Hi,

I hope February finds you well and happy. Here in Ireland the weather is surprisingly mild. The trees are budding, the birds are singing, the sun is shining, and the frost is lurking ready to strike late. My childhood winters were spent in Essex, in an uninsulated, unheated house, where I suffered from crippling chilblains, so I'm not complaining. I appreciate how lucky we are to be here, happy with our third trimester in life, especially after meeting Caroline in a Charity Shop in Skibbereen a short while ago. I was totally moved by her story. She explains in her own words:

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My name is Caroline. I am a survivor of institutional abuse. I would like to share my story with you. I grew up in Northern Ireland during the troubles, within a loving family. At the age of twelve I was abducted from the street and put into St Josephs Training School in Armagh, a school for troubled children. They said my family unit had broken down. This was not true. From then, until I was 16 years of age I was totally isolated from my family. We were allowed zero contact. I was sent, by the nuns, to live in a priest’s house where I was exploited for free labour, working as a slave seven days a week. The nuns received a children’s allowance for my care. A couple of months before my 18^th birthday I was set free, with no education, a criminal record that justified their actions, 10 pounds in my pocket, and no idea where I was. I discovered my mother, who had become an alcoholic through the stress of trying to find me and set me free. With some rehabilitation assistance from various charities, I became a qualified counsellor, and now dedicate my life to helping those who survived the Magdalene laundries; mothers who had children taken from them; and those men and women who had ended up in baby homes, on the street or addicted to drugs. My story is due to be published in August 2022.

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Caroline instigated the Cork and Kerry Outreach program, and runs the charity shop to help fund it. She works full time to raise awareness and finances for those in need. When I read that brief outline, I was moved to admiration. I wonder, would we discover such determination and compassion? It is too easy to slide down the route of eternal analysis and self-pity, to seek retribution, or end up fostering blame or hatred. But as a great philosopher said, some 2022 years ago: to receive love, first you have to unconditionally give it. Caroline has certainly taken that to heart. I will be proofing her book for her as a gesture of goodwill, and will let you know when it's available for purchase.

Home Front Renovations

You are seeing the renovations in story time, not real time. In reality everything is being done in a pickle, a bit here, a bit there, over many years, as we can afford materials and discover the energy to undertake things we're really not skilled at! I am showing you the progress for various sections as they (almost) come to completion. As well as renovating the house, we have been tipping away for several years at turning a barren field into a fertile vegetable patch... and every vegetable garden needs a shed, sooner or later. So, finally, here it is:

Fiction Update

The sequel to the Silence of Children is (still) nearing completion, and almost ready for beta readers. Meanwhile, the Legend of the Selkie is available for review (please nicely to those who took a copy and haven't yet got around to reviewing!). And a HUGE thanks to those who have already posted some great online reviews.

When her husband, Colm, is assumed dead after a trawling disaster, Grainne comes to terms with an unexpected pregnancy while mourning the child’s father. When Colm is discovered alive, everyone thinks it’s a miracle, but Grainne is not so sure. Local legend suggests that Colm’s mother was a selkie. Could it be true? Does that mean she will lose her son to the sea? Grainne is brought to life as a determined and strong heroine. This novel, based in West Cork, Ireland, encompasses a deep feeling for the local environment and its people. It is interwoven with myth and legend. The story is an exploration of love and loss in many forms.

Your review would be enormously appreciated:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PJQ91D9/

*** BOOKS FREE OR ON OFFER ***

If you are new to my list, and are willing to post an online review of one of my books, email me and I will send you a link to the book of your choice.

I welcome feedback on my writing.

Happy Reading

www.chrislewando.com

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