Guest Travel Blog post - The Beautiful City of Lincoln, England by Anne Cater.

My Blog visitor today is my book friend Anne. Please join me on her tour of Lincoln.
Welcome Anne!

I have lived within 20 minutes of Lincoln for all of my life.  I grew up just over the border in Nottinghamshire and moved across the Trent to Lincolnshire 18 years ago.

We are so lucky to have the beautiful cathedral city of Lincoln on our doorstep, it really doesn’t matter how often I visit, there is always something to see and do.

Anne & Treez at Lincoln Cathedral

I have to start with the wonderful Gothic cathedral that can be seen for miles around, sitting high on the high, keeping guard over the city.  Building on the cathedral started in 1088 and for 238 years it was the highest building in the world.   Tours of the building take place every day, with roof top tours for the brave.

Just alongside the cathedral is Lincoln Castle, home of the Magna Carta and has recently undergone a lengthy restoration.  Free tours of the castle are available daily.  Lots of events are held at the castle throughout the year, one of my favourites being the Sausage Festival which is held every October.

Other buildings of note which are situated in the Cathedral Quarter are The Church of St Mary Magdale, Ellis Mill and Leigh Pemberton House.  It would be easy to spend the whole day in the Cathedral Quarter and regular tours are held.

As you travel down Steep Hill from the Cathedral and Castle (it’s not called Steep Hill for nothing – be warned), you enter what is known as the Cultural Quarter.   Again lots of quirky and ancient buildings, bursting with history.    Jews Court on Steep Hill is a 14^th Century building and is the head office of the Lincolnshire History Society as well as housing a wonderful bookshop, full of interesting and sometimes very unusual books – factual and fiction.  Jews House, next door, is one of the oldest town houses in England and at the moment is the home of a high-class restaurant. 

As you descend Steep Hill, down to the more modern part of the city you will come across lots of quirky, individual and independent shops.   Selling everything from Lincolnshire sausages to designer handbags, this street is a shopper’s paradise.   Dotted along the way are cafes, tearooms and restaurants to suit any taste.   Everything from an English Breakfast to a Thai meal can be eaten along here.

Steep Hill meets the top of the High Street and this area is fast becoming known for its excellent

range of vintage and second-hand shops.   Both independent shops and charity shops are represented here and special mention has to be made of The St Barnabas Hospice Shop.  Their second floor is called The Attic and is a joy to visit.  Totally decked out with vintage furniture and fittings, it is a thrifty shopper’s dream land.    Mingling in with the old is the new and here you will find a wide range of high-end designer fashion, everything from Agnes B, Vivienne Westwood to Hugo Boss and Armani.   Again, if you get hungry or thirsty it’s not a problem with cakes to delight in the window of Patesserie Valerie or an Italian treat from Carluccios – all available here. 

The Attic – St Barnabas Hospice Shop

Lincoln High Street is where you will find the larger chain stores; Marks & Spencer, Primark, Waterstone’s, Topshop, and although these shops are less traditional, some of the buildings that house them are still beautiful – ancient and gothic.

Over the past few years, and especially since Lincoln University was opened, the City has gained more and more places to spend a night out.  The Brayford area has been transformed and now includes a multiplex cinema and a range of eating places including Nandos, ASK and Prezzo.

Art, theatre and music lovers are well catered for in the city too.

Lincoln Drill Hall is an arts and community venue, with a 500 seat auditorium and a café bar.  An eclectic mix of jazz, dance, theatre, comedy and children’s workshops are hosted here, along with the yearly Beer Festival.

Lincoln Theatre Royal was built in 1893 and although small, is a popular venue to see pantomimes, musicals and concerts.

The Engine Shed is located on the University campus and is fast gaining a reputation for hosting up and coming performers alongside names such as the Stereophonics and Kasabian

Alongside the large Odeon multi screen cinema there is also The Venue – an independent digital cinema

This is just a small taste of what Lincoln has to offer. There are many more parts of the city – many tours, lots of open spaces and so much history.

 

Watch your choice of videos about the lovely City of Lincoln. Choose from the Steep Hill area Anne has spoken about or the Cathedral, or just take the scenic tour of the city in General. Three lovely videos to choose from.

 Cathedral Character Area 

Steep Hill



Views of Lincoln

Book recommendations - Books set in Lincoln.

