Susan Buchanan's Blog, page 24
November 7, 2012
Wednesday's competition - Barcelona quiz
Yep, it's competition time again! Apologies to everyone for the screw up with yesterday's comp - I only found out around 3.30pm GMT that there was a problem with the link. As a result I am leaving the 'What was your most interesting date ever?' comp open for the rest of the day. If you haven't entered it yet - click below
http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/tuesdays-competition-whats-most.html
Monday's competition to name a character was won jointly by Specsandginger (again) and Kathleen Hooper, who both said Fergus. Congrats to them - they are now in the draw for £10 ($15 Amazon vouchers).
Now, turning to today's comp, if you've been following the last few week's posts you will know that Gill and her friends from The Dating Game go to Barcelona for a long weekend.
To be in with a chance of winning the Amazon vouchers, all you have to do is answer the following 3 questions correctly
1) What's the name of the famous church in Barcelona designed by architect Antoni Gaudi?
2) What is the main language spoken in Barcelona (clue: it's not Spanish!)
3) When did Barcelona host the Olympic Games?
That's it! All you have to do is leave your answers with your email address (don't forget, as otherwise I don't know how to contact you!) as a comment on the blog.
And if you buy a copy of The Dating Game by 9th Nov, you automatically qualify for an entry into the draw for Amazon vouchers, too. Simply email me the details at soozbuch@gmail.comIf you haven't picked up your copy yet, what you waiting for?!
Here are the links! http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US)
And remember if you leave a blog comment on the competition, you qualify for another entry into the raffle for 54 ebooks - woo hoo! 54 lucky winners will be announced at the weekend.
To enter the raffle simply click the link and scroll down to the Rafflecopter form.
http://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html
Good luck. The draws will be made at some point on Sat and either published on the blog Sat or Sun.
http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/tuesdays-competition-whats-most.html
Monday's competition to name a character was won jointly by Specsandginger (again) and Kathleen Hooper, who both said Fergus. Congrats to them - they are now in the draw for £10 ($15 Amazon vouchers).
Now, turning to today's comp, if you've been following the last few week's posts you will know that Gill and her friends from The Dating Game go to Barcelona for a long weekend.
To be in with a chance of winning the Amazon vouchers, all you have to do is answer the following 3 questions correctly
1) What's the name of the famous church in Barcelona designed by architect Antoni Gaudi?
2) What is the main language spoken in Barcelona (clue: it's not Spanish!)
3) When did Barcelona host the Olympic Games?
That's it! All you have to do is leave your answers with your email address (don't forget, as otherwise I don't know how to contact you!) as a comment on the blog.
And if you buy a copy of The Dating Game by 9th Nov, you automatically qualify for an entry into the draw for Amazon vouchers, too. Simply email me the details at soozbuch@gmail.comIf you haven't picked up your copy yet, what you waiting for?! Here are the links! http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US)
And remember if you leave a blog comment on the competition, you qualify for another entry into the raffle for 54 ebooks - woo hoo! 54 lucky winners will be announced at the weekend.
To enter the raffle simply click the link and scroll down to the Rafflecopter form.
http://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html
Good luck. The draws will be made at some point on Sat and either published on the blog Sat or Sun.
November 6, 2012
Tuesday's Competition - What's the most interesting date you've ever been on?
It's Tuesday and that means another competition to celebrate the week long launch of my second novel, The Dating Game. Some great suggestions for yesterday's name the character comp, but since they are still coming in, what with the different time zones, I will leave it open for a wee bit longer.
In the meantime, let's talk about today's competition.
Very simple, all I want to know is What's the most interesting date you've ever been on? It can be somewhere great, or something great. Was it bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa, or scuba diving in Cayman, a slap up meal at a restaurant where it's difficult to get a reservation, or something more intimate, a rooftop meal prepared by your other half. (again, nothing explicit please!)
Simply leave a comment on the blog, with your email address, so I can contact you if you win, to be entered into the draw for £10 ($15) Amazon vouchers. (draw takes place Sat)
If you don't already have your copy of The Dating Game, why not?! Kidding! But if you'd like to find out more about unlucky in love, Scottish recruitment consultant, Gill, you can buy your copy here.
http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US)
And remember anyone who buys a copy of The Dating Game by Fri 9th Nov, automatically earns an entry into the Amazon draw.Finally, don't forget to register your entry to today's competition via Rafflecopter, too, so that you get even more entries into the raffle for the 54 amazing ebooks on offer from over 45 authors.Simply click the link and scroll down to the raffle form. Good luckhttp://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html That's it for today - back tomorrow with another great competition for youSooz 
In the meantime, let's talk about today's competition.
Very simple, all I want to know is What's the most interesting date you've ever been on? It can be somewhere great, or something great. Was it bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa, or scuba diving in Cayman, a slap up meal at a restaurant where it's difficult to get a reservation, or something more intimate, a rooftop meal prepared by your other half. (again, nothing explicit please!)
