well you have to, don't you...?

 I am lucky in my inlaws. My sister in law, Susan (called Sue) Midwood and I are partner in crime... or wine.

That means at New Year we are happy to celebrate with a wee glass or three.

This year, we are not having fireworks, and knowing us might not even ( shock horror) stay up for the bells. 

Though we will celebrate.

we were both looking at Facebook earlier and realised our memories are of us two, most new years ever since we got onto Facebook. Okay some years we forgot, but in the main it's us. And strangely in the One Eyed Rat in Ripon.

somewhere that is cool, cheerful and we love.

I have my lap top... she will nag in the nicst possible way to get me to write and we can smell the lamb cooking for dinner...

Cheers.

Yes we are older (probably not wiser) but are comfortable in each other's company.

so from us to you all,

let's hope for a happy and prosperous New Year, where we all hope we get what we wish for.

Happy reading,

love Raven xx

Festive greetings...

Wherever you are and whatever you celebrate (or choose not to) ... I hope you have a good day tomorrow.

Snowy,

Sunny,

or anything inbetween...

Take care,

love Raven xxx

Where it was going to be a rant but...

Now, with the passing of time...six days or five nights, I'm more likely to say—with sorrow—

"OY! Do not diss your customers."

That's right, you heard me correctly. You might think your customer is a first class A**hole, but one of the first rules of customer service is not to show it.

And never ever argue. 

Be polite but firm.

Or better still try to sort out the problem.

Then go and scream into a cupboard.

So now maybe you are wondering why I'm rambling about this, on this week's blog.

Are you sitting comfortably??

Good. Then I'll begin

Once upon a time—okay, last week—the lovely husband and I were on the receiving end of the restaurant manager from hell's attitude.

It all started out so lovely. A treat for my umpty-second birthday. To a place that had been recommended. Owned by a very prestigious chef, and an award winner.

We arrived and were seated promptly. The person who seated us muttered something about specials as she went away, but nothing else.

After ten minutes when other people were seated, we wondered if perhaps there was a problem. Had they  *horror* run out of wine?

Another ten minutes went by and then almost another. We finally caught the eye of the person who served us to ask what was going on. 

We were told out waitron had only come on shift and was waiting for the specials list.

We were waiting for any list, but preferably the wine one.

Which eventually we got.

Our waitress turned up and she was lovely, very apologetic and very helpful with regards my need for no gluten and we duly ordered.

The starters turned up and they were lovely. This boded well we thought!

How wrong can you be?

Very wrong it seems.

The main courses arrived. I had ordered pheasant, the lovely husband a pork chop.

Okay well they didn't look that appetising, but we started to eat. Then stopped and looked at each other.

Hmm. I love pheasant, its rich colour and flavours. But this was whiter than white sauce, and to be honest, it could have been anything—not even meat. However, I stared at the chop my other half held up to show me.

It was almost the same colour as my 'meat', with a good half inch of white unappetising fat on one side. As for crackling? Forget it. That chop had never seen how to crackle in its life.

Our waitress was very unhappy on our behalf when she asked us how it was and we told her. She said she'd get the manager.

Who came with an attitude. And bad manners. She told us we were disrespecting the chef!

That's right. When we asked if the meals were as they were usually served she just said we were disrespecting the chef! And told me angrily she had a fridge full of pheasant and they served many each week.

Good, but that didn't answer my question.

Anyway she stormed off and give her her due comped our meal. But we would have much rather had the meal it sounded like it should have been from the menu and paid three times its price.

Our lovely—and embarrassed waitress—got her tip, and a reassurance none of it was her fault. But it left a nasty taste in my mouth, and no, not from the lack of dinner.

However the next night we went elsewhere, had a fabulous meal and a complimentary glass of champagne because it was my birthday.

So all's well that ends well, but I still wonder how you can really think that arguing like that with your customers is the right thing to do?

Or is that just me?

Anyway, we're home now, praising our second meal to high heaven.

Anyone who is in York, UK Fish and Forest, in Micklegate is very worth the visit!

Their food is fabulous, all their servers great and the atmosphere perfect.

And even better almost everything is naturally gluten free!

(that's a sample menu, ours was slightly different, but delicious.)

Happy eating,

love Raven xxx 

(all pics, Pinterest except the menu which is on Fish and Forest's web site.)

with or without bits...?

That's juice I hasten to add. Orange juice.  With or without bits? Concentrated or fresh?

Ice cubes? Ah, not in the Christmas morning fizz and juice, which we indulge in family tradition.

