B.D. Hawkey's Blog, page 3

Public Voting Round for Rone Award needs you!

The public voting phase for the 2014 RONE Awards has begun. If you feel historical romance OLD SINS LONG SHADOWS by B.D.Hawkey has earned your vote, please take a moment to email anasmith@indtale.com this week to let them know. If you are a subscriber login on the link below and you can place your vote in the Historical Post Medieval Category on the following link http://indtale.com/2014-rone-awards-w... . Thank you

Who me..?

I’m really excited to be able to share with you that Old Sins Long Shadows has been nominated for the 2014 RONÉ “Best Indie or Small Published book of 2013” Award.

It is all a bit surreal, but it is a moment I will cherish. I wanted to share the news because they say that happiness is like a kiss - you must share it to enjoy it.

They say it’s easier than it looks…they lie

Spring is knocking on our door in England and something big, round and shiny can be seen above our heads. A glimpse of blue sky, and some warmth on my skin, makes me delusional and not for the first time I believe I have green fingers. With this yearly twisted belief in myself, I venture into our neglected greenhouse in a vain attempt of looking like I know what I am doing.

Last year’s hanging baskets may look like they have had something small and furry nibbling at them during the winter months, but this does not deter me as I have just brought several trays of spring flowers, several bags of compost and, of course, I have a trowel, and only gardeners who know what they are doing own a trowel – right?

So why do I always end up with more earth on the dog (who always chooses to snooze in an inconvenient place) and the inevitable feeling that as soon as I hang them outside there will be a frost to kill them all? Yet there is something relaxing about being in the warmth of a greenhouse, planting flowers on the verge of blooming and with a snoring dog at your feet.

At the end I proudly survey my work. Numerous hanging baskets hang from a wooden pole, each filled with colourful young plants and waiting to be hung outside. I smile smugly at my gardening skill, proud at what I have achieved. It doesn’t last long. The pole breaks and my carefully crafted little pockets of nature plummet to the ground. Out shoots my earth covered dog from the greenhouse and out flies a few colourful words from my mouth.

Like I said, there is something relaxing about planting flowers in a hanging basket, it’s just I haven’t discovered it yet. I think it’s time to pick up a book instead.

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.

According to research, there are ten things that will make us happier.

Exercise more
Sleep more
Move closer to work
Spend time with friends and family
Go outside
Help others
Practice smiling - smile even if you don’t feel like it.
Plan a trip – but don’t take one
Meditate
Practice gratitude - say thank you like you mean it

For me there is also an eleventh thing and it only takes a couple of minutes. It is a brownie in a mug! ;)

http://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-...

http://lifehacker.com/ten-things-you-...

For a gallant spirit there can never be defeat.

Over the past few weeks the U.K. has suffered from relentless rain. As if this was not bad enough we were then hit by a bombardment of storms. Records for rainfall, storm warnings and wind speeds were easily broken time and time again. Large areas of the country have now succumbed to the saturated ground and swollen rivers resulting in severe flooding. Areas of the British countryside, and some villages and towns, have changed to become a surreal landscape of water and abandoned homes. Even the river Thames has burst its banks.

Coastal homes, roads and rail tracks have been damaged by stormy seas. A Major incident has been declared and the army have been mobilised to help. Even the Queen has donated feed from her own farms to support farmers affected by the flooding and Prince William and Harry have helped deliver sandbags.

Sink holes have started to appear and tens of thousands of homes have been without power. The areas of flooding are so large they can be seen from space.

Yet time and time again I am amazed how resilient, generous and helpful the victims of the flooding have been and the dignified manner they have conducted themselves during this time. The rescue services and people who have helped their neighbours have been amazing. Yes there has been anger and frustration, but there has also been humour and a determination that can only be admired. Time and time again the British people have rallied, fought back and helped one another with a quiet efficiency - even stubbornness and it is at times like this I am proud to be British.

