Chat About Books

Publisher: The Romance Collective (1st April 2016)

My review

A Passion So Wild has been waiting very patiently on my kindle for a while. Thank you to Louise Rose-Innes for my review copy. I have really enjoyed it.

Lexi was born into a wealthy family. Her parents are well known and successful and she’s about to marry a very suitable man. She wants for nothing! Well, nothing material that is. However, she craves a life of her own, doing what she loves. When she is offered the opportunity of a lifetime, as a vet caring for endangered Gorilla’s, she leaves her fiance at the alter and hops on a plane to the Congo, to start a new life. Her parents are less than impressed of course, but Lexi is happy and determined to live the life she has chosen for herself.

Of course, A Passion So Wild is primarily a romance novel, but it isn’t without a serious side. The sanctuary Lexi helps to run is at constant threat of rebel attacks. They have to be alert at all times and the sanctuary is in desperate need of funding to improve security, amongst other things. This is when we are introduced to Sir Anthony (Tony). Tony is the CEO of a successful company and is keen to invest in the sanctuary. It was obvious that Tony and Lexi would hit it off, but Lexi doesn’t like him initially. To start with, Tony’s main reason for investment is to increase his company’s credibility and he comes across as arrogant and full of self-interest. However, he soon starts to appreciate the hard work that goes in to the day-to-day running of the sanctuary and the risks they all face whilst trying to protect the animals. Lexi soon starts to warm to him and a their love story begins.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of the jungle and I can totally understand it’s appeal for Lexi, although I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to move there myself!

I liked the fact that Lexi stood on her own two feet and followed her heart, rather than living the life her parents had envisioned for her and I was hoping all the way through that she found her happiness.

This is a very well written novel with likeable characters, plenty of action and, of course, romance.

I will be adding Louise’s other books to my TBR list.

Buy your copy HERE

Description

Former socialite, Lexi, adores her new, fulfilling life as a gorilla vet in the Congolese jungle. Even the surrounding political volatility can’t dim her contentment – until she meets the sanctuary’s enigmatic benefactor, Sir Anthony. He’s wealthy and arrogant, appearing more concerned with his company’s image than the welfare of the sanctuary he’s endowed. He symbolizes the empty, pampered life she left behind – so why is she falling for him? When rebels attack the sanctuary, Sir Anthony is the only man who can keep her safe – yet he’s also the biggest threat her heart has ever faced.
A fast-paced, romantic suspense novel from Amazon Bestselling Author, Louise Rose-Innes.
Louise writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. Visit her author page on Amazon – amazon.com/author/louiseroseinnes

You will find all of Louise’s books HERE

Enjoy!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Alli Sinclair 🙂

Happy Publication Day, Alli!

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

I’m Australian born but have spent many years living in other countries, such as Argentina, Peru and Canada. I’m an adventurer at heart, I’ve climbed some of the world’s highest mountains, and I’ve been lucky enough to immerse myself in an array of exotic destinations, cultures, and languages. My stories capture the romance and thrill of exploring new destinations and cultures that also take readers on a journey of discovery.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

Oooh, that’s a hard one to answer because each story has its own way of coming to light. I’ve had stories pop into my head while doing the dishes (because let’s face it, doing the dishes isn’t the most exciting thing to do!), while driving a car, reading a newspaper article or watching a documentary … the list is endless. And I love that a story can appear out of thin air when I least expect it and that’s why I always have a pen and paper handy.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

No, my characters are their own (fictional) people in their own right. They might have an idiosyncracy of someone I know but that’s as far as it goes.

How do you pick your characters names?

Usually my characters choose their own names (they just pop into my head!) but sometimes they need a little help so I go onto baby name websites and type in the year my character is born and find out what names were popular back then. I tend to do this mostly if my character is foreign and my knowledge of names in that chosen nationality is a little limited. I’ve found some amazing names during my searches!

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

I tend to think of a title, then write a two paragraph blurb, then a ten page synopsis (yes, I’m a planner!) then the book. If I’m struggling with getting a handle on a particular character, I often interview them (there are a lot of really great character interview questions on the internet) and I find this interviewing process reveals a great deal about my character which then helps me when I’m writing the actual story.

Do you have a favourite author?

That’s a tough one as I have so many favourite authors across many genres. My automatic buy authors are Monica McInerney, Belinda Alexandra and Michelle Moran and I’m always on the lookout for a new-to-me authors. As my author network is large, I get to discover new-to-me authors almost every day!

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I would love to meet the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. He often wrote his poems in green ink because it was his symbol for desire and hope. I’d love to ask him about his diplomatic posts in Argentina, Spain and Mexico and how those experiences in such turbulent times, especially during the Spanish Civil War, shaped him as a person and his poems.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Absolutely! I was one of those kids who walked to school with my head in a book and I was able to dodge obstacles without losing my place in the story. The library was my second home and I was lucky enough to have a lovely school librarian who would knew my taste in books and she made sure I always had enough books to get me through each week!

When did you start to write?

I was always writing stories when I was a child but during my teen years and my twenties I was too busy being social and travelling the world. It wasn’t until my early thirties, when I was being interviewed on the radio about my travels, that the seed of writing fiction was planted. After the interview, the journalist said that I had so many great stories I should consider writing a book. I was surprised at his suggestion because it never occurred to me to do such a thing. I saw a travel writing competition and entered and to my surprise, I won and it was such a buzz seeing my name in print I pursued the idea of writing fiction. That’s when I discovered a love for writing and fast forward to ten years and three manuscripts later, I finally landed my first ever publishing deal and since then I’ve been contracted for seven books and counting!

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

Oh, this is such a great question! Hmmm … I don’t want to give away too much about the ending of A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, but I would have loved to have changed the ending to what I WISHED it would be. It is such a beautiful story and I loved every minute of it but one of the characters makes a decision that is absolutely right for what was expected of her but oh, how I wished she’d made a decision that followed her heart!

What are you working on right now?

I’m in the luxurious position of being a year ahead of schedule right now so I am working on a book that is likely to come out in 2019 and also developing a brand new series for young readers. It’s rather exciting to be trying out a new genre and I’m really enjoying the challenge. That’s one thing I love about being a writer—it’s never boring!

Do you have a new release due?

Yes, I do! Under the Spanish Stars has just been released by Kensington Books and is now available worldwide.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I’m rather social and love keeping in contact with readers, so you can find me at any of these social media hangouts:

Website at www.allisinclair.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlliSinclairAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/allisinclair

Instagram: alli_sinclair

Google +: Alli Sinclair

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Alli-Sinclair/e/B00MSGMON0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1456709127&sr=1-1

I also have a VIP Club that anyone can join and there are often give aways and competitions especially for members. You can sign up here:

https://allisinclairauthor.wordpress.com/newsletter/

Previously published by Mira in Australia and New Zealand
 
Amid the vivid beauty of Granada, a woman entrusted with unraveling a family secret will discover the truth about her heritage—and the alluring promise of love…

When her beloved grandmother falls ill, Charlotte Kavanagh will do whatever she asks of her—even if it means traveling to a country that broke her abuela’s heart. Can an unsigned painting of a flamenco dancer unlock the secrets of her grandmother’s youth in Spain? To find the answers she needs, Charlotte must convince the charismatic and gifted musician, Mateo Vives to introduce her to a secluded gypsy clan.

