Anne Whitfield's Blog, page 11

An EPIC Awards Finalist!

Only a short time ago (try Tuesday night 10:04 pm, not that the time is memorised or anything...) I was very surprised to be told that my modern romance, Hooked On You, was listed as a finalist for the 2011 EPIC Awards, as I thought the finalists had been announced last week and, as I hadn't heard anything, I assumed I didn't make it.
So you can imagine how I felt to be told I had actually been listed! This has made my day, night, week, month and year!!!!
Thank you to the first round judges, whoever you are!

The winners are announced next year at the EPICon.
EPICon, the annual conference hosted by EPIC, the Electronically Published Internet Connection, is the gathering place for authors, publishers and other industry professionals. We celebrate the best of the best with EPIC's eBook Awards, share the newest industry information and ideas, hone writing skills, and explore new markets. Don't miss this wonderful event! It will be held March 10-13, 2011 at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites at Historic Williamsburg, VA.

Two full days of workshops on the industry, tech, the business and the art of writing, promotion, and genres will be highlighted by EPIC's annual Business Meeting and the Keynote Luncheon on Friday and the New Voices luncheon and the gala EPIC's eBook Awards Banquet on Saturday. The pre-con kicks off with a bang with our Thursday evening mixer, and all conference attendees are invited to wind-down with the Sunday farewell breakfast. (Taken from the EPIC website)

So, as we say in Australia - 'Go you good thing!'

The Tapestry Shop by Joyce Elson Moore

The Tapestry Shop, by Joyce Elson Moore, is an historical novel based on the life of Adam de la Halle, a poet/musician who left behind a vast collection of secular compositions, including one which some say is the basis of the legend of Robin Hood, and that may well be, but being of Yorkshire descent, I like to believe that Robin Hood is an Englishman, not a Fenchman!

In all seriousness, and aside from the intrigue about the Robin Hood fable, I liked this book for the story. The medieval setting leaps from the page as we follow Adam's journey and that of Catherine, the woman he loves.

The writing isn't flawless, and at times it was a little silted in places, however the story flows well and the research is apparent.

I did like how the author gave both Adam and Catherine their own point of views, so the reader has the chance to know both characters well.

Fictional biographies is a favourite genre of mine and I was glad to read another one by an unknown author to me.

I highly recommend Joyce Elson Moore's novel, The Tapestry Shop to those who enjoy historical fiction.

Broken Hero

I thought I would post an exceprt of my World War II story, Broken Hero, since it's been a while.
Blurb
Audrey Pearson's life changed dramatically when WWII broke out and her large home, Twelve Pines on the East Yorkshire coast, became a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. Her life is no longer lavish with entertainment, beautiful clothes and surrounded by a loving family. Soldiers, physically and mentally wounded now fill her home. The smell of disinfectant replaces her mother's perfume and gone are the friends and acquaintances - instead nurses roam the hallways.
Captain Jake Harding, a doctor training in psychiatry arrives at Twelve Pines. Audrey immediately finds herself attracted to the Captain, but he is remote towards her. Puzzled by his cold behaviour, Audrey tries to learn more about the handsome Captain. He reveals that he's lost a wife and baby in childbirth and refuses to ever remarry.
However, despite this, Audrey believes she can change his mind and make him aware he doesn't have to spend his life alone.
The ice around Jake's heart begins to melt. For years he has rejected the possibility of finding love again because of the pain it caused him before, but the beautiful Audrey shows him her love and she needs someone to love her in return.
Could he honestly walk away from her, from the love that could be his?

Excerpt

Some inborn instinct told her that this man was for her—that she'd been waiting for him. She wouldn't give up. He was worth fighting for. All it took was perseverance. She wouldn't allow him to wallow in self-pity. He had to be shown that it was safe to love her, she wouldn't leave him, and if he was too stubborn to acknowledge it then she would draw it out of him with some old-fashioned jealousy. She knew he was attracted to her, so now she had to use that to her advantage. All she had to do was play-act. Surely that wasn't too hard now, was it?
 Audrey reached for her straw hat and put her plan into action. "I think it's time I showed these men how to play cricket. Who will be my partner?"
There was a roar of approval and then the men gulped their drinks down, ready to start another game.
Colonel Barnes picked up the other bat, his skin reddening. "I may be an old trout, but I'd be honoured to be at the other end, Miss Pearson."
"Indeed, Colonel, I think that would be very suitable." Since her father's funeral she had noticed a change in the old colonel and Val had told her of his long talks with Jake, which had led to the colonel wanting to rejoin his regiment, if only to be used in the office or a similar position.
She picked up the cricket bat, and took her place in front of the stumps, waiting for the bowler to run in.
"You show them, Aud!" Lucy called from where she was fielding on the edge of the water.
Audrey grinned. The sun was hot, turning the sand to fire. She could feel the skin on her legs burning, but at least she tanned well. Today she wore navy shorts and a lemon short sleeved shirt. Her curls were wild about her head and she quickly tucked them under her hat.
From the corner of her eye she spotted Jake and Val chatting on the blanket and, as the bowler ran in, Audrey knew exactly where she'd hit the ball. Years of playing cricket with her father and brother made her good at the sport. She'd always been athletic, much to her mother's dismay, and now she grinned as she whacked the ball hard, hooking it over to the blanket where it landed just inches from Jake's feet.
Surprised, Valerie rose up on her knees. "Audrey, are you trying to kill one of us?"
"Sorry, Val!" She laughed and got into position again. For the next eight balls she hit every one in their direction. Valerie had run for cover, but Jake still sat on the blanket, slowly clapping each ball she hit.
"I say, how splendid!" The colonel took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his head and neck. "I don't have to run at all."
"Miss Pearson is too good for us." Nielson chuckled as she hit another ball that sailed over his head.
"She should play for England!" Major Johnson winked at her and she winked back.
"Will you have a bowl, Captain Harding?" Price threw him the ball.
"No, I don't think so." Jake glanced at Audrey.
"Frightened I might hit you for six, Captain?" she teased.
He stood and juggled the ball from hand to hand, his gaze not leaving hers. "Not at all, Miss Pearson."
Audrey swallowed, watching him walk to the bowlers mark. Her stomach twisted into knots at the challenge. After missing his first two balls, she realised he was very good at this game and was determined not to let her win this match between them. He had a steely look in his eyes, his expression grim.
She managed to hit his next delivery back over his head. Jake looked at her in surprise as the men whooped and clapped at the shot. "Run Colonel! Run!" she called.
"Someone get that ball," Jake yelled, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration. He glared at Audrey as she came to his end of the wicket.
"Don't take pity on me simply because I'm a woman, Captain." She grinned at him and turned to stand at the side. "I'm stronger than you know."
The ball was thrown back to him and he caught it, pausing to examine the stitching. "I don't doubt that for a moment, Miss Pearson."
Inside, Audrey smiled. She was getting to him, unsettling his ordered life. She wasn't someone he could dismiss without another thought. She wouldn't let him.

