Thursday's Thirsty Thumblings

It's a case of "where have all the hours gone" rather than all the flowers gone. It's Thursday already, I'm still trying to find time to do today's blog, the first practice of the softball season and the start of a new karaoke show. That is in between my normal IT job, physiotherapy, looking after two kids, sorting out bookings for a book marketing expo in July. On top of that... having two radio programs to plan, the everyday blogging, emailing and internet work plus the fact that I am still not 100% I really wonder where the hours go in my day.

So today it's Thursday, so how do I plan this evenings fun/work?

Try and dash down this blog to share a few items... a quick cup of tea and a andwich, head off to softball practice.

Now softball is not a game played in England, but we do play cricket, and it really upsets people seeing me pushing the ball for single bases like pushing a ball into gaps for a quick run in cricket. Being nearer sixty then fifty at least I can still get around the bases without the use of a walker or electric scooter. The other thing is I am the manager of the team so that means I have to be there for first practice to supply bats balls etc... At least after the game we will stop off for a beer after the thirsty work, to welcome any new players we have join our team this year...

So heading back... stop of at a new karaoke show, to support a fellow KDJ on their first night. A couple of songs and finally home.

Thumbling for thoughts, I will have to try and think of something for tomorrows blog a fresh theme for Sunday's UK blog and plan Saturdays radio show.

Then a few small hours sleep before getting up at just after 5:30am to head for another day at work.

And then I wonder why I have not written much on my next book.




Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Puss in Books, library cat and a blog chat with Diane Tegarden

Today's fun BBC link, will appeal to all writers...

Puss in Books, library cat...


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/8021407.stm


TONIGHT BLOG TALK RADIO SHOW:

Tonight's radio show was a "BOOK AND A CHAT with Diane Tegarden"... it was very interesting as well as great fun.

Listen to the program and hear all about her writing from A self help divorce book to her latest Science Fiction novel, and how walking over fire help her life.

You can check this interesting show three ways:

You can download the information from

http://romance2read.com/show-dtegarden.mp3

Or it's available at my blog spot


http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com

or where tonight's show was at

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond




Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Wednesday's Radio Show Guest is Diane Tegarden

"A BOOK AND A CHAT with Diane Tegarden" - Wednesday 6:30pm (est):
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Diane Tegarden has written books the range from Divorce Self Help through poetry to her latest offering "Anti-Vigilante and The Rips in Time", a bang up sci-fi adventure novel set in the far, far future.

Tune in to "A BOOK AND A CHAT" on Wednesday Evening to hear about this multi-talented lady and how a five hour seminar which included walking on fire changed her life.


"Book and Chat" Saturday May 2nd 11:00am (est)guest will be Lanaia Lee


Today's BBC Weird News Snippet.



Bullet bounces off US woman's bra
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8015242.stm






Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com
http://across-t-pond.com

TEEN/YA BLOGGERS RULE

Anybody who has listened to my radio/tv broadcasts or read some of my previous blogs will know that I am a great fan of what I call the "small bloggers", that is small is followers not in stature or content.

These diligent readers are the ones who know, purchase and review teen/ya books. Like me, many authors I have interviewed on my blog radio program "A Book and a Chat" have nothing but praise for this great and ever increasing group of people. Their news and views might be followed by a few as a ten people while other sites the readers are into the hundreds. No matter how large a following they have the information they share day after day can do nothing but encourage young and young at heart readers to pick up a book and read.

Now one site is holding a "PEOPLE'S CHOICE YA BOOK BLOG AWARDS".

"Hey, Teenager of the Year" web site has almost 80 entries, in true Hollywood tradition, broken down into various sections.

Best Reviewer Award:
Best Newcomer Award
Best Interviewer Award
Golden Blog Award

Such events can only be good for both bloggers and writers, spreading the word about what this great bunch of literary blog writers produce.


Check out the nominees and vote on this fun event at:

(http://heyteenager.blogspot.com/2009/04/peoples-choice-ya-book-blog-awards.html)

Across the Pond Latest Review:

I received this today, and once again am just grateful for the people who take time to review my book.

Across the Pond is a sweet tale of young love and discovery. I honestly could not put this down! I opened the book and was drawn into this story like never before! The book is intended for young adult readers but I was amazed to find myself completely devouring this novel in less than a day! Amazing book and talented writer! Please please do yourself a favor and read this and pass it along to your friends!

Today's BBC Weird News Snippet.

