Disability Discrimination and Me.

​Disability Discrimination and Me.
I’ve seen posts circulating social media recently about how discrimination has affected people and their lives, and also about how people should be free to be themselves without the worry of being mocked, judged or bullied.

Being disabled, I’ve been discriminated against a few times in my life. But it’s not just in the workplace or at a job interview, it was in my personal life, too. It was from high school crushes and so-called friends. It was random people in the street. I’ve had guys say they wouldn’t date me because I’m a “cripple”; me having a stump was repulsive to them and a total turn off. I’ve had friends say they don’t want me to go swimming with them in case my stump scares their younger sibling. I’ve had another friend say I can’t go for a bike ride with them because I’d be too slow. Those are just a couple of examples. Kids can be cruel, too. Growing up, I had my fair share of comments from kids making nasty remarks about the way I walk and even about the way I talk (I’ve scarring from having tubes down my throat as I was a prem baby, born 13 weeks early so my voice is now husky and quiet). And I’m not going to lie, it really affected me! I often worry what people will think when I tell them I’m disabled. Every time I got into a relationship with a new guy I’d brace myself when telling them about my disabilities (I’m also blind in one eye) in case of rejection. It can be scary. You don’t know what their reaction is going to be. Will they accept you for who you are or run for the hills? 

Other than a few bad apples, I’ve been fairly lucky in my life to have surrounded myself with very caring and supportive friends and family who love me for me. We’ve certainly had some laughs down the road in regards to my prosthetic leg and funny mishaps. I will never live down the toe socks episode, that’s for sure! Or there was the time my sister and I went down the slide as kids. She was in front of me and for some reason held on to my prosthetic leg. As we were sliding down she accidentally pulled it off and it flew a few feet on to the wood chip ground. Suffice to say there were a few shocked faces! And that’s just a couple out of many stories for you haha. I’ve never taken myself seriously. Why have a chip on your shoulder and be angry at the world when you can find the funny? Laugh, love and live life to the best of your ability. There’s no point being angry and bitter all the time; it’s faaar too exhausting! 

I went on to have a career in business administration where I was with the same company for 12 years before I left to start a family. I have since worked in retail over the Christmas period for the past few years. Marks and Spencer were incredibly understanding of my disability and were so lovely to work for. Sadly, I couldn’t work for them last Christmas because I’d had my second baby so wasn’t ready to return to work yet.

Now that I have a little family of my own, I hope to bring them up with the same outlook on life. I will always teach them to be whoever the heck they want to be, do whatever job they want to do, and love whoever they want to love. They’ll get no judgement from me, just my love and support.

#disability #discrimination #loveislove #livelife #beyou #thisisme #acceptance #bekind #amputee #disabled

Release Blitz – Make You Mine By Fabiola Francisco.

**RELEASE BLITZ**

Title: Make You Mine 

Series: Love in Everton, 4

Author: Fabiola Francisco

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Trope: Hate to Lovers

ADD TO YOUR TBR: GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/2NLJm70

BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/2Gd1Rx8 

FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Blurb:

I’ve had a fifteen-year-plan since high school—get a degree in hospitality, learn the ropes working for a big hotel, before opening my own bed and breakfast. 

Eli Hastings isn’t part of that plan. The sexy-as-sin contractor I hired to renovate my bed and breakfast is the kind of man I’ve learned to stay away from. 

I can’t stand him most of the time, especially when he’s interfering in my dreams like a know-it-all. That doesn’t mean I don’t imagine what it would feel like to have him pressed against me, but those fantasies are my best kept secret. 

I try to hate him, but one kiss is enough to give in to my desires. Eli challenges me to live outside of my box, until one major deviation in my plan is too big to ignore. I refuse for anything to stand in the way of my dream, even if it causes me to break my own heart.

Check out the Love in Everton Series here: 

Amazon Series page. https://amzn.to/32Ogb9J

FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Meet Fabiola Francisco

Fabiola Francisco is a contemporary romance author from South Florida. Writing as been a part of her life since she was a teenager. Even at that age, she dreamed of happy endings with emotional twists. Her novels include Perfectly Imperfect, The Restoring Series, Sweet on You Duet, and Red Lights, Black Hearts.  

Her passion for books and writing has inspired her to write her own stories. She writes novels readers could relate to and grow with. She’s currently working on writing more stories that connect with readers on a deeper.

