Carol Wyer's Blog: Carol Wyer, page 3

In the Spotlight – Helen Pollard #newrelease

My guest today is the very talented Helen Pollard, a Yorkshire lass at heart.

As a child, Helen had a vivid imagination fuelled by her love of reading, so she started to create her own stories in a notebook.

She still prefers fictional worlds to real life, believes characterisation is the key to a successful book, and enjoys infusing her writing with humour and heart.

Helen lives in Yorkshire with her husband, two almost-independent kids and a Jekyll and Hyde cat. She loves reading, decent coffee, scrapbooking and old eighties TV cop shows.

Helen is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Helen a warm welcome to the blog. Pull up a beanbag. Yes, Mr Grumpy wanted to help create a seventies atmosphere so we’re on beanbags today, sitting next to a lava lamp. So, before we chat about your new release, The Little French Guesthouse, I have some nice easy questions for you. The readers of this blog are probably of a certain age and we all love a bit of nostalgia so let me ask you:

Clangers or the Wombles?

Clangers

I loved them both, Bet you chose the Clangers because of the funny whistling noise they made. Yes, Mr Grumpy, thats’ the one now put away the recorder and leave us alone.  “The Persuaders” with Roger Moore and Tony Curtis or “The Professionals” with Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins (drool!)

The Persuaders (and for those who know what year this was aired, I should point out that I was extremely young at the time – or perhaps it was subsequent repeats that I watched!)

It’ll be the repeats, definitely the repeats.  Mousetrap or Hungry Hippos?

Mousetrap

“Bunty” or “Beano”?

Beano

Excellent. I loved the Beano and the Dandy but I had to wait until my dad had read them before I could get my hands on them.  Barry White or Barry Manilow?

Barry Manilow (his was the first LP I ever bought)

I have one of his CDs in the car and caught Grumpy listening to it the other day singing along to Copacabana. Makes a change from ABBA.  Can you tell us a short joke?

What’s the difference between an old bus stop and a female crab?

One’s a rusty bus station and the other’s a busty crustacean[image error]

Nice one! What makes you laugh most?

Cats and dogs doing bonkers things on videos

You are standing in front of a Pick ‘n’ Mix stand which sweets are you most likely to choose? (I’d go for those Gummi Bears – yum!)

Sherbet flying saucers

Mmmm. That’s it. I shall be off to the sweetshop in town after this interview and buying a bag of them. I wonder if they still taste the same.  If you compiled a list of your favourite comedy shows what would be at the top of your list?

Father Ted, closely followed by The Big Bang Theory

What was the first film you ever went to see at the cinema? (My Granddad took me to see a John Wayne western when I was 5. The usher declared I wasn’t old enough to see it as you had to be over 11. Grandfather told him I was plenty old enough to see a good western and that was that – I went in)

I don’t remember it, but my brother tells me it was Ring of Bright Water – I was only three, and I got so bored that I started running up and down the aisle. Apparently, this was a good thing, since it meant I missed one or more of the otters coming to a sticky end. The first film I actually remember seeing was Diamonds Are Forever, but all I can recall is a fight in a lift!

I cried at that film – not Diamonds Are Forever. Actually I don’t remember any fight scenes. I must be getting old or we watched it after Christmas lunch and I was asleep by then.

I cried at Ring of Bright Water. I always sob at animal films. Thank you, Helen. Now let’s chat about you and your books.  What genre do you write?

My first two books were ‘sweet’ romance, but I’m heading into the chick lit/women’s fiction genre with my first book for Bookouture. Plenty of humour, cheekiness and shenanigans!

Who is your favourite character in your books?

Ooh, that’s a hard one. The Little French Guesthouse is written in first person, so of course I’m very close to Emmy. But I was taken by surprise as I wrote the book, because I became inordinately fond of Rupert, the guesthouse owner – something I hadn’t particularly planned on. Other people who’ve read it are saying the same, which is lovely.

Where do you think up your ideas for stories?

I wouldn’t say that a setting necessarily inspires a whole story, but I do have to have a sense in my head of where it takes place – if I can’t visualize it, I find it hard to get going with the actual writing. Otherwise, I think maybe the characters that come first, and then I build a story around them.

What do you do to help you concentrate on writing?

