Second lockdown unavoidable

 This afternoon, representatives of the various governments in our country come together to decide what to do about the rising number of infections by Covid-19. A lockdown is almost sure to come.

The ICU's of the various hospitals in Belgium are full already with patients suffering from corona. Soon they'll have to decide who lives and who dies.

The measures taken by the previous government have failed, were not strong enough. To be honest,  I must also state that about half of the population didn't (and doesn't) follow the rules - especially those about not having close contact with many people. 

We'll know what to expect in the late afternoon. But we're almost sure it'll be a quiet Christmas. Restaurants and cafés have already closed and we expect they'll close most of the shops too. Imo they should better close the schools as well, as I think they are the source of the virus spreading around. If you see how most of these kids behave - running around in groups, hugging and kissing each other - it's no surprise they take the germs of the virus to their environment. They often don't fall ill, but their parent or grandparents do. 

I just hope we'll have a vaccin in the course of the new year. Hopefully by next summer our life will get to be somewhat normal once more...

Miracles

 Today we welcome Bobbi Smith. Bobbi is doing a virtual blurb blitz tour for Miracles, a faith-based contemporary romance available from Montlake Romance. This tour will run October 19-October 30.

Bobbi Smith will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3567/

Blurb

Newspaper reporter Lydia is investigating the deadly sniper terrorizing her town. She hopes to find some information to help the police track down this killer. Detective Steve Mason is doing all he can to stop the murderous gunman from striking again. Meanwhile, members of Lydia’s prayer group are facing life-changing problems. Elderly George Taylor, diagnosed with terminal cancer, decides to secretly leave lasting memorials. Teenager Jim Hunt is granted the wisdom to turn away from the temptations of peer pressure and alcohol. And for Lydia, who refuses to despair in the ugly side of life that her reporting often uncovers, there is true love to bring laughter and joy to all her days

Excerpt

THE TERROR GROWS

THREE DEAD IN THREE WEEKS

POLICE STILL BAFFLED IN SEARCH

FOR DEADLY HIGHWAY SNIPER

The main headline of The Daily Sun and the article that followed criticized the police and their lack of success in arresting the killer. The sniper read the article and smiled. He enjoyed learning that the authorities were no closer to identifying him.

He knew they would never catch him.

He was too smart for them.

Satisfied that all was well in the world, he carefully folded the paper so as not to crease the headline, and then set it aside. He would read it again later.

Author bio and links

After working as a department manager for Famous-Barr, and briefly as a clerk at a bookstore, Bobbi gave up on career security and began writing. She sold her first book to Zebra in 1982.

Since then, Bobbi has written over 40 books and 6 novellas. To date, there are more than five million copies of her novels in print. She has been awarded the prestigious Romantic Times Storyteller Award and two Career Achievement Awards. Her books have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List, the USA Today Best Seller List and the Wal-Mart Best Seller List.

The rights to Ms. Smith’s books have been sold to China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Russia and Sweden. Bobbi has also written two faith-based contemporary novels – Haven and Miracles – using the pseudonym Julie Marshall.

http://www.Bobbismithauthor.com

https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Bobbi-Smith-ebook/dp/B001D210GM/ref=sr_1_3

 

A good children's book is for everyone

 As you all know, I'm an avid reader. I began to read from an early age and by the time I was 10 years old I had gone through the books of the youth library 3 times!!! 

So I suppose I know a bit about books. When I was younger, I loved some children's/YA books so much I read them various times. And what's better - I still like them now!

In my opinion, the main characteristic of a good children's book is that you have more fun at it as an adult. And in all truth, the authors didn't really write for kids. They just chose to make their main character a youngster and had it go through many adventures. That's what kids like. But there are all sorts of undertones, hidden meanings, etc. that you can only understand when you have some life experience.

A good example of such a book (or series of books, rather) is Harry Potter. I don't know how many times I've read them already. Every time I start reading them again, I experience more fun from it. 

Another is the series about Eddy Wagram, the hero in a couple of books by Aster Berkhof (he died some weeks ago, and was a well-known Flemish author). These are the sort of books that inspired me. And you know what? I thought I'd lost the books. I wasn't able to find them in the attic room for some twenty, thirty years. And while looking for some tax forms a couple of weeks ago, I discovered their hiding place! What a piece of luck! I've brought them down and plan to start reading them soon. 

Do you have fond memories of books you read as a kid?

Getting in the mood for Halloween

 Yesterday afternoon, my sister didn't need to work (!) and so we took the opportunity to get rid of the summer/autumn decoration and change it for Halloween.

