food, witty conversation and an opportunity to plug your books and your blog.
Of course in this virtual world of ours music is great, and so is the wit, but the food is less fattening. It is a chance to mingle and make new contacts and learn more about your fellow bloggers which is always a good thing.
To enable you to do this, there will be four meals where you can be a guest over the two days.
Brunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner on Saturday and Sunday Lunch.
I want to make this as easy as possible to accept this invitation so please just answer these three questions. . . Continue reading at Sally’s blog
I’m thrilled to be sharing Christy Birmingham’s Giveaway post today. Christy runs an inspiring blog – When Women Inspire, and this week she is running a Rafflecopter giveaway contest for 3 different paperback copies from 3 different authors. And yes, one of those authors contributing to Christy’s giveaway is moi, yours truly.
Please hop over to Christy’s blog and enter her giveaway she is so generously sponsoring in celebration of her 10,000 subscribers to her blog. The contest ends July 7th so hurry!
Giveaway Time! Win FREE Books Now
Yes, that’s right. We’re having a Rafflecopter giveaway. For 3 FREE paperbacks!
Three female authors are kindly offering up their books for this contest. If you’re like me, you love to read and cannot wait to sink your teeth into a new plot. All 3 reads – 2 fiction and 1 memoir – are by women who have been featured right here on this blog. Yes, all of these authors have inspiring stories.
Why am I Running the Contest?
This contest is in celebration of reaching 10,000 blog subscribers! This blog currently has 9,807 subscribers so the big day is only weeks away 🙂 I want to send this out as a thank you!! (Note: the subscriber number on the follow box shows as higher because it adds in the social media followers too). I also hope that this contest will encourage you to read more female writers!
Just spreading the word here in case you missed this Bulletin Alert from Sally Cronin. Sally is whipping up a fun-filled weekend at her blog in honor of the end of summer. Read about it in her post below and hope you can all pop by and meet some stellar bloggers and mingle in the comments section at Sally’s Smorgasbord Invitation!
Smorgasbord Invitation to an end of Summer House Party – Saturday 26th to Monday 28th August
In a few weeks we shall be coming to the end of the summer holidays and I thought that as I am also approaching my fourth blogging anniversary, it was time to have a party.
I have already begun to prepare my guest list with those wonderful writers who have supported me throughout those four years. They will be appearing automatically with their details and links over the three days.
However, as with any good party there is also an opportunity to mingle and share contact details with others to promote your blog, books and social media connections.
There will be some music, personal recollections of my special guests and something to eat and drink…virtually of course. . . Continue Reading
Be sure to visit Sally’s blog Saturday through Monday to join the festivities!
DGKayewriter.com 