Blogiversary Giveaway Winner

 

 

Thank you to everyone who took part in my Blogiversary giveaway and to those who tweeted about it.

 

Rafflecopter has selected one lucky entrant and the winner is:

 

Lisa J

 

 

Congratulations, Lisa. I hope you enjoy your prizes!

The Longest Holiday by Paige Toon

 

 

Heartbroken Laura is on her way to Florida's Key West with friends Marty and Bridget to give herself some time and space to think about her crumbling marriage. Her husband, Matthew has betrayed her and Laura isn't sure she can forgive him. The trio book into their hotel and while Marty and Bridget are happy to flirt with fellow holidaymakers, Laura can't help thinking about Matthew.

 

But that all changes when the three girls sign up for scuba diving lessons and Laura feels an instant attraction to instructor Leo. A holiday fling may not be the best idea under the circumstances but Laura can't seem to stay away from Leo and begins to worry that she won't be able to say goodbye and face what is left of her marriage when the holiday comes to an end.

 

The Longest Holiday is a fab summer read filled with heat and passion but also runs much deeper. Laura has never had much luck with men and now she must decide whether she can forgive Matthew and salvage their marriage or whether it is too much to handle and time to end it for good. Leo has also had a life filled with heartache and loss and has built a protective wall around himself, which can leave him appearing cold at times but you know there is a smouldering heat beneath the surface. Leo pulls off the gorgeous, brooding hero to perfection and I couldn't blame Laura for going after him. He sounds delicious! Their relationship is passionate but time is playing against them from the start and there is also the added complication of Matthew. Laura loves her husband so the decision between working through their problems and saying goodbye to him is a tough one.

 

I really liked Laura's best friend, Marty from the beginning, warming to her instantly but it was Bridget who grew on me the most. Technically she is Marty's friend rather than Laura's but it is Bridget who offers the most support when Laura needs it.

 

I have to admit that That Longest Holiday is the first Paige Toon book I've read but I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun summer read.



Guest Post: Aven Ellis

Writing Connectivity          

It is amazing how one moment of TV gave me the inspiration for writing the book that scored me THE CALL from a publisher.

Last spring I stumbled on Sherlock, a modern update of Sherlock Holmes on the BBC. I was immediately taken with two things: the gorgeous London setting and the dark, wavy hair of the lead actor, Benedict Cumberbatch.

As I watched the show, inspiration struck me like lightning. Suddenly a hero formed in my mind—William Cumberland, a British media mogul with dark, out-of-control wavy hair. I picked up my smartphone, opened a memo sheet, and began sketching him. Before I knew it, I knew everything about William—his goals, his drive, his inner conflict, his icy exterior, his reserve... All of this came from watching one episode of a TV show on a Saturday night!

Now it was time to create the heroine. I always knew I wanted to write stories about women in their young to mid-twenties because it is such a fascinating place in life. I wanted to write about the start of careers...determining life dreams...and figuring out THE GUY (whether the heroine knows this or not!) Taking inspiration from my day job (I work in television), I wanted a heroine who was strong, career-focused, and determined to climb the ladder in network television. She would be the fire to William’s ice. I knew she would have red hair to match her passion (and temper!)

But what to name her? I started a list of potential names. Sydney? Jecca? I went back and forth until I was flipping channels and came across Full House. (Okay, I promise I don’t watch as much TV as it sounds like I do.) I saw the credits and the name Mary-Kate. And I found my heroine. Mary-Kate, named after an Olsen Twin (and a name she hates explaining to William upon their first meeting.)

The story came together quickly. I took a month and outlined every single chapter and what would happen. William—who created social media site Connectivity-- would purchase the media networks where MK (as she prefers to be called) works and turn her career—and personal life—completely upside down as a result. 

All of MK’s carefully laid plans for her future (which is all about her career—who has time for a distracting romance?) are run through the shredder thanks to William Cumberland. And William has her not only questioning the direction of her career, but her romantic status as well...

And yes, all of this came from watching a snippet of Sherlock. So pay attention—you never know when—and where—inspiration might strike!