Oh, that is a bad question. I’m a dreadful procrastinator, terrible at concentrating, and I’m adept at finding all sorts of distraction activities – I mean, there are all those nice timeline spreadsheets to keep up to; pretty-coloured charts . . . Does the cat need feeding? (The answer to that, by the way, is always.) Was that the doorbell? Perhaps I ought to phone my brother . . .

Could you please put a few brief words about you – something that doesn’t show up on your website. Surprise us!

I believe Jack Johnson’s music should be available on prescription – and obligatory for those prone to road/trolley rage. If you haven’t listened to any, try ‘Constellations’ on his ‘In Between Dreams’ album. It’s like Valium for your ears and soul.

Helen, thank you so much for being a guest on the blog. I look forward to you coming by again. I know many of the people who visit here are fans of France so you will love Helen’s new book:

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The Little French Guesthouse

Sun, croissants and fine wine. Nothing can spoil the perfect holiday. Or can it?

When Emmy Jamieson arrives at La Cour des Roses, a beautiful guesthouse in the French countryside, she can’t wait to spend two weeks relaxing with boyfriend Nathan. Their relationship needs a little TLC and Emmy is certain this holiday will do the trick. But they’ve barely unpacked before he scarpers with Gloria, the guesthouse owner’s cougar wife.

Rupert, the ailing guesthouse owner, is shell-shocked. Feeling somewhat responsible, and rather generous after a bottle (or so) of wine, heartbroken Emmy offers to help. Changing sheets in the gîtes will help keep her mind off her misery.

Thrust into the heart of the local community, Emmy suddenly finds herself surrounded by new friends. And with sizzling hot gardener Ryan and the infuriating (if gorgeous) accountant Alain providing welcome distractions, Nathan is fast becoming a distant memory.

Fresh coffee and croissants for breakfast, feeding the hens in the warm evening light; Emmy starts to feel quite at home. But it would be madness to walk away from her friends, family, and everything she’s ever worked for, to take a chance on a place she fell for on holiday – wouldn’t it?

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PURCHASE THE LITTLE FRENCH GUESTHOUSE BY CLICKING HERE

You can find Helen Pollard by clicking on any of the following links:

Website   —-   Facebook   —-   Twitter   —-   Amazon

 

 

 

Between The Lines – Facing 50 With Humour

Today, I am proud to be taking part in a fantastic blogging series entitled “Between The Lines” that is the brainchild of Katherine from Katherine’s Corner and features bloggers aged between 50-80. It is astonishing how large the community is and what valuable information and fun posts we produce on a regular basis.

So, why do I blog at my age?

I fell into blogging in 2009. When I say fell, it was more a baptism of fire than anything else, thanks to my first novel, still in its fledgling stages about a 50-year-old woman who is fed up with life and her grumpy old man who has taken retirement and is now driving her mad. I drew my inspiration form real life, took a deep breath and began blogging.

Initially I was going to write it in the form of a diary but that was a format that had been done too often so I thought I’d chart all Amanda’s bloopers and bloomers in a series of humorous blog posts. Trouble was, I didn’t know the first thing about blogging.

Before long, I had Facing 50 With Humour up and running and was posting daft stories about my own grumpy man and me and what we got up to. (Usually incredibly mischievous stuff.) Then thanks to the weird way the universe works I also found myself with a thousand followers much like Amanda in my novel and discovered a huge, welcoming network of fiends.

When Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines was finally published I held the biggest online party ever and the site almost crashed with visitors, all keen to peep into the “rooms” I had created and join the contest there.

I always likened blogging to being at a fabulously large party. You go along, introduce yourself, listen to what your fellow guests have to say, make witty retorts and invite them over to your place where hopefully you’ll wow them and they’ll become your new friends.

I’ve blogged regularly since those early days, focussing on stuff that appeals to the older woman. I wrote more books. I was invited to write for other websites like the Huffington Post where I help people appreciate getting older can be fun. I started another blog www.grumpyoldmenopause.com after my award-winning book and I kept Facing 50 With Humour going even though I am now facing 50 from completely the wrong direction.

Blogging allows me to share useful information and more importantly laughter. Laughter is without doubt the most powerful weapon we have in our arsenal and therefore I aim to reach as many people as possible. One of my most popular posts is the Feel Good Friday joke post.

You never know where blogging will take you. It took me to writing and then onto stand up comedy. What it has given me though is an amazing bunch of people who I can honestly call friends. I love blogging and shall keep it up until I run out of material or get too old to type so expect to see me hanging around the web for many years yet.

