Lucy Mitchell's Blog, page 19

Romance Author @lucy_k_author – Things To Consider when writing a series #Amwriting

Romance author, Lucy Keeling is taking over my blog today which I am THRILLED about. She likes to multitask does our Lucy, she’s launching a new book TODAY, Just Friends in Vegas, which is the third in her fabulous series, Just Friends, AND…she’s over here telling us all about things we need to consider when writing a series. Bless her.

The last time I invited Lucy Keeling on this blog she gave us a great post which made us get all hot and sweaty under the collar, (it was titled, Things to Consider When Writing Sex Scenes in Romance Novels,) and now she’s back to talk about the Things to Consider When Writing a Series.

Before I hand you over to the wonderful, Lucy Keeling, please check out her books – they are everything you’d want from a romance series; funny, uplifting, full of relatable characters and the electrifying in terms of chemistry. This lady knows how to write characters who fancy each other.

Here’s Lucy Keeling.

Hello everyone,

Here are my 5 things to consider when writing a series:

Cast List

My first recommendation is to create a cast list. Every time someone rocks up in your story make a note in a separate document or notebook – authors discretion though I do like a lovely new notebook – of who they are and how they relate to main characters. However trivial get them written down. (Feel free to thank me later).

Back story – what makes this a series?

What is the thing that makes this a series? Is it a family, a group of friends, a band, a street, a village? Whatever it is, you need to make sure that you have it clearly mapped out because with each story you write, you’re going to need to find new ways of providing this context. And you’ll need to do it without repetition or ‘info dump’. This is so that each story can also work as a standalone. Which brings me on to the next suggestion.

Series or standalone?

Erm, well both, ideally. You want a reader to be able to pick up any of the books in your series and understand what’s going on, and get a full story. And better still, go on to pick up the rest of the books in your series.

Overall Plan

When it comes to writing I have to ask are you a planner? Might I suggest you map at least some of this out? You might want to drop some clues in book one, or start work on character development of some of your future main characters, in some of your earlier books. For example, I drop hints about Mya’s career throughout book one and book two, so that when it got to book three, readers were desperate to find out more. Similarly with Paige, her character is fairly well established in book one, but in book two it starts to change and in book three a key part of her character is getting a bit wobbly.

Stamina

You’re going to really need to love these characters. You’re going to be writing about them, their friends, their village, their ice-cream parlour, their neighbours, their workmates, their pets – whatever it is that brings your series together – for quite a while.

Examples of great series (Yes they are all Romance):

Contemporary Romance: Alyssa Cole (Reluctant Royals), Alisha Rai
Romantic Comedy: Jo Watson, Talia Hibbert (The Brown Sisters)
Paranormal Romance: JR Ward, (Black Dagger Brotherhood), Juliette Cross (Stay a Spell series)
Historical Romance: Tessa Dare (Girl meets Duke), Virginia Heath
Fantasy Romance: Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling)

Please feel free to tweet me (@Lucy_K_Author) or Facebook me (@lucykeelingbooks) with your own recommendations.

Now, check out Lucy’s NEW book. It’s the 3rd in the series and I LOVE it. Fasten your seatbelts as she’s taking you to Vegas!

Here’s the blurb:

Is love always a losing game?
When Mya is with Smithy, it feels like her eyes are constantly rolling. His wheeling and dealing charisma charms everyone but her. Well, that’s not strictly true – Mya is only human after all, and there’s no doubt the man is hot with his suits and swagger. It’s just that Smithy knows Mya’s secret, and she’s not sure she can trust him to keep it from their group of friends.
As they immerse themselves in the glamorous and mysterious world of ‘The Suits’, growing closer as a result, Smithy has to question whether his time with Mya is destined to become a case of ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.’

Book link – press here.

5 Tips For Maximising Your Writing Time @KimTheBookWorm #AmWriting

I am thrilled to have author Kim Nash on my blog today. Kim is the author of heartwarming and feel-good fiction. I am halfway through her new book, Moonlight Over Muddleford Cove. Kim’s books are good for the soul. They are uplifting romances with relatable characters and generous spoonfuls of humour. So, please, welcome, Kim Nash.

As a busy Head of Publicity for a publisher, a book blogger, an author, a mom and a dog owner, people often ask me how I find time to get things done. My five top tips for maximising your writing time

