Good Deeds Challenge Year 2 Week 22

Welcome to my second Year of Good Deeds, a challenge I set myself during April 2013. I decided to do at least one Good Deed a day for a whole year, now I an into my second year.

During my week I’ll also being updating you on My Kindness Challenge which I’m also doing. I read about a new challenge to make the world a better place to live in. “Speak Kind Words, Receive Kind Echoes” see the inspiration on  The Kindness blog . During my learning process I’m donating money to charity for my slip-ups to make me work harder to achieve results. I earn no money from any of my book reviews, so having little to spare should focus my mind.

September 14th – Dark Gothic romance is Jane Godman’s book Echoes in the Darkness, Day 14 of Romancing September. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5Hk

Am putting together plans for my next tour, this one will feature mystery books and their authors and will take place in November.

September 15th – Laura E James featured in Romancing September today with her book Follow Me , Follow You. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5xp

A school morning and I’m getting to know my new set of children that I listen to as they practise their reading. This year I have twins amongst my group, luckily they are not identical.  Donated a series of books to the school for their library that I had finished reading. Have been and bought a load more books again today, taking full advantage of the sales going on.

September 16th – Mary Forbes joins us on the Romance tour today with her book One Dance With A Stranger, Mary hails from Canada, it’s so great meeting all these people from across the world and bringing them together. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5yC

Getting lots of interest for the November Mystery book tour, busy sending out Q&A sheets and creating pictures to use on Twitter. I enjoy the challenge and the skills that I am learning from this task.

September 17th – Monica La Porta is the featured author on Romancing September today with her book The Lost Centurion, set in a stunning Italian landscape it mixes paranormal with hot romance. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5Er

Am off out to dinner this evening with friends, a rare treat, and it’s another good deed opportunity as it’s my turn to drive.

September 18th – E.L. Lindley is chatting about her book Dare To Lose today on Romancing September. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5DE

What a 24 hours! The blog is SO busy at the moment it’s truly wonderful, thank you to everyone who reads and reviews book, signs up for tours, comments and shares posts and tweets and everything else you do for me.  So here is a little something back for anyone going through an anxious and stressful time at the moment and with children in the Uk off the University this month, I know there will be a few Mums out there in need of a little TLC, firstly why not circle the date of your birthday on every month of the calendar and give yourself a little treat once a month for a whole year. Plan out what you could do, it could be time out for yourself, meeting with a friend, 15 minutes meditation, buying a new book randomly in a genre you don’t normally read, anything, but give yourself a well deserved treat.

Have been helping out my dearest friends with some support at their own emotional times. Plus recommending books for them to read. If you want to read them too, try these, get them in paperback, you’ll want to flip back through them too often to read on Kindle.

You Can Heal Your life by Louise Hay

Heal Your Body/New Cover: The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them by Louise Hay

Next watch this video on Tapping or Emotional Freedom Technique http://eft.mercola.com/

September 19th – Today it was the turn of Rock Chick Nicky Wells and her book Fallen for Rock on the Romancing September Tour. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5DR

I’ve been out buying more books as gifts for people. Still at bargain prices.

September 20th –  The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan was our book on the tour today. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5CO

Have been delivering a birthday present for my Dad this morning, it’s his birthday tomorrow.

Romancing September #RomancingSeptember – Day 20

Welcome to Day 20 of Romancing September Across The World Tour. Today our guest is Susan Buchanan. Catch up with more from Susan in a few hours with the second part of our tour when Stephanie chats to her.

Where is your home town?

Kilsyth, near Glasgow, although I don’t live there anymore. I live south of the city now.

How long have you been writing romance?

Well, it’s not pure romance, more chick lit, so let’s say 2 years, as my first novel was more drama-based, even though there’s lots of romance in Sign of the Times too.

What is your favourite sub-genre of romance?

Chicklit, without question, although I do like those with a bit of a moral to them and I am not a fan of those with Jimmy Choos and where everyone works in PR or Media.

Where does Gill work? 

She has her own recruitment company, based in Glasgow.

What does she do about her lack of a love life?

Initially she ignores it, but her friends keep trying to set her up on blind dates, which are awful. After a terrible date with a pumped-up gym bore, she joins Happy Ever After dating agency, after seeing an ad on a bus billboard.

How many men does she meet? 

5

Tell us a bit about some of the men?

Well, there’s Anton, the Russian research scientist, who is very sensitive to her needs and very thoughtful. There’s Sean, the Irishman who works in music (Gill has a thing for Irish accents). Then Charlie who’s separated and has a little girl. Seeing him in his flying jacket makes Gill think of Tom Cruise in Top Gun. And we’ll keep the others a secret for now!