Fabiola also loves expressing herself through art and spending time in nature. In her spare time, she loves to cuddle with a good book and a glass of wine.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorfabiolafrancisco/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorfabiola/

Website: www.authorfabiolafrancisco.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bm9D0b 

Release Tour – First Impressions by Dee Palmer!

Title : First Impressions

Author: Dee Palmer

Standalone 

Genre: Steamy Contemporary Romance

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48636585-first-impressions

BUY THE BOOK

AMAZON US: https://www.amazon.com/First-Impressions-Enemies-Lovers-Romance-ebook/dp/B085WYGH2Q/

AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Impressions-Enemies-Lovers-Romance-ebook/dp/B085WYGH2Q/

BLURB

A vulnerable young widow down on her luck. A narcissistic millionaire with all the right resources. Will steamy tension lead to unlikely love?

Harlow Hart didn’t think life could get any worse. After risking a return to dating and getting catfished in Asia, she winds up broke and on the first flight out. Surprised by the airline’s sexy CEO offer to help her, she refuses to fall for his charming tricks.

Laiken Cash takes exactly what he desires. Irritated that his potential conquest is ungrateful for the assistance, he disciplines her by making her work off her debt as his PA. But when her fiery disdain swells, so does Cash’s desire to rip off her clothes.

Harlow has never been with a man who can navigate a woman’s body quite like Cash, and his expertise is increasingly difficult to refuse. But a past tragedy closed off Cash’s heart and he struggles to open up to the woman driving him wild.

Will Harlow and Cash stop butting heads long enough to give into their deepest temptations?

First Impressions is a sultry standalone contemporary romance novel. If you like sizzling power dynamics, enemies-to-lovers’ trysts, and smoking-hot men, then you’ll love Dee Palmer’s passionate tale.

Buy First Impressions for a tantalizing read today!

Author Bio

Dee Palmer lives just outside of London. Her passion is writing sexy, steamy romance stories that will scorch the pages right off your kindle and are guaranteed to make your heart pound. She loves an HEA but isn’t afraid to put her readers through the ringer before she delivers.

When not at her desk she can be found either fannying around on Facebook or with her nose stuck in her Kindle. Once in a while when the lights are down she might be spotted about town searching for the best French martinis and throwing some dubious shapes on the dance floor.

Author Links

Amazon: Dee Palmer

Web: https://deepalmerwriter.com/

Instagram: deepalmerwriter

Bookbub: Dee Palmer View Profile

Facebook: 3Dee Palmer – Author

Twitter: Profile

Dee’s Reader Group: Dee’s – ‘Chosen Ones’

Gift Card Giveaway- Enter here!

Excerpt

Harlow

It’s not like I didn’t know places like this existed, or people like Cash lived in them. I just never expected to have an up close and personal encounter. It’s so far removed from my world. I’ve spent my life in the poorest parts of the world with my parents, traveling in pop up clinics where they would treat and vaccinate and I’d teach. Since graduating University that is my life, six months abroad, six months in the UK raising money to do the next six months. 

Sniffing, an unpleasant thought crosses my mind. I push it to the back and lock it away.

“What?” Cash narrows his eyes, watching my face for clues. It’s probably written like a big fat Sharpie pen across my forehead, still I force a flat smile and shake my head.

“Nothing.” I say silently reminding myself; not the time Harlow, not the time to point out that his furniture probably cost more than I will make in my lifetime.

He drops his piles of letters, irritation clipping his words nice and short. “OK, we might as well get this out of the way if you’re going to be working for me.” He straightens himself to his full height and walks closer to me. I straighten too. I’m not intimidated by his height, it’s his aurora that has me shaken and he damn well knows it. So much so that it takes a few long seconds for my brain to process what he’s just said.

“Get what out of the way? Wait a minute! What do you mean, work for you? Why on earth would I work for you?” 

“Because darlin’ You. Owe. Me.” He steps closer with each carefully pronounced word.

“What?”

“Did I stutter?” He cocks his head and leaves me utterly speechless. He can’t be serious? I mean he looks deadly serious but really? What a complete fucking arsehole.

My blood is boiling at this point and it takes every ounce of restraint not to knock that smug expression off his face. I storm over a the desk in the corner of the room with a flashy Apple PC and wiggle the mouse to wake the screen. He walks up behind me, his body brushes mine. I ignore the sparks of electricity that crackle between. He’s too close to think. Leaning over, I find I have to bend with him or he’d crush me trying to reach the switch on at the wall. The screen lights up. It’s a compromising position and I happily elbow him in the gut to give me some space. He steps to the side, clearly amused a throaty laugh rumbles from him. I sit. It takes a moment to open my bank and a few seconds more to remember my login details.