Get up early. It’s amazing what a difference it can make to have an extra hour in our day. If you get up at 7, try getting up at 6 and create some more time. I’m a morning person and don’t sleep too well, so am up early and there’s always something that feels really good about getting either your writing done first thing in the morning or other jobs which can free up writing time later in the day. On a weekend if I get up and out with the dog at 7, I’m back at 8 and have the whole day ahead of me. If you can’t do an hour, try half an hour. If that’s too much, try 15 minutes.Colour code your planner. I have a weekly planner that’s mapped out in half hour increments from 7am to 10pm. I try to write in everything I can that’s going on that week, but in different colours, so that I can see at a glance what I’m spending more time doing and not enough time doing. So for instance, my writing time is in green, so I can immediately see whether there is lots of green on my planner and if there isn’t I need to do something about it.Use a planner! Plan your writing time. If you wait until inspiration strikes, or for when you have time, you probably won’t get around to doing it. So look at your diary and even if you can only fit in half an hour, it’s half an hour more than if you didn’t do it. So plan it in. It’s far more likely to happen if you do.Give up some TV. You can watch TV for hours on end and for some it’s really relaxing and part of their routine. But if you don’t have enough time and want to create some more, then cutting down on watching the soaps can create more time and really? Is your world going to fall apart if you don’t keep up with what’s going on in Corrie or Emmerdale? 2 hours a night of soaps 5 days a week adds up to 10 hours a week just on week days. I can write easily 1000 words in an hour if I really put my mind to it. So that’s 10,000 words in 5 days. You could have a 80,000 book written in 8 weeks. Think how amazing that is. Obviously if it’s too much time, cut it down to 1 hour a day which might be more manageable. That’s still 5,000 words in 5 days, which would mean you could write an 80,000 book in 16 weeks instead.Have boundaries. Turn off the internet when you sit down to write. Turn your phone over and don’t answer it if it rings unless you know it’s something urgent. I’ve had times where friends have phoned me for a chat and I know I’d be gabbing about nothing for an hour and that’s valuable writing time. I’ve just dropped them a text saying ‘Sorry, can’t talk. Am writing.’ Having boundaries doesn’t make you a crap friend. It makes you someone who prioritises things that you want or have to do. Also be aware of time thieves. Those who turn up unannounced and expect you to drop everything for them. Just say I’m sorry but I’m writing right now and don’t have the time to chat. Give them an alternative if that helps.

Hope these tips help you to create a little extra writing time in your life too. They’ve worked for me. However, I’d LOVE to hear any additional ones that you may have too.

Moonlight Over Muddleford Cove
Link – click here.

When thirty-four-year-old Nellie Wagstaff loses her job and discovers her fiancé is a cheating scumbag in a single day, she feels like the world has come crashing down. And that’s before the solicitor’s letter, along with a request to visit a place she hasn’t thought about for a very long time.

Heartbroken, Nellie escapes to the beautiful seaside town of Muddleford in Dorset, where she discovers she’s inherited more than she ever bargained for. Nellie never knew why her mother stopped talking to her sister, but now childhood memories of Muddleford come flooding back: long hot summers, the sea glistening beyond the sandy cove… and a stolen kiss with a boy called Jack.

Jack, now a devilishly handsome vet, has the local pet owners swooning over him, and as Nellie and he become close once more, and she gets used to gossiping with the locals and sipping wine at her beach hut with sand between her toes, she’s sure she can feel sparks flying once more. But just as she thinks she might be able to open her heart again, her newest frenemy, the glamourous Natalia, tells her a secret about Jack that changes everything.

Nellie will never know why her mother and aunt parted ways. She’ll sell the house, forget about Jack, and get back to real life. Because there’s nothing for her in Muddleford… is there?

An utterly uplifting and completely hilarious summer read about learning to trust yourself and of finding love and friendship in the least expected places for fans of Jessica Redland, Heidi Swain and Holly Martin.

About the author

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, feel-good, romantic fiction.

Her book Sunshine and Second Chances, was shortlisted for the 2020 Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award.

Moonlight Over Muddleford Cove, was published on 30th March 2021.

She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Head of Publicity for publisher Bookouture (part of Hachette UK) and is a book blogger at http://www.kimthebookworm.co.uk.

When she’s not working or writing, and in non-Covid times, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading, writing, standing on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering on Ollie, and binge watching box sets on the TV. She’s also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Cannock, Staffs and organises local and national reader/author events.

#BookReview Chasing the Italian dream @jo_thomas01 #summerreads

Don’t you just love that feeling when you start to read a book and instantly feel that good book vibe. I got that same feeling with this new book from Jo Thomas. In addition I got a powerful urge to book a holiday to Italy, browse Pinterest for pics of Naples and buy myself a luxury pizza.

Here’s the blurb:

A summer escape she’ll never forget . . .

Lucia has worked hard as a lawyer in Wales, aiming for a big promotion she hopes will shortly come her way. Finally taking a well-earned break at her grandparents’ house in southern Italy, the sunshine, lemon trees and her nonna’s mouth-watering cooking make her instantly feel at home.

But she’s shocked to learn that her grandfather is retiring from the beloved family pizzeria and will need to sell. Lucia can’t bear the thought of the place changing hands – especially when she discovers her not-quite-ex-husband Giacomo wants to take it over!

Then bad news from home forces Lucia to re-evaluate what she wants from life. Is this her chance to carry on the family tradition and finally follow her dreams?

Perfect escapism from the author of Escape to the French Farmhouse and The Honey Farm on the Hill.

Here’s my review:

This book was, for me, fictional armchair travel at its best. From the second Lucia arrived at her family run pizza restaurant in southern Italy I felt like I was tagging along behind. The scene setting is fabulous; smells of tangy tomato, wood burners, lemon trees, delicious pizza, fresh garlic and Italian coffee in the air. Sounds of the hustle and bustle from the town square and the singing waiter from the cafe, and the many sights of cobbled streets, archways and terracotta roofs. This is a very descriptive and engaging read.

I connected with the main character Lucia in a couple of pages. Both worlds; her demanding law job / possible promotion in Wales and the family run pizzeria in Italy were competing for her affections from the start. It was clear Italy was going to put up a good fight. I loved the family run pizza business and her grandparents. Everyone should have a Nonna and Nonno in their life!