Simply leave a comment on the blog, with your email address, so I can contact you if you win, to be entered into the draw for £10 ($15) Amazon vouchers. (draw takes place Sat)
If you don't already have your copy of The Dating Game, why not?! Kidding! But if you'd like to find out more about unlucky in love, Scottish recruitment consultant, Gill, you can buy your copy here.
http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US)
And remember anyone who buys a copy of The Dating Game by Fri 9th Nov, automatically earns an entry into the Amazon draw.Finally, don't forget to register your entry to today's competition via Rafflecopter, too, so that you get even more entries into the raffle for the 54 amazing ebooks on offer from over 45 authors.Simply click the link and scroll down to the raffle form. Good luckhttp://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html That's it for today - back tomorrow with another great competition for youSooz
November 5, 2012
Monday Competiton - Help Me Name A Character
Morning!
Hope you all had a good weekend. Some very good entries into Sunday's competition for where your perfect date would be, if you could choose anywhere in the world. But I couldn't decide between these two:-
' Iceland and spend time together under the pretty Northern Lights' entry from SpecsandGinger AND
'My ideal date would be in Felix Baumgartner's hot air balloon at 100,000 feet. Stunning view' from Paul (evanescence7041)
I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights, after reading Bill Bryon's book. And I've always fancied going for a hot air balloon ride.
So both of those will go into the draw for Amazon vouchers (this will be drawn on Saturday)
But now let's turn to Monday's The Dating Game Launch Party Competition.
If you have been paying attention the last few weeks, you will have heard me say that I will be starting to write my next book in a few weeks. It features a male protagonist, which will be interesting for me to write. Again the novel will partially be set in Scotland, and this time partly in Hong Kong. What I would like from you today is to help me find a name for my protagonist's brother, who will be the person he turns to for advice.
I haven't decided yet how old the brother will be, but somewhere between 40-50. I am looking for a name which is plausible in Scotland in the 1960s/early 70s. But I don't want something typically Scottish like Callum, Hamish etc.
So, will you pick up the challenge and help me name him? Simply leave a blog comment with the name for my character and your email address so I can contact you if you win.
The entry I like best will be entered into the draw for £10 ($15) of Amazon vouchers.
If you haven't picked up your copy of The Dating Game yet, you can do so here:-
http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y(UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US)
Everyone who buys a copy of The Dating Game by Fri 9th automatically qualifies for an entry into the Amazon draw, too.
Remember to register your entry on the Rafflecopter form if you also wish to enter the amazing 54 ebook giveaway. Simply click the link and scroll down.
http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html
The more entries you have, the more chances you have of winning. Good luck! Sooz
Hope you all had a good weekend. Some very good entries into Sunday's competition for where your perfect date would be, if you could choose anywhere in the world. But I couldn't decide between these two:-
' Iceland and spend time together under the pretty Northern Lights' entry from SpecsandGinger AND
'My ideal date would be in Felix Baumgartner's hot air balloon at 100,000 feet. Stunning view' from Paul (evanescence7041)
I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights, after reading Bill Bryon's book. And I've always fancied going for a hot air balloon ride.
So both of those will go into the draw for Amazon vouchers (this will be drawn on Saturday)
But now let's turn to Monday's The Dating Game Launch Party Competition.
If you have been paying attention the last few weeks, you will have heard me say that I will be starting to write my next book in a few weeks. It features a male protagonist, which will be interesting for me to write. Again the novel will partially be set in Scotland, and this time partly in Hong Kong. What I would like from you today is to help me find a name for my protagonist's brother, who will be the person he turns to for advice.
I haven't decided yet how old the brother will be, but somewhere between 40-50. I am looking for a name which is plausible in Scotland in the 1960s/early 70s. But I don't want something typically Scottish like Callum, Hamish etc.
So, will you pick up the challenge and help me name him? Simply leave a blog comment with the name for my character and your email address so I can contact you if you win.
The entry I like best will be entered into the draw for £10 ($15) of Amazon vouchers.
If you haven't picked up your copy of The Dating Game yet, you can do so here:-
http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y(UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US)
Everyone who buys a copy of The Dating Game by Fri 9th automatically qualifies for an entry into the Amazon draw, too.
Remember to register your entry on the Rafflecopter form if you also wish to enter the amazing 54 ebook giveaway. Simply click the link and scroll down.
http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html
The more entries you have, the more chances you have of winning. Good luck! Sooz
November 4, 2012
Sunday competition - Where would be the ideal date?
Morning!!
Saturday's competition has been answered correctly this morning by xcardiffgirlx. The answer was I will set part of my next book in Hong Kong. Congratulations on being entered into the draw!
Now, turning to today's competition. It's very simple. Last week on the blog, we talked about the worst blind dates. All I want to know (keeping it clean!) is where would your ideal date be, if you could choose anywhere the world and why? Just leave a comment on the blog to that effect with your email address The date I like the sound of best, will be entered into the Amazon £10 ($15) draw. See, that was easy!
Don't forget to use Rafflecopter to say you have entered the competition, as you will earn more entries into the Great Kindle Ebook Giveaway Raffle - 54 ebooks!
Click here to go to the launch post, featuring more info on The Dating Game and the Rafflecopter draw.
http://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html
And, of course, if you don''t have your copy of my new novel, The Dating Game yet, you can get it here:- http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US & other .com) Everyone purchasing a copy before Fri 9th November, automatically earns an entry into the Amazon voucher draw.
Good luck and I will be back tomorrow with another exciting competition, in Day 4 of the Dating Game launch party!
Saturday's competition has been answered correctly this morning by xcardiffgirlx. The answer was I will set part of my next book in Hong Kong. Congratulations on being entered into the draw!
Now, turning to today's competition. It's very simple. Last week on the blog, we talked about the worst blind dates. All I want to know (keeping it clean!) is where would your ideal date be, if you could choose anywhere the world and why? Just leave a comment on the blog to that effect with your email address The date I like the sound of best, will be entered into the Amazon £10 ($15) draw. See, that was easy!
Don't forget to use Rafflecopter to say you have entered the competition, as you will earn more entries into the Great Kindle Ebook Giveaway Raffle - 54 ebooks!
Click here to go to the launch post, featuring more info on The Dating Game and the Rafflecopter draw.
http://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html
And, of course, if you don''t have your copy of my new novel, The Dating Game yet, you can get it here:- http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US & other .com) Everyone purchasing a copy before Fri 9th November, automatically earns an entry into the Amazon voucher draw.
Good luck and I will be back tomorrow with another exciting competition, in Day 4 of the Dating Game launch party!
November 3, 2012
Saturday's Amazon Vouchers Competition - Where?
Where indeed?
But first, just a quick thanks to everyone who helped make yesterday's first day of the launch of The Dating Game an absolutely amazing experience. I had brilliant fun and I hope everyone else did, too. I was literally dizzy, particularly on Twitter, trying to keep up with all those supporting me.
If you didn't get your copy of The Dating Game yet, you can do so here:-
http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US & other .com)
Don't forget everyone who buys The Dating Game by Fri 9th Nov will be also be entered into the Amazon voucher draw. But, remember, you need to email me! (see link at the end of this post)
I promised daily competitions to win Amazon vouchers during the launch. Everyone can enter each competition once.
So, today's competition is Where? Yep, where? Those of you who have read Sign of the Times will know I set part of the book in Italy. Those following the progress of The Dating Game over the past few weeks, will know part of it takes place in Barcelona. I love to travel and am lucky enough to have been to 47 countries, both for work and pleasure. I have chosen one of these countries as one of the settings for my third book. All you have to do is guess correctly which country it is and leave a comment on the blog, with your email address and if you are correct, you will be entered into the draw for £10 (or $15 or €10) of Amazon vouchers.
So, good luck!
Is it?
GermanyPortugalUSA
JapanEgyptSloveniaMexicoBrazilKoreaHong KongSwitzerlandNorwayAzerbaijanPolandHungary
That's it - don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you, plus by leaving a comment on the blog for the competition, you gain another entry into the Great Ebook Giveaway Raffle - 54 winners will each win a different ebook - to take part and see which books are up for grabs,
please click here http://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html
Then scroll down to the Rafflecopter form to register your entry.
Have a great day everyone and tune in tomorrow for the next competition!
Sooz
But first, just a quick thanks to everyone who helped make yesterday's first day of the launch of The Dating Game an absolutely amazing experience. I had brilliant fun and I hope everyone else did, too. I was literally dizzy, particularly on Twitter, trying to keep up with all those supporting me.
If you didn't get your copy of The Dating Game yet, you can do so here:-
http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) http://amzn.to/WZQtZK (US & other .com)
Don't forget everyone who buys The Dating Game by Fri 9th Nov will be also be entered into the Amazon voucher draw. But, remember, you need to email me! (see link at the end of this post)
I promised daily competitions to win Amazon vouchers during the launch. Everyone can enter each competition once.
So, today's competition is Where? Yep, where? Those of you who have read Sign of the Times will know I set part of the book in Italy. Those following the progress of The Dating Game over the past few weeks, will know part of it takes place in Barcelona. I love to travel and am lucky enough to have been to 47 countries, both for work and pleasure. I have chosen one of these countries as one of the settings for my third book. All you have to do is guess correctly which country it is and leave a comment on the blog, with your email address and if you are correct, you will be entered into the draw for £10 (or $15 or €10) of Amazon vouchers.
So, good luck!
Is it?
GermanyPortugalUSA
JapanEgyptSloveniaMexicoBrazilKoreaHong KongSwitzerlandNorwayAzerbaijanPolandHungary
That's it - don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you, plus by leaving a comment on the blog for the competition, you gain another entry into the Great Ebook Giveaway Raffle - 54 winners will each win a different ebook - to take part and see which books are up for grabs,
please click here http://susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-dating-game-launch-party_1.html
Then scroll down to the Rafflecopter form to register your entry.
Have a great day everyone and tune in tomorrow for the next competition!
Sooz
November 1, 2012
The Dating Game Launch Party!!!
It’s Friday, 2nd November and that means it’s finally here! The Dating Game Launch Party is now open!
The Dating Game is my second novel and in its honour, for a full week, until next Friday morning, 9th November, there will be daily competitions and fun blog posts. Plus the Great Kindle Ebook Giveaway raffle gives you the chance to win Kindle copies of 54 ebooks! (More details on the various authors and books to be won later in this post.)
Plus, buy The Dating Game by 9th November and you will automatically be entered into a draw for £10 Amazon vouchers (or $15 USD or € 10). You can buy The Dating Game at the following links:- http://amzn.to/RuSl7Y (UK) & http://amzn.to/WZQtZKIt’s also available from Amazon.fr, .es, .it and .de
More info on the competitions shortly, but first let’s meet the girl without whom none of this would have been possible - Gill McFadden
Workaholic recruitment consultant, Gill McFadden, is sick of her friends trying to match-make for her. Up until now her love life has been a disaster and she’s going through a drier spell than the Sahara desert.
