Photo above taken four days ago. I’m NOT healthy, at all, but looks can be deceiving. This is me at age 63 – 43 would be nice again. After being on the long haul of Covid since October of 2021, last December I decided to take back my life! I’m still a “long haul” person, yet I wanted a better quality of life. I must wear oxygen 24/7/365/366 and 10, yes TEN, liters of oxygen at night, five in the daytime. I have so many medical issues that it sometimes is mind boggling to me, a registered nurse who has seen it all around the USA during my traveling career.

I will never, ever walk the eight miles a day like in the past, and I packed on some weight. I’m going to write what I did, BUT I’m not a medical doctor, and I don’t want YOU doing what I did unless you see a physician first. If you can walk, do so.

I stopped grazing and snacking. If you find yourself at an open refrigerator door, ask yourself is it close to meal time or are you bored. If hungry eat fresh veggies until your meal is ready. I cut OUT all sugar. Sugar equals fat and NOT needed. I eat three meals a day with the right amounts, and NEVER go back for seconds!

It’s important to have plenty of water in a day, at least 2000 mls, and you can drink a bottle of water, or sugar free pop, or even a 750 ml bottle of clear sugar free protein drink – the CLEAR kind only and that actually can count as one meal with only 80 calories in each bottle. Again you must check with your doctor to see what is right for you. Some medical conditions set limits on fluid consumption and salt. Limit carbohydrates, and choose multigrain bread for sandwiches.

I do “Phosphorus Fridays” as I’m low at times – this means I have shelled, unsalted nuts or peanut butter. Seriously, see your doctor if you have any medical condition such as CHF or diabetes and such. Do NOT do what I write.

What I eat and how much is dictated by my doctor and nutritionist. If you get hungry between meals, snack on fresh veggies. If you get a sugar craving, have fresh fruit. Fruit contains sugar, but not refined sugar, and a handful of grapes, three stawberries, one apple, etc… is all you need.

Fancy a bit of desert? Make a box of sugar free pudding – lemon is my favorite, toss in a few blueberries and bam – instant desert. Eat smaller portions. If watching a movie, popcorn is okay to share with others, but NO butter and very low sodium.

Still on the long haul, but I’m healthier. What worked for me, worked for me. Everyone is unique and with your doctor you can live a healthier life, like I do, and do rest. I sleep and take naps due to the long haul.

Here is looking at age 63, and living my best possible life with my 90 or so medical diagnosis. Again, don’t do this of any sort until you have checked with your doctor.

My husband, Michael, jumped on this way of eating as well, and he’s lost some weight and has more energy. He also checked with our primary doctor to sort out what was right for him.

#eating #eatingright #diet #foodie #healthy #healthier #heresto64 next August!

Book Link

From Amazon:

The Oath takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster with its captivating story set in the late Victorian era. Although heartbreaking, it is also uplifting, both of which may cause the reader to shed a tear or two.

Marry the baronet, or vulnerable parents face la prison des pauvres

France 1895 – Seventeen-year-old Françoise abandons her carefree life and sails for England to marry distant cousin Charles Dubois. On arrival she finds her groom aloof and evasive.

‘Playtime is over. Seventeen is old enough to wed and bear a child.’

Draped in expensive silk brocade, she yearns for her homeland and comfortable gowns, and when she discovers the baronet’s clandestine visits, it is her cheery maid she turns to, her new confidante and friend.

BETRAYAL – HEARTBREAK – FRIENDSHIP

The Oath: A coming of age, historical fiction saga from the author of House of Grace family saga trilogy.

My Review:

This novel is full of romance, loss, hurt, anger, love, silk gowns, handsome men, and a man who basically rapes women. I had to read this book over many days as some parts mirrored my own life. Not everyone will take to read as I did. Most women will absolutely fall in love with most characters. Now, an oath was fulfilled with marriage and a baby boy born two months early. Oliver was a fighter yet so tiny and vulnerable. A person with a one hundred day cough showed when he was being introduced to others, and that woman was made to leave. Her cough droplets traveled just like COVID-19 or respiratory flu travels. Little Oliver’s fate was sealed, sadly. I won’t go into that part of the story. Tricia has written a strong romance novel of five stars. Triggers: child loss, rape, and domestic violence do occur, so this is an alert for those triggers. Tricia kindly informed me on Twitter that triggers to my own life were present. Thank you, Tricia. Hence, the trigger alert in my review. Don’t let it keep you from reading this wonderful saga. Five shiny gold stars. 

Tired of heat and temperatures in triple digits with humidity? Feast your eyes on the old Arthur Larkin home south of town a mile or so. A one horse open sleigh completes this painting from last winter. It’s in my art gallery that I’m moving to a new site slowly but surely.

