As an author for eXtasy Books, I am a member of The Book Carousel, a Facebook Group playground where authors of eXtasy Books and Devine Destinies host parties, giveaways, and interact on a daily basis with readers of our books.
We are gearing up for a grand re-opening and want to include everyone in on the fun. So be sure to JOIN the group, because from September 21st to the 23rd, we got plenty of fun and game for readers.
Fore!
The PGA Tour is taking a break from golf this week, so I have no fantasy picks for the Golf Channel and PGA.
But across the pond, the European Tour is in full swing (pun intended!) as the Race to Dubai continues to heat up. Everyone who is anyone is heading for Spjik, Netherlands to tee it up at The Dutch, a championship course designed by Scotland’s star golfer Colin Montgomerie.
France’s Romain Wattel will defend his title at The KLM Open. Unfortunately, the Netherlands’ star golfer Joost Luiten is sitting out his home tournament because he is recovering from much-needed wrist surgery. Joost, a six-time winner on the European Tour, will be very much missed. I know I’ll miss him. Joost is one of my favourite golfers!
Here are my fantasy picks:
European Tour – KLM Open
Andy Sullivan (England)
Søren Kjeldsen (Denmark)
Paul Dunne (Ireland)
Jorge Campillo (Spain)
Li Haotong (China)
Erik Van Rooyen (South Africa) *****
These five gentlemen have been high on the leaderboard as of late, so my fingers are crossed they’ll perform just as well at the KLM. As for Eric, he’s ready for a win, so he’s my captain. Let’s see if I can FINALLY rank a little bit higher on the fantasy points list this time.
What’cha Watching?
I’m a sucker for period dramas and mysteries. I should be because historical romance is my favourite genre to read. Since I’m on good ol’ satellite TV and not hip to Netflix LOL, I naturally gear up for the fall TV season. Mind you I don’t watch a lot of shows, but when I do find one I love, I become a rabid fan!
For this post, I am happy to say that CBC is airing the twelfth season of Murdoch Mysteries and the second season of Frankie Drake Mysteries, starting Monday night, September 24th.
I did a previous post about Frankie and the girls, so be sure to check it out. As for Murdoch, read my other post about Canadian TV shows, because Murdoch is included.
Murdoch commenced in Victorian era Toronto, but with the passing of Queen Victoria, the setting is now the Edwardian period. Frankie and her merry gals are solving mysteries during the roaring twenties.
Both shows not only tackle murder mysteries, but also social problems during their respective eras. There is also some nice romance going on for viewers who enjoy a serving of the stuff.
Murdoch Mysteries is based on author Maureen Jennings‘ novel series. She recently released Let Darkness Bury the Dead, the eighth novel in the series. The books have a darker feel to them than the more lighter TV series, and I highly recommend reading them. Maureen is a brilliant writer who brings the city of Toronto and the characters to life.
What about you? What shows are you looking forward to?
Today I’m blogging at Joyfully Jay about writing romance featuring the Indigenous People of Canada, so there will be no Monday post from me. Stop on by and comment so you can have a chance at winning an e-copy of my newest release Blessed–a M/M, Multi-cultural, contemporary romance starring the Ojibwa people of Northwestern Ontario.
Fore!
With the Ryder Cup Team wildcard picks made by Captain Thomas Bjorn on the morning of Wednesday, September fifth, qualifying for Team Europe is finished.
A big congrats to those who made the team on order of merit: Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Justin Rose (England), Francesco Molinari (Italy), Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark), Tommy Fleetwood (England), Alex Noren (Sweden), Jon Rahm (Spain), and Tyrell Hatton (England).
As for the wildcards, Thomas Bjorn chose some solid veterans to round out a very rookie line-up: Ian Poulter (England), Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Sergio Garcia (Spain), and Paul Casey (England).
Love is in the air!
Previously, I did two posts about my favourite romance couples in novels, and my favourite romance couples in film. Today, I’m covering TV. I’ll be dedicating this post to only one couple, but stick around, because there will be a Part II for TV.
During my teen years, I always enjoyed racing to my boyfriend’s house to watch re-runs of Little House on the Prairie. While everyone else rooted for Laura and Nellie, loving their squabbles and endless drama, or cheered for Albert’s latest mischief-making, or adored Pa Ingalls’ wise talks, I was drawn to eldest daughter Mary of Charles and Caroline Ingalls.
Attention!
