Cover Reveal and Release Date!

What a great way to start the New Year!

Safkhet Publishing have been hard at work and not only does Little White Lies and Butterflies now have a cover, it also has a release date! x

http://www.safkhetpublishing.com/books/soul/9781908208194/Little_White_Lies_and_Butterflies.html

What do you think, guys? x

12 Books of Christmas!

Apologies for being a couple of days late with this, but with no internet access at home I'm catching up as and when I can.

Anyways, the lovely Donna Trinder has featured me in her 'Twelve Books of Christmas' countdown.

Happy reading everyone... and a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year too x

http://donnasroomforreading.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/12-books-of-christmas-day-9-suzie.html

It's going to be a very different Christmas for me this year...







Christmas is such an exciting time for me. Every year, come the 1st December the tree goes up and the Christmas CD comes out and from that point on there's a constant stream of mince pies in the oven as I sing along to the likes of Band Aid, Slade and Wizzard. The Christmas cards are written and of course, I put together my lucky dip sack so anyone who comes a calling gets a surprise gift. And throughout all of this I'm eagerly anticipating Christmas Eve - not just because I know that's when Santa drops down the chimney, but because I get to spend a whole few days with Robert, Adam, Ben and now the lovely Cindy and all without interruption.

You see there's been this unwritten rule in our house that from Christmas Eve onwards no-one goes anywhere and whilst some of you might think I'm a control freak (which I probably am when it comes to Christmas) let me explain.

When I was about eight years old, my two sisters and I got up one Christmas morning to find Santa hadn't actually visited our house. Not because we'd been naughty or anything, you couldn't get three more well behaved little girls if you tried even if I do say so myself. But having gone out for a celebratory drink with friends the night before, Santa was too busy trying to save my mother's life to finish his deliveries; a drink driver having ploughed straight into her, ramming her against a brick wall, as she and Dad made the leisurely walk home.

That was the year we celebrated Christmas at the end of February - the first time she was allowed home for a couple of days during her recovery and, no doubt, the reason why the fun side of Christmas is so important to me.

So imagine my horror when way back in June my children decided things would be different this year... that they had other plans for Christmas 2012 - plans that didn't include me!

To be fair, they did give me six months notice to get used to the idea and after the initial "Oh my goodness, I don't think so" period I slowly began to come to terms with a Christmas without them. Let's face it, I've been lucky they've shown such understanding for as long as they have - I'm sure at their ages, foregoing the Christmas parties outside of the home must've felt like they were missing out.

And I suppose on the plus side, Robert and I get to spend our first Christmas in a long time as a couple, which will certainly be different. As will our Christmas venue, having decided to spend it here in Greece so I don't think my children are so near, yet so far... Thus, reducing the risk of me crying into the turkey, which I'm guessing wouldn't be pretty!

But come what may I'm at least going to try and have fun and I hope you all will too.

Merry Christmas, Guys, and stay safe x

 



Even more excitement in the Tullett household!

Two blog posts in one day...  I know, very unusual for me!

However, in an up-date to my earlier news I just wanted to let you all know that Little White Lies and Butterflies has since been accepted for publication.

Oh yes, late this afternoon Safkhet Publishing contacted me with the offer of a contract and I'm pleased to say, it's one I accepted - which is why I'm now off to celebrate with a glass of wine x

It's all happening in the Tullett household...

It's been an exciting time for we Tulletts these last few weeks and all of it on the work front.

Firstly, there's my other half, Robert. 

Having been a Dog Handler for the past sixteen years, he's finally decided it's time for a change.  So, three German Shepherds, two Spaniels and a black Labrador later, he's handed in his ticket and is heading off for pastures new. 

Oh yes, he's made the step to start the up and coming new year back on section, so it's bye bye, doggies... hello stab vest.

I have to admit I'm a bit nervous about his move.  I think I got a little too comfortable knowing there was a dog standing between him and the bad guys.  Suddenly though, it feels a bit like when he first began in the job, not knowing what he's going to be walking into and who or what he's going to come face-to-face with.  But at least now he has experience on his side and I just have to trust he'll continue to stay safe.

Then there's Benjamin, who earlier this year was entered into the UK leg of the World Skills competition.   A competition described on Wikipedia as the 'global skills Olympics'; one that gives young people the opportunity to demonstrate their excellence in skilled professions....  And demonstrate Benjamin did!  

