Darlene Foster's Blog

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 !!