Title - The Fleethaven Trilogy

Author - Margaret Dickinson

Publisher - Pan Macmillan

Buy from Amazon UK - Click here
Buy from Amazon US - Click here




Title - Dead Money (A Detective Inspector Paul Amos Lincolnshire Mystery)

Author - Rodney Hobson

Publisher - Endeavour

Buy from Amazon UK - Click here
Buy from Amazon US - Click here


For more details on the Beautiful City of Lincoln - Click here
For more details on the County of Lincolnshire - Click here

To follow Anne on her blog - Random Things Through My Letterbox - Click here

Book Tour - Stranded, Stalked and Finally Sated by Amelia Rose

Stranded, Stalked, and Finally Sated

by Amelia Rose

Stalked, Stranded, and Finally Sated
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Publisher: Psion Publishers
Release Date: January 30, 2013
Amazon

Book Description:

Clara Roberts has found herself forced to flee across country, pursued by a madman who seems to have access to every aspect of her life. Consequently, she is off the grid and under the radar when her truck breaks down in a small corner of South western, Oklahoma, and she finds herself at the mercy of a local cowboy. While she knows that she will eventually have to keep running to stay one step ahead of her stalker, she begins to find herself drawn to this man. With his support she decides that her life is something worth fighting for.

Shad Brandt wasn’t sure what to expect when he pulled over to help out the girl on the side of the road, but it isn’t long before he realizes that she was a lot more than he bargained for. He knows that she is running from something, but he can’t quite place his finger on what it is. However, he cannot turn his back on this woman in need and when he opens his home and his heart to her he finds something else entirely. So when danger comes to lay claim to Clara, he finds that he is willing to sacrifice everything to make sure she stays safe.

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About The Author:

Amelia Rose is a shameless romance addict with no intentions of ever kicking the habit. Growing up she dreamed of entertaining people and taking them on fantastical journeys with her acting abilities, until she came to the realization as a college sophomore that she had none to speak of. Another ten years would pass before she discovered a different means to accomplishing the same dream: writing stories of love and passion. Amelia has always loved romance stories and she tries to tie all the elements she likes about them into her writing.

Website

Excerpt:

Running was tiring and she so badly wanted somewhere to call home. She had been on her way to stay with a childhood friend in Wichita Falls when her truck broke down, and even though it had only been two days ago, it felt like another lifetime.

“I guess that happens sometimes with older vehicles. The parts aren’t as easy to find as they used to be,” she finally said when she got the coffee swallowed. “Isn’t your friend in Wichita Falls going to be worried about you?” Shad asked, walking around the now clean desk and inspecting the files she had neatly stacked on one side.

“Oh,” she said, setting down her cup next to his on the desk and picking up an envelope from the top of one of the filing cabinets. “Could you mail this for me? It’s a letter telling her what happened.”

Shad smiled at her. “A letter? You have heard of phones, right? We may be out in the country, but we’ve got fancy things like phones and electricity.”

“Old school is just how I roll.” She winked and turned away from him, hoping he wouldn’t catch the fear in her eyes. If her experience with the stalker had taught her nothing else, it had made her very aware of the influence technology had over everyone’s life, even technology as basic as a telephone.

“I’m going to start getting lunch ready. I’ll be sure to come and get you whenever it’s done.”

“What are you making?” she asked, licking her lips mockingly.

“It’s a special recipe. You’ll just have to wait to find out,” he told her, winking a little as he headed to the door.

“You know, as good as you cook, I’m surprised you live in this house alone.” she joked, putting her hands on her hips and smiling broadly. He had cooked all of the meals for the two of them since her arrival. “You’ve put five pounds on me already.”

He looked her up and down, appraising her, and suddenly Clara felt almost naked in the shorts and button-up shirt she was wearing, as if his eyes were searing into her flesh. “You were too skinny. The five pounds filled you out in all the right places.”

He reached out and ran the palm of his hand down her arm. She shivered under his touch, but she didn’t take her eyes from his. They had darkened again, and she could see the desire there and knew it was reflected in hers as well. Before she could think about what she was doing, she put her arms around his neck, drew his face to hers, and kissed him.

His lips were hard at first, but after a moment, they softened, and he returned her embrace. When his tongue slipped into her mouth she groaned low and leaned into him as a fire uncoiled in her abdomen. It had been so long since a man had made her feel this way, and she felt herself slipping into unknown territory.