Purchase Broken Hero from;
Amazon USA http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Hero-Anne-Whitfield/dp/1601542267/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279271138&sr=1-4

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1601542267?tag=httpwwwannewc-21&camp=1406&creative=6394&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1601542267&adid=1T2NC357X5063J2N1CN7&

The Book Depository http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781601542267/Broken-Hero  (free delivery world wide)

The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson

I have to admit I am not a crime/mystery reader and I was a little hesitant in picking up this book, but I shouldn't have worried.


The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson is a very good read.

The story is so fast paced that you are eager to turn the pages and keep reading to find out what happens next.

I enjoyed the way the author twisted the plot and kept me guessing. At one stage I thought I had figured it all out only to find I hadn't. There were many suspects and lots of clues which kept the story flowing well.

The characters were the stars of this story - good or bad they seemed very real and that meant the author has done her job well!

For those who like a fast paced, high energy plot, with the odd twist and entertaining characters then The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson is the book for you.

I just may have been converted to a new genre!

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

I'm always behind everyone else in reading the 'hit' books of any particular year, and this is the case for Kate Morton's book, The Forgotten Garden (2008).


I didn't think I would like this book, not sure why, but I find most books that get a lot of hype, aren't usually to my taste, but I'm glad I bought this book and decided to read it when I was feeling a little low.

The Forgotten Garden is a thick book, over 600 pages. I love thick books, especially when the story is engaging because it lasts longer.
The story revolves around one family over a period of three separate eras and mainly on three different characters - Eliza 1907-1913, Nell 1975 ans Cassandra 2005.

It did take me a little while to get into the book, but once I was in, I was hooked on finding out what happens. I enjoyed the way the author went between the three characters and the eras with ease. Three stories within one story would have been hard work, and could easily lost its way, but the author remained true and steady to unravelling the central mystery of the abandoned little girl, Nell.

This is the first book by Kate Morton I have read, and to start with I wasn't keen on the distant omniscient point of view, but that changed into a deeper POV once the characters were established, which I much prefer.
The descriptions were good and I could clearly see the scenes and the characters.
I had solved the mystery half way through the book, but that didn't diminish the story for me at all.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and the effort it must have taken to weave the eras and characters together was very well done.
P.S. The cover above is different to the one on my copy.

Tulip Time!

It's spring in Australia and in my local area of the Southern Highlands of NSW all the blossoms are coming out. It is also the time we call, Tulip Time. When the local parks are in full bloom with colourful tulips. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Bowral's Tulip festival.There ares a lot of events on for the next two weeks, a street parade, market stalls, music and bands playing, and lots more, as well as looking at the wonderful displays of tulips.  



To learn more about the festival...

Save UK PLR

Author Penny Grubb has set up a petition to try and protect PLR for writers in the UK, or authors whose books are listed in UK libraries, like my own.
 Do sign if you are an author affected.
For more information please go to the website below.
It is at http://www.alcs.co.uk/CMSPages/PortalTemplate.aspx?aliaspath=/Petition

The Tenko Club by Elizabeth Noble.

The Friendship Test by Elizabeth Noble


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was the first Elizabeth Noble book that I have read, and I did enjoy it.


I read the English version, which has the title of The Tenko Club, which makes more sense as the four friends in the book call themselves the Tenko Club after the UK 1980s TV show which is about the women in Singapore who were taken prisoners by the Japanese. (I actually have the series on DVD) In the USA the book is titled The Friendship Test.



Anyway, I did...

Published Authors Day conference

     On Thursday I attended the RWAustralia's Published Author Day at the beginning of their annual conference, which this year was located at the Crown Plaza hotel in Coogee, Sydney.
My friend and fellow author Maggi Andersen and I travelled into Sydney together and left at 7:30am, hit the peak hour morning traffic and made it into the conference room with 15 minutes to spare at 9:45!
    After grabbing a coffee and a seat we settled down to listen to the first speaker, which should have been ...

Danny Boy by Anne Bennett

Danny Boy by Anne Bennett


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I enjoyed this book, the first I've read from Anne Bennett. I don't read many sagas these days, but it was nice to pick one up and find it a good read.

Set in Ireland and England during the Dublin riots in 1916 and then WWI in England the story is about Rosie and Danny and their fight to keep together when circumstances change their lives from rural Ireland to the teeming tenements of Birmingham, England.

A real and gritty love story, just the ki...