Undertaking Love: Kat French

I've mentioned in previous posts that I belong to some online writing communities and one of them is the Harper Collins owned Authonomy.

It's a review site where writers can upload as much or as little of their work as they like, subject to a 10,000 word minimum. Readers can also join up. The site also comes with a forum, where several critique groups can be found. I've found them to be one of the most valuable aspects of the site. At one stage I ran the Romance Crit Group and I'm one of the original, participating members of the Women's Fiction Crit Group, run by Gail Cleare.

Previously, there was a lively critique group for chick-lit. Some of the chick-lit writers have since formed Vanity Case Books.

One book, which I first came across in the chick-lit group, is Undertaking Love. I've had the great privilege of reading and reviewing a brief sample of this story, at an earlier stage of its life, and was thrilled when the news came that Harper Collins had picked it up and would publish it. The book is available to pre-order. The release date is 25th April 2013 and I can't wait to download my copy so I can find out what happens to Marla and whether the wedding chapel and funeral parlour find a way to co-exist and live in harmony.

Good luck Kat and I'm sure you'll have a whole new legion of fans very soon.

Post Love Comment

As a full-time mum and blogger, I joined BritMums blogging network and had the privilege of meeting some other very busy blogging mums. One of whom, Victoria Welton, blogs at Verily, Victoria Vocalises.... Every Friday Victoria runs a linky called Post Comment Love and this week I finally got round to joining in. So, if you'd like to view any of the variety of posts added to the linky please check them out on the links above. You'll also find them on twitter with #PoCoLo.

Seaforde Gardens

Near the village of Seaforde in County Down a balmy oasis shelters some stunning butterflies. Seaforde Gardens is home to a tropical butterfly house, two joined glasshouses, one containing butterflies and the other reptiles, fish and birds.

We've visited lots of times before and on other occasions we've visited the grounds and maze, as well as the butterfly house. There are separate charges for anyone thinking of visiting. Today we stayed in the warmth of the tropical houses, apart from a brief sojourn for the kids to clamber around the play area. The butterflies are free flying and were quite happy to land on their visitors. The kids always enjoy checking on the cabinets of cocoons and today we saw a recently freed butterfly drying its new wings.

The other highlight are the peacocks and peahens which wander freely around the gardens. They were out in force today, the boys doing a great deal of showing off for the girls. The rustle of their showy tails could be heard all around as they vibrated them.

A butterfly making the most of the oranges dotted around the butterfly house

Enjoying a bowl of nectar

A peacock showing off for the peahens

If you click on this photo you should be able to see another peacock with his tail feathers on display in the background

      
http://www.seafordegardens.com/index.php?id=1

Flash Fiction

I love the challenge of Flash Fiction. I posted this story on SkyPen, meeting the challenge of a story on any topic, in any genre, in 99 words.