For once, she let herself go.

Follow The Tour Here

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VBT & Competition - The Wonderful Adventures of Godfrey and Chucky by Daitoku Daiichi

The Wonderful Adventures of Godfrey and Chucky: Hot Spring

by Daitoku Daiichi

Genre: Drama/Teens/Young Adult Fiction
Publisher: Daitoku Daiichi
Release Date: January 2013
Kobo

The Wonderful Adventures of Godfrey and Chucky

Godfrey is young, wealthy and able-bodied. He has all the women you can imagine, and unbelievably deep pockets. But Godfrey wants more. His Great Greatness wants to rid the world of a menacing scourge, and restore what is truly superior to an elevated position. Why would anyone stop him? Who could possibly stop him?

Chucky arrives as the new assistant, and tries to perform every duty that is handed to him. What challenges for a dull servant! Look at him muddling through! With passports of exclusive privilege, the two adventurers make a splash in tropical Langkawi, where the water is blue and the girls are brown. Then they rendezvous with the locals in Singapore, where pleasures are plentiful and multicolored. Food and money are found in piles. Life in a global city should be, possibly, one of uninterrupted leisure…shouldn’t it?

Desire is a seductively red piece of jade, which resides even in our dreams.

"I am a healthy, strong and sexy male with a life, most of it sex life." - Godfrey Mann

"I did not know how to reply, since the words were difficult to speak." - Chucky

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About The Author:

Inspired by English and Japanese gardens, Daitoku Daiichi is committed to sharing scenes of beauty with his readers. He hopes that through the mansion-like device of the novel, he can host a tea party to serve his readers exotic delights. In the day, he is a tutor, essayist, gourmet and world traveler. People somehow love to share their secrets with him, and he wants use his gifts of perception to tell innovative stories.

Readers are always welcome to chat with him at ddaiichi@gmail.com

Website | Facebook

Follow The Tour Here

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Book Review - The Wedding Diary by Margaret James

Title - The Wedding Diary

 

Author - Margaret James

 

Publisher - Choc Lit Publishing

 

Published date - 07th May 2013

 

Purchase from - Amazon UK // Amazon US // Choc Lit

 

Blurb from Amazon -

 

Where's a Fairy Godmother when you need one? If you won a fairy-tale wedding in a luxury hotel, you'd be delighted - right? But what if you didn't have anyone to marry? Cat Aston did have a fiance, but now it looks like her Prince Charming has done a runner.
Adam Lawley was left devastated when his girlfriend turned down his heartfelt proposal. He's made a vow never to fall in love again.
So - when Cat and Adam meet, they shouldn't even consider falling in love. After all, they're both broken hearted. But for some reason they can't stop thinking about each other. Is this their second chance for happiness, or are some things just too good to be true?

Show More

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This book attracted me from the start with its cover. Until I found this publisher, Choc Lit publishing, I wasn’t really a chic lit kind of reader. I have to say so far I’ve not been disappointed with any of the authors I’ve come across and this book was no exception.

Cat Aston, entered a competition in a magazine and won her dream wedding, in a luxury country hotel with all the trimmings and a magazine photographic deal. Who wouldn’t want that? Only problem is that her fiancé has done a runner and despite her trying desperately to contact him, he hasn’t got in touch with her. He’s gone to find himself!

Elsewhere, Adam Lawley’s girlfriend has left him after he proposed. He feels that life is at an end. Two lost souls. In a way from reading this you feel that the book is going to be a bit predictable, however there are so many obstacles placed in their way, that the predictability soon fades!

I loved the flow of this book and how the chapters seamlessly led into each other. It was a light hearted read with some wonderful characters. Cat comes across as a well balanced girl on the outside, but then you want to shake her when she says stupid things about her loser of a fiancée as she is blinded by love.  I totally immersed myself in the story.

Adam seems like every girls dream; Kind, good looking and a real gentleman. It makes you wonder why his girlfriend turned down his proposal in favouring of going off travelling. I fell in love with him straight away! I started trying to picture who would play him in a rom com version of the book.

The authors’ description of people and places really brought them to life, and you just romanticised as you read through the book. This is another book that I read in two sittings. I have now bought the next book by Margaret James, The Silver Locket, which is part of a trilogy and I can’t wait to get started on it.

