Manslaughter for free
The last few weeks have been absolutely hectic. The kids’ visit came and went in the blink of an eye and my mother was taken sick and is now in the capable hands of doctors. A mighty big thank you to everyone who sent her their best wishes through my last post. She’s reading all your comments and also reading them to visitors, patients and doctors!
I was so sad to see my children go, one by one a tearful goodbye at the airport. My daughter was the last to leave and as I was getting ready to take her to the airport I banged my chin on the top of the car door and bit my tongue. Giving myself this uppercut was the last straw and I cried all the way to the airport. Once I sort out all the pictures of our time together I’ll post them here (none of my bitten tongue – I promise).
Because my mother is my biggest fan, I’ve decided to put my book of short stories on Kindle for free for the next week. It’s a thank you to all of you for your thoughts and best wishes for her.
Some of the stories in this book have won national writing awards so it’s also a good opportunity to snatch them up without paying top dollar through traditional publishers who have included them in anthologies. Because my mother always asks where I get my story ideas from I’ve also included the reasons why I wrote each story at the back of the book.
Don’t let this award winning offer slip through your fingers. Enjoy!
UPDATE: Check out Dan’s review http://danpentagram.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/manslaughter-and-other-tears-by-dianne-gray-book-review/
Dianne Gray author 
There’s a treat. I’ll download today!
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Thank you! 😀
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This is a great gesture – these are some of the most stunning short stories I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Download this book now people.
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Awww – thank you so much, Roy, I’m so glad you enjoyed them 😀
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Wow! Thanks so much, Dianne! What a treat! I’m happy to hear your mom is in capable hands. I hope your tongue is feeling better; that’s always painful!
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Strangely enough I bit my tongue twice in two days in the same spot (OUCH!) I have to learn to keep my mouth closed 😉
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Downloaded. My best wishes to your Mum – and i do hope your tongue has healed!
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Thank you so much, Anna. My mum has started her medication now, so I’m hoping it works and makes her feel a whole lot better 😀
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Ouch on the tongue! Hope you and mom are doing better. Sometimes you just need to cry. Now I’m going to go download your generous offering. Can’t wait to read it! Thank you so much.
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Thank you, Jackie 😀 My tongue is feeling a lot better (I think I just needed a cry and that was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ as they say) 😉
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How cool !!
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YAY! 😀
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Thank you Dianne for the kind opportunity, look forward to reading my copy soon.
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I hope you really enjoy it, Kath 😀
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I hope your mum gets better and you are healing toox
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Just ordered. Thanks so much.
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Thank you! Enjoy 😀
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Thanks, Dianne. My Kindle for PC has been fighting back, but I found I can read Kindle Books in my Cloud Reader. Yay! I’m looking forward to it.
Hope your mom feels better soon.
Stop biting your tongue ~ if you’ve got something to say, just say it.
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I just read Hot Dog Cart ~ the title tied in nicely with our 4th of July festivities (especially the Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island).
OMG. That’s the funniest tragedy I’ve ever read.
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LOL – that was quick! Well done 😀 😀 😀
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LOL! I love the Freudian look at the tongue biting, Nancy – I was thinking the same myself 😀
I really hope you enjoy the stories 😀
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I read the one with the lasagna (The Butcher of Meena Creek) . . . yes!!! I suspected the twist but still cheered at the way you revealed it. Just awesome.
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I love Maggie! What a woman (people ask me how my hubby sleeps at night with stories like this floating around!) 😉
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HI Dianne, I am sorry to hear about your mom. I do hope she’s on the mend now! Of course she’s your greatest fan, moms are the awesome-est ever! Will download the book, I need to read some more of your books, anyway! I enjoyed the last one I read very much. Sorry about the biting your tongue. Does give a good excuse for the tears though! But Iim betting there were tears all the way around during the leaving. Take care of you and mom and your wonderful family, Penny xo
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What a beautiful and thoughtful comment, Penny. There were tears all round when I had to say goodbye to the kids, but they had a fabulous time and are already talking about and planning the next holiday here 😀
I really hope you enjoy the stories in the book – you know me, all my stories are different so there’s something in there for everybody 😉
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Diane, first, I’m so sorry, I must of missed your post about your mom, I hope she is doing well. I need to try to find the post you did about her. I’ve been kind of swamped and under the weather, so I missed a bunch of posts. When I came back to my email; I was a bit overwhelmed and didn’t get to all of them.
Second, thank you for the free read. I look forward to it!
Third, I’m sorry your time with your kids went too quickly and equally sorry that you bit your tongue. That is not fun at all, especially when you were already in a fragile state! I hope you are better now (in all ways). Have a great week and thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much, Darla 😀 My mum has been diagnosed with advanced myeloma and is now receiving treatment (which is a big relief).
