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Round-up of the Week

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News from around the world

Former leader of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, who is wanted in Spain for sedition and rebellion has been detained in Germany. He has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since October 2017.

A European arrest warrant was recently reactivated against him.

News from London

A new water fountain has been installed in London’s Carnaby Street as part of a campaign to get people to ditch using single-use plastic bottles. 20 fountains will be installed along busy commuter and shopping routes in the city. The fountains are part of a £750,000 project to cut plastic waste/

My News

My new coffee table arrived this week. My living room is starting to come together. Just a few more items needed to finish it but think I need to get another wage packet or two first.

Had a fairly good week at work settled into one location for a change although that is set to change again next week.

At long last I made it to the hairdressers to get my highlights done, feeling great again.

Writing News

Sins of the Father is back from the editor and I’m 16 pages out of 123 into making the changes.

 

 

 

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Returning E-Books

dmmillerauthor's avatarD.M. Miller

Some people will only read free e-books. That is certainly their prerogative, and there are so many authors willing to give their books away for free just for that off-chance to maybe gain serious readers who will go on to buy the authors’ other books. Or they hope for that big break—maybe an agent, maybe a publisher, or maybe someone connected with an agent or publisher will read the free book and fall in love with the writing. Yeah, it’s a long shot.

The truth is that many of the freebie readers aren’t willing to pay for books. Fine, if that’s how they are. Obviously, they don’t care about the time and effort that went into writing the book and don’t feel the author deserves to be paid for hundreds, if not thousands of hours of work.

But the worst is when people want to cheat the system. The worst…

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Monday Chuckles

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I have started this fortnightly blog slot which I’ve called chuckles due to popular demand. A lot of these funnies have been emailed to me through the years and they’ve sat in my inbox. Occasionally I’ve shared them on Facebook and I’ve had a great response. People have told me how much they’ve brightened their day. It was suggested that I blog them so I am. Please note there is no offence meant in any of these jokes, if you take offence then that is because of your outlook, not mine. All I want is to make people laugh, I will never post anything that I think victimises anyone.


It’s funny how the first screw to shake loose in a person’s head is usually the one which holds their freakin’ tongue in place.


Of course, women don’t work as hard as men… They get it right the first time.


Hospital regulations require a wheelchair for patients being discharged. However, while working as a student nurse, I found one elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, who insisted he didn’t need my help to leave the hospital.

After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let me wheel him to the elevator.

On the way down I asked him if his wife was meeting him.

‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘She’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.’


A man was telling his neighbour, ‘I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it’s state of the art. It’s perfect.’

‘Really,’ answered the neighbour. ‘What kind is it?’

‘Twelve thirty.’


A sexually active middle-aged woman informed her plastic surgeon that she wanted her vaginal lips reduced in size because, over the years, they had become loose and floppy. Out of embarrassment, she insisted that the surgery be kept secret and, of course, the surgeon agreed.

Awakening from the anaesthesia, she found 3 roses carefully placed beside her on the bed.

Outraged, she immediately called in the surgeon.

“I thought I specifically asked you not to tell anyone about my operation”!

The surgeon told her he had carried out her wish for confidentiality and that the first rose was from him. “I felt so sad for you because you went through this all by yourself.”

“The second rose is from my nurse. She assisted me in the surgery and understood perfectly, as she had the same procedure done some time ago.”

“And what about the third rose?” she asked.

“That’s from a man in the burn unit – he wanted to thank you for his new ears.”

Uncategorized

Round-up of the Week

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News from around the world

A Cirque du Soleil aerialist has died after falling on to the stage during a show in Florida. Yann Arnaud, was taking part in a performance involving aerial straps on Saturday when he fell. He died in hospital.

News from London

A teacher from north London has been announced as winner of a competition to find the world’s best teacher. Andria Zafirakou, has won a prize worth £720,000.

My News

My new sofa arrived on Saturday and I managed to sell my old one. My living room is all starting to come together and is a lovely relaxing environment where I can write and chill.

Writing News

My editor has informed me that the first pass on Sins of the Father will be finished by the middle of next week. #excited

Illicit Love now has over 54,000 words and is taking shape nicely.

