Cait O'Sullivan's Blog, page 4

Cover Reveal for my baby, Sefton Manor.

A Gothic romance, packing a punch at only 50 pages, out October 25th by Musa Publishing.

Sefton Manor, a country house that has somehow withstood the ravages of time, holds the key to Martha Kendall’s dysfunctional family. Asked by her grandmother to uncover the truth about her missing Aunt, Martha comes to Buckhurst Village. Despite unsettling occurrences upsetting her sensibilities, she starts asking questions.
Questions that lead her to Will Fellowes, a man whose family tended the grounds of Sefton Manor for centuries. Amidst whispers of pacts with the Devil, they pair up to wrestle the secret from the house. Or will Sefton Manor consume them all? 
 *****
I'll freely admit it, I am in love with this cover. It matches the mood and the story so perfectly that I'm sure Musa's illustrator, Kelly Shorten, read the book. I just can't wait until this baby of mine heads out there into the *real* world. 
Next Friday, I'll be revealing the cover of my next Gothic novella, 
Mugs and Monasteries  orchids, alpacas, lost monasteries. What secret lies here?  
Giving you a chance to win a copy of either book by voting for your favourite. Or if you would like to write a review I can send you a copy--that'd be great. Just let me know in the comments/FB/email :)

Do come back next week. For now though, I'm just going to gaze at that cover. If it were a wine, I think it would be a deep, full bodied red, perhaps a Shiraz or *shivers* a Petite Sirah. 
Hic!

New Year, New Books :)

Okay, I know it's not a New Year, but I always feel September brings new and exciting times. From the years of education starting this time every year, I guess it's deeply ingrained for a lot of folk. There is something very comforting too about September. Time to settle back in at home after Summer's gadding about and get prepared for the Winter ahead. Funny, I always bake more at this time of year too, perhaps this urge is an age-old one to stock up before the lean months ahead :).

September 2012 brought with it my first contract, a thrilling occasion for any author, and I can't quite recall the dark days before I had the confidence of a Publishing House. That was huge.

September 2013 is bringing it's own excitment as I prepare for the launch of my two Gothic romances, dropping on the 25th October. Only short reads, around 16,000 words, these two pack quite a punch. I loved loved LOVED writing both Sefton Manor and Mugs and Monasteries, and couldn't pick a favourite. Sefton Manor is based in Norfolk, England. Mugs and Monasteries is set in the Burren, Ireland. If it were based on location alone, Mugs would have to win. The Burren is my spiritual home, here have a look:





But then the hero in Sefton Manor is a musician and a pretty darn good one too...

Anyway, my book covers are coming SOON. I can't wait to share them as I'm really very much in love with them too. Is there anything more thrilling than seeing your book come to life under an expert illustrator?! Fabulous.

In other news, I'm writing my Epic Fantasy, word count currently 25,000. This is the first of four books so methinks it may take a wee while before I'm writing about their release :) but it will be epic when it happens :).

I hope the September New Year is starting well for you all too and that the Autumn dazzles in all its glory. 

Update on my books

Saturday just past, I signed a contract with Lyrical Press to publish my contemporary romance 'The Tango Champion's Secret Love Child' ( :) great name, hey!). I'm totally thrilled that Lyrical liked my writing, and cannot wait to see Ava and Matthias in print. These two are HOT, believe you me. 
London TV presenter, Ava Whittaker, has a baby by   Matthias de Romero, the man she loves. The problem? He doesn't know. 
Fast forward two years and he’s the judge on a new dance show – one where she's a contestant.
Matthias de Romero leaves women, not vice versa. So how come the one woman who caused his embittered heart to stir walked out?  Two years later, still in search of answers, he allows himself to be talked into becoming a judge on a brand new London television show 'To Dance or Not to Dance', little knowing Ava was a contestant.
Will the glitterball – and her secret – cause their intense feelings to burn out or fan further the flames of desire? 
Can I say it's one of my favourite books or is that a bit like I prefer one child over the other?! No matter, I really enjoyed writing The Tango Champion. Originally, it started with Ava on the last leg of her Round the World Trip and I painted the scene where they fell in love. One glorious night under the watchful eyes of the Argentine Andes, let's just say it was fun to write. But their story re-starts when the two meet again in London, as Ava discovers (to her immense horror) that she has to dance in front of the only man she has ever truly desired. I can't say I blame her, I would've been horrified too.
Matthias has a legal reason to watch Ava, to scrutinise her every move. Pure torture for him as there is no way he's going to give her another opportunity to walk out on him. Bless him. Heaven or hell :)? 
Now I just need to wait and see my cover (oooh so exciting) and to find out my release date!! 

