Interview with Author Carolyn Arnold

Available at Amazon http://amzn.to/vfYWtd  

Carolyn Arnold generously allowed me to interview her about her writing and her new book Eleven; here are the answers to those questions.

1.)        What or who inspired you to write?  And how long have you been writing?

I used to write as a teenager and rediscovered my passion over four years ago now.  Anything around me can serve as inspiration.

2.)        Some writers find they plot their novels then write them they are known as plotters others just  write as the ideas come and are known as pantsers. Which are you or are you a bit if both?

 Panster for sure.  Although I have an idea what I want to accomplish in a scene or chapter, I follow the characters.  Sometimes even the ending is a bit different than I originally thought it would be.

3.)        As a writer do you find yourself trying to put yourself into your character’s mind.

You have to.  In order to create believable characters, the author must live in their minds, experience their emotions, and in essence be them.

4.)        Who are your favourite authors?

David Baldacci and Sandra Brown.

5.)        Eleven is an ambitious book and must have taken quite a bit of research. Where do you do your research?

 For Eleven my research was conducted online through the FBI website to start with.  I also found Google Earth to be invaluable to taking me to the places my characters were as I've never travelled to these places.

6.)What can you tell us about Eleven?

Brandon Fisher always wanted to be FBI, and at the age of twenty-eight has made Special Agent.  Transferred from his hometown of Sarasota, Florida to Quantico, Virginia he is teamed up under the lead of Veteran Special Agent Jack Harper of the Behavioural Analysis Unit.  With a temper normally close to the surface, Brandon has to learn to keep it under control because Jack tests his limits at every possible moment.  And with the first case taking them to Salt Lick, Kentucky and the discovery of underground burial chambers, Brandon must confront one of his greatest fears – claustrophobia.

Here’s the book blurb:

Eleven Rooms. Ten Bodies. One Empty Grave.

Brandon Fisher never expected this when he signed up as a Special Agent for the FBI.  Working in the shadow of Supervisory Special Agent Jack Harper of the Behavioral Analysis Unit his career seemed set.  But when the team is called to a small rural town where the remains of ten victims are found in an underground bunker, buried in an unusual way, Brandon knows he'll never return to his normal life.

With one empty grave, and the case touching close to home, he fears he's become the target of a psychotic serial killer who wants to make him number eleven.  Only thing is, everything Brandon thinks he knows is far from the truth.

Eleven trailer 

 Thank you Carolyn for this candid interview Be sure to check out Carolyn's books which are available at Amazon http://amzn.to/vfYWtd  in print and for Kindle.you can reach Carolyn at 



(click here for Carolyn's Amazon Author page) http://amzn.to/vfYWtd)


Blog: http://carolynarnold.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Carolyn_Arnold
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Carolyn-Arnold/190386790989773
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4893460.Carolyn_Arnold

Why would you face crowds when you could relax at home with family if it's still thursday (Thanksgiving)you are in luck the sale starts early.
Go see http://vmaarten.blogspot.com/
for great Black Friday deals on lots of wonderful ebooks they make wonderful Christmas presents that your recipient will love.

Three Word Wednesday-Through the Photo Lens

Prompts:

Hollow; adjective: Having a hole or empty space inside; (of a thing) having a depression in its surface; concave; (of a sound) echoing, as though made in or on an empty container; without significance; noun: A hole or depression in something, or small valley; verb: Form by making a hole.

Misery; noun: A state of feeling great distress or discomfort of mind or body; a cause or source of great distress or discomfort.

Shallow; adjective: Of little depth; situated at no great depth; varying only slightly from a specified or understood line or direction, esp. the horizontal; not exhibiting, requiring, or capable of serious thought; (of breathing) taking in little air; verb: (Of the sea, a lake, or a river) become less deep over time or in a particular place.

       My name is Mabel Ward and I want to tell you the story of the winter of 1900 that was so long ago. I suppose that is shallow but on the day that picture was taken I had hoped to be immortalized for all time To my misery I never told this story when I was alive and now it leaves a hollow in my family history.