Please take some time today to browse through the other wonderful posts featured in the Between The Lines series, discover some amazing blogs to follow and make some new friends.

In the Spotlight – Renita D”Silva #TalkoftheTown

My thanks to #TalkoftheTown and Heidi (Cosmochicklitan) and Shaz (Jera’s Jamboree) for letting me link this post up today.

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Renita D’Silva loves stories, both reading and creating them. Her short stories have been published in ‘The View from Here’, ‘Bartleby Snopes’, ‘this zine’, ‘Platinum Page’, ‘Paragraph Planet’ among others and have been nominated for the ‘Pushcart’ prize and the ‘Best of the Net’ anthology. She is the author of ‘Monsoon Memories’, ‘The Forgotten Daughter’, ‘The Stolen Girl’, ‘A Sister’s Promise’ and ‘A Mother’s Secret’.

It is such an honour to have her here today and she is one of the nicest, most genuine authors I have had the pleasure of interviewing.

Welcome Renita. I’d like to start by asking you a few slightly unusual questions. Wacky Races or Bananaman?

Bananaman

Draughts or Chess?

Chess.

Ooh, that makes you a clever lady. I still can’t remember which way a knight travels. ‘Happy Days or ‘The Brady Bunch’?

Happy Days.

Clever with a sense of humour. Bell bottomed trousers or gypsy blouses? (I had some huge bell bottomed jeans. I swished when I walked.)

Gypsy Blouses.

Anne of Green Gables or St Trinians?

Anne of Green Gables.

Imagine you are entering a fancy dress competition. Who would you go as?

Miss Marple J I love Agatha Christie and have always secretly wanted to be a detective although I have yet to solve a crime, fictional or otherwise J I can never guess the murderer in a TV show or book J

I love those twists too. It was always the butler who commited the crime, wasn’t it?

Laugh … Laugh a Lot #LifeSwap

It’s another big day here in the Grumpy house …that’s to say it’s a big day for me and Mr Grumpy is going to treat it with the familiar disdain he reserves for most days that are grey and cloudy.

Today my ninth – yes, my ninth – book is released. And between you and me – it’s my best to date.

Life Swap, published by Bookouture is available for purchase and as you may know has been getting incredible reviews from the book bloggers.

Anyway, I don’t want to bore you all rigid (I have already driven Mr Grumpy mad today) droning on about it but if you fancy a proper good giggle and surprises, this book is for you.

The inspiration for it came when I eavesdropped a conversation while filming for a quiz show. A fellow contestant was reading one of those celebrity magazines and announced she would like to swap lives with Kim Kardshian. This prompted a real debate about whether we would actually swap lives if we could and if so, who would we swap with. I joined in. Life with Grumpy is fine but there are days when I fancy another life.

Photo from Twitter

It wasn’t hard to choose someone I would want to swap with. I admire Celia Sawyer, an entrepreneur, business woman and television personality who has an abundance of energy, style and glamour. She has recently been voted in a list of top 100 influential entrepreneurs in the UK. You might have seen her on Four Rooms.

Celia made her own way in the world and my goodness, she looks amazing to boot. “Yes, I said,” I’d swap with Celia Sawyer, head off to one of my homes in Barbados in my private jet, go filming (you know how much I love that sort of attention) and be a top interior designer with a client list of very well-known celebs. And get to wear some of her amazing shoe collection!

Imagine then my HUGE delight when Celia Sawyer read and reviewed Life Swap. Yes – she did!

This is her review:

“Life Swap… what a book! I rarely read anything other than business books but I am so glad I took the opportunity to read this new novel by Carol Wyer. Life Swap, what can I say; it’s entertaining, witty, intelligently written and each page makes you smile. All of us have those ‘uh-oh’ moments in life and this novel makes us see the brighter side and that everything works out in the end. Laughter really is the best medicine – pick up this book and read it for yourself” – Celia Sawyer

Business Woman. Interior Designer. TV Personality. Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, British Heart Foundation, Well Child, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, Women’s Refuge, Board Advisor for Football for Peace

Official Columnist for the Mail Online, Hello! & now the Huffington Post

Voted in the Top 100 Most Influential Business Entrepreneurs in the UK

I have someone else to mention and thank for helping me with this book. Diane Croad who’s been my blogging buddy and friend since I first started writing helped me hugely with the dog characteristics of the delightful Dolce and Gabbana whose names I “borrowed” from my lovely friend Celia (Another Celia)  AKA High-Heeled life – another blogging friend – whose furbabies are very cute indeed.

