Cagliari’s picturesque Castello district
I’ve been to the Italian island of Sardegna a few times, but only visited its capital city of Cagliari for the first time this past September. Cagliari has very distinct neighborhoods, including Il Castello, about 100 meters above the rest of this sea level coastal city. When I was flying into Cagliari, a clear view…
Read MoreAnother year, more great books…
Aother year, another series of great reads. Once again, I surpassed my Goodreads Reading Challenge. In 2023, I pledged 45 books and read 53. This adds up to 17,226 pages read in 2023. I’m happy to “overread”. As an author myself, I’m supposed to be writing, too. So I keep my goal at 45, and…
Read MoreHappy 2024!
Nooo idea at all where 2023 went. It flew by so fast. But wishing you all a wonderful 2024! Happy New Year! I am an unabashed New Years’ Resolution person. And while, as a writer, I always set a writing goals for the coming year, and, of course, always aim to eat well and exercise…
Read MoreNew book award for Drink Wine, 2023 Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition
What can I say? I’m thrilled that my short story collection, Drink Wine and Be Beautiful, has claimed its third literary award. So excited this Italian-themed collection has been named a Notable Indie for the Shelf Unbound 2023 Best Indie Book prize. While I’m always thrilled to receive book awards, it means even more with…
Read MoreEuropean destinations to visit for the Christmas light season
It’s that time of year again … short days made brighter by stunning Christmas lights. Since Christmas celebrations in Europe continue through to 6 January, you’re still in time to enjoy those cheery holiday lights. Here’s a roundup of some European cities and towns to consider visiting to enjoy those holiday lights – and much…
Read More#BooksMakeGreatGifts – Consider my novels and short story collection for the readers in your life
Last week I shared with you lots of great advice for book shopping, with reviews for all my Womens Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) authors’ novels I read in 2023. Any (or all) of these novels would be well appreciated by any bookworm on your list. You can see my blog post with book reviews here…
Read MoreLoved my stay at Malaga’s Grand Hotel Miramar
Enjoyed such a wonderful stay in Malaga’s Grand Hotel Miramar, in Spain’s Andalucia region. I am a huge admirer of historic hotels, and the Grand Hotel Miraramar had it in spades. Construction began on this hotel by architect Fernando Guerrero Strachan in 1921, and it was inaugurated as Hotel Principe de Asturias in 1926, with…
Read More#BooksMakeGreatGifts – consider these WFWA-authored novels for your holiday shopping
Couldn’t agree more that #BooksMakeGreatGifts. Are you looking for that perfect holiday read for that special bookworm in your life? Look no further. I’ve never gone wrong reading novels by Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) authors. Here are the WFWA author novels I’ve read in in 2023, alongside my reviews, here below. In 2023, I…
Read MoreMalaga – all decked out for the holidays
The first weekend of December, I was for the first time in Malaga, Spain – in the country’s beautiful Andalucia region. It was great to see the city decked out with Christmas decorations on all its streets, palm trees and orange trees, adding a festive spirit to the nightly movida. Although I have traveled a…
Read MoreLaunch day for Rome’s Last Noble Palace!
So very excited! It’s finally here – not just St Nicholas’ day, but also launch day for my latest novel, Rome’s Last Noble Palace. I so loved bringing this dual time line story set in modern-day and 1890s Rome to life, and I hope you’ll enjoy the intertwined stories of Sophie and Isabelle. I have…
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