Funny, most Canadians simply say RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). At least everyone I know does. But to the rest of planet earth, people say “Mounties.” When I read Grass Dance by Kathryn Imbriani, her book made me want to read and research about the Northwest Mounted Police, as the RCMP was known way back in the day.
I even began to wonder if I could write a romance starring an Indigenous woman and a Northwest Mounted Police constable. So I added a few more books to my already growing pile of research essays and books, LOL, just in case I could dream up such a plot.
Here’s what I’m recommending…
Fore!
On this side of the pond, the Fed-Ex Cup is in full swing. The second event is the Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts. On hand, are the PGA big guns such as the USA’s Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Kopeka. As for the Europeans, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Justin Rose of England, Henrik Stenson of Sweden, and Jon Rahm of Spain will be providing fierce competition to claim the trophy at the end of the tournament and move on to the next match in this series.
Across the pond at The Silkeborg Ry Golf Club in Silkeborg, Denmark, the Made in Denmark tournament is the last chance for top notch players from the European Tour to battle for a spot on the prestigious Ryder Cup. Watch local Danes such as Lucas Bjerregaard, Søren Kjeldsen, and Thorbjørn Olesen fend off the competition to earn a spot on the Ryder Cup captained by fellow dane Thomas Bjørn.
Heads Up!
As noted in my previous posts, I enjoy reading about Indigenous heroines. So when I came across Robin Deeter‘s Paha Sapa Saga series, I had to click on the buy option. According to her Goodreads page, Ms. Deeter is planning twelve books for the series.
Available for purchase are: Sacrifice and Reward, Winter Moon, The Bear – Part One, and The Bear – Part II. I ordered Sacrifice and Reward. Her site says you can purchase directly from the author, and although I tried to, I had to order them from Amazon.ca.
Here is the blurb for Sacrifice and Reward, courtesy of Goodreads:
Which will be the victor: hatred or love?
Mid-18th century North America is a hotbed of unrest between many Native American tribes, who are feuding over territory. By this time, most of the Kiowa bands have been pushed west by the Lakota, who are on the move southward from the Great Lakes region. These invaders from the north want the game-rich, lush pasture lands of the territory for themselves.
However, one small Kiowa band is determined to remain in their early homelands in the region of what will be one day known as eastern South Dakota. These two enemy tribes are brought face-to-face through the vision of a young Kiowa medicine man.
Sky Dancer, a beautiful, Kiowa widow, and proud Lakota warrior, Dark Horse, are forced to marry in order to create an alliance between their peoples. Right from the beginning they clash in a test of wills, loathing each other on sight, making a happy marriage seem out of the question.
Will the sacrifice that is asked of them save their tribes? Can these two enemies overcome their initial hatred to find love in unlikely place or will distrust keep them from the reward they both crave?
Buy Links: All books sold through Amazon.com.
Today, I’m guest blogging at Romance University, so there will be no blog post here today. Stop on by RU and check out my post: Writing with a Chronic Illness. There is also a giveaway.
See you on Wednesday,
Maggie
Fore!
Across the pond, the European Tour is in Prague, Czech Republic at the Albatross Golf Resort with the players battling for a spot on the Ryder Cup Team, and also fighting to earn enough points to compete in the prestigious Race to Dubai play-offs that begin on November 1st in Turkey.
Meanwhile, in the USA, the Fed-Ex Cup is off and running. This week, one hundred and twenty-five golfers will slug it out at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey. Why is this event so important to these golfers? Because twenty-five will be cut and unable to compete in the remaining three events for a chance at winning the Fed-Ex Cup.
Trust me, nobody wants to be sent packing. These guys want to go on to compete in the third tournament. Here are my picks for the fantasy games…
Anishinaabekwe in 1901
I did a previous post about the novels–contemporary and historical–I’ve read, was reading, or planned on reading that starred Indigenous heroines. Today, I’m blogging about more books I’ve discovered. It doesn’t matter if the continent is North America, South America, Australia, or wherever else.
As a matter of fact, after watching Mighty Cruise Ships by chance, I fell in love with the MS Paul Gauguin as the ship cruised around French Polynesia for fourteen days. I kept conjuring up a romance between a gorgeous captain falling for a Polynesian beauty. Anyone willing to write that one for me?
Anyway, not to get sidetracked, here are some books in my TBR list, or that I’ve recently read:
On the Hunt
Where I live, there are places told to me where the Ojibway and Dakota battled. There is even two towns that carry the names–one is a narrows and the other is a lookout spot. One elder even mentioned a battle that took place where a bridge is now–it’s where she wanted to offer tobacco, she told her granddaughter.