The enigmatic Mateo speaks the true language of flamenco, a culture Charlotte must learn to appreciate if she wants to understand her grandmother’s past—and the flamenco legend that has moved souls to beauty, and bodies to the heights of passion. As Mateo leads her into the captivating world of the music and the dance, Charlotte embraces her own long-denied creative gift and the possibility of a future rich with joy…

BUY LINKS:

KENSINGTON BOOKS

http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/34060

AMAZON USA

http://www.amazon.com/Under-Spanish-Stars-Wandering-Skies-ebook/dp/B01CWYTJQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478150808&sr=8-1&keywords=9781601838940

AMAZON UK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-Spanish-Stars-Wandering-Skies-ebook/dp/B01CWYTJQM/ref=la_B00MSGMON0_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478151030&sr=1-1

Ibooks

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/under-the-spanish-stars/id1128182702?mt=11

GOOGLE:

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781601838940&c=books

KOBO

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-au/Search/Query?q=9781601838940

BARNES & NOBLE

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-the-spanish-stars-alli-sinclair/1123516113?ean=9781601838940

Many thanks to Alli for answering my questions 🙂

I am thrilled to be a part of Rachel Amphlett’s #ScaredtoDeath blog tour! Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to read the book, as yet, but it is very firmly on my TBR list. I do, however, have a Q&A with the lady herself…..

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

I’m originally from the UK, and I’m currently living in Brisbane Australia. Scared to Death is the first in the new Detective Kay Hunter series – a detective with a hidden past, and an uncertain future.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

Often it’s from a news article or an overheard conversation – my imagination will go into overdrive and I’ll think “what if?” and it goes from there.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Not specifically. Often it’s an amalgamation of traits that I use to create a character. I might see someone with an interesting tic, or a particular figure of speech, and I’ll use that.

How do you pick your characters names?

I did have some fun with this one as there are a couple of characters named after actual people – people that have helped me enormously over the past five years of my publishing journey, and it was fun to give them something back.

Usually though, the majority of characters will have at least a first name that just pops into my head when I start outlining a new story. Scared to Death was hard, in that I had to come up with a name for my lead protagonist that I really liked, because I’m going to be with her for the rest of this series, so it had to be something that resonated with me. Right up to the point that the manuscript was ready to go to beta readers, I had “PROTAGONIST” in place of her name – I was getting a bit worried by that point that I wouldn’t come up with something, I can tell you!

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

Once I have the original nugget of an idea, I’ll flesh it out a bit and then brainstorm the outline of a plot. From there I’ll develop a sentence to describe each scene/chapter and then get stuck in. I probably outline about 50% of the story and let the rest develop with the characters.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Absolutely – both my brother and I could read before we started primary school, and I inhaled books growing up. My favourite place at school was the library!

When did you start to write?

I wrote my first short story at seven or eight years old. My handwriting was so bad, my mum had to type it up, and I did the illustrations.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on the second in the Kay Hunter series, which I’m planning on releasing early in 2017.

Do you have a new release due?

Scared to Death is out on 6 December 2016.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I love hearing from readers, and respond to every email. My contact form is on my website at www.rachelamphlett.com. My social media links are:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelamphlett.author/

Twitter: @RachelAmphlett

Instagram: @RachelAmphlett

Many thanks to Rachel for answering my questions and for inviting me to a part of her fabulous blog tour!

Publisher: Saxon Publishing (6th December 2016)

Order your copy HERE

A serial killer murdering for kicks.

A detective seeking revenge.

When the body of a snatched schoolgirl is found in an abandoned biosciences building, the case is first treated as a kidnapping gone wrong.

But Detective Kay Hunter isn’t convinced, especially when a man is found dead with the ransom money still in his possession.

When a second schoolgirl is taken, Kay’s worst fears are realised.

With her career in jeopardy and desperate to conceal a disturbing secret, Kay’s hunt for the killer becomes a race against time before he claims another life.

For the killer, the game has only just begun…

Scared to Death is a gripping fast paced crime thriller from author Rachel Amphlett, in a new series introducing Kay Hunter – a detective with a hidden past and an uncertain future…

Make sure you catch up with, and follow, the rest of the #ScaredtoDeath blog tour…..

This is just one week of the tour! Search #ScaredtoDeath for more!

Enjoy!

Allow me to introduce book blogger, Kate Moloney!

Kate has very kindly agreed to answer 20 random questions from you lovely people (Thanks so much for joining in, Kate!) 🙂

If you’re reading this, please do send me a question. It doesn’t have to be book related. Let’s see how random we can make Kate’s interview!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Cassandra Parkin 🙂

Cassandra’s latest novel, Lily’s House, was published by Legend Press on 15^th October 2016.

I will be sharing all of the book information later on in the post, but first I have a lovely Q&A with the lady herself. Enjoy!

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

I’m a Yorkshire-based writer with Cornish roots and a passion for fairy-tales. I write contemporary fiction with a strong magical flavour, and I love exploring the darker truths about what it means to be a human being.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

Most of my books start with a single image – a particular journey I’ve taken, a view from a high place that I’ve loved, or a dream I’ve had. For my most recent novel “Lily’s House”, it was the walk up the road from the branch-line station in Falmouth to Grove Hill House at the top. Writing the novel that goes with the image in my head often feels like gradually discovering something buried or drowned, as if it always existed and my job is just to discover it. Rather comfortingly, I found out a few years ago that Stephen King has the same experience.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Now that’s a terrifying question – I’ll have to tread carefully! I don’t “borrow” people’s lives or personalities wholesale (apart from anything else, I don’t think it would work – they would be themselves, not the person in my book, and I wouldn’t be able to get under their skin). However, like most writers, I’m a bit of a magpie, and I tend to collect snippets of dialogue, small details of how people look or speak, stories people have told me…and these all inevitably find their way into my work. So while Marianne in “Lily’s House” is absolutely not meant to be my daughter, she does have my daughter’s hair, wardrobe and odd food preferences; and all of Finn’s best stories from “The Beach Hut” originally belonged to my brother. Oh, and there is one irredeemably horrible character who is basically someone I used to work with, but I’m not going to say who.

Locations are always really important to my books, and although I never name the towns, landscapes or houses I’m describing, these are always based in reality. Finally, I use small details from my parents’ and grandparents’ houses all the time – patterns on plates, pictures on walls, ornaments on shelves – because so many of these things are gone now, and I love to give them a second life in my fiction.

How do you pick your characters’ names?

I start with the year they were born, and then look at the lists of names that were given to babies born in that year. Depending on what sort of background they come from and what sort of parents they have, I might be looking for something quite unusual, something that’s “of the moment”, or a very middle-of-the-road and conventional choice. Obviously we don’t choose our own names, so I always think about what the character’s parents were like and what they might have wanted for their child.

