Carina Axelsson's Blog, page 12
June 30, 2014
Hi everyone,
US-based book blogger Jessica Chiles ha...
Hi everyone,
US-based book blogger Jessica Chiles has just posted an interview I did for her blog, Such A Novel Idea. Not only is this blog a great place to find out about new, buzzy books…but I also really liked the questions I was asked! There were lots of fun ones about being an author, and writing Model Under Cover: A Crime of Fashion. (US title, Model Undercover: Paris). Check it out and let me know what you think…
Carina x
June 25, 2014
MUC: Stolen with Style cover!
Hi everyone,
I’m super excited to share the cover for Model Under Cover: Stolen with Style!!!
I love the fab colours – not to mention the New York City skyline in the distance.
I had a blast writing this fast-paced Big Apple mystery that kicks off with the theft of the world’s most famous black diamond from a Chic: New York cover shoot.
So, does Axelle have a tricky mystery to solve? Yes!
Are the fashion shows on in NYC? You bet!
Is Ellie B on the scene to help Axelle solve this tough case? Absolutely!
And what about the gorge Sebastian? Sebastian is back! But I won’t say more…!
So strap on your high heels and hold on to your handbag – Stolen with Style will be in UK bookstores on September 1st.
And soon I’ll post an excerpt on my website, so keep checking this space for more information…
Carina x
June 21, 2014
Fab Comp! Enter Now!
Hi everyone,
This week I launched a really fun competition together with my friend Christophe Robin, Paris-based hair colourist extraordinaire, and the real-life inspiration behind one of my favourite characters in Model Under Cover: A Crime of Fashion.
I’m giving three lucky winners the chance to win a signed copy of Model Under Cover: A Crime of Fashion, together with two products from the luxurious Christophe Robin hair care line: a bottle of Christophe’s Moisturizing Hair Oil With Lavender, and a bottle of his Cleansing Mask With Lemon, too.
Both products are for all hair types. And they’re gentle enough for coloured hair too!
The contest is taking place on my Facebook page, and all you have to do to enter is like my page, and share the competition post. The competition closes on Monday, June 23rd. Winners will be chosen at random, and announced soon after the close of the competition.
Good luck!!!
Carina x
June 20, 2014
The Art of Writing Fashionable Mysteries…
Hi everyone,
To kick off my US Model Under Cover book blog tour, I was asked by The Children’s Book Review to write a guest post on the “art of writing fashionable mysteries”. Needless to say, with a subject matter like this, I didn’t need to be asked twice! You can click on this link to find out more about how I started writing fashion mysteries…
And, by the way, The Children’s Book Review is a fab site which reviews all kinds of children’s books. But be warned: if you’re a book-lover, you’ll have a hard time clicking off the site!
Carina x
June 19, 2014
Whirlwind Trip To Copenhagen…
Hi everyone,
Sometimes a whirlwind trip can be good. I’m normally what I call an Out of Africa kind of traveller. If you’ve ever read the book or seen the film you’ll know what I’m talking about because when the (Danish) author of the memoir, Karen von Blixen-Finecke/Isak Dinesen, travels from Denmark to her farm in Africa, she takes two Scottish Deerhounds (which are enormous dogs), and about a small house’s worth of luggage!
But I tried my best to pack lightly for my quick trip to Copenhagen, succeeded somewhat, and had a blast!
I had a stack of pre-oredered books waiting for me at my fave English bookstore, the super charming Books & Company. Owner Isabella Smith has the prettiest, cosiest book store – and great teas to boot, so I was delighted to make a dash to her place as soon as I landed. As far as I’m concerned, books and tea are a great combo no matter where in the world I may be!
Of course, I couldn’t resist buying some Summerbird chocolate while in Copenhagen, which is an absolute must-have for anyone even half as into chocolate as I am! I started munching on them at the airport, and have been enjoying the rest since returning home. (Yes, it’s my photo. Taken during one of my many tea breaks!)
And what did I have waiting for me when I returned to my writing desk?
Yep. That’s right: the final proofread copy of Stolen with Style, the second Model Under Cover book. So goodbye Copenhagen! It was nice to visit – however short…I look forward to heading north again soon!
Carina x
PS: Out of Africa is one of my all-time favourite books. Read it!!!
June 12, 2014
Up Your Fashion Cred…
Hi everyone!
Do you have a fashion mystery to solve during Paris Fashion Week? Are you chasing down a famous diamond that’s disappeared from a New York City fashion shoot? If so, then like my sixteen-year-old fashion detective, Axelle Anderson, in Model Under Cover, you might need a crash-course in fashion and style!
So which three books would I recommend to instantly upgrade your fashion credentials? Find out on the guest post I did for the fab Girls Heart Books blog. You’ll definitely want to add these to your fashion library…
Carina x
June 6, 2014
Hi Halley!
Hi everyone,
If you’re following me on Facebook or Instagram, or have had a look around this website, you’ll know that I LOVE dogs! I have four of my own – a cheeky little English Cocker Spaniel and four lovely black Labradors – so there was never any question of my detective, Axelle, not having a one of her own.
Axelle’s dog, Halley, is a West Highland White Terrier. Not only do I find this breed totally charming and cute, but you can see in their eyes that they’re spunky and clever little things too – just like I imagine a detective’s dog to be.
Anyway, for a quick smile, head over to my Pinterest board, and check out the super cute images of Westies (along with a few of Axelle and Halley’s very pretty Notting Hill neighbourhood) that I’ve pinned.
Just don’t blame me if you get a puppy or book a ticket to London this weekend!