Thoroughly recommend this as another “curl up on the sofa” book.

 

 

About the Author - courtesy of Amazon author page.

 

Margaret James was born in Hereford, a beautiful cathedral city in the English Midlands.

She started writing fiction when her children were very small, and published her first novel A Touch of Earth in 1988. Since then, she has expanded her range of writing-related activities to take in journalism, short story writing, teaching creative writing, and editing other people's books.

She was delighted when her novel Elegy for a Queen was featured in the UK's Woman and Home magazine in a selection of the five best time slip novels. The fact that Margaret's own favourite time slip novel The House on the Strand was also featured put a big grin on her face!

Since becoming a novelist, Margaret has realised that having a name like Margaret James leads to lots of confusion, and in her next life she intends to have a name that she shares with absolutely nobody else.

When she's not writing, Margaret loves walking, reading anything and everything, gossiping, gardening and eating chocolate. She quite often manages to eat chocolate and write at the same time, which occasionally makes for a somewhat sticky keyboard, but also makes for happy writing.

Just for the record - this Margaret James wrote: A Touch of Earth, Fortune's Favourite Child, The Treasures of Existence, The Snake Stone, A Green Bay Tree, The Ash Grove, A Special Inheritance, The Final Reckoning, Hallowed Ground, The Morning Promise, The Long Way Home, The Penny Bangle, Elegy for a Queen, The Silver Locket, The Golden Chain, and she contributed to the anthology Loves Me, Loves Me Not. Margaret's latest novel The Wedding Diary is published in 2013.

She was thrilled when The Silver Locket won a prestigious Cataromance Single Titles Award in 2010, and when the cover of The Golden Chain was chosen to feature on the design of a KLM airliner in 2011.
 



 

This book was given to me as a review copy. This did not influence my review in any way and I was not paid for my review.

Book Release Blast - Bluffing the Devil by CL Foster - Published May 2013

 

Title-Bluffing the Devil
 

Author - CL Foster

Expected Publication Date - May 2013
 

Cover by the amazingly talented Regina Wamba of Mae I Designs <3 ~

https://www.facebook.com/MaeIDesignandPhotography

Bluffing the Devil Trailer ~ Click here

Blurb-

After losing her fiancé to a freak accident, Alexia Riley decides to swear off relationships and focus her energy on conquering the male-dominated sport of professional poker.

When Alexia finds herself being visited in her dreams by a mysterious new man, she begins to wonder if her world is slowly starting to unravel around her.

Tested by a double-dealing nemesis on the tables and tempted by a mysterious "dream man", Alexia soon contemplates making a deal with the Devil to rid herself of these torments. What bargain will she strike with the Dark Prince to get what she wants? As temptation for a mysterious dream man weakens her resolve, a desire to defeat her greatest rival beckons her. Will she sacrifice her soul for victory? Love? Or does she want something else entirely?

The stakes have never been higher for Alexia than they are when she is bluffing the Devil.

Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17238423-bluffing-the-devil

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 

CL Foster is a brand new writer with big dreams and lots of avenues she wants to travel.

Originally from Florida, she has lived all over the world, but has settled down in Pennsylvania.... for now! She has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, minoring in Psychology and Forensics. Which means you don't want to cross her because she knows how and where to hide a body so it's never found!

She proudly admits to hearing voices in her head, but at times, her characters' impromptu visits can be rude and annoying. Thankfully, she has adequate patience for their shenanigans and can out ninja them any day of the week.

Links-

Goodreads- click here

Twitter- Click here

Facebook- click here

Amazon Author Page- click here

Facebook Event- click here

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Guest Travel Blog - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic by Laraine Drage.

Welcome to another Guest Blogger, Laraine, who through her love of travel has been to some of the most beautiful places in the world. She would like to share with you all, her trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where she stayed in different hotels and had some wonderful travel experiences.

Welcome Laraine.

Getting there.

Punta Cana Dominican Republic

"We travelled in style with BA in club class. We checked in smoothly and were fast tracked through to the club lounge where we enjoyed a light sanck and drinks before boarding our flight to Punta Cana via Antigua. On arrival we were again fast tracked through immigration and collected our luggage on were soon on our way to our first hotel.

 

The hotels.