Then I have to do a reality check and make sure I haven’t got obsessed with one particular sound or name-root. I once had to have it pointed out to me by my lovely, lovely editor that I had not two, not three, but four minor characters whose names were all near-homophones of each other. I have no idea how I managed to do this, but somehow I did.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

My novels always start with an outline, which I build using post-it notes on sheets of A4 paper (each sheet is one chapter). I never stick to my original plan, but I always need to have one – it gives me a roadmap to follow, so when I wander off into the forest I have some idea of where I thought I was going in the first place. When I’m working on a first draft, I write 2,000 words a day, mostly in the mornings at the dining-table, and quite often in my pyjamas.

My favourite writing mantra is from Ernest Hemingway, who pithily told the world that “the first draft of everything is shit”. And it is! I don’t edit as I go, so my first draft will always be an unholy mess; but that’s okay, because that’s what editing’s for. Editing is the bit when you actually make your project into something that’s fit to be seen.

Do you have a favourite author?

I have so many favourite authors that the best I can manage is a Top Five! Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll, Tove Jansson, W M Thackeray and Jacqueline Susann are the authors I’d smuggle under my jumper to a desert island. But then I’d be leaving behind so many other who I love – Stephen King, Charlotte Bronte, Terry Pratchett, Stevie Smith, Ursula le Guin, Daphne du Maurier, Laura Ingalls Wilder…nope, I can’t do it. It’s just not in me. I’ll have to be locked away in a library instead.

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I would meet Tove Jansson and ask her to teach me to draw. It’s one talent I really envy.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Oh yes. I read constantly and obsessively. I was lucky enough to grow up just opposite our local library, and it was my second home. If they didn’t close, I’d never have left. I was lucky enough to go back to visit them to talk about “The Beach Hut” last year, and it was absolutely magical to go back to a place I’d loved so much as a child.

When did you start to write?

I’ve written pretty much all my life, but it took me a long time to try and get any of it published. The first thing I can remember finishing was a Doctor Who fan-fiction when I was about nine. Then when I was fifteen I finished my first full-length project – a dystopian sci-fi novel, because I was fifteen, so of course it was. After that, I had some vague idea that I was going to be a writer, but after university I ended up going into marketing instead, because it paid well and student loans are terrifying.

I then spent about fifteen years trying to turn my marketing job into a writing job, by volunteering for every single writing assignment I could find. I wrote website copy, and text for leaflets, and spurious replies to customer complaints, and mendacious personal statements for other people’s CVs. I kept writing fiction too, in my lunch-breaks, and in boring meetings, and in the evenings and at weekends. Sometimes I’d give what I wrote to friends and family as Christmas presents, and they would tell me, “Look, you do know what you really want to be is a writer, yes? I mean, you are aware of this about yourself?”

After a decade and a half of sustained nagging by absolutely everyone who knew me, I finally womaned up and submitted a short story collection to a writing competition. I was truly astounded when it won, and was published later that year. That gave me the confidence to write and submit my first published novel, “The Summer We All Ran Away” to Legend Press.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

I would re-write the ending to “Fifty Shades of Grey”. In my version, after Ana quite rightly leaves Christian, she would go home, have a good cry, eat several pints of ice-cream and then have a moment of clarity and realise what an utter control-freak wanker he really was and vow never to see him again.

She would then get a sensible job at a place where normal people work (rather than taking some strange and poorly-defined “editoral” role at a publisher with a predatory boss and the vaguest list in the whole world) and build a future for herself where she had enough self-confidence to assert her personal and sexual boundaries. Then, the next time some creepy stalker started turning up uninvited at her place of work, cutting her off from her friends, coercing her into sex she wasn’t comfortable with and getting angry with her every time she wore the wrong outfit or gave some bloke the glad-eye, she would sack him off and ride off into the sunset with Kate, who was clearly the best romantic prospect for Ana in the whole novel. Christian Grey would die when he crashed Charlie Tango into a mountain while trying to have sex mid-flight.

It’s just possible I’ve put a little too much thought into this.

*I just have to say that this is THE best answer I’ve had to this question, so far!*

What are you working on right now?

I’m at the very early stages of writing my next novel, which is set on the East coast of Yorkshire in a village that’s falling into the sea. The cliffs along the coast are basically mud and chalk, so the erosion is terrifying and extraordinary – it’s a beautiful, ghostly, haunting part of the world.

Do you have a new release due?

My novel “The Winter’s Child” will be published by Legend Press in September 2017. It’s set in my home city of Hull, and begins on the last night of Hull Fair in a fortune-teller’s caravan. My heroine Susannah receives an eerily specific prediction – that her son Joel, who has been missing for five years, will come back to her by Christmas Eve.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I’m on Twitter @cassandrajaneuk, and I blog at www.cassandraparkin.wordpress.com.

Thank you so much to Cassandra for answering my questions and to Lucy, at Legend Press, for arranging the interview. It has been a pleasure!

Publisher: Legend Press (15th October 2016)

Buy your copy HERE

When Jen goes to her grandmother’s house for the last time, she’s determined not to dwell on the past. As a child, Jen adored Lily and suspected she might be a witch; but the spell was broken long ago, and now her death means there won’t be any reconciliation.

Lily’s gone, but the enchantments she wove and the secrets she kept still remain. In Lily’s house, Jen and her daughter Marianne reluctantly confront the secrets of the past and present – and discover how dangerous we become when we’re trying to protect the ones we love.

You will find all of Cassandra’s books on her Amazon Author Page

Enjoy!

Today I am delighted to welcome Jane Isaac to my blog 🙂

Jane is a lovely lady. We do chat on Twitter sometimes. Her latest book, Beneath The Ashes (Crime Thriller with DI Will Jackman #2), was published by Legend Press on 1st November 2016.

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

Hi Kerry, Thanks so much for inviting me to your lovely blog. My name is Jane Isaac and I write the DCI Helen Lavery and the DI Will Jackman series. My books have been described as detective fiction with a psychological edge and my latest novel, Beneath the Ashes, was released on 1^st November 2016.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

My fascination lies with people and how they react when you take them out of the realms of normality, so I usually start with my characters. My books are psychological crime thrillers/police procedural crossovers. When I start a new project I usually consider the opening – putting somebody normal, somebody like you or I, in an extraordinary situation. As the mystery unravels and we begin the police chase to solve case and track down the killer, we also explore the perspective from the victim’s point of view.

I guess it derives from a great sense of nosiness. When I was growing up, my mother was always telling me to, “Stop staring!” Even now, I love to sit in cafes, stand in the supermarket queue and wander around the stores watching how people react in different situations. It’s that all important ‘what if’ scenario that captivates me. Most of us tend to live in a little bubble of habits that are tried and tested, that we take for granted. We drift through our days and don’t give them a second thought. But it’s when things go wrong, run differently, that fascinates me. How do we react to the extraordinary?

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

Not really. For DI Will Jackman, the lead in my current series, I pulled on my favourite male fictional characters and analysed their behaviour; writing down the elements I liked and that fitted with what I was trying to achieve, disregarding the ones that didn’t. I also considered the male influences in my own life: my father, my brother, my husband, my friends, and spoke to a lot of serving police officers and detectives to see what their working/home life was like. So, I guess he is made up of elements of lots of different people.

How do you pick your characters names?

Oh, that’s a tricky one. Names are important – they define the character in our mind and form the basis of the many layers it takes to build them, making them feel real. The name has to fit with the story, and the era.

When writing my first novel, An Unfamiliar Murder, I opted for a combination of traditional and conventional for my lead, Detective Chief Inspector Helen Lavery. This mix defines Helen: a strong, independent woman with a passion that pushes her to go that extra mile, occasionally adopting unorthodox methods to make a difference, to keep us safe. Yet, she is also a mother, juggling the challenge of single parenting teenage sons with managing one of the most responsible and demanding jobs in the police force.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

When I started out I didn’t plan anything and wrote chapter by chapter, researching along the way. My first book, An Unfamiliar Murder, took almost eighteen months to complete.

Beneath the Ashes was my fourth book and written to a deadline, so I needed to be more organised with my writing time. I wrote a four/five page outline in advance to give me a sense of direction, although inevitably some things did change along the way, and the book took a little under a year to complete.

Do you have a favourite author?

Ten years ago I would have answered this question with established favourites like Val McDermid or Peter James. However being a part of the publishing world has exposed me to so many new talents and I tend to read a lot of different authors these days.

I’ve just read a debut called Rubicon by Ian Patrick which is out for submission now, hoping to be signed. It was excellent and really deserves to be published!

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Arthur Conan Doyle – Why did you kill off Sherlock?

Were you a big reader as a child?

I was one of those children who could be found with a torch under the duvet, reading Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven, desperately trying to get to the end of the book before I was caught!

When did you start to write?

Sixteen years ago my husband and I took a year out to travel the world and a friend gave us a diary to keep. I didn’t think we’d keep it up, but we both wrote in it every day and returned home at the end of the trip with a collection of diaries. Years later, the photos brought back memories, but it was the diary that recreated the true sense of the places we visited. That’s when my love affair with writing began.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

The Sister by Rosamund Lupton. I loved the book, it’s so beautifully written, but the ending is left hanging and I always wondered what happened.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on the edits for The Lies Within, the third novel in the DI Will Jackman series.

Do you have a new release due?

Yes. The Lies Within is due to be released by Legend Press on 2^nd May 2017.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I love to hear from readers and writers and can be contacted via Jane Isaac Author on Facebook, @JaneIsaacAuthor on Twitter, or emailed through the contact page on my website at www.janeisaac.co.uk

Thanks so much to Jane for joining me on my blog today and to Lucy, at Legend Press, for arranging the interview. It has been a pleasure 🙂

Publisher: Legend Press (1st November 2016)

Buy your copy HERE

THE SECOND DI WILL JACKMAN CRIME THRILLER

The floor felt hard beneath her face. Nancy opened her eyes. Blinked several times. A pain seared through her head. She could feel fluid. No. She was lying in fluid.

When a body is discovered in a burnt-out barn in the Warwickshire countryside, DI Will Jackman is called to investigate.

Nancy Faraday wakes up on the kitchen floor. The house has been broken into and her boyfriend is missing. As the case unravels, DI Jackman realises that nothing is quite as it appears and everyone, it seems, has a secret.

Can he discover the truth behind the body in the fire, and track down the killer before Nancy becomes the next victim?

A gripping thriller perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, S.J. Watson, B A Paris and Sophie Hannah

DI Will Jackman Series – Amazon Top 5 Bestseller

‘Carefully executed police procedural, that hits all the targets.’ –Angela Clarke, author of Follow Me

‘I thought I d never read a book that came close to the realities of crime and policing. Then I read this.’ –Ian Patrick Writer and former DS with the Metropolitan Police

‘A smart, intelligent and tightly woven police procedural with real depth of human emotion at its heart.’ –Rebecca Bradley, author of Shallow Waters

You will find all of Jane’s books on her AmazonUK author page

Enjoy!

Hi all!

Can you actually believe it’s December?? When did that happen!?

I hope November has been a great month for you. I’d love to know what you’ve been reading.

Are you ready for Christmas? Our tree is up…..

…..but I haven’t written any cards (with the exception of one for the window cleaner!) and I have only bought 3 gifts so far! We have so many Birthday’s in November!!

Anyway…..

Here’s what’s been happening on Chat About Books, in case you missed anything…..

October wrap up…..

Reader / writer events in Stoke-on-Trent @SoTLibraries  You still have time to get your free ticket to the 6×6 Reading Café on 6th December. This will be the third Reading Café I have been to. My friend, Gayle, and I really enjoy this event. Please do come along if you’re local enough.

#TGND Mel Sherratt @writermels @bookouture #helpme #BlogTour *EXTRACT* & *Review*

Q&A with author, Karen King + Extract @karen_king @AccentPress

Love You To Death (Detective Ruby Preston Crime Thriller Series Book 1) by Caroline Mitchell *Review* @Caroline_writes @bookouture

#AskMeAnything with #bookblogger Joanne Baird @portybelle

My name is Lorraine Rugman, #AskMeAnything @ReviewCafe

This is a very personal and powerful post which I re-blogged via Kaisha at The Writing Garnet. Everyone should read it and share it – How @Lesley_Allen_ & Biddy Weir gave me courage to tell my own story – #BullyingAwarenessWeek

While You Were Sleeping by Kathryn Croft *Review* @KatCroft @bookouture #BlogTour

#AskMeAnything with #bookblogger Zoe Williams @WBTBBookReviews

Jenny Kane’s Christmas Collection #BlogTour @JennyKaneAuthor @AccentPress *EXTRACT*

Q&A with author, Colette McCormick @colettemcauthor @AccentPress

Trace This Scar by Jessikah Hope Stenson @JessikahHope @ExcaliburPress #BlogTour #BookReview

Holding by Graham Norton #BookReview @grahnort @HodderBooks

Q&A with author, A J Dalton @AJDalton1

Q&A with author, Kristen Bailey @baileyforce6 @AccentPress Second Helpings #BlogTour

Added to my TBR list, November 2016…..

Thanks as always for reading, liking, commenting on and sharing my posts.

Have a fab December!

Kerry

X

Merry Christmas from me and my Bella Boo Bo’s 🙂

Direct from the author / publisher…..

 (PDF from Jason Hershey)

Self published – 25th October 2016

Thelonious “Theo” Mitchell is a down on his luck teenager, wandering aimlessly through life with no desire or focus. When tragedy strikes, he is taken in by his aunt and uncle. Thrown into a new school with unfamiliar surroundings, he befriends the class “troublemaker”. After yet another tragedy, will Theo fall victim to life, or use the tragedy as a spark and motivation to embrace all that life has to offer?

 (e-book from H. A. Leuschel)

Five stories – Five Lives. Have you ever felt confused or at a loss for words in front of a spouse, colleague or parent, to the extent that you have felt inadequate or, worse, a failure? Do you ever wonder why someone close to you seems to endure humiliation without resistance? Manipulators are everywhere. At first these devious and calculating people can be hard to spot, because that is their way. They are often masters of disguise: witty, disarming, even charming in public – tricks to snare their prey – but then they revert to their true self of being controlling and angry in private. Their main aim: to dominate and use others to satisfy their needs, with a complete lack of compassion and empathy for their victim. In this collection of short novellas you meet people like you and me, intent on living happy lives, yet each of them, in one way or another, is caught up and damaged by a manipulative individual. First you meet a manipulator himself, trying to make sense of his irreversible incarceration. Next, there is Tess, whose past is haunted by a wrong decision, then young, successful and well balanced Sophie, who is drawn into the life of a little boy and his troubled father. Next, there is teenage Holly, who is intent on making a better life for herself and finally Lisa, who has to face a parent’s biggest regret. All stories highlight to what extent abusive manipulation can distort lives and threaten our very feeling of self-worth.