Let me talk about Giac or Giacomo – Lucia’s handsome Italian ex-husband. My goodness he certainly made my armchair holiday to southern Italy worthwhile!

I loved the way Jo Thomas weaved in the family business needing a new owner, Giac, his history with Lucia and a pizza making battle.

This was a fabulous book which held my attention right till the last page. When I finished this book I felt like I had experienced something with Lucia, Nonno, Nonna and Giac. This is a sign of a good book.

Definitely worth a read.

Purchase link

Praise for Jo Thomas:

‘Rich, warm and sunny. A story that stays with you long after the last page is turned’ – Milly Johnson ‘The characters went straight to my heart’ – Katie Fforde

‘Like the very best kind of holiday’ – Lucy Diamond

‘A sparkling, heartwarming hug of a story’ – Miranda Dickinson

Author bio:

Jo Thomas worked for many years as a reporter and producer, first for BBC Radio 5, before moving on to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Radio 2’s The Steve Wright Show. In 2013 Jo won the RNA Katie Fforde Bursary. Her debut novel, The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller in ebook and was awarded the 2014 RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the 2014 Festival of Romance Best Ebook Award. Jo lives in the Vale of Glamorgan with her husband and three children.

#BookReview Author Emma Murray @MurrayEmma Reviews Other Women By @cathykellybooks

I am delighted to have Irish novelist Emma Murray on my blog today. Emma is the author of The Juggle which I cannot wait to read.

Emma is going to be reviewing Other Women by Cathy Kelly which sounds fabulous. So, Emma, my blog is all yours.

Hello everyone,

Other Women by Cathy Kelly

The Blurb

Three women. Three secrets. Three tangled lives…

Sid wears her independence like armour. So when she strikes up a rare connection with unlucky-in-love Finn, they are both determined to prove that men and women can just be friends. Can’t they?

Marin has the perfect home, attentive husband, two beloved children – and a secret addiction to designer clothes. She knows she has it all, so why can’t she stop comparing herself to other women?

Bea believes that we all have one love story – and she’s had hers. Now her life centres around her son and support group of fierce single mums – the women she shares everything with. Well, apart from the one secret she can’t tell anyone…

In the messy reality of marriage, family and romance, sometimes it’s the women in our lives who hold us together.

My review

I was fortunate enough to receive an early copy of Cathy Kelly’s latest novel from the publisher (Orion) and I was completely hooked from the first page. As a young aspiring writer growing up in Ireland, I devoured Cathy Kelly’s books and envied her ability to write with such wittiness, compassion, warmth and humour.

In ‘Other Women’, Cathy Kelly’s insight into women and their relationships with one another is still as astute as ever. Each of the main characters portray vulnerabilities that are instantly relatable: Fiercely independent Sid may come across as the picture of strength but every day she battles with a trauma from her past; painfully self-conscious Marin might appear like the perfect wife, but she constantly compares herself to the women around her, burying her insecurities in an extreme shopping addiction; and then there’s single mum Bea, who has overcome so much grief from her past thanks to the support of her fierce single mum group, but she carries the burden of a shameful secret that threatens everything.

Cathy Kelly is the type of author who paints with her words. Every setting is beautifully described in intricate detail which makes it easy for any reader to visualise not just the characters themselves, but where they live, work, and socialise. I loved this warm, thoughtful, witty novel. It is, without doubt, the best novel I have read this year. Highly recommend.

A wonderfully plotted heart-warming, humorous, compassionate novel about female friendship and marriage.

Other Women: Publication date: 15th April 2021
Link to Other Women: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Women-Cathy-Kelly/dp/1409179273/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1616571218&sr=1-1

Author bio

Emma Murray is a bestselling Irish author originally from Co. Dublin, Ireland. Following a career in banking, ghostwriting, and non-fiction, she finally got around to pursuing her dream to write fiction.

The birth of her two daughters inspired Emma to write a series of humorous and uplifting novels (‘Time Out’ and ‘The Juggle’) about motherhood and its impact on romantic relationships, women friendships, and family dynamics.

She is now in the process of writing a third book – the last in the series. Writing these books has been the hardest but most worthwhile thing she has ever done. Emma lives with her husband and their two daughters in South West London.

Author website: https://emmamurray.net/
Link to both my books: Time Out and The Juggle
https://amzn.to/3d61DHU
Emma on Social media:
https://twitter.com/MurrayEmma
https://www.instagram.com/emmamurrayauthor/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamurray/?originalSubdomain=uk
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/emma-murray

Victoria Springfield Introduces 6 Beautiful Books Set in Italy @VictoriaSwrites #amreading

I am thrilled to say author Victoria Springfield has come to take over my blog today.

Fasten your armchair seatbelts because we are off to Italy with Victoria and 6 of her favourite books which are set out there. By the time you finish this post you will definitely have an Italian vibe going on.

Bella!  –  Victoria Springfield introduces 6 beautiful books set in Italy:

The one that makes me want to jump on a plane – A Valley in Italy – Lisa St Aubin de Terán

I first discovered Lisa’s writing when a teenage schoolfriend claimed that a strange man had approached her in the street and offered her the lead part in a proposed adaptation of St Aubin de Terán’s autobiographical novel The Slow Train to Milan.  Not surprisingly my classmate never made it to Hollywood, but it is strange that no one has yet turned that fascinating book into a movie. 

