Victoria Walters's Blog, page 27
January 3, 2019
Books read in … December 2018
The last list of books I’ve read this year! I can’t believe 2018 is over. I managed four books during the Christmas madness – two I bought and two proofs of books that will be released in 2019.
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I really enjoyed One Day in December – a cute love story set around Christmas following two characters through the years and their missteps, wondering if they will finally get together or not. In the end though, I’ve chosen Lullaby as my favourite of the month.
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Lullaby is a translation of a French novel about a killer nanny. It’s a compelling read that I read very quickly with almost lyrical writing as we flashback to find out why nanny Louise has killed her charges. It’s very dark and there is a lots to think about with an ending that leaves you wanting to know more.
It’s been interesting picking a favourite book each month. Tomorrow I will share my twelve 2018 best books.
What were your 2018 favourites?
Victoria
xoxo
January 1, 2019
Happy New Year
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I can’t believe that 2019 has arrived! I’m hoping this year will be a healthier one for sure and a happy one for us all. It’s always tricky to make writing resolutions I find as so much in this career depends on publishers and readers but I know one thing that will definitely be happening this year.
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In June you’ll be able to finally get your hands on the paperback of Summer at the Kindness Cafe hurrah! Don’t forget to pre/order HERE.
I have been so grateful by how much readers have responded to the eBook. There are so many lovely reviews on Amazon already and I’m hoping that the paperback will find a place in lots of hearts as well. I would love to see it stocked in bookshops and supermarkets and have it fly off of the shelves. Everything crossed!
On the writing front, I just want to keep on writing stories that people want to read, and keep on improving as a writer too. In this uncertain business all us writers can really do is just write the best books we can and then maybe one day that bestseller will arrive haha!
I’d love to hear your goals for 2019 so drop them in the comments below
December 14, 2018
Merry Christmas playlist
It’s that time of year when all the festive tunes come out! So, I thought I’d share my Christmas Spotify playlist, which has all my favourite festive tunes on it below! Have a listen and tell me what you think:
November 30, 2018
Books read in … November 2018
I can’t believe how close we are to the end of the year! This month I made a start on festive books so I can read all the ones on my shelf before Christmas hopefully. I read four books this month – one was really long so almost counts as two I think.
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I wanted to read Dumplin’ as the film version is going to be on Netflix soon. It was a fun read about a teenager and the world beauty pageants. I also read another YA book – A Court of Mist and Fury, which is the second in a trilogy and was a massive read for a teen book but kept me gripped nonetheless. I then picked up a Christmas read – Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland, which as a cosy, happy read.
My favourite book this month though was Normal People by Sally Rooney. And Harry liked it too!
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It’s about two people who meet as teenagers and follows the ups and downs of their relationship through the years. It’s a real character book – probably more literary than my usual reading but I found it really compelling, and I really enjoyed it. Worth having a read for sure!
What did you love reading this month?
Victoria
xoxo
November 27, 2018
Book signing
Last week, I was excited to be invited to Waterstones Staines for their Christmas shopping evening. They had a pile of copies of my debut novel The Second Love Of My Life for me to sign and I was thrilled to discover they are making it their fiction books of the month for December too!
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As a reader I love buying signed copies of books – it just makes it extra special so I’m always so happy to sign my books! They also make lovely gifts too. They still have some signed copies left at Waterstones in Staines if you’re looking for Christmas presents.
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I am so happy that my debut novel is still out there in the world, I still love the book so much and if it appears under your tree this year I hope you’ll love it too!
Do you like signed books?
Victoria
xoxo
November 7, 2018
Books read in … October 2018
[image error]I read four books in October. I chose a couple of witch themed books for Halloween as it’s always fun to do some seasonal reading.
How To Hang A Witch is a creepy teen novel set in Salem with witches, ghosts and a love triangle. It was a fun read. The Rules Of Magic is the prequel to Practical Magic focusing on the lives of the aunts in that. It was a slower read than that book but I did like the characters and how magic ran through their lives.