 (e-book from Terry Tyler)

Every serial killer is someone’s friend, spouse, lover or child….

Young women are being murdered in the Lincolnshire town of Lyndford, where five people fear someone close to them might be the monster the police are searching for.
One of them is right.

Juliet sees an expert’s profile of the average serial killer and realises that her abusive husband, Paul, ticks all the boxes.

Maisie thinks her mum’s new boyfriend seems too good to be true. Is she the only person who can see through Gary’s friendly, sensitive façade?

Tamsin is besotted with her office crush, Jake. Then love turns to suspicion…

Steve is used to his childhood friend, Dan, being a loud mouthed Lothario with little respect for the truth. But is a new influence in his life leading him down a more sinister path?

Dorothy’s beloved son, Orlando, is keeping a secret from her—a chilling discovery forces her to confront her worst fears.

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW is a character-driven psychological drama that will keep you guessing until the very end.

 (ebook from Julieann Dove)

Dr. Rachel Miller has no recollection of what happened that night she climbed in the car with her husband and he drove recklessly into a tree. She has no clue as to why she survived and he didn’t. Nor does she understand why strangers are coming up to her on the street and telling her things she can’t recall about a life that seems so long ago. But Dane Stone knows.
Dane Stone is Rachel’s business partner…and her deceased husband’s best friend. He knows about the notes, the hotel receipt, and the reason she got in the car that night. It’s for her protection that he keeps the secret, but inside he’s dying to tell her.

 (Paperback from Anna at Reddoor Publishing)

Meet Rachel. She’s trapped in a sleep-deprived world of misery and grief. She used to love being a wife and mum, but now life is a grown-up mess.

Meet Adam. He’s trapped in a world of grief and confusion. It wasn’t always like this, but since the accident, things have never been the same. How can they be when you’ve killed your parents?

Rachel and Adam used to be friends, back in the days before marriage and babies… in the days before loneliness set in. Then along came Facebook. So when Rachel and Adam rekindle their online friendship, what starts as a little harmless flirtation soon becomes an obsession, and slowly the threads of their lives unravel before them.

Because I was Lonely traces the rollercoaster of actions and reactions experienced by a cast of credible, fallible, and ultimately human, characters. Hayley Mitchell carefully captures their emotions and handles the multiple viewpoints deftly, in this cleverly crafted, unputdownable debut novel.

 (Paperback from Anna at Reddoor Publishing)

‘Hi, I’m Angela. My husband ran off with the caterer we hired for our daughter’s graduation party. Pleased to meet you.’

Meet Angie Shepherd who, after 24 years and 11 months of marriage, finds herself divorced and driven by friends and family to move on. From hangover to makeover, Angie steps firmly away from the sensible knitwear, and launches into every adventure on offer from baking classes and book groups, to speed dating, and even ‘The Granny-Okes’, a 1980s tribute act and YouTube sensation.

But Angie needs more than a bar of galaxy and a night in with Murder She Wrote… what she dreams of is entrepreneurial success. Channelling her inner Richard Branson, the light bulb moment happens: it’s time to take the plunge and invest her divorce settlement into The Mercury Travel Club, an exciting new business venture. But as the Travel Club gets going, things don’t go according to plan, and in this digital age a little chaos brings the fame she s been looking for.

Set in present-day Manchester, this classic mid-life journey features the 1980s soundtrack from Angie s youth, and sees her travel the world whilst coping with life after the Ex. Angie’s journey is the catalyst her friends need to examine their own lives; as they start to find their true callings, will Angie find hers? Witty, entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny, this feel-good debut novel shows it s never too late for a second chance.

 (e-book from S. C. Abbey)

Dr. Harvey Nolan, a Nobel prize-winning Columbia Professor, wasn’t expecting the FBI at his office after his first blood-soaking brush with them many years ago. In a dark and damp dungeon, a frightened woman wakes up to find herself chained to her bed, her screams echoes but unanswered. Agent Katie Moulin, a jaded ex-FBI, grudgingly returns to the ground when things get chaotic with a single divergent event.

Caught in a crossfire between a merciless assassin and the FBI for a crime he did not commit, can Nolan clear his name before it is too late? As New York City becomes a hotbed of crime, Harvey’s and Katie’s lives must intertwine once again. Forced to battle enemies and allies closing in alike, they find themselves surprised by the extent of cruelty people can go to.

From Netgalley…..

Pub Date 16 Nov 2016

Description

Bought / free downloads…..

 (Kindle first prime freebie)

Marcy Hammer’s life has been turned upside down. Her husband, the head of a global brassiere empire, didn’t think twice about leaving her after thirty-three years of marriage for a 32DD lingerie model. Now Harvey the Home-Wrecker is missing in action, but Marcy’s through thinking about what a cliché he is. What she needs now is a party-size bag of potato chips, a good support system, and a new dress.

Striking out on her own is difficult at first, but Marcy manages to find traces of humor in her heartbreak. Even while devastated by Harvey’s departure, she still has her indomitable spirit and her self-respect. She has no intention of falling apart, either, even when her adult children drop a few bombshells of their own and she discovers a secret about her new, once-in-a-lifetime friend. Life may be full of setbacks, but by lifting herself up by her own lacy straps, Marcy just may be able to handle them all.

 (Pre-ordered 1st November 2016)

Publication date – 1st December 2016

Countdown to Christmas with your new must-have author, as you step into the wonderful world of Ava Bliss. Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Carole Matthews and Katie Fforde.

On a snowy December evening, Sam Jermyn steps into the life of bespoke hat maker Ava. Sparks fly, and not necessarily the good ones.

Times are tough for Ava – she’s struggling to make ends meet, her ex-boyfriend is a bully, and worst of all, it’s nearly Christmas.

So when Sam commissions Ava to make a hat for someone special, she makes a promise that will change her life. She just doesn’t know it yet…

 (Paperback bought with Birthday gift card)

Snow is falling on White Cliff Bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air . . .

Penny Meadows loves her cosy cottage with its stunning views over the snow-topped town of White Cliff Bay, but not even the roaring log fire can keep her personal life from feeling frozen.

That is until dashing Henry and his daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage for the festive season. And between decking the halls and baking delicious mince pies, Penny realises there is more to Henry than meets the eye.

With sleigh bells ringing and fairy lights twinkling, the ice-sculpting competition and Christmas Eve ball are in full swing. Will Penny be able to melt the ice and allow love into her heart? And will she finally have the perfect Christmas she’s been dreaming of?

 (Paperback bought with Birthday gift card)

The No.1 bestselling author delivers an ‘outstanding’ (USA Today) collection of thrilling stories, introducing each one with a fascinating piece on when, where or how he came to write it.

