I'M BACK

Or more correctly, I never went away. The dh went down with a bug and our trip had to be cancelled. The competition isn't though, so if you know in which country The Girl With the Pearl Earring was painted and presently resides, sent me an email with "Picture" in the subject line for a chance to win something from my backlist. I'll draw the winner on the 31st April.

TENDONITIS

I really could have done with the break. Or at least my elbow could. I appear to have a version of RSI, but so far it's only affecting my elbow. It doesn't stop me typing, or even mousing -- although I'm trying to do that left-handed, which is, to say the least, interesting -- but it's hell to pick anything up. So I'm also cooking and pouring tea left-handed.

ON LINE SALES

I've mention The Book Depository before. I bought my copy of Twyla Tharp's "The Creative Habit" from them. The first copy went awol in the post and the lovely people at TBD sent me another copy instantly. I was impressed with their caring emails and excellent service so I went to their website and discovered that they don't charge postage which is why I've added them to my "Buy" list on the sidebar where I can. The downside is that they don't have all my books. And they don't have them as quickly as Amazon. But they are discounted just as they are at Amazon and M&B direct and when the difference for one M&B paperback means paying half the amount, I do think they should be encouraged.

So, M&B have them a month before retail if you're desperate for a fix from your favourite author, Amazon have the long backlist, and The Book Depository send them for free. Lots of choices on which to make a buying decision. And of course there's still the fun of tossing them in with the groceries at your favourite supermarket, or at WHS or Borders, or even ordering at your local bookshop. Even if they don't stock M&B they can get them for you.

WHERE IS MY BOOK?

Last week, full of enthusiasm and excitement, I rushed off an order for Twyla Tharp's book, The Creative Life. It was despatched. It is out there. Somewhere. Fallen off the back of a truck, lying in hedge, mouldering. Dropped behind a ledge in some out of the way post office in the Welsh wilderness. Who knows?

Some day, some time -- probably years from now -- when the envelope has rotted away, it will found by some unsuspecting soul, who, hopefully, will open it and begin to read the wisdom it contains. Maybe it will change their life. Or maybe they'll just toss it in the bin.

Meanwhile the bookshop have despatched another copy.

PURE PASSION

Here, belatedly, is the final selection from the north-west libraries PURE PASSION promotion, which is launched on Monday.

HUSBANDS by Adele Parks

Bella secretly married her childhood sweetheart, Stevie, over a decade ago; two big kids playing at being grownups. When it all unravelled and reality hit, Bella simply got up and left. The secret remained a secret. It’s just a silly piece of paper, lodged at a registrar’s office in Aberdeen, isn’t it?

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN by Annie Proulx

Set in the beautiful, wild landscape of Wycoming where cowboys live, as they have done for generations, Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar are two ranch hands, brought up to hard work and privation, glad to have found each other’s company. But companionship becomes something else on Brokeback Mountain.

A FAMILY OF HIS OWN by Liz Fielding

Kay is a single parent living in a village with her illegitimate daughter and desperately trying to earn a living as a gardener.

Dominic has returned to the dusty house and overgrown garden, five years after his beloved wife died.

This grips from page one with real and vibrant characters.

(That's what they said. I'm just quoting. Honest.)



For a full list of authors and titles being recommended as part of this initative or, if you’d like to recommend your own favourite romantic read to others, follow the link to Pure Passion on Time to Read