A runway bull causes havoc in an Irish Supermarket

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8017391.stm




Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

STORYHEART'S SUNDAY UK BLOG - WHO WAS ST GEORGE?

During the week I have been blogging about St George's day (April 23rd) back home across the pond. But who was St George?

The image of Saint George, renowned for his defense of all in need, is among the most well-recognized of Christian martyrdom figures. Primarily famous for being the Patron Saint of England (replacing the former patron, Edward the Confessor), George is also known as "Victory Bringer" and "The Quick to Hear." Of the man himself, very little can be considered a certainty, save that he lived during the Fourth Century and was executed by decapitation in Lydda, Palestine. He was most probably born in Cappadocia of noble, Christian parents and, upon the death of his father, accompanied his mother to Palestine, her country of origin, where she owned land and where George may have been expected to oversee the estate but instead, chose the life of a military man.

The earliest mention of St George is in 322 A.D when Eusebius of Caesarea mentions a
"noble-born soldier of high rank the Roman army, being thrown into prison for vehemently disagreeing with Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians and, despite being tortured, refused to recant his beliefs. The following day, April 23, 303, he was dragged through the streets of Nicomedia and beheaded. The Emperor's wife, Alexandria, was so impressed at the soldier's courage, that she converted immediately to the Christian faith and was also put to death."

He was adopted as the Patron Saint of soldiers after he was said to have appeared to the crusading armies during the Battle of Antioch in 1098. Many such similar stories were transmitted to the West by Crusaders who heard them from Byzantine troops. The tales were circulated even further by the troubadours. When Richard I (also known as "The Lionheart") was campaigning in Palestine during 1191 and 1192, he put his army under the direct protection of Saint George.

In addition to being the Patron Saint of England, George is the Patron Saint of Aragon, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Germany and Greece. He is the Patron Saint of Catalonia, where legend has it that, after killing the dragon, he gave the princess a red rose and, as a result, on April 23 (especially in the City of Barcelona), it is traditional for men to give their sweethearts or wives a red rose and the lady in question reciprocates the gesture with the gift of a book. He is also the Patron Saint of Moscow, Istanbul, Genoa and Venice (where he is second only to Saint Mark), as well as being the Patron Saint of the State of Georgia. He is the patron of soldiers, cavalry and chivalry; of farmers and field workers; of Boy Scouts and of butchers; of horses, riders and saddlers; and of sufferers from leprosy, plague and syphilis.

He is particularly the Patron Saint of archers, which gives a special meaning to these famous lines from William Shakespeare's "Henry V," Act 3, Scene 1:

I see you Stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the Start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge
Cry "God for Harry, England and St. George!"

This is even more interesting as William Shakespeare's was born and died on St George's Day.




Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com



OTHER BLOGS ABOUT GREAT BRITAIN:


THE GRAND NATIONAL

WHY UK DRIVES ON THE LEFT

MOTHERS DAY ACROSS THE POND

ABOUT THE UNION JACK

ENGLISHMANS VIEW ON BASEBALL

WHAT IS BOXING DAY

BRITISH TV TRANSPLANTS

Britians Got Talent Round Three and other news

With America still recovering from somebody singing who did not look like a Barbi or Ken look alike (Susan Boyle) this weeks show produced another wonderful talent.

Ten year old Hollie Steel came on stage like a 10 year old ballet dancer. Then just as the first cross was set to be shown, she started to sing. the voice that came from Hollie had Simon and the panel once again sitting there open mouthed as she sang "I could have danced all night" from My Fair Lady.

While Susan Boyle showed us you can't judge a book by the cover, Hollie showed us, that no matter what the age of the book, it can still be a winner.

Once again Britain proved it has talent.

Talking of talent, this morning I interview J.W. Nicklaus, a writer whose blogs even read like works of art, let alone his book of short stories "The Light, The Dark and Ember Between"

http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

Check out today' s interview:



Today's BBC Weird News Snippet.

Be careful when you use Facebook....

“Ill” worker fired over Facebook

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8018329.stm





Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

FILL YOUR SENSES THIS WEEKEND

This weekend you can fill many of your senses by following Storyheart from Across the Pond

Saturday help both the hearing and your chuckle bone by listening to my blog talk radio program with J.W. Nicklaus at 11am (est) at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond It will be interesting and fun

Sunday check out my Sunday UK blog as I explain all about St George and why he is the patron saint of England and several other countries at
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

Smile at my BBC UK news as I share with you some of the more interesting articles that might not have made the US news this week.

http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/




Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Why Do you Write? and Happy St Georgies Day

Today is St Georges day. St George is not only the Patron Saint England but also of Aragon, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Germany and Greece as well as being the patron Saint of Scouting. I will write all about this him in detail in my Sunday UK blog, see keep your eyes open.