There is a treasure here for every reader: a man who keeps reliving exactly the same life, repeating his mistakes over and over again; a columnist who kills people by writing their obituaries; a poignant tale about the end of the human race and a firework competition between neighbours which reaches an explosive climax. And, exclusive to this paperback edition (and the eBook from 6 September), a brand new story ‘Cookie Jar’.

‘I made them especially for you,’ says King. ‘Feel free to examine them, but please be careful. The best of them have teeth.’

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE BAZAAR OF BAD DREAMS

Introduction
Mile 81
Premium Harmony
Batman and Robin Have an Altercation
The Dune
Bad Little Kid
A Death
The Bone Church
Morality
Afterlife
Ur
Herman Wouk Is Still Alive
Under the Weather
Blockade Billy
Mister Yummy
Tommy
The Little Green God of Agony
Cookie Jar
That Bus Is Another World
Obits
Drunken Fireworks
Summer Thunder

 (Hardback bought with Birthday gift card)

Since they first began making delicious, homemade-quality soups using only fresh, natural ingredients, the New Covent Garden Food Company has continued to create ever more innovative and tasty recipes. Now, a few years on and with hundreds of recipes at their fingertips, they have decided to share their all-time favourites with you in this definitive collection.

Soup is generally easy to make and a great way to use up leftovers, but it can also be exotic and sophisticated, and A Soup for Every Day is packed with ideas for whatever the occasion demands. With a recipe for each day of the year, carefully chosen according to what’s in season, you’ll find tons of inspiration to create a healthy, nutritious meal for all the family, an impressive dish for a dinner party or comfort food for a cold winter’s afternoon.

With all sorts of delicious concoctions – from Butternut Squash and Goat’s Cheese to Pea and Ham, and from Moroccan Lamb and Chickpea to Carrot and Coriander – this wonderful book contains all the recipes any soup lover will ever need.

 (Paperback on Amazon lightning deal)

Hollywood movies are Beth’s passion. She hopes her life will always be filled with ‘movie moments’, where things like serendipity and fate happen every day. Her boyfriend Danny has always been the embodiment of her perfect Hollywood hero – though after seven years together the initial silver-screen romance has settled into something more predictable.

And then, one morning at work, Beth receives an anonymous delivery of a take-out coffee cup with a cryptic message suggesting a meeting at Tiffany’s. From there, she is given a series of clues directing her to some of NYC’s most popular landmarks – a treasure hunt using unique rom-com-related prompts perfect for a movie-lover like Beth to decipher. And Beth is forced to wonder: has Danny realised their relationship needs a boost – or could it be that charming new work colleague Ryan, with his intense gaze, flirtatious smile and almost encyclopaedic movie knowledge, wants to sweep her off her feet? And how would she feel about taking a chance on a new leading man in her life?

 (Free when downloaded)

(Re-Formatted – June 2015).

“Forever Is Over” is a story of love, laughter and loss. It is set in Ormskirk, Lancashire from the 1980s to the present days and is the story of the life of Richie Billingham. In the opening Chapter, we find Richie terminally ill, but the story is then told by several characters, as his life and loves are pieced together.

The book was written to appeal to both males and females. Fictional lives are mixed with real life events as football, gambling, sex, violence, relationships and growing up, all form part of the plot.

“From crying (which I did a lot of reading this – well not crying exactly but proper sobbing) to laughing out loud this book has it all. The characters are compelling… and…if you were brought up in the 70’s/80’s you will relate even more to this book! A definite must read and a book you will not be able to put down – brilliant! ”

**one of the book’s 5* reviews from Rachel Goodwin **

The novel was initially inspired by the song “Sunny Road” by Emiliana Torrini.

 (Free when downloaded)

Mia Maher is nearing forty. She arrives at the funeral of an old friend, Chrissie, who has died suddenly. Happily married, with two school age children, Mia is unaware that this will be the day that changes everything and her life will switch on to an entirely new path.
‘Waiting For The Bee Stings’ is a story about the lives of four friends who met at Newcastle University in the mid-1990s. It is a tale of love, friendship, passion and betrayal.
This is the third fictional novel by Calvin Wade, following his debut, ‘Forever Is Over’ which rose to Amazon’s Top20 ebooks in the United Kingdom and the critically acclaimed second novel, ‘Kiss My Name’.

In the summer of 2013, Calvin Wade, a man with football in his blood and very little in his wallet, decided to embark upon an F.A Cup adventure that he and his father had discussed for over thirty years. The idea was to head to a game in the Extra Preliminary Round of the F.A Cup and then follow the winners of each game, up and down the country, through every round, until eventually reaching the bright lights of Wembley and the F.A Cup Final.
This is not only an autobiographical account of a nine month journey through the 2013-14 footballing season, especially the F.A Cup, but it is also a story about family, friendship, financial struggle and a footballing past. It is about tales new and old with English Peles, a man known as ‘The Casual Hopper’ and football fans of all ages throughout the British Isles.
With a foreword by former F.A Cup winning manager, Joe Royle, ‘Another Saturday & Sweet F.A’ seeks to show that Bill Shankly was right after all and sometimes football can be more important than life and death.
* Fifty pence from the sale of the paperback and Kindle versions of this book will be donated to The Christie Charity. The charity raises money to fund projects at The Christie Hospital, Manchester, which are outside the scope of the NHS.

Everyone says being a teenager is CRAZY. But do they mean crazy hard, crazy fun… or just plain bonkers?

Roughly three people in every class have some kind of mental health issue, but most of them have no idea what’s going on. They think they’re just weak, or shy, or bad, or completely, irreversibly, writing-on-the-walls ‘insane’. But they’re not. They have some form of depression, anxiety, eating disorder or other mental health issue and they will come out the other side.

This is a book of advice, from young people who made it through, to their sixteen-year-old selves.

Do you ever feel like the apocalypse is coming, and it wouldn’t be that bad? Like bed is as far as you want to get today? As though your heart is going to beat right out of your chest and your legs have turned to jelly, at the thought of leaving home or talking to another human being? Or maybe you just feel like when you start worrying, you can’t stop.

Whatever form it takes, this book can help you through it.

Trigger warning: Due to it’s nature, the content of this book may be triggering. Contains personal experiences of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, trichotillomania and other mental health issues, as well as issues such as assault.

Read what people are saying about Hello Me, It’s You:

“IT WAS AH-MAZING!! Every person should read this book at least once in their lifetime.” Flipping Pages

“MOVING, A MUST-READ FOR ALL GENERATIONS… MY GOD! I’m at loss for words… Rating five-stars for a book that is worth a million stars is unfair…an excellent, real and much-needed book for all generations” Veracious Reader

“Warmed my heart…It made me think, a lot, and that’s what good books do.”The Ya Reader

“This is the mental health book that every teen and adult needs“Tales of the Ravenous Reader

“This book is very important. I want to buy 100 copies and give it to every single person I know and force them to read it!… I found myself in many letters. I cried a lot but there were also very funny parts that will make you laugh out loud.” Books Over Humans

“This is one of the most poignant and important books I’ve ever read. A book made up entirely of letters written by young adults to their 16 year old selves, you’ll laugh, cry and reflect on your own journey as you read about these individuals dealing with anxiety and mental health issues.” That Wild Soul

“One of the best books ever…This is a book that your soul is going to devour instantly” 5* Dystopian Citizn

“An inspiring book… honestly so beautiful… such an honest, personal look into the lives of those who have mental illness… deeply represents hope and recovery“ Belle’s Book Nook

“Touching. Honest. Raw… I cannot recommend this book highly enough” 5* January Grey Reviews

“It fills you with hope and strength. Everyone should read it, whether or not you are suffering from mental health issues.” Lois Reads Books

Detective Inspector Dan Hellier returns home to Exeter under a cloud.

