Outremer II by D. N. Carter #blogtour

Today I have author D.N.Carter visiting my blog and sharing a guest post with us. 

What are your favourite things about being an author?

There are several things I could say that are my favourite things about being an author that range from being able to lose myself in my work to hopefully inspiring people. I have been told that I am the type of person who naturally brings out the best in others. I hope that is the case. I would certainly hate to bring out the worst in people! But I suppose the most favourite aspect about being an author has to be that I get to spend hours researching and indulging my passion for all things ancient and mysterious. I love to read and most of my research is done that way and being a writer affords me the time to spend hours, days and even weeks if necessary, scrolling my way through books and documents. I spent days in libraries before the advent of the internet and the instant availability of books on line, and even rare manuscripts, thus reducing my research time whilst multiplying my knowledge base incrementally and exponentially upwards.

One favourite aspect about being a full time author is when I get my hands on items I am researching whether it is a very ancient document that must be handled with absolute care, white gloves on and all, when I get a real sense of its age, to wearing a heavy full face medieval helmet. Visiting living history events can prove great fun as well as help with my research such as wearing the full uniform of a Knight Templar, complete with shield and lance. Then wearing the lightweight leather outfits worn by the Ashashin’s/Assassins.
The biggest thrill though is being able to travel to do my research in person, on the ground, or as in several circumstances, underground. I get to use all the outdoor training I have gained over the years to abseil down those inaccessible places I would not have been able to reach, or where the public usually fear to go. From old wells and dungeons in ruined castles, to cliff faces in Saudi Arabia and even the deserts of Arizona simply to see in person ancient petroglyphs rendered by Hopi Indians hundreds of years go.

Recalling the many journeys and expeditions I have undertaken across the world helps me greatly as an author for when I write I have the ability to travel anywhere and be anyone I want to be. But the greatest joy is when my writing touches someone. When it makes them stop and think...when it has a positive impact and in some cases, as I am discovering, given the reader some answers and comfort...and hope. Giving hope to someone is a precious gift and one I am humbled to have been able to give on occasion.

As an author I get to spend far more time with my family and have the flexibility to choose the hours I work. Self discipline is perhaps the only difficult aspect about being an author. When the Sun is shining outside and I am stuck indoors, the temptation to put down my work is huge...but I love writing so much it is not too difficult to lose myself in my work once I start typing away or drawing another image for my books. I love being able to put into words emotions, descriptions of places I have been and information I find fascinating to share it with others. I write as if I am talking to someone sat opposite me. I have never been stuck for words...so far, nor suffered writers block. Perhaps I write too much, but I view that as not a bad thing. I always go back over what I have written to check for missing words, spellings and whether I have conveyed accurately, or believably enough, what I am trying to say. But even then I still manage to miss a word out or spell it wrong.

I have based Outremer very heavily upon real people and genuine historical records of the events during the 12th century, but by writing it as fiction based on fact, I was able to let my imagination run free...whilst hopefully still keeping it real. As fiction I was also able to indulge my own understanding of the period, but also incorporate so-called otherworldly facts that would have otherwise seemed utterly ridiculous, perhaps unbelievable and out of place in such a book. That is the sheer delight of being an author...that I can marry the two together. But also being able to make people cry and laugh through my words; that is a gift I do not take lightly but value greatly and never take for granted.

Information about the book
Title: Outremer II: Revelation Cometh
Author: D. N. Carter
Release Date: 4th September 2018
Genre: Historical
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

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Summary: 
Christian-born Paul Plantavalu and his beloved Alisha al Komaty, a Muslim, share an unbreakable bond and a deep love for one another. Religion, war and politics oppose them at every turn. But most deadly of all is the resolve of an evil enemy determined to destroy their family lines forever.
Paul and Alisha’s journey takes a political turn; they must question everything and learn who to fear and who to trust as they continue their battle to safeguard the future of mankind. In accepting the burden of this grace responsibility, they must make peace with the difficult path they have chosen. Paul will struggle to unlearn everything he has been raised to accept as true; reality is much more mysterious and nuanced. It will fall to him to defend a much greater treasure than his own life - one which the Magi themselves understood - for the benefit of future generations. In doing so, Paul will help others to unshackle themselves from the grip of a self-styled secret elite with the power to manipulate religions, governments and monarchies, harnessing wealth and control for themselves at the expense of the populous. But to succeed in this challenge Paul must face his own desires and his worst fears, and if destiny dictates, he may be called to sacrifice his own family, including Alisha.
The second novel in author and adventurer D. N. Carter’s epic four-part series, Outremer II: Revelation Cometh draws upon forty years of intensive historical research by its Indiana Jones-style creator. As the reader is swept up by the romantic adventure of Paul and Alisha and their dazzling romp through the High Middle Ages in search of Templar truths and treasure, they are also challenged by the author to solve a coded puzzle hidden within the pages of the four Outremer novels, which will lead to a real-life bounty at the conclusion of the series!

