Book Birthday: A Beginner's Guide To Salad

One year ago today, my first novel, A Beginner's Guide To Salad was published! I was so nervous as Ruth's story was released - would anybody buy it? Would they like it? - but I've been so pleased with the feedback I've received so far.

I love Ruth and it makes me smile every time somebody tells me that they've enjoyed the book. I'd like to thank everybody who has read the book (and people have, as crazy as that sounds. People are reading my little book. To date, A Beginner's Guide To Salad has sold almost 3,000 copies, which amazes me!) and those that have left reviews as it really does help.

I had a lot of fun writing the book and getting to know its characters and the fun didn't stop there. I've been lucky enough to appear on other people's blogs (links to these are on the right-hand side. Down a bit. Keep going), taking part in features, guest posts and Q&As. And then of course there is the blog tour. I'd again like to thank the hosts who took part and helped me to spread the word.

I also put together some Book Extras and a Pinterest board (any excuse to play with Pinterest!)

It's been a fantastic year and I've learned a lot about publishing books (it really doesn't stop when you push that Amazon button). Of course I've still got a lot more to learn but that's all part of the fun, right?

So, Happy Book Birthday A Beginner's Guide To Salad. Let's hope the next year is as good as the last!

A Beginner's Guide To Salad is currently on sale. For the whole of January it will be just 99p/99cents!

[Amazon UK     Amazon US]

Daughter by Jane Shemilt

 

 

Mum of three Jenny is kept busy as a GP but although she doesn't get to spend a great deal of time with her teenage children, their family works.

 

Until her fifteen-year-old daughter Naomi disappears one night.

 

Jenny thought she had a close relationship with Naomi. She thought her daughter told her everything but as the investigation into Naomi's disappearance begins, Naomi's secrets unfold and Jenny realises she didn't know her daughter at all.

 

I've been itching to read Daughter for ages and I am so glad I finally have. Daughter quickly had me hooked, desperate to know what happened to Naomi and whether the investigation would be successful. The book is told from Jenny's point of view and I couldn't help sympathising with her as she muddled through the stresses of bringing up three teenagers as well as keeping up with her hectic life as a GP. As a reader, I knew that something terrible was about to happen to her and her family but Naomi's disappearance is a complete shock to Jenny, especially when she starts to discover the things her daughter has been hiding from her.

 

The book is told from around the time Naomi disappears and one year later, as the family is still trying to come to terms with losing Naomi. Jenny's daughter is still missing and her grief is palpable. Jenny's anguish and desperation pours from the pages as she attempts to move forward. She is no longer living a life but existing as best as she can under the circumstances and, again, I felt for her as she was stuck in limbo, not knowing what had happened to her daughter.

 

Daughter switches quite frequently between the time periods, showing glimpses of the aftermath as the events of Naomi's disappearance take place. While this could slow down the pace of a novel, I thought it was a great way to tell the story and it really kept me gripped. If I'm honest, I wasn't overly keen on the way the novel ended but it didn't impair my enjoyment of the book as a whole. I loved it and thought Jane Shemilt's writing was superb. I'm certainly looking forward to reading more from her in the future!

Guest Posts

In 2014 I had some great guest post from authors - and I'd love to help spread the word of books and authors again this year, whether it's from authors (both traditionally and self published) or readers!

Would you like to shout out about your book? Or have you read a book that you loved and want to spread the word? If so, get in touch.

If you'd like a guest post spot on the blog, simply send me an email to jenniferjoycewrites@gmail.com with your guest post and the images and links to you and your book that you'd to like to use, as well as any links to your social media so people know where to find you.

As a vague guide, guest posts should be around 300-500 words and must be about books or writing.

Possible topics could be:

• inspiration behind your book and/or book titles
• when you decided to become a writer
• favourite books/authors
• favourite childhood book
• your top ten books or covers

But feel free to be creative and write about your own topic - as long as it centres around books or writing!

If I'm going to use your post, I will email you with a date of when it will go up on the blog. Please make a note of it so you can let your friends and followers know when the time comes and you can also answer any comments that may be left for you.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me at the above address.

You can find past guest posts here

Quiz: Which 'Everything Changes But You' Character Are You?

What is your idea of a great night out?

A: A night in the pub with my friends. A few drinks, a bit of gossip and lots of laughs and I’m happy!

B: Anything that doesn’t involve cooking, cleaning or refereeing between squabbling kids.

C: First of all, I need a fab dress and amazing shoes. Add some celebs (footballers or film stars. No soap actors – ugh) and non-stop cocktails and I’m there.

D: I don’t really go on nights out. I’m a bit of a workaholic.


If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: I’d wish for a bit more excitement in my life.

B: I’d wish for a housework fairy to visit a couple of times a week. Of course my husband and kids think there already is a housework fairy…

C: David Beckham

D: I don’t make wishes, Petal. I grant them.


What is your best trait?

