Below, the extended Reale family celebrating Susie's birthday. From Mama Grace and the birthday girl to Mike and his mother (seated across from each other); his father and brother to—way in the back—two of the grandgirls (Riley & Cousin Lionel, both working at The Capital Room), Cassidy's boyfriend, and last but never least, three generations of the girls' former nanny's family. Nanny Omaira; her daughter, Maria (assistant nanny); and back with my grandgirls, Maria's daughter, Camilla! Basically, representatives of a variety of cultures: Nebraska, New England & Florida's Central Gulf Coast, Argentina, Kansas City, and Colombia.
And just a few days later - the big holiday that couldn't have made it without Thomas Jefferson. This humorous view posted by our former Orlando friend, Terry Baber, who moved to the great Northwest umpteen years ago.
That's all the fun, folks. Sigh.
Grace Note: Authors are advised to never discuss politics, less they alienate some of their potential readers, but as the photo above proves, I'm getting along in years, enough so that I feel free to express myself about what may be one of the most significant elections in U. S. history. So from time to time between now and November, please bear with me expressing some strong personal views on what is happening in the good old U. S. of A.
Yes, Joe Biden is a great man. His soothing expertise was just what the country needed after the appallingly inept "reign" of Donald Trump. And Biden has done marvelous things. It puzzles me that so few seem able to recognize it. But the fact remains that I am among those who would prefer to see someone else head the Democratic ticket this fall. Below is a repeat of what I posted to Facebook a few days ago.
I remember when the candidate for President was not decided until each party's political convention. And there were some really exciting moments when it took a vast amount of maneuvering and multiple votes before the winner was declared. Not that Trump would ever loose his choke-hold on the Republicans long enough for anyone else to be considered, but I am all in favor of the Dems giving it a go. Alas, to win the national election, the Democratic Party needs more than a solid, forward-looking platform. It needs Charisma, Youth, Fresh Blood; a dynamic speaker who can grind Trump into the dust. Yes, I belong to the NEVER-TRUMP movement and will vote for the incumbent, if necessary. But as someone who is far older than Joe Biden but likes to think she has all her marbles, I know how much tireder I get, how fewer things I can accomplish now than when I was younger. Sorry, Joe, but it's time to go. Our country's future is at risk. We must ensure that a megalomaniac bent on dictatorship is never again allowed to "rule" the U S of A.
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This week's featured book:
As far as I can recall, I have only one book that features politics, A Gamble on Love. I wrote this classic traditional Regency while living in Venice, FL, and the library there ordered in a book on "British politics before the reforms of 1825" from the UCF library in Orlando(!), or I never, ever could have written this book. Believe me, A Gamble on Love is as authentic a portrayal of politics at the time as I could make it. And there are some good Christmas scenes, if memory doesn't fail.
Miss Aurelia Trevor has a problem. Until she reaches the age of
twenty-five, she will have no control over her beloved Pevensey Park,
and by that time her unscrupulous uncle will have run it into the
ground. Marriage to someone other than her uncle's leering son is her
only way out, but, one by one, she rejects the men on her list of
suitors. In desperation, Aurelia does the unthinkable. She hires a
solicitor to find her a husband strong enough to stand up to both her
uncle and her cousin. And soon learns the truth of that old adage: Be
careful what you wish for.
Thomas Lanning is a man of the City. Unlike Aurelia, who stands to
inherit vast land and wealth, he has made his own place in the world. He
is not at all tempted by the suggestion of marriage to an heiress, but
other considerations, such as a power base for a seat in Parliament,
tweak his interest. Plus an unexpected twinge of chivalry when he hears
the full extent of Miss Trevor's difficulties with her uncle and his
family.
Aurelia, who only wants to live in peace on her acres, finds she has
acquired a ready-made family in Thomas's younger sister and brother, as
well as a head-strong husband whose campaign for MP fills her household
with a shockingly odd assortment of characters. It seems her marriage
of convenience is fast becoming a marriage of inconvenience. Just how
far will this strong-willed pair bend to accommodate each other? And
will they do it before it's too late?
Reviews:
"Blair Bancroft's warm and tender [novel] boasts a great heroine in
Aurelia: She's attractive, courageous, vulnerable and intelligent."
Robin Taylor, Romantic Times
"Reading how they gradually learn to like and eventually love each
other is wonderful. Blair Bancroft is now definitely one of my favorite
traditional Regency authors and this book is a prime example of why."
Nicole Hulst, Romance Junkies
"Set against a backdrop of rural politics (and a fascinating look at
the early world of 'buying votes') this is a story that entrances,
enlightens and endears."
Celia at A Romance Review
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For a link to Blair's website, click here.
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Thanks for stopping by,
Grace (Blair Bancroft)
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