Lisa has produced several novels and anthologies but it’s her memoirs which I like the most.  I love Off the Rails which documents her travels in Europe and South America but the book which transports me straight to Italy is her 1994 memoir A Valley in Italy.  Lisa and her then-husband Robbie paid the deposit on a huge near-derelict palazzo in Umbria within an hour of setting eyes on it.  As team of local workmen struggle against the odds to create a functioning home from this romantic ruin, Lisa’s family are gradually welcomed into the close-knit community of Sant’ Orsola.  Their integration is eased by the villager’s love for their little son, Allie and the local boys’ interest in Lisa’s sultry teenage daughter, Iseult. 

Lisa is a wonderful writer whose descriptive powers will have you longing to hang out at the local bar and join in the village festivals – whilst steering clear of the homebrewed walnut liqueur.

The one with the character who won me over – One Summer in Venice – Nicky Pellegrino

I have only read a couple of Nicky Pellegrino’s novels, but the rest are definitely on my to-read pile.  Addolorata’s life in London is unravelling: her restaurant receives an unflattering review from an influential critic; her relationship with husband, Eden is falling apart and her relationship with her daughter is tricky.  Addolorata flies to Venice for a short break but is soon embroiled in the lives of eccentric septuagenarian, Coco and her circle of friends.  Addolorata ends up staying for the summer and is determined to return to England with a list of the things that make her happy, but first she must get to know herself.  This is an enjoyable read steeped in the magic of Venice with a relatable, flawed heroine and a lovely message about the nature of happiness.

The one that made me wobble – The Lemon Tree Hotel – Rosanna Ley

I’ve read many books that are better than anything I could hope to write.  Normally I’m happy to accept this – but this time it was different.  After sending off my debut novel, The Italian Holiday, I was browsing in the local library looking for something relaxing to read when Rosanna Ley’s book caught my eye.  

Rosanna seamlessly weaves together the tensions and secrets within the family who run The Lemon Tree Hotel.  Their lives are further complicated by the disruptive appearance of two intriguing guests: hotel owner Chiara’s first love who she has not seen for forty years and a mysterious young man who has an unusual interest in the hotel’s history.  The fictional hotel overlooks the real-life village of Vernazza, one of the five villages which make up Italy’s famous Cinque Terre.  Vernazza is just the sort of place I like to write about, moreover the interlinking romances, characters of all ages and sense of mystery were elements I’d tried to include in my own work.  Instead of relaxing me, Rosanna’s book caused me to panic.  How could my novel match up to this?  I had already sent off The Italian Holiday – I had to hope someone would want to publish it – and that one day I would write something as good as this.

The one I couldn’t put down – My Brilliant Friend – Elena Ferrante

A friend lent me the first of the four Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante and like so many other readers I was immediately hooked.  The claustrophobic atmosphere of downtown Naples was beautifully evoked by the stunning cinematography of the Sky Atlantic series of the same name, but despite the liberal use of voiceovers, the TV series could only partially capture the inner voice of Elena (Lenu) as she wrestles with the complex feelings aroused by her love/hate relationship with her intellectual and emotional rival Lila.  It’s really worth reading the books to get to know all the different characters.  I’ve visited Naples on several occasions so I had a particular interest in reading the whole quartet, but I defy anyone to finish reading My Brilliant Friend without ordering the next in the series, not least because the author ends the first book on a real cliff-hanger.  

The one that pulls the heartstrings – The Garden of the Finzi-Continis – Giorgio Bassani 

This beautiful book isn’t a quick read; it’s a classic of Italian literature which explores first love, memories and what it means to belong – to a family, to a city, to a social class and to a racial group.  The narrator has long been fascinated by the wealthy Finzi-Contini family, particularly their intriguing daughter, Micòl.  The families are separated by a social divide but when the Italian fascist government apes Hitler’s Germany by bringing in racial laws in 1938 the divisions between the elusive Finzi-Continis and the ordinary Jewish families in Ferrara melt away and the narrator is drawn into the life of Micòl, her brother Alberto and his friend, the communist sympathiser, Giampi Malnate.  It’s a tale of unrequited love, missed opportunities and longing, all overshadowed by the forthcoming war in Europe and the uncertain fate awaiting Ferrara’s Jewish population.  

The one that embodies Italian glamour – Sophia: Living and Loving – A.E. Hotchner

Sophia Loren’s acting career has encompassed everything from romcoms with Cary Grant to her heart-rending, Oscar-winning turn in the La Ciociara (renamed Two Women for the subtitled version).  Despite being credited to the author A.E. Hotchner, this book is written in the first person, mostly in Sophia’s own voice interspersed with reminiscences from her husband, friends and family.  It’s a fascinating read, covering her wartime childhood at a time when her illegitimacy was a shameful stigma; the heyday of cinema; her famous co-stars and her marriage to her mentor Carlo Ponti, 22 years her senior and divorced, which shocked the Catholic church.  Sophia is now 86 years old and still making films, so this book (published in 1979) only covers the first half of her life – but what a life! 

About Victoria

Victoria Springfield writes contemporary women’s fiction immersed in the sights, sounds and flavours of Italy. Her feel-good stories follow unforgettable characters of all ages as they find adventure, friendship and romance. After many years in London, she now lives in Kent with her husband in a house by the river. Victoria joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme in 2019. In 2020 she signed a two-book deal with Orion Dash. The Italian Holiday, set on The Amalfi Coast is out now. A second book, set in a horse riding centre in Tuscany, will be published in August.