Connectivity will be released by Soul Mate Publishing in October 2013. You can follow Aven on Twitter or Facebook

In July...

... I read:

• The Wish List by Jane Costello
• And Then She Fell by Stepanie Laurens
• The Longest Holiday by Paige Toon
• The Pink Hotel by Anna Stothard
• Billy & Me by Giovanna Fletcher
• Delusion In Death by J D Robb
• Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop by Abby Clements
• Pearls by Celia Brayfield

... celebrated my 2 year blogiversary with a giveaway

... chose my Book of the Month and Cover Stars

... read my 50th book of 2013

... compiled a summer reading list

... had guest posts from Stacey Clough, Claire Baxter, Jayne Denker, Sam Bates and Aven Ellis

... and interviewed Julia McDowall



Book Of The Month - July

 

I've read some fantastic books since starting this blog and I'd like to give some of them a bit more recognition. So I've decided to add a new feature to the blog and give a special mention to one outstanding book each month. Feel free to add your thoughts of the chosen book in the comments below or even recommend an outstanding book of your own.

July

 

Sometimes secrets surface after the wedding date. Another scintillating tale from the bestselling author of One Perfect Summer and Lucy in the Sky
'Don't wait for the storm to pass; learn to dance in the rain…'
Laura has been married to the man of her dreams for seven months. But a week before the wedding, Matthew made a terrible mistake.
Escaping the humiliation that is now her marriage, Laura is whisked off to Florida's Key West by her best friend Marty. A carefree holiday full of cocktails and fun, surrounded by gorgeous, tanned men, is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Distraction comes in the form of sexy Cuban scuba diver Leo. Laura's instant attraction to him knocks her flying, and she falls hard.
As the end of the holiday approaches, Laura doesn't want to go home. Is it time to face the music? Or is there more to Key West than a holiday romance?

 

 

The Longest Holiday is the first Paige Toon book I've read but I loved it. It's the perfect summer read, taking place in the Florida Keyes with a host of fun characters and the always-welcome brooding hero. It doesn't matter if you're not lucky enough to be on holiday, lounging by the pool or sunbathing on the beach because The Longest Holiday has plenty of sunshine and heat to share.

 

 

Click here to see all 'Books Of The Month'.

The Wish List by Jane Costello

 

 

Emma's 30th birthday is approaching when she discovers a list she and her friends created when they were teenagers. Despite all the years that have passed, Emma has yet to achieve any of her goals on the list so, with six months to go before the big Three-Oh, she sets out to cross off at least 75% of the list.

 

Crossing off the goals will make Emma braver but it will also turn her life upside down with career changes, kisses with celebrities and an overhaul of her love life.

 

Joining Emma are best friends, Cally and Asha, and older sister, Mariann, who all contributed to the list. Cally is a single mum to 2-year-old Zachary, Asha has found herself as a mistress despite her strong beliefs and Mariann is doing her best to convince her sister she is happy with new boyfriend, Brian and doesn't want to get back together with her gorgeous ex, Johnny.

 

The Wish List  is the first book by Jane Costello that I've read and now I'm wondering why I left it so long. The book is a fun, romantic comedy, with both light and highly amusing parts as well as some emotional scenes towards the end. The chapters are short and snappy and I found myself whizzing through the pages.

 

There are an array of characters within the book, from Emma and her friends, moaning co-worker, Giles and Emma's eccentric boss, Perry. I liked all of the characters, even if I didn't always agree with their actions, Asha in particular who I felt needed a to be taken by the shoulders and given a good shake at times!

 

If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced read, I would highly recommend The Wish List.

 

 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy to review.

A Chat With... Rosie Goodwin

Rosie Goodwin is the author of Home Front Girls, a tale about three very different girls who form a bond during the blitz. You can see my review here and Rosie has kindly agreed to answer a few of my questions.