Alfred who was the inspiration for the two dogs that chew Polly’s socks is also mentioned at the end of the book. Thank you Sir Alfred.

 

Life Swap is the funny story of what happens when the impossible is made possible and two people are able to start over again. All however, is not as they expect.

She wanted a new life and true love. But the grass isn’t always greener on the other side…

All Polly has to her name is a string of failed relationships and a mountain of debt. She sees herself as a hopeless case and would do anything to change her luck.

So when she’s given the opportunity to swap all she’s ever known for a life of luxury, Polly jumps at the chance. Soon, it’s all diamonds, spa days and celebrity parties. Now all that’s missing from her life is a bit of romance. Will hunky Matt be the man to heal her broken heart?

But money can’t always buy you happiness. Can the life she’s always dreamed of get in the way of true love?

A witty, heart warming read, perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson and Carole Matthews.

Get your copy NOW Amazon UK or Amazon US

 

The Perfect Place for a Grumpy #travel #cars

Eureka! I’ve found it at last! What? The perfect place to take my grumpy old man on holiday. More to the point. I loved it as well. My very grateful thanks to all at the V8 Hotel, especially Sabine for making our stay so fabulous.

I’ll tell you more about it in due course as I’d like to do the trip justice. Poor old grumpy was sick of the filming by the end of the second day though, as you’ll discover in this video.

 

Get your popcorn … sit back and enjoy … The Grumpy Travel Show.

 

 

 

Mr Grumpy really did enjoy himself and can’t wait to return.

Join the great #LifeSwap Tweetathon Event

Only five sleeps to go and my book Life Swap will be released by Bookouture. I cannot believe the amazing response there has been to it already and the reviews have had me squealing in delight on a daily basis.

Many people have asked me about the inspiration behind the book and indeed on the 22nd April you will find out what made my brain come up with this outrageous plot.

Today is an invite. It’s an invite for you to join my big #LifeSwap Tweetathon Event when I’ll be tweeting some “amusing” #LifeSwap tweets on launch day. I would love you to do the same.

Between now and Friday 22nd consider who you would like to swap lives with, if you could. You don’t need to be serious for example you might say:

“I’d like to #LifeSwap with my dog cos he lazes about all day on the sofa”

If you would love to swap lives with a celebrity or someone you admire let me know who and why in a tweet and copy that person in. So, I might say;

“I’d love to swap with @E_LJames then maybe I cud write sex scenes without keeping my eyes shut”

Or

“I’d like to #LifeSwap with @WillyWonka then I’d never be short of chocolate when I needed it. 

Who knows, your #LifeSwap choice may even start following you on Twitter. Or, actually offer to swap with you for the day!

You can tag your friends too so for example “If @MrGrumpy cud #LifeSwap with @TheRealJackDee he wud be able to get paid for being grumpy.

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Please use the hashtag #LifeSwap in all your tweets and I’ll retweet them.

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The most amusing tweet will win a paperback copy of Life Swap – the book that is surprising everyone and these lovely colour-changing, rose tea lights.

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Get ready for the great #LifeSwap Tweetathon Event Friday 22nd April and invite your finds to join in. 

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If anyone wants to #LifeSwap with me…feel free. Remember you’ll get Mr Grumpy too!

In the Spotlight – Louise Jensen #TalkoftheTown

A very, very warm welome to Louise Jensen, whose debut novel is going to explode on the scene soon. And, remember you heard about her here first! I’m linking up with other readers and book bloggers today with #TalkoftheTown so my grateful thanks to Heidi (Cosmochicklitan) and Shaz (Jera’s Jamboree) for hosting it.

I can’t really do justice to Louise as her words are far better than mine so I have stolen a bit from her website to give you an idea of who she is:

“When I was little I was obsessed by Enid Blyton. Her characters were so real to me they became my friends. I often huddled under my covers, stifling my yawns and straining my eyes, as I read ‘just one more page’ by torchlight.

Mr Townsend, my primary school English teacher always encouraged my love of literature, and it wasn’t long before I’d read everything my school had to offer. The first book I created was six pages long, had stick-man illustrations and was sellotaped together. I was immensely proud of it. Writing was a huge part of my life, until one day it wasn’t …

…My thirties were a car crash. Literally. I sustained injuries which when coupled with a pre-existing condition forced me to radically change my lifestyle. I felt utterly lost and utterly alone. Always an avid reader I began to devour books at an alarming rate. ‘You’ll have read every book in here soon,’ my local librarian said. ‘You’ll have to write your own.’”

