Edna’s Complete Guide to Wig Styling and Confidence

Inspired by Edna Parkinton's fearless approach to reinvention Introduction: Why Edna Gets It Right In the Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe mysteries, no character embodies confidence (or lacks filter) quite like Edna Parkinton! After losing her hair to chemotherapy, Edna didn't retreat—she transformed her challenge into an opportunity for daily reinvention. Her collection of wigs isn't just about covering hair loss; it's about expressing mood, personality, and refusing to let circumstances define her. Whether you're dealing with hair loss due to medical treatment, aging, or simply want to experiment with new looks, Edna's approach offers a masterclass in confidence and style. The Edna Philosophy - Your Hair, Your Rules "I reserve the right to change it to whatever's appropriate" - Edna's motto applies to more than just shortening people's names. Edna's key principles: Your appearance is your choice, not society's Confidence comes from feeling authentic to yourself Hair (or lack thereof) doesn't define your worth Change can be empowering, not just necessary Age is no barrier to experimentation Building Your Wig Wardrobe Like Edna The Mood Collection: Blonde (Edna's "good mood" choice): For days when you want to feel attractive, optimistic and sociable Brunette: Professional, sophisticated, perfect for dinner out Red: Bold, dramatic, for when you're feeling fiery Black: Classic, elegant, timeless Purple: Edna's rebellion wig - for when you need to feel defiant, unconventional, or want to shake things up When to Reach for Purple:  Edna discovered that purple gave her courage to speak her mind and stand her ground. It's perfect for: Days when you need to have difficult conversations Moments when you want to challenge expectations Times when you're feeling rebellious against ageist assumptions Situations where you need an extra boost of "I don't care what others think" As Edna puts it: "Sometimes a woman needs to feel a bit dangerous, and…

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Raffles Hotel, Singapore

In Toxic Cruise Cocktail, Rachel and family kick off their cruise holiday by staying overnight at the famous Raffles Hotel. Here, Rachel encounters a bombastic man named Bigham who creates an unpleasant atmosphere. Bigham turns out to be an old friend of Rachel's father, Brendan Prince. There the mystery begins! Raffles Hotel is an iconic and historic luxury hotel located in Singapore. It is one of the most famous and prestigious hotels in the world, known for its colonial architecture, impeccable service, and rich history: Raffles Hotel was built in 1887 by Armenian hoteliers, the Sarkies Brothers. The hotel is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. Over the years, it has become synonymous with the city's colonial past. Architecture: The hotel features distinctive colonial architecture with a blend of Victorian and Moorish influences. The main building is white and adorned with tropical gardens, creating a unique and elegant atmosphere. The Long Bar and the Singapore Sling: Raffles Hotel is famous for being the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, a cocktail created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in the early 20th century. The Long Bar at Raffles is where visitors can enjoy this iconic drink. Rachel and family spend an hour or so in the Long Bar sampling Singapore Slings when they meet fellow cruisers. Guests and Cultural Significance: The hotel has hosted numerous celebrities, dignitaries, and royalty over the years, contributing to its cultural significance. Writers such as Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling have stayed at Raffles, adding to its literary allure. I couldn't send Rachel to Singapore without including a stay at Raffles, it wouldn't have seemed right. I visited the hotel during a three month SE Asian tour in 1982. My uncle asked me to visit as he'd been there for a while during WWII.…

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Dawn Brookes Fiction Reading Order

Chronological Reading Order This is the order in which you should read if you want to follow characters through each series by chronology, rather than each series individually. All of the books are written so they can read as standalones without major spoilers. Some people prefer to read in series order and others might want to follow how the characters develop chronologically. The Rachel Prince Mysteries features Rachel Prince as the main character and is set on a fictional cruise ship. Rachel enjoys meeting up with her best friend who is a nurse on board the Coral Queen. Lady Marjorie joins her on alternate cruises. It wasn't planned like that... it just happened! The Carlos Jacobi series features Rachel's love interest; a PI intent on changing the world with the help of his ex police dog and a quirky detective sergeant, Fiona Cook. The Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe series follows an octogenarian quartet who get together for holidays and end up solving murders. This series is published by Storm Publishing. A Cruise to Murder (Rachel Prince #1) Deadly Cruise (Rachel Prince #2) Body in the Woods (Carlos Jacobi #1) Killer Cruise (Rachel Prince #3) The Bradgate Park Murders (Carlos Jacobi #2) Dying to Cruise (Rachel Prince #4) The Museum Murders (Carlos Jacobi #3) A Christmas Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince #5) Murderous Cruise Habit (Rachel Prince #6) Death of a Blogger (Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe Prequel Novella) Murder at the Opera House (Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe #1) Honeymoon Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince #7) Murder in the Highlands (Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe #2) Murder at the Christmas Market (Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe #3) A Murder Mystery Cruise (Rachel Prince #8) Hazardous Cruise (Rachel Prince #9) Murder at a Wimbledon Mansion (Lady Marjorie Snellthorpe #4) Captain's Dinner Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince #10) Corporate Cruise Murder (Rachel Prince #11) Murder…

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Cozy Mystery Writing Conventions

Genre Fiction I’m a mystery writer with my fiction falling into the cozy/cosy crime niche. I've now published seven books in one series with an eighth on the way. Cosy mysteries and the majority of detective novels fall into the category of writing known as genre fiction and on the whole, follow a defined set of conventions. Agatha Christie Monument These conventions/rules developed out of the Golden Age of Crime novels. Authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Margery Allingham, Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie created the widely recognised genre. The cosy mystery has evolved over the past few decades as new writers attempt to stretch boundaries, although many still adhere to the Decalogue or ten commandments described by Knox in 1929.  Escapist Literature I admit to being challenged by proponents of literary fiction and literary debate such as Albert Camus, but I prefer to write books to enable people to escape from the reality of life. This is one of the reasons I write books where the criminal is always found and justice is served. The popularity of genre fiction could highlight the need for people to feel safe while - at least in terms of crime fiction - being given the opportunity to experience vicarious excitement. The excitement comes through readers exercising their brains to solve the puzzle, working alongside the sleuth.  As a former nurse, I studied Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs in great detail. He described the need to feel safe in the hierarchy. He postulated human beings needed to satisfy certain needs in order to grow, mentally and physically. Maslow’s definition of safety was more about protection from external elements. Such safety requires a person to have shelter and security of body and mind; order in the world outside; laws that reinforced safety; stability in work and…

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