Clare O'Beara's Blog, page 12
June 19, 2016
June Jamboree
Interesting situations this month include my trialling a fitness watch, a talk on the future of interconnected computers in everyday life, and all-too brief summer weather. I'm making an Irish summer crime story free to download on Kindle, and I'm back to writing crime.
The fitness watch talks to my phone via Bluetooth. The app shows my regular walks and housework looking like busy days, but each day that I go in to town or work on trees provides more than twice the walking. Yoga does not register as exercise because the pedometer doesn't pick it up, although I do yoga a few evenings a week. I also notice that walking, while good for cardiovascular and respiratory health, burns very few calories. We have clearly evolved to be efficient walkers. The watch is supposed to be waterproof but I haven't worn it while swimming because it just goes against the grain to swim wearing a flashdrive. The watch also vibrates to let me know my phone has an incoming call or text, and shows the sender's name, which could be helpful to a hearing-impaired person.
I don't depend on my smartphone as a phone or watch, but the fitness app is making me use it a lot more - by Wi-fi so I am not running up extra charges. A fitness watch is worth considering. However, before you allow the watch app to update your social site with your daily habits, consider a potential stalker, house burglar or your ex and whether you want them to know where and when you are jogging in the park. My app is forbidden to share. For useful security tips of that nature I recommend
The Smart Girl's Guide to Privacy by Violet Blue.
I attended a talk with my husband in the Royal Dublin Society, by Alex Duncan, CEO and Co-founder of Openmind Networks Ltd on the development and uses of machine intelligence and interlinked computers. He had a virtual assistant gadget from Amazon to show us. This was called Alexa and looked like a foot-high cylinder, responding to its name by playing requested music, answering questions and potentially summoning a taxi or controlling lights and electronics around the house. We also heard about developments in driverless cars, which have the potential to upset the insurance company mechanisms. The Internet of Things, part of which is my fitness watch, is here and we will all be living in this new world.
Summer in Dublin was early and short; we are back to rain at present. Let's hope we get some more good weather as I have a lot more gardening to do. Since it's summer I'm making a scenic summertime mystery set in Ireland free to download, 25 - 27 June.
Murder At Wicklow Mensa. This is fifth in my Cara Cassidy mystery series and can be read as a standalone. You can read for free on your Kindle or with a free Kindle app on your phone, tablet or PC. If you download, please consider leaving a review.
https://amazon.com/Murder-Wicklow-Men...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Wickl...
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events, newsletter and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
The fitness watch talks to my phone via Bluetooth. The app shows my regular walks and housework looking like busy days, but each day that I go in to town or work on trees provides more than twice the walking. Yoga does not register as exercise because the pedometer doesn't pick it up, although I do yoga a few evenings a week. I also notice that walking, while good for cardiovascular and respiratory health, burns very few calories. We have clearly evolved to be efficient walkers. The watch is supposed to be waterproof but I haven't worn it while swimming because it just goes against the grain to swim wearing a flashdrive. The watch also vibrates to let me know my phone has an incoming call or text, and shows the sender's name, which could be helpful to a hearing-impaired person.
I don't depend on my smartphone as a phone or watch, but the fitness app is making me use it a lot more - by Wi-fi so I am not running up extra charges. A fitness watch is worth considering. However, before you allow the watch app to update your social site with your daily habits, consider a potential stalker, house burglar or your ex and whether you want them to know where and when you are jogging in the park. My app is forbidden to share. For useful security tips of that nature I recommend
The Smart Girl's Guide to Privacy by Violet Blue.I attended a talk with my husband in the Royal Dublin Society, by Alex Duncan, CEO and Co-founder of Openmind Networks Ltd on the development and uses of machine intelligence and interlinked computers. He had a virtual assistant gadget from Amazon to show us. This was called Alexa and looked like a foot-high cylinder, responding to its name by playing requested music, answering questions and potentially summoning a taxi or controlling lights and electronics around the house. We also heard about developments in driverless cars, which have the potential to upset the insurance company mechanisms. The Internet of Things, part of which is my fitness watch, is here and we will all be living in this new world.
Summer in Dublin was early and short; we are back to rain at present. Let's hope we get some more good weather as I have a lot more gardening to do. Since it's summer I'm making a scenic summertime mystery set in Ireland free to download, 25 - 27 June.
Murder At Wicklow Mensa. This is fifth in my Cara Cassidy mystery series and can be read as a standalone. You can read for free on your Kindle or with a free Kindle app on your phone, tablet or PC. If you download, please consider leaving a review. https://amazon.com/Murder-Wicklow-Men...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Wickl...
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events, newsletter and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
May 19, 2016
May Laughs in London and Luxembourg
This month I have given away World Book Night books, visited two countries at once and arranged another free download. I have also been invigilating college exams which provides an annual spurt of work that is interesting and mind expanding for me.