Christine Warner's brand new, super dooper Cover Reveal, Bachelor's Special and $10 giveaway...roll up, roll up!

Bachelor’s Special by Christine Warner

 
Entangled Publishing - May 2013
 Jill Adgate wants three things from life: a successful catering business, a family, and the love of an exceptional man. What she has is no job, a mounting pile of bills, and her outspoken best friend—who sets her up on a blind date with the man who inadvertently ruined Jill’s life. Chet Castle is a businessman who has everything, except the ability to trust. Burned by a money-hungry fiancée, he refuses to get involved in any relationship that has a shelf life longer than a head of lettuce.Intrigued by her ambition—and determined to get her in bed—Chet offers Jill the chance of a lifetime: work as his live-in chef and he’ll help her get her catering business off the ground. When sparks fly in the kitchen, Jill realizes what’s cooking is a recipe for disaster…


 Title: Bachelor’s Special
Author: Christine WarnerGenre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: May 2013Imprint: Indulgence
Purchase from Amazon
Purchasefrom Barnes & Noble
  Author Information
Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.  Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmitic.  A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities.  She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter and her website at christine-warner.com.
Myblog/website | Twitter under ChristinesWords
My Facebook page…stop by and give it a LIKE to stay up to date with the latest: 
Goodreads  I love to hear from readers and other authors :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please welcome Cerian Herbert, author of 'No Going Back'

Hi Cerian, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to have you over at Cait’s Place.

It’s my pleasure, Cait! Glad to be here!
No Going Back is a Contemporary Romance with paranormal elements. As if moving from Los Angeles to a New Hampshire town with less than two hundred residents isn't enough for ex-Hollywood socialite, Ari Milbanke, she has a house full of someone else's life, the lonely ghost of a teen-aged girl and a handsome neighbor who runs a horse rescue facility. She has a lot ahead of her as she settles her two young daughters into their new life while trying to hide the one she left behind.

Sam Beauchamp was content with his life. Rescuing and training horses has always satisfied him, but when newcomer, Ari and her daughters came into his life he realized how much was missing. Even the ghost attached to the decade’s old mysterious disappearance isn’t enough to deter him. What might, though, is Ari’s inability to be open with her past and who she really is.
I’m hooked already, Cerian. No Going Back sounds wonderful, congratulations on its release! Onto a few questions…1.       If you were told that you couldn’t write in any medium anymore otherwise the world would blow up, what would you do?
Well, as much as I love to write, I don’t think I’d like to see the world blown up. But at least I could day dream my stories. I’d be satisfied with that.
I’m so impressed with authors, so far no-one has decided to blow up the world. Daydreaming your stories sounds like a good compromise though, nice one!
2.       If you knew that no-one would ever read your writing, would you or would you not still write and why? Be honest!
Sure would! I’ve been writing for myself since I was 12. I am thrilled beyond belief that I’ve been published, but if no one else read my work I’d still be writing. It’s in my heart.
Ah lovely way to say it.
3.       If you were told you could either read or write, but not do both, which would you choose, and why?
Write. No book is as satisfying as writing my own story.