She realises she has to act, as work keeps piling up and at this rate she will have retired before she has time for a relationship.
Seeing an ad on a bus one day, she decides to visit Happy Ever After dating agency. She quickly discovers men are like buses. They all come along at once. Unsure what her type is, Gill decides to keep her options open. Soon she has problems juggling her social life as well as her work diary. Will she ever strike the right balance?
Before long she is experiencing laughs, lust and… could it be love? But like everything in Gill’s life, nothing is straightforward and she ends up wondering exactly who she can trust.
So, back to the competitions and the raffle.
To be entered into the draw for Amazon vouchers, simply send your Amazon invoice, as proof of purchase of The Dating Game to soozbuch@gmail.com (deleting any confidential data, eg address info) but leaving plain to see, the book title, order number and date purchased.
Each day from Saturday there will be a competition where the winner of that day’s competition can also earn an entry into the Amazon voucher draw.
Now, I’m almost as excited at this next part, as I am about launching my second novel (OK, not quite, but nearly!) The Great Kindle Ebook Giveaway Raffle. More than 45 authors have kindly donated Kindle copies of their books and we have 54 books to give away. Simply enter the raffle below. There are several ways you can enter and please feel free to enter by more than one method. The more entries you have, the better chance you have of winning!
So without further ado, enter the raffle here. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tune in on Saturday for the first daily blog post competition!! Feel free to invite all your friends!
Enjoy The Dating Game and welcome to the party!
Sooz
October 30, 2012
Gill's Dating Profile and my hypothetical one!
Ta da! The last post (and not in the song way!) before The Dating Game launch on Friday!
So, I thought it fitting to share with you a little flavour of The Dating Game in the shape of Gill's dating profile. Now, I personally have never used a dating agency, or an online agency, but if I had I, too, would have had to write a profile.
I also wonder what I would have done with the profiles I received, would I have devoured the photo first, or surveyed every detail of the text? Now, much as I would like to say that I would ignore the photo and focus immediately on the person's written profile, I am too honest to lie! Of course I would want to see if I found the person physically attractive first! There's a lot to be said for chemistry and I'm not talking about Bunsen burners!
Now, you know nothing about Gill, the protagonist, apart from a few Six Sentence Sunday snippets, so here's her profile. I think it will be interesting to see your thoughts, given you don't have any description about her. Her potential dates would see from her photo (which we clearly don't have)
So without further ado meet Gill!
Candidate Profile
Name: Gill McFadden
Age: 37
Lives: Glasgow
Occupation: Company Director
Qualifications: BEng
Height: 5’7
Marital status: Single
Smoker: No
Interests: Socialising with friends, going to the cinema, eating out, Zumba, travelling and ice skating.
Further information: From Glasgow, I qualified as an engineer, but then moved into Recruitment Consultancy. I set up my own agency three years ago.
Looking to meet: Someone in their late thirties to late forties, who is open, honest, fun to be with and who can be relied upon. It would be good to meet someone who is open to trying new activities. Now, guys would you be interested in dating Gill, and girls, could you see yourself socialising with her? I thought it would be fun, to write a dating profile for myselfSo here goes! CANDIDATE PROFILEName: Susan BuchananAge: just about to hit the big 40! Cards and presents willingly received (and if Laura's reading this, remind me about you making my birthday cake!)Occupation: Author/Future JK Rowling - in my wildest!Qualifications: MA in French and Hispanic Studies (but for some reason my most fluent language is Italian...)Height - Slightly taller than a smurf, a tad shorter than Maria Sharapova! 5 feet, 4 and a half inches. Don't forget the half! It puts me just above the West of Scotland average!Marital status: Probably couldn't put that I live with my beloved. Darn! Smoker - Nope!Interests: Travelling, reading, writing, languages, eating out, eating in, cinema, running when haven't injured self, finding ways to spend less time on Twitter per day than I do, and last but by no means least, Rupert Penry Jones.Further information - Originally from a small town between Glasgow and Stirling, I now live in the buzzing metropolis which is Hamilton, Scotland (people have already thought I am from Ontario!) I worked in International Sales for 16 years and then got out of the rat race and decided to write, which is proving even harder work, although thoroughly enjoyable.Looking to meet- no-one, as my other half is perfect (well, I had to say that in case he reads the blog!) The no-one was correct. Him being perfect wasn't - no one is, except maybe Rupert Penry Jones!However, if I were single, it would read something like this :-Someone in their late thirties to late mid forties. (Er, have just realised that Gill has got the rest pretty spot on. I really can't better that.) So, yes, open, honest, reliable, who knows how to have fun. A cute smile and beautiful eyes always help, too! Right, that's it from me. But I would LOVE to hear a piece of what your dating profile would say. Choose any piece at all, and leave a comment on the blog. Next post is on Friday, when The Dating Game will be live, we will have lift off, and the fun, games, competition for Amazon voucher, and The Great Kindle Ebook Giveaway begin! Don't miss it!!Have a great daySooz
So, I thought it fitting to share with you a little flavour of The Dating Game in the shape of Gill's dating profile. Now, I personally have never used a dating agency, or an online agency, but if I had I, too, would have had to write a profile.