As I review many crime books and I like to cover European themed reads, I and my husband received an invitation to a literary salon evening. This was held in the Embassy of Luxembourg in Knightsbridge, London. Naturally we also did some sightseeing including the Shard, the London Transport Museum, the Science Museum, the Tate Gallery, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Golden Hinde galleon. When I visit an embassy I always consider myself to be standing in that country, therefore I can claim to have visited Britain and Luxembourg at once.
The authors present at the salon moderated by Professor René Weis were Daniel Pembrey
, one of whose thrillers is The Candidate: A Luxembourg Thriller
set in a wintry Luxembourg amid international financial trading;
and Ruth Dugdall
author of Nowhere Girl
about a child who disappears from a funfair at a Luxembourg festival, in her Cate Austin crime series. This was a fascinating chance to learn about the lives of ex-pats in this small and hospitable European country and to meet the authors in person.
London is warmer than Ireland and the evening was so pleasant that we sipped wine and ate canapés in the roof terrace rose garden after the talk, giving a wave to
Julian Assange who probably wasn't enjoying himself nearly so much. An item featured in the Luxembourg Chronicle, which you can read on this link: http://www.chronicle.lu/categoriescul...
To balance the carbon footprint of our travels, we offset carbon through a website called www.Care2.com which allows us to offset carbon daily, sponsor tree planting and other good works for free.
On the weekend of 21/22 May I am making the full-length book Dining Out Around the Solar System
a free Kindle download. If you don't have a Kindle you can download a free app from Amazon to read on your phone, PC or tablet. This book is about an Irish ex-pat in London, so it seems appropriate, and although a science fiction read it centres on journalism, crime, good food and strong friendships. If you download, please consider leaving a review.
https://amazon.com/Dining-Out-Around-...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Out-A...
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
As I review many crime books and I like to cover European themed reads, I and my husband received an invitation to a literary salon evening. This was held in the Embassy of Luxembourg in Knightsbridge, London. Naturally we also did some sightseeing including the Shard, the London Transport Museum, the Science Museum, the Tate Gallery, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Golden Hinde galleon. When I visit an embassy I always consider myself to be standing in that country, therefore I can claim to have visited Britain and Luxembourg at once.
The authors present at the salon moderated by Professor René Weis were Daniel Pembrey
, one of whose thrillers is The Candidate: A Luxembourg Thriller
set in a wintry Luxembourg amid international financial trading; and Ruth Dugdall
author of Nowhere Girl
about a child who disappears from a funfair at a Luxembourg festival, in her Cate Austin crime series. This was a fascinating chance to learn about the lives of ex-pats in this small and hospitable European country and to meet the authors in person. London is warmer than Ireland and the evening was so pleasant that we sipped wine and ate canapés in the roof terrace rose garden after the talk, giving a wave to
Julian Assange who probably wasn't enjoying himself nearly so much. An item featured in the Luxembourg Chronicle, which you can read on this link: http://www.chronicle.lu/categoriescul...To balance the carbon footprint of our travels, we offset carbon through a website called www.Care2.com which allows us to offset carbon daily, sponsor tree planting and other good works for free.
On the weekend of 21/22 May I am making the full-length book Dining Out Around the Solar System
a free Kindle download. If you don't have a Kindle you can download a free app from Amazon to read on your phone, PC or tablet. This book is about an Irish ex-pat in London, so it seems appropriate, and although a science fiction read it centres on journalism, crime, good food and strong friendships. If you download, please consider leaving a review.https://amazon.com/Dining-Out-Around-...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Out-A...
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
April 16, 2016
April Showers of Books
To celebrate World Book Night which I support each year, I'm making one of my books free to download on April 20 - 23. I'm also giving away new copies of Now You See Me by Sharon Bolton, courtesy of the publishers Corgi, World Book Night, a literacy charity The Reading Agency, Easons bookshops and courier firm Yodel. These books are being handed to people who meet me and do not read many books, for whatever reason. I hope they find the gift a great read and get inspired to read more.
My own free book is Dining Out Around The Solar System Part One. If you've read the later books now is your chance to find out how the main characters met and started to tread a dangerous path. This is the first part of a longer novel and is over 180 pages.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Around...
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Around-S...
I'm thrilled that the Goodreads team have placed me in the Top 1% Reviewer category. Thanks, everyone who enjoys my reviews!
During March we held the celebrations for the centenary of the Easter Rising. Events I attended to celebrate Ireland's history included a talk in the RDS by Robin Mandal, RIAI on rebuilding the Dublin city centre after the rebellion had been quashed. The British brought a gunboat up the River Liffey to shell the rebel-held buildings, some of which went on fire, and the fires spread. The General Post Office had only just re-opened after a complete refurbishment and it was left burnt out and roofless, standing that way for a decade during the Civil War and reorganisation which followed independence. Clerys department store was also burnt and Liberty Hall reduced to a ruin, but the streetscape was restored surprisingly quickly.