 

When did you realise you wanted to become a writer?
I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t love to write but I did it purely for pleasure. I led a very busy life as a mum, foster mum and Placement Support Worker for Social Services and I was also an NVQ Level Three Assessor so I suppose it was when the children were older that I started to think about how great it would be to become published. Of course, up until then I had only written short stories and poems but it was my husband who suggested I should write my first novel. In actual fact I wrote my first two and a half novels sitting in our touring caravan which was parked in the garden and I wrote them longhand as I couldn’t type then. I soon realised that it’s very different writing a full length novel to writing short stories but by the time I had finished the first one I was well and truly hooked and things went from there.

Can you tell us a little about your journey to publication?
I was absolutely green about the process of publication and had no idea whatsoever about how difficult it is today to become published so when the first book was finished I went out and bought my first Writer’s & Artist’s Yearbook. That became my bible and eventually I submitted the first one to a mainstream publishing house. That resulted in my first rejection but it was followed by a phone call from the editor who had read it who said she couldn’t stop thinking about it. She gave me lots of good advice and I also joined the Romantic Novelist’s Association New Writer’s Scheme. I then bought my first computer and very hurriedly had to learn to type. I was fortunate enough then to have two of my books put forward by the RNA for a second reading and this led to me being taken on by my first agent.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
I would advise anyone who is hoping to become published to listen to what professionals advise. Publishers know what they want and even how they want a manuscript submitted. A great tip I was given was ‘put it on stage’. Let your characters tell the story rather than you, this helps to bring them to life. Also, ‘less is more!’ if you can move the story on in a sentence rather than a paragraph do it. Every word should be there to move the story forward to a satisfactory conclusion. And never give up! Read the type of book you want to write by other authors who write in that genre and make notes of how they do it. And of course, researching for the era you are writing in is very important. You need to put enough factual points in to make the book believable but not so much that you detract from the story.

What was your inspiration for Home Front Girls?
I suppose the inspiration for Home Front Girls came from the Mr Selfridge series that was on the tv at the time. Also my editor had asked for another World War 2 novel and so I came up with the idea of the three different girls getting together in a large department store. I think I wanted to emphasise how the war affected everyone from all walks of life. I really enjoy writing books in this era although they do require a lot of research. It must have been such an horrendous time and yet the sense of community back then enthrals me. People stuck together more during the hard times and helped each other out, taking in neighbours when their homes were bombed without a thought and sharing what they had with them.

In the book, Annabelle, Lucy and Dotty are all very different girls. Did you have a favourite?
I don’t think I did have a favourite really. When I’m writing a book the characters in it become almost like a second family to me and I grew to love each of the girls. There was poor Dotty, who had grown up in an orphanage and longed to know who her true parents were. I wanted to adopt her! Then there was Lucy with such a horrible secret in her past that she trusted no one and yet she was still fiercely protective of her family. I’d have liked to give her a hug! Then of course we had Annabelle! What a spoiled girl she was but she made me smile. Her biggest concern was where her next pair of nylons were coming from! But of course as the book progresses we discover that none of the girls are quite who they thought they were and once their secrets are revealed none of their lives will ever be the same again. Home Front Girls was almost liking writing three different little books and bringing the girls together to forge an unlikely friendship that would last for a lifetime.

Finally, what are you working on at the moment?
At present I’m working on a historical novel centring around the cotton mills in Nuneaton in the nineteenth century. I find this period fascinating and love writing about the different classes, the poor servants who worked from dawn to dusk and the gentry who led very pampered lives. The book is still in the very early stages so who knows where it will go! I tend to let my characters take over once they have come to life and sometimes the path the book takes surprises even me. But that’s the beauty of writing fiction. I can’t imagine a day without writing now and always get really excited when I start a new book. I think it’s important to put your heart and soul into each one. People often say to me, ‘I cried reading your book, how did you make me do that?’ the answer to that is simple - I cried whilst I was writing it! I feel my character’s happy times and sad times, they are real people to me for the duration of the book. If I don’t feel what they feel how can I expect my readers to? And I always cry when a book comes to an end and I have to let my character’s go – until I start the next one and then it all begins again! That’s the beauty of being an author.