Wine and Me

What do you think gets better with age?

A good wine and a good whiskey – Jameson to be precise – gets better with age, they say.

I have gotten better with age too, in a lot of ways.

More confidence in myself and my abilities. I was painfully shy when I was younger and now I’d talk to anyone who’d listen to me.

I give my opinion more freely than I used to, without offending anyone, although I don’t get concerned about those in today’s society who are easily offended by everything.

I’m not afraid to say no to people. I remember the days when I done things I really didn’t want to do, or feel comfortable doing, because it was to please someone else.

I value my time more than I used to.

I accept my faults and don’t beat myself up about them because we all have them, and I don’t think mine are all that bad! [Insert Smiley Emoji]

I do realise though, that our health doesn’t improve with old age. I hope my physical and mental state doesn’t deteriorate too much as I get older.

I don’t sweat the small stuff, and what others think of me is not my business.

I laugh in the face of the begrudgers!

I’m not afraid to die. But I don’t want to go just yet!

One of the reasons I decided to self-publish my first novel was because it took me quite a few years to complete it to the standard I wanted it, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I kept thinking, what if I die before it sees the light of day? I’m only 56 by the way!

Would you like a quick peek inside?

Set in a gossipy small town in Ireland at a time when marriage is for keeps and sexuality is repressed, Secrets in the Babby House is a family saga over three decades that starts in 1956. It is a story of love, deception, and stolen diaries filled with sins and secrets.

Also available on Rakuten Kobo book.

MORE ABOUT ME, MY BOOKS AND MY CHARACTERS IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO!

Early

What time do you go to bed and wake up currently?

I like to get to bed by 10.30pm. Read for a while, and be asleep by 11.00pm.

I usually get up at 7.30 am, but if I’ve had a late night I’d sleep in until 8.30 or 9.00am.

I was late getting to bed last night – after midnight – and although I fell asleep immediately, I woke up at about 3.30 and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was wide awake!

I got up, had a bowl of cereal (that often helps), went back to bed, and finished reading Beatrice’s Fate. I lay down at about 5.30, and slept restlessly until 10.00am. I have a headache now and I’ll be like a wasp on coke for the rest of the day!

Sleep is important and I absolutely hate being deprived of my sleep. Can’t do late nights out anymore without being wrecked for two days afterwards! If possible, I go out early and come home early.

And I’m here thinking, who on Earth gives a hoot about my sleeping habits?

But thank you for reading!

If a family saga set in a small Irish town is up your street, you might like to take a peek inside the pages of my novel, Secrets in the Babby House.

Set in a gossipy small town in Ireland at a time when marriage is for keeps and sexuality is repressed, Secrets in the Babby House is a family saga over three decades that starts in 1956. It is a story of love, deception, and stolen diaries filled with sins and secrets.

Also available on Rakuten Kobo books.

As a newsletter subscriber you will receive regular updates on my writing progress and a short story created especially for you. Sign up here.

MORE ABOUT ME, MY BOOKS AND MY CHARACTERS IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO!

Music for Me and My Moods

What is your favorite genre of music?

I have a few favourites. My mood decides what I listen to and when.

When I’m writing, I have classical playing on low volume. Andre Rieu is on my playlist. I absolutely love Andre!

When I need a pick-me-up, I listen to pop. ABBA in particular, or anything from the 80s that I can sing along with, and dance to.

I occasionally listen to reggae and blues, usually if I’m feeling melancholy! Who doesn’t like a bit of Bob Marley now and then?

I listened to a lot of Irish folk and ballads while I was writing Secrets in the Babby House.

Here’s a preview of that book if you’d like to check it out!

Set in a gossipy small town in Ireland at a time when marriage is for keeps and sexuality is repressed, Secrets in the Babby House is a family saga over three decades that starts in 1956. It is a story of love, deception, and stolen diaries filled with sins and secrets.

Also available on Rakuten Kobo books.

As a newsletter subscriber you will receive regular updates on my writing progress and a short story created especially for you. Sign up here.

MORE ABOUT ME, MY BOOKS AND MY CHARACTERS IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO!

Toothless

Have you ever had surgery? What for?

I know having a tooth extracted is very minor surgery, but nonetheless, it’s what I had done this week. I had an infection that had spread to my sinus. Horrible!

I tried to avoid antibiotics. Once the culprit (tooth) was gone, I finished a course of steroid nasal spray, and kept up regular intake of paracetamol and ibuprofen but none of that helped at all. I couldn’t cope any longer, so I used the back-up prescription for antibiotics. Four days later, I’m feeling almost 100%.

Thankfully, I’ve never had any other type of surgery! I’ve been extremely lucky with my health down through the years – except for many minor ailments, but you don’t want to get me started on that!

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

At least I got some reading done while I was under the weather.

Do you read? What’s your favourite genre?

Would you like a peek inside the pages of my fictional novel? You never know, it might just be your cup of tea!

Set in a gossipy small town in Ireland at a time when marriage is for keeps and sexuality is repressed, Secrets in the Babby House is a family saga over three decades that starts in 1956. It is a story of love, deception, and stolen diaries filled with sins and secrets.

Flossie Lynch is heartbroken when her only love, Frank Connolly, marries another. So when John O’Malley—the well-off catch of the parish—proposes to her, she resigns herself to a marriage of convenience, hoping to learn to love him.
For John, Flossie is mostly a respectable wife and caring mother to their son—and the perfect façade for his dark secret. But bloody Frank Connolly and his blackmailing wife are making things difficult for him.
Another victim of his jealous wife’s abusive behaviour, Frank stays in his loveless marriage for the sake of his two wee girls. He turns his childhood fort into a babby house to give them a refuge from their cruel mother. But for Frank, there is no refuge.
When Flossie rekindles her friendship with Frank, she tries desperately to save him from a life of misery and promises to always look out for his daughters. As the two star-crossed lovers near a second chance, tragedy strikes, forcing Flossie to make good on her promise—while attempting to protect her husband and son.
But as long as there’s a Connolly with a score to settle, there is no escape from the past and no promises for the future.