Another lively event we attended was a talk by German astronomer Wolfgang Steinicke on the great 72 inch reflector telescope at Birr Castle. This huge telescope was the largest in Ireland in its day and was supervised by astronomers from Armagh Planetarium as well as its owner Lord Rosse. Due to the large telescope, astronomers were able to study deep sky astronomy, nebulae and star clusters in detail for the first time.
The talk was followed by the launch of a book, William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse: Astronomy and the Castle in Nineteenth-Century Ireland, on Birr estate, the telescope and Lady Rosse who was the photographer tasked with recording the construction and working of the instrument. Wolfgang Steinicke has contributed material and the book is edited by Charles Mollan. This telescope has now been restored and my husband and I visited it a few years ago on a camping holiday in Ireland. We have a fantastic science heritage and much of it is available to the public.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
My own free book is Dining Out Around The Solar System Part One. If you've read the later books now is your chance to find out how the main characters met and started to tread a dangerous path. This is the first part of a longer novel and is over 180 pages.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Around...
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Around-S...
I'm thrilled that the Goodreads team have placed me in the Top 1% Reviewer category. Thanks, everyone who enjoys my reviews!
During March we held the celebrations for the centenary of the Easter Rising. Events I attended to celebrate Ireland's history included a talk in the RDS by Robin Mandal, RIAI on rebuilding the Dublin city centre after the rebellion had been quashed. The British brought a gunboat up the River Liffey to shell the rebel-held buildings, some of which went on fire, and the fires spread. The General Post Office had only just re-opened after a complete refurbishment and it was left burnt out and roofless, standing that way for a decade during the Civil War and reorganisation which followed independence. Clerys department store was also burnt and Liberty Hall reduced to a ruin, but the streetscape was restored surprisingly quickly.
Another lively event we attended was a talk by German astronomer Wolfgang Steinicke on the great 72 inch reflector telescope at Birr Castle. This huge telescope was the largest in Ireland in its day and was supervised by astronomers from Armagh Planetarium as well as its owner Lord Rosse. Due to the large telescope, astronomers were able to study deep sky astronomy, nebulae and star clusters in detail for the first time.
The talk was followed by the launch of a book, William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse: Astronomy and the Castle in Nineteenth-Century Ireland, on Birr estate, the telescope and Lady Rosse who was the photographer tasked with recording the construction and working of the instrument. Wolfgang Steinicke has contributed material and the book is edited by Charles Mollan. This telescope has now been restored and my husband and I visited it a few years ago on a camping holiday in Ireland. We have a fantastic science heritage and much of it is available to the public. FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
March 7, 2016
March Merriment for St. Patrick's Day and Easter
As promised I am making one of my Irish books free to download for the first time. Read on for details.
This March is a major event in Ireland. Not alone do we have St. Patrick's Day on the seventeenth, celebrating Ireland's patron saint, but Easter falls in March. 2016 sees the centenary of the Easter Rising, when a group of desperate rebels, who included among their number poets, playwrights and a Countess, took over strategic buildings around Dublin in the name of a new Irish Republic. Seen in the context of the First World War this explains why Britain was so determined not to cede control of a colony. Ireland has always been a major supplier of food and timber to Britain and at that time it also supplied soldiers and horses. Ireland's national broadcaster RTE is airing a TV series reconstructing those events. The main focus of the centenary celebrations is the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, Dublin. If you have ever thought of visiting Ireland, this would be a good year.
17 - 20 March, Murder At Wicklow Mensa
will be free to download from Amazon Kindle as my way of celebrating St. Patrick's Day and thanking my readers. This is a light crime story suitable for adult readers or mature young adults. If you get a minute after reading it, I would love if you could post a quick review on Goodreads and your local Amazon store. Reviews help other readers as well as authors.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
http://smile.amazon.com/Murder-Wicklo...
We've just had a General Election in Ireland. The newly elected members are still trying to form a government as there is no clear winner. By law, public campaigning has to cease 24 hours before the voting stations open. No signage may be placed within a certain radius of a polling station. No campaigning may be conducted in the immediate vicinity of the polling station. The media will only encourage the public to go and vote, reminding them of the opening hours. No exit poll results may be broadcast until the polls have closed so as not to influence late voters. I gather that not all countries treat their electorate with this respect; and some people have spoken of having to struggle their way through candidates and supporters to vote. If you want to see improvement, you need to ask for it. Ask your public representatives for change and tell them what you would like to see.
I keep adding to my website and the latest is a spread of spoof space tourism posters from NASA; just right for my SF readers. You can find them on the Readers' Fun Stuff page (thanks to my husband the web master).