Kindle Price Drop to celebrate

To celebrate Valentine’s Day Old Sins, Long Shadows is available at a REDUCED PRICE for ONE week on Amazon.com and Amazon.uk! The Kindle Countdown starts Sunday, 9th February and ends Saturday, 15th February, 2014. The earlier you buy the bigger the discount!

Old Sins Long Shadows by B.D.Hawkey is an historical romance with grit.
Book link:- http://www.bdhawkey.com/books.html
Book Trailer:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht-o-...
Website link:- http://www.bdhawkey.com

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Sins-Long-Shado...

Amazon.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sins-Long-Sha...

Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/BDHawkey

Stopping to breathe...

After another busy day, I headed towards the supermarket to buy some meat, milk and a loaf of bread. Head down and looking like a professional speed walker, I entered the shop and went straight to the items, grabbed them and headed towards the till. I was on a mission, and for some reason it felt like a serious one. My focus was getting from A to B, I did not deviate or meander, I did not make eye contact with anyone else - after all I was busy and busier than everyone else (or so I thought).

Getting to the till I glanced up and saw the previous customer had a full trolley and a man was about to push it away. I quickly loaded my items on the belt and turned the payment machine towards me. It was then that I first noticed the elderly lady beside me. She gently placed her hand on mine to stop me and said cheerfully “I have not paid yet but you are more than welcome to pay for my groceries.” I realised my mistake - I had been oblivious to who was next to me and I realised, in that moment, that my haste had gone too far. I apologised for grabbing the payment machine from her and for the next few minutes, while she paid for her groceries, three strangers (the elderly lady, the cashier and me) had a conversation about how busy and stressful life can be and that we should all just stop and take a deep breath. As we talked, (and laughed) I found my breathing settle and I felt much better for it.

Suddenly the mission to buy some milk, bread and meat did not seem to warrant the importance I had placed on it. Buying it did not require such haste that bordered on being oblivious to everything around me.

I left the store more relaxed than when I had entered it, with my milk and bread in my bag. Yes, in my haste I had forgotten to buy some meat, but it did not matter. We had something else for our meal. We did not starve, there was no catastrophe and the world did not end, but I did have a nice little chat with an elderly lady that I will probably never see again - and that was more fun than any joint of ham.

Reviews from a blogger, a mag and a very kind stranger...

Reviews from InD’tale Magazine, Cluereview and Amazon of Old Sins Long Shadows:-

http://cluereview.blogspot.co.uk/2014...

http://www.indtale.com/magazine/2014/...

http://www.amazon.com/review/R28SENS3...

I loved Daniel too ;)

Some uninteresting facts about me...

Some interesting and uninteresting facts about me...

The weirdest present I have ever received from a man was a cabbage.
I have always had a pet of some sort.
I was a nurse.
When I was three my dress caught on fire and my brother put it out.
I believe I have seen the Beast of Bodmin Moor, in England.
My favourite film is The Elephant Man.
My least favourite film is Eraserhead
I enjoy watching documentaries, particularly about history.
When I was five I got lost and was taken to the police by a stranger.
I love watching musicals on the TV or at the theatre.
I can’t sing.
I sing when no one can hear me.
The only gift I personally accepted from a patient was a red rose.
My friends and family think I am very organised.
When I was fourteen I banged my head and went blind temporarily.
The first book I read was Charlotte’s Web
I have a day job.

Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway.

When Old Sins, Long Shadows was published last year only a few close members of my family knew I had written a book. My friends and extended family members did not. That is how it stayed until today. Today I posted on my own personal facebook page the following message.

“SURPRISE!
Many people have things they would like to achieve before a certain age. One of mine was to write a book. Over the last couple of years I have been doing just that and in August last year I achieved my goal by publishing through Amazon...

I would like to add that although the book is based in Cornwall and the Bodmin area, it is not based on anyone I know!
It’s nice to know that I might be pushing 50 but I can still surprise a few people now and then ;)”

Feeling a little nervous now but as John Wayne said "Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway."