Author: Diane

Diane is growing up on the wild shores of the Atlantic Ocean, where every day she aspires to be better than yesterday.

Surprise! Greenvale Already Exists in Nova Scotia

by Diane, posted in Book Launch, the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes

the Salvation of Mary Lola BarnesFive years ago, when I wrote the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes, I made up a name that probably existed somewhere in the world, but I’d never heard of it in Nova Scotia. After all, green and vale were two popular parts of many place names. In Nova Scotia, we have Greenfield and Greenwood. We also have Elmsvale, Irishvale and Hillsvale.

For all the purposes other writers choose to create a fictional place within a real place, I stuck with Greenvale up until the editing process in September. Curious to see if Greenvale existed in the Maritimes, I plugged it into Google. Imagine my surprise when a place name showed up not only in Nova Scotia, but in the general area I wanted it to be. Eek!

Checking out the place on Google Map, I found it was pretty much forested area. There were no houses there or surrounding it from what I could see. There were, however, what appeared to be a maze of logging roads that connected to the 347 (Sherbrooke Road). This was far from the image of Greenvale in the story I had written.

Continue reading “Surprise! Greenvale Already Exists in Nova Scotia” →

I’m a Guest at D. G. Kaye, Writer

by Diane, posted in News Flash

Today, I am a guest with D. G. Kaye on her website, D. G. Kaye, Writer.

Northern Survival

Debby is the author of several wonderful memoirs, including Conflicted Hearts: A Daughter’s Quest for Solace from Emotional Guilt and Twenty Years: After “I Do”: Reflections on Love and Changes Through Aging. She’s a fellow Canadian, an amazing writer and a lovely person.

I talk about my most recent release, Northern Survival. I also share a little advice for writers.

I write books I want to read. I encourage every writer to do that because after reading, revising, editing and reading that manuscript again, you better love that story or you’re going to take a walk on a long wharf and throw it into the water before it’s done.

So love the stories you write. Others who enjoy reading the same stories will find yours and be happy you did.

To read the guest post at D. G. Kaye, click here: Q & A With D.G. Kaye – Featuring Diane McGyver – Northern Survival.

the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes: the perfect poem

by Diane, posted in the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes

the Salvation of Mary Lola BarnesI had written the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes during NaNoWriMo in November 2015. Shortly afterwards, I came upon a poem, one might call it a quote, that summed up the essence of Mary’s story.

This summer, when I had dug out the manuscript to review, I came upon the poem, and once again it struck that same nerve. It was perfect for this book. It appears in the front just before the story starts.

If Mary had read this poem, she’d recognise herself. I know I did. I’m sure other women will, too.

The short poem is by Alexandra Andersen. The Internet states this about the author:

Alexandra Andersen is a romance author, online editor, and founder of Wine & Drama. Alexandra is an avid traveler and spends her time drinking coffee and wine in between writing. It is her firm belief that the universe expands to allow you to realize your inner most dreams and desires.

Continue reading “the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes: the perfect poem” →

Zesty Cranberry Muffin Recipe

by Diane, posted in Recipe

cranberriesCranberries. They’ve been a part of my life since I was conceived. I’m certain my mother ate them while pregnant, and soon after I was off the bottle and on real food, I’m certain she fed them to me. I have never stopped eating them. If I had a penny for every cranberry I’ve eaten, I’d be a millionaire with growing investments.

Each October, we were sent to the woods with pails to pick berries. By the end of October, my siblings and I had picked enough cranberries to make dozens of bottles of ‘jam’.

I call it jam. Some call it spread. Others call it sauce. To me, it was jam because that’s what I put on my sandwich. If it was a successful pick, we had enough jam to do us until the following October. Most years, it was a successful pick.

While most endured the tangy taste of the red berry with turkey at Christmas time, I ate it every day. Every day. From primary to grade 12, I took a cranberry sandwich to school with me for lunch. While others were having peanut butter and jam sandwiches or egg sandwiches, I enjoyed the sour red berry squished between two slices of bread. Mmm.

Continue reading “Zesty Cranberry Muffin Recipe” →

Final Launch Sale for “Northern Survival”

by Diane, posted in Book Launch

Northern SurvivalWhat does a struggling writer from Nova Scotia and a wealthy movie star from California have in common? Nothing.