(source, pinterest)

Then we come to apple juice. Cloudy or not?

(Source Pinterst)

And don't get me started on any other juice or liquid. There's enough with water... soda sparkling or still? Slimline tonic or 'fat tonic'? Which make? Bottle or can.

(Source, Pinterest)

Spirits? Whose? What strength?

Wine is even more of a minefield. Red, whit, rose? Sparking? If so which. Spanish, French, South African...etc etc.

It's all a bit of a minefield, especially when family or friends get together. Because of course we all have our favourites.

Especially at Christmas.

We all have our favourites. Anyone seeing my shopping trolley would think I was opening a pop up shop

But then over time it all gets finished. The OJ gets finished with breakfast and the fizz. The apple juice ditto.

Spirits save. Tonic keeps in unopened cans and bottles.

And all is enjoyed. 

In moderation.

Memories of places we've visited and enjoyed any of the above are chatted about. Photos found and reminisced over.

(Painted Wolf Winery, Simondium Guild between Paarl and Franschhoek, Sth Africa)

(Springfield Winery, Robertson Valley Sth Africa)

It's a wonderful time of the year.

Cold shivery UK and memories of days gone by in the sunshine.

Meanwhile, time to make a shopping list.

Take care everyone, happy reading

Love Raven xxx

I love the festive season...

 In December...

(source: Pinterest)

(yes I know we're not there yet but...)

When I was a child, many moons ago we never put our tree up until after my birthday. I'm a Sagittarius. So, December started, then it was my birthday then let's get ready for Christmas. 

I loved it.

It made the whole month seem magical. Full of love, fun and surprises.

The downside of course was if there was what we called a big present I really yearned for, and my parents could afford it, I got it as a joint present.

Don't get me wrong, I was very happy in that I was lucky enough to be gifted a bike or something, but I had to wait until Christmas day for it. Half of which was my birthday present.

Not easy for a five year old!

However, I was fortunate. There was always something to open on my actual birthday, and it was far enough away from Christmas day not to always get one joint present. 

Does that mean I was mercenary? I don't think so. We're not talking lots of expensive stuff here, just the sheer excitement of ripping off wrapping paper to discover what it was hiding.

(Let's be honest, I still get that same thrill)

These days though, the festive season seems to start earlier and go on later.

I put my tree up in December, but before my birthday now. I still have a session of Christmas music playing, present wrapping and a glass of wine as I snip and cut. I still forget someone's present and have to hunt for it in the back of the wardrobe! I srill like the ritual of putting presents out and wondering what Santa will bring.

Yeah, a kid at heart.

But not in November. Call me Ms Bah Humbug, but I enjoy the anticipation of  ohhh soon it will be December and I'll be able to start my advent calendar, we can go and choose a tree, put up the decorations ad play Christmas songs until we're sick of them...

(NB that will be never)

So I'm counting down the days and getting ready...

how about you?

Happy reading,

love Raven xxx

What a difference some days make...

 Hi all, ( or is it one person and their pet?)

(source pinterest )

Sorry about last weeks non blog. It wasn't brought to you due to a severe case of brain fog!

Nor were my edits finished, the crumble made or the washing done.

(pic source: pinterest)

I woke up with a brain that didn't want to work. It was like walking through treacle, trying to fight my way out of a giant cobweb or net curtain.

urgh.

Luckily it doesn't happen very often and I've learnt to let it have it's way...or is that have its day?

So I had a long bath, with a good book, 

took a ready meal out of the freezer and let my brain take a day off.

By Tuesday it had sulked enough and the edits were finished, checked and sent of to my lovely, long suffering editor, the crumble (apple and blackberry) made and the washing done.

(source pinterest)

What a difference a few days makes.From doing nothing to being productive.

Maybe it was my brain's way of telling me I needed to slow down and smell the daisies ( or the coffee) Whatever it worked. I took time out. I'd been for some walks, tidied my undies drawer, and read. Now I was ready for action.

And I thought...

what should I write next?

I love writing Regency, I love contemp and rom com.

Lots to chose from.

I'll let you know what I decide, when I do. At the moment I'm playing around with one of each... Which is not the best way to get on. Maybe I should draw lots?

What do you think?

Happy Reading,

Love Raven xxx

Ps I better say a big thank you to pinterest. It found my graphics for me this week, big time.

It only takes one word...

 ...one sound or a scent to make you remember.

To take you back.

What am I rambling on about?

After a delay Cassie and Raven's 2023 Christmas anthology is now out in eBook as well as paperback, and as I stroked my copy, and I read the blurbs, it made me think.