 

Suffice to say, a few gruelling rounds and a lot of hard work later he found himself making his way to Birmingham's NEC for the three day final.  And I can now play the proud mother and tell you he came in second, taking home the Silver Medal.  

 

 

Well obviously we're all very proud of him; for a young chap he's achieved so much in his working life already.  And we're keeping everything crossed that he makes the UK team to compete in the World Skills International heats.  Although if he does, with 50 member countries taking part there'll be a lot more hard work ahead of him. 

 

And now we come to Adam, my other gorgeous son...

 I've already talked about how he headed off to China a while ago, a move that I supported even if I did feel nervous about it at the time.  I mean, as parents what else can we do but encourage our children when it comes to their hopes and ambitions? 

 

 

 

Anyway, having had enough of living so far from home, much to my relief and two years on, he finally decided it was time to come back.  Although not to the UK (he's probably having way too much fun to have me on the doorstep) but to Holland.

 

He's been there a couple of weeks now and tells me he's settling in really well.  His colleagues have been very welcoming, he's been rushed off his feet at the salon and all going well, he's found a great little apartment in which to live.  One that I hope to be visiting some time soon, once he's had chance to settle in, of course.

 

Which brings us to me...

 

Not that I've done anything anywhere near as exciting as changing my job, entering an international competition or moved country.  But I have, at last, finished my book. 

 

Oh yes, Little White Lies and Butterflies has finally been sent on its way and hopefully some very interested publishers are reading as we speak.  So just like I have my fingers crossed for the rest of the Tullett clan, I'm guessing they've got their fingers crossed for me!

 

So now you know the recent comings and goings in my household, what exciting things have you all been up to? x

  

A big welcome to my very first guest blogger!

I'm excited to introduce you all to my very first guest blogger today, the lovely Janie Reinart.  A lady I first met a few months ago when she invited me to appear on her own website www.loveyoumorethanyouknow.com  giving me the opportunity to talk about my experiences as a Forces Mum. 

Anyways, without further ado here she is...  Please feel free to leave a comment in support of the fabulous work she does.

Happy reading, everyone x

 

 

 

I Will Dance at Your Wedding by Janie Reinart

When my son, Joe was deployed to Iraq in 2004, he wrote us a heartfelt letter after the loss of one of his fellow soldiers and several of his own brushes with death. A part of the letter said:

I think a lot of nights, restless nights, of the days to come. I ponder and daydream of the good and the bad and the anxiety weighs on me like a ton of bricks. Will I make it back? Will I be so different from when I left? What will I do with my life? Will I be successful? Will I be happy?

 

 

I answered him back: I will dance at your wedding and sing lullabies to your children.

Joe made it back in 2005. He is happy and successful. In two weeks my son is getting married. I will dance!

Fast-forward to Joe and Katie’s wedding day. Mass took place at St. Mary’s in Berea on July 28,2012. The presider was the Rev. Dan Schlegel.

Father Dan sang the wedding mass and gave a wonderful homily. He compared a giant redwood to the love and support of family and our church community. The huge tree has a root system that is only 4 to 6 feet deep. In the redwood forest, the roots of that tall tree entangle with neighboring trees improving its stability. Our family and church community will support the newlyweds so that they will stay strong in their union surrounded by our love and prayers.

 

I am blessed to have the lovely Mrs. Katie Reinart as a new daughter and friend.
The reception was so much fun. We celebrated the joining of our two families. And I danced with my son. I am waiting for the day when the second half of my prediction comes true and practicing my lullabies.

Click here to enter free giveaways of Love You More than You Know Mothers’ Stories About Sending Their Sons and Daughters to War eBooks in honor of our Veterans and their families.

 

 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to charities benefiting wounded veterans:

ReMIND.org, a Bob Woodruff Foundation initiative for injured service members and their families.

The Semper Fi Fund will also receive donations.

I am committed to continue bringing you true stories of our heroes in uniform, sharing with you the bravery and sacrifices that our troops and their families make everyday for all of us. You are invited to share your story about your soldier here at www.loveyoumorethanyouknow.com as a guest blogger. Send stories to storiesfrommoms@gmail.com

 

About Janie Reinart
As an author, teacher consultant, National Writing Project Fellow, storyteller, and poet, words are my tools. Janie seeks ways to give people a voice to tell their own stories through prose and poetry. She and her husband, Ed, are grateful for their five children and 10 grandchildren. Most weekends, you will find Janie praying and singing with the choir at Holy Angels Catholic Church.