Yesterday a very interesting article was written on about why people write.
http://bookmarketingbuzz.com/2009/04/22/do-you-write-for-pleasure-or-money/#comment-4284

All writers perhaps dream that they will be the next J.K. Rolling or be discovered by one of Oprah's book agents. But the honest truth is that is for 99% of authors that just does not happen. So why write? On the hope that 1% and make your fame of fortune? Read the article and the comments and find out.

Today's BBC Weird News Snippet.

Are Champagne Corks on the way out?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8004011.stm





Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond

NEW- Wednesday Night Version of "A BOOK AND CHAT"

Is "A Book and a Chat" popular? I guess so...

I have had so many writers, agents, publicists and blogger's asking to appear on my Saturday show "A BOOK AND A CHAT" I am full until mid July and even have bookings as far ahead as September.

So there was only one thing for it... Start a second show on a Wednesday Night!

So starting this Wednesday April 22nd I will now also be hosting "A BOOK AND A CHAT" at 6:30pm EST.

My first guest is Cherie Burbach, who is currently doing a virtual tour with her book "Internet Dating is Not Like Ordering a Pizza"

Cherie used her personnel experience with meeting her husband online to pen "At the Coffee Shop", a humorous look at the world of Internet dating. Cherie went on over 60 coffee dates in just six months. She met lots of great people and one of those turned out to be the guy she would marry just one year later. Now she has produced this new book.

Having met my own wife and an X-wife on the internet I can't wait to chat to her about internet dating.

So check on tomorrow Wednesday 6:30pm (EST) for "A BOOK AND CHAT" with Cherie Burbach:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Storyheart
http://across-t-pond.com
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com

Across the Pond - Six Months Down the line

It has been six months since my book Across the Pond (by Storyheart) was published. So much has happened in that time, am I a published author?

Today while checking out I contest came across the ruling definition of what was classed as a published author.

"We are using Romance Writers of America guidelines to determine publishing status. Anyone who has either: "(1) earned at least $1,000 in the form of an advance on a single novel or novella published by a non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher; or (2) who has earned at least $1,000 in the form of royalties or a combination of advance plus royalties on a single published novel or novella published by a non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher" is considered a published author and is not eligible to enter the contest."

So have I made $1000? No...
Did I get an advance of $1000? No...

So I guess I don't class as a published author.

Perhaps if I was Barack Obama writing details of what went on behind the scenes on the campaign trail. Margaret Thatcher on her years with Dennis, or Secrets of the next Harry Potter file. Perhaps if I detailed how Hulk Hugan's agent turned down the chance to promote the now "George Foreman" grill, choosing instead to put the Hulksters name to a now long forgotten food mixer. I might then be classed as an published author.

So what has happened in my 6 months?

Well I've won a couple of awards, I have coming up to a hundred reviews, over sixty on Amazon alone. I've chatted to people all over the world during a wonderful fun virtual book tour, made many new friends, been on radio and TV shows, visited schools and had lot's of fun.

People of all ages have enjoyed "Across the Pond", sharing their comments and encouragement through reviews, messages, blogs and emails. Even being compared with such great authors as Judy Blume.

So do I describe myself a published author?

Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Storyhearts Sunday UK Blog - British TV transplants

Many successful British TV shows (particularly sitcoms and reality shows) have been remade for the American market. The success of American Idol is based on UK TV's "Pop Idol" but the roots go back even further to the early UK TV shows such as "Stars in their Eyes" and "The Big Time". The winner of "The Big Time" was none other than Sheena Easton who fought through to gain a record contract, with EMI. After that it is history. She became the only UK female artist to have two singles ("9 to 5" – known as "Morning Train" in the US – and "Modern Girl") in the UK top 10 at the same time since 1959.

The amount of reworking of British TV shows varies, with some shows (such as All in the Family) keeping the basic situation and then adding many original features while others have taken complete scripts verbatim (such as Amanda's).

So what program hits have been based British TV shows? The list is long!