4.       How would you like to be remembered? As a bestselling author.
I’m sure you will be too, Cerian.
5.       What's your favourite photo on display?
On my desktop I have a picture of Maxfield Parrish’s “Reverie”. It’s a young woman on a swing. She looks so dreamy. I like to think that my muse looks just like her.
Am off to Google it now J
6.       Desert Island question – I know, it had to be here – so you know you’re about to be banished to a desert island for ten years. There will just about be enough food and water for one person, but nothing nada zero zip else. You can make one wish – what is it?
 Hmm… can I wish that instead of ten years on that island I only had to spend ten days? That way I’d get a nice little tropical vacation away from everyone and get back to the family before too long.
Methinks that sounds grand myself!
7.       What’s your favourite season, and why?
I love autumn. The colors of the foliage, especially here in New England, is vibrant, and the cool air is invigorating. I wish it could last as long as summer and winter! Maybe that’s why it’s so special, because it’s so fleeting.
One of these days, I’m going to get to New England in the autumn – it’s gotta be done!
8.       What’s your favourite weather, and why?
See above. Autumn weather. Early October when the temps can range between the 50s and 70s. Cool and comfortable.
Thanks so much for your wonderful answers, Cerian!
Now to click on to buy No Going Back:
Amazon.comAnd you can find me here: www.cerianhebert.com

When I first realised the power of writing...

was my first day on my RTW trip -- come to my lovely Irish friend's blog, Maria's Book Blog to read about my first adventure in Bangkok :)

Romantic Suspense Author Eliza Daly

Ever since I first met Eliza, I've been dying to get her on my blog. She's a very busy lady, always jet-setting off to some place or another and so I'm very pleased to finally have her here. Thanks, Eliza, for putting yourself through my questions! First though, have a read through the blurb for her romantic suspense, Identity Crisis. (Love that title!)

When Olivia Doyle’s father dies under suspicious circumstances, rather than inheriting a family fortune, she inherits a new identity. She learns they were placed in the Federal Witness Security Program when she was five years old. Her father was involved in an art forgery ring and testified against the mob. Brought up not to trust anyone, Olivia has a difficult time relying on U.S. Marshal Ethan Ryder to protect her, and to keep her secret. She fears her father may have continued his life of crime through her art gallery. She has little choice but to depend on Ethan when she realizes someone is now after her. Olivia’s search for the truth leads her and Ethan across country to a family and past she doesn’t remember.
At the age of ten, Ethan witnessed a brutal murder. He vowed when he grew up, he’d protect people in danger. Protecting Olivia is difficult when she won’t trust him. He soon realizes his desire to protect her goes beyond doing his job, but if his judgment becomes clouded by emotions, her safety could be jeopardized. 
Can Ethan and Olivia learn to trust each other when they uncover secrets that will change their lives forever?Identity Crisis is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, All Romance, eBooks.com, and Kobo.

Thank you so much to Cait for having me here today and helping me celebrate the release of Identity Crisis! I will be giving away an e-copy of Identity Crisis to one commenter. To enter to win, please leave a question for me--writing related or personal. Please include your e-mail address with your comment. The winner will be announced March 22.  
Woo-hoo, great thank you, Eliza!



Which of the five senses do you find hardest to write about, and why?The sense of smell. I have no clue why this is the hardest for me to write about, but it is the one thing I always have to add when I’m doing the final edits of my manuscripts. I never have enough. I agree totally with you, Eliza…how do you describe smell?! Tough.
Do you have any writing quirks and if so, what are they?I write very quirky characters in my romantic comedies. Does that count? I will only edit my manuscripts with a purple or pink pen. I have three cat beds in my room, one for each of my cats. They tend to sleep in my office all day while I write. I often turn to one of them, usually Frankie because he’s more the creative type, and bounce ideas off of them, or ask them for opinions. What can I say, writing is a lonely job. Now, I’d just love to hear what Frankie had to say LOL, I’ll bet he has a great romance in that cat head of his J.
If you were told that you couldn’t write anymore otherwise the world would blow up, what would you do?If I couldn’t write, I would go back to school for my masters in art history. I would love to own an art gallery. My obsession with art inspired the storyline for my recent release, Identity Crisis. I’d come and visit your art gallery, anyday, Eliza.
If you knew that no-one would ever read your writing, would you or would you not still write and why? Be honest!Yes, I’d still write. I wrote 11 books over 12 years and didn’t know if anyone would ever read them, so that wouldn’t be anything new. J Good stuffins!
If you were told you could either read or write, but not do both, which would you choose, and why?Write. Honestly, between work and writing, I have little time for reading. I used to read 2 books a week, but lately I’m lucky if I read that in a month. I really miss it, but there is no way I could stop writing. I’m with you on that. I miss reading, going to bed to see what happened.
Which weather inspires you most to write? Sunshine! I live in Milwaukee where we can get several feet of snow and 40 below wind chill factor in January. Brrr. I can deal with the frigid temps as long as I have sunshine. However, Milwaukee in January is like Gotham City—dark and gloomy. When I read through a manuscript in the spring and the writing is flat, the dialogue has no zip, I think, Hmm. I must have written this in January or February. Ireland wouldn’t do you any favours then :).
What's your favourite photo on display? My favourite photo is one of me with two monkeys at a floating market in Thailand. I’d just stepped off a boat and a woman tossed these two monkeys at me and they started climbing all over me. I laughed until I started panicking about contracting some rare tropical disease. Faaaaabulous photo, Eliza, thanks so much :).

And just for pure, adolescent fun, which superpower would you choose?To be a shape-shifter, so I could become a cat and have a heart-to-heart talk with my cats Quigley, Frankie, and Sammy. I’d let them know that a trip to the vet is for their own good, not a method of torture, and that if they would let me sleep in an hour later in the morning I’d give them lots of treats. A-ha! First time for shape-shifter on here and I like your reasoning. But do you think talking to them would help…my girls don’t seem to understand – lie ins that is, not a trip to the vet lol.

Author Bio  Eliza Daly’s first attempt at creative writing was in fourth grade. She and her friends were huge Charlie’s Angels fans and she would sit in her bedroom at night writing scripts for them to act out at recess the following day. She was Kelly Garrett. Fast forward to the present, she’s still writing stories about beautiful women who always get their men. The journey from fourth grade script writer to published author wasn’t an easy one, but it was always an adventure and the final destination was well worth it.
When Eliza isn’t traveling for her job as an event planner, or tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland, she’s at home in Milwaukee working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband Mark, and her cats Quigley, Frankie, and Sammy.
You can find Eliza on the web at Website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Contemporary Romance Author, MJ Schiller :)

Dear all, I'm thrilled to have indie publisher, MJ Schiller back on my blog. Today she's talking about Trapped Under Ice, a fantastic read which will keep you turning those pages -- once you manage to tear your eyes away from the cover that is :). 
 First of all, thanks for having me back, Cait! Thanks for coming by, MJ :).
I had a choice of writing a guest blog or answering interview questions. At this point, I’ve done scads of interviews and a lot of the questions are the same. And I’ve been on Cait’s Place before, so you think I would have exhausted all possibilities for questions, but she has such great questions, I had to go that route again. Aw thanks, MJ! 
But first, let me give you a short blurb of my latest romance, TRAPPED UNDER ICE.
Rock star Chad Evans’s tortured past hides just beneath the surface. Even fans screaming out his name in ecstasy can’t drown out the screams of his childhood. He can usually keep it under control, but not always. Tonight the alcohol doesn’t seem to soothe.Part of the crowd, Beth Donovan smiles, really enjoying herself for a change. But her smile isn’t usually this bright. It is the kind of smile that masks sorrow.  Three years just isn’t long enough to get over losing Paul.  When a vicious attack behind stage brings this unlikely pair together, something changes inside of them both. But can a jet-setting superstar and a Midwestern lunch lady ever manage a real relationship? And even if they can, will the person sending Chad death threats take it all away? Or is it their fate to remain forever trapped under ice?
Now, here are the questions:
1.       Do you have any writing quirks and if so, what are they? Apparently I make faces when I write, according to my kids. I dispute this claim. hah, I do too, in fact even just texting or emailing someone, I make a face.
2.       If you were told that you couldn’t write in any medium anymore otherwise the world would blow up, what would you do? Well, it would be pretty selfish for me to write in that case so I guess I would save the world and call it a day. Phew MJ, thanks for that :). We live to write another day. 3.       If you knew that no-one would ever read your writing, would you or would you not still write and why? Be honest!Probably. The characters HAVE to exist on paper once they exist in your mind. Good way of putting it. 4.       What is your favourite word, and why? Righteous. I never use it, but I love to say it because it is sort of onomatopoetic. In other words, when you say righteous, it sounds righteous. Awesome word! I have to say, this was not what I expected from you -- righteous. Although I know what you mean re the onomatopoeia though.
5.       When and why was the last time you giggled uncontrollably? About 15 seconds ago, watching Cinema Sins-Twilight. They catch all of the goofs in the movie, like this guy has a vest on in the scene, then he doesn’t and he hasn’t taken it off. Amazing what they pick up! They also poke fun at the movie at the same time.
6.        Desert Island question – I know, it had to be here – so you know you’re about to be banished to a desert island for ten years. There will just about be enough food and water for one person, but nothing nada zero zip else. You can make one wish – what is it?  Okay, this is gonna sound corny, but I’d wish for my husband. Wait! That’s kind of selfish because then he would have to be stranded on a desert island, too. And besides, he’d eat the food. How about a Kindle that would remain forever charged? (By the way, I’d rather be stranded on a deSSert island. More fun.) lol lots more fun. I like the way you think!7.       What’s your favourite weather, and why? I like it sunny and 70 degrees because I’m a baby and don’t like if it’s too hot or too cold. Wouldn't it be luverly...
8.       If you had to choose between love and sex for the rest of your life, which would it be? Love without sex? Painful. Sex without love? Unacceptable. Great answer and nicely put, would expect no less from the author of Trapped Under Ice.
Now, for a taste of TRAPPED UNDER ICE:              For the first time, the pair was alone with no ready subject for conversation. They both took a sip of their drinks to stall for time.            “Your drink all right?”            “Good, good.” She nodded.            “Good,” he repeated, seeming at a loss as to where to go next. He exhaled with a laugh. “You know, I don’t know anything about you, other than your name is Beth, you have a daughter named Cassie, and you’re one hell of a singer.”             “Ah…well...” Again she was unnerved by the praise.                              “You’re staying at this hotel, so you’re not from here. Where do you live?”            “Bloomington, Illinois.” When he stared at her blankly, she added, “It’s about halfway between here and Chicago.”            He nodded. “What’s it like?”            “Well…it’s a college town. In fact, we have the little known distinction of being the only city with a university at either end of the same street,” she threw in, remembering seeing that in a paper Cassie did for social studies.            “I see,” he replied, bemused. “And what do you do in this fair city? I mean,” he back-pedaled, “do you work outside of the home?”            “Ah, so politically correct. Yes, as a matter of fact, I’m a lunch lady.”            The singer looked for a minute like he was going to spit out his drink, but he swallowed hurriedly and laughed.            “What?” Beth retorted, pretending to be hurt. “You’ve got something against lunch ladies, I suppose?”            “No, no,” he insisted. “It’s just…you don’t look like any lunch lady I ever had.”            She took a long drink and considered his words. Was there a compliment in there somewhere?            “So how did you land this lunch lady gig?”            Now it was Beth’s turn to laugh at his choice of the word “gig.” “Well, in truth it wasn’t all that difficult. I just showed up for the interview, they told me what the hours were, how much it paid, and what it entailed, then asked me if I wanted the job. So, hearing what glamorous duties I was to have and what a fabulous paycheck I would be bringing home, I, of course, took it.” He laughed. “No, really, I love my job. I love working with kids. I can come home and take a nap every afternoon before Cas gets home from school. What’s not to like?”            “Well, when you put it that way...”            “Not to mention, sometimes I get to bring home leftover sloppy joe meat.”            “It gets better and better. Sign me up.”            “Oh yeah. ‘Cause this whole rock star thing can’t compare to the wonderful benefits I just described. Tell me the truth, it was the sloppy joe meat that really sold you, wasn’t it?”
I know you're hooked now, aren't you? Head on over to the below links and snap up your copy fast, you won't be disappointed. 
TRAPPED UNDER ICE available at Amazon, BN.com, Smashwords, Kobo, theI-bookstore, Diesel, and other ebook retailers.
You can find MJ Schiller at www.mjschillerauthor.blogspot.com, MJ on FB, twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Please welcome contemporary romance author, Serena Clarke!