Janie's chapter, “Boots to Ground “ in Love You More Than You Know, won second place in the National Federation of Press Women's 2010 Communications Contest in the category of a chapter/essay in a nonfiction book. Her chapter won first place in the Ohio Professional Writer's Communications Contest.

Janie's blog Love You More Than You Know is a finalist for the 2012 Milbloggies (6th Annual) Best U.S. Military Parent Blog Award.

Synopsis

In these stories, 45 mothers of U.S. service men and women open their hearts and share what it feels like when your son or daughter leaves home to fight a war.

Some were stunned when they learned that their “baby” had enlisted. Others had long been familiar with military life. But all of these mothers knew their world had just changed the day their child called home and said, “Mom, I’m being deployed . . .”

They discovered the strange mix of pride and fear. The anxiety of not knowing exactly where in Iraq or Afghanistan your son is, whether your daughter is facing mortar fire or enduring heat and boredom. Elation at the arrival of the briefest postcard or email message. The daily dread, when returning home from work or a trip to the grocery store, of seeing a government car in the driveway and two soldiers at the door . . .

Anyone who reads their stories will admire their faith and courage–and better understand the sacrifices made by our U.S. service men and women and their families.

 

'Look' Here...!

Playwright, Michael Sands, has tagged me in this blog game which involves searching my current WIP (Work in Progress) for the word ‘look’, with a view to posting the surrounding paragraphs.

 

Now, this couldn't have come at a better time considering I'm in the process of writing the very last chapter of my latest offering, giving me the opportunity to give you a little taste of what's to come.

 

So, without further ado, here's a sneak peak excerpt from Little White Lies and Butterflies...

 

A throng of unfamiliar voices tried to work their way into my head, but my brain had different ideas and refused to acknowledge them.   However, the voices kept on coming irrespective, compelling me to come sufficiently enough to, so I could at least try and survey my surroundings.  I smacked my lips in an attempt to overcome the dryness of my mouth, at the same time putting my sunglasses back where they belonged – on my nose instead of resting on my cheek.  And lazily lifting my head expecting to find myself enveloped by a frolicking crowd of mere mortals, alternatively I found myself surrounded by an abundance of perfectly toned, tanned and attractive bodies.  Obviously I’d died and gone to Greek God and Goddess Heaven, I deduced and happy to be there, I focused my attentions on not one but quite a few of the Adonis’ in my midst. 

Then I realised I hadn’t died at all.  I’d simply woken up!

I bolted upright and in a bid to tidy myself up a bit it very quickly became apparent that either A) I’d awakened to find myself slap bang in the middle of some glamorous photo shoot – one that I would, no doubt, be airbrushed out of thanks to my somewhat slovenly display; or that B) upon my arrival I’d accidentally chosen a section of the beach solely reserved for the islands ‘beautiful people’.  But whichever of the two it was, I was convinced someone was going to come along any second now, tap me on the shoulder and tell me to move on to the area set aside for the ‘uglies’.

I looked about me, just in case, much to my disappointment clocking that the climbers had, at last, descended from their great heights.  “Speaking of which,” I said, watching them somewhat raucously partaking in a game of football over to the left.  “At least they know their place!”  Not that I had any intentions of joining Team Ugly.  After all, I might’ve been a little curvier than all these other women, but my curves were in all the right places.  “Oh yes,” I maintained.  “I can carry a bikini off as well as the best of them.  So just let anyone try and say any different.”

I thought about all the time and money I’d spent over the years, turning myself into the ideal woman for when I did happen to chance upon the man of my dreams.  What with beauty products, waxing, exercising and dieting – the latter not exactly an easy task for a woman who loves her food…  “And let’s not forget the elocution lesson,” I reminded myself, something which I doubted any of these Ladies would deign to put themselves through.  “And surely it’s time these efforts were rewarded somehow,” I told myself.  “Even if the prize is only to stake my claim on a bleeding sunbed!”  Although I knew I stood a better chance of not being booted off if I actually looked the part, which needless to say called for a cool, calm and collected composure.

I began the process of arranging myself into a model-esque type pose, a position that felt a lot more precarious than they’d made it out to be on one of those modelling TV shows.  However, if I could just perfect my balance I was sure I’d be okay… 

“Ouch!” I screamed  A searing sting suddenly swiped my face as something ricocheted off it, catapulting me, legs akimbo, off my much coveted sun lounger. 

 

So, everyone, what do you think? x