I also wonder what I would have done with the profiles I received, would I have devoured the photo first, or surveyed every detail of the text? Now, much as I would like to say that I would ignore the photo and focus immediately on the person's written profile, I am too honest to lie! Of course I would want to see if I found the person physically attractive first! There's a lot to be said for chemistry and I'm not talking about Bunsen burners!
Now, you know nothing about Gill, the protagonist, apart from a few Six Sentence Sunday snippets, so here's her profile. I think it will be interesting to see your thoughts, given you don't have any description about her. Her potential dates would see from her photo (which we clearly don't have)
So without further ado meet Gill!
Candidate Profile
Name: Gill McFadden
Age: 37
Lives: Glasgow
Occupation: Company Director
Qualifications: BEng
Height: 5’7
Marital status: Single
Smoker: No
Interests: Socialising with friends, going to the cinema, eating out, Zumba, travelling and ice skating.
Further information: From Glasgow, I qualified as an engineer, but then moved into Recruitment Consultancy. I set up my own agency three years ago.
Looking to meet: Someone in their late thirties to late forties, who is open, honest, fun to be with and who can be relied upon. It would be good to meet someone who is open to trying new activities. Now, guys would you be interested in dating Gill, and girls, could you see yourself socialising with her? I thought it would be fun, to write a dating profile for myselfSo here goes! CANDIDATE PROFILEName: Susan BuchananAge: just about to hit the big 40! Cards and presents willingly received (and if Laura's reading this, remind me about you making my birthday cake!)Occupation: Author/Future JK Rowling - in my wildest!Qualifications: MA in French and Hispanic Studies (but for some reason my most fluent language is Italian...)Height - Slightly taller than a smurf, a tad shorter than Maria Sharapova! 5 feet, 4 and a half inches. Don't forget the half! It puts me just above the West of Scotland average!Marital status: Probably couldn't put that I live with my beloved. Darn! Smoker - Nope!Interests: Travelling, reading, writing, languages, eating out, eating in, cinema, running when haven't injured self, finding ways to spend less time on Twitter per day than I do, and last but by no means least, Rupert Penry Jones.Further information - Originally from a small town between Glasgow and Stirling, I now live in the buzzing metropolis which is Hamilton, Scotland (people have already thought I am from Ontario!) I worked in International Sales for 16 years and then got out of the rat race and decided to write, which is proving even harder work, although thoroughly enjoyable.Looking to meet- no-one, as my other half is perfect (well, I had to say that in case he reads the blog!) The no-one was correct. Him being perfect wasn't - no one is, except maybe Rupert Penry Jones!However, if I were single, it would read something like this :-Someone in their late thirties to late mid forties. (Er, have just realised that Gill has got the rest pretty spot on. I really can't better that.) So, yes, open, honest, reliable, who knows how to have fun. A cute smile and beautiful eyes always help, too! Right, that's it from me. But I would LOVE to hear a piece of what your dating profile would say. Choose any piece at all, and leave a comment on the blog. Next post is on Friday, when The Dating Game will be live, we will have lift off, and the fun, games, competition for Amazon voucher, and The Great Kindle Ebook Giveaway begin! Don't miss it!!Have a great daySooz
Interview with Australia's Stephen Ormsby
Morning!
can't sleep, must be the excitement. Only two more sleeps until The Dating Game launch. Can you imagine how hyper I am going to be by Friday? (and how tired...)
Anyway, I will be posting on The Dating Game later, but just a quickie to let you see this interview I did with Stephen. I actually had to update it a few days ago, as I wrote it almost 3 months ago. Can you imagine how many things have changed in that time?!
here ya go! http://wp.me/p1WHjy-kN.
Sooz
Hmm back to bed for an hour? zzzzzzz
can't sleep, must be the excitement. Only two more sleeps until The Dating Game launch. Can you imagine how hyper I am going to be by Friday? (and how tired...)
Anyway, I will be posting on The Dating Game later, but just a quickie to let you see this interview I did with Stephen. I actually had to update it a few days ago, as I wrote it almost 3 months ago. Can you imagine how many things have changed in that time?!
here ya go! http://wp.me/p1WHjy-kN.
Sooz
Hmm back to bed for an hour? zzzzzzz
The Booker Award - My Five Favourite Books
The Booker Award I received this award from Amy Whelan at www.youthfulyogini.blogspot.co.uk who I got to know as she is the better half of author Jeff Whelan. She also has her own excellent blog, which I hadn't realised until very recently.