Hey all, I'm very excited to have the smart and sassy Serena Clarke over at Cait's Place for a little chat. I've just finished her debut novel a contemporary, All Over The Place and I fell in love with it; it's humour, the pace, the friends, family and the fun of it all sucked me right in. So much so I wrote a review, check it out! Bear in mind folks, that Serena lives in New Zealand so my day which is your morning is her night – I’ll leave you to figure it out :). But the upshot being there will be a time delay in her reply to any of your queries or comments!

All Over the Place - contemporary romance with a chick lit feel!
Livi Callaway has fled back to London after a reality TV disaster in New Zealand. Safely anonymous in the big city, she’s determined to stay under the radar from now on. But her attempts to build a new life are complicated by unexpected visitors from her old one, and new dangers and temptations lie in wait.
Late one night, she meets a mysteriously sexy American on the Underground – and the events that follow take her from Pooh Bear to the golden lights of Paris, via a trail of rock stars dead and alive. A family in disarray, a determined Swede, a crazed Australian and a childhood friend (who might yet be more than that) have her all over the place as she tries to discover the American’s secret – while keeping her own.
With help – and occasional hindrance – from her friends, what she eventually finds is something unexpected...sometimes, running away can lead you to exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
Thanks so much for having me visit at your place Cait! You’re very welcome, Serena, I’ve been looking forward to having you here.