When they are the only survivors of a plane crash in Northern Ontario, then opposite sides of the continent must come together and overcome their Imperial and Metric systems along with their failed past relationships to escape the wilderness before starvation and the approaching winter weather claim them.

Olive and John are not your typical characters in a romance novel. Both are over 50 with a lot of life left to live if they can make it back to civilization in one piece.

Final Days of 99-cent Sale

The final 99-cent sale of Northern Survival’s book launch ends Sunday night (October 4th). The price will rise to $1.99, and then on October 15th, it will settle into its regular eBook price of $4.99.

Pick up a copy of Northern Survival today. It’s a fast-paced, quick read that mixes survival, adventure and romance.

If you are a Kindle Unlimited member, you read for free.

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The Proof Arrived in the Mail!

by Diane, posted in the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes

The mail just arrived and with it, a package for me! The proof for my next book: the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes.

I am extremely happy with the paperback proof. The pictures don’t do the front cover justice. The warm green tones are heavenly to the eye.

the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes proof

the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes proof Continue reading “The Proof Arrived in the Mail!” →

First Scene: “the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes”

by Diane, posted in the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes

Introducing the first scene in the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes.

the Salvation of Mary Lola BarnesMary stared at the piece of cake on the decorative plate. The virgin white icing held little hint of the mile marker that had been scrolled across the surface of the portion consumed by family and friends. Its absence hadn’t erased it from Mary’s mind. If anything, it reminded her of the huge chunk of time carved out of her life. She had lived half a century, making her an older woman than she had been last week. The consumption of this last piece from the celebration cake would commit her to this age, condemn her to old age in the eyes of the incredibly young. There was no way to hold on to youth; celebrities had proven it time again when they exposed themselves to the outside world without make-up and un-photoshopped.

The ache for the past swelled in her chest. It was not that she wanted to be eighteen again; she wanted only to have a little more substance in her life. A little more laughter, a little more variety…a little more gentle contact with the man she loved. Was that too much to ask for?

She released a sigh. It was the way life went, she was told by others. Her friend, Louise, had put it bluntly: Don’t expect anything more than what you have. A woman’s role is to grow old beside their man.

Continue reading “First Scene: “the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes”” →

Northern Survival Quote: Canadian Geese

by Diane, posted in Book Launch

For as long as I can remember living here, Canadian Geese have flown over my house in small numbers and very large flocks. One time, I stopped counting when I reached 100 birds. They filled the sky both with their presence and noisy squawk.

This autumn is no different. They’ve been converging on the nearby hayfields, gathering together to either make their journey to southern destinations or to over-winter somewhere near.

Continue reading “Northern Survival Quote: Canadian Geese” →

the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes Description

by Diane, posted in the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes

The description for the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes is still a work in progress, but it’s getting closer to what will appear on the cover. Here’s a peek at it.

She reserved the most convenient lies for herself

the Salvation of Mary Lola BarnesMary Lola Barnes has everything: a loving husband, two wonderful grown children, good friends and a lovely home. She has no business asking for more. It doesn’t matter if she feels something is missing. She’s just being silly. Afterall, what could she ask for? When new friends enter her world, she’s ill prepared for the harsh light that shines on the imperfections in her life. It reveals the emptiness she refuses to acknowledge.

If you love reading stories about women redefining themselves after decades of living, you’ll love the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes.

More to come about this project in next week’s update, where I’ll share the first chapter.

Quote from “Northern Survival”: What matters most in life?

by Diane, posted in Book Launch

The day after the plane crash, Olive’s and Johnathan’s spirits are still relatively high. The immediate threat to their lives – the crash – had passed and they were starting to get to know each other.

An exchange between them while they took a break from walking reveals Olive’s philosophy in life.

Northern Survival“Incredible. You shouldn’t have seen 50. How do feel?”

“Like I’m 23 again except I love life more. I’m here for the fun of it, the adventure. It’s why I don’t watch TV, avoid the news and don’t spend energy on the junk society thinks is important because it’s not. Each day, I’m living.”

He laughed. “Even here? With a city boy lost in the woods?”

“You make it challenging, but I enjoy the hike. I’d prefer more food, better accommodations, cream for my tea but…” She twitched her nose. “It could be worse. I’m alive and well, and that’s all that truly matters.”

Pick up a copy of Northern Survival today. It’s a fast-paced, quick read that mixes survival, adventure and romance.

If you are a Kindle Unlimited member, you read it for free.