This award is passed around from author to author (or to other bloggers) so that they, too, can share their top five books. Now choosing my top 5 is a mammoth task, so I will choose a few contemporary ones, just to narrow it down a bit. I am also only going to list books which I would re-read and which I have recommended many times to others. Plus they need to be books I have thought about over and over since I read them. I am also not going to list any indie authors, as I would find it too difficult to choose among friends' books! Favourite book read this year:A Twist of Fate by Joanna Rees Over the past probably 10 years, I had read all of Joanna's books when she wrote in the chick lit genre, with her husband Emlyn Rees (Josie Lloyd she was known as) and loved them. I discovered this book was coming out and told the author I loved her books and she kindly sent me a copy. I completely devoured it. I was meant to be writing my own novel, but for three days, I was immersed in this one. It's a family saga, spanning several generations up to the modern day. I don't generally read sagas, but this was exceptional. I think what pulled me in apart from all the twists and turns (it's well named!) was the fact that it took place in various locations around the world. Plus I like to see an underdog do well. Favourite book in a series The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I absolutely loved Shadow in the Wind and The Angel's Game. As soon as I realised this was out (as I was busy writing and hadn't noticed) I ordered it from Amazon and was waiting for the post to hurry up and bring it. I haven't reviewed it yet, because I wanted to take my time writing the review. I love Fermin, who is, funnily enough, another underdog, but the most comical character in the series. I adore the whole mystery and perhaps the fact that it is set around a bookshop helps too. I am a sucker for anything involving books or a bookshop. The way Ruiz Zafon shows us Barcelona really spoke to me, so much so it was one of the reasons I included Barcelona in my new book, The Dating Game. Ruiz Zafon made me want to travel the streets of Barcelona with Daniel and Fermin. I hope I manage to do that too. I did study the Spanish civil war and also Franco's regime, so the Spanish historical elements were very interesting to me too. I enjoy learning about Barcelona a few decades ago, versus the buzzing cosmopolitan city it is now. I also had the pleasure of listening to Ruiz Zafon at the Edinburgh Book Festival a few years ago, he is very chilled and reminds me of one of my very close Spanish friends! Favourite new author book discovery this yearMikkel Birkegaard - The Library of ShadowsI picked this up in a charity shop - once I notice that a book is about books, I have difficulty putting it back on the shelf. Another one set in a bookshop, but which talks about the power of books - magical powers of books and mind control. A great psychological thriller with a suppose a little bit of paranormal (and I am not a fan of paranormal usually, but it works here). Full of mystery, twists and turns and heart in mouth moments. Fave children's bookThe Neverending Story - Michael Ende. Without question, this is my favourite children's book, probably aimed at the 8-12s. It's quite a long book, but wow, from the minute you start reading, you can't stop. I was Sebastian! I read with Sebastian as he lay on the floor and then found himself in the book, with the action happening to him. Plus a huge flying dog, that you can lie on! What's not to like. Excellent adventure book for kids. I still remember where I was the first time I read this, lying in the smallest bedroom in my parents' house (I must have been about 9 or so) and I didn't even hear my parents repeatedly calling me for dinner and I like my food! I can't categorise number five, except to say, again I didn't think it would be my thing and I was so wrong!Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian A modern day search for the historical Dracula. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It's a quest, passed from father to daughter, albeit the father doesn't want his daughter involved, as it has ruined his life. I have recommended this book over and over and my copy is now a bit dog-eared. Again, it's a book which travels from place to place, Hungary, Romania and the UK, and spans several decades. I am beginning to see a pattern in my favourite books! If you haven't read it yet, a treat is in store for you. Well, that's me. Now, it only falls to me to name a few authors who I would like to tag for this challengeMaria Savva, not simply because she's a dear friend, but because she's always giving me challenges!www.mariasavva.com Terry Tyler, also a dear friend, who didn't do my last challenge, but am sure could blog about this!http://terrytyler59.blogspot.co.uk/Vanessa Wester, a great twitter buddy, who just released a new anthology with several other authors - http://vanessawesterwriter.blogspot.co.uk/Katie Oliver - awesome blogger - www.katieoliver.comSeumas Gallacher - a fellow Scot who has become a master blogger and FB fiend of late! - www.seumasgallacher.com Finally, thanks to Amy for tagging me. Tune in tomorrow for our last pre-launch post for The Dating Game. Only 3 more days to the launch! And whatever you do, don't miss Fri's Launch Party. More than 50 copies of Kindle books being given away in The Great Kindle Ebook Giveaway as part of The Dating Game launch. Plus Amazon vouchers and competitions! Tell your friends!have a great daySooz 
This award is passed around from author to author (or to other bloggers) so that they, too, can share their top five books. Now choosing my top 5 is a mammoth task, so I will choose a few contemporary ones, just to narrow it down a bit. I am also only going to list books which I would re-read and which I have recommended many times to others. Plus they need to be books I have thought about over and over since I read them. I am also not going to list any indie authors, as I would find it too difficult to choose among friends' books! Favourite book read this year:A Twist of Fate by Joanna Rees Over the past probably 10 years, I had read all of Joanna's books when she wrote in the chick lit genre, with her husband Emlyn Rees (Josie Lloyd she was known as) and loved them. I discovered this book was coming out and told the author I loved her books and she kindly sent me a copy. I completely devoured it. I was meant to be writing my own novel, but for three days, I was immersed in this one. It's a family saga, spanning several generations up to the modern day. I don't generally read sagas, but this