In these corona times, you must make  your home as cozy as possible. We think that putting up and placing some decorations around the living room area brings some atmosphere into the house. Don't you?

Even as today, restrictions will become even more severe and we're not far away from a total lockdown. The number of infections is rising alarmingly, more than ten thousand per day already and going to twenty thousand. Now it's forbidden to attend sports events, or go to the theatre or cinema with more than a couple of people in the hall. And you must prevent contact with others. Yeah, we know! 

Hopefully, the government won't forbid us to leave the house in the coming weeks. The schools' autumn break is coming up in a week (starting at the end of the month) and we hope to be able to take the train to the coast, to spend the week at our flat there. Although all pubs and restaurants are closed, there will be enough take-away possible, and the shops are (still) open as well. We can go for walks and then return home to have some coffee/tea. I've taken to drinking tea in the afternoon, as it seems to settle my stomach better. Since I started doing this, I haven't been nauseous once. 

Impeachment

 Let's say hello to Mark Spivak. Mark is doing a virtual blurb blitz tour for Impeachment, a thriller available October 15th from City of Light Publishing. This tour will run October 19-November 13.

Mark Spivak will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3519/

Blurb

A pair of billionaire brothers with unlimited resources, a secret agenda, and no accountability.

 

Mysterious “peace-keeping forces” that materialize out of nowhere.

 

Detention camps on the U.S.-Mexican border.

 

Bungled assassination attempts with untraceable origins.

 

A reactive Congress, lobbyists bought and paid for, and upheavals at the highest levels of government.

 

How was it all engineered, and could it happen tomorrow? 

Is it fiction or uncomfortable reality?

Excerpt

“Thanks for coming.”

“No problem,” said Mendoza. “I always drive twenty miles out to the boondocks to get myself a cappuccino. The journey clears my head.”

“I figured that neither of us needed to be seen in public with each other. My instinct was it wouldn’t play well with our respective constituencies.”

“I suspect you’re right. So tell me, Mr. Lapham, what have I done to deserve this audience? Have the Haft brothers decided to donate a billion dollars to Criollos Unidos?”

“We have some areas of mutual interest. I think we might be able to come to an accommodation.”

“I’m listening.”

“You’ve been quite outspoken recently in your criticism of Khaleem Atalas.”

“I think he’s a great man. If he wasn’t holding a hundred thousand of my people in concentration camps along the Mexican border, I’d nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.”

“As you can imagine, my employers share your disgust for the President. Although their specific reasons are different, of course.”

“To be honest, he double-crossed us. And I do not like to be double-crossed.”

“I think you’re a man of principle, even though I may not agree with many of your convictions. And as I said, we’re not fans of Atalas either. The only difference is that we haven’t been surprised at the way things turned out.”

“Before we join hands and start singing kumbaya, why don’t you tell me why you dragged me down here?”

“I could have sworn you came of your own free will.”

“I have to admit, I was curious.”

“As I said, we find ourselves on the same side of this problem, but for different reasons. I was thinking there might be some way we could work together.”

Author bio and links

Mark Spivak is an award-winning writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel. He’s the author of Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History and Moonshine Nation: The Art of Creating Cornbread in a Bottle. His first novel, Friend of the Devil, tells the story of America’s most celebrated chef who has cut a deal with Satan for fame and fortune.

Mark is also a political junkie who loves turning his fascination with the seamy underbelly of the American political system into taut, page-turning thrillers. The American Crusade, the story of a devastating terrorist attack and the government’s response, was published in April 2019;  Impeachment, a tale of two billionaire brothers who manipulate that system for their own ends, is a sequel that also stands alone as an unusual and compelling story.

 

Website: https://markspivakbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.spivak.3

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/eatdrinkjourney

Buy links:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HR1CF8B/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/impeachment-mark-spivak/1137054375

 

 

Measures nobody understands

 Just one week after our government took new corona measures, they decided to take even severe ones. With most of them I can agree - but they have also decided to close all restaurants for at least 4 weeks!

This is a measure  nobody understands. Earlier this year, all cafés and restaurants were closed from March until June 8th. Then they could re-open, with strict safety measures. And I must say, all the restaurants I've been to since adhered well to these rules. I never once felt unsafe in one of them. There was enough space between tables, and when somebody needed to use the toilet, they wore a face mask. I don't believe a person could get contaminated in such an environment.