I set my contemporary story, 'Christmas Isn't Cancelled' in Scotland, roughly where I used to live. 

As I wrote about the rain, it was as if I could hear water splashing, the swish of car tyres as they drove through puddles. Smell wet trees and soil, and see the river flowing faster than usual. 

Remembered some of the more unusual Christmas Trees I'd seen.

Daft though it seems, I got a bit choked up as I remembered wet (and also cold and snowy) Christmas's there. I could scent the snow, and remember the warmth of the Aga as we came back indoors after a walk, or making snow angels. The gorgeous aroma of turkey roasting and mince pies cooling on the cake rack. 

Darn it now my tummy is rumbling!

My Regency story is set partly in Rutland and partly in Yorkshire, and this was fun to write as they are both places I know, and I could picture the areas—albeit imagining them as I reckoned they might have been two hundred years ago.

So to celebrate the fact A Wonderful Christmastime is now up and running...

Here's the links

https://amzn.to/3SsGNsF (UK)

https://cutt.ly/cwR0OEcM (.com)

and the blurbs... 

Four Festive Stories Of Romance And Love

The Christmas Stocking
Christmas approaches, and the servants who work in Duke Street are beside themselves with excitement when they are given a half-day holiday to attend an impromptu Frost Fair being held at the local park. To add to the festive fun, Daisy has knitted herself a pair of brightly coloured stockings, and when an incident on the ice threatens to leave her face as scarlet as the stockings themselves, Jack saves her from falling and spares her blushes. They return home to Duke Street ahead of the other revellers, but when they do, it’s to discover the house is in chaos. Can Daisy and Jack step up to the plate and save Christmas?

Decisions at the Barking Dog
Lady Isabella Austin has been banished from her home for Christmas. Her mama has been matchmaking on behalf of her elder sister, and Lady Isabella is surplus to requirements. The Duke of Redbourn discovers what’s afoot and makes plans to avoid being trapped in a situation not of his making, knowing his potential bride is as reluctant to marry him as he is her. Can a chance meeting at the Barking Dog Inn change his mind on his determination to never become a bridegroom?

Together For Christmas
The suburb of Patcham is a happy place. Single mum, Zoe Harper, is preparing for Christmas with her son, Brody. Thousands of miles away, Daniel uncovers the first clue in a trail of deceit that will lead him back to England to uncover the truth. An admission of guilt is what Daniel needs if he’s to stand any chance of finding Zoe and meeting the son he didn’t even know was his.

Christmas Isn’t Cancelled
Alison Piper has plans to spend a peaceful, quiet Christmas at her holiday cottage in Scotland, until two stranded travellers turn up at her door seeking shelter. A blast from her past, divorcee Ross Thomas, and his five-year-old son, Aiden. Will Santa know where to find this lost little boy? Alison is determined he most definitely will, and if she and Ross can make it a Christmas to remember for Aiden, it might also turn out to be one they will never forget themselves.

 Happy reading,

love Raven xxx

First of all it was going to be...

 Woot look at this...

and then we were going to say...

Soon we can do this...

But as ever there's a spoke in the works...

A certain site where you can buy our books decided we could have this Cassie and Raven Christmas anthology out in paperback early.

So our oohh cover reveal is up and running on Amazon...

and Goodreads

so now here it is on here 

The eBook will follow ASAP.

Meanwhile if you prefer paperbacks now's your chance to read it before it's out electronically.

https://amzn.to/40nZShB (UK)

https://tinyurl.com/mv6ve9nr (.com)

Happy Reading,

love,

Raven and Cassie xxx

It's that time of the year again...

 The one where we start wondering where we put the wrapping paper we bought in the January sales, where all the excess Chriatmas cards are...

(Istock via pinterest)

and

Eagerly await all the Christmas stories due out—or already out.

 (couldn't find a non specific Christmas book thingy...)

Over the last three years the lovely Cassie O'brien and I have brought out three Christmas books—so far.

You can find them all in ebook and paperback on Amazon                            https://amzn.to/405tb8BNow it's time for us to sayWhat's next...?

and then say...Watch this space...

On rediscovering somewhere

 Not a very inspiring title is it?

Sorry. 

Blame lack of sleep... The rain.. That it's almost November...The...

Okay, I blame me. The culprit. I just couldn't come up with anything better.

Sorry...