was exceptional. I think what pulled me in apart from all the twists and turns (it's well named!) was the fact that it took place in various locations around the world. Plus I like to see an underdog do well. Favourite book in a series The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I absolutely loved Shadow in the Wind and The Angel's Game. As soon as I realised this was out (as I was busy writing and hadn't noticed) I ordered it from Amazon and was waiting for the post to hurry up and bring it. I haven't reviewed it yet, because I wanted to take my time writing the review. I love Fermin, who is, funnily enough, another underdog, but the most comical character in the series. I adore the whole mystery and perhaps the fact that it is set around a bookshop helps too. I am a sucker for anything involving books or a bookshop. The way Ruiz Zafon shows us Barcelona really spoke to me, so much so it was one of the reasons I included Barcelona in my new book, The Dating Game. Ruiz Zafon made me want to travel the streets of Barcelona with Daniel and Fermin. I hope I manage to do that too. I did study the Spanish civil war and also Franco's regime, so the Spanish historical elements were very interesting to me too. I enjoy learning about Barcelona a few decades ago, versus the buzzing cosmopolitan city it is now. I also had the pleasure of listening to Ruiz Zafon at the Edinburgh Book Festival a few years ago, he is very chilled and reminds me of one of my very close Spanish friends! Favourite new author book discovery this yearMikkel Birkegaard - The Library of ShadowsI picked this up in a charity shop - once I notice that a book is about books, I have difficulty putting it back on the shelf. Another one set in a bookshop, but which talks about the power of books - magical powers of books and mind control. A great psychological thriller with a suppose a little bit of paranormal (and I am not a fan of paranormal usually, but it works here). Full of mystery, twists and turns and heart in mouth moments. Fave children's bookThe Neverending Story - Michael Ende. Without question, this is my favourite children's book, probably aimed at the 8-12s. It's quite a long book, but wow, from the minute you start reading, you can't stop. I was Sebastian! I read with Sebastian as he lay on the floor and then found himself in the book, with the action happening to him. Plus a huge flying dog, that you can lie on! What's not to like. Excellent adventure book for kids. I still remember where I was the first time I read this, lying in the smallest bedroom in my parents' house (I must have been about 9 or so) and I didn't even hear my parents repeatedly calling me for dinner and I like my food! I can't categorise number five, except to say, again I didn't think it would be my thing and I was so wrong!Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian A modern day search for the historical Dracula. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It's a quest, passed from father to daughter, albeit the father doesn't want his daughter involved, as it has ruined his life. I have recommended this book over and over and my copy is now a bit dog-eared. Again, it's a book which travels from place to place, Hungary, Romania and the UK, and spans several decades. I am beginning to see a pattern in my favourite books! If you haven't read it yet, a treat is in store for you. Well, that's me. Now, it only falls to me to name a few authors who I would like to tag for this challengeMaria Savva, not simply because she's a dear friend, but because she's always giving me challenges!www.mariasavva.com Terry Tyler, also a dear friend, who didn't do my last challenge, but am sure could blog about this!http://terrytyler59.blogspot.co.uk/Vanessa Wester, a great twitter buddy, who just released a new anthology with several other authors - http://vanessawesterwriter.blogspot.co.uk/Katie Oliver - awesome blogger - www.katieoliver.comSeumas Gallacher - a fellow Scot who has become a master blogger and FB fiend of late! - www.seumasgallacher.com Finally, thanks to Amy for tagging me. Tune in tomorrow for our last pre-launch post for The Dating Game. Only 3 more days to the launch! And whatever you do, don't miss Fri's Launch Party. More than 50 copies of Kindle books being given away in The Great Kindle Ebook Giveaway as part of The Dating Game launch. Plus Amazon vouchers and competitions! Tell your friends!have a great daySooz
October 29, 2012
Visit Barcelona with The Dating Game
Hi everyone
First of all, most humble apologies. This post was meant to happen on Sat, but I had a few technical glitches over the weekend. So, this is The Dating Game launch week. Only 4 more days until the party begins!
So, I figured it was fitting to show a little insight into why I chose to set part of The Dating Game in Barcelona.
The first time I went to Barcelona, I moved there to teach English when I was straight out of university. I even learned a little bit of Catalan. Although I have a great love affair with Italy, my favourite European city is Barcelona. So it made sense to include this in my novel, and, of course, having lived there, gave me a little bit of a unique insight.
Today we will visit some of the locations in The Dating Game and I will tell you why I chose them
Parc Güell and more particularly Casa Gaudí. I love architecture, more than art, possibly because I can't draw for toffee (not that I can build anything either). I lived in Barcelona for a few months and tried to find Parc Güell, but it's actually not the easiest to find. I had been back twice more to Barcelona and still never visited it. So, in 2011 I finally got to go to Casa Gaudí. Ever since I moved to Barcelona in 1995, I had always wanted to go. I love that it looks like a sugar-topped candy house! Something of the Hansel and Gretel about it.
Another Gaudí building. There are so many in Barcelona. When I first moved there, I thought one of the buildings looked like a face! Gaudí is by far my favourite architect and one of Barcelona's most famous sons.
A trip to Barcelona wouldn't be complete without a meander down the Ramblas, the main thoroughfare from the sea all the way up through the city centre. And some of these statues are pretty good! The café culture in Barcelona is fab, as you will see in The Dating Game. Locals don't tend to go on the Ramblas, where four years ago it was 12 euros for a copa de sangría! And although Barcelona is my favourite city, it has its drawbacks, particularly associated with the Ramblas. Lots of pickpockets and bag snatching, but despite that still my favourite city. You just need to keep your wits about you!
