Back Home From an Amazing Trip!

Just back from a trip to Europe with my hubby. We have tried twice before to take this same trip, so third time lucky. It was fascinating,  travelling on a river cruise through eastern Europe, starting at Prague  and Budapest, ending at Amsterdam.

There we went to a windmill village where some of the mills are still working operations. Here are the inner workings. The fellow told us he could grind limestone  to mix with colour to make paint, and what he did  in a year would take a half day with current equipment. Fascinating!

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Khandarken Rising

 Book One of The Last War series

the best way to begin the incomparable saga of the Last War.

Khandarken Rising, Book One by SylvieGrayson

Major Dante Regiment must find a way to protect Beth, as the Emperor is not the only one causing chaos in Khandarken.

The Emperor has been defeated. New countries have arisen from the ashes of the old Empire. The citizens swear they will never need to fight again.

Bethlehem Farmer is helping her brother Abram run  Farmer Holdings in south Khandarken after their father died in the final battles. But when Abram takes a trip with Uncle Jade into  the northern territory and disappears without a trace,  suddenly things are not what they seem.

Major Dante Regiment is sent by his father, the General of Khandarken, to find out what the situation is at Farmer Holdings. What he sees shakes him to the core and fuels  his grim determination to protect Bethlehem at all cost.

Buy now!

https://amzn.to/2MDptg7

https://www.books2read.com/u/bQBBq6

What reviewers say about The Last War series—

Hooked. I loved the story and characters, they were all rich  and well developed. Could not put this book down  and must say, I am now a fan…

…I really enjoyed this book. It is well written with a strong female main character and a beautiful storyline  with hardship and pain as well as love. I found it hard to put down and read it in one sitting.  Looking forward to reading more of her work…

Visit to Maui – so beautiful

I have taken a break from writing and we are spending time in beautiful Maui. I love it here.

The special things about Maui—

  • Soft balmy air
  • Soft warm salty ocean
  • Doves cooing outside my window
  • Tiny lizards darting all over as I walk along
  • The beautiful palms rustling in the wind
  • Banks of flowers of all kinds and colours

Meanwhile back home, the weather has continued to look like late winter so I don’t miss it at all.

All has not been great here. I broke a crown on a back tooth on the plane on the way here. Found a great dentist who managed to file down the rough parts that were scraping the inside of my cheek and the side of my tongue. So now I’m much more comfortable.

We joined a gym and planned to work out every other day while here, plus a swim every day. We’ve done the swim, but I wrecked my lower back at the gym after the 3rd visit and had to find a chiropractor. Two visits later, I am starting to feel better and only using the ice pack twice a day! ?

Oh, well. It’s beautiful here, the people we meet are friendly and so helpful. We’ll certainly come back.

 

 

Beware the Ides of March, upheaval all around

The Ides of March were a position on the Roman calendar that occurred around the 15th of the month. This was the time the Romans held religious observances and was seen as the deadline for settling  debts between them.

That was also the day Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, changing the course of history.

Does March signify a time of change or upheaval for you?

I’ve decided to wake every morning with a feeling of joy and anticipation for the day. That’s my upheaval for the month!

Makes me feel great, no matter what is going to occur during the day. I figure I’m taking back some control, not letting someone else’s mood or feelings determine my good nature.

So from the Ides of March onward, I wish you joy. Watch for the release of Magic Rising!

 

 

False Confession – new release

False Confession

New release—now on sale for $.99   Buy link Amazon — http://amzn.to/2v0GLLZ

Did Glory fall for the wrong man, or is someone lying?

Music teacher Glory has given up on men, with good reason. Then she meets the handsome lead guitar player in the band she has just joined.

Alex, body builder and construction foreman, is determinedly single because he’s given up on women. But that’s before he meets the keyboard player who just joined his brother’s rock band. Suddenly his interest is revived and he goes on a crusade to gain Glory’s attention.

But when Alex disappears and the police claim they have a confession giving damning evidence against him, Glory has to make a decision. Can she trust the man she’s fallen for, or has she been fooled into believing a lie?

I loved this book! I’ve found my new favorite author. – a reviewer

 

Leave me a review and qualify for the next book free! Just post your review on Amazon, and let me know at sylviegraysonauthor@gmail.com   I appreciate it!

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It’s Canada’s 150th Birthday and we’re ready to celebrate! Have a look at

Dreams and Promises

— six short stories by six amazing authors, each about the history and story of Canada. Find it here – http://amzn.to/2vmOu9F

Dreams and Promises includes six short stories and novellas written by authors who live in beautiful British Columbia.  Our stories range from the era of the fur trade, to a commercial enterprise that opened up the Canadian and American West, to present day James Bay, a thriving neighborhood in the garden city of Victoria, British Columbia. Among our heroes are a World War One soldier suffering from amnesia, an RCAF pilot from World War Two, and a pioneer prairie farmer.

Our stories play out in a land of infinite promise and sometimes heartbreaking challenges.  Thank you for helping us celebrate our nation’s milestone birthday

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Whether you’re a new subscriber or a faithful fan, thank you for your support and kind comments about my books! I hope to bring you more enjoyable stories in the upcoming months.

Hope this finds you happy and healthy! Have a great summer.

Hugs, Sylvie

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Find Sylvie Grayson at

Website – www.sylviegrayson.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sylvie.grayson

Twitter – https://twitter.com/SylvieGrayson

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Sylvie-Grayson/

Discouragement and Optimism – can we choose?

I came across an old book of poetry entitled Homespun, by Wilhelmina Stitch. It was published in 1930, the price – one shilling net. The language is formal, but very interesting to read. Here is one that caught my eye—an uplifting poem.

The True Optimist

He’s not an optimist because he found

all wheels oiled within the daily round;

his life was not an ordered, easy thing,

with ne’er a pin to prick or lash to sting.

But when to him discouragements drew near

he found the lamp of hope to banish fear.

 

However steep the hill, yet would he climb,

saying with smiles: “The peak is mine in time.”

And though he walked along a humble street,

yet would he say, “Life’s kernel is still sweet,

and though I’m poor I’m rich in friendship’s gold,

and I have much that can’t be bought or sold.

The weather’s bad today, better tomorrow;

and I’ll know joy again after this sorrow.”

 

He didn’t shut his eyes and call all fair.

He faced the murk and saw stars shining there.

Said he, “There’s joy and grief and sun and shade;

there’s balm and pain; and rough and smooth the grade;

so I will travel on, star-led, sun-kissed,

trusting in God—a thinking optimist.”

 

This little poem is different from today’s offerings. It’s about someone who walks an ordinary road, with the same difficulties and setbacks we all face. And it’s encouraging to read. What do you do when you get discouraged?