To kick off the new year, I have selected ten of the best blogs that I think YOU, dear readers, might enjoy.
This is a mixture of free blogs from book reviews to wartime history, vintage photos, rural life, fitness, cleaning, and travel.
I hope you might find one or two of them to your liking — or even all ten!
Happy reading!
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Emily Henderson, Ten Best Blogs
I’m so excited about following Emily’s progress as she renovates a 1910 farmhouse from scratch. As anyone who read my novel Wildwood knows, I am a passionate fan of old houses!
Emily is a talented professional interior designer with a gorgeous website who is relocating from Los Angeles to an acreage outside Portland, Oregon with her husband and two kids — urban refugees seeking a simpler life in the country.
Read about her new old house here: Style by Emily Henderson.
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The Captive Reader, Ten Best Blogs
Claire, who lives in Vancouver, is a private person who doesn’t share her photo. Instead, she uses this lovely painting for her blog page, titled Vilma Reading on a Sofa, by T.F. Simon.
What she does share are some wonderful book recommendations! Like me, she has a special interest in “retro reads,” older books that were once popular but are now almost forgotten.
Here’s a link to Claire’s recent list: Top Ten Books of 2020.
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Bill Selnes, Ten Best Blogs
Bill Selnes is a practising lawyer in Melfort, Saskatchewan, who reviews books — mostly mysteries, legal thrillers, and history.
I was pleased when he chose my wartime novel Bird’s Eye View for his 2019 list titled: Best of Non-Fiction and Most Interesting Books.
For the latest roundup from Mysteries and More: Bill’s Best Fiction of 2020.
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The Vintage Inn, Ten Best Blogs
Elizabeth Gruening Hay of Toronto loves the vintage era so much that she dresses the part, ALL THE TIME. She belongs to a growing community of vintage-lovers. And she and her husband Jay just love swing dancing!
Her blog features wonderful vintage photos from the 1920s to the 1960s.
For a trip down memory lane, visit: The Vintage Inn.
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Elaine Thomas, Ten Best Blogs
Elaine grew up on a farm in Alberta, and she and her husband Emil now own a farm in Fayette County, Texas.
Elaine and I share a passion for writing, rural life, and wartime veterans!
She has written several books, including an excellent anthology titled Veterans’ Voices and Home Front Memories.
Elaine shares her heartwarming tales here: Stories From the Slow Lane.
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Dave O’Malley, Ten Best Blogs
If you like thrilling, inspiring, true-life war stories, there is no better story-teller than aviator and historian Dave O’Malley of Ottawa.
Even better, he’s a graphic designer who illustrates his tales with vintage photographs. Seriously, every one is a gem.
Read all Dave’s stories, and sign up here: Vintage News: History and Heroes.
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Sarah Sundin, Ten Best Blogs
Sarah is an award-winning historical fiction author from northern California, mother of three adult children and Sunday School teacher, who writes World War Two romances. Her fourteenth book titled When Twilight Breaks will be released in February 2021. Check out all the other great books on her website, and sign up for her blog to receive a new wartime photo each morning.
Learn more about Sarah and her books here: Sarah Sundin.
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Maurice Tougas, Ten Best Blogs
Maurice Tougas is a journalist and former fellow reporter from our years at the Red Deer Advocate daily newspaper in Alberta. Now living in Edmonton and retired from the fray, he continues to write on a wide range of current events. I love his humorous and often sarcastic take on today’s society.
Read Maurice’s words of wit and wisdom here: In This Corner.
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Lana Osborne-Paradis, Ten Best Blogs
Also known as Blast Girl, Lana lives in my town of Invermere, B.C. and is married to Olympic skier Manny Osborne-Paradis. She’s a superstar in her own right, with two young children and a booming online business helping others to get healthy.
I’ve picked up a few great tips from Lana about fitness, PLUS she offers some delicious recipes on her blog.
Read Lana’s down-to-earth health lessons for all ages here: Blast Fitness.
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Sarah McAllister, Ten Best Blogs
Sarah McAllister had a small cleaning business in Calgary, Alberta when the pandemic struck, and since then she has parlayed her online cleaning tips into — get this — 1.6 MILLION followers!
And for good reason. Even a lifelong clean freak like me has picked up some useful advice. Who knew about the benefits of powdered Tide? If you are on Instagram, she posts some mesmerizing before and after cleaning photos.
Learn more about Sarah’s amazing success story here: Bleach, Pray, Love.
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Alina McLeod, Best Videoblog
Alina isn’t a print blogger, but I wanted to throw in this last recommendation for her travel videos on Instagram and Youtube.
Alina was born in Kiev and moved to Kinistino, Saskatchewan at the age of six when her Canadian stepfather married her Russian mother. She now travels the world. I love watching her daily updates on Instagram and her videos on Youtube.
View Alina’s latest video here: Gjirokaster, Albania.
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Dear Friends:
In spite of the pandemic, I’m busier than ever. This month I’m speaking via Zoom to the Calgary Romance Writers’ Association, about how to conduct a book signing.
I have three more Zoom meetings with book clubs scheduled over the next few weeks.
And of course, I’m wrestling with my new historical novel, which I hope to complete by spring!
The time when we can hug and shake hands again is rapidly approaching. Until then, I’m sending all of you a virtual hug from my computer.
The very happiest of new years, Elinor