Ebony Oaten
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writerebony.bsky.social
Ebony Oaten
@writerebony.bsky.social
1.3K followers 420 following 780 posts
Author of historical romances, loves gardening and shaking my fist at the sky. www.ebonyoaten.com
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writerebony.bsky.social
This is so adorable. A reader gave All Roads Lead to Earls a 'drive by' 5 stars.
That's what I call it when a reader leaves a rating, but no review. And you know what? I'm fine with that.
Readers don't owe me anything. I'm the one that owes them a good time.
books2read.com/RoadsEarls
The five covers of To All The Earls I've Loved Before. Greystone's Legacy by Catherine Bilson, A Suitable Countess by Susanne Bellamy, Once Upon a Gilded Christmas by Heidi Wessman Kneale, All Roads Lead to Earls by Ebony Oaten and Christmas With The Earl by Daisy Landish. Out now in Kindle Unlimited.
August 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
When it's the first of the month and the time zones are clicking over and a new book heads out into the world today.
A data image from Amazon showing "Top marketplaces (August)". It's a blue circle representing 100% and the marketplace is Australia.
July 31, 2025 at 8:09 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
You wanna make Baby Jesus cry?
Image is a child, about seven maybe, blowing a huge pink bubble of bubble gum, with a pink background so bright it burns your retinas, and a yellow triangle with eyes and a nose and mouth for some reason, a weird blue star in the shape of what could be broken glass it's so jagged, and a blue flower with wide yellow stalks and leaves. The headline in bold serif font says, "Is GOD Calling You To" (in title case) and then in regular serif text below is "Write a Children's Book?" (also in title case.)
July 30, 2025 at 5:42 AM
writerebony.bsky.social
The ultimate data visualisation does not exi...
Tourist map of Australia featuring a thick outline of the country in black. The land mass is yellow and the surrounding ocean is blue. On the bottom is a key. Yellow is "Region where things on land can kill you." Blue is "Region where things in ocean can kill you." Black is "Both."
July 21, 2025 at 8:31 AM
writerebony.bsky.social
Passive voice is killing Palestinians.
Headline in newspapers. Israel-Gaza War (when it's not a war because it's so one-sided, but they're all scared to label it Genocide. "At least 85 Palestinians killed while waiting for food." If the sentence can be followed up with a "By whom?" then it's passive voice. Active voice is when the subject (Israel) performs the action (killing Palestinians). Passive voice is where the subject is often left out, which is where we can then ask, "By Whom". Everyone knows who's killing Palestinians. It's the IDF, Israel Defence Force. This is not anti-semitism, it's just fact. ABC news website on July 21. Under the headline Unrest, Conflict and War "73 Gazans killed waiting for aid, local health ministry says" It also has a silent "By whom?" after it. By whom is passive voice. The headline should be "Israel kills Gazans waiting for aid" Then the reader knows who (Israel) has performed the action (killing Gazans.)
July 20, 2025 at 10:47 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Also, here's a free sweet read available in heaps of stores.
books2read.com/MattWidow
Enjoy.
The cover of Matthew's Willing Widow, by Ebony Oaten and Catherine Bilson. It is book 5 of The Bookshop Belles, but it takes place concurrently with the other four books. This is Matthew's adventure, rescuing books and a new family, as he journeys through France.
July 12, 2025 at 11:32 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
If you're looking for a fun little distraction from 'all this', here's a sweet romance read going live on August 1 for only 99c. I'll put the price up later.
books2read.com/RoadsEarls
All Roads Lead To Earls, by Ebony Oaten, from a series of connected novellas called To All The Earls I've Loved Before. The background looks like someone's diary (remember them?) and there is a sweet couple looking lovingly at each over. The author's name is on a banner, which is strategically placed over the male model's terrible 'manspreading'.
July 12, 2025 at 11:32 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
I think I've grown as a person, because I'm fine with this. Wow, go me!
One star review. Didn't finish this one. I really liked the beginning but then it dragged on and on, so many details or descriptions... when I realised that I wasn't looking forward to reading this in the evening I gave up ...