Social Media:

Tweets by VictoriaSwrites

https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaSpringfieldAuthor

Buy Links:

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/victoria-springfield/the-italian-holiday/9781398703698/

https://amzn.to/2OopU3K

Blurb from publisher for The Italian Holiday: 

Italy was Bluebell’s dream destination, but taking her granny’s place on the Loving and Knitting magazine competition holiday she’d won wasn’t quite what she’d had in mind. For one thing she didn’t knit and for the other…well, being single probably discounted her from the love category too. But a free holiday is a free holiday and it’s the perfect escape from her lacklustre life.

Michela didn’t think she’d be returning home to Italy so soon, a new job at her cousin’s restaurant on the harbour of Positano was a dream gig, miles away from the grey London clouds. This time though, she vowed not to fall into old habits, Stefano was the past and now her future in her old hometown beckoned.

But under the Italian skies a whole host of possibilities await and maybe happy-ever-after is just a plane-ride away…

#BookReview THE TICKLEMORE TATTLER #TuesdayBookBlog @LizDaviesAuthor

In this book the main character, Juliette, works on a local newspaper, The Ticklemore Tattler. Keeping this local newspaper running has been Juliette’s life for the last seventeen years.

From the start of this book I became emotionally attached to The Ticklemore Tattler. There was something so endearing about this local newspaper, it’s readership, which some perceived to consist of, ‘three old pensioners and the vicar, it’s history (publishing every week since 1907) and its inability to make any profit.

The prospect of Juliette’s local newspaper being closed down resulted in a surprising tug at my heartstrings. I take my creative hat off to Liz Davies for doing the impossible – making me feel emotionally connected to a fictional local newspaper, I normally get emotionally connected to characters but this local newspaper took my feelings to a higher level.

This Ticklemore Tattler reflected the local community, their interests, concerns and passions. It touched the lives of everyone within the community and Juliette knew this. I didn’t want to see this newspaper go without a fight.

I better get on with this review and work through my feelings for this book and my attachment issues with a fictional local newspaper.

Here’s the blurb:

Sometimes you have to write your own future…

The life of former journalist Juliette Seymour has been quiet and unassuming.

Up until now, she’s been concentrating on running the local newspaper and raising her daughter.

But all that is about to change when Juliette is informed that the Ticklemore Tattler is to fold and that she’ll be out of a job. She begins to wonder whether she can buy the newspaper and try to make a go of it herself.

Aware that she needs some advice she contacts Oliver Pascoe, little knowing that when her old colleague re-enters her life, his help isn’t the only thing she wants him for!

As she begins to fall in love, however, what she doesn’t realise is that Oliver has something he’s keeping from her.

A gorgeously uplifting story, perfect for fans of Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain, and Isabelle Broom.

Here’s my review:

Liz Davies has the gift of making you, the reader, feel something (a lot in my case) towards her characters. From the very start she seems to glue her characters to your heartstrings and there’s no escape.

From the start I loved 51 year old journalist Juliette who had managed the paper for 17 years and raised her daughter whilst still keeping it going. I could feel her passion for the paper coming through the pages.

Her life had not been straightforward and there were things from her past which needed to be worked through. Despite all this she had a fighting spirit and I found myself wanting to find out more about her. The book’s hook about her writing her own future was perfect.

This book is dual narrated. The other character is Oliver, one of her old business contacts, starts to help Juliette. There was more to Oliver than he first let on. I want to say a lot more about him but I don’t want to give the game away. He and Juliette had chemistry from the start and I enjoyed the emotional journey they went on with each other.

I have learnt a lot about running a local newspaper through reading this book. It was a great setting for a romance novel.

The fight for the survival of the Ticklemore Tattler is the main standout of the this book. I really got behind the fight and loved the community rallying to give Juliette support. She needed it as during the fight to save the paper she encounters a blast from the past, uncovers an unlikely connection and battles with her strong feelings for Oliver.

I just want to say I am part of Team Tattler.

A great book which made me get emotionally attached to a fictional local newspaper.

Purchase Link – mybook.to/TicklemoreTattler

Author Bio –

Liz Davies writes feel-good, light-hearted stories with a hefty dose of romance, a smattering of humour, and a great deal of love.

She’s married to her best friend, has one grown-up daughter, and when she isn’t scribbling away in the notepad she carries with her everywhere (just in case inspiration strikes), you’ll find her searching for that perfect pair of shoes. She loves to cook but isn’t very good at it, and loves to eat – she’s much better at that! Liz also enjoys walking (preferably on the flat), cycling (also on the flat), and lots of sitting around in the garden on warm, sunny days.
She currently lives with her family in Wales, but would ideally love to buy a camper van and travel the world in it.

Website: https://lizdaviesauthor.wixsite.com/home
Social Media Links –
Twitter https://twitter.com/lizdaviesauthor
Facebook: fb.me/LizDaviesAuthor1

Travel With Me to Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett @Sarahlou_writes #weekendblogs 🏖

I am delighted to welcome Sarah Bennett onto my blog. She’s a romance author I really admire. Sarah had a marvellous idea for her guest blog post and I think this could be the start of a new trend. I couldn’t type yes fast enough to this post.