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
This March is a major event in Ireland. Not alone do we have St. Patrick's Day on the seventeenth, celebrating Ireland's patron saint, but Easter falls in March. 2016 sees the centenary of the Easter Rising, when a group of desperate rebels, who included among their number poets, playwrights and a Countess, took over strategic buildings around Dublin in the name of a new Irish Republic. Seen in the context of the First World War this explains why Britain was so determined not to cede control of a colony. Ireland has always been a major supplier of food and timber to Britain and at that time it also supplied soldiers and horses. Ireland's national broadcaster RTE is airing a TV series reconstructing those events. The main focus of the centenary celebrations is the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, Dublin. If you have ever thought of visiting Ireland, this would be a good year.
17 - 20 March, Murder At Wicklow Mensa
will be free to download from Amazon Kindle as my way of celebrating St. Patrick's Day and thanking my readers. This is a light crime story suitable for adult readers or mature young adults. If you get a minute after reading it, I would love if you could post a quick review on Goodreads and your local Amazon store. Reviews help other readers as well as authors. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
http://smile.amazon.com/Murder-Wicklo...
We've just had a General Election in Ireland. The newly elected members are still trying to form a government as there is no clear winner. By law, public campaigning has to cease 24 hours before the voting stations open. No signage may be placed within a certain radius of a polling station. No campaigning may be conducted in the immediate vicinity of the polling station. The media will only encourage the public to go and vote, reminding them of the opening hours. No exit poll results may be broadcast until the polls have closed so as not to influence late voters. I gather that not all countries treat their electorate with this respect; and some people have spoken of having to struggle their way through candidates and supporters to vote. If you want to see improvement, you need to ask for it. Ask your public representatives for change and tell them what you would like to see.
I keep adding to my website and the latest is a spread of spoof space tourism posters from NASA; just right for my SF readers. You can find them on the Readers' Fun Stuff page (thanks to my husband the web master).
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
February 19, 2016
February Frolics
This is a busy month and a short one. So far I've attended a talk on design in Ireland and the promotion of Irish design internationally; this includes aspects from architecture to websites to fashion. I've reviewed some fantastic books and received some news.
Thomas Pakenham is well known for his history books such as The Boer War.
More recently he has written factual books about trees, such as Meetings with Remarkable Trees.
Recently I attended an evening with him in the Royal Dublin Society, where he told us about his life and in particular a year of this decade spent with trees. As a cub reporter in London, he found a news story handed across the desk about a young Anglo-Irish man who had just inherited the estate of his uncle, Lord Longford. The man was himself. Book lovers who have read WELLINGTON THE YEARS OF THE SWORD by Elizabeth Pakenham, Lady Longford, a biography of the Duke of Wellington by Wellington's sister-in-law, will agree that anyone in this family was probably fated to write about history.
Many years were spent by this young man in turning the land into a paying business, paying off the death duties of 65% of the value of his estate.
Now in his eighties, Thomas Pakenham
treated us to photos from a recent year in which he climbed Tibetan mountains near Kanchenjunga not once but on two trips to collect seeds; he also toured along the Andes and searched for Chilean Pine or monkey puzzle tree cones. He showed us beautiful beech and oak trees on the Tullynally estate and many unusual and handsome flowers and shrubs. Sadly a chestnut tree died from a fungal disease probably brought from China in wooden packing cases off cargo ships. His advice was to consider planting Asian varieties of vulnerable trees, as they might be more resistant to the spreading Asian diseases. The adventures are collected in his latest book The Company of Trees: A Year in a Lifetime's Quest.
Fittingly my biggest seller on St. Valentine's Day was Silks and Sins.
A romantic suspense story set in Ireland, which features a jockey named Valentine!
Good news for all those people who have taken a free trial or subscription to Amazon's Kindle Unlimited programme. All my books are now part of this programme, so you can download and read as many books as you wish for one month's payment. The author still gets paid by Amazon, don't worry.
World Book Night has just approved me as a Book Giver again. I'm thrilled that this year I will have 16 newly printed copies of Now You See Me to give away to people who do not normally read many books. I have been supporting World Book Night for several years and it never fails to spread cheer. This occurs on 23rd April, to mark Shakespeare's birthday.
News just in as I write, is that Harper Lee has died aged 89. Condolences to her family and friends.
I'll be doing something special for March and St. Patrick's Day - of course! So drop back here in early March to see what books or prizes are on offer.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
Thomas Pakenham is well known for his history books such as The Boer War.
More recently he has written factual books about trees, such as Meetings with Remarkable Trees.
Recently I attended an evening with him in the Royal Dublin Society, where he told us about his life and in particular a year of this decade spent with trees. As a cub reporter in London, he found a news story handed across the desk about a young Anglo-Irish man who had just inherited the estate of his uncle, Lord Longford. The man was himself. Book lovers who have read WELLINGTON THE YEARS OF THE SWORD by Elizabeth Pakenham, Lady Longford, a biography of the Duke of Wellington by Wellington's sister-in-law, will agree that anyone in this family was probably fated to write about history.