Some like "Airline", "Antiques Road Show", "Cash in the Attic" and "Dear John" have kept there names. Other have changed.
"Birds of a Feather" became "Stand By Your Man" when it moved across the pond. "Changing Rooms" became "Trading Places", "Dads Army" became "The Rear Guard", "Man About the House" became "Three's Company". "Tell Death us Do Part" became the very watered down "All in the Family" and so it goes on.

You can see a detailed list here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_TV_shows_remade_for_the_American_market

So what about shows from US TV migrating to English TV?

There are relatively few examples of American shows remade for the British market (the majority of these being game shows), as the British television audience are more accepting of the American originals than the US are of original UK version.
Some US remakes have even been imported back into the UK.
Anybody who has seen the two version of "The Office" for instance can see the difference. Some people might even say that this is because American TV has to be more "PC".

All I can say is thank goodness for BBC USA, where smash hit programs like "Top Gear" and "Doctor Who" can still be seen.



Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com



OTHER BLOGS ABOUT GREAT BRITAIN:


THE GRAND NATIONAL

WHY UK DRIVES ON THE LEFT

MOTHERS DAY ACROSS THE POND

ABOUT THE UNION JACK

ENGLISHMANS VIEW ON BASEBALL

WHAT IS BOXING DAY

After Susan, this weeks star on Britians Got Talent

After last week and Susan Boyle, what next, well something almost as good.

Yesterdays show highlighted a 12 year old boy from Wales, Shaheen Jafargholi, who changed his song and then blow the judges away until all THREE yes even Simon gave him a standing ovation.

This YouTube will go into millions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLVtepgE5EY


Storyheart (Barry Eva)

Todays Podcast with Jo Ann Hernandez

We had a little echo and not a brilliant line to start with... but Jo Ann and I had a great interview, several people have contacted me saying how much they enjoyed the show.

Multi Award winning writer, blogger, and so much more Jo Ann Hernandez is one fascinating lady!

You can listen to it at

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

or can download the mp3 file from

http://romance2read.com/show-joann.mp3

Storyheart
Author of Across the Pond

Wombat Droppings Fight the Rescession

Fresh from the BBC's strange but true news.

How Wombat Droppings are helping one town fight he effects of the global financial crisis.

Burnie, in the north-west of the state of Tasmania, has been hit by repeated rounds of job cuts.
But despite the gloom, one local industry is thriving by producing handmade paper out of a material no-one else wants - wombat poo.
The novelty paper is a hit with tourists keen to buy a distinctly Australian souvenir from the area.
The wombat, a furry marsupial, lives in the wild only in Australia.
Its characteristic waddle and playful appearance, makes it one of the country's most endearing native creatures.
'Nice organic smell'
In recent years, a company in the port city has been experimenting with paper made from kangaroo droppings - but its popularity has been eclipsed by wombat-inspired products.
Creative Paper manager Darren Simpson says the manufacturing process can be rather unpleasant.

"When we are boiling it, it does smell horrific as you can imagine, but once it has been sterilized and rinsed properly there's no scent left to it. If anything it just gives you a nice organic smell," he said.
He added that it was the tourists themselves who came up with the wombat idea.
"As people were coming through and we were showing them the samples of our paper, they would throw questions at you like 'can you make it from sheep poo or can you make it from koalas?'. And the one that kept popping up more than any other was the wombat."

All the paper is made from the dung of a single animal called Nugget that lives in a wildlife park near Cradle Mountain, one of Tasmania's most popular tourist destinations.

Every day Nugget's droppings are collected by his keeper and sent off to the factory.
Wombats are herbivores and diets loaded with plant fiber make their feces ideal for making some of Australia's most unusual paper.

New Recording from Across the Pond " Boyles" over

The wonderful voice and success of Susan Boyle has finally reached the US, all be it taking 4/5 days for Fox news to report on it. She has already appeared on CNN with interviews with Larry King and even Oprah lined up. Now they have found a ten year old recording of Susan singing for a charity record "Cry me a River" It's brilliant!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8r9lRJ6yHY

So what's next for Susan?

There is only one thing left after Oprah, that is to be a guest on my radio show "A Book and a Chat"... But NOT this week.

My very special guest is this week is Jo Ann Hernandez, Author of the young adult novel, The Throwaway Piece, Award winner, Blogger, Promoter of Latino Literature and writers.

Jo Ann's life reads like a classic piece of literature, and I can't wait to chat to her to find more about this fascinating lady.

So...

