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Fab new reviews for Blossom on the Thorn

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Monday, June 10, 2019, In : Medieval 
I'm delighted to say Blossom on the Thorn is getting some great reviews. There aren't many on Amazon yet, which is a bit of a disappointment, I confess, but several bloggers have posted some very encouraging ones. 

Helen Hollick's Discovering Diamonds BlogSpot has shortlisted it for Book of the Month and awarded it a very nice badge and some lovely comments. I'll post a tiny snippet of the review here, and you can follow the link to read the rest.
"A beautiful, heart-wrenching love story..." Ma...
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My Apologies

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, In : New book 
I'm afraid I have to apologise for my tardiness in finishing Blossom on the Thorn. This year has been a difficult one, dogged with health problems for both me and my family, and there have unfortunately been many other incidents which seem to be determined to slow me down.

After battling through all the difficulties, I finally feel confident enough to make it available for pre-order. It should be published on 31st October although I may have to extend that a little if any more problems hurl th...
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A TRUE STORY

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Tuesday, June 12, 2018,
Many years ago, I went on a short holiday with my husband to the beautiful city of Bath. Bath is a lovely place, and we enjoyed ourselves very much, but while I was there, something rather strange happened to me.

One day, as we strolled around the lanes, visiting little shops and art galleries, restaurants and cafes, I spotted a young homeless girl. Slumped by the gutter, she looked dejected and lonely. And suddenly, I felt myself shaking from head to toe as though the very Spirit of God was n...
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New Awards for Out of Time

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Wednesday, May 23, 2018,
Hooray and Yabbadabbadoo! Out of Time had already been shortlisted for the 2016 Historical Novel Society Indie Award - although it didn't quite make the final four, but it was up against stiff competition. Then the lovely Helen Hollick awarded it a Discovered Diamond on her Discovering Diamonds Blog. Recently, though, it's picked up two more awards, which has made this little author very happy.

The latest awards are a Five Star Readers Favorite Award and a Chill With a Book Award. These are wo...
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Live Performance at Bardaid Literary Festival

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, In : Live performance 
I was delighted to be invited to do a five minute turn at the Bardaid Literary Festival a couple of weeks ago. Having seen the professional speakers who preceded me, I was tempted to turn tail and run away. My husband confessed afterwards that he felt the same way. His exact thoughts were - how on earth is Loretta going to follow these? Some of the authors who also had turns afterwards felt much the same. Doing a quick turn is one thing, following the professionals, quite another.

Anyway, I st...
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A Medieval Dream

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Tuesday, November 7, 2017,


Recently, my lovely husband produced a delicious surprise for me. He gave me a scroll, rolled and tied with a red silk ribbon. Apparently, I had just missed the messenger who arrived on horseback to deliver it - although I remain somewhat sceptical about that.
When I unrolled it, it contained an invitation to spend the night at Long Crendon Manor. Part of the building, the actual manor hall, is twelfth century and wonderfully preserved and maintained. The rest of the building, including the be...

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Don't be late for the countdown deal for Out of Time!

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Thursday, May 25, 2017, In : Medieval 

                                             

To celebrate the launch of A Promise to Keep, book 2 in the Out of Time series (which I had no idea was going to become a series, lol), I’m offering Out of Time – book 1 – for just 99p/99c between 24th-31st May. The price in the UK will remain at 99p for the entire deal, however, the price in the US will rise after the first couple of days, so if you are in the US, do get in quickly to take advantage of the best price.

Here’s the link. I hop...


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MEET THE AUTHOR

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Tuesday, May 16, 2017,
I'm delighted to announce that Hertfordshire Libraries have invited me to take part in their 'Meet the Author' event at Hemel Hempstead Library on 31st May this year. If you happen to be in the area why not come on over and meet me and the seven other authors taking part in this event? You'll be able to get your hands on a signed copy of my new book, A Promise to Keep as well as the first in the series, Out of Time.







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New Award for Out of Time

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Thursday, February 2, 2017,
I'm thrilled to have received this prestigious badge from Discovering Diamonds Review site - THE place for good historical fiction. 

