White-throated Swallow

White-throated Swallow (Hirundo albigularis)

Common to South Africa which has benefited from the increased nesting opportunities presented by the construction of bridges and dams.

The swallow breeds in southern Africa from Angola and Zambia southwards to the Cape in South Africa. Winters in Angola, Zambia and southern Zaire. This is a bird of open country and grassland, with a preference for highlands and nearby water. It is often found around man-made structures.

It builds a bowl-shaped mud nest with a soft lining of grass or hair. Usually near or over water.  The nest is often reused for next years brood.

The three eggs of a clutch are white with brown and blue blotches, and are hatched by the female alone for 15–16 days. Both parents then feed the chicks. Fledging takes another 20–21 days

The young can swim a short distance to safety if they fall from the nest into water, now that could be a photo op.

It feeds mainly on flying insects, which it pursues with a fast twisting flight

T.B.Markinsons Second Book “Marionette”

This is the second book of T.B.Markinson the first “A woman Lost” was self published not so long ago, and now she introduces “Marionette” and with this book I wish her as much success as she wishes herself. To publish a book is an achievement in itself, to publish two, magnificent. TBM has self published, not an easy task and for this she should be applauded.

Title: Marionette

Author: T. B. Markinson

Cover Designer: Derek Murphy

Publication Date: December 2013

Synopsis:

Paige Alexander is seventeen and has her whole life in front of her. One day her girlfriend comes home to discover that Paige has slit her wrists. Paige isn’t insane, but she acts like she is. Why?

After the incident, Paige agrees to go to therapy to appease her girlfriend, Jess. However, Paige doesn’t believe that therapy will help her. She believes she’s beyond help. Paige doesn’t want to find herself and she doesn’t want to relive her painful past in order to come to terms with it. What Paige wants is control over her life, which she hasn’t had since her birth.

During her childhood, Paige is blamed for a family tragedy, when in fact, her twin sister, Abbie was responsible. Abbie doesn’t come forward and Paige becomes the pariah of the family.

To add to Paige’s woes while attending a college in a small town in Colorado, the residents are in the midst of debating whether or not gays and lesbians should have equal rights. Tension is high and there’s a threat of violence. She isn’t out of the closet and pretends to be straight at school since she fears what will happen if her parents find out she’s a lesbian. Will she end up dead like her best friend, Alex?

About the Author:

T. B. Markinson is a 39-year old American writer, living in England, who pledged she would publish before she was 35. Better late than never. When she isn’t writing, she’s traveling around the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs in England, or taking the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order. Marionette is her second novel. A Woman Lost was her debut novel.

Sign up to TB’s New Release Mailing List here. Your email will never be shared and you will only be contacted when a new book is out.

Twitter Facebook Blog Goodreads

If the links don’t copy and paste, here they are. If it’s too much trouble to manually insert them, I completely understand. I want to make this as easy as possible for everyone and I appreciate all of the help. Thanks!

Mailing List: http://wordpress.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=78899bc0c114e5c6cec40de35&id=50b15ec345

Twitter: https://twitter.com/50YearProject

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/T-B-Markinson/608089652576414

Blog: http://tbmarkinson.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7166895.T_B_Markinson