        It was cold that winter just before Christmas and yet the sleigh moved like butter across the road. Daddy thought we should stay home from the party because it was so bitterly cold but Alfred, my brother had offered to take us. We were excited to spend the afternoon at a Christmas party given by our cousins ‘The Wards’; even if we were escorted by our brother, Alfred who frowned at the boys who wanted to talk with us. We were going to a party without our parents. What could be more glorious? Still that afternoon we had a few young men who were not our cousins who braved Alfred’s cold looks to talk. Eleanor had more company of course, the boys always did like her better. The afternoon flew by as we ate the Christmas cookies and punch. I enjoyed starring at the tapers that were lit on the tree in the parlour as well as counting all the hand-blown glass ornaments, Aunt Frieda had shipped over from the continent. Aunt Frieda handed us some baked goods and a mince pie to take to mother and it was time to go before its dark. We gathered our coats from the front hall, ready for the bitter ride across town in the sleigh. Oh how the horse flew in the wind but then to our surprise Alfred stopped the sleigh and waved to a young man with a camera.

“Say, Paul would you take a picture of us?”

The young man whom Alfred called Paul agreed straightening his equipment to take our picture. We stood stiffly in the cold as he adjusted his camera until he was able to take the picture. I felt like a polar bear all dressed in my warm coat holding a dangling muff but Eleanor stood tall looking regal and beautiful like she always did as he took the picture. I was cold shivering in the bitter wind we had to be quick the horse was already cold standing so still. Paul took the picture and promised to bring by the developed picture in a few days. This all seemed so amazing, I’d see pictures of course, who hadn’t but they were usually at Aunt Frieda’s home. Now we too would be preserved in film for all time. What would our future relatives say about us with this picture? I wondered.

“Mabel it’s getting late let’s go now.” Eleanor called and I mounted the sleigh and placed the blanket across my knees as we fairly flew with the horse’s eagerness to get home in his warm stall.

Now I am gone but my relative stares and wonders. How I wish I’d left the story of that afternoon as I try to whisper this story in his ear.

©Sheilagh Lee November 23, 2011

P.S. the picture is of my husband's Aunts and Uncle in 1900's it is copyrighted. The names and the story are fictional.

The winner from my interview with Patti

Is .....drumroll please aw I can't give just one book.I'm going to give three
it's 
1.)@Will Bevis 
2.)@ReenaJacobs 
3.) @takeitish
I have DM you with details if you don't get message please email me at lilybrooksfield@gmail.com
Thanks for tweeting 

Check out my interview on Patti Robert's blog

 http://paradox-theangelsarehere.blogspot.com/

or read it here

Up Close & Personal with Sheilagh Lee aka S.G.Lee author of Love’s Labours Won (the Stone Chronicles Book 1)

Where were you born and where do you call home? I was born in London, Ontario, Canada and that is where I call home.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

My new book is Love’s Labours Won (the Stone Chronicles Book1)

Jobless Sarah accepts the offer of a mysterious job interview; but is it a ruse? Sarah explores her past to find her future finding herself, and new family bonds.

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Sarah would say that she is finding herself (still working on understanding herself and her abilities.) Demetrious would say that he has never met anyone quite like Sarah and that’s why he is attracted to her.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

Yes this is part of a series I think it will be a three part series but they are also stand alone books. The next book in the series is called A Tiger Wrapped In A Player’s Hide. My first book includes a teaser chapter of it at the end of Love’s Labours Won

What or who inspired you to write?  And how long have you been writing?

My mother was always telling stories and writing and encouraged her children to do the same. I think I’ve been writing stories in my head long before I could put them on paper. I’ve been writing them down as soon as I could put pen to paper. I have thousands of papers and books with short stories and parts of books on them. Writing has always taken me into the world of that character and I love getting into the character’s mindset and their life.

Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?

I would love to give one lucky reader a copy of my book. I hope that they will enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

How did you come up with the title and cover design?

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

Aunt Iva is a combination of my maternal grandmother and my mother.