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Book Two Will Soon Be Ready

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Thursday, February 2, 2017,
I'm starting to get excited. Book two in the Out of Time series will soon be ready for publication. I'm doubly thrilled about this because when I wrote Out of Time, I had no idea it was going to turn into a series. However, as so many authors find - my characters ran away with the plot. Characters who only had tiny roles in book 1 suddenly wanted a bigger part. Others had health issues and took a back seat. Prince John, as ever, although with a completely full calendar, muscled his way in and...
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A Bouncy, Squeaking Bubble & Lots Of Screaming

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Friday, January 8, 2016,
I started my new year in much the same condition as many people. I didn't have a hangover as I hadn't overindulged, but I'd had a very late night and been on too much of a high to get to sleep until gone 4, so I woke up - sort of - in a somewhat slow fashion.

I had one thing I wanted to know before I got on with the day, so I sat at the top of the stairs in my cosy dressing gown, hollering to my husband, who was in the kitchen (there is no hiding place in our house). 

"I'll just check," I warbl...

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An Exciting Announcement

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Monday, November 2, 2015,

I'm thrilled to announce that not only has Out of Time been reviewed on the Historical Novel Society, but it has also been awarded an Editor's Choice logo and, even more exciting, has been long-listed for the 2016 HNS Indie Award. I don't suppose for one minute it will make it to the short list, but I am over the moon that it has got this far.
If you would like to read the review, please click on the link on the top of my home page.





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Out of Time - the book I was never going to write

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Thursday, August 13, 2015,
Yet another exciting new step for me - I have now published my first ever historical novel. Out of Time is set partly in 2006 and partly in 1191. It involved many new areas for me as it is also my first full length novel.

In the past, I have said that I would never write historical fiction; although I enjoy reading it, I didn't believe it was something I could write well. However, I am learning never to say what I will not write - each time I say that, it is the exact thing I end up doing. And...

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Changing Direction

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Monday, June 15, 2015,
Some of you may have noticed that my writing has taken an unexpected turn. I went for a wander in Writing Woods, took a different turning than usual and ended up down Short Story Lane. And I found I liked it.
My first foray into fiction, a novelette, Where Angels Tread, came out in March 2014, and was followed by two collections of short stories, Beautiful and Four Christmases.
My fourth work of fiction, actually my eighth book in total, Out of Time, is a novel which starts in 2006 but quickly ...

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Feel Good Poetry

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Wednesday, December 4, 2013,
So, why do I write the type of poetry I write? Why not write angst or about broken hearts? Simple. I want to leave you with a smile on your face. 

I enjoy writing beautiful poetry, and inspirational verse, but I also like to make people laugh. I hope, sometimes, you might be moved to tears by my poetry, but only in a good way. And I love to make people laugh. Much of my poetry is fairly down-to-earth, so it appeals not only to people who enjoy reading verse, but also to those who wouldn't norm...

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Now Available From Amazon.

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Friday, November 8, 2013,


I'm delighted to announce that some of my books will now be available from Amazon. Some will still be exclusively available from this website and Blurb.com.  Hopes, Dreams & Medals, and Jumping in the Puddles of Life, with their glorious colour photos, are also avaible as beautiful iBooks, from the Apple iBookstore, and iTunes. 


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Exciting News

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Wednesday, May 29, 2013,

I have some very exciting news to share with you.  I have been asked to create an exclusive poem for a film track about why athletes do what they do. A sort of mini epic poem. To find out more, pay a visit to the guy who will be making the film. Here is his blog . http://www.danielherrick.blogspot.co.uk/ 



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A bit about me - for those who'd like to know

Posted by Loretta Livingstone on Wednesday, March 28, 2012,

Ok, so if you would like to know a little about me - here goes! I was born in 19flubbetyflbu (oops, my keyboard just seized up! - you'll just have to take a guess at that one!) I wrote my 1st poem at school when I was ten - the teacher asked us to write a poem about a haunted house. I scared myself to death at bedtime for weeks with that one! Teachers, please bear that in mind for future reference! 

I never took further education, although my teachers were rather miffed about that. Notwithstan...


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