A BOOK AND A CHAT with Jo Ann Hernandez on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM (EST)
Location: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond




Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

BEYOND BELIEF CLIPS or (THE BBC)

On the BBC web site front page news quite often under a sub heading like “Also In The News” (normally on the right hand side of the page) are the sort of stories that would not normally make headlines and quite often bring a chuckle or two to myself and once shared, with my work mates as well.

Today for instance about some baby snakes that had escaped on a Quantas Flight

“An Australian airliner was grounded after four baby pythons escaped from their container in the aircraft's hold. “

However my favorite story over the last few years has to be the one about a Boeing 737 stuck on an Indian city road…


Residents of the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) are wondering how long it will take to remove a disused Boeing 737 that has been abandoned in a busy road.
The decommissioned aircraft was being driven through the city at the weekend when the driver got lost and then abandoned the plane.

The Boeing used to belong to the private company Air Sahara.

Some locals are angry that no action is being taken to move the plane. Others say it is a tourist attraction.

It appears that after taking a wrong turn, the driver found himself facing a flyover that was too low for him to take the plane under.

The driver has not been seen since and no-one is assuming responsibility for the 737.

Restaurant owner Ramji Thapar is one of the puzzled residents of the Chembur area of the city. He woke up Sunday morning to find the aircraft on a giant trailer abandoned on the road.

"Saturday night I shut shop and go home and everything is fine. Sunday morning when I get here, this aircraft is here near my restaurant!"

The fuselage of the decommissioned aircraft, with the engine, wings and tail removed, was being taken by road to the capital Delhi late on Saturday night.
Reports say it was supposed to be used at a flight training academy.

The plane has become the center of attraction with people coming from all over the city to take a look.

"I've been fascinated with planes and never seen one so closely," engineering student Vamsi Shastri said. "It's huge!"

His friend Ankur Rane said, "It's fascinating to see an airplane on the roads when one is only used to seeing cars and auto rickshaws."
No joke

However, for Pradeep Malhotra, who runs a catering service in the area, the plane has become a huge problem because it is parked right in front of his shop.

"My work is suffering because the food cannot be loaded in the big vehicles," he said.
"I have to load it in the smaller vans and then carry them to the bigger ones parked at the back.
"I don't know how they are going to take it out because you can't reverse it, its too big, and you can't go further down the road."

Some residents said they had not complained simply because they assumed that the authorities would be making it a priority to get the plane out of the city.
Five days on, it is still not clear who is responsible for the aircraft and its transfer to Delhi.

Just imagine, waking up to find a plane parked outside your house, and nobody there, willing or knowing anything about moving it.

Storyheart


Author of "Across the Pond"
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

http://twitter.grader.com/assets/img/tweet-it-button.jpg

Not Exactly Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton

Perhaps the most famous Anthony and Cleopatra were Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the 1963 film “Cleopatra”.

Now there is a chance that Archaeologists might be on the brink of finding the tomb of doomed lovers.

Work is about to start excavating three sites near a temple in west Alexandria. A series of deep shafts were discovered in which it is thought that Anthony and Cleopatra might be buried.

This is an area where recently, tombs containing ten mummies, as well as a bust of Cleopatra and coins bearing her image were found. Along with a mask believed to belong to Mark Anthony.

Some scholars have stated that Cleopatra, who along with Mark Anthony committed suicide in 30BC after losing the Battle of Actium, was very ugly. The coins actually indicate that Cleopatra was in no way unattractive.

So if she’s found will forensic art experts show Cleopatra as looking like the 3D computer image of her sister Arsinoe.



Or that she was the beauty displayed by Elizabeth Taylor






Storyheart


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Simon Cowell Boyles Over

"You can't tell a book by it's cover." Something that has been said many times before except perhaps by authors. This last weekend Simon Cowell along with many other learned this lesson.

Many people in the US watch American Idol, which by the way like many other US TV programs started of in England. From Archie Bunker came from tell Death Us do Part, to the US watered down version of "the Office". A British for of "Idol" has been running under various names in England for decades, in fact one of the earliest winners of such a program was Sheena Eastern.

Over the weekend, during the latest British incarnation a program called "Britain's Got Talent" produced a moment that has the whole country talking and the internet buzzing. Even leaving Simon Cowell open mouthed in amazement.