Before we get started this post idea is such a great idea for a book promo. I love book reviews and they are fun to read. This guest post is a bit different and I think in the future when I have a book with a fabulous setting like Sarah’s I will be following her lead.

Grab your sunglasses we are off on a virtual trip.

Sarah is going to take us to the location of her latest novel; ‘Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point.’

Welcome to Mermaids Point

Mermaids Point is a small village off the west coast of England. Traditionally a fishing village, the population of this close-knit community rely mainly on tourist income to survive.

Let’s take a tour around and get to know a few of the people and prime locations.

The Point

A spit of land standing proud against the Atlantic tides, the Point shelters the heart of the village from the worst of the winter weather. On top of the point you will find Walkers’ Farm, home to Alan and Carolyn.

There is a cottage on the farm with a beautiful view out across the ocean which you might be lucky enough to rent for the season, like Jake Smith, the hero of Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point, who isn’t quite what he seems.

The Sailor’s Rest

Follow the winding path down from the point towards the village and one of the first buildings you will find on the narrow seafront road is the village pub. Run by Pete Bray, it is a traditional whitewashed building (although there was an infamous summer a few years back when it turned fluorescent pink overnight thanks to a prank carried out by Nick Morgan and some of his friends, but more about him later). It is as popular with the locals as it is with visiting holiday makers.

The Penny Arcade

A few doors down from the pub you will find a traditional penny arcade, though these days it costs a bit more than a penny to try your luck on the machines. It has all the traditional things you’d expect – a claw grab with its array of stuffed toys, the coin slider or the air hockey table. In the cash booth you’ll find Janice waiting for you with a smile and bags full of change.

The seafront has lots of traditional shops including a greengrocer. Jim will sell you whatever’s fresh from the wholesaler. If you’re self-catering for a week or two, why not chat to him about getting a veg box delivered to your rental property? He’s always happy to help.

Next door is the newsagents, where you can pick up your daily paper, a magazine to read on the beach and an assortment of buckets, spades and other toys to keep the kids happy on a hot sunny day.

They’ve also got a freezer full of fresh local ice cream, all you have to decide on is which delicious flavour to try first.

Laurie’s Café

The heart of the seafront, and one of the key settings in Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point, is the pretty little café run by Lorelei ‘Laurie’ Morgan. Laurie is Nick’s younger sister and she opened the café a few years ago with the help of her parents who run the gift shop next door. You will find visitors and locals alike frequenting the café. Most days you’ll find Jake behind his laptop at one of the tables by the window, pretending to work while trying to catch Laurie’s eye.

Look over in the corner and more often than not you’ll find Barbara, Kitty and the rest of the knitting circle. If you want to know the latest gossip, grab a coffee and a delicious slice of cake from the tempting array in the display counter and pull up a chair at a nearby table. You’ll be able to hear everything!

The Mermaid’s Cave

An archway runs from the café into the gift shop next door. As you step through, it’s like entering another world full of small treasures and interesting, unusual gifts.

Run by Andrew Morgan and his wife, Sylvia, it is a place as warm and inviting as Andrew’s booming laugh which is never in short supply.
Andrew is a gentle giant, devoted to his family and entirely happy to let short, sparky Sylvia boss him around. His favourite moments in the day are when Laurie pops in from next door with a takeaway coffee. She’ll sneak him a piece of his favourite millionaire’s shortbread too (as long as Sylvia isn’t around!) A bit of an Instagram whizz, Andrew is the first one to discover the village has gone viral thanks to a very unusual visitor.

The Surgery

At the far end of the street you’ll find a large white building housing the doctor’s surgery. The current incumbent, Doc Gadd is a bit past his sell-by date and gives poor Nerissa Morgan, his long-suffering receptionist and live-in housekeeper the runaround. Nerissa is Andrew’s younger sister and beloved Aunt to Laurie and Nick. You will find out more about her in Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point.
The Harbour

If you walk beyond the main street and past the car park used by visitors to the Point, you will crest a hill overlooking the small harbour and quayside. To the far side you can see the fishing trawlers which still brave the ocean in all weathers. Closer to you is a collection of pleasure boats and yachts. Join the queue at the small white kiosk and book a pleasure tour with Nick Morgan and his Uncle Tony. Whether it’s a day’s fishing you’re after, or a bird-watching trip out to the scattering of islands beyond the Point, they’ll make sure you have a wonderful day. We’ll catch up with Nick as the series progresses, but he might know more about the strange happenings in Mermaids Point than most.

The Seven Sisters

A few miles beyond the breakwater, you will come across a collection of small islands, known locally as the Seven Sisters. The larger islands together make up a wildlife sanctuary full of nest seabirds and seal colonies. There’s even the ruins of an old chapel – the long abandoned home of a hermit monk. If you look closely, you might spot something unusual basking in the sun on one of those rocky outcrops.

Here’s the book blurb:

Laurie Morgan runs a café in the small seaside community of Mermaids Point, named after the beauties rumoured to live in the waters a few miles off the top of the point. When a hazy image is posted online of what appears to be a mermaid, the café and the village are soon full to bursting with curious sightseers.