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

My review of Bankers Town by Joel Hames

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This is the second book I’ve read by Joel Hames and once again I devoured it. The story does dip in and out of the present and the past and if you don’t like that style of writing then this book is now for you, but I love it. I like to see how the threads of the story weave together, and this book did that well. I love the author’s tone of voice, it’s an open and honest dialogue which you can relate to.

If you’re looking for a fast pace of action, this book doesn’t have it but it builds layer upon layer of information, drawing you in with each new nugget. It’s cleverly written, the characters are strong. I will be reading more by Joel Hames.

Pick up your copy of Bankers Town here

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Round-up of the Week

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News from around the world

Bono, U2 singer has apologised after claims of bullying and abuse emerged at One, the charity he co-founded.

An allegation was made that one female worker was demoted after refusing to become intimate with a foreign governmental official.

News from London

Liz Hurley’s 21-year-old nephew is in hospital after being stabbed repeatedly in the back in a brutal attack in south-west London. Police were called on Thursday to a street, near Battersea Park.

My News

Another busy week has seen me moving from site to site and seeing different views and meeting a diverse spectrum of people.

My living room is a step closer to being finished as the new carpet was laid yesterday. It’s looking fabulous and is so silky that I make any excuse to get my socks off and walk across it.

Twenty-one years ago today my nephew and Godson Joseph was born so we had a civilised family get together. For his present we’ll be going to a gig, not sure which one yet. Many years ago I started a tradition, which became known as Auntie Mia days, so instead of a present we go somewhere, my nieces and nephew have always known they can opt out and go back to presents. So far, Joseph still wants quality time with me and because of his interest in music, it is always a gig.

Started reading Sugar and Spice by RE Hargrave and so far, I’m loving it.

Writing News

Again another pitiful amount of writing done. I’m feeling very drained at the moment which is killing my creative streak. Sins of the Father is still with the editor and so far so good.

Life · Uncategorized

Monday Chuckles

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I have started this fortnightly blog slot which I’ve called chuckles due to popular demand. A lot of these funnies have been emailed to me through the years and they’ve sat in my inbox. Occasionally I’ve shared them on Facebook and I’ve had a great response. People have told me how much they’ve brightened their day. It was suggested that I blog them so I am. Please note there is no offence meant in any of these jokes, if you take offence then that is because of your outlook, not mine. All I want is to make people laugh, I will never post anything that I think victimises anyone.

 

I went to the liquor store Friday afternoon on my bicycle, bought a bottle of Scotch and put it in the bicycle basket.

As I was about to leave, I thought to myself that if I fell off the bicycle, the bottle would break. So I drank all the Scotch before I cycled home.

It turned out to be a very good decision because I fell off my bicycle seven times on the way home.


She hurried to the pharmacy to get medication, got back to her car and found
 that she had locked her keys inside.

The woman found an old rusty coat hanger left on the ground.
   She looked at it and said, “I don’t know how to use this.”

She bowed her head and asked God to send her some HELP.

Within 5 minutes a beat-up old motorcycle pulled up,
   driven by a bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag.

He got off of his cycle and asked if he could help.
   She said: “Yes, my daughter is sick. I’ve locked my keys in my car.

I must get home. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?”
   He said, “Sure.”

He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was open.

She hugged the man and through tears said, “Thank You, God, for sending me such a very nice man.”
   The man heard her little prayer and replied,

“Lady, I am NOT a nice man. I just got out of prison yesterday;
    I was in prison for car theft.” The woman hugged the man again,
  sobbing, “Oh, thank you, God! You even sent me a Professional!”


Six retired Jewish mates were playing poker in the condo clubhouse when Meyer loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his chest and drops dead at the table.

Showing respect for their fallen comrade, the other five continue playing, but standing up.

At the end of the game, Finklestein looks around and asks, “So, who’s gonna tell his wife?”

They cut the cards. Goldberg picks the low card and has to carry the news. They tell him to be discreet, be gentle, don’t make a bad situation any worse.