(I was trying to find a suitable icon or something here, but nothing grabbed me...in any way)

However, I digress (I love that word no idea why)

I've spent this last week in Rutland, in the English Midlands. The smallest county, in England, with the largest reservoir, Rutland Water. That's the church they had to raise to save it when the valley was flooded. Normanton.

It also has the longest brick built viaduct in the UK. Harringworth Viaduct. You can just see some of it in the background of the picture.

(source pinterest)

I went with a friend, just us two, no partners and lots of books. Which ws just as well when we got hit with the storm.

But before that we visited all over the county—and to bits outwith it. 

It took me back several decades. To places I visited to visit as a child, and then revisited twenty years later with my husband.

And things I've never seen before

(monument at Rutland Water)

And oh boy did the memories flood back. Where I'd paddled, where I'd fallen off a horse and sprained my ankle. Where my dad and I used to cycle to, go for a walk and watch the birds flying around. (And hide our jam sandwiches from them)

Stately homes and thatched cottages. 

Chocolate box charm and industrial terraces.

Such a lot to see. And rediscover.

It gave me ideas. 

Best off all,  I spent a week with a friend and chilled.

Now some of those ideas and memories are about to help with my next book.

I wonder if anyone can guess what it's about?

Happy Reading,

love Raven xxx

Covers, and clever cover artists. Plus, catch ups, choclate biscuits and clever clogs who are 'always' correct'

 Or some such thing...

I admit this blog is late because I am not a clever clogs, anything but. 

Why do you (or do you not) ask?

Well, it's like this.

Last Sunday I was away with a mate. girls only, no husbands lets put the world to right few (ie each chocolate biscuits and grumble) days. So I sorted out a blog—or so I thought—scheduled it.

You've got it...I didn't.

So here we are

This was the beginning of the blog. Which now as it is late very very late...I've amended.

Over the years I've been lucky enough to have been published, I've been very fortunate to have been given some amazing covers. Every cover artist has gone the extra mile to try and make sure the cover is suitable for the story. 

Not easy when I do tend at times to only give a vague description of how my characters look. After being told once, very firmly, that the man on the cover looked nothing like a reader envisaged him from my description in the book, I tend to stick to things like basic physique (ie NO man boobs) hair colour, curvy etc etc. Nothing too definite (apart from the lack of man boobs) 

This cover by Emmy Ellis is one of those covers where all I said was a red distinctive dress, not of the norm, and she came up with this! Absolutely perfect. Emmy had created me ( and others) some brilliant covers over the years.)

https://www.totallybound.com/book/the-earl-and-the-courtesan-print (and Ebook)

Apart from my Totally Bound covers, Emmy has also created the covers for and edited the Christmas anthologies Cassie O'Brien and I bring out each year. Look out for the next one, A Wonderful Christmastime, very soon. I haven't got that cover yet of course but...

My first cover artist was also fabulous. Victoria Miller created most of the covers for the books I wrote for the now sadly defunct and much missed Breathless Press

As the books are mainly out of print (though some have now been rereleased elsewhere) I can't show you them easily but I thought Victoria wouldn't mind if I showed you one of them...

We both loved this cover because it was at the time very different from the normal Regency cover.

Then there's Jay Aheer who did most of my Evernight Publishing covers and like Victoria and Emmy always managed to work out exactly what's needed

This is a Dark Isle book written by me as Kera Faire and she's captured the mystique perfectly.

Amy Coveney did the covers for the Katy Lilley, Devon trilogy that is not available at the moment—until I work out how to put them on Amazon myself (I'm not the most tech savvy person in the world) I need to learn, not only because I'd like more people to be able to read them, but also becasue the covers are amazing and yes capture the spirit of the books.

There has been more artists of course. Kelly Martin for the covers for The Romansa Castle series

Erin Dameron-Hill for the Scots and the Sassenachs

I could go one and on, but I'd be sure to miss someone so i'll just say that cover artists are as essential os editors. In different ways of course, but just as bad editing can put a reader off so can an indifferent or irrelevant cover.

So than you cover artists. Like I said the other week, my books would be nowhere as appealing without then and editors.

I must add as well, for me, publishers. I've still to dip my toes in alone as a self publisher writer. Thanks to Cassie sorting out joint books out, I've not needed to but I must try...

(All my books that are still published you can find on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B00694RHJI

and publishers websites)

Oh and in case you wonder where the always correct Clever Clogs bit comes in...

ask anyone about my bugbear...Whisky and whiskey

Scotch had no E 

(courtesy of Pinterest, our bottle is mainly empty)

and on that note,

Happy Reading,

love Raven xxx