Canadian Indie Author Rusty Blackwood’s July Newsletter 2017 …

• Posted on 29th July 2017
• in Derwood Returns, Newsletters, Passions in Paris, Press Releases, Willow's Walk
• by admin

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 Welcome everyone! I hope your summer is going great, and you are enjoying every second. Before we know it we will be looking back at what is today; that is about how fast the time flies, so take advantage of every moment of every day.

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 I am so pleased to announce the recent release of the humorous, Derwood Returns, which is the follow-up to 2012’s adult comedy short, The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom. I was honored to be asked by readers of the original Derwood if I would be doing a second, which I had not given thought to as I usually let my characters live between the covers they exist between, but after more requests, I decided to bring Derwood back. And I’m glad I did.

The audacious and eccentric, retired London City Hall senior official, Derwood J. Tugbottom, who was first introduced to readers in 2012’s unforgettable adult comedy short, The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom, is back in this hilarious follow-up, entitled Derwood Returns.

The bubbling and pretentious Englishman, known for his staunch outlook and demanding ways, decides to return to the picturesque village of Vinehaven on the Lake, where he takes up residence in the swinging Sunset Villa Retirement Center, located directly across the road from the infamous Anchors Away, of which he hastily departed two years earlier. 

Now he is back, with a hard learned lesson beneath his belt, and hopes of finding the life that escaped him on his initial try.

Will Derwood encounter a new adventure?

 For anyone wishing to read Derwood Returns, you may do so by ordering a copy in your choice of Paperback format, or Kindle at the following links: https://www.amazon.com/Derwood-Returns-Rusty-Blackwood/dp/1547223391/ref=la_B0092XLBRM_1_3_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501353319&sr=1-3,  https://www.amazon.ca/Derwood-Returns-Rusty-Blackwood/dp/1547223391/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501353458&sr=8-1&keywords=derwood+returns , or at all Amazons worldwide. Paperback copies may also be obtained from the publisher at  https://www.createspace.com/7235755. Readers in St. Catharines and immediate surrounding area may obtain a signed paperback copy by e-mailing me at writerrusty@hotmail.ca

The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbottom is available in paperback edition only from the publisher at https://www.createspace.com/3693791, and at Amazon.com, ca, and all Amazons worldwide. Again in the St. Catharines & immediate surrounding areas, signed paperback copies may be obtained directly from me by e-mailing me at writerrusty@hotmail.ca, and of course to understand what is happening in Derwood Returns, it is best to read The Misadventures of Derwood Tugbttom, first.

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I shall soon be returning to my latest romantic fiction drama, The Perils of Autumn, a riveting story that takes place at a successful thoroughbred racing stable, just outside Lexington, Kentucky.

The time of year a child is born can often explain the name they are given, and this significant gesture seems to happen more often when the new arrival is a girl. Seasons can play a huge part, as well as the mother’s frame of mind when she gives birth. There can be many factors behind a name, many reasons for choosing a certain one, but regardless of the reason, a name can often determine the course of one’s life.

 At twenty six years of age, Abigail Leeves found herself an unwed mother, and totally on her own. Her fiancé, and the father of her unborn child, had been killed in a car crash en route to their April wedding, leaving the three month pregnant bride awaiting his arrival of which would never come. This would have been devastating for anyone, and Abigail, who fought to hold it together, was no different, but being the strong-willed person she was, she held her head high, and carried on. The situation was unfortunate in other ways, because it not only meant a difficult life for a single mother by way of integrating into a community of married couples, it also meant the child born out of wedlock would be looked down upon for the simple fact they had no father. This narrow-minded outlook would thankfully change for later generations, but for those born in Lexington Kentucky before the 1960s; it meant a never ending search for acceptance, and for Autumn Rose Leeves, born in October of 1946, this was the normal way of life.

