Category: giveaway

And the Winner Is…

book reviewing / Challenge / giveaway / random drawing

And the Winner Is…

The 1st random drawing of people who have written Tasman reviews and/or recently subscribed to my writing blog is complete. The winner is Gretchen H. who is an avid writer, reader, and freelance editor. Read her review and others when you look up: Paddy Eger in books (on Amazon). Thank you to all who have written reviews and those who now subscribe to this writing blog. Your name will remain entered for all future random drawings for each step you’ve taken to support my writing in this wide world of books and authors. A reminder for those yet to participate:...

Adjectives

giveaway / musings / random drawing / Tasman

Adjectives

Writing is a tricky business. Those in the know say adjectives should be used sparingly. The trick is to select the best ones, the adjective phrases that best move the story along. Here are a few from Kristin Hannah books that I feel make excellent use of a few, well-chosen ones to set the mood or introduce settings. Let me know if you agree. ** Pinprick streams of sunlight spilled down through the evergreen ceiling, danced in golden patches on the brown-needled forest floor.  Waiting for the Moon p.58 ** The drizzling February days melted into one another, forming a...

My Book Launch

adventure novel / Book events / giveaway / Tasman

My Book Launch

A book launch is always a great opportunity to meet with old and new reading friends who might enjoy Tasman-An Innocent Convict’s Struggle for Freedom. The kindness of Mary Kay, David, Michelle and the others at the Edmonds Bookshop to open their doors to authors is heartening. Coupled with the Third Thursday evening during the Edmonds Art Event, it was a chance to introduce myself and my books to a wide variety of people. Thanks one and all who stopped in to visit and stayed to play my game,Prisoner’s Fate! A few guests were safe and returned to their homes;...

Tasman Background – Life in the Penal Colony

adventure novel / giveaway / random drawing / story background / Tasman

Tasman Background – Life in the Penal Colony

Port Arthur’s convicts lived in barracks and were sent out to work various jobs: quarrying stone to build roads, working for settlers, digging coal, and harvesting trees for further development and for export. Many worked in centipede gangs carrying immense logs while wearing leg irons. A few earned privileges and worked for the commander and the military as scribes. The military managed the island. Soldiers maintained tight control and punishments were often severe: 10 lashes for stealing a potato, 50 lashes for taking a shovel, 100 lashes or execution for attempting an escape. After all, how can a prisoner truly...

Tasman Background – Port Arthur

adventure novel / giveaway / story background / Tasman

Tasman Background – Port Arthur

The trek to Port Arthur took many months under the best conditions. The voyage crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic, sailed beyond the Indian Ocean, and ended up at the southern tip of Tasmania. The quaint-looking village was actually a penal colony where the British sent convicts to work as slaves to help The Crown produce saleable products (timber, coal). It also kept control of the southern most trade route between the Spice Islands and Europe, a location of world importance in the 1850s. Settlers as well as released convicts were encouraged to remain on the island to establish  British control...

Tasman Background – On the Ship

adventure novel / book reviewing / giveaway / story background / Tasman

Tasman Background – On the Ship

  Work on board a ship was unending. Since sailing required 24-hour attention, the crew worked long shifts. Bells signaled each hour and their shifts. Workers who didn’t perform their duties were often punished by being beaten and/or having their rations cut. Off-shift sailors took to different ways to use their time. Many played cards and brawled. Others created scrimshaw items to sell. They used knives and carved animal-shapes or intricate designs into bones. Once in a harbor, they sold them to earn money for drinking in grog shops or to buy products while ashore. In addition to manning the...

Tasman Background – Sailing From England

adventure novel / giveaway / story background / Tasman

Tasman Background – Sailing From England

In the 1850s sailing ships plied the earth carrying cargoes as varied as the ports they visited. Live animals, local crops, mined ore, lumber, government notices and soldiers as well as letters and humans; convicts were among its paid cargo. The trip to Port Arthur, Tasmania meant stops along the way: Tenerife, Rio, Cape Town. Ships used the trade winds to advantage as they distributed or exchanged both sanctioned and secret cargoes. Most honored Neptune, the god of the sea, when if they crossed the equator. That meant raucous celebrations or silly antics while wearing outlandish outfits consisting of buckets...

Thanks!

Ballet Trilogy / giveaway

Thanks!

Last Thursday I enjoy the opportunity to speak with some of you about the ballet trilogy and Letters to Follow- Dancer’s Adventure in particular. It was a lovely PNW sunny day (rare for early June) and the University Bookstore at Mill Creek provided a comfy corner. I wanted to thank all who made the trek and those who wished me a good event. I enjoyed myself and I hope my guests did as well. It became ‘old home week’ since I had time to talk with people I hadn’t seen for ages. I loved having our connections reconnected. I encourage...

When the Music Stops is Now Available

84 Ribbons / giveaway / When the Music Stops

When the Music Stops is Now Available

I’m excited to let you know When the Music Stops-Dance On, book two in the ballet trilogy, is now available online and directly through me or my publisher, Tendril Press. As soon as the book distributors (who service your favorite bookshops) agree to add the book to their catalogs and lists, When the Music Stops-Dance On will be available everywhere. Currently it is available from Amazon. Feel free to ask your favorite bookseller to order you a copy. If you order more than 8 copies of the book, contact me directly for a bulk discount. I’ll add a surprise and...

Day 42 of 84 Days of 84 Ribbons: Half Way!

84 Ribbons / giveaway

Day 42 of 84 Days of 84 Ribbons: Half Way!

Happy May Day! It’s a sure sign spring is approaching! We’re at the midway point of my 84 days of blogs. Today I’ll change things up and give you two options. I hope both will appeal to you. 1. 84 Ribbons Word Search You are invited to try your hand at finding 65 words, all of which are important in the novel, 84 Ribbons. I hope seeing the words will bring back images from the story and help you relive special moments. You may download the word search by clicking this link. 2. Enter a new Rafflecopter Contest. I am...