News and Awards Galore!
Posted on: June 25, 2012
- In: Books | People | Writing
- 42 Comments
I haven’t been blogging much lately, and there is a good reason. I have been busy working on my WIP. I am now pleased to announce that Amanda in England– The Missing Novel is complete and sent to the publisher. The launch should be sometime in August, all being well. 
I had a lot of fun writing this book, the third in my Amanda travel/adventure stories. Some great new characters have shown up including Rupert, the Maine Coon cat, who lives in a bookstore. I think my readers will like him. Here is the cover so far
In the meantime, I have been fortunate to receive some awards which I would like to acknowledge and pass on.
I was so kindly granted One Lovely Blog award by Lada Ray Her blog is wonderful, with great photos of Moscow and other amazing Russian cities. Lada is a talented writer and an inspiring person. Please check out her blog and her trailers. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Lada, it was so kind of you to think of me.
On the very same day, I was bestowed the Reader’s Appreciation Award by my east coast blogging friend, Pauline at NewfoundlandTraveller
Pauline’s blog is as friendly, warm, cozy and informative as you would expect from an east coaster. She makes you feel like you have been best friends for years. Check out her blog for some down home, east coast entertainment. You will be glad you did. Thank you Pauline, I value our friendship.
As per usual, these awards have rules (I have combined the two)
- Thank the person/people who nominated you and link back to them in your post
- Share 7 things about yourself
- Nominate six to ten blogs you admire
- Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know
Let’s start with the 7 things about me that you don’t already know (maybe)
1. My middle name is Dale. My parents were fond of Dale Evans and Roy Rogers
2. I was raised on a farm/ranch but never learned to milk a cow or ride a horse. ( I let my brothers tend to the livestock)
3. I love all vegetables except cucumbers.
4. I hate rhubarb and tried desperately to kill a rhubarb plant in my back yard once. Lesson learned, when fighting a rhubarb plant, the plant always wins!
5. I am a hopeless romantic and an eternal optimist
6. I am not shy (OK you may have figured that one out by now)
7. My greatest wish is to see much of the world before I leave it.
I am giving both of these awards to the following blogs. Pass them on if you like – or not.
Writing Sisters Writing tips, inspiration, great quotes and pictures
Simple Country Life Great stories and photos of country life. Makes me remember my days growing up on a prairie farm.
Slappshot Musings of a single Dad, often very funny and always down to earth
Keli Gwyn A beautiful blog about romance and all things Victorian. Keli has a book coming out soon so watch for it.
Patti at http://pattisjarrett.wordpress.com/ Inspirational, family stories and lovely pictures
Ellen at http://ladyelogos.com/ The blog of an amazing author, lots of medieval posts and book reviews as well as author interviews.
Libby at Let Them Grumble All things Tudor, book reviews, writing tips and amazing pictures.
Beth at http://www.bethstilborn.com/ Great posts on writing and reading
Alison at See my Travels. Fabulous travel writing and photographs. Alison is traveling in Canada right now and has some great posts about the west coast. You may even recognize someone on one of her recents posts.
Check out these blogs and say Hello from me. I love all my blogging friends and everyone deserves an award!!!
Last bit of news is that made the short list for the West End Writers Writing Contest. I was invited to the awards ceremony at Barclay Manor last week. Barclay Manor is a restored heritage house inVancouver, BC. I had a lovely time and was invited to read my entry, “Ghosts in the Attic”. I did not win any of the top three prizes but the winning entries so deserved to win. It was good to be included among such talent.
That’s all folks and happy blogging !!
42 Responses to "News and Awards Galore!"
June 25, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Thanks for the bon bon, mon cher! I’ve linked you at LadyeLogos. I’m eagerly anticipating “Amanda in England.” While not a fan of cats, I do love maine coon cats and Norwegian Forest cats. Hugs, E
June 25, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Thanks Ellen! Maine Coon cats are pretty special. You will love Rupert.
June 25, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Kudos. I pinned your Amanda In Spain. http://pinterest.com/pin/147141112796080245/ You help me stay strong.
June 25, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Thank you so much for the award, Darlene! I will blog about it in some way at the end of the week.
What a delightful post. Neat to learn the 7 things about you, and to have a glimpse of some great-sounding blogs! And wow, congratulations on being short-listed by the West End Writers!
