Six More Sleeps – Christmas festivities

Christmas is almost upon us. Our tree is outside, the trunk soaking in a bucket of water with sugar and Vitamin B. The lights have come up from the basement and wait in old boxes for the decorating to begin. I’m slow this year, can’t seem to get too organized. I did begin the baking.

Last year I made shortbread and chocolate oatmeal cookies. Then I found some paper plates, filled four of them (we have four neighbours on our road) half with one type and half with the other. Wrapped them in plastic, wrote a Christmas card for each house and delivered them. It was a year that looked like a celebration that was going to be isolated and I thought it would add some festivity to the season.

This year, there are eight neighbours to consider. One of them took the time to clear the ditch so the water ran into the culvert and didn’t wash out our driveway. One started parking his truck in a different spot so it was easier to access our road. One cleared our drive of snow last year, mentioning that the cookies were darn good. These are such good people, I feel blessed to add a little to their holiday celebrations. But it does mean more cookies. 🙂

What is the celebration like in your neighbourhood?

Treason at Lisson Grove, by Anne Perry

Anne Perry does a wonderful job of presenting the British world of the 1800’s. Thomas Pitt, investigator, has been promoted to a position he’s highly uncomfortable with, yet he must step up if he will be able to save his friend Victor Narraway from the false clues and planted evidence against him. Pitt’s wife Charlotte is soon involved.

Perry brings the societal niceties and mores to life. 5 Stars

Free book to start Last War series, get you through the pandemic

Did you get it?

Khandarken Rising, The Last War: Book One

is free with one click

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/52m0ugmlm6

Khandarken Rising, Book One by SylvieGrayson

The best way to start this series.

Sci fi/fantasy at it’s best. Here’s a way to escape for a while 🙂

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 and no one can be trusted.

Cabin fever setting in? Here’s a free read…

Dear Readers,

How are you holding up? Is cabin fever setting in? I have to admit I took a drive the other day just to get out of the house. What alarmed me was there were no cars on the highway. Well, okay, there were some cars, but so few I hardly noticed them. And most of the vehicles were delivery trucks—probably making sure we don’t run out of toilet paper, which is a good thing.

My question today is – Do you need something to read?

These are tough times and I’m happy to send you a link for a free download of the first book in The Last War series

Khandarken Rising, The Last War: Book One.

Just click on the link and download your copy – https://dl.bookfunnel.com/52m0ugmlm6

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 and no one can be trusted.

Readers comments

5 Stars – . I could not put this down. This is full of mystery, romance, obsession. I can’t wait for the second book. It kept me guessing, with all the twist and turns. Will we get our happy ending ? No spoilers here means u gotta read this, I promise you will enjoy it

5 Stars – Major Dante seeks justice for Beth in the tough world of Khandarken. Loved this book and couldn’t stop reading. Ready for more in this superb story.

5 Stars – I couldn’t help but think to myself while reading this a feeling of deja vu. Like I had heard this story before or like it reminded me of something. And then it hit me. It sounded similar to the fall of the Ottoman Empire after WW1. The new countries that came forth. The battles. The new rulers and emperors fighting to keep their territory. And the citizens, adjusting to the new normal. When I made that connection, I instantly became more excited to keep reading. And then I realized that this story is one of a kind in its own and couldn’t be truly compared to anything but itself. It has so many unique characteristics to it. The personal relationships are intriguing and different from many other fictional relationships. The names are cool, the plot gets thicker with each page, and I loved the author’s style. It became evident that I was addicted to reading the book once I was sad to be finished. I’m going to give this a strong recommendation. It’s my kind of book.

Just click on the link and enjoy the read. Let me know what you think.

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/52m0ugmlm6

Till next time— Stay safe

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Click the ‘Follow’ button in the lower right corner if you haven’t already. You get to see all the latest news. Or you can email me at sylviegraysonauthor@gmail.com.

Love when we connect.

All my best,
Sylvie

*** ~ ~ ~ ***

Ducks gather at Rithet’s Bog

Went for a nice walk yesterday, around Rithet’s Bog (named after Robert Patterson Rithet, a prominent businessman in Victoria, late 19th C, early 20th C). The ducks had abandoned the bog for some reason and gathered on the other side of the walking path that circles the marshy water.

Here are two beautiful males, the feathers on their heads are iridescent.

We didn’t encounter too many other walkers, most people isolating, I imagine. What we did notice was of the 8 or 10 we saw, most would not make eye contact. Perhaps they feared that eye contact would make them vulnerable to the pandemic. There were several, however, who like us, wished those they saw a good day as they passed. Very heartening.

Stay safe, keep well. How are you keeping busy as you isolate?