You can read the whole story of how she came to be the writer she is today on her website at the address below but now without further ado, here is Louise.

Louise welcome again. Before we chat about your next release I’d like to ask a few questions so we can learn a little more about you.  Care Bear or Cabbage Patch dolls? 

They both used to scare me senseless!

Fair enough. I have to say those dolls did look a little weird. ‘Allo ‘Allo or Blackadder?

Blackadder without a doubt – I still chuckle along to the reruns now.

Toffo or Spangles? Surely you remember these? I had false teeth so Toffos got resolutely stuck every time.

Feel Good Friday – #oldage

I got a lovely email today from the administrators of the website Sixty and Me. Apparently, because my articles are going down a storm on their website, they have made me a “featured contributor”. I love titles and badges and stuff like that. It makes me feel very important indeed. Yes, of course I got a badge…and a banner.

So, in honour of now being a featured contributor to a superb website with an incredibly friendly community here are some jokes that will no doubt put them off me writing for them again.

Hope they don’t take my badge back off me.

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A wealthy ninety years old tycoon is meeting with is financial advisor.

The advisor is very excited and tells the old man, ‘I just found out about an investment I can make for you which will double your money in just five years.’

‘Five years? Are you kidding?’ splutters the old man. ‘At my age, I don’t even buy green bananas.’

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You know you’re over 60 when …

The phrase zero to 60 means your life is flashing before your eyes.

Your carefully saved nest egg has flown the coop.

You start getting asked for your identity card because cashiers want to make sure you’re old enough to qualify for the discount.

Instead of adding blueberries to your cornflakes, you just sprinkle them with your morning medications.

Your joints snap, crackle and pop more than your Rice Krispies.

Your ankles start sagging over the top of your anklets.

Your liver spots are starting to make you look like a Dalmatian dog.

Your gums have receded so far that you look like you could be the oldest cast member of Twilight.

You save a ton of money on shampoo, not because of your senior discount, but because you now have too little hair to bother with it.

You no longer need a spoon to stir the creamer in your coffee. You just pour the milk in and let your shaky hand do the job.

You go from wearing bifocals to wearing trifocals.

The 20-year-old clerk at the DMV thinks you’re joking when you say you are there to renew your driver’s license.

Your brand new lighter runs out of fluid before you can light all five-dozen candles on your cake.

Trying to remember what you wanted to wish for leaves the candles burning on your cake long enough to set off the smoke detector.

There are so many medication bottles in your bathroom cabinet that you no longer have room for cosmetics and toothpaste.

You start wondering who that old woman/man is looking in your window and realize you’re standing in front of the mirror.

You remember back to when you used to need a booster seat at restaurants, and realize that now you could use one to see over the dash on your car.

You used to make fun of adult diaper commercials, and now you’re clipping coupons for them “just in case.”

You look back fondly at your 40th birthday and laugh at all the trauma you felt about getting so old.

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However there are bonuses of getting older:

Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

No one expects you to run into a burning building.

There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

Things you buy now won’t wear out.

You can eat dinner at 4 P.M.

You can have a party and the neighbours won’t even realise it.

Your eyes won’t get much worse.

Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them either.

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“How was your golf game, dear?” asked a wife.

“Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight’s got so bad I couldn’t see where the ball went.”

“But you’re seventy-five years old, Jack!” admonished his wife, “Why don’t you take my brother Scott along?”

“But he’s eighty-five and doesn’t even play golf anymore,” protested Jack.

“But he’s got perfect eyesight. He could watch your ball,” Tracy pointed out.

The next day Jack teed off with Scott looking on. Jack swung, and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway.

“Do you see it?” asked Jack.

“Yup,” Scott answered.

“Well, where is it?” yelled Jack, peering off into the distance.

“I forgot.”

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If nothing else, remember to smile while you still have teeth

I’m too sexy for my … age #womenshealth

I was recently approached by a rather splendid website called Sixty and Me. The administrators of the site had visited this blog, read my tweets and thought it would be fun to have me write a few “amusing” articles for them and so they invited me to be one of their guest bloggers. I was very flattered. It’s an impressive site and they have some exceptionally good guest bloggers there.

