It's Good to Be the Queen!
I'm headed for the beach! While you're reading this, I'm packing and hopefully not forgetting the important things like my laptop...or the camera. We forgot the camera last year, fortunately everyone in my family has a phone with a camera, so we have pictures.
So, while I am away, please welcome Annalisa Crawford. She has a new book out that honestly looks and sounds delightful. I got mine in the mail last week, and I can't wait to read it. Knowing Annalisa, a treasure of literary surprises awaits me.
Annalisa asked me for a question she could answer, so I asked...
Who was the best British Monarch past or present, and why?
Oh gosh, this could be a long answer…
Growing up I was intrigued by the Victorian Era. Queen Victoria was 18 when she succeeded to the throne, loved her husband so passionately she went into permanent mourning when he died, was a queen and empress, and oversaw the most amazing changes in social and industrial history. It was an amazingly romantic story.
However, these days, knowing more about her—about her less than happy marriage, and her almost loathing of her children—I’ve kind of changed my mind. She doesn’t come across as a very nice woman.
Instead, I choose our present queen, Elizabeth II. She too appears to love her husband very much and has seen a huge leap in social and technological advances during her reign. At 90, she’s still active in her royal duties, and has a great sense of humour. Just check out her involvement in the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony!
I’m not a flag-waving, queuing-up-at-5am-to-meet-her Royalist, but I like the tradition and sense of identity that the Royal Family gives us.
You. I. Us. is a collection of vignettes, small scenes which hint at the story beneath.
Annalisa has taken that idea to another level, because she asked 15 bloggers to ask her one question each, creating small insights into her life and writing.
You. I. Us.
Publication date: June 10, 2016
Genre: Short Stories (Single Author)
Genre: Short Stories (Single Author)
Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Depository // Kobo // iBooks // Nook
In You. I. Us., Annalisa Crawford captures everyday people during poignant defining moments in their lives: An artist puts his heart into his latest sketch, an elderly couple endures scrutiny by a fellow diner, an ex-student attempts to make amends with a girl she bullied at school, a teenager holds vigil at his friend’s hospital bedside, long distance lovers promise complete devotion, a broken-hearted widow stares into the sea from the edge of a cliff where her husband died, a grieving son contacts the only person he can rely on in a moment of crisis, a group of middle-aged friends inspire each other to live remarkable lives.
Day after day, we make the same choices. But after reading You. I. Us., you’ll ask yourself, “What if we didn’t?”
About the author
Annalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall UK, with a good supply of moorland and beaches to keep her inspired. She lives with her husband, two sons, a dog and a cat. Annalisa writes dark contemporary, character-driven stories. She has been winning competitions and publishing short stories in small press journals for many years, and is the author of Cat & The Dreamer and Our Beautiful Child. |
| Join the Goals Blog Hop Here! |
Here's an update on my balanced goals for 2016!
1. Lose weight. Vacation is always a challenge. We'll see next week!
2. Declutter rooms to declutter the mind. Slowly clearing stuff out. Taking more boxes to Goodwill in the morning.
3. Publish two books. Vacation is always a great time to daydream and plot.
I'm on vacation!!!
I will celebrate that!
I'm also doing a book signing while on the island (many of my books are set on the Outer Banks)
If you happen to be in Duck, North Carolina, stop by and say hi!
Island Bookstore - OBX
1177 Duck Rd Ste 21, Duck, North Carolina 27949
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Being British I welcome this excellent book. The present Queen is indeed a Queen we British are proud of.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time away, hope the weather is to your liking and above all have fun.
Yvonne.
I've grown up with her on my stamps and coins. I was 3 on her Silver Jubilee, and dressed up as a Greek goddess :-)
DeleteEnjoy your time at the beach, Elizabeth! And don't stress the camera. These days, your phone's camera is probably of better quality.
ReplyDeleteAnnalisa, I think you made the right choice.
Thanks Alex :-)
DeleteEnjoy and relax!!! Vacation is not beneficial for weight loss for me, hope you do better.
ReplyDeleteI love to declutter, good luck!
Congrats to Annalisa!!! Love her book cover!!!
Thank you, Cathrina :-)
DeleteHave a great time at the beach. Hope all those floods don't hamper you. I do so agree with you Annalisa, Elizabeth II is a wonderful queen. Not too sure about what is going to be happening in Britain now Brexit has become a reality.
ReplyDeleteThere's going to be a lot of uncertainty for a long time, and a possible Boris PM!! :-/
DeleteThanks for hosting me today, Elizabeth, have a great time at the beach!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the beach.
ReplyDeleteThe present queen sure resonates with more people indeed, good choice.