John Tanner, in his book the Falcon, even documented these battles.
Currently, I’m reading a book by James A. M. Ritchie, who formerly worked as a community development researcher, electronic and print media journalist, native policy analyst and consultant, and town archivist.
Fore!
This week, the European Tour is hosting the Nordea Masters at Hills Golf & Sports Club in Gothenburg, Sweden. On this side of the pond, the PGA Tour will be teeing it up at the at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.
For the PGA, the countdown has begun to see who will earn enough points to play in the the prestigious Fed-Ex Cup playoffs. Spain’s Sergio Garcia is one of those who hovers on the line, and he’ll be playing in South Carolina this weekend.
Today, there won’t be a Wednesday edition for my blog, because I’m guest blogging at Alternative-Read for Sassy Brit’s What’s on Your Desk Wednesday.
by Maggie Blackbird
Website: : https://maggieblackbird.com/blog/
I am starting to blog on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I do these blogs in advance. Blogging is a lot of work, but I love it. I should because I’ve had a personal blog since 2004. I do blog-related posts for what I write: romance starring the Indigenous people of Canada. I promote books I’ve read and loved. I do author interviews. I host guest bloggers. I talk about music, golf, and reading. I list TV shows that I love and why others should watch them. There’s something for everyone. I’m coming up with new ideas all the time.
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I grew up on what is known as the Voyageurs’ Highway, the lakes and rivers men used to transport furs from long ago to back east. As a child, and unbeknownst to me of its history, the replica fort where my cousins, sisters, brother, and I used to play was simply a neat place to spend the evening while our parents engaged in a game of baseball at the baseball field next door.
The Voyageurs’ Highway
The older I got, the more I learned about the fur trade. Grandpa was a trapper. I can recall the cool room where he stored the pelts nailed and stretched on boards. While the furs were Grandpa’s livelihood, us children thought of them as pretty things to play with. Of course Grandpa would always give a, “No, no. Don’t touch. That’s grandpa’s money, hehe.”
Fore!
This weekend is the last of the four majors of the season–the PGA Championship. But don’t worry, there is still plenty of competitive golf to be played, such as the Fed-Ex Cup on the PGA tour, the Race to Dubai across the pond on the European Tour, and one of the biggest events coming up in September–the Ryder Cup.
Bellerive Country Club in St. Louise, Missouri is hosting the 100th PGA Championship. That’s right, this fourth major is celebrating its centennial birthday.
As always, anyone who is anyone in golf will be there. Since I’m not anyone in the golfing world, I get to watch from the sofa, haha. But I’ll be enjoying every minute of the game.
Anyway, here are my fantasy picks:
Movie Night!
When I belonged to a fan fiction community back in the early 00s, a few writers friends were always talking about Velvet Goldmine. Eventually, their enthusiasm wore me down and I purchased the movie to see what all the fuss was about.
Boy, was I in for a treat. Being an avid reader and writer of m/m romance and slash fan fiction, and also a die-hard music lover, Velvet Goldmine was the perfect fit for me.
Everyone insist the characters are loosely based on Iggy Pop and the late great David Bowie, but nothing has been confirmed by anyone connected with this movie.
I did a two-part post on AIM (American Indian Movement), and you can read about the movement itself and its members. AIM, according to the late founder Dennis Banks, was “formed to address the oppression of the native people living in the twin cities.”
In Canada, Indigenous people held their share of protests for aboriginal rights. Some were documented in books, others weren’t. I am still searching for one about the occupation of Anicinabe Park in Kenora, Ontario.
For this post, I’ll be recommending two books I’ve read on this subject, one taking place in my Treaty Area (meaning the First Nations communities who signed a Treaty with the British Crown) and the other in Quebec.
Reading is good.
Fore!
There’s a lot of golf this weekend. The European Tour is continuing the Race to Dubai at the Champion Course in Natadola Bay, Fiji. The underdogs of the PGA will be teeing it up at the Montrêux Golf & Country Club in Reno, Nevada. But everyone who is anyone in the golfing world will be at the WGC (World Golf Championship), taking place at the Firestone Country Golf Club’s south course in Akron, Ohio.
The WGC is the best of the best. Players from the PGA, European, Asian, and every other tour you can think of, who are good enough to qualify, participate in this event.
Maggie Blackbird 