What books have most influenced your writing most and why?

I think Kelley Armstrong books and Charlaine Harris’. I love the strong female characters they write.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Do I have to pick one? LOL I’d love to meet Charlaine Harris, Maureen Jennings  and Kelley Armstrong.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

I love all the medians, however I just got a Kobo for my birthday and am enjoying the convenience of being able to carry so many books anywhere I want to go.

Where do you prefer to buy your books?

I get them from Amazon, Chapters, Smashwords and other bookstores.

Are you a self-published (Indie) Author?

Yes I’m a self-published Indie Author

Have you ever read a book more than once?

Books I adore I read more than once. I read Paradox more than once.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

The English Patient was a great movie. Sorry I know I’m Canadian and should love Michael Ondaatje ‘s book but I didn’t .I had trouble even finishing it however I’m stubborn and I did.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I am currently reading Triangles. I was lucky enough to receive a free copy from Simon and Schuster Canada. It is not my usual read but very interesting none the less.

What book do you know that you will never read?

I can’t say I would never read any particular book. I have read some different Michael Ondaatje and have actually liked them. I often will try at least to read a book that I receive as a gift that I would never pick myself. The thing with a good book is that every page holds a story that is developing and you want to read more.

Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why?

Many there are some exceptional authors and indie authors that have really piqued my interest. Recently I have been reading a lot of e-books and trying out my e-reader. Books like Paradox-The Angels Are Here-Book 1 by you Patti, and Osric’s Wand the Wand Makers Debate by Jack D. Albrecht Jr and Ashley Delay, In search Of Lucy by Lia Fairchild , and Nature of the Best by Jodi Langston.so many great choices out there for readers to read.

Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?

No any changes I would have made I made in the final draft.

Who designed the cover of your book?

My daughter who had taken some media design courses.

Do you have a book trailer?

Not yet but I am working on one.

What are your thoughts on book trailers?

They are an interesting way to market a book but they are new developing median for advertising your book and are in their earliest stages, so some hit and miss their target audience

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Pick something you like and write about it even if it’s on a blog the more you write the more comfortable you will get with sharing your writing and improving.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?

The best advice I’ve been given is just go ahead and write. Edit later if you have to and keep a pen and paper handy for ideas that you come to you out of the blue.

Do you write under a pen name?

I write under my first initials

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

Does everyone? LOL

What are your pet peeves?

Being late. I have a terrible need to be on time so much that I’m often early.so when someone is late it bugs me

Unkindness it only takes one mean comment to hurt someone so why say it or do it?

Cats or dogs?

Cats. I like their independent streak.

White wine or red?

White sometimes they put colouring in the red and I’m allergic to it.

Coffee or tea?

I prefer tea but will drink either.

Favorite food?

Pizza

Vanilla or chocolate icecream?

Chocolate

What do you normally eat for breakfast?

Some kind of oats, whether oatmeal, mini wheats etc.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

Keys

Brush

Money

Cell Phone

Laptop or desktop, for writing?

Laptop

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Living room

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

One of your favorite quotes -

That best portion of a good man's life;  his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. 

William Wordsworth

English Poet

List 3 of your all time favorite books?

1) “As You Like it- William Shakespeare”

2) “What Katy Did”By Susan S. Coolridge

3) So hard to choose here. I guess I’ll choose “Grave Sight”by Charlaine Harris

List 3 of your all time favorite movies?

1.) From Hell

2.) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

3.) The Notebook

An actor you have a crush on

I can’t pick one I like two almost equally. Pierce Brosnan and Alexander Skarsgård

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

The Walking Dead, although I have to admit the zombie eating parts I cover my eyes.

Where can your readers stalk you?

My blogs:

http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.com/

http://poeticyearnings.blogspot.com/

My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheilagh-Lee/170951879628319

My character’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Dexler-Maidenstone/169665253099419

My Goodreads author page: not available yet

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SweetSheil

Amazon: http://amzn.to/uUaM4z

Smashwords: Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94738

Other: Diesel  http://bit.ly/vWdNAs

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

E-book at some point I may make it a print book for now it’s an e-book only.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~To win a copy of Sheilagh's ebook, all you have to do is leave your contact email below and tweet or facebook this post.  The winner will be drawn from the first 5 entries.  