Beardies' World by Joyce Ives

Beardies' World is Joyce Ives’ narrative to the twenty-six years she and husband John owned, cared for and loved their four Bearded Collies. The memories shared by Joyce in this book are likely to touch the heart of anyone who has had any experience of growing up and growing old with dogs. In her narrative Joyce has been able to capture beautifully how our special bond with our canine friends often becomes so significant in our life’s journey; our experiences of joy and laughter and at times our sadness and loss.

Here is a Guest post  by the author:


FAVOURITE THINGS

1. When well trained and socialised, we could take our Beardies anywhere if invited. Going to friend’s houses for the first time can be stressful for the friends especially if they do not own dogs themselves. Our friends would anxiously watch our Beardies nosing around taking in all the unfamiliar smells, once they were satisfied, they would come back and just stretch out at our feet, not moving until it was time to leave. If food was offered to us, they had been trained not to expect to receive any titbits from us or our hosts. We never fed them whilst at the table or sitting in comfortable chairs. Absolutely bad manners seeing other dogs drooling and dribbling around the table.

2. Beardies have an extremely friendly nature and when out walking in an area where they are not known, we are always asked ‘what breed, can I stroke them?’ Again they were taught not to jump up people, nothing is worse, especially if they have muddy paws. The dogs glowed with happiness getting all the attention, they are easily approachable by adults and children. This is always an opportunity to have a chat and elaborate on what sort of nature the dogs have. This is when I mentioned showing and also agility which Kizzy loved doing in her younger years. If there was a low wall at the front of a house, usually a whole estate had low walls, Kizzy would proudly hop up and walk along them. The owners if watching out their windows would laugh. It did go wrong one day, a white cat was curled up on the other side of a wall and attacked Kizzy making her fall off, but it never stopped her wall-walking.

3. Our beardies were such good company, when they were young they were allowed on our laps, but knew not to actually touch the furniture whilst lying in our arms. There is nothing more pleasing than having a warm body snuggled on you. Though they were not allowed on the furniture on their own. In later years, when it was a struggle for them, they would lie in their bean bags or on duvets on cots, sleeping with one eye open not to miss anything going on. It made me so proud and content to own a Beardie/Beardies.

4. I was never happier than to have one of my Beardies on the grooming table, usually once a week (unless they had a piece of stick, foliage or burrs caught in their coat which was immediately dealt with). Trained as puppies (they are very wriggly when first attempting to brush them.) They then lie down happily and I worked from their tail/bottom, up to their heads turning them over to brush the other side including their under carriage. This done, they knew they had to sit whilst I cleaned their ears and brushed their teeth with meat tasting toothpaste ending with rewarding them with a titbit. As soon as they were down, they paraded in front of my husband knowing they would be told how beautiful they looked, their tails wagging. I would then find the next Beardie was already on the table waiting her turn. This was routine, one after the other. To groom a Beardie properly takes one hour. If bathing
as well, it takes two hours using an industrial canine hairdryer. They were so patient being bathed and loved the hairdryer. I found grooming so relaxing.

5. During times when we had to leave them, which wasn’t often, returning home was total joy for them and us. They would each rush to their toy box offering us their favourite toy, elated that we were all back together again. Our neighbours when asked, always said that there was total silence when we were out, which was hugely rewarding knowing they didn’t bark.

6. Our Beardies were not official Pat Dogs, but whenever we visited my brother-in-law and also later on, my Mother too in their care homes, it was a pleasure taking them around visiting the residents who wanted to stroke them. One day, a particular lady, said she had a dog once and proceeded to tell us all about it. The staff approached us later saying that it was the first time she had spoken in a year, so we were also welcomed by the staff with smiles whenever we visited. It was good to see everyone so happy.

7. Finally, the most favourite things was taking them on new walks and also on holidays with us. They took it all in their stride once they had explored the property and settled down immediately. When bed time came, they were usually tired after travelling and were no trouble at all. It was lovely to see their friendly faces and wagging tails when we greeted them the next morning.

Information about the book
Title: Beardies’ World
Author: Joyce Ives
Release Date: 25th September 2018
Genre: Non-Fiction - Animals

Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

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