Many years were spent by this young man in turning the land into a paying business, paying off the death duties of 65% of the value of his estate. Now in his eighties, Thomas Pakenham
treated us to photos from a recent year in which he climbed Tibetan mountains near Kanchenjunga not once but on two trips to collect seeds; he also toured along the Andes and searched for Chilean Pine or monkey puzzle tree cones. He showed us beautiful beech and oak trees on the Tullynally estate and many unusual and handsome flowers and shrubs. Sadly a chestnut tree died from a fungal disease probably brought from China in wooden packing cases off cargo ships. His advice was to consider planting Asian varieties of vulnerable trees, as they might be more resistant to the spreading Asian diseases. The adventures are collected in his latest book The Company of Trees: A Year in a Lifetime's Quest.
Fittingly my biggest seller on St. Valentine's Day was Silks and Sins.
A romantic suspense story set in Ireland, which features a jockey named Valentine!
Good news for all those people who have taken a free trial or subscription to Amazon's Kindle Unlimited programme. All my books are now part of this programme, so you can download and read as many books as you wish for one month's payment. The author still gets paid by Amazon, don't worry.
World Book Night has just approved me as a Book Giver again. I'm thrilled that this year I will have 16 newly printed copies of Now You See Me to give away to people who do not normally read many books. I have been supporting World Book Night for several years and it never fails to spread cheer. This occurs on 23rd April, to mark Shakespeare's birthday.
News just in as I write, is that Harper Lee has died aged 89. Condolences to her family and friends.
I'll be doing something special for March and St. Patrick's Day - of course! So drop back here in early March to see what books or prizes are on offer.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
January 13, 2016
January: New Year News
New Year good wishes to all. May you find plenty of great books. Read on for details of my free books this month.
Flooding has been a huge problem in Ireland and parts of England over December and January. Partly this is due to new motorways, bad planning decisions leading to building on flood plains, and hard surfacing. But mainly it is due to increased amounts of rain. The Shannon is the longest river in the British Isles, five miles wide at some points, and when it floods some towns can be protected but not open countryside and isolated houses. Homes and villages are being flooded twice in a few weeks which never flooded in previous years. The farmland will be unusable for months.
I attended a talk in the Royal Dublin Society on the climate agreement signed by every country, in Paris one month ago. This talk was given by the French Ambassador to Ireland, and Ambassadors from Spain and Cuba were also present, as were representatives from the Irish business representative group, the farmers group, the European Commission and universities. The speaker explained that France had volunteered to host the discussions and there were no other offers. Compared to the Kyoto Protocol, which was not agreed by some countries, it was important to get an agreement from every country, so no nation could feel the rules did not apply to it and it could do as it chose without regard for the rest of the world. He added that Saudi Arabia had been a hard nut to crack. But for the first time in history, every nation on the planet agreed on something.
Climate change is here, it is real, it is human caused at least in part, and it is up to us to reduce carbon emissions. The target of the COP21 agreement is an impressive 1.5 degree increase in global heat - we appear to be headed for a four degree increase at present and there are likely to be nine billion people on the planet who are likely to want an increased standard of living. The Ambassador emphasised that this need not mean doing without, losing jobs or starving. We are consuming too much of resources at present, but we can use renewable, sustainable alternatives including power generation, and use new technology to be more efficient and less wasteful. Food we have - half of all wasted food never leaves the place where it is grown, while the other half is wasted at the point of sale or in the consumer's home. New industries are arising which mean new businesses, new jobs. Universities play a huge part in carrying out research and providing trained graduates ready to take on new fields.
The benefits will be felt in our short term; saving existing biodiverse forest and planting new trees; better insulated homes costing less to keep; cleaner air making people healthier. Medium term, we can stop the increasingly frequent record-breaking natural disasters from getting worse and protect threatened species. Long term, we can save the planet, its habitability, variety and beauty, for generations to come. A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step; let's each take that one step to choose local goods, recycle, donate, eat less meat, walk more, not buy what we don't need, and buy energy saving appliances. The end is worth the journey.
I've enquired about making audiobook versions of my books, but found that ACX does not currently work with authors in Ireland, so I can't produce Audible books until they do. I feel sure this won't take long.
I'm writing a new Irish mystery, which I hope will please those readers who have been asking for more. Meanwhile, I will be making two books available as free downloads later this month:
Dining Out Around The Solar System Part One
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Around...
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Around-S...
The Prisoner In The Tower: Short Story & Big Cat Bones
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prisoner-Towe...
http://www.amazon.com/Prisoner-Tower-...
Both books will be FREE on 23 - 24 January. Check the price before you download as time zones vary. Enjoy!