We spent the first two nights at the Hard Rock Hotel in Punta Cana, only a short distance from the airport which is good after a long flight. A huge hotel with everything you would wish for. It was so big it was like being in a shopping mall, there are 8 a la carte restaurants, 4 swim up bars in 11 pools, a casino, a nightclub and every room has a Jacuzzi.

We were entertained the following night at the Dreams La Romana which is beautiful and much more my style of hotel. Again the hotel is only a short distance from the airport and on arrival they greet you with welcoming cool towels and a local drink. No need for wrist bands here, they whisk you through check in and straight to your rooms with all your luxuries there. If you have forgotten any of your bathroom essentials you need not worry as they have thought of everything. Room service is 24/7 (like most of the hotels in the Dominican that are all inclusive) and if your favourite tipple is champagne they will replenish your fridge daily with it.    

The next day we had lunch at the Zoetry Agua which was calming and gentile, then onto the Hostal Nicolas de Ovando in Santo Domingo for our overnight city stay.

Hostal Nicolas de Ovando

This hotel is an old colonial style property which is almost reminiscent of staying in a museum. The rooms are spacious and very minimalist. Breakfast is served in a pretty courtyard and there is a rooftop pool.  We made our way back from the capital and stopped off overnight at the Now Larimar. This hotel looked lovely, but we were told that we had been upgraded to the Secrets Palm Beach.   The hotel is on another beautiful beach with plenty of sun beds and an abundance of restaurants. No complaints here, we ate in the seafront ocean grill and were once again spoilt.

Finally we moved onto the Barcelo Bavaro Deluxe Palace for 2 nights. This hotel is again huge, very family orientated but has an adult's only section on the far side. There is an adult's only water park along with children's one so they don't feel left out, a 19 hole golf course and plenty of a la carte restaurants along with a casino and nightclub to keep you busy.   

Trip highlight.



Saona Island



There were so many highlights on the trip, but for me the boat trip to Saona Island was the best. We saw how the islanders still live and survive and how happy they are with life. We got to the island by speedboat, which was a challenge in itself especially if you know what I am like on water. We had a BBQ on the beach and even got to choose our own lobster before chilling in the sun.

 

We had the ultimate treat at the Hard Rock by having a session in the spa, we were able to experience the whole rock spa and hydrotherapy centre with its lagoons, whirlpools and colour therapy steam rooms. We used the clay steam room and relaxed in the sensory pool. Just what we needed after all of that hard work....... We also visited a sugar beet plantation and learnt how the sugar is extracted and used, along with a lesson in rolling a cigar in one of the factories.

Favourite hotel.

My favourite hotel has to be one that we didn't stay at but had lunch at. The Casa de Campo. I was amazed and would love to have had more time there. Lunch was lovely we ate down at the beach restaurant. There is a huge marina with a great choice of restaurants and the whole complex had a very pleasant feel to it.

The hotel that I most enjoyed staying overnight at has to be the Barceló. The atmosphere is so laid back; it is big but not too big. The staff are attentative but not intrusive and the beach is out of this world.    

Santo Domingo

Most fun night.

 

This has to be the night in Santo Domingo. We went to the Colonial Zone and dance the merengue and bachata with the locals.

 A great evening was enjoyed by all. We felt safe with the locals and they were very welcoming and willing to teach us their dance moves.

 

 

 

Biggest surprise.

Having visited the island 25 years ago and not having the opportunity to visit since, I was really looking forward to seeing how and what had changed.

 

The island is still being developed and there are more and more hotels springing up on such beautiful beaches. These hotels are of such a good standard, you are totally spoilt by the facilities; the choice of restaurants and the service you experience. They are such good value for money and for me, the best I have seen in the Caribbean of late.  

There is still so much culture evident which is important as so many islands lose that with tourism. The locals are so welcoming and helpful and clearly love to speak and embrace you as a visitor to their island.  

Final thoughts.

I have totally been spoilt. I never dreamt that the island would be so impressive and so diverse. I have had to eat my words as I know for sure that in the past I have tried to switch sale clients to other islands for fear of them not enjoying the destination. I am happy to recommend it to families, couples, golfers, honeymooners and even backpackers that like to go off the beaten track. I shall be returning myself without a doubt very soon." 

 

To speak to Laraine about your travel desires (if you are in the UK) click here
Laraine is a self employed Travel Consultant for Travel Counsellors.