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I also read Gone Viking. I’ve read lots of non-fiction about Denmark, which I love, but this was my first novel set there. It’s a light-hearted women’s fiction story set at a Viking retreat. An easy read.
My favourite book of the month though was Excellent Women. I just loved the main character’s voice, there was a touch of Austen about the witty, character fuelled book. It was a lovely, cosy read. I will definitely pick up more by Barbara Pym.
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What books have you guys been enjoying?
Victoria
xoxo
October 12, 2018
Thank you
I made this video to say a huge thank you to the brilliant book bloggers and lovely readers who have given Summer At The Kindness Cafe a five star review!
I was also excited to see the book reach the top 100 of the Kindle charts this week so thank you everyone who bought a copy!
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If you still haven’t downloaded your copy yet, it’s just 99p for a limited time so click HERE to treat yourself!
Victoria
xoxo
October 2, 2018
Books read in … September 2018
Last month, I read four novels (and also got this fab mug!!):
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I read Our House because it was The Waterstones thriller of the month and there are lots of twists and turns, particularly a good shocking ending.
The Miseducation Of Cameron Post had sat on my shelf for a long time but when I saw it was now a film, I thought I’d finally read it. It’s a interesting coming-of-age story about a young lesbian who’s sent to a conversion camp. It could have maybe been a bit pacier in places though.
The After Wife is a really original love story about a robot sent to live with a grieving family. I found it moving and would recommend it for sure.
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My favourite read though was The Immortalists. It’s a family saga essentially about four siblings who visit a fortune teller when they’re young who tells them when they are going to die. The story is about how this prediction affects their lives. It’s dark and sad and original and I was caught up in the book’s world from the start. The characters and the questions about life and death were compelling and it’s one that I’ll keep thinking about.
What did you love reading in September?
Victoria
xoxo
October 1, 2018
Summer at the Kindness Cafe is now 99p!
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Summer at the Kindness Cafe is now just 99p – as ‘cosy and comforting’, and cheaper, than a cup of tea!
Download your copy HERE and then please share to spread the word! 
September 7, 2018
Five reasons why your book review is important
Most authors will at some point mention reviews to you. If they are on the ball, they will instantly ask you to write one if you tell them you loved their book. They might tweet asking for reviews or pop a note in the back of their book to ask. Whichever way they do it, I guarantee that every author has asked someone to write a review for them.
Why do authors ask for reviews then?
Most authors write a book because they want it to be read and one way you can increase the chances of more people reading a book is by having lots of reviews of it.
Basically more reviews = more sales.
Reviews are REALLY awesome for authors because they help boost a book’s chance of success.
So, why should you post that review?
1 – THEY help other readers decide whether to buy a book. If you see a book has lots of good reviews, you’re more likely to buy it because you’re more confident it’s worth your time and money!
2 – THEY make a book more visible. Most people are certain that reviews make it more likely that Amazon will send out recommendation emails for it. Some people say you need a magic number of 50 but that’s unproven. It’s clear though that if Amazon sees a book becoming popular, it will help boost it further.
[image error] 13 five star reviews so far on Amazon for my novel Summer at the Kindness Cafe – I would love to reach 20!
3 – THEY help get the book into promotions: some promotions or sales rely on the number of reviews a book has to go ahead because they show that the book is worth promoting and that customer satisfaction is high. A book is more likely to be selected if there are more reviews for it so if you like 99p books, keep reviewing them!
4 – THEY make the author happy – every writer hopes people will enjoy their book so by posting that review, you’re giving the author a chance to see how much you loved their work. And that will give them a boost to get writing the next one for you!
5 – THEY make you feel good – by posting a review, you’re helping a book you enjoyed find more readers. How cool is that?! By taking a minute to post how much you loved a book, you’re helping the author and other readers, and that act of kindness will put a smile on both their and your faces.
So, when you finish the book you’re currently reading, pop up a review on Amazon when you’re done and help that book fly!
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Review Summer at the Kindness Cafe right HERE.
Who’s going to post a book review after reading this? Hit like below