July 9, 2025 at 11:11 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Nobody move! I love this number.
My profile showing I have 999 followers, which is pretty darn gorgeous and made me smile. I have no idea why. Vanity probably.
July 9, 2025 at 11:07 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Sharing for anyone who needs it.
It's me, I need this.
A comment posted by "existennialmemes" Saying "My Chronic Illness is Flaring": People ask invasive questions Invites misguided wishes of "get well soon" Sometimes people just tell you to try harder Saying "Today, My Body Chose Violence": Sounds way cooler Might make people too wary to ask questions Very literal explanation of what's happening.
July 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Everyone who was an armchair expert on death-cap mushrooms is ready to pivot, right?
But also, I think this speaks to how few deaths we have, in this magnificent country with pretty strict gun control.
Screenshot from ABC Australia's news page. On the left is a follow up story about the now-finished Erin Patterson trial. It's Wednesday morning, and Patterson was found guilty on Monday afternoon, but there's already a sense of 'move along, nothing more to see here'. Patterson murdered three of her relatives and nearly claimed a fourth! He is still recovering. But lo! On the right is a promise of more sleuth-at-home goodness. "Trial to start for Ballarat woman's accused murderer."
July 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Husband and son have been slogging through Star Trek, Enterprise. Last night I was semi-watching it with them while doomscrolling. I looked up and saw this.
It's from the 2004 episode called Storm Front.
Did they call it or what?????
From the episode of Star Trek Enterprise, Storm Front, 2004. In an alternative timeline, the White House (heavily damaged from shelling) ends up with Nazi flags all over it.
July 8, 2025 at 10:10 AM
writerebony.bsky.social
I'm gonna dissociate from world politics today. Here's a free read for everyone. Enjoy.
books2read.com/MattWidow
Before the Bookshop Belles, there was a love story born of war, courage, and second chances… Matthew Baxter has always counted himself a fortunate man. As the owner of Baxter’s Fine Books and father to four lively daughters, his life in the market town of Hatfield is both busy and content. But when a letter from France reveals the devastation of priceless books and a long-lost family connection in desperate need, Matthew sets out on a perilous journey across a continent still reeling from war. In the heart of a country torn apart by war, Matthew is reunited with Céline, his late wife’s courageous cousin, now a widow struggling to keep her sons safe from hunger and conscription. Together, they brave danger, betrayal, and an uncertain future as they risk everything to save not only rare books, but their own lives. As Matthew and Céline are drawn together by necessity and shared loss, friendship blossoms into something deeper. But with armies marching, borders closing, and every step fraught with peril, both must decide if they have the courage to trust in love again. Set against the sweeping backdrop of post-revolutionary France and the promise of a fresh start in England, Matthew’s Willing Widow is a heartwarming Regency novella about hope in the darkest of times, the bonds of found family, and the enduring power of love. Step into the world that began it all - perfect for fans of sweet historical romance, strong heroines, and slow-burn love stories with the happiest of endings.
July 6, 2025 at 10:46 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Steamy historical romances only 99c.
They're good and they're steamy!
books.bookfunnel.com/steamyhistro...
Banner for Steamy Historical Romance, 99c. A couple wearing historical costume, possibly Victorian era, are embracing and gazing adoringly into each others' eyes.
July 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
This absolutely cracked me up. There were plenty of clues and outright statements in the earlier 3 books, but someone kept going and read book 4 and gave it a low ranking because Bernadette didn't feel bad enough about the incredible service she offered the townsfolk. But go off, I guess.
I enjoyed so much of this book but gave it just two stars because of the way abortion is treated in the book. An historical romance is escapism, not realism. Yes, what happens in the story probably did happen in real life but that doesn't mean I want to read about it. The idea that the young women in town want abortions because "they didn't want to marry the young men for whom lifted their skirts after imbibing too much" definitely rings true, just like the contemporary usage of abortion as birth control. But the fairly cavalier way it's treated - common, private, but not even any moral dilemma about the life that's killed - makes Bernadette seem a bit callous.