This building is the Ajuntament, or town hall. See the crowded square? This is typical of how sardine-like the crowds are at the events during the Mercé festival in Barcelona each September. I have been twice now, once by pure chance. The red and white against the building are actually people standing on each other's shoulders, in an event called Castellers - where they form a human pyramid! Bloomin' scary. That was as close as we could get to the action - not one to go to if, like me, you're a bit claustrophobic, but I still enjoyed it! Also, I used to live on the other side of that square, about 50m down the street towards Placa Reial, the main square in Barcelona for people to have coffee or drinks.
and this fine chap is one of the dragons from the Mercé festival.
and these are the Gegants (giants) who parade during the Mercé - Catalunya really knows how to do festivals well! Every time I go, I discover a new festival, and I can say truthfully that it was always exciting living in Barcelona.
This is the Parc de la Ciutadella, where during the Mercé they have open air concerts (as they do in many venues in Barcelona, but this is by far the prettiest). Believe me, watching Swan Lake performed in the dark (but floodlit!) in this park, was one of the most memorable festival experiences.
If you haven't been to Barcelona, you don't know what you're missing. And if you have been, but have missed the Mercé, or any of the items I've mentioned, get yourself back there!
And do you know what's brilliant about this architecture-rich and cultural city? It also has this:-
And no visit to Barcelona would be complete without seeing or visiting its most iconic structure - The Sagrada Família - Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece. Love it or hate it, you've got to admire it!
and a little peek at the interior, too!
it looks like honeycomb!
So to find out if Gill and her friends enjoyed visiting Barcelona as much as I did, and what were their favourite haunts out of those listed here and those not, tune in on Friday for the start of launch week and your first chance to purchase The Dating Game.
Failing any major catastrophes, there should be a final The Dating Game pre-launch post on Wednesday.
Hope you enjoyed our virtual tour of Barcelona and see you Wednesday. Have a great week, Sooz
First of all, most humble apologies. This post was meant to happen on Sat, but I had a few technical glitches over the weekend. So, this is The Dating Game launch week. Only 4 more days until the party begins!
So, I figured it was fitting to show a little insight into why I chose to set part of The Dating Game in Barcelona.
The first time I went to Barcelona, I moved there to teach English when I was straight out of university. I even learned a little bit of Catalan. Although I have a great love affair with Italy, my favourite European city is Barcelona. So it made sense to include this in my novel, and, of course, having lived there, gave me a little bit of a unique insight.
Today we will visit some of the locations in The Dating Game and I will tell you why I chose them
Parc Güell and more particularly Casa Gaudí. I love architecture, more than art, possibly because I can't draw for toffee (not that I can build anything either). I lived in Barcelona for a few months and tried to find Parc Güell, but it's actually not the easiest to find. I had been back twice more to Barcelona and still never visited it. So, in 2011 I finally got to go to Casa Gaudí. Ever since I moved to Barcelona in 1995, I had always wanted to go. I love that it looks like a sugar-topped candy house! Something of the Hansel and Gretel about it.
Another Gaudí building. There are so many in Barcelona. When I first moved there, I thought one of the buildings looked like a face! Gaudí is by far my favourite architect and one of Barcelona's most famous sons.
A trip to Barcelona wouldn't be complete without a meander down the Ramblas, the main thoroughfare from the sea all the way up through the city centre. And some of these statues are pretty good! The café culture in Barcelona is fab, as you will see in The Dating Game. Locals don't tend to go on the Ramblas, where four years ago it was 12 euros for a copa de sangría! And although Barcelona is my favourite city, it has its drawbacks, particularly associated with the Ramblas. Lots of pickpockets and bag snatching, but despite that still my favourite city. You just need to keep your wits about you!
This building is the Ajuntament, or town hall. See the crowded square? This is typical of how sardine-like the crowds are at the events during the Mercé festival in Barcelona each September. I have been twice now, once by pure chance. The red and white against the building are actually people standing on each other's shoulders, in an event called Castellers - where they form a human pyramid! Bloomin' scary. That was as close as we could get to the action - not one to go to if, like me, you're a bit claustrophobic, but I still enjoyed it! Also, I used to live on the other side of that square, about 50m down the street towards Placa Reial, the main square in Barcelona for people to have coffee or drinks.
and this fine chap is one of the dragons from the Mercé festival.
and these are the Gegants (giants) who parade during the Mercé - Catalunya really knows how to do festivals well! Every time I go, I discover a new festival, and I can say truthfully that it was always exciting living in Barcelona.
This is the Parc de la Ciutadella, where during the Mercé they have open air concerts (as they do in many venues in Barcelona, but this is by far the prettiest). Believe me, watching Swan Lake performed in the dark (but floodlit!) in this park, was one of the most memorable festival experiences.
If you haven't been to Barcelona, you don't know what you're missing. And if you have been, but have missed the Mercé, or any of the items I've mentioned, get yourself back there!
And do you know what's brilliant about this architecture-rich and cultural city? It also has this:-
And no visit to Barcelona would be complete without seeing or visiting its most iconic structure - The Sagrada Família - Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece. Love it or hate it, you've got to admire it!
and a little peek at the interior, too!
it looks like honeycomb!So to find out if Gill and her friends enjoyed visiting Barcelona as much as I did, and what were their favourite haunts out of those listed here and those not, tune in on Friday for the start of launch week and your first chance to purchase The Dating Game.
Failing any major catastrophes, there should be a final The Dating Game pre-launch post on Wednesday.
Hope you enjoyed our virtual tour of Barcelona and see you Wednesday. Have a great week, Sooz
