Happy New Year everyone, even though we’re already a week into 2021. I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We had our son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids visiting and it was wonderful. Now that they’ve gone home, the house is so very, very quiet…and even more so as hubby and I live for the next few days isolated from each other. You see, his boss, with whom he’d been in close contact, tested positive for Coronavirus last week. With a start like that, I guess the year can only get better, right? One thing I do know, it is going to be a looooonnnggg week though while we wait it out. On the bright side, I might just make captain of the WPA (Wife Police Academy).
One of my close South African author friends, Shirley Corder, recently said in an interview on her blog: “Talking to others, I’ve found it fascinating how many people reported that 2020 seemed more like a decade! That although the days seemed to fly past, the weeks went on forever. I was chatting on WhatsApp with my daughter in Montenegro. She said she’d been talking to her teaching colleagues the day before, and they had all said the same thing!”
Was that your experience with 2020?—a fast year that dragged by? It certainly was a year filled with challenges, but one positive is that I finally released Chapel Cove Romances book 10, Ride with Me. Even though it took me months, with all the interruptions and breaks and other stories that kept me from penning this particular book in one sitting and left me doubting myself, I thoroughly enjoyed writing this story—Tash and Henry were great characters—and breathed a sigh of relief that readers have enjoyed reading it.
This leads me to my choice of title for this blog—Fast? Or Slow? Not only does the title conjure up images of the past, crazy year, but those three words are the essence of Ride with Me. Of course, I could just have titled this blog: Harley? Or Horse?
Last week, author Milla Holt shared a review about Ride with Me. I so loved everything she had to say that I asked Milla if I could share her review right here on this blog. She has graciously given me the green light.
BOOK REVIEW by Milla Holt
“This week, I read my first book by Marion Ueckermann. I’ve known of her for quite some time, and always thought I’d read one of her Africa-based stories first. But I got the opportunity to check out her latest release. Ride with Me is Number 10 in the Chapel Cove series of Christian romances set in a small town where the couples who find love are north of 40 years old.
“Henry Scott is a property magnate, living his life as fast as his expensive Harley can take him. He only intends on a lightning-quick stop in Chapel Cove to check out the money-spinning potential of a rundown property he’s inherited. But when a gorgeous woman rips into him for upsetting her horses with his noisy bike, Henry is immediately smitten.
“Tash Thornton’s horrified to learn that the neighboring property she’d hoped her best friends would buy and renovate is owned by the arrogant, infuriating man smirking on her doorstep. What’s more, his plans for the place could ruin her livelihood.
“The stage is set for a page-turning romance where these two will soon go on a journey of faith and love.
“Marion’s writing is polished, and it’s clear that her talent is well-honed. I always like books that give me a peek into a lifestyle that’s new to me, and I enjoyed the very horsey flavor of this story.”
What about you? Do you like to take things fast, or slow? Given the choice, would you prefer a fast, thrilling ride with your hero on a shiny Harley, or would you prefer to take things slower with a horseback ride?
I will be giving away three e-copies of Ride with Me to three randomly-drawn readers who comment on this post.
USA Today bestselling author, MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa and are setting their sights on retirement when they can join their family in the beautiful Cape.
It can depend. given the choice I won’t want to go fast on the Harley but then I am not a horse lover and last time on a horse I struggled to get off (although it was better than the camel).
If the Harley has a sidecar I will take that.
This year already seems to be speeding by. I agree last year seems to have been long. We started with bushfires which seem a long time ago. (Right now my town is under a watch and act with a large grass fire about 20 mins away but thankfully the wind has changed so hopefully it will burn out without loss of life buildings have been lost)
I like the idea if that sidecar, Jenny. I’m so sorry about the fires. Please stay safe.
We have had a wind change and its now back to watch. the wind is really strong but going the other way. its under control but not out
Hi Marion! Happy New Year! As a whole I think in our rural beach community life has slowed down. Summer 2020 locals had the chance to enjoy the beauty of our beaches and parks with few tourist. Since many events have been suspended, parents working from home, children attending virtual school, family life has slowed down, eating dinner at home and during the summer taking walks and bike rides together. More family bonding.
This retiree prefers life at a slower pace. Time to smell the roses. As a young adult I took a few motorcycle rides, which in those days was exhilarating with the wind blowing through one’s hair (no helmet). After a friend was killed in a motorcycle accident, I prefer the slower horse back or a bicycle ride.
This year seems long. Miss the interaction between family and friends, especially now that it is winter. In our state restaurants are closed. Only have seen my middle son and granddaughter briefly for one hour at Christmas. Today is her 4th birthday. I am thankful for technology, since we Face Timed with her on Saturday. Hoping to receive the vaccine soon.
Hope the week passes quickly for you Marion, while in our house more slowly since the grandsons have exams and need to finish all their course work by Friday. We had a slow start with understanding all the Virtual programs and are behind. All a matter of perspective. Best wishes.
I haven’t ridden either very often, but I like both! I guess it would depend more on the hero, and where we’d be riding!! Last year honestly seemed like a relatively “normal” year for me, other than losing Mom.
