This is the third book in The Chimona Chronicles series and as the cover gives you a hint, involves some travels down the Okanagan Valley in B.C. Canada. We have already heard that adults are enjoying it as much as kids, just like before.

And when they read it to the younger set, they can once again follow along with the illustrations. For the first time, my brother Geoph is the illustrator. He has maintained the style from the earlier books, plus he likes to sneak in little details.. so look carefully at the pictures.

I look forward to finishing book 4 (and maybe even 5) next year, even as I start putting together adult stories too.

Talking of which, my editor Kyra Dawson has put together a great new online writer’s guild called Scriborium – a gathering place for independent writers. Here we are sharing hints and knowledge and publicity and feedback for all the guild members. And on top of all that, she pulled together seven of us to cooperate on writing an anthology of short stories. Since it was her idea, she got to pick the theme and genre this year: Horror or Paranormal, with a Christmas angle.

At first this was a real challenge for me since I really do not like horror stories. But as a professional writer I thought I can do anything if I put my mind to it. Of course my story in the book is very local – and set here in the Ebro valley. Some of you may even know the actual location – and many of the characters are only thinly disguised family members. I hope you enjoy Christmas Reunion at Villa El Figueral. Mine is the third story in A Very Scary Christmas – A Scriborium Short Story Anthology. It is already out in ebook/kindle format, as well as print. See www.fodenpress.com or contact me. But these stories are definitely not for very young children!

P.S. Contact me after Christmas if you have friends or family who would like to stay for a self catering holiday at the newly renovated and enlarged real El Figueral right on the Ebro river itself.

Firstly:- Real Madrid vs Sevilla Copa Del Rey Preview Kings Cup @ the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid ( Match kick off time 22:00 CET). Sevilla have a lot to play for and are not taking their previous defeat lightly. It will be brilliant to see the underdog valiant in beating Real Madrid tonight.

 Secondly:- Almería vs FC Barcelona Copa Del Rey Preview Kings Cup Almeria (Match kick off Time 22:00 CET) Barcelona easily won 5-0 in the first leg. Yet, will still go out their fighting to maintain their league. I’m sure Almeria,  first time at this level in the cup, will run their legs off trying to score back some goals and honour. Whatever happens Almeria will relish in the sheer delight in playing against the  skill  and pride of the Catalan capitals’ footballers.

 Come on Barça! Barça, Barça.

Well you have to support a local team to where you live.

Oh well Christmas decorations are all packed away so what can we do  for a change before January is out that is something new and exciting?

Well my friends Valerie, one of the authors of “In the Garlic”, along with a colleague are running another creative writing course as an introduction session. This is for a half-day so you have plenty of time to enjoy Barcelona for the rest of the day or have an evening out in Barça!

So please take a moment and read this email below – you won’t regret it. Never written a paragraph in your life! So what ? These charming ladies will show you how easy it is! You will wonder afterwards why you never tried before. It is never too late to write. My late maternal grandfather only started writing at 70 and then his gardening regalias were published all over the place.

“Hi everyone We hope you had a great holidays and that 2011 will bring you the best of everything. This is to remind you that enrolment is open for ALQUIMIA 101: INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING on Saturday 22 January in central Barcelona (Urquinaona). The cost of this fun and festive half¨-day workshop is 60 euros. Please write to us here for more details and testimonials or visit www.creativewritingmagic.com/2010/03/alquimia/ Looking forward to writing with you soon.

Valerie and Nicky”

Postscript: I have always loved writing but surprised myself when I found I could write children books. Check out www.Chimona.com and also now available on www.Amazon.com

There has been a lot of grumbles about Ryanair slashing flights out of London – Stanstead (news reported 21st July) and Manchester (headlines 17th August) because the overheads at those giants are extortionate. This is only good news for the smaller airports. We look forward to seeing the timetable from Leeds Bradford airport, and Mr. Marketing Director, we need flights from there into Reus, not Barcelona where Jet2 fly into. Then those who flew from Manchester can now run up to Yorkshire instead of the other way round.

11th August it was reported “jobs for Yorkshire”. Great! Ryanair reckons over a 1000 local jobs will evolve to support and sustain their services on the outskirts of Leeds. So the White Rose wins the “flight” war in the War of Roses again.

So www.EasyJet.com is too offering amazing deals before midnight on the 8th September so do hurry. The perk about their offer is you can fly between … right up to the 15th December 2009.Plus you get free car upgrade and a bonus by being entered into a super duper holiday prize draw.

Booked your flight, so the next step is to decide where are you going to stay and what are you going to do out here. We can help, advise or we can point you in the right direction. www.BrighterSpain.com.