Ebook & Paperback:

Book Title: The Lady of the Tower

Author: Elizabeth St.John

Publication Date: 28^th January, 2016 (print)

Publisher: Falcon Historical

Page Length: 395 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Audiobook:

Narrator: Bridget Thomas

Publication Date: 8^th May, 2018 (audio)

Audio Length: 14 hours 40 minutes

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #PrincesInTheTower #Audiobook #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Twitter handles: @ElizStJohn @cathiedunn

Instagram handles: @elizabethjstjohn @thecoffeepotbookclub

Blog Tour Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-tour-lady-of-the-tower-audiobook.html

The Lady of the Tower

By Elizabeth St.John

Blurb:

“Elizabeth St John has brought the Stuart Court vividly to life. She weaves together the known facts of Lucy’s life with colourful scenes of fictional imagination, drawing on innocent romance and bleak deception to create a believable heroine and an intriguing plot.” Historic Novel Society Book Review 

“The Lady of the Tower is a beautifully produced novel with a well-crafted story that will keep you both engaged and entertained. A joy to read. Thank you for sharing your world with us.”

Writers Digest 24th Annual Book Awards

London, 1609. When Lucy St.John, a beautiful highborn orphan at the court of King James, is seduced by the Earl of Suffolk, she never imagines the powerful enemy she creates in his beloved sister, the Countess of Rochester. Or that her own sister Barbara would betray her and force Lucy to leave the court in disgrace. Spirited, educated, and skilled in medicine and precious remedies, Lucy fights her way back into society, and through an unexpected love match, becomes mistress of the Tower of London.

Living inside the walls of the infamous prison, she defies plague, political intrigues and tragic executions to tend to aristocratic prisoners and criminals alike. Now married into the immensely powerful Villiers family, Barbara unites with the king’s favorite, the Duke of Buckingham, to raise the fortunes of Lucy and her family to dizzying heights. But with great wealth comes treachery, leaving Lucy to fight for her survival—and her honor—in a world of deceit and debauchery.

Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed debut novel tells the true story of her ancestress Lucy through her family’s surviving diaries, letters, and court papers. Lucy’s personal friendships with historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh and the Stuart kings brings a unique perspective to the history of seventeenth century England. 

Audio clip to go with this Snippet: https://youtu.be/s_Vn6LPoyFE

Snippet

Chapter Nine

Lydiard Park

I drew a deep, shuddering breath, my hand on my breast, feeling the posie ring concealed beneath.

“I can’t bear it, Anne. I can’t live this way any longer.” I slumped into a chair, such a paralyzing emptiness overwhelming me that my tears were frozen. Although the afternoon sun warmed my chamber, my hands were icy cold. I had hidden my emotions for so long that only hollowness remained, and the loss of Theo’s letters slammed the door shut on my soul. I hated the thought of Joan and Barbara reading his precious words, spitefully laughing over his declarations of love and his promises for our future. I did not care of their opinions of me, for I did not respect their morality, but to consider their envious suppositions tainted his writings disturbed me beyond words.

“Lucy, they are so terribly jealous of your happiness. It is horrible. I tried to stop them from forcing the lock on your box. I tried to prevent them from removing Theo’s letters. I am so sorry I could not intervene.” Anne’s white face was pinched, her cheeks streaked with tears.

“It’s not your fault, Anne. Don’t distress yourself more. I do not know what I have ever done to deserve this treatment from them, but it has been this way since I was a child, and it appears it will never cease.”

I looked around the familiar room, my sanctuary at Lydiard. The polished chestnut paneling glowed in the afternoon sun, and the vase of yellow roses on the chest emanated a heady fragrance that promised the long summer days ahead. Through the diamond-paned window shimmered the green parkland, where an ancient cypress tree marked the boundary of the bowling green and offered a shady resting place. All were loved by me with a passion that had sustained me during my exile at Battersey, and they became my refuge when I returned. Now they taunted me with an oppressive familiarity. I longed to be stripped of all the layers of family and emotions binding me to this place and to be free of the jealous web threatening now to strangle me.

“Anne, I need your help.”

She lifted her head eagerly, her sweet expression expectant.

“Of course, Lucy, of course. I will tell John of Joan’s cruel accusations. He will not believe her.”

“No, leave John from this for now. He will not understand the woman’s jealous heart that steers these resentful actions. No, it is something different that I ask of you.”

“Anything, for I cannot bear to see you be the object of your sister’s envy this way.”

“You leave for Guernsey to visit your father next week. I would come with you.”

Buy Links:

The ebook is available to read on Kindle Unlimited.