A: I used to think I was loyal to my friends and family but now I’m not so sure

B: I’d like to think I’m a calming and reassuring presence

C: I can stretch both legs behind my head

D: I can make your dreams come true


And your worst trait?

A: I’m not as loyal as I once thought I was

B: I guess I’m a bit of a pushover

C: I can be a bit loose-knickered

D: I’m not so good with the paying-attention thing


It’s your birthday. What’s number one on your present wish list?

A: A new handbag

B: Bubble bath and the promise of an hour of peace

C: David Beckham

D: I’d quite like a new nightdress.


What do you look for in a potential partner?

A: He has to be a good friend first

B: I want someone who is going to be a good father

C: Money and/or celebrity status

D: Patience. He’ll need it, believe me


What do you look for in a friend?

A: Kindness

B: Loyalty

C: Someone who looks good but not so good that they steal all the attention from me

D: Patience. They’ll need it, believe me


You have a crush on a guy. And then you find out he’s married. What do you do?

A: A crush is fine. But I would never actually do anything about it

B: I haven’t had a crush in over a decade. I’ve forgotten what it feels like

C: Push up bra, killer heels, the tiniest, tightest dress I can find. He will be mine

D: Magic his wife away. Only kidding, Petal. I’d wish them both well and move on


Family is…

A: … very important to me

B: … my husband and children

C: … something I take for granted

D: … everything. You should cherish your loved ones


If you were a Disney character, who would you be?

A: Cinderella

B: Snow White

C: Ursula

D: Tinkerbell



Mostly As

You are Ally.

Ally likes to think she is loyal to her friends and family, but sometimes the allure of something better is too much. Ally is warm and loving but she hasn’t quite figured out what she wants from life yet, which can be confusing.


Mostly Bs

You are Francine

Francine is reliable and steady. If you have a problem, she will offer sensible advice but she won’t tell you what to do. Family and friends have the upmost importance to Francine.


Mostly Cs

You are Martine

Martine is strong-willed and knows what she wants and will go for it, whatever the consequences. She can be loyal to her friends, but don’t be surprised if she turns her back on them if the mood suits. Martine can be impatient and selfish, but she is always up for having fun.


Mostly Ds

You are Clementine

Clementine is sweet and kind, but she also has a wicked sense of humour and likes to tease. She can be ditzy at times, but she will always do her best.

Be careful what you wish for...

Ally Richmond is dreading turning thirty and bidding farewell to her youth. And when her husband says he wants to start a family, she begins to panic.

Is this all that life has to offer from now on? Popping out babies and growing old gracefully? She wants a life crammed with glamour and spontaneous adventure, not one full of dirty nappies and night feeds.

When Ally makes a silly birthday wish for a new, exciting life, her wish is granted.

But when Ally is presented with the freedom and opportunities she craves, she soon realises this new life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and that there really is no place like home. But can she find her way back - or is she stuck in this new reality forever?

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Reading Challenge 2015

I've seen a few reading challenges on twitter and pinterest over the last few weeks so I decided to create one for myself! As most of the books I read are sent to me by publishers to review, it's a bit of pot luck whether or not I'll meet some of the challenges but that's all part of the fun.

Here's my challenge

 

I've printed out my challenge sheet so I can fill it in as I go along and see how many I can meet by the end of the year.

 

If you'd like to join in the reading challenge, you can download and/or print it here 

January Sales: A Beginner's Guide To Salad

It's been almost a year since A Beginner's Guide To Salad was released and, as it also happens to be January with sales on wherever you look, I thought I'd lower the price of the book to celebrate! For the whole of January, A Beginner's Guide To Salad will be just 99p (or 99c if you're in the US).

The book is available to download from Amazon (click here for UK or click here for US) and here is what it's all about:

Ruth loves nothing more than curling up in front of the telly with a family-sized bar of chocolate. She doesn’t do diets and she certainly doesn’t do exercise. But all that changes when she’s invited to her school reunion.

Bullied at school for being overweight, Ruth’s first reaction is to rip the invitation into a million pieces. But then Ruth hatches a plan. She’ll lose the weight and arrive at the reunion looking gorgeous and glamorous, leaving her old classmates in awe. Especially her former crush, Zack O’Connell.

With the help of her friends and a new, unbelievably hot colleague, Ruth begins her transformation. With six months until the reunion, losing weight will be a piece of cake, right?

If you've read A Beginner's Guide To Salad already, I would love it if you could spare a few minutes to write a review. Remember, you can also add the book on Goodreads, view the Pinterest board or read the 'Book Extras' here on the blog!



Merry Christmas!

Christmas is quickly approaching so it's time to let the old blog have a bit of a break. She's been working hard during 2014 so deserves a bit of a rest. The blog and I will be back in the new year with our usual mix of writing waffle and book reviews as well as a new feature or two!

I'll still be around on Facebook (you can find my personal profile here and my author page here) as well as Twitter (where you can find me wittering here)

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and a super-duper happy New Year. I will see you in January!