The most eye-catching of the new arrivals is handsome author, Jake Smith, who has rented a cottage for the summer while he works on his new book. Or so he says. In fact, he is a journalist, burned out and disillusioned with life, whose editor has sent him on a crack-pot hunt for mermaids…

Jake quickly finds himself drawn to village life, and to the gorgeous woman who runs the local café. But he soon suspects there’s trouble lurking beneath the idyllic façade, and when it looks like Laurie’s family might be involved, Jake faces a difficult choice. Pursue the truth, or protect the woman he’s beginning to fall in love with…

Warm, escapist, feel-good and altogether brilliant story-telling from bestselling author Sarah Bennett. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley and Milly Johnson.

Praise for Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point

‘A joy from start to finish. A glorious romance full of family and community with a delicious cast of characters and a heart warming setting.’ Jules Wake

‘This is the perfect escapist read and I can’t wait to follow the characters in what promises to be a wonderful series. Five sparkling stars!’ Rachel Griffiths

Purchase Links

Amazon Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point: A warm, escapist feel-good read for 2021 eBook: Bennett, Sarah: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Kobo Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point eBook by Sarah Bennett – 9781838899127 | Rakuten Kobo United Kingdom

Google Play Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point: A warm, escapist feel-good read for 2021 by Sarah Bennett – Books on Google PlayiBooks https://books.apple.com/gb/book/summer-kisses-at-mermaids-point/id1546445835?itsct=books_toolbox&itscg=30200&ct=books_summer_kisses_at_mermaids_point&ls=1

About the Author

Sarah Bennett has been reading for as long as she can remember. Raised in a family of bookworms, her love affair with books of all genres has culminated in the ultimate Happy Ever After – getting to write her own stories to share with others.

Born and raised in a military family, she is happily married to her own Officer (who is sometimes even A Gentleman). Home is wherever he lays his hat, and life has taught them both that the best family is the one you create from friends as well as relatives.
When not reading or writing, Sarah is a devotee of afternoon naps and sailing the high seas, but only on vessels large enough to accommodate a casino and a choice of restaurants.

You can connect with her via Twitter https://twitter.com/Sarahlou_writes or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SarahBennettAuthor
Sarah is the author of the Butterfly Cove, Lavender Bay and Bluebell Castle trilogies. Her new series is set in the idyllic location of Mermaids Point and the first book, Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point is available now. The series continues later in 2021 with Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point.

#Bookreview When’s the wedding? @ospringauthor

If you want an uplifting and funny romance read please consider this fabulous new book from Olivia Spring.

When’s the Wedding? is the sequel to Only When It’s Love. It can also be read as a standalone novel.

Here’s the blurb:

She’s found the perfect man. Will she get her perfect proposal?

Dog hotel marketing manager Alex has always dreamed of having a fairy-tale proposal: the glorious sunset, iconic backdrop and rose petals – the whole shebang. She’s found her Mr Right, and life with sexy paediatrician Miles is wonderful, except for one thing. Despite saying that he’s ready for marriage, Miles seems no closer to putting a ring on it.

After a romantic getaway to Paris ends in more disappointment and Alex receives news that sends her world into a spin, she decides that her dream proposal won’t just fall into her lap. So she hatches a plan.

Although she’s convinced her methods will lead to Miles popping the question faster than she can say ‘I do’, Alex’s friends warn her it will end in disaster. But a little bit of hint dropping can’t hurt, right?

Will Alex get her happily-ever-after, or is there a reason why Miles is dragging his feet?

Order this fun romantic comedy now and join Alex on her exciting adventures as she attempts to speed up the proposal process, with hilarious results!

Here’s my review:

I thought the first book in this series, Only When It’s Love; was great and I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel.

If you fancy a bit of arm chair travel you will love the opening to this book. Olivia Spring takes you to Paris with it’s breathtaking views, delicious food and romantic city vibes.

The main character, Alex, is in Paris, as she thinks the love of her life, Miles, is going to propose to her. I loved how things didn’t go to plan and the proposal never materialised. I also loved how Alex decided to take things into her own hands and come up with some unique ways to get Miles to take the bait and propose.

Some ideas of Alex’s ideas made me laugh. I think Olivia Spring must have had so much fun writing this.

This book will give you a guaranteed smile and it will make you grab a box of tissues at the end. It has such a sweet ending.

The standout for me was the humour. Olivia Spring’s books always make me laugh. Her characters are lovable, relatable and funny.

Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in July 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published five novels: The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions, Only When It’s Love and the sequel, When’s the Wedding?

When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found travelling to Italy to indulge in pasta, pizza and gelato and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!

Website: http://www.oliviaspring.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ospringauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ospringauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ospringauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18210898.Olivia_Spring

Order on Amazon today

Amazon UK:  https://amzn.to/33T8qjG

Amazon US:  https://amzn.to/303smiT

Only When It’s Love, the first book in the series is available to read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited.

#BookReview Backstories #shortstories

This book is FASCINATING. It’s so quirky and different I couldn’t type ‘YES!’ fast enough when the author asked for book blogger support.

It will have you glued to the collection of stories contained within it AND it will have you playing detective to guess the famous person behind the backstory. For noting – these people are famous for a reason and it’s not just people who are talented or have strong views on a subject.

Here’s the blurb:

Dreamers, singers, talkers and killers; they can dazzle with their beauty or their talent or their unmitigated evil, but inside themselves they are as frail and desperate as the rest of us. But can you see them? Can you unravel the truth?

These are people you know, but not as you know them. Peel back the mask and see.