Gill and her friends take a trip to Spain, who does she meet there?

She meets a man, in the unlikeliest of circumstances, just when she is taking a break from dating (even if it’s only over a long weekend). But it isn’t a romantic meeting, although he does save her.

Tell us what you are working on at the moment.

When I get time, I’m working on two books, a Christmas book , which unfortunately isn’t likely to be finished in time for this Christmas, and What If, the story of Cameron, a bit of a lad, a serial womanizer who at 45 has an epiphany which will change his life and question his sanity!

Where can readers find out more about you?

Oh, even though I’m a lot busier these days, I am still often to be found on

Twitter susan_buchanan,

occasionally I nip over to Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author ,

and, of course, there’s always my blog – http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk

Find a copy of The Dating Game here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Find out more about Susan from Stephanie Hurt’s blog and all our Romance writers http://stephanie-hurt.com/

Good Deeds Week March 30th – April 5th

Welcome to my weekly roundup of my year long challenge to do one Good deed a day for a year. This challenge began back in April 2013 and is still going strong, I’m now entering my final few weeks. My inspiration came from reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly. Here is what I’ve been up to this week.

March 30th – Last night we changed our clocks in line with British Summertime, so I’m a bit late this morning. It’s also Mother’s Day, so I’ve been giving and receiving gifts as all Mothers should.

March 31st – A really busy day today. I’ve just done my morning at school. Now the April Issue of Fleet Life has just dropped through my door, so I’ve written a draft ready to coincide with the online version. http://www.fleetlife.org.uk click on the online directory and fins me on page 18. This months books are;

Please Call Me Derek by Mac Black

The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Calculated by R.S. Novelle

Spirit Warriors by D.E.L Connor

It’s also my first month writing book reviews for Fleet Life’s sister magazine The Elvetham Heath Directory. http://www.ehd.org.uk, again click on the online directory and find me on page. This months featured books are different to Fleet Life although I will mix and match on occasions.

The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan

Greening of a Heart by Stepheny Houghtlin

Red Clay and Roses by S.K. Nicholls

The Griffin’s Boy by Julia Hughes

The Black Hours by Alison Williams.

With my A to Z Challenge starting tomorrow too, I’m sending out reminders to authors whose books are featuring in the first week. I want it to be a good give and take, I promote their books and they promote me.

April 1st – It’s here the first Day of the April A to Z blogging challenge with well over 1900 bloggers signed up this year it’s going to be huge. I’ve been all over the place visiting blogs and writing comments. My own challenge started with A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba. Catch up with posts in my Challenge round-up post, or from the A to Z page at the top of this blog.  The sun has finally burnt off the morning fog so now I’m off out in to the garden for a bit of one on one with nature after all my computing.

April 2nd – Online versions of both local magazines made it up on the internet today, so posted my pieces about them and let all the authors know. Having an absolute blast with the A to Z challenge, I can’t believe how many people are coming to my blog it is fantastic. Today’s book was Boot Camp Bride by Lizzie Lamb, Lizzie helped promote the post with her Facebook group of friends which I really appreciated. My slideshow on the sidebar is getting plenty of attention and good comments which is great to hear, have been helping a couple of people out with setting up their own gallery.

April 3rd – Met a friend for coffee in town and caught up with all her news. Went out this evening with more friends and took a birthday present with me for one of them whose birthday is in the next few days. Today’s book on the A to Z Challenge was Coronado’s Treasure by Randy Mixter. I’m thrilled to see lots of re-tweeting going on from other authors who will be taking part in my challenge and from followers of my blog, thanks everyone it means a lot.

April 4th – It’s a Derek Day today on the A to Z with Derek’s Revenge by Mac Black and a plug for the whole series. Went to the local market this morning, met a friend who has offered to pick us up in a few weeks time to attend a party. My Good deeds are mainly internet bound this week, visiting lots of blogs and leaving comments, tweeting and sharing posts. Finished reading Chill Factor by Rachel Caine and left a review on Goodreads.

April 5th – Everlasting by Candace Knoebel is the book for letter E in the A to Z today. Went for a quick walk this afternoon and picked up some litter. Am reading the second book in the Wardstone Chronicles, The Spook’s Curse, by Joseph Delaney, finished it late last evening and posted my review on Goodreads.

April Issue of Elvetham Heath Directory

This is my first month writing book reviews for Fleet Life’s sister magazine The Elvetham Heath Directory. For an online edition go to http://www.ehd.org.uk, click on the online directory and find me on page 6. This months featured books are different to Fleet Life although I will mix and match on occasions.