You know me, any opportunity to encourage people to age disgracefully and I’m off like a greyhound out of a trap so I penned a few posts. The first went live two weeks ago and is entitled “7 Fun Ways to Feel Sexy at Sixty”. Mr Grumpy is still guffawing at the title and is being most rude about my efforts.

Why don’t you see what you think. Whether you’re 60 or not, it is fun, valuable(!) advice. Please share the article on the Sixty and Me website and leave a comment there too:

“Right about now, you’re probably groaning and thinking here we go, another article about dyeing my hair and going to the gym and do I care about being sexy anyway?

Aha! You’re wrong.

Why We Should All Be Sexy at 60

I have a very different approach to ageing. Basically, I think we should all work with what we’ve got. Studies reveal that at sixty we are more confident about our bodies than we were in our fifties and are keen to try out new activities and, in many cases, enjoy new relationships.

Should you be one of the many ladies who are not feeling that way yet, why not try out a few suggestions from my “how to feel instantly sexy” guide. If nothing else, they will help you meet new friends, feel healthier and give you more confidence.

Here are a few suggestions from the guide.’

Click HERE to open a new window and read the full article at Sixty and Me website.

In the Spotlight – Marcie Steele #shoelove

One of the hottest books this year comes from Marcie Steele, the pen name used by top author Mel Sherratt who also writes crime.

Marcie is a romantic at heart and has always wanted to write about characters who were not necessarily involved in the darker side of life. Coffee, cakes and friends are three of her favourite things, hence Stirred with Love for her first book writing as Marcie Steele. Her second, That’s What Friends are For, was published in December 2015 and now I am delighted to say we can get our hands on The Second Chance Shoe Shop released yesterday.

I am thrilled to be one of the lucky bloggers hosting Marcie, so without further ado, let me introduce Mel – I mean Marcie.

Before we chat about your new release I have some nice easy questions for you. Just ignore Mr Grumpy hovering over you. He’s  bit star struck today.

‘The Dandy’ or ‘Bunty’?

I think I must have been a Bunty girl. Although I know I’ve definitely spent a lot of time reading The Beano. And I also used to devour Jackie.

‘Top Cat’ or ‘the Magic Roundabout’?

It is definitely top cat for me. I absolutely loved it! And I still know the words to the theme tune.

So does Mr Grumpy. He got a Top Cat DVD for his birthday. Oh no … he’s going to sing …”Close friends get to call him TC …”  

Quick, let’s move on. Who is your favourite Mr Men character?

Hmm… they weren’t my thing so I’m going to make up my own name and say it would have to be Miss Shoe Queen.

I love that idea. I think they should actually write in that character.  Did you ever play with ‘Play-Doh’ or own a ‘Stylophone’?

I definitely played with Play-Doh. I can also remember having all the different colours of plasticine and then trying to make shapes out of them, and trying to keep all the different colours separate but by the end of the session they would always be in one big grey messy ball.

I didn’t have a stylophone but I can clearly remember having an electric organ and driving my mum nuts by playing it all the time.

I had an organ too. I only knew how to play The Yellow Rose of Texas. It drove my mum bonkers as well. If you went to Disney Land what would you most look forward to?

Being hugged by Goofy! I had a hand puppet of him and Donald Duck when I was a nipper. You see, I was always talking to myself…

Like this, Marcie? http://www.simplyeighties.com

What was the worst fashionable item you ever wore? (Please tell me you had a thigh length white plastic boots or something!)

It has got to be a ra-ra skirt with leggings and pixie boots. I mean, come on!

What was the first item of make-up you ever owned and how old were you when you got it?

I was about twelve when I first experimented with my mum’s black eyeliner and blue eyeshadow and can remember being told by my dad that I wasn’t going out looking like some erm, woman of the night. My first makeup owned was Rimmel – can’t recall how old I was but I had a Saturday job at sixteen so it would definitely have been before that. I was distraught when they discontinued Rimmel and ecstatic when they brought it back. Although my colours are far more ‘classic’ now.

Given this is a humorous blog and I happen to know you have a great sense of humour, can you please tell us a short joke ?

Knock knock.

Who’s there?

Peter.

Peter who.

Dave.

Sorry it makes me giggle anyway.

What makes you laugh most?