I know what it’s like to get overwhelmed by the emails and by life, so just relax and have a nice read of my stories when you get the chance – and have a lovely weekend! 😀
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Yours seems to be a wonderful family. it’s so great that your mum has this communication line to you now and insight into your thoughts and daily life. The little accidents, like biting your tongue, are what tap into all the other deeply felt stresses to set us off, aren’t they? We think – oh, how stupid! And that little moment lets the vulnerability that we’ve been keeping out in.
Thanks so much for the book! I got back to reading ‘Let Sleeping Gods Lie’ last night now that the uni term is over and I really enjoy your style and fluidity of writing. It will be wonderful to get the background on your stories.
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You’re so right about the little accidents setting off other feelings. I could have done that any other time and just thought, ‘what a twit!’, but not this time 😦
I’m so glad you’re enjoying Sleeping Gods – and I really hope you like some of the short stories in the book. I’m a big fan of short stories because I don’t have a lot of time to sit down and read long novels. Enjoy your uni break 😀
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Greetings Dianne from deep in the heart of Texas!! I definitely want to read your short stories – I’m looking forward to it and thanks so very much!! I also send my warmest wishes to you and your mother during this time. Please let her know we are sending our best to her from a world away!!
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I hope you enjoy the stories, Shelia 😀
My mother is doing a little better now and I’m sure it has a lot to do with all the well-wishes she’s getting from all over the world. Give my love to all in Texas, thank you for your thoughts and best wishes, and have a great weekend 😀
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Glad to hear your mother’s doctors are caring for her. Where would we be without them? And thanks for the short stories, how generous of you. You taking on the car door with your chin reminds me of all the injuries I sustain in my house and car. I’ll often be saying ‘who put that there’ when I bang into a wall, door, sun visor or get yanked back by the seat belt when I forget to extricate myself fully from it. It’s almost like someone sneaked in during the night moved things. 😉
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LOL! This sounds so much like me! I’m sure ‘something’ moves things just to have a bit of a giggle when I crash into it 😀
Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts about my mum. Doctors – yes, we are SO lucky here 😉
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Catchy blog title! Just downloaded my free copy. What a treat–thank you for the opportunity. After enjoying ‘Wolf Pear’ I know I’ll love the stories.
Hope your mother makes a smooth recovery (and I hope your tongue has healed, too!)
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Thank you so much, Carrie (I thought the title was pretty eye-catching myself) 😉
I just love short stories (or ‘toilet reads’ as hubby calls them!) because I can finish reading one in no time at all and read the next while I’m on a train or waiting at the dentist (yikes!).
Thank you so much for your best wishes for my mum – I’m hoping the medication eases things for her 😀
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Got mine, Diane. I’m spending lots of time this summer reading, so this is perfect.
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YAY – enjoy! 😀
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Best wishes to your mom – hope she feels better soon!! I’ll look forward to reading the stories!! Hugs to you!
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…and big hugs right back at you my dear 😀 I really hope you enjoy the stories and I’m still wrapped about you being FP’d! 😀
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Thanks!! It was a surprise – the email notification went to my junk box so I found out through a comment!!
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Yikes! I guess this is what happens when ‘manslaughter’ is in the title 😯
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What a great idea! Thanks Dianne! (and DIanne’s mom! 🙂 )
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Thank you, Amb. Enjoy! 😀
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I need to go back and read your last blog post…I have gotten behind. But let me say right now…I am wishing her well…and you.
As for the free kindles books…*smiles* … I want to support you there too…so I will buy…because *S*. (I think I will be needing some good books to read here soon too … so yahhhh!)
*hugs you…and makes a squinchy face at your poor tongue*
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No need to buy my darling – the book is free 😀 Just sit back, relax and read. Big *hugs* to you, I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately xoxoxo
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Catchy post title!
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LOL – thanks! 😀
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Thank you.. I’ve downloaded it already… sad when everyone has left after a visit… the house seems so big and empty for awhile… empty nest syndrome…
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I’ve got ’empty nest’ big time, Bulldog. Luckily I’ve just been given 21 windows to sand and paint to put in the bedrooms! LOL – that’ll keep my busy until they come back 😉 Thank you so much for the download – enjoy! 😀
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Read one of the shorts already, straight after downloading… I can see why your an author… beautifully written and your method of describing the story makes it come alive on the page… you’re damn good….
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Thank you so much! Your thoughts mean a lot to me, Bulldog 😀
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You’re so sweet, Dianne!
Hugs to you and your mom!!
