Rhoda Baxter's Blog, page 33
August 1, 2017
I’m delighted to tell you…
After five years of being a published writer, I’ve written four books, been published by two publishers andI now have an agent! I’ve signed to be represented by the fabulous Federica Leonardis. The book I sent to Federica is a slight change of direction from my usual rom coms and she’s already helped me tweak it to make it better.
I’m looking forward to achieving great things together.
In the meantime, there’s cake to be had! Cheers all!
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Filed under: Writing
Book Review: Just For The Holidays by Sue Moorcroft
Just for the Holidays by Sue Moorcroft
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m a fan of Sue Moorcroft’s books in general, but I think this one is my favourite.
Leah agrees to help her sister and estranged husband out by tagging along on their family holiday and being the ‘Cool Auntie’ to their two teenagers. Poor Leah. I felt so sorry for her as things started off bad and got worse… and worse.
Ronan is recovering from a shoulder/collarbone injury after a helicopter crash and spending some quality time wi...
July 29, 2017
Romantic Novelists Association Conference 2017 – a talk on writing about disability
A couple of weekends ago, I went to RNAConf17 in Telford. This was my 6th conference and, as always, it was fantastic. I was in a flat with the rest of the Naughty Kitchen and sat up until waaaay past my usual bed time, eating chocolate and drinking (tea in my case, because I’m sad like that) and chatting about all manner of things. My favourite moment was when a first time conference attendee suddenly said “It’s so nice to be in the company of so many women who UNDERSTAND what it’s like to h...
July 25, 2017
Book Review: Together by Julie Cohen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Robbie and Emily have been together for a long time. They clearly love each other very much. But what is the secret they are keeping? What was so bad that they’ve lost contact with friends and family over it?
I’m not totally sure how to review this. As a writer, I loved it. The book is written backwards – given the story, it was probably the only way you could tell the story. At a technical level, it’s fascinating. You start with the day Robbie...
July 18, 2017
Book review: Who’s That Girl by Mhairi McFarlane
Who’s That Girl? by Mhairi McFarlane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Edie has been in love with Jack for a long time. When things go wrong on Jack’s wedding night, Edie ends up being persona non grata at her office and her only choice is to move back in with her dad and sister and to take an assignment writing the official biography of spoilt celebrity Elliot Owen.
I liked the fact that Elliot and Edie are both back at home, ironing out the tangles in their lives. All the characters are well rounded...
July 11, 2017
Book review: The Escape by C L Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Someone is threatening Jo’s daughter and Jo will do anything she can to protect her. Honestly, this story is the stuff of every parent’s worst nightmare – the idea of someone taking away your child.
Jo does some extreme things, but you understand precisely why she does them.
There are enough twists and turns and subplots to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. It’s totally gripping. I raced through this book in a day… and then I w...
July 4, 2017
Inheritance Books: Lucienne Boyce
This week’s Inheritance Books come from the fascinating Lucienne Boyce. Hi Lucienne, would you like a cup of tea? While I get that, why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?
I was born and brought up in Wolverhampton in the Midlands, but I now live in Bristol, [image error]which is an inspiring place for both my fiction and non-fiction work. The streets and quays of Bristol are full of history, and we’re blessed with museums, art galleries and historic buildings, many of which date back to the eighteent...
Book Review: Popular by Mitch Prinstein
Popular: The Power of Likability in a Status-Obsessed World by Mitch Prinstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A completely fascinating book analysing years of research into the correlation between childhood popularity and outcomes in later life. Some of the longitudinal studies are fascinating. Basically, if you were well liked at school (not necessarily the same as having Popular kid status), you’ll be a happier, more balanced adult. We all knew that, really. But there’s interesting theories as to...
July 3, 2017
Inheritance Books: Suzy Turner
Welcome to the Inheritance Books soda, Suzy Turner – who is a novelist, Yorkshire expat and a whole load of other things besides. I’ll go get the tea and biscuits, in the meantime, why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself, Suzy.
[image error]I’m a Yorkshire lass who moved to Portugal with my family when I was ten years old. Since then, I found my soulmate at sixteen, married him at 22 and we’ve just celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. Funnily enough, we both moved to Portugal in 1986.
I’m a forme...
June 26, 2017
Inheritance Books: Carrie Parker
This week’s Inheritance Books come from Carrie Parker. Welcome to the Inheritance Books sofa, Carrie. Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?
[image error]My name is Carrie Parker and I live on the beach near Rye in East Sussex, England. At least, Carrie Parker is my pen name. My day job as a horticultural consultant involves writing factual, accurate reports for my clients and I don’t want them getting confused with my novels of pure fiction!
I chose my pen name in honour of my grandmothers: Car...