Hi  Sheilagh, welcome to my blog :)

1.)Where were you born and where do you call home?

 I was born in London, Ontario, Canada and that is where I call home.

2.)What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

My new book is Love’s Labours Won (the Stone Chronicles Book1)

3.)If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Sarah would say that she is finding herself (still working on understanding herself and her abilities.) Demetrious would say that he has never met anyone quite like Sarah and that’s why he is attracted to her.

4.)Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?"

Yes this is part of a series I think it will be a three part series but they are also stand alone books. The next book in the series is called "A Tiger Wrapped In A Player’s Hide." My first book includes a teaser chapter of it at the end of Love’s Labours Won

5.)What or who inspired you to write?  And how long have you been writing?

My mother was always telling stories and writing and encouraged her children to do the same. I think I’ve been writing stories in my head long before I could put them on paper and writing them down as soon as I could put pen to paper. I have thousands of papers and books with short stories and parts of books on them. Writing has always taken me into the world of that character and I love getting into the character’s mindset and their life.

6.)Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?

I would love to give one lucky reader a copy of my book. I hope that they will enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

8.)Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

Aunt Iva is a combination of my maternal grandmother and my mother.

9.)What books have most influenced your writing most and why?

I think Kelley Armstrong books and Charlaine Harris’. I love the strong female characters they write.

10.)Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Do I have to pick one? LOL I’d love to meet Charlaine Harris, Maureen Jennings  and Kelley Armstrong.

11.)Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

I love all the medians, however I just got a Kobo for my birthday and am enjoying the convenience of being able to carry so many books anywhere I want to go.

12.)Where do you prefer to buy your books?

I get them from Amazon, Chapters, Smashwords and other bookstores.

13.)Are you a self-published (Indie) Author?

Yes I’m a self-published Indie Author

14.)Have you ever read a book more than once?

Books I adore I read more than once. I read Paradox more than once.

Patti Says:  Really…  Thank you!

15.)Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

The English Patient was a great movie. Sorry I know I’m Canadian and should love Michael Ondaatje ‘s book but I didn’t .I had trouble even finishing it however I’m stubborn and I did.

16.)What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I am currently reading Triangles. I was lucky enough to receive a free copy from Simon and Schuster Canada. It is not my usual read but very interesting none the less.

17.)What book do you know that you will never read?

I can’t say I would never read any particular book. I have read some different Michael Ondaatje and have actually liked them. I often will try at least to read a book that I receive as a gift that I would never pick myself. The thing with a good book is that every page holds a story that is developing and you want to read more.

18.)Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why?

Many there are some exceptional authors and indie authors that have really piqued my interest. Recently I have been reading a lot of e-books and trying out my e-reader. Books like Paradox-The Angels Are Here-Book 1 by you Patti, and Osric’s Wand the Wand Makers Debate by Jack D. Albrecht Jr and Ashley Delay, In search Of Lucy by Lia Fairchild , and Nature of the Best by Jodi Langston.so many great choices out there for readers to read.

19,)Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?

No, any changes I would have made I made in the final draft.

20.)Who designed the cover of your book?

My daughter who had taken some media design courses.

21.)Do you have a book trailer?

Not yet but I am working on one.

Patti Says: let me know when it is done so I can post it here!

22.)What are your thoughts on book trailers?

They are an interesting way to market a book but they are new developing median for advertising your book and are in their earliest stages, so some hit and miss their target audience

23.)Do you have any advice for other writers?

Pick something you like and write about it even if it’s on a blog the more you write the more comfortable you will get with sharing your writing and improving.

24.)What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?

The best advice I’ve been given is just go ahead and write. Edit later if you have to and keep a pen and paper handy for ideas that you come to you out of the blue.

25.)Do you write under a pen name?