 Abigail Leeves was not only resilient to the negative manner in which she was being treated, she was a proud woman, determined to make a decent life for herself, and for her baby girl. In early December of 1946, with the Christmas season fast approaching, Abigail managed to find employment in the millinery department of Perkins Dry Goods, a popular ladies shop located in downtown Lexington on the corner of Main Street, and Elm Tree Line. The engaging shop was owned and operated by seventy eight year old Lucy Perkins, a kindly widow who adored children but had never had any of her own. She immediately took a shine to baby Autumn, and fixed an area in a private room at the back of the shop in which to care for her. This oasis was complete with a small table with two chairs, a crib, and an easy chair all providing Abigail a cozy area to take her breaks, and spend time with her infant daughter. The young mother was extra fortunate, for Lucy Perkins lived directly above the shop in a large, three bedroom apartment, which she offered to share with Abigail in return for a nominal fee. It was a wonderful arrangement, for not only did it allow Abigail a safe and comfortable home in which to raise her daughter, the cozy area in back of the shop provided a protective cocoon for the baby during work hours. Lucy Perkins doted on baby Autumn, never once complaining when she cried, or became fussy. She would help as diligently as she could, which in turn brought abundant gratitude from the child’s young mother.

 The entire setup impressed Abigail immensely, for when Autumn was born she had no-one to turn to. Her parents were gone, and she was an only child. These thoughts thrust her back to when she had spent countless hours holding Autumn in her arms while searching for a job, only to find door after door slammed in her face. It became a daily occurrence; one that left her no alternative but to go on city relief, that of which paid for a small, dingy room in a boarding house with minimal compensation left-over for food. This treatment continued until she came to Lucy’s shop, where she expected the same rebuttal, but was appeased to find instant asylum in Lucy’s opened arms as she smiled, and welcomed them in.

A full length novel takes awhile to write, but I’ve nine chapters written, and I am anxious to continue. Stay tuned for updates.

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From Chapter 27 – RETURN TO REALITY

The stillness beckoned her. She moved about the room, gazing at the blue damask walls and the pictures lining the mantle. She did this often. It brought her comfort to do so but not only comfort; it steeled her wool, shored up her weakened dam, and allowed her to regroup. But the illicit moments recently spent with Jonas did not diminish the problems between them. If anything it made them worse, for here she was, supposedly in love with a man so ridiculously young that even that was inconceivable entirely on its own, almost unlawful — my God if he was one year younger he would be jail-bait, prison time – if she were caught. Now she’d gone and complicated that with reawakened feelings for her estranged husband. Then there was the ever present debt situation that seemed to grow larger with each passing day. When it came to Willow’s walk there didn’t appear to be any let-up to the absurdity surrounding it. She had always been a bit on the factious side, always at the ready to defend her latest venture, regardless of how inconceivably outrageous it may be. But now she found herself at a loss for direction, at least a sensible one.

I am proud of this touching, unforgettable, 5 star award winning read. Willow Sutherland-Crosby walks her own path – that of which takes her down a road with many twists and turns, which leave her in a position not many wish to face.

Willow’s Walk is available in Paperback edition directly from the publisher’s online bookstore at https://www.createspace.com/5680639 , and in Paperback & Kindle editions at all Amazons worldwide, and in St. Catharines & immediate surrounding area, residents may obtain a signed paperback copy directly from my personal bookshop, by e-mailing me at writerrusty@hotmail.ca.

* Readers, outside my area, may make personal arrangements for copies of any of my titles by contacting me directly through my business e-mail at writerrusty@hotmail.ca

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A professionally constructed, well written, informative Press Release is a must; an author’s best friend in countless ways, for it opens many doors, and connects your work with an array of outlets that are not only helpful, but sought after. It is also required when professionally announcing the release of a new title. Please take this link to Derwood Returns’ debut announcement: http://bit.ly/2uuX6dX

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I must sound like a broken record, but the importance of a review is beyond measure in what it can bring – really and truly. Many readers have been generous in their thoughts and perception of what they have read, but others still refrain – for whatever reason – from writing a review. May I ask once again, for those that have read my work and have not yet written a review, to please do so? It need not be an essay, a lengthy paragraph or a short story; these are always nice, but a few words and a star rating from 1 – 5 is all that is required. I hope you will, and I thank those who have kindly done so. Word of mouth is also important because it helps an undecided reader to take a chance, and venture into a title they might otherwise be on the fence about.

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As I draw this Newsletter to a close, I would like to thank each and every one that so kindly continues to support me and my work in the assorted ways in which you do. It is greatly appreciated in more ways than you know, and I hope you will continue to follow my work, and spread my news.

And as always, support your local authors, as well as all your local talents in the Arts.

See you next month!

Rusty B.

Tags: 'Willow's Walk', Canadian Indie author Rusty Blackwood, Canadian Indie Romance author Rusty Blackwood, Derwood Returns, literary news, media, newsletters, Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary, romance novelist Rusty Blackwood, romantic fiction author Rusty Blackwood