I understand they want to close the cafés. Especially those where lots of young people gather, were not always strict with the rules. And lots of youngsters don't care either. But why the restaurants? They could have said that there could be no more than 4 people at one table, for instance. Or even put more distance between tables. But close them??? It's a disaster for all those who suffered already so much in spring, and now risk to lose more money. 

And will it stop the pandemic? I don't think so. Much more dangerous is what we do at home. Not everyone lives like my sister and I. We've never hugged in all of our lives, it just wasn't done in our family. We practically never receive people at home. When we go shopping, we keep our distance from other people. And up to now, none of us two has caught corona.

Sorry if I'l ranting, but I feel bad about this. Dining out is one of our pleasures, and now it's taken away, just like travelling. 

Day Against Cancer

 In these corona-dominated times, we tend to forget that cancer still is the much bigger killer. The movement 'Kom Op Tegen Kanker' (Stand up against cancer) wants to bring attention to this illness with yearly actions, such as the sale of azalea's to bring in money for the cause and now this special day, where you can send a postcard to someone who suffers the disease.

As you know, I'm also a cancer patient. My cancer was diagnosed in the summer of 2017. With the removal of the tumor (along with my right kidney), most of the problem was resolved. Remained some spots on my lungs and a small tumor on my pancreas. My oncologist prescribed Votrient. It's a kind of chemical chemo. It doesn't make you lose your hair, although it's brought changes to it. My hair is now completely white and you can't do much with it, so we keep it rather short. And luckily I look good with white! In the first six months I suffered a lot of side-effects from the Votrient. I spent quite a lot of time in the bathroom puking and emptying my bowels and worse, my feet hurt like hell. I couldn't even walk a couple of steps. Thanks to advice of our neighbor at the coast, I began to take Probiotical, a natural food additive. It brought some rest in my inner system, and wonder above wonder, it healed my feet. Two months after I started taking it, my feet were back to normal and I could walk miles again.

Right now, I'm feeling more or less healthy. Every now and then I suffer some nausea, and there are times I still have to look for a bathroom. But it's under control. I count myself lucky. Especially when I see or hear about people who succumb to the illness. The Votrient has more or less made the flecks on my lungs disappear, and the tumor on the pancreas has shrunk and now remains stable. 

For all those who suffer cancer, I want to send my best and hope you can face you illness with some positive thoughts. That really helps!

A Family for Christmas

 Today we welcome Nola Cross, author of A Family for Christmas, a western contemporary romance available October 8 from Tule Publishing. Nola is doing a virtual book blast tour, which will take place on October 12 - Octorber 16.

Nola Cross will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to five randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3538/

Blurb

He never thought he’d have a real family Christmas…

For the past eight years, Bill Smith has been unable to set down roots. But he never forgot the magical night he spent with an auburn-haired beauty in Last Stand, Texas. When she finally tracked him down, he was more than happy to donate a kidney to AJ, the son he never knew he had. But now that AJ is better, Bill wants more time with him and his mother. He wants a family.

Annie Burleson can’t help but be grateful to this almost-stranger for saving AJ’s life. Still, she’s a little wary. AJ has already been through so much—what if Bill leaves again? And with Christmas in full swing, it’s difficult to discern which emotions are festive and which are forever.

As Annie and Bill’s lives collide, their mutual love for AJ makes this more than a marriage of convenience. But is it enough to give them the family Christmas they all deserve?

Excerpt

Her door stood ajar, and he kneed it open. Inside, her bedroom was lit by candles that glowed softly from several locations. On either side of her bed, pink lightbulbs in the delicate glass lamps shed rose-colored light on turned-down bedclothes. She had prepared the room just for this moment. An invitation meant only for him.

“I see what you’ve had up your sleeve here, Mrs. Smith.” He laid her on the bed. Her still-damp hair rippled out in an auburn fan on the white pillowcase.

“Don’t you like it?”

“I love it. What I love most is knowing you’ve been thinking about the two of us being here, about us making love.”

She gave him a sly smile. “I figured we’d end up here eventually.”

He ran his finger along the opening of her robe, from her breastbone to her waist. She gave a tiny gasp. “Can I unwrap you now?”

Author bio and links

I remember as a small girl being fascinated with the idea that people could make up stories and the stories became books. I began writing my own stories before I even started school, and won my first writing contest at the age of nine. It’s always been my dream to be a published author. The road was a long and twisting one, but I finally made it. I’m proud to be a two-time Golden Heart finalist, and several of my stories have been Amazon best sellers.