The swallows are gathering in the UK ready for a winter destination in Africa. Our swallows in the Lower Ebro River Valley are still making their nests under whichever eaves they can find. This is a sign our warm weather will linger on for awhile yet, so maybe our autumn will be kind to us again this year.

Weather update today:

Tortosa .Southern Catalonia.Spain

Sunny to hot – 35 degrees celcius

Sat writing in my costume with a welcoming breeze blowing across the Lower Ebro Valley.
Outcome: “Perfect! Just Perfect Ma!”

This is not just for the English community. This is for everyone! You can write in Catalan or Spanish. Dutch, German and French is okay too. There are certain groups setup already so please join in. Start your own group and display your interests or wares.

Photo Album and unlimited media uploads! Here’s your chance to show off all those snaps you have been taking. Let the world know what a wonderful place we live in! Please invite as many of your friends as possible.

With features too numerous to mention, from RSS feeds to photo ratings and a personal messaging system.
You can even signup using your current AOL, Facebook, Google, Yahoo or OpenID details.

So, if you want to boast about that Catfish you caught OR upload your latest karaoke efforts OR even just put up a photo / video of a property you have for sale, see you at www.ebro.TV!!

And it is all free!

La Galera

MONTSIÀ, borders on our delightful Catalonia and is easily accessible from all the arterial routes as displayed on the Google map.  During the days of fair it is reported than more than eighty exhibitors of pottery and ceramics will arrive from every corner of Catalonia, various different places across Spain and from other parts of the world.such is it popularity. It literally takes over the town! Visitors will be able to enjoy a wide expression of exhibitions displaying  traditional pottery, artistic ceramics, of varied creations and designs in forms and colours.

You will indeed be hard pressed in not purchasing one or more pieces of work!

The organizers will guarantee you a very warm welcome and fervently want to enjoy in the exchange of traditions and cultures.

Free admission. It is open from 10h to 14h and then after a siesta and a delightful meal you can return for 16h to 21h. This will be on from the 1st to 3rd May.

City Hall of La Galera  Tel.  977 718 339

The wind off Mont Caro this morning, will definitely blow away any cobwebs you might be feeling now all the family have returned overseas.

1. “New Europe” by Michael Palin. If you have watched his other TV series or read ‘Sahara’ or ‘Pole to Pole’; you just have to have this one. He has such a knack of narrating in a way you feel you are the kestrel on his glove, with an eagle eye-view of all his adventures.

2. “Journey to the South” – Annie Hawes. Another great read from the authoress of “Extra Virgin”, except she has fallen in love with an Italian from the south.

3. “The Earth, my Butt and other Big Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler. A realistically and funny portrayal of a high school aspiring young adult trying to desperately loose weight for all the wrong reasons. A most enjoyable read for mothers and grandmothers too.

4. “Red, White and Drunk all Over” by Natalie MacLean. Oh what a read! A wine soaked journey from the grape being harvested, to the glass. A lovely stocking filler to accompany some Christmas “plonk” for your best friend.

5. “The Rest of her Life” by Laura Moriarty has sensitively captured how the fears and realities of one innocent action can spiral our lives downwards into a whirlpool of emotion. She writes frankly but weaves in tales with grace and without coyness leaves the reader exposed to very raw questions.

6. “Flying Upside Down: True Tales of an Antartic Pilot” by Mark. A.Hindebaugh. Try this book for an adventure read with a different twist to “living your dream.”

7. “You can Paint Water Colours” by Alwyn Cranshaw. What a wonderful place Catalonia is to take up a hobby you have always wanted to do. This is a “must have” for you to help you to start painting away the days in glorious colours.

8. “The AdSense Code” by Joel Comm. A valuable and informative book for all internet marketing and e-business enterprises – or those who would like to do likewise.

9. “The Complete Idiot´s Guide to Fishing Basics” by Mike Tooth. A book that is well dog-eared and courted by carp and catfish anglers the world over

10. “At First Sight” by Nicholas Sparks – a great novel laced with a sweet twist of romance, and other amazing attributes of surprise, shock and even tragedy, makes this an easy attention grabbing book to loose yourself in for a couple of wonderful hours.

11. “Alone in the kitchen with an Eggplant” edited by Jenni Ferari-Adler of 26 contributors expelling their cooking and dining solo experiences, while exploring guilty pleasures in bizarre and unusual food choices or combinations.The pages are entwined with recipes and it makes a jolly good read too.

12. ” The Dangerous Book for Boys” by Conn Iggulden & Hal Iggulden. A very coolbook for all ages that embraces boyhood with fun and information.