“So how much do I owe you exactly?” I ask.

“Twelve thousand dollars for the flight and lets say two hundred for the transfer and accommodation. I’ll throw the food in gratis.” He says mater of factly. I snort.

“Oh you’re such a gentleman but you can do one, if you think I’m paying twelve grand for a flight I already paid for. I didn’t ask for the upgrade.” I’m standing now, indignation prickling my last nerve raw.

“But you took it.” He states.

“You didn’t give me a choice.” Exasperated, I don’t know him well enough to know if he’s playing me. It feels like a game yet, it doesn’t.

“Oh please, you had a choice. It just served your goodie-two-shoes ideals to pretend you didn’t.” He arches a knowing brow. Even if this was a game I’m done playing and the last thing I want in the world is owe this man a single damn penny.

“You are unbelievable you know that?”

“I’ve been called worse, now pay up princess.” He cups his hand as if waiting for my to hand over the physical cash into his expectant palm.

“How do you sleep at night.?” I snide and sit back down.

“Butt naked with the AC on full.” 

Hallowreads 2017!! 🎃

Hey all. Sorry I’ve been MIA for a couple of weeks. My little girl and I went back to my home town to spend some quality time with family and friends and to also celebrate my mum’s birthday. We had such an amazing time, it was so great seeing everyone again. I even got to pop into my old work and have a catch up with some of my ex colleagues! Of course they all adored Willow who was chatty and cheeky and walked round like she owned the place. 😂

Anyway, onto today’s post…
October is nearly upon us which means… Halloween season! Wooo! In my house that means watching as many scary movies as possible and reading spooky books! This October’s Halloween reads will be… 

The Crow Man by Katie M. John

Book of Spells by Christina Benjamin, Katie M. John, Carlyle Labuschagne, Caroline Gill, Susan Burdorf, and Tia Silverthorne Bach

Sooo excited for the release of The Crow Man by the fabulous Katie M. John and Book of Spells a spooky anthology by amazing authors Christina Benjamin, Katie M. John, Carlyle Labuschagne, Caroline Gill, Susan Burdorf, and Tia Silverthorne Bach! Perfect for the season!
What will YOU be reading?? Do you have any spooky, scary reads to recommend?

Book Mail!

I always love getting books in the post! Today Penguin have
sent me “A New Darkness” and “The Dark Army” by Joseph Delaney and also “The Creeping Shadow” by Jonathan Stroud. Have any of you read the Spooks or Lockwood & Co series? I’m so excited to read these! I shall be saving them for Halloween season!

#bookmail #books #reading #amreading #horror #halloween #spooks #lockwoodandco #bookblogger #bookblog #blog #blogging #halloween

Blame by Simon Mayo – Read-along!

Hi everyone. The lovely people at Penguin recently sent me a copy of Blame by Simon Mayo. I’m so excited to read it! My boyfriend’s mum has also got a copy so, starting tonight, we have decided to do a read-along where we’ll read a chapter each night. This is actually a great way for me to read as with having little Willow now, I’ve been struggling to read as much as I used to, but setting aside half an hour or so to read a chapter is doable!

If you haven’t heard of Blame yet, here’s the blurb:

“Heritage crime [noun]: A previously undetected crime committed by your parents or grandparents for which you are held responsible. 

Ant and her brother, Mattie, are locked up in Spike, a new family prison.  Society demands they do time for the unpunished heritage crimes of their parents. Tension is simmering inside the jail.  When the tension breaks and a riot begins, Ant realizes they’ve got one chance to break out. 
It’s time for Ant to show the world that they’re NOT TO BLAME.”

Have any of you read Blame? If so, what did you think? Do any of you have it on your TBR list? Do you fancy reading along with us? Let me know in the comments below.

Take care,
Dayna.

Sleep tight my beautiful kitties.

It’s not often that I will post about my personal life. At least not a post like this…
When I moved away to Pembrokeshire, leaving my cats (albeit with my parents as 5 of the 6 were the whole family’s cats) was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. In some ways, it was the hardest. I spent countless days crying and missing them. Particularly Felix as she was my little fur baby. I wanted to take her with me, but as grumpy as she was to the other cats, I wasn’t sure how she’d react to living with me on her own. It got even harder once Willow was born as I knew I couldn’t see them anywhere near as much as I had been but I was excited for the day when they’d finally meet her.
Yesterday I’d heard from my mum that Tessa was really poorly. Not just that, but Felix was also missing! Terra, our other cat, kept going out to look for her. In the early hours of this morning, cuddled up with my mum and dad on the sofa, Tessa sadly passed away from suspected poisoning.