For a while I penned erotic fiction under a pseudonym. Although it was fun to explore my “darker side”, I am now answering the true call of my heart: to write bigger stories that focus on emotion, loss, spirit, and true love, stories I hope my readers will relate to and want to read more than once. Small town America is my favorite fictional setting. I’m particularly enjoying my recent foray into writing Cowboy romance.

 

Link to Author Website:   http://www.nolacross.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nola-Cross-Author-174971689198712

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NolaCross

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nolacross/the-everfield-series/

Amazon Buy link:  https://www.amazon.com/Family-Christmas-Burlesons-Texas-Book-ebook/dp/B08C736NT7/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+family+for+christmas+nola+cross&qid=1598302857&sr=8-1

New corona measures

 As of today, a set of new corona measures starts. The number of infections with Covid-19 is once more growing higher and higher and the hospitals are nearly reaching their full capacity taking in corona patients.

This is the case all over Europe. After a first wave, starting around the middle of March, now has come the second one. 

As of today, it's forbidden to have close contact with more than 3 people outside your family circle. Cafés and pubs need to close at 11 pm. In Brussels they have even closed down for a month (the situation in Brussels is worse than anywhere else). And people complain, of course.

Personally, I don't have any trouble with these new measures. I don't feel the need to hug or kiss people - we never did in our family, which doesn't mean we didn't love each other - we had the best parents and grandparents ever! As it is, we don't have any close friends right now and so don't 'have to' see them. As for pubs, they could close them all down for all I care. I've perhaps been in one two or three times in my whole lifetime. What would hurt me more is when they close down the restaurants or forbid to travel. 

I don't know if these new measures will help a lot. In my experience, most people are fed up with corona and don't care too much about safety. While I think keeping distance and keeping to your own family is the best way to fight this virus. But a lot of people feel the need to come together with lots of friends/family and being very close with them. That's where the infection likes it best. 

What's your opinion? 

Autumn is here

 Not even two weeks ago, we were sunbathing on our terrace at the coast - now the weather has completely turned and it's autumn for sure!

Autumn here in Belgium means mostly a lot of grey skies and rain, every now and then a bit of sunshine. We rarely get Indian summers. 

The last weekend of September, when the weather was already turning, I bought myself a new coat for this season. Clothing has cost me a lot recently! I've lost quite a bit of weight since I was diagnosed with cancer and have gone back to the way I was in my early twenties. Around 56 kg, coming from well into the seventies. The last years, I buy something and after a few months it's too wide once more. I'm on a UK size 12 around now. Some people would envy me, because I don't do anything for a diet. I eat well and enjoy the good things in life. But as a result of my medication, I have to use the bathroom a lot and that brings down the weight. I've lost all my surplus fat and hope not to lose more weight.

Anyway, the new coat was what I needed. I've been wearing it every day now. It's warm and the hoodie is great against some drops of rain.

What I like about fall, is that the evenings are more cozy than ever. Sitting of the sofa, in a warm environment, enjoying a glass of wine or a hot drink, reading or watching TV... 

What I don't like is having to gather the fallen leaves. Behind our garden fence are some trees and their leaves fall roaylly in our garden. It's a yearly chore I truly dislike - and my sister is always too busy at work for school to help a hand!

What do you like/dislike about this season?

Campaigning Can Be Deadly

 Say hello to Charlotte Stuart today! Charlotte is doing a virtual blurb blitz tour for Campaigning Can Be Deadly, a mystery, female PI book available September 29th from Walrus Publishing. The tour will run September 31 - October 9.

Charlotte Stuart will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the following link to place your comment:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3497/

Blurb

What begins as a prank ends in murder.

 

The campaign for the U.S. Congressional seat was referred to in the press as “Mr. Smith goes to Washington versus the carpetbagger.” The popular local candidate gets the majority of endorsements, but his opponent’s wealthy, out-of-state family is willing to do whatever it takes for him to win.

 

Penny-wise Investigations, a discount detective agency located in a mall, is hired to find out who is stealing the local candidate’s political signs. Two of their investigators, Cameron Chandler and Yuri Webster, not only catch the thieves in the act, they find a body next to a pile of stolen signs, proving that Campaigning Can Be Deadly.

Excerpt

The hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning. - Adlai Stevenson

 Billed by the press as “the carpetbagger versus Mr. Smith goes to Washington,” the contest between the two opposing candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives demonstrated the power of money in a campaign. With huge resources behind him, the “carpetbagger” became a household name overnight by bombarding the urban Washington State district with ads and flyers attacking his opponent. “Mr. Smith,” on the other hand, already a well-known local politician who had won most of the endorsements, tried to ignore the smear campaign from his opponent by consistently focusing on policy.