Universal Buy Link: https://geni.us/MyBookLOTT

Audiobook Buy Links:

Available on BookBub Chirp for only $3.99 during August:

https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/the-lady-of-the-tower-by-elizabeth-st-john

On all other platforms from $7.99 or FREE with an Audible subscription:

https://geni.us/XZlpl45

Author Bio:

Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England’s kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.

Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.

Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.

Elizabeth’s books include her trilogy, The Lydiard Chronicles, set in 17th Century England during the Civil War, and her newest release, The Godmother’s Secret, which explores the medieval mystery of the missing Princes in the Tower of London.

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://www.elizabethjstjohn.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ElizStJohn

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethJStJohn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethjstjohn/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethjstjohn/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-st-john

Amazon Author Page: https://geni.us/AmazonElizabethStJohn

Goodreads: https://geni.us/GoodreadsElizStJohn

Media Kit

Book Title: Buccaneer: The Early Life and Crimes of Philip Rake

Series: The Molucca Star Quartet

Author: Chris Thorndycroft

Publication Date: August 1^st, 2023

Publisher: Chris Thorndycroft

Page Length: 232

Genre: Historical action and adventure

Twitter Handle: @cthorndycroft @cathiedunn

Instagram Handle: @christhorndycroft @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #Pirates #Caribbean #Swashbuckling #NavalFiction #BlogTour #NewRelease #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Blog Tour Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-tour-buccaneer-early-life-and-crimes-of-philip-rake.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Buccaneer: The Early Life and Crimes of Philip Rake

By Chris Thorndycroft

Blurb:

Bristol, 1713. When Philip Rake, pickpocket, smuggler and scoundrel is arrested and thrown in jail, he assumes he has a short walk to the gallows. But his father, a wealthy merchant who has remained a figure of mystery throughout his life, throws him a lifeline; become an indentured man on an expedition to the East Indies led by his friend, Woodes Rogers.

Woodes Rogers is looking for Libertatia – the fabled pirate kingdom of the legendary buccaneer Henry Avery – and the hoard of treasure rumoured to be hidden there. But Philip wants his freedom and when he learns that there are men onboard who once sailed with Henry Avery and plan to take the treasure for themselves, he jumps ship and embarks upon a career of piracy.

Philip’s story takes him from the backstreets of Bristol to the sun-baked hills of Madagascar and on to the tropical islands of the Caribbean in a thrilling tale of adventure in which he rubs shoulders with some of the most notorious pirates of the age including Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

Buy Links:

This title will be available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Link: https://mybook.to/Buccaneer

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C9TWGMZJ/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9TWGMZJ/

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C9TWGMZJ/

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C9TWGMZJ/

Author Bio:

Chris Thorndycroft’s writing career began with short horror stories which appeared in magazines and anthologies such as Dark Moon Digest and American Nightmare.

His first novel under his own name was A Brother’s Oath, book one in the Hengest and Horsa trilogy, which deals with the beginning of Anglo-Saxon England. He has always had a passion for historical fiction, kindled at the age of six when he first saw Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). His books are deeply grounded in real history but often reimagine legends such as King Arthur and Robin Hood, weaving them in with historical events.

He currently lives in Norway with his wife and two kids.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://christhorndycroft.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cthorndycroft

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisThorndycroftAuthor/   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christhorndycroft/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christhorndycroft

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chris-Thorndycroft/e/B015EQARZM

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8130216.Chris_Thorndycroft

Book Link

From Amazon:

In 898 AD she wasn’t just from another land.

Wrecking a marriage is generally no problem for the divorce obtaining, Lady Malice Mallender. But she faces a dilemma when she’s asked to ruin her own. Just how businesslike should she remain when the marriage was never consummated and kissing her husband leads to Sin–a handsome Viking who wants her for a bed slave in name only?

She came from another time.

Viking raider Sin Gudrunsson wants one thing. To marry his childhood sweetheart. Only she’s left him before, so he needs to keep her on her toes, and a bed slave, in name only, seems just the thing. Until he meets Malice.
One kiss is all it takes to flash between two worlds

But when one kiss is no longer enough, which will it be? Regency London? Or Viking Norway? Will Malice learn what governs the flashes? Can Sin?

Where worlds collide can love melt the iciest heart?

My Review:

This novel has an unusual writing style that flows easily between 700 plus years of differences, Viking and not. Love is a love/hate, then true love for two characters. One must believe in time travel, and one will have fun reading this novel. First of all, one must read how a Virgin can be a courtesan. Interested?

Happy Anniversary to my husband, Mike!

31

31 years

You took on my ex-husband, and my family! That didn’t stop them from coming over to our house every holiday. Your magic melted their hearts like it did to mine.

You helped Sammy with his cancer by using “Donald Duck” type voices, and you actually came to Kansas City more than once, to rescue my rainbow child.

You helped knit our blended family.

