Bertrice Small

August 28, 2010

There once was a king of England who didn't want the tide to come into the shore. So he stood there commanding it to stay where it was. He drowned. I am not the biggest fan of change, but change happens whether we want it or not. The trick with change is to work with it not fight it. Fight and no body wins. I'm not suggesting we lay down, and give up all we hold dear. I'm not. Compromise is not a dirty word although those men and women peopling congress today seem to think it is which is probably why very little of the people's business gets done.

History is not a subject taught in depth in our school today if it is taught at all. If it were taught as it was back in the day people would realize that history teaches us no matter the culture, the achievements or the greatness of that civilization that eventually change, like a fire-breathing dragon is going to raise its head and seek to destroy all we hold dear. We need to stop trying to be politically correct, trying to please everyone. As the saying goes - I think - "You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time." So PC people, please stop apologizing for every burp and fart in history. Do I have a solution for a perfect world? Hell, no! But I do know things have got to change.

We have to move forward, not backward. But as we travel this new road let us all carry with us those things that have made our country great. English, our common language which has brought immigrants of many nations and races together as one people. My own great grandmother spoke Welsh in her home, but English outside of it. Too many languages cause divisiveness, and suspicion. Let us not deny or apologize for our history. No one is perfect. We learn from our mistakes. Let us not forget civility and manners. Or respect for other people no matter their circumstance. And GOD. I don't care by what name you address the Celestial Actuary, and I respect your right to worship as your faith dictates. Just respect mine. And if you are one of those folks who doesn't believe, that's your business.

So GOD bless America, its many people, and its many opinions.

~ Bertrice

August 27, 2010

Hoo Ray! Barnes & Nobles at last has PASSIONATE PLEASURES available as an e-book!

~ Bertrice

August 18, 2010

There is an on-line bookseller in Alabama - or at least that's the mailing address. Her pseudonym is "PerkyClo". She is in this author's opinion dishonest. PerkyClo sells stolen merchandise. She knows it's stolen, but it doesn't matter to her. Perky is in business after all. She is very knowledgeable about the Romance genre. Recently she sold a hardcover copy of the Severn House edition of my first novel, THE KADIN. This is a rare edition because unlike the American editions (except a small printing of an anthology containing both THE KADIN and LOVE WILD AND FAIR) this English printing contains the "lost" chapter missing from the original book. The copy she sold belonged to my local library. The cover said it had been autographed by the author, but the buyer who paid $122.00 for the book found that page had been torn from it. And the back page where the library card had been pasted was also missing from the book. Perky was getting a double bang for her buck by selling the book, and my autographed page separately. Or perhaps the thief who stole the book kept the autograph for her/his own collection. Our thief knew what they were taking. What she was unable to get rid of was the stamp on the book that said Southold Free Public Library. And that should have tipped Perky off, but she is dishonest herself in my not so humble opinion

I learned about this theft because the woman who purchased the book from PerkyClo unaware it was stolen e-mailed me quite excited to tell me about her purchase. She collects hardcovers of my work. When our unsuspecting buyer learned the book was stolen - I checked with our librarian - she offered to return it to the Southold Library. But as we would not be able to regain the $122.00 for the lady we had no choice but to allow her to keep her purchase. PerkyClo claims to have purchased the book herself online. But she will not reveal the name of the original thief which would imply that she does business with this person regularly, and is protecting her thieving supplier. That tells us all we need to know. PerkyClo knew the book was stolen, but she didn't give a rat's behind. So if you are looking to purchase a rare or out of print edition of a book on line go to somebody like www.alibris.com. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH PERKYCLO.

~ Bertrice

August 18, 2010

For all you e-Reader people. PASSIONATE PLEASURES has been available since 8/4/10 for you. With one exception. Barnes & Noble hasn't managed to download this new novel for its Nook yet. I was tipped off to this fact by a faithful reader who happens to own a Nook. She's complained to B&N and continues to bitch.

If you have a Nook, and want to read PP in that format then you complain too. I've also Tweeted about this. Anyone else who wants to tweet is welcome to do so.

~ Bertrice

August 14, 2010

My granddaughter, Cora, is home from camp after 4 weeks away. She looks great. Tannned, taller, and definately growing up. I'm beginning to see the young woman she will be in another few years. She came home with a fist full of awards. I'm astounded. I was just a nice garden variety camper, but Cora seems to be a superstar. Her biggest honor was winning the Spirit Cup award for her division. Her name will be engraved on the cup, and she'll return it next year when she goes back. Her name will also be on the plaque in the dining hall. "Forever!" she told me grinning. She also picked up the camp's second highest award, the Blue Team award for improved tennis, and a few more I've already forgotten. I'm bowled over by the silver cup! Her dad is so very proud of her. Me too! Her next new adventure begins in 3 and a half weeks when she starts Junior High. Stay tuned.

~ Bertrice

August 12, 2010

Boy, have the last 4 weeks gone like wild fire. Thursday afternoon and Tom on his way to New England with 7 year old Sophia to pick up Cora at camp. Can't believe the time has gone so fast. I'm dying to hear a first hand report of life at my old girl's camp 59 years later. It looked so beautiful and familiar when we took her up in July. I could almost see myself at 11 with my long black pigtails in the camp uniform of navy shorts and white T-shirts that we wore "back in the day". Of course we didn't have water skiing then. As I said, I'm dying to hear all about it. Tom just called. He and Fia are safe at the local motel 30 minutes from camp. Tomorrow morning after breakfast they'll head on up to camp to see the closing ceremonies, and get Cora. And tomorrow night at just about this time my darling girl will be home. I probably won't see her until Saturday. I can't wait!

~ Bertrice

August 7, 2010

Spent 2 hours this afternoon at the Hampton Bays Library with 2 of my chapter mates. We did a small program. It's how we raise money for our local RWA chapter, Dunes & Dreams. An August Saturday with perfect beach weather isn't the best time to do something like this in the Hamptons, but we had a little group of interested people, and it went well. I always like the Q&A afterwards.

I'm beginning to get e-mail on PASSIONATE PLEASURES. So far it seems to be well liked. I always enjoy getting comments on the books. After all I am writting for my readers. And oh, ADORA is now in e-format. My Canadian Lively Lady, Jolene, tipped me off. I always say the author is the last to know. LOL.

~ Bertrice

August 7, 2010

~ Bertrice

August 4, 2010

The newest Pleasures novel, PASSIONATE PLEASURES is now available in e-format. While everyone got the files the same day Sony is a bit more nimble getting it out there. But it's available for all you Kindle, Nook, Sony and other E reader people.

~ Bertrice

August 3, 2010

PASSIONATE PLEASURES is in your bookstores today, August 3rd. Buy! Read! And please let me know how you like this tale of a lady and The Channel. Video is also on the website to tease you into running to the bookstore.

~ Bertrice

July 31, 2010

Cora and her bunkmates. She's in the middle with the red shirt.