Hope your tongue heals quickly…
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Thank you so much, Denise! My tongue is feeling a lot better now (although I was speaking like ‘the Godfather’ for a few days afterward! 😀
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Downloading and I can’t wait to read it!
I too have children who live an airplane ride away from me, so I know exactly how you feel and my heart goes out to you, Dianne…
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Awww – Maggie, it’s so very sad when they go 😦 But the good thing is that they’re SO keen to come back because they had such a wonderful time. It’s been a while since they’ve lived here and they just love the RUC (and that makes me feel very happy indeed!)
I really hope you enjoy reading the stories and thank you so much for downloading 😀
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How is your mum doing, Dianne?
Here is a hug for you so the vastness seems a little smaller.
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Thank you so much, Kate. My mum is now taking some medication that will (hopefully) give her some relief from the effects of this awful thing. I keep in regular touch with my sisters and am planing to jump on a plane soon and go visit her 😉
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That’s wonderful. My brother is visiting. I am so loving the company right now.
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Many thanks Dianne. I’ve downloaded it and look forward to reading the stories.
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I really hope you like them. Thanks so much for coming by to let me know 😀
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I don’t have a kindle – but that is a lovely gesture. I hope ‘mum’ is fairing well xx
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I don’t have a kindle either, Jen 😦 I usually download any stories I get on Kindle for PC (but it’s not easy reading on a computer screen). Thanks so much for coming by to say Hi and to wish my mum the best 😉
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Just downloaded it. Thanks.
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Excellent – enjoy! 😀
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Thanks Dianne. I have been meaning to download The Eleventh Question so I will do both while I’m on Amazon. It’s good to hear that your Mum is doing well and also that you had a lovely visit with all your offspring. Take care.
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Thank you so much 😀 I really hope you enjoy the stories (and an extra big thanks for the well wishes for my mum!) 😀
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That’s really super, Dianne. I’ve just downloaded your book. I do love short stories. Thanks you much. I hope your mom is doing well under the doctor’s expert care. Hugs to her. Sorry about your tongue biting episode. That really sucks…..well you know what I mean. 🙂 I’m sure you had a wonderful time with your kids, and made memories that will stay with you all for ever. Happy weekend to you, Dianne. xx
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Thank you so much, Sylvia. The visit with the kids was amazing and I want to post a video but it’s far too big (my daughter’s boyfriend coming face to face with a big crocodile!) I see if I can find a way to get it up here 😀
I’m so glad my mum is now taking some medication for her condition. I’m sure it will make her a lot more comfortable. As for the tongue – I have to learn to keep my mouth shut when I’m getting in the car! 😉
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Hehehe. 😆
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Dianne,
For you it’s the bottom of you head, for me it’s the top! Some years ago I decided I’d see if I could pull of the new-ever-so-popular shaven head look. I cut it all off and looked at the results: there were so many dings and dents from times I stood up under something too low, forgot to close the kitchen cabinets, or whacked myself in the head with a car door that I grew my hair back as fast as I could!
Crying’s good. More of us should do it more often!
Cheers,
Peter
A retired Photographer looks at life
Life Unscripted
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If there’s one thing I hate it’s hitting the top of my head (there must an ‘Incredible Hulk’ trigger in me when I hit the top of my head because it’s one of the only things in life that really makes me angry). My father was the same and would use every word under the sun if he hit the top of his head 😉 LOL
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LOL — well, I can’t say as I LIKE IT! I’m just such a klutz that I chalk it up as — there I go doing it again.
Fortunately I haven’t done it in a while!
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thank you! I just downloaded it – I am sending warm wishes of healing to your mother and peace for you that for a few minutes you can breathe more deeply and forget that life is hectic!
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Thank you so much for the best wishes for my mother (and peace for me! – I need it) – very much appreciated 😀
I really hope you enjoy the stories 😀
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Lots of emotion in your weeks – good and bad, but draining…best wishes to you and your mother from down here xx
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Thank you so much, Annie 😀
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I missed your last post, but have just gone back and read it. I hope your mum is doing better and think it’s wonderful that she’s now the biggest fan of your blog! It’s very generous of you to put your work out for readers to get hold of free. I hope it brings you some new and faithful readers.
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Thank you, Rebecca. I thought it was about time I put the short stories out there for free (unfortunately it only lasts a week on Kindle because Amazon don’t like freebies 😯 )
Thank you so much for the best wishes for my mum – she’ll love that! 😀
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Awesome Dianne, just got my copy 🙂 You can look forward to a review when I’m done. Excellent excuse to get back into your writing 🙂
Sorry to hear about your mum (and your poor tongue!). Hope she’s doing okay, and feeling better soon!