Reading silly things on social media. I saw a post on Facebook the other day of screenshots of phone conversations where predicative text had gone wrong and the message had been sent. I was crying with laughter so much that my fella told me off! And I still couldn’t stop laughing. I like all the cute videos too. But there is nothing better than a belly laugh with my best friend.

You are standing in front of a Pick ‘n’ Mix stand which sweets are you most likely to choose? (I’d go for those Gummi Bears – yum!)

Always the liquorice allsorts.

What was the first CD you ever purchased?

Now That’s What I Call Music – no numbers, because it was the first one. No, wait. That was a cassette! I can’t remember! How weird – I can recall the first single record I bought. Booker T and MGs – Green Onions. I was a bit of a mod back in my day.

Excellent! Right, onto you and your books …  What genre do you write?

I write in two genres. I write psychological thrillers and gritty crime and I also learnt women’s fiction under the name of Marcie Steele.

Who is your favourite character in your books?

My favourite character is DS Allie Shenton. She is a vulnerable character, always having to keep her emotions in check, but is kick ass when necessary.

Where do you think up your ideas for stories?

Anywhere and everywhere. Because I write about down-to-earth storylines and people, I only have to listen to the news or read an article and I’m away.

What do you do to help you concentrate on writing?

I have to have an hour before I start writing to either write today’s blog post or do a blog post for someone else or clear my emails for the day because if I don’t do this than I stress about them and I procrastinate rather than get down to writing. I find that if I do a few admin tasks first off, I can then switch off to write from nine until 12 and not feel guilty. I can continue with the rest of the admin in the afternoon.

Could you please put a few brief words about you – something that doesn’t show up on your website. Surprise us!

When I was 11 years old I won my first and ever prize. I had to write an essay for a writing competition and I was one of 20/60,000 schoolchildren who won an adventure holiday. I met Valerie Singleton (of the big blue knickers fame) and she signed my T-Shirt. I never got a Blue Peter badge though.

Marcie, it has been a huge pleasure having you on my blog. Mr Grumpy would like to present you with a box of his favourite sweets as a thank you. (You are honoured. He never shares them with anyone. Please come by again and we wish you huge success with The Second Chance Shoe Shop.

 

The Second Chance Shoe Shop

All Riley Flynn wants is to meet someone who makes her happy. But attracting the right kind of man is not easy, and with her heart still hurting from her last break-up, Riley believes she’ll never find love again.

A year ago, Sadie Stewart’s whole world was shattered when her husband, Ross, died. She has struggled to keep herself together for the sake of their young daughter, but with the anniversary of his death approaching, Sadie finds herself overwhelmed by grief.

Sadie and Riley work at Chandlers shoe shop, in the charming town of Hedworth. But when Chandlers is threatened with closure, the friends are confronted with the loss of not only their jobs, but also their support network – the glue that holds them together when they are close to breaking.

As they put together a plan to save their beloved shop, Sadie realises that she might just be learning to live again. Could it be that new beginnings are just round the corner? The campaign also finds Riley unexpectedly crossing paths with charming photographer, Ethan. Maybe her second chance at love is right under her feet …

A delightfully romantic tale of love, friendship and putting your best foot forward, for fans of Carole Matthews and Amanda Prowse.

 

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The Second Chance Shoe Shop by Marcie Steele is a totally fabulous, brilliant book. Don’t take my word for it. Read what others say including:

‘The Second Chance Shoe Shop is that rarest of treats, a story filled with warm and wonderful characters who feel like your best friends from the first page.’ – Tilly Tennant

’Wow! I read this beauty in one day, I just couldn’t put it down! A wonderfully uplifting book, full of friendship and love in the face of some tough times. Marcie Steele is my go to author to add some sparkle and fun into my reading!’ – Bibliophile Book Club

’wonderful characters brought to life by a great writer … A heart-warming, feel good story. Bang up-to-date with the use of social media. #amustreadbook.’ – Pam McIllroy, Pamreader

’This book had me wanting to grab my heels and organise a flash mob! … thought provoking, heartwarming and a great addition to my top reads of the year.’ – The Blossom Twins Blog

’If you are looking for an uplifting read with laughter, tears, friendship and shoes, then this is the perfect fit!’ – Portobello Book Blog

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The Second Chance Shoe Shop is available Amazon UK  or Amazon US

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Find out more about Marcie at her website or Twitter or Facebook

I’m linking up today with The Talk of the Town Linky with thanks to Jera’s Jamboree  and CosmoChicklitan. #TalkoftheTown

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