Cathie Dunn writes...

So, here we are. The first of February. How did that happen? Well, I'll tell you. The last five weeks have been a bit of a personal roller-coaster. After the successful re-release of Highland Arms , I spent a wonderful Christmas Day with hubby and his lovely step-dad, Joe, who was widowed last August. It made a welcome change to the usual routine of just the two of us. Cooking for a third person was fun, and he very much enjoyed his turkey with all the trimmings. He gave it a nice thumbs up! :-) Then, near the end of the year, Joe took ill. The first time, really, in his 93 years. Over the next three weeks hubby and I visited him daily, and it was heart-breaking to watch. Sadly, the great sailor Joe passed away last week Saturday. He's now roaming the great seas in the sky. So our minds are currently all over the place. Not with work, writing, editing or designing. A break away soon will be very welcome. What's going on apart from that? Well, hubby has started G...

Hello friends, Are you busy with your Christmas preparations? Cookies baked, shopping list written for the holidays? Or are you trying to escape it all? We're still fairly calm here. Shopping isn't done yet, though we already have plenty of logs and coal to keep us warm at least. And wine, bubbly and beer chilled. But we'll do the food shop tomorrow. Not looking forward to facing the desperate crowds that pile up their trolleys like there's no tomorrow. Well, in this case, no post-Christmas. We'll see... Right, so in the midst of all this festive chaos, Highland Arms was re-released through Crooked Cat Publishing. I'll always be grateful to The Wild Rose Press for giving me my first signed contract, but I'm also looking forward to new ventures. Highland Arms is the first in  The Highland Chronicles series – a selection of historical romance adventures set in the Scottish Highlands during different time periods. Highland Arms is set in 1720, five ...

Today, as my 2nd part of the fabulous and popular  Christmas with the Crooked Cats event, I'm chatting about birthdays. Mine, and that of others. December children. It's tough being a December birthday child. Or is it?  Many of my online friends are Sagittarians like me. We're a creative bunch! For example, authors Nicky Wells, Mandy James and Rose McClelland are all pre-Christmas birthday girls.  But I can see the pity in your eyes. "Poor you," you say. Must be tough getting less attention as everyone is so focused on Christmas.  And then, "Did your parents not combine celebrations when you were little?"  Umm, no! From an early age onwards, I pointed out an important difference to my nearest and dearest: Christmas Eve is on the 24th. My birthday is on the 20th! There are three full days in between. They may as well be three months! ;-) "But don't you get fewer presents?"  I never thought so. There was equal focus...

6th December is St Nicholas Day. This is not really noted in the UK, but it is commemorated every year in Germany, where I grew up, in a really nice way. On the night of the 5th to 6th December, kids put one boot outside their bedrooms (yes, I did; well, up to the age of around 12). Legend has it that during the night, St Nicholas fills it with nuts and tangerines, apples and chocolates and a couple of small presents. So, on the morning of the 6th, children find a small treasure when they wake up. :-) (Note: choose a non-smelly boot for better effect!) But who was St Nicholas? And why does he go around German houses during the night before his name day, dishing out goodies? Russian Icon of St Nicholas, c. 1500, ( (c) National Museum, Stockholm) The original Nicholas was Greek bishop of Myra, in Lycia, Asia Minor, around 300 AD. Very little is known about the actual person – even accounts of his parents vary – although it appears he was very religious from an early age onward...

From today up to 6th January 2015, I'm celebrating the winter season with a group of fabulous  Crooked Cat authors! So, come and join us! https://www.facebook.com/groups/737252102990447/ Find seasonal short stories and poems, excellent gift ideas and great reading material for the holidays when you finally get to put your feet up! Everyone welcome! We'll see you there! :-)