My husband and webmaster Allan has been updating my website including a new page and some new links to help people find what they want more easily. Check it out, and don't forget the Readers' Fun Stuff page, or the Writers' Page which accounts for a major amount of hits to my site.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
Flooding has been a huge problem in Ireland and parts of England over December and January. Partly this is due to new motorways, bad planning decisions leading to building on flood plains, and hard surfacing. But mainly it is due to increased amounts of rain. The Shannon is the longest river in the British Isles, five miles wide at some points, and when it floods some towns can be protected but not open countryside and isolated houses. Homes and villages are being flooded twice in a few weeks which never flooded in previous years. The farmland will be unusable for months.
I attended a talk in the Royal Dublin Society on the climate agreement signed by every country, in Paris one month ago. This talk was given by the French Ambassador to Ireland, and Ambassadors from Spain and Cuba were also present, as were representatives from the Irish business representative group, the farmers group, the European Commission and universities. The speaker explained that France had volunteered to host the discussions and there were no other offers. Compared to the Kyoto Protocol, which was not agreed by some countries, it was important to get an agreement from every country, so no nation could feel the rules did not apply to it and it could do as it chose without regard for the rest of the world. He added that Saudi Arabia had been a hard nut to crack. But for the first time in history, every nation on the planet agreed on something.
Climate change is here, it is real, it is human caused at least in part, and it is up to us to reduce carbon emissions. The target of the COP21 agreement is an impressive 1.5 degree increase in global heat - we appear to be headed for a four degree increase at present and there are likely to be nine billion people on the planet who are likely to want an increased standard of living. The Ambassador emphasised that this need not mean doing without, losing jobs or starving. We are consuming too much of resources at present, but we can use renewable, sustainable alternatives including power generation, and use new technology to be more efficient and less wasteful. Food we have - half of all wasted food never leaves the place where it is grown, while the other half is wasted at the point of sale or in the consumer's home. New industries are arising which mean new businesses, new jobs. Universities play a huge part in carrying out research and providing trained graduates ready to take on new fields.
The benefits will be felt in our short term; saving existing biodiverse forest and planting new trees; better insulated homes costing less to keep; cleaner air making people healthier. Medium term, we can stop the increasingly frequent record-breaking natural disasters from getting worse and protect threatened species. Long term, we can save the planet, its habitability, variety and beauty, for generations to come. A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step; let's each take that one step to choose local goods, recycle, donate, eat less meat, walk more, not buy what we don't need, and buy energy saving appliances. The end is worth the journey.
I've enquired about making audiobook versions of my books, but found that ACX does not currently work with authors in Ireland, so I can't produce Audible books until they do. I feel sure this won't take long.
I'm writing a new Irish mystery, which I hope will please those readers who have been asking for more. Meanwhile, I will be making two books available as free downloads later this month:
Dining Out Around The Solar System Part One
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Around...
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Around-S...
The Prisoner In The Tower: Short Story & Big Cat Bones
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prisoner-Towe...
http://www.amazon.com/Prisoner-Tower-...
Both books will be FREE on 23 - 24 January. Check the price before you download as time zones vary. Enjoy!
My husband and webmaster Allan has been updating my website including a new page and some new links to help people find what they want more easily. Check it out, and don't forget the Readers' Fun Stuff page, or the Writers' Page which accounts for a major amount of hits to my site.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
December 8, 2015
December Delights
Great news for SF readers. I have set up my second and third books in the Dining Out Around The Solar System series to be free Kindle downloads on 12 - 13 December. Please feel free to download both and enjoy them. You might prefer to read in order.
Dining Out With The Ice Giants 2
Dining Out With The Gas Giants 3
These are mainly set in an alternative future London but The Gas Giants also ventures to South America. Enjoy some quality reading over Christmas!
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Giants-A...
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Giants-A...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Giants...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
If you have any queries about free downloads feel free to ask, Amazon does occasionally change things so I have to keep up to the latest. You should be able to read on a free Kindle app on your PC, netbook, tablet or phone as well as on a Kindle.
Remember, reviews are always welcomed by authors and help other readers.
We're looking forward to Christmas and my husband has been practising with interesting recipes so we will undoubtedly have a lovely meal. I've started writing the next book, a mystery. For this weekend we have a carol concert in the Royal Dublin Society to launch our Christmas season.
That mouse brought home by our cat has not been seen since, so we hope he got out rather than becoming a midnight snack for a cat.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
Dining Out With The Ice Giants 2
Dining Out With The Gas Giants 3
These are mainly set in an alternative future London but The Gas Giants also ventures to South America. Enjoy some quality reading over Christmas!
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Giants-A...
http://www.amazon.com/Dining-Giants-A...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Giants...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
If you have any queries about free downloads feel free to ask, Amazon does occasionally change things so I have to keep up to the latest. You should be able to read on a free Kindle app on your PC, netbook, tablet or phone as well as on a Kindle.
Remember, reviews are always welcomed by authors and help other readers.
We're looking forward to Christmas and my husband has been practising with interesting recipes so we will undoubtedly have a lovely meal. I've started writing the next book, a mystery. For this weekend we have a carol concert in the Royal Dublin Society to launch our Christmas season.
