I’m still reading.

I’m away from home and between adventures and savouring life in and around Cannes, I’ve been reading.

I completed Canadian author, Linda O’Connor’s  book Perfectly Reasonable. Besides a romance with characters who grow indivually and together, O’Connor gives the reader an insight into applying for med school and a glimpse into a doctor’s life.

I finished both of Ellie MacDonald‘s (another Canadian author) books, Claire and Bonnie from the Governess Club Series. Both books are Historical but with a light shone on women who might have been able to be independent at the time.

I started Lesley-Anne McLeod‘s Regency novel, The Possibilty of Scandle, while I waited for a late train on platform #2 at the Biot SNCF. Station. Lesley-Anne is also a Canadian author. I’m only a couple of chapters in but I’m curious to know what will happen to twin brother and sister who are wanting a summer free of being recognized as “ton.”

Last evening after winning a game of cribbage against the iPad, I started a book which I had purchased months ago but wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it, because the main character in Linda Bradley‘s contemporary romance Maggie’s Way is recovering from breast cancer. As a breast cancer survivor I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to revisit the experience. This romance is unusual because it is written from Maggie’s viewpoint and therefore in first person. I’m curious to see how Bradley carries this difficult point of view throughout the book.

On another note, my Fitbit tells me that I’ve completed my goal of 12,000 steps a day and so many more.

What has this writer been up to?

I'm at the Sunshine Arts Festival at Regina Beach, SK, July 1, 2015

I’m at the Sunshine Arts Festival at Regina Beach, SK, July 1, 2015

Yes, I was there selling copies of Woman of Substance and Moving On. I had a great day, sold books, talked to many friends and strangers. Watched the parade. Wonderful day.

Home Hardware at Regina Beach has accepted copies of Moving On and Woman of Substance to sell. Home Hardware

 

The Painted Parasol in Lumsden has accepted copies of Moving On and Woman of Substance to sell. The Painted Parasol

 

Chapters in Regina is also selling Woman of Substance and Moving On.

Chapters Regina

 

I have fabulous news.

I have fabulous news.

I have also been revising Designed for Love title changed to Will’s Intentions because Soul Mate Publishing has accepted novel number three for release in early 2916.

But all work and no play is hard on the body. I’ve taken my Keenfit walking poles,

My walking partner

My walking partner

to smell the

A reminder of nature's beauty.

A reminder of nature’s beauty.

in Wascana Park.

 

 

What has this walking writer been up to while she is polishing her novel?

May 2, 2015

May 2, 2015

May 14, 2015

TORONTO, May 14, 2015: The inaugural Canadian Authors for Indies Day, held May 2, 2015, was hugely successful for independent booksellers across Canada. Nearly 700 authors visited over 120 independent bookstores to celebrate the vital role of independent booksellers in both the Canadian book industry and in the lives of readers.”

Nine authors read from their books at SK Books & Collectibles Inc, 919 C Albert St. Regina, SK.

There was a lot of buzz in the store as it was also the grand opening.

Reading from Woman of Substance

Reading from Woman of Substance availab

May 7, 2015

My novel in progress Designed for Love has an element of the effects on a small community when an industry arrives. I selected to write about the potash industry. Saskatchewan is home to one of the largest deposits of potash in the world. Grant Shaver, Senior Process Engineer at Mosiac Potash Belle Paine, the largest solution mine in the world, gave me a slide presentation and a tour of the facility. I had an opportunity to speak with the employees. When I told them I was a romance writer, they smiled and said, “potash and romance.”

I was so pleased to tour the production facility of this valuable resource in my own province. I’m proud of being part of a province that provides a product to help produce food and many other products all over the world.

All visitors must be in protective gear, which includes a hard hat, googles, ear plugs, the safety coveralls and safety boots.

All visitors must be in protective gear, which includes a hard hat, googles, ear plugs, the safety coveralls and safety boots.

May 9, 2015

It was a cool day

It was a cool day

Even though this year was my fastest 5 km walk in the Royal Road Race, I did come in last in my age group. I have been walking and also going to the Walking Endurance Class, therefore, I’m staying strong.

 

 

 

 

 

May 10, 2015 Mother’s Day and my first bike ride of the year.

Riding round Wascana Lake

Riding round Wascana Lake

The walking continues around the lake. Spring has arrived in Regina, SK.

Spring

Spring

Designed for Love continues to be revised and copy edited in between all of the fun of life.

 

 

The Royal Regina Road Race is almost here, again.

May 9, 2015, 9 a.m. CST

May 9, 2015, 9 a.m. CST

The Royal Road Race is on the count down. Walking woman has been participating in Walking Core and Endurance classes at the Sportplex in Regina. While in the class my time has improved. Because the weather has improved, I have been walking around Wascana Lake. Now on most days my time is also improved from last year. When I cross the finish line from my 5 km walk, I will know how I did.

There isn’t a prize for walkers. I have been under the misunderstanding that prizes were given out for the top walker in each age group, however, Ted Jaleta told me that there aren’t enough marshals on the track to make sure that walkers only walk, and not run, too. This is understandable, therefore, I am doing it for my benefit. This will be my 4th year and it is the race’s 4th year. I was there at the beginning.

So on May 9, 2015 at 9 a.m. I will be part of the crowd at the start line, but it thins out along the path, in my timed category. But it is fun to be part of 500 people who are out on a wonderful day, being healthy, raising money and being part of a community.

royal road race start

I’m Writing, I’m Writing and I’m so excited

Celebrating that I'm writing.

Celebrating that I’m writing.

Life has found a way to help me push my writing to the back burner and novel number 3 is slower than I thought it would be. In November, 2013 I started the 90 day program with The Real Age Workout book. http://www.amazon.com/RealAge-Workout-Michael-Roizen-M-D-ebook/dp/B000W964DQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391269075&sr=8-1&keywords=The+real+Age+Workout . In order to do the program I changed my life around. I had to as we do with infants, turn my days and nights around. I used to write into the night. I’d start my blog around 10 pm. But exercise was losing out. I have had this book on my shelf for a couple of years and decided to follow the program. I made it to 10 days into phase three which would be 70 days of the 90. We went away on our 6,000 km road trip and I didn’t follow the program.
I started back as of January 25, 2014 therefore, this particular program will end on Feb 13, 2014.
While away, I read, How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, by Scott Adams. He is the creator of the Dilbert Cartoon as well as other books etc. http://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Almost-Everything-Still-ebook/dp/B00COOFBA4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391268509&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+fail+at+almost+everything+and+still+win+big . He creates first thing in the morning and then exercises. I tried this yesterday and today. It works wonderfully.
Sitting at my computer in my PJ and housecoat, the mind seems ready to free associate and create. I know I can’t do this everyday because of course appointments have to be kept. But when I can, I want to continue.
Now to make sure the exercise happens, off to the gym I go, because I am signed up again for the Royal Regina Road Race again this year. http://jaletapacers.com/royal-road-race

Royal Regina Race 2011

Royal Regina Race 2011

Stay tuned for a writer’s life, walking woman, and walker’s marathon training, as well as daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. A big life.

Thank you for stopping by and reading this blog and supporting this career. I appreciate every click.