1. If you knew that no-one would ever read your writing, would you or would you not still write and why? Be honest! Yes! If I didn’t write, I’d be so cranky. And actually for the entire first draft of All Over the Place, no one read a single word. I didn’t even tell anyone I was writing it! So I kind of know what that feels like anyway. Wow, how exciting to do that without telling anyone. I had to tell all and sundry when I first started. I guess it can be nerve-wracking starting on something so new and daunting. I’m happy for everyone to know about it now!
2. What is your favourite word, and why?Really, just one? I don’t think a writer could choose only one out of all the thousands out there! And I love how there are new words being born all the time. Adorkable, omnishambles, amazeballs… For funny new words and phrases you can’t go past a Cartoon Network show called Adventure Time. If you have boys you probably know it! It’s alternative, weird and totally watchable. Favourites are ‘oh my Glob’ and ‘drizz’, as in “I'm just sick of having to hide my feelings all the drizz…it's exhausting.” (When you google ‘drizz’, you do find some definitions not suitable for children – but we won’t mention that!) I love these! Amazeballs is over here alright, as in ‘totes amazeballs’. Drizz? Fabulous and oh my Glob – I’m going to start using that. Lol let me know how that goes!
3. How would you like to be remembered?As someone kind. Sometimes when I look at all the awful things that go on, I think, why can’t we all just be KIND to each other? Of course the world is more complicated than that, I know, but how great it would be if we could take everything back to that starting point. The other side of that is to remember to be kind to yourself too. Sometimes we’re so hard on ourselves – especially women. From what I know of you, you are kind and thoughtful. Thanks Cait – and I’d say the same about you. :)
4. When and why was the last time you giggled uncontrollably?If I’m giggling uncontrollably, I’m with one of my sisters! There’s something about the years of history and knowing each other so well – and maybe we have the same sense of humour. I see the same thing with my two boys – they never laugh as hard as when they’re cracking each other up. It’s funny isn’t it, I see the same thing with my girls. And yes I never giggle as much as when with my sisters, how lucky are we that we have them. Yes, through thick and thin! We don’t see each other as much as we’d like – life’s so busy.
5. What's your favourite photo on display?A photo of the boys up in a tree in our back yard. It’s like their natural habitat – everywhere we go, if there’s a tree to climb, they’re happy. Tree climbing equals freedom – you’re in your own little world, above earthly worries, with a whole new perspective, literally and figuratively. It can be quite a meditative experience! I spent a lot of my childhood hanging out in trees, and I love seeing my own kids doing the same. Me too, Serena, me too.
6. What’s your favourite season, and why?Autumn, definitely. In my part of New Zealand, the summers can be so humid. I still don’t understand how there can be 100% humidity when it’s not even raining…and I don’t have to tell you what this means for a curly-haired person! Thank Glob for GHDs. After a long steamy summer (and I don’t mean the good kind of steamy), autumn’s crisp air and warm sun is a big relief. I can feel the relief from here JIt seems awful to wish summer away, doesn’t it? Of course when winter comes, I miss lazing on the beach and going barefoot. You can’t please some people! ;-) Send some of that heat over here please, ‘tis flippin’ freezin’ here at the mo!
7. If you could have chosen your parents, who would you have picked?Well first off, I think we have exactly the parents we’re meant to have. But, if I was to choose someone else, I’d go for the Obamas! Obviously they’re too young to be my parents, but this is wish-fulfilment, right? Both of them are so strong, smart, attractive and principled. And who doesn’t want to live in the White House? I’m lucky to have some of the official Christmas ornaments that the White House Historical Association puts out each year. (That’s a couple of them in the photo.) They’re exquisite, and each one carries a little bit of magic. Interesting answer, Serena, good one. How do you mean that each ornament carries a bit of magic?I love how one little object can be so evocative. I guess it’s the history, mystery and power associated with the office of president.
8. And just for pure, adolescent fun, which superpower would you choose?Well, I would say teleportation, although I’m not sure that’s on the official list of superpowers! There are so many places in the world I want to see and not nearly enough time (or money) to see them all. And unfortunately I don’t have Air Force One at my disposal! If teleportation doesn’t qualify, then flying, obviously. When I was little I loved an Enid Blyton book called The Wishing Chair, which featured a magical chair that grew wings and took the children on adventures in all kinds of lands. I have kind of a thing about buying old chairs online, but I haven’t found one with wings yet! I like the way you think!!
Find Serena here:
Website                |             Facebook            |             Twitter                                |              Goodreads
Buy All Over the Place here:
Amazon.com     |             Amazon.co.uk
About Serena Clarke Serena grew up in a family of itchy-footed readers and dreamers – not concentrating, reading the atlas and Narnia books, and planning to escape somewhere magical as soon as she could. When she was 16, she went from New Zealand to live in Sweden for a year. It was the beginning of many travels and adventures – and quite a few disasters! She didn’t know it at the time, but eventually she’d be grateful for all the downs as well as the ups. As writers say in the face of adversity: “I can use that.” She’s now living back in New Zealand, where she writes stories reflecting her determined belief in magic, possibility, second chances and happy endings.

Come along and hear the song :)

Here it is, folks, the sublime and beautiful Drops of Jupiter by Train. Did you guess it?

Congratulations and big thanks to Calisa Rhose for knowing this one.

Enjoy.