I write under my first initials

26.)Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

Does everyone? LOL

Patti says:  If they don't, they don't know what they are missing!

27.)What are your pet peeves?

Being late. I have a terrible need to be on time so much that I’m often early. So when someone is late it bugs me

Unkindness it only takes one mean comment to hurt someone so why say it or do it?

28.)Cats or dogs?

Cats. I like their independent streak.

P Says:  Me too!  Now if only they could open tinned food and answer the door!!!

29.)White wine or red?

White sometimes they put colouring in the red and I’m allergic to it.

30.)Coffee or tea?

I prefer tea but will drink either.

31.)Favorite food?

Pizza

32.)Vanilla or chocolate icecream?

Chocolate

33.)What do you normally eat for breakfast?

Some kind of oats, whether oatmeal, mini wheats etc.

34.)What are 4 things you never leave home without?

Keys

Daughter's pictures

Money

Cell Phone

35.)Laptop or desktop, for writing?

Laptop

36.)Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Living room

37.)you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

My husband and daughters and SIL someone who knew how to survive on one.

38.)One of your favorite quotes -

That best portion of a good man's life;  his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.

William Wordsworth

English Poet

 39.)List 3 of your all time favorite books?

1) “As You Like it- William Shakespeare”

2) “What Katy Did”By Susan S. Coolridge

3) So hard to choose here. I guess I’ll choose “Grave Sight”by Charlaine Harris

40.)List 3 of your all time favorite movies?

1.) From Hell

2.) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

3.) The Notebook

41.)An actor you have a crush on

I can’t pick one I like two almost equally. Pierce Brosnan and Alexander Skarsgård

42,)What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

The Walking Dead, although I have to admit the zombie eating parts I cover my eyes.

43.)Where can your readers stalk you?

My blogs:

http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.com/

http://poeticyearnings.blogspot.com/

My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheilagh-Lee/170951879628319

My character’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Dexler-Maidenstone/169665253099419

My Goodreads author page: not available yet

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SweetSheil

Amazon: http://amzn.to/uUaM4z

Smashwords: Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94738

Other: Diesel  http://bit.ly/vWdNAs

44,)Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

E-book at some point I may make it a print book for now it’s an e-book only.

P Says: Create Space is great for that!  Cost nothing to have it published and made available on line.  And it's easy to do to.  POD

About The Book:

Sarah is a young single woman in dire straits. Her rent is due, she was fired from her last job and she has no family to turn to. So she accepts the fateful offer of a mysterious job interview, which turns out to be a ruse to steal gifts that she never even realized she had. As she set upon this journey Sarah will discover a world of magic, mystery and the supernatural. As Sarah learns about this new world she is exposed to adventure, danger and intrigue...and romance in the form of the mysterious Demetrious Blackstone. All the while Sarah must learn to control her gifts and suppress her own demons to defeat the perils that await her. Only then can she discover her inner voice and follow her own path that will lead to the true love she knows she deserves.

#TheFridayPictureShow & 100-words #FlashFriday #Fictioneers!

The Friday Picture Show -Week 4 

http://jendauthor.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/the-fridaypictureshow-week-4-2/

The Great Prince

They looked like wraiths hanging on the wall with no suspension. I’d seen their kind before and I knew what they did to the unsuspecting. looking behind them and saw the fallen, one by one lying on the floor. They would soon breach the wall that held them back and then those behind it were doomed. I took up my sword preparing to slay the wicked. Watching as the wall was breached and they entered in, I took a breath and charged. We had defeated Satan one more and I, Archangel Michael could rest until needed once more.

100 words 

100 words #FlashFriday Who-hoo Go #Fictioners
http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/100-words-flashfriday-whoo-hooo-go-fictioneers-8/

      In the middle of nowhere a horse could mean the difference between life and death but now my horse was hobbled and I needed to get help from miles away. Father was bleeding to death a slip of his axe. Mother stemmed the bleeding as best she could but it was a losing battle Father needed a doctor fast. The horse was tired and panting I knew I needed to abandon it soon until I could return. I heard the sounds of hoofs coming my way Thank goodness my Uncle Robert the doctor had returned Father was saved.

