Reviews, birdseed and grappling with Bones

My goodness, but by the time I'd got to the end of yesterday I felt like a whipped dog. (So I had one delivered, boom boom - sorry, couldn't resist it ...) It was a real struggle just to summon up the will to get to bed and, at the same time, I was so wired I would probably have shot off into the great beyond if the ceiling hadn't got in the way. A tricksy little combination, all in all.

Still, today things have improved a little - mostly thanks to Jackie who posted a review of Thorn in the Flesh on Amazon UK, and which I reproduce below:

"In Thorn in the Flesh, Anne Brooke has written a book that is full of passion and tension. The heroine, Kate Harris, is a strong, resilient woman but, after a violent attack and stalked by the unknown aggressor, she cannot help but attract our sympathy. And so we follow her throughout the book, observing her tender relationships with the people she loves. We also accompany her on her journey into the past to places we would rather not go – to the darkest of places in the present. Anne Brooke gives an authentic feel to the seamy underbelly of London, where down-and-outs live in their own sub-culture and where Kate Harris is forced to go in her quest for the truth. In contrast, Brooke also describes the cosy environment of Godalming, where Kate lives and where much of the action takes place. Throughout the journey, readers will be on the edge of their seat and will remain there until the climax of the story, at the very end. A book that should not be missed. Anne Brooke's best, so far."

Gosh, thanks, Jackie - much appreciated! I like a touch of the seamy underbelly, myself.

Talking of which, I have sauntered down to the surgery this morning to have my annual medical review (a necessity in a family riddled with diabetes and bowel cancer - well, it's always good to have a hobby, you know). Sadly, they're not greatly impressed with my results and I have to go back next week and do it all over again, dammit. If they're still not happy then, they will have to send the tests away to the Powers That Be so everyone can have a good laugh and then shoot me. That's the rumour anyway. I'd best get on with the ruddy novel then!

As I have done. Writing today has seemed a bit easier (oh thank God, thank God!) and I have managed another 1000 words to The Bones of Summer. Which means poor Craig is in even hotter water than he was yesterday. Things ain't looking good, down there on the farm ... And I've also managed a poem - well, you have to have something to occupy yourself in the Doctor's waiting room ...

Meditation

Sometimes I wonder
if in fact
the best
already lies
behind

and all
I’m doing now
is scrabbling
for what might
have been

and what
never will.


Yes well, I did say yesterday was bad ... Ho hum. I've also managed to fit in a quick visit to Gladys in the nursing home and have restocked her bird-table with vast layers of seed. So we had a lot of fun watching robins, chaffinches, blue tits and great tits, all vying for food supremacy. Also heard a green woodpecker, but never actually managed to spot it. This afternoon, the air seems full of that distinctive yaffle, both at the nursing home and here - perhaps they've set up a tape recording? Evolution is a marvellous thing.

Have just finished Kate Atkinson's One Good Turn. A very good read and highly recommended. It felt strangely like a real book with characters and plot and depth - not like the Booker offerings they thrust in our direction these days. I particularly loved Martin and Gloria, though I could have done with a more satisfying tying up of the many loose ends at the finale. I imagine a sequel is in the offing though ... In any case I can highly recommend it.

Today's nice things:

1. Jackie's review of Thorn
2. Birdwatching with Gladys
3. Writing.

Anne Brooke
Anne's website
Goldenford Publishers