There are prizes connected with this blog hop. The rafflecopter grand prizes are 1 x $50 Amazon GC and 5 x $10 Amazon GCs. Now, how exciting is that. Here’s the link for you to try your luck:
And if that isn’t enough of an incentive Novels Now is offering an e-copy of my Scottish set book, Bella’s Betrothal, to one lucky commenter on this Novels Now post. Winner will be chosen at random. To be in with a chance, please leave your comment by Midnight, UK time on Monday 27th January. I think several of the other blogs you might be hopping to by clicking on the writer’s name, below, are also offering individual prizes. You could be a click or two away from a huge haul of goodies. Good Luck with that.
This blog hop is organised in honour of Scotland’s National bard, Robert Burns. Burns was a tragic figure in some ways. He struggled financially and with the hardships of the life of his times. He died young and perhaps too soon. My novel, Bella’s Betrothal is set in Edinburgh after Burns’ death.
It is known he visited the capital and several places in the city bear plaques or names acknowledging that. The Writers’ Museum in Lady Stair’s House off the Lawn Market contains standing exhibitions to Burns, Scott and Stevenson. It’s a great place to visit. The restored house gives an idea of what an early and rich city dwelling was like. The houses were much altered and divided over time, but what has been created here is delightful. The courtyard outside is paved with flags paying tribute to other great Scottish writers.
Most people will recognise something from Burns’ pen. Ae fond Kiss, perhaps, that gorgeous love song of despair. Tae a Mouse, the comic, but sympathetic poem from harvest time and the towering Tam O’ Shanter. With its witches and after hours goings on, who can fail to find something in that rich tapestry of Ayrshire life. It often comes to mind when I wander into an old graveyard with an abandoned church reduced to half walls and covered in strangling ivy.
Let’s raise a glass tonight to one of Scotland’s most gifted writers and social observers. Thank you for dropping by. Don’t forget to leave a comment. Tell us which poem or song of the Bard’s is your favourite, perhaps. and then Hop along to one of the other participating blogs to see what’s doing there.
The Other Awsome blogs:
1. | Love, Lust and Lipstick Stains | 9. | Inner Goddess | 17. | Nina Mason |
2. | Samantha Holt | 10. | Hunter S. Jones | 18. | Kate Robbins |
3. | A Dirty Book Affair | 11. | Christina Phillips | 19. | Scenes from a Chaotic Mind |
4. | Anne Conley | 12. | Andrea Bellmont | 20. | Sarah Bella |
5. | Em Taylor | 13. | Isobelle Cate | 21. | Joanne Wadsworth |
6. | Kirsten S. Blacketer | 14. | Storm Chase | 22. | Anne Stenhouse |
7. | Willa Blair | 15. | Ceci Giltenan | 23. | BJ Scott |
8. | Nicole Hurley- Moore | 16. | Tarah Scott |
http://goo.gl/pASdjp Mariah’s Marriage US
http://goo.gl/NxYxj5 Mariah’s Marriage UK
http://goo.gl/PKptQg Bella’s Betrothal US
http://goo.gl/5RBzIm Bella’s Betrothal UK
I like too many of Burns’ poems to mention one. Fascinating man – I’ve had a few articles published about different aspects of him in The Highlander over the years and he has a part in one of my books to be published. Enjoy the hop, Anne!
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Good morning Ros. It’s certainly true we’re spoiled for choice over his work. Anne
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Seems like a busy day,Anne!
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It is a bit, Myra. I’ve managed to visit a few of the other blogs so far, but time differences mean one or two haven’t published yet. Catch them tomorrow. Thanks for dropping in, Anne
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This is the first I’ve heard of Burns. I just started reading historical reads and I’m finding I like them a lot . I need to read some of his poems before I can say I have a favorite but at least now you have peaked my interest about them.
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Hi Ronda, thanks for dropping in. Robert Burns, as you’ll pick up through my post and some of the others, is very famous here in Scotland. I hope you can find some of his work online. Best wishes, Anne
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Wow, just finished going through each stop and have learned quite abit about Burns and his naughty inpirational poems – Love them. Burns was probably a hoot to party with and I am sure all the Lasses swooned over his attentions regardless of their marital status.
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I suppose they did, Ronda. Anne
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Thanks so much for taking part in the hop, Anne!
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Hi Samantha, I have enjoyed being part of the hop and looking round the other blogs. Thank you for the organisation. It’s all gone very smoothly, Anne
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Sadly, Anne, I am every embarrassed to confess that I don’t really know any of Burns’ work, except for a poem or two which have been turned into songs (I blame this huge gap in my knowledge on being French!). I am very much hoping to visit Edinburgh next summer and I can’t wait to see all those beautiful places you mention. I would also like to visit the Highlands…The landscapes look breathtaking.
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Hi Marie, I don’t know much at all about French 18th century poets, so don’t feel too bad. Hope I’ll be home when you come to Edinburgh, Anne
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My favorite is “A Red, Red Rose.”
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Hi Cathy, Lovely choice, Anne
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Tam o’Shanter! It’s got a drunken hero, a wicked witch with a short skirt, and a brave horse 🙂 Nice to meet you. See you on FB? https://www.facebook.com/StormChaseRomance
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Hi Storm, It’s got lots of drama and a great deal of human insight, too. Will check out FB, Anne
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Fun hop
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
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Hi Visitor, glad you’re enjoying the postings, Anne
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Each blog keeps adding to my itinerary for my future trip to Scotland. Thanks of the tip!
pearl
pearlsatInnerGoddess@gmail.com
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Hi Pearls, Lots of info from the bundle of posts. Scotland has a lot to offer the tourist, Anne
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Love Scotland’s scenery, brogue and brawny men in kilts. 🙂 My fave lines from Burn’s poetry are two: 1) “My love is like a red, red rose…” and 2) “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.” More often, I’ve heard the second one paraphrased in more modern terms. Thanks for participating in the tour and for this post.
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Hi JD, good choices there. Yes, so much gangs agley. Burns had a good grip on how life was as well as a lovely vision of the romantic. Anne
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