The body of a talented young singer is found in the woods.

Hellier needs to redeem himself and solve the murder.

What links her death to the boss of a recording studio, a Latvian gang and a school music teacher?

Before the body count rises Hellier will need to untangle the web of Death and Deception. And the clock is ticking …

This is the first Detective Dan Hellier novel.

If you like Angela Marsons, Helen Durrant, Rachel Abbott, Adam Croft or Mark Billingham you will be gripped by this excellent new crime fiction writer.

Let’s suppose you are a heartbroken woman trying to get over the pain of a failed relationship. You’ve always wanted to see the world. What do you do? Perhaps you would do what Sarah does: travel alone to Dublin and leave your worries behind. She wants to start from scratch, to forget about it all; to enjoy the lush green countryside, the Celtic music, the famous pubs. However, her life turns upside down when she finds herself living under the same roof as Daniel, a handsome yet stubborn Irishman.
Both Daniel and Sarah have their reasons for not falling in love, but love has other plans.

Things become more complicated because love affairs are prohibited between housemates. This is an unbreakable rule that also applies to the three other residents: a shameless womanizer, an absent-minded musician and a new female best friend, intrusive and meddling. It’s a fun and exciting intercultural household for Sarah to adapt to! And as if that wasn’t enough, she also has to deal with Daniel’s heated misunderstandings, with an insistent ex-boyfriend and some compromising situations with a very sexy Frenchman.
This is a new life in Dublin and there is certainly a lot to love!

What blogs have said about the story:
“The story, the characters and the setting have captivated me. The love affair of the protagonist grows little by little and makes me want to learn more and more. Without a doubt, I recommend this book; it’s so fresh and original. The plot contains everything you need to get you hooked: love, jealously, friendship, heartbreak, and passion. Its many characters are so different yet perfectly complement each other and give body to the story.” Naomi from Romanticamente.es

“How could you not love Dublin after reading this story? Amanda Laneley masterfully narrates this journey, allowing us to get to know this enchanting land and captivating us with this lovely couple in which the chemistry is almost unbearably strong.” The Magic of Books and Me.

“I love it! It’s a unique premise and really entertaining. The dynamic of the story makes it a very interesting read.” Cecilia of “Divine Readers”

‘A delicious Christmas delight’ – Katie Fforde

‘All the best things about Christmas wrapped into one gorgeous, romantic read’ – Phillipa Ashley, author of Christmas at the Cornish Cafe

The gorgeous, Christmassy feel-good follow up to the Summer best-seller ‘From Italy With Love’.

Just until Christmas…

That’s what Paris socialite Siena keeps telling herself. She’ll hide away in her sister Laurie’s cottage near London to escape her hot-tempered fiancé.

However, when Jason – gorgeous but a bit of a Grinch – picks her up from the airport, he reveals that Laurie hasn’t lived there for months, complicating Siena’s holiday getaway.

At first, Jason and Siena don’t see eye to eye. But after a weekend in the most romantic city in the world, experiencing all it has to offer – from the magic of a fir-lined Champs-Élysées, lit up by thousands of sparkling fairy lights, to the swoosh of skates on ice at the Eiffel Tower – Siena shows Jason her Paris, and a whole other side to herself. Suddenly Siena’s December deadline seems far too close…

This Christmas, jet off to Paris with Siena and Jason and experience the magic of the holiday season.

An escapist Christmas story set in magical NYC from the bestselling author of THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME, SOMETHING FROM TIFFANY’S & more.
Grab a mug of hot chocolate, sit back and enjoy a fairytale New York Christmas….

When Londoner Penny decides to visit her best friend Kate in New York for the festive season, the surprise appearance of a previous suitor sends her plans for a relaxing, carefree visit into complete disarray.
When she and Mike last saw each other, the timing couldn’t have been worse.

But when Mike decides to show Penny the very best of what a snowy, festive, New York has to offer – resolving to make it a fairytale Christmas – will she be able to resist his charms this time round?

And will finding one other again turn out to be the greatest Christmas gift?

Get ready for Christmas with the first part in a feel-good romance serial from best selling author, Rebecca Raisin!

Clio Winters is finally fulfilling her childhood dream of renovating the gorgeous old Cedarwood Lodge in Evergreen. Turning it into the perfect destination for big celebrations, weddings and parties has brought her back home, but Cedarwood Lodge is in need of a lot of tender loving care.

Perhaps all the work will be the perfect distraction from the real reason she had to leave her glamorous New York life behind.

Will coming home be the best decision of her life… or her biggest regret?

Cedarwood Lodge is a delectable romance told in three parts – following Clio Winters journey back to her hometown of Evergreen. This is Part One.

Holly and Caleb had been best friends as children, growing up on the same street, but as teenagers they couldn’t be further apart. When Caleb unexpectedly asked Holly to help him pick out a Christmas gift for his girlfriend, neither of them anticipated where it would lead.
A young adult romantic comedy, from Stella Wilkinson, acclaimed author of The Flirting Games Series.
A Christmas Gift is a “clean” romance, suitable for ALL ages

“Oh what it is to be young! A funny, light and frothy read.” Janie Oakes, Teen Reader Today

The Seasonal Romance Set is a short story for every season by Stella Wilkinson. Books are all stand alone rather than a series and can be read in any order.
Winter: A Christmas Gift
Spring: The Fake Valentine
Summer: A Summer Thing
Autumn / Fall: All Hallows Eve

‘Brims with laughs, love, family and friendship. You will love this heartwarming read!’ Trisha Ashley. Meet the Reading Group: six women in the seaside village of Little Sanderton come together every month to share their love of reading. No topic is off-limits: books, family, love and loss . . . and don’t forget the glass of red!

Grace knows that the holiday season is going to be different this year. No turkey, no tinsel, no gorgeously wrapped gifts under the tree . . . how on earth is she going to break it to her little boys that Christmas is effectively cancelled? And can she bear to tell anyone her embarrassing secret? Enter the Reading Group: Grace’s life might have turned upside down but there’s no problem they can’t solve.

This book contains all the Christmas books and stories written by Dickens.

The Christmas Books:

– A Christmas Carol
– The Chimes
– The Cricket on the Hearth
– The Battle of Life
– The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain
The Christmas Stories:

– A Christmas Tree
– What Christmas is as we Grow Older
– The Poor Relation’s Story
– The Child’s Story
– The Schoolboy’s Story
– Nobody’s Story
– The Seven Poor Travellers
– The Holly-Tree
– Wreck of the Golden Mary
– The Perils of Certain English Prisoners
– Going into Society
– A Message From the Sea
– Tom Tiddler’s Ground
– Somebody’s Luggage
– Mrs. Lirriper’s Lodgings
– Mrs. Lirriper’s Legacy
– Doctor Marigold
– Mugby Junction
– No Thoroughfare

FIRST COMES LOVE. THEN COMES MARRIAGE. THEN COMES MURDER.
The Sunday Times Top 10 Bestselling Thriller
‘My head’s still spinning from all the twists!’ Mark Edwards

What if your life was built on a lie?