As the election drew near and polls suggested the race was too close to call, the candidate who had tried so hard to remain above the fray came out with an ad aimed at discrediting his opponent for moving into the district to run for office. Immediately the press jumped on the change in tactics. They tarred both candidates with the same brush and labeled the race as one of the most negative ever run in the state. It made good headlines.

Author bio and links

In a world filled with uncertainty and too little chocolate, Charlotte Stuart has a passion for writing lighthearted mysteries with a pinch of adventure and a dollop of humor. Her first discount detective mystery, Survival Can Be Deadly, was a Foreward INDIES finalist. Why me? Chimeras, Conundrums and Dead Goldfish was a semi-finalist for the Chanticleer Murder and Mayhem contest before it was published. She began her career in academia with a PhD in communications. Then, she and her husband decided to build a commercial boat and go fishing for salmon in Alaska. Currently she is the VP for Puget Sound Sisters in Crime and lives and writes on Vashon Island in Washington State’s Puget Sound. She spends time each day entertained by herons, seals, eagles and other wildlife.

I asked Charlotte where her interest in politics comes from. Here's her answer:

I was a debater in high school and for a while in college. Debating was the catalyst for an interest in communication, particularly in the art of persuasion and, in turn, political strategy. I ended up majoring in speech and spent several years in academia teaching speech courses. Not long after leaving academia, I spent a year as a speech writer and coach and had the opportunity of seeing campaigns from the inside and the distinction of never working for a winning candidate. I also spent the better part of another year working on a Congressional campaign that made me appreciate how devoted and hard-working volunteers are. But, unlike the campaign in my book, Campaigning Can Be Deadly, the passionate rivalry in the real-life campaign did not result in any deaths.

Life took me away from a direct association with politics, but I’ve never lost interest in tracking the ups and downs of political lives. Each election year I watch the presidential debates with my husband and our former college debate partners. (An aside tidbit - my former debate partner is married to my husband’s former debate partner.) We share similar politics and have lively discussions – and sometimes disagreements – about winners and losers. But we always sit down together and watch, this year via Zoom.

Finally, I would point out that for most people an interest in politics arises from caring about their local communities as well as about national issues that in turn impact the environment and people where they live. We only have one planet that we all share. Each of us has but one life to live. And what we pass on to future generations depends on decisions made today. I’ve never run for office, but I admire those who take on the challenge and try to make a difference. I know there are politicians who may not behave the way we would like them to or who do not support policies we believe critical to our wellbeing. But I still have faith in the process…IF we all pay attention and we all vote smart, caring people into office.

That’s why I’m interested in politics, and that’s my plea for readers to also care about politics enough to VOTE in the upcoming election.

Links:

Charlotte Stuart – social media

website: http://www.charlottestuart.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/quirkymysterie 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlotte.stuart.mysterywriter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19305587.Charlotte_Stuart

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/clzstuart

 

Campaigning Can Be Deadly -primary online purchase links:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/campaigning-can-be-deadly-charlotte-stuart/1136403993

https://www.amazon.com/Campaigning-Deadly-Discount-Detective-Mystery/dp/194044232X

https://www.bookdepository.com/Campaigning-Can-Be-Deadly-Charlotte-Stuart/978194044232

https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781940442327

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51074737-campaigning-can-be-deadly

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51074737-campaigning-can-be-deadly

 

Weekend Antwerp

 While I'l doing my cleaning, I can't help thinking back to last weekend! 

On Friday 25th September, we went to Antwerp to spend the weekend there. The town of Antwerp is quite dear to us, as our grandmother was born and raised there. There is much to see and do. 

Even with corona spoiling the fun, it was still nice to be away from ordinary life for a while. We haven't had a trip abroad since February - while we normally go every school holiday. We had trips planned to Barcelona, Milan, London, Birmingham and Beirut, but we had to cancel them all. So a weekend Antwerp was much welcomed.

It was a bit strange in the hotel. There were not many guests there - I suppose we were alone on our floor and we slept very well - no banging of doors, no people talking in the corridor. And although the breakfast was a bit different (no buffet), it was still plenty and full of variety. The staff was very friendly as well, and glad we were present.

For shopping it was heaven. No busy streets, where you can hardly set a decent pace, quiet shops where you can find what you need.

The weather did co-operate too. It was a bit raining on Friday, but on Saturday the sun was out for most of the day.

We truly enjoyed our stay and treated ourselves to the best!