13. * Newsflash* Latest release: “Killer Weekend” from the esteemed pen of Ridley Pearson, set in Idaho´s Sun Valley. He will reach out and grab you by the jugular from the first few paragraphs . You will not be able to put this book down! The plot seems straight forward (do not believe it) with a local lawman, Walt Fleming´s task to catch an assasin who is poised to murder Liz Shaler – one presidential candidate, it will grip you to the very end, and even then leave you thinking.

Each week the Bookshelf selections are available through www.brighterspain.com and carefully considered and personally selected by EbroRose -the Voice of The Ebro Valley

Week 3 of “Bookshelf” choices and the mornings are darker now, but nothing beats crawling out of bed and enjoying that first cup of coffee and turning the pages of a new book. The house is quiet. The washing can wait for another hour. Curl up on the couch and savour a few cherished moments and the first few chapters. The chores are on hold. This is your time. Read on!

The olives are ripening now on the trees. Some are green and fat, some black and large, others are small and black, some are green and red…so many different types. Looks like it will be a good harvest this year. There is so much more you can do with your olives and our Number one choice this week is EbroVoice´s olive ‘bible’. This is one book that is bursting at it seams with information. You will not regret buying it – if you enjoy the country life and love experimenting and trying new things out – or just curious about Olives.

The selection is varied and there is something for everyone.

1.The Sophisticated Olive – Marie Nadine Antol – the complete guide to olive cuisine, olives health & beauty, the art of olive making, olives in your own backyard, the history of the olive. A valuable companion to anyone who relocates to Catalonia or rural Spain.

2.Easy Spanish Phrase Book: over 770 Basic everyday phrases for easy use “Dover Easy Phrases”by Dover Press. Don´t worry if you are just starting to learn Spanish or if you are already chatting away, this will definitely make your conversation more interesting. Try a few out and see the expressions of wonder

3. “Ripe for the Picking” – Annie Hawes .If you enjoyed the best selling book of “Extra Virgin”. Anyone living in the Mediterranean will relate and enjoy this fuzzy-warm, hilarious and a magical read and people-watching is second to none. If you live further afield you will feel as though you are sat on the Ligurian mountainside sharing all her experiences.

4.”The Barefoot Fishermen: A fishing book for kids” by Paul Amdahl. A charming book to encourage your children to learn about “…bass, crappie, sunfish, carp and catfish live in warm water..”.Oh it does please me when the youngsters pull out these giant carp and magnificent Catfish off the Ebro River banks and they are bigger than their well-seasoned Fisherman-father´s best catch of the day (or night).

5.”Earning Money from Your Spanish Home” by Joanna Styles. Spent all summer”doing it up”? Now lets see show you can refill those coffers that might be feeling the strain of restoration and relocation.

6.”What Fish don´t want you to know: An Insider´s Guide to Freshwater Fishing” by P.Baron.The title itself makes you want to want to grab the book and scour it. A lovely present for “him indoors”.

7.”The Burning Shore” – Wilbur Smith. Once more captures a breathtaking adventure of love, war and the acid bitter revenge and the struggle of a quest just for survival in a country torn apart at the seams. Brilliantly descriptive and such a tale he weaves into the characters. A jolly good read for everyone.

8.Teens book “Guyaholic” by Carolyn Mackler. Another one to save for the Christmas stocking!

9. “False Impression” – Jeffrey Archer. This brilliant plotter and skillful story teller has excelled himself again, with twists and turns as the action and intrigue moves from New York to London, Bucharest and on to Tokyo, turning up in a sleepy English village.

10.”Needlework Tools and Accessories: A Dutch Tradition-made in Holland” by Kay Sullivan. Something to do when the wind blows off Mont Caro and you curl up by your wood burner, when the olive crop is picked.

11. “Pavarotti – Life with Pavarotti” by Adua Pavarotti – 3 daughters & 34 years married to Luciano until photos surfaced of him and his secretary mistress, Mantovani. The famous, late tenors´, wife offers unique insight into her husbands complex personality, his first love was football, his love of music, his early years, the pressure of fame and their family life.

12.”Spain: The Root and The Flower:An interpretation of Spain and the Spanish People” by John A. Crow .

13.**Newsflash** New release…September 2007 “Songs without Words” by Anne Packer. She stamps the pages with keen introspection and astute psychological tones about Liz and Sarabeth (such an unusual name) friendship. Strong characters entwined in close connections. Yet will the flaws within their friendship stand the strain as their lives are soon to be blown apart in a huge crisis. Her second novel and a jolly good read about Californian lives.

1. “The King and I “-Herbert Breslin – witty and frankly written about Luciano Pavarotti life, escapades and rise to fame from footballer to tenor, by his friend and manager for the last 36 years.