That mouse brought home by our cat has not been seen since, so we hope he got out rather than becoming a midnight snack for a cat.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
November 18, 2015
November Novelties
Winter is definitely here! I've had a busy month already. Many of my readers are in America so to mark Thanksgiving I'm making my Irish horseracing romance SILKS AND SINS free to download, 21st - 23rd November.
Silks and Sins
This is just to thank my readers for their support. Enjoy! Silks And Sins is also available in paperback.
I'm delighted to announce that two more books are now in paperback, RODEO FINN and SHOW JUMPING TEAM. These are Young Adult books especially suited to anyone who likes horses. You can still find them on Kindle too. As they are Print On Demand there is a few weeks' wait before the books arrive, so I recommend ordering early for Christmas presents.
Octocon, the Irish SF Con, was great fun. I met the crew of USS Cuchulain, the Dublin Starfleet ship. I also signed up to a pre-supporting membership of Dublin's 2019 bid to host a WorldCon. See photos on my webpage, link at end of this blog.
Preparations for winter here included cutting up firewood - well I am a tree surgeon - and starting my Christmas present shopping. Our big black boy cat brought us home a present of a live mouse. He thought it would liven up the place - and did it ever. Diamond doesn't understand why we're not pleased. Look at all the fun we've had trying to catch it and moving all the food into tin boxes! Well, with five cats I don't give the mouse a great life expectancy.
Events I attended include a talk by Bord na Mona (the Irish Turf Board) on the past, present and future of Irish bogs. Raised bog peat harvesting is going to cease in a few years' time. We are running out of peat, which has generated great employment in the Midlands for decades; and we now know that bogs store immense amounts of carbon and water, and it is better for the world to return them to a natural environment. Alternative power sources are being explored.
I also attended the Brighter Homes Exhibition in Dublin to find out the latest in energy-saving adaptations and clever furnishings. I bought some pocket-sized gel handwarmers, which can be re-used for years. All set for winter!
Books I read lately and recommend include: The Elements Of Power: Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a Sustainable Future in the Rare Metal Age by David S. Abraham (non-fiction); Small Town Filly (Sandbar Stables Cozy Mystery #1) by Bethanie Cushman; Some Like It Hawk by Donna Andrews (mystery).
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
Silks and Sins
This is just to thank my readers for their support. Enjoy! Silks And Sins is also available in paperback.
I'm delighted to announce that two more books are now in paperback, RODEO FINN and SHOW JUMPING TEAM. These are Young Adult books especially suited to anyone who likes horses. You can still find them on Kindle too. As they are Print On Demand there is a few weeks' wait before the books arrive, so I recommend ordering early for Christmas presents.
Octocon, the Irish SF Con, was great fun. I met the crew of USS Cuchulain, the Dublin Starfleet ship. I also signed up to a pre-supporting membership of Dublin's 2019 bid to host a WorldCon. See photos on my webpage, link at end of this blog.
Preparations for winter here included cutting up firewood - well I am a tree surgeon - and starting my Christmas present shopping. Our big black boy cat brought us home a present of a live mouse. He thought it would liven up the place - and did it ever. Diamond doesn't understand why we're not pleased. Look at all the fun we've had trying to catch it and moving all the food into tin boxes! Well, with five cats I don't give the mouse a great life expectancy.
Events I attended include a talk by Bord na Mona (the Irish Turf Board) on the past, present and future of Irish bogs. Raised bog peat harvesting is going to cease in a few years' time. We are running out of peat, which has generated great employment in the Midlands for decades; and we now know that bogs store immense amounts of carbon and water, and it is better for the world to return them to a natural environment. Alternative power sources are being explored.
I also attended the Brighter Homes Exhibition in Dublin to find out the latest in energy-saving adaptations and clever furnishings. I bought some pocket-sized gel handwarmers, which can be re-used for years. All set for winter!
Books I read lately and recommend include: The Elements Of Power: Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a Sustainable Future in the Rare Metal Age by David S. Abraham (non-fiction); Small Town Filly (Sandbar Stables Cozy Mystery #1) by Bethanie Cushman; Some Like It Hawk by Donna Andrews (mystery).
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
October 8, 2015
October means Octocon!
October means Octocon!
To celebrate the Irish National Science Fiction Convention, Octocon, I am making one of my books free for the first time during the Con. Hope to see you there!
DINING OUT WITH THE ICE GIANTS
Dining Out with the Ice Giants
Grab your copy on Kindle, 10 - 11 - 12 October.
This book follows journalists in a future London. If you have read my work in other genres but not tried my SF yet, why not give it a go? The book is suitable for a general readership. This book is the second in the series 'Dining Out Around The Solar System' but all of this series can be read as standalones.
Last month I released the third book in this series, DINING OUT WITH THE GAS GIANTS and it started selling on the first day. I'm thrilled that readers enjoy these characters and their world so much.