“Discreet? I’m the most discreet person you’ll ever meet. Discretion is my middle name. Leave it to me.”

Goldberg goes over to the Meyer’s condo and knocks on the door. The wife answers through the door and asks what he wants?

Goldberg declares: “Your husband just lost $500 in a poker game and is afraid to come home.”

“Tell him to drop dead!” yells the wife.

“I’ll go tell him.” says Goldberg.


An elderly couple had dinner at another couple’s house, and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen.

The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, ‘Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly.’

The other man said, ‘What is the name of the restaurant?’

The first man thought and thought and finally said, ‘What’s the name of that flower you give to someone you love? You know, the one that’s red and has thorns.’

‘Do you mean a rose?’

‘Yes, that’s the one,’ replied the man. He then turned towards the kitchen and yelled, ‘Rose, what’s the name of that restaurant we went to last night?’


One night a guy takes his girlfriend home. As they are about to kiss each other goodnight at the front door, the guy starts feeling a little horny.

With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and smiling, he says to her, “Honey, would you have sex with me?

“
Horrified, she replies, “Are you mad? My parents will see us!”

“Oh come on! Who’s gonna see us at this hour?” he asks, grinning at her.

“No, please. Can you imagine if we get caught?”

“Oh come on! There’s nobody around, they’re all sleeping!”

“No way. It’s just too risky!”

“Oh please, please, I love you so much!”

“No, no, and no. I love you too, but I just can’t!”

“Oh yes you can. Please?”

“No, no. I just can’t”

.

”I’m begging you…”

Out of the blue, the light on the stairs goes on, and the girl’s older sister shows up in her pajamas, hair disheveled, and in a sleepy voice, she says: “Dad says to go ahead and have sex with him, or I can do it… or if need be mom says she can come down herself and do it.

 But for God’s sake, tell him to take his hand off the intercom!”


 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Round-up of the Week

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News from around the world

Mexican authorities have launched criminal proceedings against four police officers over the disappearance of three Italian men. The men were last seen at the end of January in Tecalitlán, in the western state of Jalisco. The officers had allegedly arrested them at a petrol station and they have confessed to handing the Italians over to a local criminal gang.

Makes me glad I live in the UK.

News from London

A gas explosion at a property in north-east London forced about 100 people to have to leave their homes. No injuries have been reported.

My News

We saw snow this week, not major amounts here in London but enough to ensure that I wasn’t going to risk riding my motorbike so I trudged through the snow, ice and slush to get to work. Tuesday saw me viewing the snow from central London and the next day from the cab of an 18-tonne truck as I waited for the driver to offload 5 pallets of salt on site. I did end up with black marks all over my tights lol.

On Thursday I was supposed to see my son who was due to come down from Lincolnshire for his birthday but he was snowed in.

I’ve almost finished decorating my living room and picked out a new carpet and sofa over the weekend. I also put my old sofa up for sale on Gumtree and had someone attempt to scam me with a fake Paypal payment.

Today I met up with the family for a meal to celebrate my parents’ 53rd wedding anniversary. We went to a local restaurant where we proceeded to take pano pictures on our phones of the family making each other look horrendous into the bargain, my sister ended up looking like Nanny McPhee without warts. Needless to say, she reciprocated with an equally unflattering one of me.

I finished reading Christmas in Holly Springs by Rose Castro this week, a lovely short story. Watch out for the review, coming shortly.

Writing News

My editor has started work on Sins of the Father and I’ve heard from her that she is liking it so far. Phew.

I’ve been working on Illicit Love again and getting very excited about where it’s going.

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Unscrupulous people

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All week I have been trying to find a topic for the blog this weekend and then something happened on Thursday evening which I realised today would make a good post.

This week I had someone attempt to scam me. This person replied to an advert I’d posted as I was selling a sofa. She was keen and told me that because of health issues she couldn’t leave the house so would arrange for a courier to pick it up and would pay me via Paypal. She asked me to send me a few more pictures. Happy with the pictures she asked for my PayPal details and sent me a payment. My alarm bells started to ring when I saw the email from Paypal with over double that amount. I contacted her, to give her the benefit of doubt to ask why she had paid so much and why I was being asked to pay £98.00 to the Western Union, the money was apparently on hold until I’d paid. She replied to say that the courier was insisting that she pay upfront through the Western Union and due to her health issues couldn’t get out to pay it – so she had put in extra so I can pay it online. Do I look stupid? I send the fake Paypal email to spoof@paypal.co.uk and to the online fraud squad and told her in no uncertain terms what I thought of her.