Welcome today. I would prefer to take things slow with a horse ride and adventure. I do hope your husband is ok. LOL You can do this. Thank you for this wonderful article today
Praying it is extinguished very soon, Jenny.
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Renate, and that the home schooling picks up pace fast. :v
So true, Trudy. My hero (hubby) definitely a bike person, so I guess it would have to be a Harley, although I’m pretty petrified of bikes. If the choice were mine, it would be horses, on the beach.
I am so sorry for your loss of your mother. It’s not easy, but the hope of heaven does help us grieve in a different way to those who don’t have that glorious hope.
Thank you, Lori. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Unless he gets any symptoms earlier, he will go for a covid test on Thursday morning and then back to work on Monday if he is clear. We are being very cautious (besides, it’s gazetted here in South Africa by the government to quarantine if you are a close contact, which he was, for 10-14 days).
It did seem like 2020 dragged on especially when we had to shelter at home for almost 3 months in the spring. I’m very much a homebody, but having everyone in the house at once was a bit stressful! My husband works during the day, so I’m used to my routine & it certainly threw it all off. I told him if this was a glance at life will be when he retires, he better find a hobby, lol! I was mostly teasing. He’s not one to stay idle for long, so it he was able to get some projects done that he didn’t have time for before.
As far as fast or slow, I’m definitely a take-it-slow kind of person. Like you, I’m terrified of motorcycles! I have only ridden a horse a handful of times, but it’s been years. The last time was when my best friend flew out to visit my family & we took her to ride horses on the beach. That was a lot of fun!
I’m sorry to hear about your husband Marion & the result of having to isolate from one another. I pray for little to no symptoms for him & you as well.
I think that it depends on how I am feeling. Sometimes I want things to go quickly and sometimes I want things to go slowly
Yes, Marion. I saw Milla’s review of your book ‘Ride With Me’, and I told her that I would definitely put it on my TBR list for this year. I recommended ‘Adore Me’ by Autumn Macarthur as another great feel good book.
Fast or Slow:- I will definitely go with the horseback ride, baring in mind that horses are not always slow. I had the ride of my life one year in my young days when a nearby donkey reared and kicked the horse I was on in his back legs. My ride was definitely fast that day, but I was proud to say after that through fields and through a trail in the woods I went, and I remained seated on that horse even though I had to almost lie down in his mane to prevent being knocked off by branches. Eventually one of the staff caught up with us in a field beyond the woods and was able to stop my ride. My last horseback ride was probably in my mid-sixties and it was slow and enjoyable.
I got burned by a motorcycle when I was a child so that’s a definite no. Funny, I got thrown by horses when I was a teenager but no real harm so I still love them. So, horses.
I would like them both,sometimes I like fast pace and other times I like slow pace, so I actually like them both. 2020 to went by a little too fast, the days went pretty fast to me, and now this year is also going by a little fast to me, other than that , all has been well, Thanks be to God. (not entering this ebook giveaway, but Thank you. ) Thank you for sharing the book review , the book sounds like a very good read and the book cover is Beautiful! Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Wow! That is a hard choice. I love going fast on motorcycles or rollercoasters. But, I also enjoy a slow ride on a horse.
Thats a hard choice as I think both would be fun. I’d probably go for the Harley ride I think.
harley or horse, if he’s a good guy, that’s all that matters
I’d like a slow ride to make things more romantic.
I’d pick to have both fast & slow cause we can have fun but also slow will make things special at night.
A Harley for me!
Thanks so much for sharing, Trixi. So far so good for hubby….zero symptoms. This is day 6 of isolation (and six days since last contact with infected person), so we’re past halfway :)
LOL, I hear you, Angeline :)
Oh goodness, what an experience, Sandra. I’ve only ever gone slow on a horse, from what I can remember … haven’t been on many (can probably count the times on one hand).
I’m so glad that Ride with Me is on your reading pile and hope you get to it soon.
Oh yes, I have one or two of those scars as well. They were painful. Thanks for sharing, Christina.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Alicia. Yes, the cover of Ride with Me is one of my favorites.
And then … nothing says we can’t have them both, Michelle :)
Closest I’ve gotten to a Harley ride is sitting on one :) I do think, despite my apprehension to bikes, that I wouldn’t mind going on a ride on one myself, Megan.
An excellent answer, Denise :)
LOL, yes, make it all stretch out way longer… (although I guess it all depends on where you’re going). Of course, at least one can chat on a horseride, although I think these days people have communication through their helmets.
Nothing says one can’t enjoy both :)
LOL, a girl who knows what she wants. Love the exclamation mark, Dianne :)
its contained now. we are expecting hot conditions but hopefully it will be out by then. Some friends lost stock, fences and paddocks but they are ok.
exactly, Marion🤗
I prefer the Harley ride. We used to ride all the time until an accident injured my hand.
:D, lol
I love both lol
That sounds like fun, Lucy. I’m so sorry you can’t ride now.
Both bring wonderful experiences, Natalya.