When lawyer Lily marries Ed, she’s determined to make a fresh start. To leave the secrets of the past behind.

But when she takes on her first criminal case, she starts to find herself strangely drawn to her client. A man who’s accused of murder. A man she will soon be willing to risk everything for.

But is he really innocent?

And who is she to judge?

MY HUSBAND’S WIFE is a thriller with so many twists you won’t be able to put it down, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Clare Mackintosh and C. L. Taylor.

When Harold Fry nips out one morning to post a letter, leaving his wife hoovering upstairs, he has no idea that he is about to walk from one end of the country to the other. He has no hiking boots or map, let alone a compass, waterproof or mobile phone. All he knows is that he must keep walking. To save someone else’s life.

‘The odyssey of a simple man, original, subtle and touching’. – Claire Tomalin
‘From the moment I met Harold Fry, I didn’t want to leave him. Impossible to put down.’ – Erica Wagner, The Times

Zero Day is the explosive first instalment in David Baldacci’s thrilling John Puller series.

Distinguished as a top investigator in the US government, John Puller is called in to conduct an enquiry into the brutal murders of a family in a remote area of West Virginia. It soon becomes clear that the case has wider implications and as the body count rises he teams up with local homicide detective Samantha Cole. As the web of deceit is revealed, it quickly becomes apparent that there’s much more to this case than they had first thought. It is an investigation where nothing is as it seems, and nothing can be taken at face value.

When Puller and Cole discover a dangerous situation in the making, Puller finds he must turn to the one person who can help avert certain catastrophe. A person he has known all his life.

In a breathtaking rollercoaster race against time, Cole fears for the community in which she was raised, and Puller knows he has to overcome the enemies of his country to avoid far reaching disaster.

But in the end, you can’t kill what you can’t see is coming . . .

Added to my wish list…..

I am very happy to welcome Kristen Bailey to my blog today!

Kristen is the author of Souper Mum, published by Accent Press (16th June 2016) and Second Helpings, also published by Accent Press (17th November 2016).

Kristen very kindly agreed to an interview. Enjoy!…..

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

Hi! My name is Kristen Bailey. I live in Fleet, Hampshire with four young children, a mad dog and a very understanding husband. I write contemporary women’s fiction that takes a (hopefully) humorous look at modern family life. My first novel, Souper Mum was published by Accent Press in June and the sequel, Second Helpings was released on Nov 17^th.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

I have to admit, with four kids, it’s easy to draw inspiration from my own adventures in motherhood! A lot of the anecdotes you read about probably happened to me at some point. But I’m really interested in popular culture and both of my novels make a statement about that and our preoccupation with celebrity and the media too.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

The question I get asked the most by readers after they finish Souper Mum is whether I’m Jools Campbell – we both have four kids; we don’t know how to cook; the school run is the bane of our lives!! We are similar, I think we’d be great mates but she’s a lot braver than me. Other characters are amalgamations of other people I know – Tommy McCoy is a number of TV chefs in one and I have to admit the school gate did give me plenty of inspiration for some of my other mum characters….

How do you pick your characters names?

I will admit, there is no science behind it but I do have an old baby name book that helps! I also like to honour people from my own life though. Jools is named after a lovely friend of mine who lives in Australia, Jake is the name of one of my own kids (he asked specifically for a mention!) and Millie was the name of a little girl I used to nanny for who had gorgeous auburn curls. With Second Helpings, I needed a lot of kids’ names for the contestants in the show so I randomly went through my kids’ friends and members of my son’s football team – I hope they like seeing their name in print!

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

It’s not much of an organised process I’m afraid as my real life is quite hectic so I write when I can, usually at night! But I’ll run with an initial idea and try to build a first draft around it. There’s usually very little planning until I get to the halfway stage. After that I’ll plan the final chapters so I know where the story’s going and how it will end. Then I go back and edit, re-write chapters and move them about. The whole process is also fuelled by a lot of caffeine, Minstrels and sometimes gin.

Do you have a favourite author?

My all time favourite is Roald Dahl. I think he’s taken on more significance as I’ve had kids as well and I get to re-read all his stories to them. His writing is just pure magic.

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I’d love to sit down and have a goss with Jane Austen. We could have a cuppa and I’d ask her all about her love life and whether all those brilliant male characters she wrote were based on her exes…

Were you a big reader as a child?

I was a very avid reader when I was little. A lot of it came from having an incredibly overactive imagination so reading just fuelled that. My dad often tells me he used to find me reading under my duvet with a torch and then spend days drawing and writing down my own stories.

When did you start to write?

I think I always used to write in some capacity. I used to keep diaries and loved writing letters but I never really thought about it as a career. I started writing fiction around the time my eldest was a baby (he’s ten years old now!)…I had an idea about a novel to do with first-time motherhood, the opening scenes being the actual birth. I remember writing it into the night in between feeds…the rest they say is history…

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

Although it’s one of my favourite books ever, David Nicholls’ One Day. I remember when I read the ending I threw my book across the room and was sobbing uncontrollably! I took that as a sign that I cared but for all they went through, Dexter and Emma deserved a happier ending.

What are you working on right now?

After promoting Second Helpings, funnily enough I’ll be returning to that first novel I ever wrote! Accent are looking to publish it next May, it’s called I See You Baby. At the moment, I’m editing the manuscript and giving it a good rewrite.

Do you have a new release due?

Second Helpings is my newest release, it came out on the 17^th Nov. It’s the sequel to Souper Mum and both books look at the adventures of Jools Campbell – a mother of four who ends up as a celebrity after an encounter with a TV chef goes viral.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

Please pop along to my website: www.kristenbaileywrites.com to find out more about me. I’m also on Twitter and Instagram as @baileyforce6 and you can also message me via my author page on Facebook.

Thanks for having me!!

Book Blurbs

Souper Mum

Souper Mum is the story of Jools Campbell, a stay-at-home mother of four, who becomes an unlikely foodie hero when she stands up to a pompous celebrity chef, Tommy McCoy on a reality show. Armed with fish fingers and a severely limited cooking repertoire, we watch as she becomes a reluctant celebrity and learns some important life lessons about love, family and the joyless merits of quinoa.

Second Helpings

Exactly eighteen months after squaring up to a pompous TV chef, Jools Campbell finds herself back in the fame game as she becomes a judge on a family cooking show. How will she cope being back in the limelight, juggling being a working mum? What happens when she finds out her old nemesis, Tommy McCoy is her fellow judge? The knives are sure to fly as ‘Souper Mum’ makes her triumphant return.

Buy Links –

Souper Mum

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Souper-Mum-Kristen-Bailey/dp/1786150689/

Second Helpings

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Helpings-Kristen-Bailey/dp/1786150999/

Thanks so much for answering my questions, Kristen 🙂

Make sure you catch up with, and follow, the rest of the Second Helpings Blog Tour…..