You were there when Sam died, and I couldn’t breathe for so long it hurt so bad.

You understood that I had to leave Sammy to the morgue at KU Med, to be autopsied, and I drove 230 miles, in the middle of the night, alone on the turnpike, to get home to my only living son – before he woke up for school.

We’ve had ups and downs, but remained true to each other. You are my best friend.

Happy 31rst Anniversary, Mike. Can we add 31 more years?

Book Link

From Amazon:

Chester’s a regular guy! Can he be that sexy, warlock that Pippa secretly desires?

Pippa has a wonderful fiancé named Chester, and she loves him dearly. However, when she decides to write a romance book and fantasizes about kissing a dashing warlock under the mistletoe, she realizes something is missing in their relationship. In a teary confession, she blurts out her concerns to Chester. Her fiancé, a studious psychologist, understands what she wants. Not only that, but he promises to do everything he can to be the man that Pippa is dreaming about. Still, the question remains. Will Chester have what it takes to release his “inner warlock”?

My Review:

I loved this short Christmas romance book. It’s a short story chock full of fun and love mixed with newfound awareness of the true needs of others and what’s happening. I must hang mistletoe and see what Mike, my hubby, has in store for me. Five stars.

Media Kit

Book Title: Under the Emerald Sky: A tale of love and betrayal in 19th century Ireland

Series: The Irish Fortune Series

Author: Juliane Weber

Publication Date: 23 October 2020

Publisher: Independently published

Page Length: 465

Genre: Historical fiction / historical romance

Twitter Handles: @Writer_JW @cathiedunn

IG Handle: @juliane._.weber @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #Ireland #BlogTour #BookBlast #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page:  https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/06/blog-tour-irish-fortune-series-by-juliane-weber.html

Under the Emerald Sky: A tale of love and betrayal in 19th century Ireland

The Irish Fortune Series Book 1

by Juliane Weber

Blurb:

“Under the Emerald Sky reaches another level in storytelling, the kind where the characters remain with you long after you have closed the book.” – The Historical Fiction Company

It’s 1843 and the Englishman Quinton Williams has come to Ireland to oversee the running of his father’s ailing estate and escape his painful past. There he meets the Irishwoman Alannah O’Neill, whose family is one of few to have retained ownership of their land, the rest having been supplanted by the English over the course of the country’s bloody history. Seeing the injustices of Victorian Ireland, Alannah’s brother Kieran has learned to hate the English and imperialism. Aware of Kieran’s hostility towards the English, Alannah keeps her growing relationship with Quin a secret – but it’s a secret that can’t be kept for long from those plotting to end England’s oppression of the Irish people. As Quin and Alannah seek happiness in the face of hate and revenge, an action-packed romance ensues.

But all the while, disaster looms – the Great Famine that would forever change the course of Ireland’s history. With repeated failure of the potato harvest upon which most Irish families depend, thousands will go hungry, with sickness and starvation sweeping through Irish farms, decimating poor populations for years to come.

Can Quin and Alannah find happiness in a land teetering on the brink of disaster? 

Buy Links:

This series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

*Under the Emerald Sky, Book 1, ebook is on offer at 0.99.*

Universal Links:

Under the Emerald Sky: https://books2read.com/u/mvXNEz

Beneath the Darkening Clouds: https://books2read.com/u/3kYwLK

Amazon UK:

Book 1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LSC6HN3

Book 2: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BK6CLCD4

Series: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08Y36G5KJ

Amazon US:

Book 1: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LSC6HN3

Book 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BK6CLCD4

Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y36G5KJ

Amazon CA:

Book 1: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08LSC6HN3

Book 2: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BK6CLCD4

Series: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08Y36G5KJ?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn

Amazon AU:

Book 1: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08LSC6HN3

Book 2: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BK6CLCD4

Series: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08Y36G5KJ?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn

Author Bio:

Juliane Weber is a scientist turned historical fiction writer, and author of the Irish Fortune Series. Her stories take readers on action-packed romantic adventures amid the captivating scenery and folklore of 19th century Ireland.

Under the Emerald Sky, the first book in the Irish Fortune Series, was awarded bronze medals in The Historical Fiction Company 2021 Book of the Year Contest and The Coffee Pot Book Club 2022 Book of the Year Contest. The second book in the series, Beneath the Darkening Clouds, was awarded a bronze medal in The Historical Fiction Company 2022 Book the Year Contest.

Juliane spent most of her life in South Africa, but now lives with her husband and two sons in Hamelin, Germany, the town made famous by the story of the Pied Piper.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.julianeweber.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Writer_JW

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulianeWeberAuthor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianeweber/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliane._.weber/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/juliane-weber

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Juliane-Weber/e/B08M3DYY22/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21207265.Juliane_Weber