I look forward to seeing the photos 🙂 Keep well!
Rohan.
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Hey Rohan – thanks so much! I love that fact that you do reviews (I’m really bad at reviews and am in absolute awe of anyone who can do them well like you do!) I really hope you enjoy the stories 😀
Thanks so much for the best wishes for my mum (and my poor tongue) 😀
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Dianne, I’m definitely going to download it. I’ve got my hands on an iPad from work that I get to borrow for a little while, so I’m going to read it on that.
I’m glad your visit with your children was good, and that your mum is getting better, and that she’s enjoyed meeting all your online friends. 🙂
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This is great, Janna. Work is always handy when it comes to getting our hands on technology. I really hope you enjoy the stories 😀
The visit with the children was like a whirlwind and over SO fast 😦 Oh well, there’s always next time 😉
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God bless your Mom! God bless you and your generosity – “Manslaughter And Other Tears” already in my library… Sorry about your tongue – ouch! Let’s stop with the clumsiness, huh!!! 🙂 Waiting to see the pictures.
Incidentally, not that the seas will part with this news, but Julie and I are moving to Tennessee (the state of my birth and childhood) — perhaps the finish in Appalachia will be better than the beginning!
You’re the best! All good wishes to you and yours…
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Congratulations on the move! I really hope it goes well for you and Julie! I’m looking forward to reading about it on your blog in the coming weeks/months 😀
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What a lovely kind thought, Dianne. I don’t have a Kindle either but I’ll be searching those library shelves. Love to your Mum. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Jo 😀
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Oh man, I hate it when I am sad already then hurt myself…the tears are impossible to stop! Sorry to hear about the car’s uppercut, those things don’t pull their punches at all!
Thanks for the book too! I am so excited, it is downloaded and ready to go 🙂
All the best to mom! I hope the treatment and meds do what they are supposed to and things straighten out quickly.
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Cars can give a pretty good uppercut! I probably deserved it for not washing it 😉
I’m so glad you downloaded the book. Short stories are my faves because you can finish them quickly and not have to remember what page number you’re up to (yes – I’m basically lazy) 😉
Thanks so much for the best wishes – my mum will be wrapped 😀
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That is so generous of you, Dianne! I just downloaded my copy. 🙂 I’m glad you had a wonderful visit with your children, but please be careful and take care of yourself! Best wishes to your mom for her recovery!
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Thank you so much, JM 😉 I really hope you enjoy the stories and an extra big ‘thank you’ for wishing my mum a speedy recovery!:D
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Reblogged this on T. W. Dittmer and commented:
Dianne Gray’s book of short stories on Kindle is free right now.
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‘The Butcher of Meena Creek’ – wickedly delicious 😆
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I love your use of words! So glad you enjoyed it (my hubby didn’t!) LOL 😀
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Just going to download this after reading your blog. Thank you. I do hope your mother is well now.
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Thank you so much, Katy! I just checked out your blog and am looking forward to following you 😀
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Reblogged this on Spirit Lights The Way and commented:
The first story I read, Hotdog Cart, is the funniest tragedy I’ve ever had the pleasure to inhale in a single gulp. Dianne has a way of twisting tearful situations into humorous anecdotes that are full of joy to counterbalance the pathos.
You’ll want to read more.
And now you can . . . for FREE. Dianne has put her book of short stories on Kindle for FREE this week. Snag your copy today.
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I reposted as a post because the re-blog would NOT behave.
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Sending tons of goodness to your amazing mom, downloaded the stories, and about to share with the masses. : )
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You’re wonderful. Britt!! 😀
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So generous of you, Dianne. I downloaded it and am looking forward to reading. I have to say though that it was a VERY frustrating about 2 hours trying to figure out how to do this on my new tablet – I so hate new technology – it always provides hours of frustration when it comes into my house. New (1st) tablet and never downloaded a e-book before … But I persevered and now I have your book. Yay
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Woo Hoo! I hope this makes it easier next time you need to download a book, Lynne (and I also hope my book is worth the hours of frustration). Enjoy 😀
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It’s so wonderful of you to share your great stories for free, Dianne!
Sending healing wishes to your mum – hope she recuperates soon 🙂
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Thank you so much, Letizia 😀 I know my mum really appreciates all these beautiful well-wishes 😀
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I saw this blog post title (Manslaughter for free) in my email and I thought, “What?? Is this a new side business you’re doing?” How relieved I am to realize it’s a book of short stories…fiction, I hope 🙂 If I don’t get sidetracked, I plan to fire up the Kindle and download it. After reading some of the above comments, I’m really curious about it!