A lady was introduced, and when asked how old she was she replied with a grin and a wiggle of her comfortable frame... "Forty seven... and that's on both sides"

Susan Boyle (remember that name)before going on stage, Ms. Boyle admitted some self-deprecating facts about herself (she's never been kissed and lives alone with her cat, Pebbles). For those reasons and more, audiences were expecting it was a joke in the William Hung school of singing style. How they were wrong!

Within seconds of her wonderful voice hitting the opening notes of I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. The audience and judges went from open mouthed disbelief, to a complete standing ovation leaving the judges (including Simon Cowell) either speechless or in tears.


Ms' Boyle has became a Web and national phenomenon overnight. This may have been the first you've heard of her, but it certainly won't be the last. You can watch her performance below...

SUSAN BOYLE KNOCKS THEM DEAD

What's New? My “Allbooks Review” that’s what’s new!

Today I received a review from Margaret Orford, at Allbooks Reviews.

Allbooks Review International is another example of a great service that is available for authors without spending a fortune. The site http://www.allbookreviews.com/ has been voted 1 of 101 Best Websites for writers two years in a row by Writer's Digest. It also does not discriminate between Traditional and Print on Demand Publishers. That alone is something special.

To receive the review I have, from such an auspicious service means a lot for me and my book “Across the Pond”.

Margaret writes…

“ Disappointed that he will not join his parents on a trip for two to Australia, Fred is left with an ultimatum. He has the choice to go to Scotland to visit family, or go ‘across the pond’ to the United States to visit family friends. He chooses to go across the pond, and ends up quite happy with his decision. The family he visits has a daughter, Brittany, his own age, and they grow a fast friendship which quickly develops into something more. Fred has his daily struggles with the differences in the English language from across the pond, which comes up at the most amusing moments. As Fred daily struggles with the language and cultural differences, he learns more about America’s favorite pastime, baseball, and confronts the neighborhood bully, earning the title of the ‘English knight’ when he stands up for Britt against this bully.

Storyheart writes a good story. His ability to portray the differences between two unique and slightly different English cultures is both poignant and amusing. The author weaves the reader into a convincing contemporary setting that depicts cultural differences, bullying and star-crossed lovers…

This is a quick, enjoyable read, with some humorous moments.
Across the Pond is highly recommended by: Margaret Orford, Allbooks Reviews.”

Thank you so much for the review Margaret

Storyhearts Sunday UK Blog - What is Boxing Day?

Few Americans have any idea that there is even such a thing as Boxing Day, let alone why the holiday, which celebrated in places such as Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, is a statutory holiday.


Despite its name, Boxing Day, has nothing to do with pugilistic competition. Nor is it a day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents or clear the house of empty boxes.

It is normally held on December 26th, or the following Monday if December 26 falls on a Saturday or Sunday. It became a celebrated holiday in the middle of the nineteenth century, under Queen Victoria.

There are several claims to the origin of Boxing Day all of which might be correct in some form or other.

Some historians say on the day after Christmas, members of the merchant class would give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude much like when people receive bonuses, from their employer, for a job well done, today. These gifts, given in boxes, gave the holiday its name, "Boxing Day".

Another theory is that the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened and the contents distributed on December 26, which is also the Feast of St. Stephen. One of the seven original deacons of the Christian Church, who were ordained by the Apostles to care for widows and the poor.
This is remarked about in the Christmas Carol, “Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen”.
Where “gifts of flesh (meat), wine and wood” are made to a poor man struggling through the snow.

Today, Boxing Day is spent with family and friends with lots of fun and food, more relaxed than Christmas day with all the rush to cook Christmas dinner etc. It is also a major sporting day, with numerous horse race meeting, soccer games etc taking place.






OTHER BLOGS ABOUT GREAT BRITAIN:


THE GRAND NATIONAL

WHY UK DRIVES ON THE LEFT

MOTHERS DAY ACROSS THE POND

ABOUT THE UNION JACK

ENGLISHMANS VIEW ON BASEBALL

SATURDAY APRIL 11th - "A BOOK AND A CHAT with KAREN WHITE"

Todays radio podcast was "A Book and a Chat" with Karen White


The chat went very well, Karen was a pleasure to interview, and we learnt lots of things about this
marvelous author.

One thing, is that her much awaited follow up to "The House on Tradd Street" will be out in November
and that her publisher has asked her for two follow up books... So keep an eye out for those.



Listen to Karen at either the radio site.



http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond



My Blog site



http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/



or else download the mp3 file from



http://romance2read.com/Karen-White.mp3