98 words

Thanksgiving with the Blackstone's,Sarah and Aunt Iva

Paranormal Romance/Mystery


Available at Smashwords http://bit.ly/qZ7Gjk

Love’s Thanksgivings Bounties

        It was Thanksgiving and Sarah was grateful, after a couple of years of no one to share Thanksgiving with she had much to be thankful. The table looked magically, a turkey fresh out of the oven now sat in the middle of the table Darius’s contribution. Darius had insisted on not making the dressing inside the turkey. He said health regulations advised against that so he had made cornbread dressing in the oven along side the turkey. 
The dressing was something Sarah had never tasted before and Sarah wondered if she would like the unique flavours of it. She liked cornbread it was delicious so maybe as a dressing it too would be scrumptious. Dressing in the Dexler’s turkeys had been the standard dressing of bread with celery poultry seasoning onion and celery. The Dexler’s dressing for their turkeys was always delicious and Sarah had enjoyed every bite of those turkeys prepared by the Dexler’s housekeeper. Darius was an expert in cooking so surely Sarah would like this dressing as well?  It had something in common with that dressing she remembered having onions in it but there were also green onions in it and laden with turkey broth. The pies on the counter looked delicious too as they were hand made by Aunt Iva and Sarah herself. Sarah prided herself on her homemade crust which was flaky and delicious. No store bought frozen crust for this girl. Aunt Iva had even complimented Sarah on her crust. Then she had offered her preserves of strawberries, rhubarb, cherries and peaches for the pies. When Sarah had commented she had hoped to make apple pie Aunt Iva had supplied a bushel of apples from the root cellar.

        Sarah had wondered if she had overdone the pies as she looked at the side table laden with ten pies. There were after all only six people for dinner but Aunt Iva had said they would be lucky to have pie left over for tomorrow with three boys at the table. Sarah laughed at this Aunt Iva still called Darius and Demetrious’ boys. The table was beautifully decorated by Janelle, with the leaf lined table cloth and the beautiful horn of plenty in the middle of the table. Janelle had the eye of decorator when it came to details like these and made it look like something out of a magazine. Everything looked wonderful and Sarah felt a tear come to her eye when she recalled what she had gone through in the last year. She now had family, a home and a job. As she looked around and saw all the people she had become friends with and she now considered family sitting and laughing; she thought what more could a girl ask for? Sarah was truly thankful.

©Sheilagh Lee  November 14 ,2011

Southern Style Cornbread Turkey

In a large pot take cooked two turkey wings and giblets and season with salt pepper and boil until tender. Set aside broth

Take cornbread you have baked in oven in large skillet and crumble into bowl.

Bake cornbread in large black skillet breaking cornbread into large bowl. Add cut up green onions, round onions, celery, 2 to 3 beaten eggs, and 3 chopped boiled eggs. Add 1/2 loaf of cut up bread mixed with cooked onions and celery with poultry seasoning. Toss together then add as much broth (you may take some juices from baked turkey which you have set aside before making gravy.) Be careful not to make dry by adding juices (broth to keep wet ) Make sure it doesn’t get dry. Place in shallow baking dish (glass is good because it preserves heat.) serve warm to table with turkey.

Cornbread recipe baked in oven in skillet

1cup of cornmeal

2 cups of flour

1/2 cup of white sugar or 1/4 cup of molasses

Enough butter or and milk to moisten

Cook until slightly brown and cooked throughout (think cake like).

Come Back To Me- #FridayPictureShow & Ghost Flower #FridayFictioners

My Entry for the

The #FridayPictureShow Week 3

It was an old and abandoned wooden rollercoaster track but he remembered how he and Betty had flown down the tracks, she cuddling closer to him in fright. Was it so long ago that he was a teen before he come back from the war? Betty had married another when she had heard he was dead and he heard her husband had died. He hadn’t married and now he was old and alone. He heard a sound behind him and turned around.

“Harold?”

“Betty?”