She's had some ups and downs in the public's eye, but always overcomes them. Thanks Pat.
DeleteI've always liked this queen and I hope she stays healthy. 90 is tough, but she seems tough, and smart, and has that "queenly" class. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteNow off to the beach - enjoy your time wiggle toes in the sand for me
In this current celebrity culture, she manages to stay just a little above it all, which gives her that certain air :-)
DeleteI can't believe how much the Queen still does at 90. It's like she never ages!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time on your vacation, Elizabeth! And I hope the book signing is a big success.
I certainly wouldn't want to be working as hard as she does at 90! I'll have my feet up, with tea and an endless supply of chocolate :-)
DeleteI knew the Queen was elderly, but I didn't realize she was 90. She seems so much younger with all she does. Congrats, Annalisa, on your new release! You. I. Us. sounds like a wonderful read. I'm adding it to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the beach, Elizabeth! Good luck with your goals, and I hope your book signing goes well!
No, she doesn't look her age, does she? Thank Lori, I hope you enjoy my book :-)
DeleteDuck, NC? What a great name. Good luck on the book signing and have a great vacation. I've been reading That Sadie Thing of Annalisa's and the writing is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteThank You!! :-)
DeleteCongrats to Annalisa for You. I. Us. It sounds like a great read. I never knew all those things about Victoria, and yeah that does kind of paint her in a different light.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, have fun on your vacation. Mine starts in three weeks :-)
I used to think her self-imposed mourning exile was romantic, but it seems rather selfish when she still had an empire to support. I'm sure I'll read another biography one day and change my opinion again :-)
DeleteEnjoy the vacation Elizabeth, I remember the camera but then forget it in the hotel room most of the time. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats Annalisa, I still need to read your book, but I will, promise!
Thanks Yolanda :-)
DeleteHope you enjoy your holiday, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteQueen Elizabeth II is amazing.
Yes, she is!
DeleteI think Queen Elizabeth is fabulous. People think it must be a great life, but she shows how hard it is to be perfect and correct all the time, and yet with a sense of humor. It's a difficult life without much freedom and I honestly wouldn't want it. I think your book sounds great and the cover's lovely. Wishing you much success!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book signing, Elizabeth, and have a wonderful vacation!
I definitely wouldn't want that life either. Thanks Lexa :-)
DeleteI've always been fascinated with British royalty and all its traditions.
ReplyDeleteI'm also decluttering and donating.
Learning about the monarchy was always my favourite part of history. I remember some fascinating trips to local stately home with royal links. I've walked where Queen Elizabeth I walked :-)
DeleteHope you have a great vacation! I need a beach right now.
ReplyDeleteI will admit I like the current queen. Mainly cuz she's a gem for social media ^_^
ReplyDeleteShe's certainly kept up with the times - just think what the world was like when she came to the throne in 1952!
DeleteBelatedly catching up with the Five Year Project blog hop. Hope you enjoy your vacation and do plenty of wonderful dreaming!
ReplyDeleteI rather admire your current queen as well. I'm certainly impressed by her long reign. Not her hats so much, but that's a fashion choice and personal, so I can't ding her on that.
ReplyDeleteI think both the hats and the bright colours are solely so people can spot her in a crowd - she'd blend in otherwise.
DeleteI absolutely love our royal family - and the Queen in particular. She's certainly had her ups and downs but she stays strong, and like you say, maintains a great sense of humour. I absolutely loved her little Bond appearance at the Olympics!! She's marvellous :D
ReplyDeleteOoooh Annalisa's book cover is absolutely stunning!!
Suzy xx
www.suzyturner.com
Thanks Suzy :-)
DeleteAwesome, have fun at the beach too! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats Annalisa!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy :-)
DeleteIt's so crazy--the discrepancy between what we see on the surface and what really is, eh? If only we had soul readers. But then, I'm kind of glad we don't.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I think I'm a pretty open person, but I don't think I'd want anyone reading my soul!
DeleteGreat post, Annalisa! Now you see, I didn't know Queen Victoria had these difficulties. I liked her, too. And I believe that Queen Elizabeth II just surpassed Victoria's reign.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, Elizabeth, with your followers. I hope you have a wonderful time at the beach. I just returned from the beach here in New Jersey. I LOVE the shore. All the best.
Yes, Elizabeth II is our oldest monarch, and longest reigning.
DeleteI have always had a reverence for the Victorian Era and the history is just riveting. Thanks for stopping by Annalisa and Liz you just keep moving forward with those goals. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful vacation and get some great plotting done.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had fun at the beach and your store visit went well!
ReplyDelete