Freebies!

 Poinciana...beautiful and spectacular trees.  They'll be flowering soon!

Mitzi, being daft

Sadly these beautiful little beetles aren't seen much any more.  We call them Christmas beetles because that's when they're around.







I posted these photos on my old blog some years back but thought they were worth a revisit, especially the poinciana flower and the iridescent Christmas beetle.  We're losing so many species of animal life now, I'm glad I've got this photo to remind me of some of the beautiful things we've lost.

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Right...I mentioned freebies in the title.  First of all, click on the link: 

https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1158185 

for a free excerpt from "Old Age and Villainy".  I would appreciate it if you could answer three short questions I've included and let me know what you thought. Be honest, I don't mind if it's not to your liking.

If you decide you want to read more, the whole book is free on Kindle Matchbook for the next 48 hours.  Help yourself and I hope you enjoy it.

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Our 2014 Carnival of Words is being held on 22 November and Nerida, who runs our writing group along with other affiliated groups, has been busy organising it for the last few months. The theme this year is multicultural with authors from diverse communities throughout the Gold Coast showcasing their books and culture.  It's an exciting event and I'm really looking forward to it.  Click on the link below to see what it's all about.

http://www.starsgc.com/carnival-of-words/

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Book Review:

Hell's Corner - David Baldacci (Grand Central Pub USA 2010)

If, like me, you're a fan of spy thrillers, you'll thoroughly enjoy this book.  Baldacci is a cross between Le Carre and Clancy but in his own inimitable style leads the reader on a hunt of twist, turns and betrayal that leaves one breathless.

Oliver Stone is a retired assassin.  Retired as in being hung out to dry by his own government. But this same government calls on Stone when a bomb goes off close to the White House without any discernible reason the security agencies can find.

The next 613 pages lead you on a story involving an agent from MI6, the Russians, the Mexican drug cartels and even briefly bring in the Chinese.  There are double agents, traitors and false trails, with a few assassinations added to the mix, finishing with a most surprising twist.

I've read a lot of Baldacci's books, notably the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell series, but Hell's Corner surpasses anything I've read previously.  A great book, hard to put down and one of those which leaves one disappointed it has to end.  To me, that's the mark of a damn good writer!

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Enjoy your week and I hope your Christmas plans are progressing well.