 

The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan

Greening of a Heart by Stepheny Houghtlin

Red Clay and Roses by S.K. Nicholls

The Griffin’s Boy by Julia Hughes

The Black Hours by Alison Williams.

Guest Author Susan Buchanan

Today our guest is Susan Buchanan author of yesterday’s book  The Dating Game. Click here for my book review if you missed it. http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-4pX

Let’s find out more about Susan.

1) Where is your home town?

I now live in Hamilton, just outside Glasgow, but am originally from Kilsyth, a small town on the other side of Glasgow (I have moved around a lot though, living also in France and Spain)

2) How long have you been writing?

Since I was a teenager, but I only seriously took up the task about 12 years ago, when I started writing Sign of the Times – it took me 6 years to write it…

3) What made you decide to write a book about dating?

A friend of mine had joined a dating agency aimed at professional people who were short on time, and I thought ‘now there’s an idea for a novel!’

4) Can you tell readers about some of Gill’s disastrous relationships before she joins the dating agency?

Sure. She was married to Barry – a blip as she terms it now. They should have lived together first. Then she had a bit of a stalker boyfriend in Timothy – a bit too much Sleeping With The Enemy for her. Good old Colin, who unfortunately worked away a lot – wasn’t exactly handy – given that he was in Dubai most of the time. Clive had lied about his occupation…and when the truth came out it had turned Gill’s stomach. Iron-pumping, bore Graham, who was more obsessed with his own body than hers was the final nail in the coffin.

5) Tell us about Gill’s great Girlfriends and how they support her.

Her friends are great. Angela and Lisa are always at loggerheads. Angela is a single mum, relatively serious, but sticks up for her friends.  She’s also a feisty type. Debbie is really Gill’s first port of call. She’s a vet and married with a daughter, but she always finds time to meet up with Gill and be her sounding board. Lisa takes no prisoners and is a bit of a man magnet. She treats them mean and keeps them keen, but she’d do anything for her friends. A beautician, she takes it upon herself to ensure Gill looks her best for her dates.  The girls spend a lot of time together and are always there for each other.

6) The trip to Barcelona chapters were really good, have you ever been to the festival yourself?

Oh yes! Twice. Ironically I didn’t know about it when I lived there in the ‘90s and the first time I went a few years ago, I came across it by chance when I was out for a walk. I was meant to have been three times, actually, but a French air traffic control strike meant my flight was cancelled one year – end of trip. I was seriously piddled off, I can tell you. The festival is fantastic. And there’s a wine festival which ties in with it, too – just saying!

7) Of Gill’s dates which was your favourite and why?

When Anton took her to the concert hall to a classical music concert. It was so thoughtful of him and I love classical music, so if he had taken me there, I would have just about married him!

8) Tell us about your other books.

Well, my first book Sign of the Times, is a zodiac-themed contemporary romantic comedy drama (can I fit in any more descriptive words?!) where the twelve main characters (yes, 12 main characters) are based around the signs of the zodiac. They are, however, all linked. Each character has the traits of the relevant sign of the zodiac.

The Christmas Spirit, which was released in December, is a feel good, festive tale of one very special lady, Natalie Hope, who makes it her mission in life to instil Christmas spirit in those who for whatever reason aren’t looking forward to Christmas.

The story centres around the bakery café where she is temporary manager and charts the lives of the five people she helps. Rebecca has just split from her boyfriend, Jacob is still on the dole, Stanley’s wife died that year, and Meredith is a workaholic who doesn’t make time for family and is more interested in spread sheets and reports. Then, on the periphery, you have Sophie, who is also affected by the events which Natalie sets in motion.

9) What are you working on at the moment?

My fourth novel, What If. It has kind of become two storylines in one. On the one hand, you have Cameron, who starts to think ‘what if’ about several key decisions he has made in his life, but he has also made a startling discovery and this is integral to the novel, the direction it takes and the choices he makes for his future.

10) Do you have an expected publishing date?

I always have these crazy, ambitious targets, but let’s be a little vague and simply say Summer 2014! And on that note, it’s back to writing What If

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Thank you Susan, it’s been great finding out more about you and your work, good luck with the new book.

The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan

The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Dating Game is a wonderful contemporary novel. From the title you know it will be about dating, Gill needs to get a social life and find a man to share it with, a workaholic Gill has been busy setting up her own recruitment agency in Glasgow and putting in long hours to make it a success. She wants more from life than just work, so she makes a bold move to join a dating agency.

The first 3 profiles of men quickly arrives and Gill asks her best girlfriends for their support and advice before agreeing to setting up her dates. Gill soon goes from no social life to a very hectic one as more dates get lined up. Charlie and Anton prove to be great initial first dates and Gill is encouraged to make second dates with them.