“It’s about time you came back to me soldier.” Betty said taking him in her arms.

©Sheilagh Lee  November 11 ,2011

100 words

100-word Flash #FridayFictioneers

    Robert couldn't believe it was Remembrance Day yet again. Here he was again at Mary’s grave. Mary had worked as a mechanic during the war. It was supposed to be a safe job but bombers had killed her. He missed her every day but life had moved on. Mary had said if anything should happen to her he would know she was safe in heaven if he saw a ghost flower on her grave and every year like clockwork it bloomed.And every year he laid the poppy on her grave.

©Sheilagh Lee  November 11 ,2011

91 words 
Please leave me some comments below. Thank you

Just a little information Seventy-one women in the Canadian military died during WWII.We shall not forget.

We Shall Not Forget

Three Word Wednesday- The Second World War and my Dad

Drank; past tense of drink, verb: Take (a liquid) into the mouth and swallow; consume or be in the habit of consuming alcohol, especially to excess.

Hitch; verb: Move (something) into a different position with a jerk; fasten or tether with a rope; noun: A temporary interruption or problem.

Muster; verb: Assemble (troops), esp. for inspection or in preparation for battle; collect or assemble (a number or amount); summon up (a particular feeling, attitude, or response); noun: A formal gathering of troops, esp. for inspection, display, or exercise.

     My father was a history buff and his favourite field of studies were strategies of war. He often told us stories of Canadian battles and other historical battles. Canada was at war when he was a teen. He trained at school every day as part of his studies to go to war. A crack shot, my dad excelled at all to do with war; after all his older brother had become a Special Forces soldier and his sister also taking part working as a CWAC. He wanted to go one day too. His brother came home drank and told of fun with comrades but never really talking of war. It all sounded wonderful to a lonely boy. His mother worked long hours in the airplane factory, so my father too wanted to do his part .So he went down to the local recruiting centre and signed up to muster off to war while his mother worked  one of her very long shifts at the factory.
His father and stepfather were both fighting overseas. He was thirteen years old, but big for his age. Looking at him he may have appeared to the recruiter to be sixteen, but no one would have taken him for only thirteen years old.
     My grandmother meanwhile frantically tried to find out where her son was and got nowhere. She told the recruiter her son was only thirteen years old and he didn’t believe her. Maybe it was just he was worried about his mistake; after all he had just sent a thirteen year old child to war. He demanded she bring back proof. My grandmother had moved several times since my father was born and she was not sure where she had put his birth certificate. She found it after frantically searching and brought it back to them, only to be told that my father had been trained and shipped off to Halifax to board a troop ship which would take him overseas. My grandmother didn’t hesitate she boarded a train to Halifax went straight to the harbour. She told them proudly how her son fought overseas, her daughter was a CWAC and that she herself worked in an airplane factor, therefore they could not have her thirteen year old son. They demanded proof that my father was thirteen and she produced it. The ship then sailed without my father who went home. That ship my father always told me went to sea without him and later a German U boat  torpedoed them , all about 200 souls or less aboard died. (I’ve been trying to trace the ship but am not sure of the name only that it sailed from Halifax.)
     My father was always grateful that he wasn’t on board that ship. He mourned the loss of those lives and taught his children to remember those who had given their lives for our freedom and peace we enjoy. As he said he could have been one of those who perished and then we might not have been here. We appreciated that and always remember how fortunate we were to have our father.
      Less than a year later my grandmother had a knock at her door receiving a telegram that her oldest son  had been listed as missing in action and presumed dead. A soldier in his unit that was wounded came a month later and told her he was sure her son was dead; but that he had died valiantly saving many of his troops. My grandmother mourned devastated that she had saved one son to lose another. After three long months she received a phone call and rejoiced her son was alive. He had been in a coma for three months injured so badly they had not been able to identify him. They had thought they might lose him from his injuries but he survived. He came home for some time healing and then went back to war just before hostilities had ended.

©Sheilagh Lee  November 9, 2011

We shall never forget their sacrifice.We shall remember.