oise, include games of tag.These stories are more than a lovely tribute to remarkable bravery and affection, they are proof that dogs are every creature's best friend.You've really got to like that style of game tbh. They're very polished and pretty games and the gameplay is super tight, but I just found them extremely boring (the first two at least, haven't played any since). This coming from someone who LOVES Naughty Dog and bought the games because I wanted to support the company. They're on par with the newer Tomb Raider games in that you've got to really love the "cinematic" aspect to find them enjoyable. The games clearly aren't for me and that's fine, I just warn people not to get to sucked up in all the hype.LAGOS (Reuters) - MTN Nigeria, owned by South Africa’s MTN Group, listed in Lagos on Thursday in a 2 trillion naira ($6.54 billion) flotation turning the telecoms company into the exchange’s second-largest stock by market value.
MTN Nigeria’s shares climbed 10 percent from their listing price of 90 naira after the float went live.
The company, which had 52.3 million users in Nigeria as of 2017, has had fraught relations with the Nigerian authorities, including disputes over SIM cards and tax payments.
The listing follows MTN Group’s agreement with Nigerian regulators to settle most of those long-running disputes.
However, the company is still in the middle of a $2 billion tax row with Nigeria’s attorney general, which the company says is delaying a further sale of shares and a public offering.
Once that matter is resolved, MTN will sell more shares to the public, and seek to increase local ownership of MTN Nigeria to 35% from the current roughly 20%, its finance chief told investors in Lagos earlier on Thursday, according to two of those investors.
Just before the flotation, parent MTN Group owned 78.8% of the Nigerian business. MTN Nigeria accounts for a third of the Johannesburg parent’s core profit.
We’re thrilled to announce our accreditation at the beautiful Dulwich Picture Gallery. The world’s first purpose-built public art gallery, this historic venue was founded in 1811 when Sir Francis Bourgeois RA bequeathed his collection of old masters “for the inspection of the public”.
Today Dulwich Picture Gallery is not only home to one of the finest collections of Old Master paintings in the world, featuring works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough, but its five perfectly proportioned and interlinked rooms offer a stunning setting for all manner of events, from intimate champagne receptions to wedding ceremonies and private dinners.
Complementing the Soane Gallery itself are contrasting contemporary event spaces designed by Rick Mather as part of the modern extension, which are linked by glass cloisters that offer exceptional views over the beautiful gardens.
Moreover, all money generated through venue hire goes towards the Gallery’s conservation and care and the development of its on-going education and exhibition programmes.
Commented Bubble MD Michael Collins: “We are very much looking forward to working with this iconic institution. As well as a vibrant cultural hub, Dulwich Picture Gallery also offers a unique backdrop for private and corporate events. Our team can’t wait to start creating magical events against this magnificent canvas.”The Boxed Sets Are Live!
You can read my latest story, Loving Marie (a #FairfieldCorners prequel novella) in Forbidden Love.
Welcome back to Fairfield Corners!
It's been so long since I've posted anything here. Sorry for the media blackout - it's been a hard few months. First - I lost my job. Not for anything bad, I just wasn't the right person for the position. And, I learned that I don't want to be in charge. I've been using the time off to evaluate what I really want to do and I've decided that a part-time job will be enough. I want enough money to be able to do all my author events but not work so much that I don't have time for them or for writing. In other words... I want to give this writing gig a serious try.
Loving Jessie's Girl grew out of an idea that hit me while listening to I Drive Your Truck by Lee Brice. That song resonated with me and I started typing. It turned out completely different than my original story idea.
I am working on book 2 and hope to have it ready to publish later this year.
And for the major news...
Fairfield Corners Book 3 is finally finished! Where There's Faith will release on March 31. It's been a long time coming. It's not up for pre-order yet but you can add it to your Goodreads TBR here. I am so excited for you to read this one. I hope you will love Robbie and Faith as much as I do.
As I search for the perfect part-time job to subsidize the writing, I am working on 3 stories. Preacher's Redemption is a stand-alone with a biker and a baby.
I have also started the first book in the Ground Zero ~ Rock Star Love Stories series, tentatively titled Just One Look. If you want a peek at the series I have a prequel novelette, One Night Stand, that you can get for free for signing up for my newsletter. You can get that here.
Love giveaways? I've got a couple of those too!
Hurry to enter - this one is closing on February 21!
I’m Taking part in Hooked on Books & Cherry Blossoms Promotions Annual Valentines hop.
Come and take part, lot’s to be won. Even a chance to win a Kindle.
Start your hop on the pinned post on my FB author page here.
Be on the lookout - I have another #giveaway starting tomorrow.
I'm going to try and post here more often - hope you are having a fabulous February!
I Should Be Writing But...
I have two novellas that need to be completed and edited soon but I can't work on them until I make my opinion known about what is happening in our world today.
When did religion become about hate?
With tears in my eyes I watched another horrific story on the news tonight. Fifty dead. Fifty people who are no longer breathing because someone decided they needed to die. Explain to me how a religion that in no way promotes violence has been corrupted by a few extremists to justify their twisted sense of self-worth. They use a religion of peace to spread their message of hate.
Even Christians have twisted their religion to promote hate. Hate for anyone who is not "like" them. Bunch of &$%@ hypocrites! Up until about a year ago I was going to church regularly. I ignored the occasional reference to the "gay" issue, I have a brain and I can decide things for myself. Until the Sunday where the head pastor gave a sermon on how we as a congregation needed to make sure the gay marriage bill in Indiana did not pass and if we didn't believe the same way to talk to him so he could "educate" us. Nope. Somehow I made it through the rest of the service without walking out or jumping up and screaming that he was full of shit. I have not been back. I still consider myself a christian but organized religion is not for me.
As a rational-thinking person I don't know how people can spew so much hatred of their fellow humans.And it's not just against the LGBT community, they spew hate about other religions, other ethnic groups, and other people who don't believe the same way they do. I prefer to believe in the God I was taught about when I was a child: a God who loves everyone.
When did it become the victim's fault?
For years, I lamented the fact that my husband and I never had children. But now, now I'm glad I don't have children to see what a mess we've made of our world. Rape culture.  I don't care what they were wearing, no means no. And if they are passed out, not giving consent means no. How hard is that to understand?
Could it have something to do with the fact no one takes responsibility for their actions? Everyone gets a trophy, discipline seems to be a thing of the past, and self-entitlement is the norm. I grew up knowing if I did something I knew was wrong I would get punished. No one worried it would damage my sense of self-worth.
Rape is a crime worthy of severe punishment. Sorry, but six months is not adequate punishment for ruining someone's life.
If this post offended you, please feel free to unfollow me. I welcome discussion about world events but hatred will not be tolerated on this blog, my author page, my personal profile, or on any of my other social media accounts.
We don't live forever. Life reminded me of that this week with the death of a very dear friend. It wasn't sudden or unexpected - she had been battling PML for years and she had been on hospice care for about a month. She decided it was time and had stopped all meds. I'm sad that she's gone but I'm happy she's no longer in pain. Today, we said our final goodbyes at her funeral.
Our story started when we were in high school (it seems like yesterday but unfortunately it's been a few years ago). There were three of us practically joined at the hip - Melissa, Karen, and me. There were others but we were the core