I can’t understand how people can try to cheat people or use other people for their own use. I happen to believe that you should always treat people as you would want to be treated but for some people there doesn’t seem to be any consideration for how another would feel as a consequence of their actions.

 

Claudine, is one of the characters in my book Is this Love? is an extremely selfish woman who is only concerned with herself and uses people in order to get what she wants. Her ruthlessness sets off a train of events which has a ripple over the lives of many people. This is a character that I can’t find it in myself to like no matter how much I try.

Is this Love? starts with Claudine Beecham dumping our male lead Theo who is frankly rather relieved when he gets over his initial shock but yet a few days later she worms her way back into his life. Claudine is a cold woman, who is driven by materialistic values. Theo against his better judgement gets back with her, convincing himself that he can make it work, even if he can’t convince the people around him. Eventually, Theo realises that not only can he not cope with the relationship but he actually can’t stand the woman but before he can make a break she springs a shock on him that changes his life. But her deception doesn’t stop there, and her lies almost destroy Theo.

Check out this short excerpt from Theo’s perspective:

When Claudine arrived, I took her straight to my room to guard my privacy. That was my second mistake of the night and as I was about to discover, mistakes, like everything else, come in threes. Claudine greeted me with a hug.

“I’ve missed you terribly,” she crooned into my ear in a crude attempt at seductiveness.

I pulled back, “It’s only been a weekend.”

“Enough time for you to hook up with a tart,” Claudine bit out; her tone dripping acid.

I rushed to Gemma’s defence, “She’s not a tart but I fail to see what business it is of yours.”

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean that, I’m just jealous.”

     What is going on here?

“Theo, I made the biggest mistake of my life.”

I regarded at this woman who I’d spent the last two years with. I did still retain a soupçon of affection for her. She threw herself into my arms, clinging to me with tears in her eyes. Vulnerable and whispering “I love you Theo.” I still had no intention of changing my mind. Her lips pressed against a sensitive area on my neck, which never failed to elicit a response. She rubbed her warm, soft body against me and God help me, but I’m a man and my body responded automatically. My third mistake was only recognised as such when two sated, sweat-soaked bodies pulled apart to lie back. It was then that my brain kicked in, pissed off at the malfunction created when my cock had pressed the override button, which could have averted this disaster.

She clung to me like an octopus, arms thrown over my naked chest, legs wound around mine, anchoring me in place.

“Thank you for giving me another chance,” she purred and gave me with her most dazzling smile.

Tell her! The voice screamed inside my head. How can he? How about this? ‘Claudine, the sex was good but…or better still, sex was mediocre but it doesn’t mean we’re back on.’ See how easy that was?

I couldn’t be so callous. No doubt Jake and Cass would despair of me, sometimes I despaired of myself. I had no choice. I had to forget about sex with the gorgeous blonde with legs that went on forever and just get on with things as they were.

Thus began my fourth mistake and as they go in threes, it was reasonable to expect two more.

JPG Kindle Cover

Click here to pick up a copy of Is this Love?

Do you want a sneak peek at Claudine’s profile?

Continue reading “Unscrupulous people”

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My Review of: Holiday of the Heart by D. M. Miller

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This is the fourth and I believe final book in this series though should the author decide to write another one I’d be sure to pick it up. I love the consistency she has used throughout with this series. This book isn’t full of dramatics but simply a gentle story which flows easily. If I had a criticism about this book it would be that I thought Catherine’s feelings about Karen were unrealistic. Once it had been verbalised to Abdul I think they would have had that conversation before they did. Did it spoil my enjoyment of the book? Not in the slightest it was just an observation. I can highly recommend this series.

Pick up your copy of Holiday of the Heart