2.” Rugby World Cup 2007 Official Travel Guide” – Mike Gerrard, Donna Dailey and Hope Caton. Bursting with information about the 42 matches across 10 French cities and 2 in the Uk. Jam packed with talk of the rugby villages,shopping and tourist information to make your rugby tour so much more enjoyable. Rugby news and lots of it.

3. “Sharon Osbourne Extreme: Autobiography”.This classical lady has entertained us on TV-She is sassy and so much fun.You will just love her attitude and all her titbits about her husband Ozzey, who she loves unconditionally. Her temerity in her fight for life. Her world has been a man´s world -”dog eat dog”, but above all she has been a Mum to 3 wonderful kids. A definite autumn read!

4. “Craft Inc: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business ” by Meg Mateo Ilasco- in paperback since August 2007.Always thought about doing it – autumn is now the time to start putting your dream craft forward into a business. You are never too young nor too old to do it. A valuable reading source.

“Totally flawed, totally loveable” by Melissa Walker.A book for teens and it has 5 star reviews. V is the girl who is fascinating. All her insecurities and flaws in her character we can relate to. Page after pages scoops you up with both joy and pain.

6 “Double Cross (Alex Cross) by James Patterson as advertised on Satelite television. Definitely another “must read” book while it is still warm enough to enjoy your deckchair outside under the mulberry trees.
7.” Woodworking for Dummies” by Jeff Strong – out in paperback. This book is valuable to “him indoors”, but have you never thought of how this craft is now accessible to us ladies with all these new fanciful, electric tools. Hey, if we can manage the Concrete mixer and the petrol chainsaw,we must be dummies not to give this a go.Afterall, the garage is not just his domain.

8.” A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini

9. “The Collectors” by David Baldacci – The members of the Camel Club reunite to solve a murder at the Library of Congress.

10. “74 Seaside Avenue” by Debbie Macomber. A chess champion keeps a protective eye on his hairdresser wife after receiving veiled threats from a Russian opponent; Book 7 of the Cedar Cove series.

11.”Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen – a young man, an elephant -save a Depression-era circus. This book will be enjoyed like we have just enjoyed the live Circo Raluy in Tortosa.

12.“1001 Most Useful Spanish Words (Beginners Guides)” -Seymour Resnick´s valuable book for all Expats and not just the college kids – that is a lot of words!

13.**Newsflash** – “You´ve been Warned” – James Patterson new release which will be on sale Monday, September 10,

Every week I will delight you with a choice of good reading material covering all the various needs of Expats and their families. No two weeks will be the same. The selection will be carefully researched and will also cover other European languages.

All these books will be available through : http://www.brighterspain.com/books_for_expats — for a A Brighter Read .

Please surf these these pages as there will be regular reviews and updates .

1. The Jamlady Cookbook – highly acclaimed and a very good friend – Beverly Ellen Schoonmaker-she has been a source of inspiration for all my fruit produce in Spain.

2. Adventures of the Pillowcase Puppy -by Michelle Lee …already received 5 star reviews- a puppy who has magical powers-page turner for any age group-delightful read and very well written.

3.A Late dinner – Discovering the food of Spain – Paul Richardson

4. Ghosts of Spain – travels through a country´s hidden and intriguing past – Giles Tremlet

5.Bring Tapas to your Table- 1080 Recipes -best loved cookbook on Spain for for over 30 years- Simone Ortega

6. The Quickie – James Patterson -available since July 2nd, 2007 in hardback

7.The Almost Blossom Appreciation Society – Chris Stewart

8. Valencia- the Lonely Planet guide- Valencia is just over the Catalonian border and close to the Baix Ebre and Montsia regions…somuch to see and do there!

9.A Piano in the Pyrenees – The ups and down of an Englishmen in France – Tony Hawks

10. Europe on a Shoestring-big trips on small budgets – not just for the backpackers- Saraj Johnstone

11.The Olive Route – A personal and poignant journey to the heart of the Mediterranean – Carol Drinkwater – a brilliant British actress who can write so entertainingly as well.

12.Neither here nor there – Travels in Europe -Bill Bryson

13. **Newsflash: September 24th, 2007 – “Playing for Pizza” by John Grisham**

http://www.brighterspain.com/books_for_expats

If you are an avid reader desperately trying to find something that you have not read or merely someone searching for a book for a present for an adult, a child, a teenager- a sibling “nothing to do Mom- I´m bored” sort of persona and can´t find what you are looking for.

I will relish in finding your requisite. Just go to my contact page on www.BrighterSpain.com

Besides now is an ideal time to put away books for Christmas presents and avoid the festive rush on deliveries..or it may just be a learning aid required now!

Hey, Gareth , Lee and Julie, if you want to buy your Mom some good Christmas reads..I will send you a brilliant list to choose from -hint-hint!