June 26, 2012 at 5:47 am
Thanks Beth. It’s always great to learn new things about people. (great for writing ideas too!)
June 25, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Waiting to read the new book when it comes out in August. Congratulations. 🙂
June 25, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Congratulations on your new book (can’t wait to read it!) and on the awards. I love rhubarb especially with crumble and custard!
June 26, 2012 at 5:48 am
Thanks Barbara. I am almost ashamed to reveal that I hate rhubarb when so many like it!
June 25, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Omg, you must be thrilled Darlene. I’m so excited for all your success. All the best with “Amanda in England.”
Blessings – Maxi
June 26, 2012 at 5:52 am
I am thrilled Maxi and still can’t believe I actually will have a third book published. If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up!
June 26, 2012 at 12:01 am
I can’t wait to read “Amanda in England!” Congrats to you, Ms. Foster, and to all of the people you nominated!
10 | Sandra McLeod Humphrey
June 26, 2012 at 12:49 am
Congratulations on your new book and what a great storyline. I just added it to my “Books by Friends” Pinterest board!
June 26, 2012 at 12:51 am
Your book looks great, Darlene. And that house! I could move in!
June 26, 2012 at 8:37 am
Congratulations of completing your latest book in the series. How many have you got planned?
And congrats on the blog award! AND also congrats on being short listed for “Ghost in the Attic.” All wonderfully exciting news, Darlene. I’m so happy for you!
June 26, 2012 at 11:32 am
Thanks Laura. I am not sure how many I plan to write. I have started # 4 already and have a couple of other ideas. There were 32 Bobbsey Twin Books so you never know. I would like to do some other things as well though. So much to write, so little time!
June 27, 2012 at 1:23 am
Darlene, what can I say but .. Congratulations galore! What wonderful news to share! You must be on such a high right now. Exciting! I’m glad for you. 🙂
June 27, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Congratulations, Darlene! You’ll soon have a hat trick of books. The cover looks great.
And now I’m off to check out a few of those blogs you mentioned.
June 28, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Thanks Diane. This is not the final cover but I like it so far. Enjoy the blogs.
[…] on my accomplishments for the month, and I’m going to do it a little differently this time. Darlene Foster has been sweet and generous, and has given me TWO blog awards this week, the “One Lovely Blog […]
June 29, 2012 at 11:50 pm
I was delighted to see Amanda in Spain featured on Erik’s blog today, and I can hardly wait to read your books, especially Amanda in England!!!! I’ve posted about the blog awards on my blog today, with a bit of a variation on the theme… Thanks again, Darlene!
June 30, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Thanks Beth. The review by Erik was wonderful and made my day. I like what you did with the blog awards too. Cheers!
July 1, 2012 at 9:32 am
This was very cool to read Darlene. For some reason I keep missing getting here…. Have to fix that!
Popping over to read Erik’s review of your book soon, but I had to congratulate you being shortlisted by the West End Writers.
July 10, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Yeah! Yahoo! & Congratulations! Now I’m off to click on your nominee links.
July 10, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Thanks for the visit. Enjoy the other sites as well. Come back any time!
July 11, 2012 at 1:26 am
Procrastination has finally caught up with me, it seems, and I’ve missed a great deal in the blog-reading department! First off, congratulations, congratulations! I think Rupert and I would hit it off wondrously (after I overcame my jealousy at his living quarters, of course). Thank you for the nominations; I’ll be sure to check out some of the other blogs you’ve linked!
I don’t like cucumbers, either. Congratulations and thanks again, Darlene! 🙂
July 11, 2012 at 11:56 am
You are so welcome. Sometimes following blogs can easily get behind. No worries. I know you will love Rupert!
July 20, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Dont print this comment. Ill be close to your location next week…so send your phone number to my email pfinlay55@gmail.com..so we can meet for coffee. Ill be staying close to downtown.
Darlene Foster's Blog 
June 25, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Congrats on your new book and awards! Thanks for the award/mention. You are so kind. My mom used to make good rhubarb pies. I shudder to think how much sugar was added to make them so sweet!
June 25, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Thanks Patti for the congrats and your friendship! Many people love rhubarb but there is something about the texture that I just don’t like (no matter how much sugar is added!) I am sure your mom’s pies were very good.