Meanwhile the recruitment agency business is so busy that Gill decides to look for more staff herself to help out, so she is in a loop of interviewing new dates, new recruits for herself and new recruits for clients.

Gill and her girlfriends have booked a short trip to Barcelona for the Merce Festival which takes place in September. This is a famous event in Spain celebrating wine and cava from the Catalan vineyards, the girls plan to include sightseeing, shopping, the beach and plenty of wine tasting. The trip comes at a time when Gill’s relationship with Anton looks about to get more serious, but Anton is busy too, he must go to Russia on business.

The Barcelona trip adds lots of great descriptions of events, people and places, Gill is saved from a mugging by a fellow Scot, who she literally bumps into upon their return. She picks up the fast pace of her life once more and is busy with more dates, but what happened to Anton?

I really enjoyed this book and happily wanted to shout at Gill that she chose the wrong man, but that was my opinion I wonder who you would choose in her place?

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Author Susan Buchanan will be our guest of the blog tomorrow, come back and find out more about her writing.

Good Deeds week 12th – 18th January

I’m now in to my ninth month of my year of Good Deeds challenge, where I try to do at least one Good Deed a day and I write about them. I find that, for me, this brings their value to the forefront of my thoughts. My inspiration came from reading “A Year of Doing Good” by Judith O’Reilly.

Let’s catch up with my Good deeds for the week.

Sunday 12th – A low profile day today and just 2 book review posts sent out.

Monday 13th – My Good Deed morning at school volunteering didn’t go as planned. I was interrupted by 3 phone calls, now I don’t like to answer my phone in school it’s rude, but since I updated my phone on Saturday the thing hasn’t stopped ringing. (The reason I needed an update being that I got little reception with the old one because it was nearly conked out, I used to have a quiet life, sigh!) Hubby needed me to cut my morning short and race home to sign for a parcel. Then a “Lovely man” from HMRC (Her Majesty’s Customs and Revenue) wanted to arrange a telephone appointment with me to check on my Money Laundering procedures. (Don’t ask! And No! I’m not printing money! It’s because I do a little book keeping.) Agreed he could ring me Wednesday, well I couldn’t actually refuse!

Signed for the parcel. Collected and delivered some farm potatoes for my friend, the ****phone rang again while I was driving to the supermarket. Parked the car and tried to ring the brother-in-law back, played ping pong phoning each other, as his phone kept going to voicemail, finally got through and gave him more computer advice. Did my grocery shopping. Answered the ringing phone again to a little old lady who rang twice, nice to chat to her but I’m not called Barbara! “You’ve go the wrong number, luv”

Posted another book review for Della Connor and her book Spirit Warriors. I’ll be reviewing this on the blog early February along with a lovely guest author post and your chance to win a copy of the book too.

Tuesday 14th- A work morning and I did more than was required because when I spoke to my colleague last evening she was still at work way after her going home time because she had so much to do. (She sounded more stressed than I was. Is that the phone again?) The phone’s ringing again! One of the partners at work rang me twice (Ha! Bad reception and he got cut off) trying to find some paperwork that I’d tidied away, fortunately (Good Deed) I remembered where I’d put it.

The parcel I signed for yesterday turned out to be only one quarter of the full delivery, the parcel tracking service claims it was delivered last Thursday, but to where? Husband set off knocking on doors around the estate last evening to no avail. Then today a lady kindly knocked on our door with a complicated tale about the missing parcels, but we’re still not sure where they are. I’d go and collect the parcels if we knew which house they’d got to.

Good Deeds received, plenty of Good luck wishes for my telephone audit tomorrow, it’s not enjoyable being questioned by Government officials.

Wednesday 15th – Phew! Passed my MLR audit. Have just Okey the proof of February’s edition of my Rosie’s Good Reads for Fleet Life, I always get excited seeing my work in print. 5 more author’s get a bit more publicity, I’ll blog about them when the paper copy arrives through my door in a couple more weeks. finished reading The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan, drafting a post for early February.

Thursday 16th – Gave a money donation to Action for Children, a charity that supports and speaks out for the UK’s most vulnerable and neglected children and young people, for as long as it takes to make a difference in their lives…

Friday 17th – Posted another book review on Goodreads and Amazon for a book which looks like it splits the readers into those that love it and those that hate it. I’ll be posting my own review of Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis here on the blog in mid February. Left a tip for my hairdresser in thanks, after she had tamed my wild locks.

Saturday 18th – Made a donation to Helping the Heroes, a UK Military Charity whilst I was in Aldershot, Home of the British Army. Then headed home to do a bit more reading.