Backstories is a unique collection of stories each told from the point of view of a famous (or notorious) person at a pivotal moment in their lives. The writing is literary but accessible and the voices vividly real. The settings are mostly 60 ‘s and 70 ‘s UK and USA, and the driving themes are inclusion, social justice and of course, nostalgia – but the real key to these stories is that the protagonists ‘ identities are withheld. This means that your job is to find them, leading to that Eureka moment when you realise whose mind you’ve been inhabiting for the last twenty minutes.

Here’s my review:

In my experience reading this book can be likened to the TV series; Quantum Leap. Some of you might be too young for this one and I might be showing my age here but think about the the TV programme where scientist Sam Beckett finds himself trapped in time and leaps into the body of a different person each week. As a child I was glued to this series. This book is like Quantum Leap in the sense you are jumping into a different person’s mind with each story and you never quite know whose life you will be living out.

I can’t imagine the amount of research this author has undertaken to produce these backstories from musicians, political activists, artists and murderers.

Each backstory draws you into that person’s world. The stories are rich in detail and are beautifully crafted. With some backstories the author sprinkles a few crumbs about who is behind the backstory and on some the author slam dunks you in the final sentences. There’s one in particular which I won’t mention as I don’t want to give the game away but it left me in shock when I realised who was telling their backstory.

The author covers many difficult topics such as racism, violence and bullying. Some backstories are both an uncomfortable and thought provoking read.

I have read some stories a few times now as it’s quite enjoyable going back over them once you know whose head you are inside.

Backstories is published by Smoke & Mirrors Press on 25th March 2021 and is available for purchase here.

This bit is also great. 30% of all profits from the sale of Backstories will be shared between Stop Hate UK, The North East Autism Society and Friends of the Earth.

My thanks to Simon for providing a copy of Backstories in return for an honest review. I’m delighted to share this review today.

Simon Van der Velde has worked variously as a barman, labourer, teacher, caterer and lawyer, as well as travelling throughout Europe and South America collecting characters and insights for his award-winning stories. Since completing a creative writing M.A. (with distinction) in 2010, Simon’s work has won and been shortlisted for numerous awards including; The Yeovil Literary Prize, (twice), The Wasafiri New Writing Prize, The Luke Bitmead Bursary, The Frome Shortstory Prize, The Harry Bowling Prize, The Henshaw Press Short Story Competition and The National Association of Writers’ Groups Open Competition – establishing him as one of the UK’s foremost short-story writers.

Simon now lives in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, with his wife, Nicola, their labradoodle, Barney and two tyrannical children.

You can follow Simon on Twitter @SimonVdVwriter or visit his website for more information. You’ll also find Simon on Instagram and Facebook.

Unexpected Writing Curveballs and Big Decisions #writer

This is going to be a bit of a download so stay with me. Blogging allows me to do this and I always feel lighter after emptying my head of thoughts onto a blog post.

The unexpected curveball

Last week I had an unexpected writing curveball. I got an email to say I was through to the next round of the Penguin Christmas Love Story competition. This was a competition I entered back in February.

The idea for this new story came to me in January…6 seconds…after I’d opened up a lovely and positive rejection email. It was from an agent about another story I’d been working on last year. That story had been like a love affair for me in 2020. It had taken me on such an exhilarating ride and had gained agent interest. My feelings for it had changed over Christmas and this sounds crazy but I was secretly glad the agent had rejected it.

At first my new idea scared the hell out of me because I felt I couldn’t do it justice. This was a new feeling for me. I love new ideas and always end up cartwheeling around the garden when one comes to me. But, this idea, filled me with creative terror. So, I spent a couple of weeks trying to ignore it and worked on my romance series which I was planning to self-publish.

The post it note for the competition, which had been stuck to my desk for weeks, kept catching my attention. I knew this idea would be a good fit for the competition as it was a Christmas romance but my writing confidence at that time wasn’t great. During a video call with some fellow writers from the Next Level Authors Podcast my cat, Wellington, decided to walk across my desk, knock off the post it note and strut past me with the post-it-note stuck to his fur. I’m a big believer in signs and took Wellington’s decision to wear my post-it note as a fashion accessory as a sign. I decided to write the competition entry, 1000 words, a 200 word pitch and hope the big, scary idea went away.

The universe obviously had other ideas. Last week I got the email to say my story was through to the next round. Eeek! I would like to point out that up until now I have had NO luck with writing competitions. So, when I submitted it I didn’t expect to hear anything back.

I have to write more of the story and submit mid-April.

Big decisions

Back at the start of February I sent the first book of my romance series, Roxy Collins, to my editor. Deep in my gut (the only place in your body which tells you the truth) I knew this book needed more work on it and prayed my editor would feel differently. As I have said before editors are special people who have been blessed with the magical ability to see what’s really going on with your draft novel. I knew when we had our critique phone call my editor had shone a bright light on my draft novel. My gut instinct was right.

As much as my brain is urging me to start work on the changes to Roxy my gut is telling me something different. I have therefore decided to put Roxy Collins and her diaries on hold until later in the year. Her story needs more cooking time and she deserves 100% of my time. This is one of the benefits of self-publishing as you can revise your timings for books.

This new story is taking shape in my mind at an astonishing rate and I want to get as much as I can down onto paper. If I am not successful with the competition I know this story has potential.

I do feel lighter now. I am going to go get all festive and wrestle with this Christmas story idea.

Keep writing