Recently I have been to a lecture on Golden Rice at the Royal Dublin Society, which covered molecular biology, planet genetics and the Green Revolution as well as GMOs. Yesterday I went to another lecture on Kilmacurragh House and Gardens in Co. Wicklow. This was given by the Head Gardener, and Kilmacurragh is part of the Dublin Botanic Gardens. The RDS founded the first Botanic Gardens in Ireland, so as a Society we have a long and interested history where plant preservation and innovations are concerned.
I also took a Radio Presenter Course with the Irish Academy of Public Relations, which was a very enjoyable day and taught me a lot, as well as being great fun.
Interesting fiction books I've read recently include:
Stephen Booth's 'Dead And Buried', Ian McDonald's 'Luna', 'Zer0es' by Chuck Wendig, and Elizabeth Chadwick's 'The Winter Crown'. And the factual books have been just fascinating, such as:
'The Disaster Profiteers' by John C Mutter, 'Disaster Capitalism' by Anthony Lowenstein and 'It's Not Yet Dark' by Simon Fitzmaurice.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
To celebrate the Irish National Science Fiction Convention, Octocon, I am making one of my books free for the first time during the Con. Hope to see you there!
DINING OUT WITH THE ICE GIANTS
Dining Out with the Ice Giants
Grab your copy on Kindle, 10 - 11 - 12 October.
This book follows journalists in a future London. If you have read my work in other genres but not tried my SF yet, why not give it a go? The book is suitable for a general readership. This book is the second in the series 'Dining Out Around The Solar System' but all of this series can be read as standalones.
Last month I released the third book in this series, DINING OUT WITH THE GAS GIANTS and it started selling on the first day. I'm thrilled that readers enjoy these characters and their world so much.
Recently I have been to a lecture on Golden Rice at the Royal Dublin Society, which covered molecular biology, planet genetics and the Green Revolution as well as GMOs. Yesterday I went to another lecture on Kilmacurragh House and Gardens in Co. Wicklow. This was given by the Head Gardener, and Kilmacurragh is part of the Dublin Botanic Gardens. The RDS founded the first Botanic Gardens in Ireland, so as a Society we have a long and interested history where plant preservation and innovations are concerned.
I also took a Radio Presenter Course with the Irish Academy of Public Relations, which was a very enjoyable day and taught me a lot, as well as being great fun.
Interesting fiction books I've read recently include:
Stephen Booth's 'Dead And Buried', Ian McDonald's 'Luna', 'Zer0es' by Chuck Wendig, and Elizabeth Chadwick's 'The Winter Crown'. And the factual books have been just fascinating, such as:
'The Disaster Profiteers' by John C Mutter, 'Disaster Capitalism' by Anthony Lowenstein and 'It's Not Yet Dark' by Simon Fitzmaurice.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
September 14, 2015
September and my New Release
The third in my science fiction series about journalists in a future London is out now!
DINING OUT WITH THE GAS GIANTS
Dining Out With The Gas Giants
COFFEE CRISIS – IMPORTS FROM MERCURY
Donal and Myron are journalists who’ll go anywhere for a story. This summer, as tempers flare and riots are sparked in London’s heat, they get a lead they can’t resist.
STUDENTS VS DRONES
Not all the off-world immigrants are friendly. For every gas giant native who works in ballet or hospitality, there’s one who plots a takeover.
RIOT AT THE DOME
Place hacking, augmented reality and student protests are all in a day’s work for the London’s Eye reporters. But when the trail leads to Rio and the Argentine Andes, have they finally bitten off a story too big to chew?
LONDON SKYBRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN
This is a standalone novel within the series Dining Out Around The Solar System.
You can read the earlier books for free on Kindle Unlimited.
Coming up in October will be Octocon, the Irish National Science Fiction Convention. Hope we can meet there and chat!
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
DINING OUT WITH THE GAS GIANTS
Dining Out With The Gas Giants
COFFEE CRISIS – IMPORTS FROM MERCURY
Donal and Myron are journalists who’ll go anywhere for a story. This summer, as tempers flare and riots are sparked in London’s heat, they get a lead they can’t resist.
STUDENTS VS DRONES
Not all the off-world immigrants are friendly. For every gas giant native who works in ballet or hospitality, there’s one who plots a takeover.
RIOT AT THE DOME
Place hacking, augmented reality and student protests are all in a day’s work for the London’s Eye reporters. But when the trail leads to Rio and the Argentine Andes, have they finally bitten off a story too big to chew?
LONDON SKYBRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN
This is a standalone novel within the series Dining Out Around The Solar System.
You can read the earlier books for free on Kindle Unlimited.
Coming up in October will be Octocon, the Irish National Science Fiction Convention. Hope we can meet there and chat!
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, writing tips, puzzles and more on my website: http://www.clareobeara.ie
