Cover update for In Devlin's Arms

I decided the heroine in my novel In Devlin's Arms looked a little too pensive and decided to change the cover for something more cheerful. Though this book has a few serious moments, it is more than anything a fun and playful book.

 It changed from this----to this. Depicting the moment she arrives at the house, pistol in hand, as opposed to missing him when he is away.

Warrior the war horse and Winne-the-Pooh

Warrior the war horse was a famous and well loved resident of the Isle of Wight, UK. The movie War Horse was based upon his life during world war one.

You will find references to Warrior at the Isle of Wight Heritage Museum and Carisbrooke Castle where there is a statue to him and his owner General Jack Seely in the center of Princess Beatrice's Garden at Carisbrooke.

(There is also a book, still available written about the famous pair.)

It is a heart warming story to know that Warrior went to war, survived the entire first world war and lived many years afterwards.

But the story that most people do not know, is of his connection to Winnie-the-Pooh! Enlarge the second photograph if you can to read the text.

The inscription reads: Warrior 1908-1944 "I do not believe he is denied in heaven the soul he had on earth" General Jack Seely 1868-1947

The text under the photograph reads:
Warrior met Winnie. Whilst in England training with the Canadian cavalry Warrior met this black bear cub known as Winnie. He was an orphan bear named after the town Winnipeg in Canada and was the mascot for the Fort Garry Horse.

Winnie-the Pooh
When the cavalry moved to France Winnie was left at London Zoo where he was very popular.
After visiting him, a small boy Christopher Robin Milne, named his teddy bear after Winnie.
Christopher's father, the writer A.A. Milne used Winnie as inspiration for the children's book Winnie-the-Pooh written in 1926.

Looking down from the ramparts of Carisbrooke Castle on the Warrior statue.

The Gardens and Walkways of Haddon Hall, Derbyshire

The Gardens and Walkways of Haddon Hall, Derbyshire.

The Sands of Alum Bay

The sands of Alum Bay are a famous Isle of Wight attraction, they are made up of quartz, felspar and mica, and come in wide a variety of colors.

King Charles I bedroom

King Charles I was held prisoner at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight before being taken to London for his execution. He did try to escape through the window but was caught. I wonder how different English history would be if he had made it out, raised an army and marched on London?

A WWII street scene from the Isle of Wight Military and Heritage Museum

A WWII street scene from the Isle of Wight Military and Heritage Museum.

You can look into the windows in this scene at the Isle of Wight Military Museum and see the products that folks used during that period in history. Some of these products were around long after the war.

Here is a link for more information. http://www.wmahm.org.uk/

Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire, UK

Newstead Abbey is a beautiful place to visit, the grounds are wonderful, it is also the former home of Lord Byron.

A beautiful Isle of Wight day

Ryde Pier, Isle of Wight

You can take a train down the pier in Ryde, Isle of Wight, to catch the catamaran to the mainland or take a train to other parts of the island.

A view from the ramparts at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

Carisbrooke Castle. This is probably why people were so fit many years ago.😊 Even today it's quite a workout going around the whole place including walking the ramparts!

Yarmouth Pier, Isle of Wight

A beautiful day at Yarmouth Pier, Isle of Wight.

Vernon Cottage, Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Vernon Cottage, Shanklin, Isle of Wight is one of my favorite places to go on the island. It has lovely gardens, often has entertainment, great food and a fascinating history, not to mention a beautiful thatched roof. It is two hundred years old this year, to find out the history, you can go here:
http://www.vernoncottage.co.uk/p/history.html
or just to check out the menu etc:
http://www.vernoncottage.co.uk/

Ryde, Isle of Wight

A Beautiful Day at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

Simply Adored, A Sensual and Playful Regency Romance

When Viscount Caspian Wane decided it was time to choose a bride from the Season’s new crop of debutantes, he knew finding the right one wasn’t going to be easy. How on earth did one get to know a shy and shielded young woman who was always surrounded by chaperones? Until now his sensual pleasures have been fulfilled by the girls of The Bella Donna House, a discreet high class London pleasure house that caters to the individual. Caspian has his own suite there, and has always been happy with their services, the six girls who pleasure him are his alone and they cater perfectly to his taste for long slow sensual nights. But Caspian has one thing that he is saving for marriage. His virginity. He does not want to share the final act with anyone but his wife. But can he find a suitable bride, one who will share his life, his bed, and his penchant for long slow evenings of sensual pleasures?

In the US Find Simply Adored here

In the UK Find Simply Adored here 

In Canada Find Simply Adored here

In Australia Find Simply Adored here

Alum Bay and the Chair Lift, Isle of Wight

You can take a chair lift down to Alum Bay and then catch a boat ride around the needles, or just ride the chair lift down to the beach, you can either walk the steps and footpath back up or take the chair lift on a round trip. It's a spectacular view.

The Needles, Isle of Wight

You can take a boat ride from Alum Bay to the Needles, it's beautiful up close, you cannot get off there though. I took this picture on the boat.

A View From The Garden

These small steps lie in the corner of the garden at Haddon Hall, Derbyshire, which dates back to medieval times, remember throughout history our ancestors were much smaller than we are today, so standing on steps was probably essential in order to get a good view of the surrounding countryside.

The Kitchens at Hardwick Hall

The kitchens at Hardwick Hall are large and extensive

Two little buddies at the Isle of Wight Garlic farm

Two newly shorn buddies in one of fields at the Isle of Wight Garlic Farm

The document room at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire also known as The Muniment Room

Inside the document room/muniment room at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire. Hard to imagine that all of those estate documents could be housed on a simple memory stick or laptop these days, though I'm sure there is nothing like viewing the original documents. Probably available to historians only though.

Hardwick Hall's Four Poster Beds

Hardwick Hall is one of England's best furnished national treasures, I've always loved it. If you're a history buff like me, and happen to live in the vicinity, they need lots of volunteers, the ones we met were fun and knowledgeable and loved working there. I've always loved the four poster beds!