I’m glad your mom is in capable hands and I hope she has a speedy recovery. She must enjoy the opportunity to brag about you, though! (Moms do like that, don’t they? I know I do!)
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LOL – a business in manslaughter, now that would be something 😉 I hope you get a chance to download it before it’s taken off the ‘free’ list 😀
Thanks so much for your best wishes for my mother – she is so humbled by all these kind thoughts coming her way 😀
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I’ve downloaded Manslaughter and Other Tears onto the Kindle Reader on my phone… so good to have short stories on hand – thank you so much. I’m please your mum is getting treatment and enjoys the posts and comments.
I hate biting my tongue or the inside of my cheek, and yes, I always seem to do it at least twice. Hopefully it will heal quickly for you, also the sadness at your kids’ holiday coming to an end. I’m sure you all had a fantastic time, and it went too fast. Good times always do. Maybe start planning for the next get together 😉
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I really hope you enjoy the stories, Ella. It’s always handy to have some on the phone in case you’re waiting somewhere or travelling (it makes the time fly!) 😉
Thank you so much for your well wishes for my mum – she and I really appreciate them 😀
The kids are already planning their next trip so I’m VERY excited about that 😀
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Dianne, I just read “The Hot Dog Stand,” and I am in awe of your writing and story telling. Can’t wait to read the other stories. Thank you for making this available.
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I’m so glad you liked it, Marylin. Thank you so much for coming over to let me know, I’m thrilled! 😀
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Oy, Dianne, i am so sorry to read that you hurt yourself :(((( I don’t know if i can post links here – but if you google ‘kabbalah 3 negative weeks’ – you’ll get to scribd handout, it takes 2 min to read it, but it can really help to understand why such hard stuff is happening in this period :(((( Much love and Light sent your moms way! (Oh, and how cool of you to share the stories, will repost for my friend on fb!) xxxx
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Thank you, Lena. I’ll Google that now to read about it! Also – thank you so much for the repost on FB 😀
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such a wonderful gift! thank you 🙂 I posted this comment yesterday, and somehow it didn’t show up
loads of love and prayers for your Mum and you Dianne!
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Thank you so much my dear! 😀
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I have to say, even though I paid for this a while ago, I enjoyed the writing so much that it doesn’t hurt a bit that you are now offering it for free!! I hope you’ve had lots of interest. A crime if not xx
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Thank you so much, Gabriela 😀
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Hi Dianne, I have taken you up on your free book offer. Thank you. I hope your tongue is healing ok and your mom is improving.
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Thank you so much 😀 Yes – my tongue is doing fine and my mother is responding well to her medication 😀
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Oh Damn 😦
I either missed it or it wasn’t free in the UK….i already have a copy but i wanted to share on FaceBook.
Hope you had lots of downloads honey xx
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Oh dear – I think you might have missed it 😦 Never mind. I think I got up to about 150 😀
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Thats awesome- I wish I had a Kindle to take advantage of that amazing author. I can imagine you have some amazing short stories!
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What a fabulous offer! I don’t have kindle though… Hope all is well with you and your mum…glad you were able to enjoy time with all your kids…(: hope your tongue heals quickly…ouch !): Things often happen all at once, don’t they?…
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No problems about the Kindle (I think the book has gone back to normal price now) 😦 I have ‘Kindle for PC’ on my laptop and it’s brilliant 😉
Thanks so much for the well-wishes for my mum – she’s doing really well 😀
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How generous of you with the Kindle offer though I don’t it. I will get my hands somehow on the book though. Hope you have recovered from the airport goodbyes, oh I dread those myself.
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Thank you, Cocoa 😀 Those airport goodbyes are the worst – but we all have to do them at some stage 😦
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What a beautiful and generous gesture, Dianne – just lovely.
I love thinking of your mother reading the messages. That’s just so sweet 🙂
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Thank you so much. I’m pretty sure the free book deal has finished now – if it was up to me I’d keep it free for much longer, but Amazon don’t play that game 😦
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I’m so
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I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom. I wish her a speedy recovery. Give her a big hug for me.
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Will do. Thank you so much 😀
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Missed this post somehow so I went to Amazon for a download. Can not wait to start reading your stories. Short stories fascinate me because they are so condensed–like a mini-novel. Must do more writing!! If I say that enough will it happen??
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Thank you so much, Ly 😀 yes – keep saying it and it’s bound to happen! 😀
I really hope you enjoy the stories 😀
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Ouch, Dianne! I already have your book, but how sweet of you! 🙂
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It did well for it’s free week – I’m going to do this more often 😀
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How nice! I just need to write a book so I have something to give away! 🙂
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