Welcome to Abbey Mead / April 2020 / Letter 21
Dear Friends of Abbey Mead,
Welcome to April:
April Showers Bring May Flowers…
Oh, to be in England now that April’s there…
Robert Browning (1812-1889) – English poet
A gush of bird-song, a pattern of dew,
a cloud, and a rainbow's warning,
suddenly sunshine and perfect blue –
An April day in the morning.
Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford (1835-1921) – American author
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Such gentle expressions of April in all its glory and the promise of Spring. But reality can be jarring and scary. We are living in bizarre times as we now face this Coronavirus together and even apart (as we practice social distancing). I hope that you and yours are in good health and remain so. Please follow recommended health protocols and in due course this plague will end.
As you are forced to remain at home, now is an excellent time to relax and read a good book. After all, just how many TV reruns can we endure? Physical bookstores may be closed as are libraries – sad but true. But you can still ORDER actual books via Amazon or Barnes & Noble or The Ripped Bodice (in Culver City, CA) or Pittsburgh’s local independent bookstore, Riverstone Books. Check out their websites!
Bytheby, the above mentioned bookstores all carry The Lady’s Desire and The Lady’s Prayer. And, of course, tons of other titles as well. And they will mail them to you! Rain, sleet, snow, or plague, the United States Post Office still delivers!!!
OR download ebooks onto your devices – talk about instant gratification! I love it! I usually read books on my smartphone – verra light weight and so verra portable…and NO germs are shared!
Now is the time to reread a treasured classic or to try something new. William and Anne are waiting…
An alpha hero; a lady with pluck; an unforgettable love story…
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And now for something completely different: So what do you think of Lord Westmeare? Is he at all sympathetic? How would you describe him? What adjectives would you use? Shoot me an email with your thoughts! Thanks!
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Book 3: The Lady’s Wish is now in the hands of my publisher, awaiting the revision process. Stay tuned… While William paces… As Anne taps her foot… What will be their fate? Will they survive shipwreck and battlefield? How will their love story end? Will there be an HEA conclusion to their story?
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Book Club Event: April 16 / 5:00 PM / Baden Memorial Library in nearby Beaver County We were going to discuss Book 2: The Lady’s Prayer.
But keep in mind that this event will probably be cancelled and rescheduled as most libraries are now closed. Stay tuned. I will let you know as soon as I hear back from the Library staff.
Or you can contact the Library at 724-869-3960.
Or email me at: audreyabbottauthor@gmail.com
Or check my website: www.audreyabbottauthor.com
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Random Fun Dates in April:
April 6 – Tartan Day / don your favorite plaid today and celebrate your Scottish heritage in style! See Ferguson plaids (Modern & Ancient) below…
April 10, 1845 - Great Fire of Pittsburgh / destroyed one-third of the city / wonder of wonders – only 2 deaths were recorded – quite amazing.
To learn more, read this book: Seven Fires: The Urban Infernos that Reshaped America by Peter Charles Hoffer. Chapter Two is devoted to Pittsburgh’s fire. It is a truly fascinating read! Or Google: Great Fire of Pittsburgh.
April 12 – Happy Easter !
April 12 - D.E.A.R. / Drop Everything and Read Day – Isn’t that Awesome!!! My new favorite holiday!
April 18 – Husband Appreciation Day - Sweet! Remind your Significant Other that you love him!
April 18, 1775 – Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, on the 18th of April in seventy-five: hardly a man is now alive, who remembers that famous day and year. / from the now famous Revolutionary War poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere was published in 1861.
April 22 – Earth Day – celebrating our planet since 1970 – I remember it well!
April 23 – traditional date for William Shakespeare’s Birthday in 1564 / Me thinks thee should celebrate this day! / Shakespeare also died on April 23 in 1616 / verra interesting…
April 25 – DNA Day – commemorates the official announcement in 1953 of the discovery of DNA’s double helix structure / celebrated by anyone interested in Genetics!
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PS: Past Abbey Mead newsletters can be found on my website: www.audreyabbottauthor.com .
PPS: Drop me a line: audreyabbottauthor@gmail.com
PPPS: If you liked The Lady’s Desire and/or The Lady’s Prayer, please consider writing a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Or tell a friend! Reviews – especially good ones – are verra much appreciated by William and Anne and above all by me! Thanks!!!
PPPPS: Copies of The Lady’s Desire and The Lady’s Prayer may also be available at your local library (once they reopen!). Check it out!
PPPPPS: Be safe and stay healthy. And pray for our amazing healthcare workers.
Always, Audrey