July 3, 2025 at 7:50 AM
writerebony.bsky.social
Just look at the votes going begging in Blaxland.
15% of voters not turning up, of those who do vote, nearly 13% are invalid.
That's more than a quarter of eligible votes.
(Votes and 2PP margins are only counted on eligible votes, not total votes cast, or even total voters enrolled.)
#Auspol
Blaxland, 85.43% turnout and Informal votes at 12.86%
July 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Also, the companion fairytale compendium is also free, because why not, eh?
books2read.com/BrugelFairyt...
The cover of A Brugel Fairytale Treasury by Ebony McKenna. There's an eastern European city in the background, with a bridge over a wide river. There's a charming woman, rugged up against the snow, in the background. Is she Ondine? Is she a fairy? Nobody really knows, and it doesn't matter. She's beautiful and her hair is braided and she just looks so Brugelish!
June 30, 2025 at 12:33 AM
writerebony.bsky.social
My choice entirely to give this book away.
I wrote it before I realised I was ADHD.
But there are clues.*
books2read.com/OndineOne
So many clues:
*Footnotes
*Hero who is an enchanted ferret
*Interrupting narrator
*Political intrigue
*So much overthinking!
The Summer of Shambles by Ebony McKenna, front cover. Dark blue with white text, featuring sparkly jewels around the border. There is a silhouette of a castle on a hill, a couple kissing, a chef's hat, beer, a prince's crown and a ferret. In the background is a stone walkway curving off into the distance. It just screams magical! MAGICAL I tells ya!
June 30, 2025 at 12:33 AM
writerebony.bsky.social
Fungi that looks like something else, part XXII
Brown fungi I saw while out walking. It is a column with a rounded top.
June 30, 2025 at 12:22 AM
writerebony.bsky.social
They really want artists to shut up about the genocide, eh?
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...
Headline: Glastonbury organisers 'appalled' by Bob Vylan's anti-IDF remarks during performance.
June 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
This.
Comment on social media by account 'delishmonster' You can support Gaza without supporting Hamas. Criticise Israel without being anti-Semitic. Grieve for Iran without endorsing extremism. Feel for innocent Israelis without backing the Israeli state. Empathy isn't allegiance, it's humanity. These positions aren't binary or mutually exclusive. You can hold complexity, conscience and compassion, all at once.
June 18, 2025 at 11:45 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
A small thing, but when a news outlet grabs a pic that's supposed to illustrate someone who's an IVF patient and instead it's a stock image of someone taking Ozempic it does shit me a bit.
Yes, I know there are so many bigger problems in the world, blah, blah, blah.
The Daily Aus ran a story about IVF in Australia using a Stock image of a person using a 'dial up' short-needle injector pen, possibly Ozempic, Mounjaro, Saxenda or Wegovy. These are wide 'pens' that are held in a sideways grasp, with the thumb pressing down on the plunger. IVF patients have much thinner syringes with longer needles, which are held like a straw by the thumb second finger while you push them down with the index finger. Ask me how I know this????
June 18, 2025 at 11:13 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Love this.
No Kings. Yas Queens. No Kings is written in black on a red background. Yas Queens is written in rainbow colours, and there's a crown over the Q in Queens and it's baby blue, pink and white.
June 13, 2025 at 10:40 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
Merci, France, pour l'amour
books2read.com/Marquis
Un Marquis Déguisé, Ebony Oaten. soupirer de bonheur, €0.89 https://books2read.com/Marquis Le pourcentage des ventes du mois de juin montre que 42% de mes royalties proviennent de la France et des lecteurs français.
June 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
writerebony.bsky.social
To All The Earls I've Loved Before
Boast Post: these sweet Regency romance novellas are adorable!
Pre-order for an August 1 release, or read free in KU.
books2read.com/RoadsEarls
Titles in the series To All The Earls I've Loved Before. All Roads Lead to Earls, Ebony Oaten Grestone's Legacy, Catherine Bilson Christmas With The Earl, Daisy Landish A Suitable Countess, Susanne Bellamy
June 12, 2025 at 1:45 AM