Russia is in the news a lot lately with the terrible events in Ukraine, and I have begun to wonder if I'm obsessed with the country. A Child of the Cold War When I was growing up in Finland during the Cold War, I was taught to be afraid of the Big Russian Bear next door. We had to be careful … [Read more...]
Why Did I Leave The Happiest Country In The World?
In light of Thursday's election result here in the UK, I am wondering why I left Finland, the happiest country in the world? Last week, the new Brexit Party of Britain, the Conservatives, was re-elected into parliament with a massive majority. Led by one of the most controversial politicians, Boris … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
As well as wishing you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, I'd like to start by thanking you for your support in 2018. It's been a wonderful year where I have increased my readership and more than tripled my book sales! I've also been able to help a lot of other authors to publish and market their … [Read more...]
A Nordic Christmas
There's something magical about a Nordic Christmas. I would say that, wouldn't I? But it's true. With fresh snow underfoot and dark skies clear with stars, this time of year has an almost mythical quality to it. For us Scandinavians, December is the most important time of year. As well as Christmas, … [Read more...]
No Snow in Lapland
There's no snow in Lapland, a state of affairs which is terrible for the tourist industry. It doesn't bode well for the future of our globe, either. The Press Loves Bad News The lack of snow in Lapland has been picked up by newspapers and news channels alike. CNN reports a 'Festive Flop', while … [Read more...]
Do You Judge a Book by its Cover?
I find book covers highly interesting. (I would, wouldn't I?) I've just come back from Finland and whenever I'm there, I always spend as much time as possible in bookshops. What strikes me often is how different book covers in Finland (and in the Nordic countries in general) are, compared to the … [Read more...]
My British Citizenship Saga Continues ….
I've written here before about how I had to apply for British citizenship in order to guarantee that, after Brexit, I am able to remain in Britain, which has been my home for the past 34 years, and where my British grandchild, children, and husband all live. Glad to Be British Although I resented … [Read more...]
Celebrating Finland’s Centenary Year
Finland, my country of birth, has been celebrating the centenary year of its independence for all of 2017. The events organised by SuomiFinland100 committee, culminated around the country yesterday. Celebrating Finland in Finland I'm feeling incredibly lucky that I've been able to celebrate the … [Read more...]
Does writing a book ever get easier?
I've written a total of nine books, seven of them full-length novels. So is it easier to write a book when you've already published a few? Practice Makes Perfect ... Naturally, if you've written one novel, it's easier to write another one. Well, in theory, it is. For me, it took three novels … [Read more...]
Tom of Finland
In Finland, homosexuality was illegal up till 1971, and was only declassified as an illness in 1981. The age of consent was equalized to 16 in 1999. Now Tom of Finland creator, Touko Laaksonen, who began drawing his homoerotic images in the 1950s, is celebrated across the land. A new film about … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 8
- Next Page »