Carina x
May 31, 2014
Mood Boards…
Hi everyone,
So, basically, I love a good mood board. I find it super inspiring to look up from my desk and see images that are capable of spurring me on to new ideas or moods. I also love checking out other people’s mood boards because it’s fun to see what they get fired up about, and find interesting, or beautiful. And, of course, if you know the person, it’s especially fun to see how what they have on their walls comes out in their work.
Anyway, these are my tips for getting your own mood board going:
1. Magazines! Magazines are a (relatively) inexpensive way to get fab images of great quality. You should be keeping any and all magazines you can get your hands on, and it doesn’t matter how old they are. What’s important is that they have loads of pictures in them covering any subjects that you find interesting. So, clearly, if you are inspired by fashion you should stack up on the Vogues, for instance. However, having said that, if your fave Aunt Rhoda happens to have a lot of art magazines, you could ask her for a few. You might, for example, come across some colour combinations in a painting that you find inspiring, and could then use the image as a starting point for combining the colours you wear. I think you get my point: stock up on the mags!
2. The wall: Actually, it doesn’t have to be a wall, per se. Any flat surface, i.e. cupboard doors, a door, closet doors, mirror, etc. will do. What’s important is that you can easily see it and reach it (for sticking the images up). Of course, you can always go to Ikea or a local office supply store and literally buy a board to pin stuff up on…but, honestly, it’s easiest to just start with what you have at hand, so if that’s a patch of space over your desk or bed, for instance, then just go for it.
3. The tools: scissors, a sharpie knife, tape, pins. I tape stuff up to my walls because I change the images regularly and don’t want little pin pricks all over my walls. I also hang images up on my cupboard doors, and I definitely don’t want pin pricks on those! I also like to work with a sharpie knife because the cut is cleaner along the edges than with scissors. Of course, if you’re going to cut out stuff to use for a wall collage you need scissors.
4. Start: open a magazine and when you find an image you like (and maybe you’ve already marked some pages), flatten the magazine, then cut! Tip: don’t hang about! If you’re anything like me, you can spend hours pouring over images, so I always remind myself to keep turning the page – otherwise I can be on my work room floor all night!
5. Decide how to hang them – or not. Personally, I like to see patterns – even if no one else can! – come up in terms of colour and pattern or emotion, so I take my time putting up my images. But whatever burns your fire is fine. Just hang! Sometimes random looks best.
6. Stand back and admire. Then pat yourself on the back for doing it!
A few tips:
*I mark images I like as I read my magazines so that when the time comes to create my next mood wall I don’t forget anything I especially like.
*Postcards and greeting cards are super too. I buy postcards all the time, of everything. I have stacks and stacks which I dig into regularly.
*Remember to change your mood board. After a while you’ll notice the images aren’t popping out at you as much anymore…time for a change! I change my book mood board for every new book I start, for instance. It really helps get me into the mood of whatever I’m working on. You can also do a partial refreshing of the wall.
*If you have absolutely no wall space, then try Pinterest. Check out my boards to see what I mean.
That’s it! Have fun with your new mood board!
Carina x
May 28, 2014
Fashion BFFs…
Hi everyone,
Let’s face it: every girl needs a BFF – especially in the competitive world of fashion modelling! And Axelle Anderson, my sixteen year old fashion detective is no exception…
When Axelle decides to find missing fashion designer Belle La Lune during Paris Fashion Week, she’s not sure how to infiltrate the backstage world of high fashion – at least, not until up and coming supermodel Ellie B (non-modelling name, Elizabeth Billingsley) gives her the perfect idea – to model! And although the chaos, high heels, and hairspray of fashion are all new to Axelle, she’s soon navigating her way around like a seasoned pro thanks to Ellie’s help. There’s nothing like solving a mystery to forge a fast friendship, and before the week is out Ellie and Axelle are modelling BFFs.
So check out my Pinterest board and see some of the images that have inspired me while creating London-born supermodel and sleuthing sidekick, Ellie B!
Carina x
May 17, 2014
My 30 second reviews for Children’s Book Week…
Hi everyone,
Children’s Book Week is almost over, but this weekend you still have a chance of buying books at the reduced prices that many books stores are offering for this event! So head on over to your local book store asap!
And in the spirit of getting into Children’s Book Week I’ve written three short reviews of books you should, must, absolutely have to (!) put on your list. They’re fab, I’ve read them within the last few weeks, and I’ve basically chosen something for everyone…
HALF BAD by Sally Green (YA).
Who should read this? Anyone who wants a YA novel that they can’t put down.
What’s it about: This book is the first in a trilogy, and it is amazing! It’s about witches – but I’m not talking Harry Potter. It’s harsh and fierce, and totally draws you into a world of black and white witches (and fains – non-witch people). The only draw back to reading this book is that you have to wait until 2015 for the next one. ARGH!!!
THE TEEN VOGUE HAND BOOK.
Who should read this? Any budding fashionista from 10 to 16.
What’s it about: This book expertly and concisely covers every possible career within the world of high fashion. An insider’s look (it doesn’t get more insider than Teen Vogue) at what it really means to be an editor, stylist, model, photographer, etc. Lots of really fab photos too.
THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. (Picture Book)
Who should read this? Anyone under four feet tall (or over four feet tall) who likes short funny stories with super cool illustrations.
What’s it about: The title says it all: when young Duncan decides he’d like to do some colouring he opens his crayon box to find that his crayons have all written letters saying they want to quit! The letters the crayons write to Duncan are hilarious! I love this book.
(News Flash: as I’m writing this, I’ve just found out that The Day The Crayons Quit was voted Book of the Year for kindergarten through second grade! Click here to find out more.)
So there you are – three lovely books to buy and read. And don’t forget to add Model Under Cover to your list ;-)) You knew I had to say that, right?
Carina x