Tessa lazing in the garden.

Felix still hasn’t come home and Terra is now also missing. We suspect they have both been poisoned, too.

Felix was always the crazy one.

Completely and utterly heartbroken over the news. Hurting so bad and I have cried so much my head hurts as well as my heart. I’m still holding onto a glimmer of hope that Felix and Terra will be found and that they’re OK but it doesn’t look good. 😭

Terra always dreamed big and saw himself as a panther in the making.

Such an incredibly sad day. I’m hating the world and hating the people who think it’s ok to poison cats and other pets. 😿 How can we have lost 3 beautiful cats in the space of 24 hours?! It’s just not fair!

Now Felix won’t be waiting in the garden when I come home from Wales for a visit. Looking at me all shocked when I call her name then happy purring and meowing when she realises it’s me. No longer will she laze on my bed, having some down time from the other cats, and no longer will I be able to have cuddles with our three fur babies.
Sorry for such a gloomy post. I just wanted to write about it and get all my feelings out. Completely devastated right now.

The Tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

(please excuse the poor photo quality)

Beatrix Potter is one of my fave children’s authors. I love her stories but I think I love her illustrations even more. – They’re so beautiful. Tonight, when my little girl couldn’t sleep, I decided to read The Tale of Peter Rabbit to her for the first time. She’s now falling asleep. 💤
 

Even after all these years, I still enjoyed reading it and really felt for poor, naughty, Peter.

It gave me such a warm fuzzy feeling to be so lucky as to have my very own daughter that I can read books to and pass down my childhood favourites to. I really do hope she becomes a book lover just like me.
My apologies for such a short review tonight. Brain is getting sleepy so has given up for the night lol!

Take care, guys,

Dayna.

My Summer Book Stack.

Woohoo the Summer has officially arrived! Happy belated Summer Solstice everyone! Living in Pembrokeshire now means I get to go to the beach a fair bit during the Summer as we have several near by. That is on the few occasions that we actually get to see a bit of sun lol! I’m not one for the hot weather, but I do love bright sunny days where the sky is a beautiful shade of blue with a few fluffy clouds floating by. The perfect opportunity to sit on the beach and do a spot of reading. This brings me to my post. I’ve decided to put together a few books that I’d like to read over the Summer. My Summer book stack! Now, whether I’ll be able to get through them all, I don’t know but I shall certainly try. The books I’ve chosen are:

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Burn For Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Life and Death Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyer

I’ve had some of these books for quite some time but hadn’t got around to reading them. Hopefully I’ll get through them all this Summer! I am particularly excited about reading Lady Midnight as I adore Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices. Have you read any of these? Do you have a Summer TBR list? What will you be reading? Let me know in the comments below! 😃
Oh, and if you don’t already know, we’re on Facebook! Stop on by and say hi!

Take care,

Dayna.

Serial Reader – An app for book lovers!

This morning I’d noticed on Litsy that people were talking about an app called Serial Reader. Being a book lover, I thought I’d check it out!

I know it’s my first day of using it but so far I’m loving it! It’s  an app for people who love to read the classics. Your book of choice is split up into manageable bite size pieces called issues (like a comic/graphic novel). 

Each day, at a time of your choosing, an issue is sent to you and you’re also given an estimated reading time. – I thought it might also calculate your actual reading time but it doesn’t which is shame. In my opinion, it would be great if they could update it to do that. Once you’ve read an issue, you have the option of waiting until the next day or, if you’re the impatient type and the book is just too exciting to wait, you can read on ahead to the next issue. However, to do that, you have to upgrade which costs £2.99. This unlocks the option to read ahead, sync with iCloud, make highlights and notes, pause & read later, and add more fonts. I love the concept of this app and with the upgrade, it reminds me a lot of the Kindle app. I think maybe £2.99 for the upgrade is a little steep, though, and I’m not in the habit of paying for upgrades in apps anyway but that aside, the app is still  definitely worth downloading and gets a thumbs up from me as I love the idea of looking forward to an issue to read each day.

Have a lovely day, guys!

Dayna.