Laura Besley's Blog, page 6
March 19, 2015
High-heels
"High-heels have caused your back problems."
©2015 Laura Besley
©2015 Laura Besley
January 18, 2015
#BabyintheHouse - smells
You know there's a new baby in the house,
when both of you get through several changes of clothes in a day.
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - food (first of many) click here.
***
Having recently (well, seven months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
when both of you get through several changes of clothes in a day.
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - food (first of many) click here.
***
Having recently (well, seven months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
January 5, 2015
#BabyintheHouse - food (first of many)
You know there's a baby in the house when...
(Minus the wine unfortunately)
...eating an entire meal at the table with both hands is the height of luxury.
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - Happy New Year click here.
***
Having recently (well, seven months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
(Minus the wine unfortunately)...eating an entire meal at the table with both hands is the height of luxury.
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - Happy New Year click here.
***
Having recently (well, seven months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
January 1, 2015
#BabyintheHouse - Happy New Year!
You know there's a baby in the house when...
...you're getting up on New Year's Day at a similar time to when party-goers are going to bed!
Happy New Year everyone - may it be happy & healthy!
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - first Christmas click here.
***
Having recently (well, seven months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
...you're getting up on New Year's Day at a similar time to when party-goers are going to bed!
Happy New Year everyone - may it be happy & healthy!
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - first Christmas click here.
***
Having recently (well, seven months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
December 20, 2014
#BabyintheHouse - first Christmas
You know it's baby's first Christmas...
...when two grandmothers fly halfway around the world to spend it with him!
Merry Christmas everyone and a happy & healthy 2015!
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - Shower click here.
***
Having recently (well, six months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
...when two grandmothers fly halfway around the world to spend it with him!
Merry Christmas everyone and a happy & healthy 2015!
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - Shower click here.
***
Having recently (well, six months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
December 10, 2014
#BabyintheHouse - shower
You know there's a baby in the house when...
... a shower, especially if you need to wash your hair, has to be scheduled.
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - Sleep (first of many), click here.
***
Having recently (well, six months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
... a shower, especially if you need to wash your hair, has to be scheduled.
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - Sleep (first of many), click here.
***
Having recently (well, six months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
***
December 1, 2014
#BabyintheHouse - Sleep (first of many)
You know you're a new parent when...
... 5 o'clock is a lie-in!
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - Ikea, click here.
***
Having recently (well, six months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
... 5 o'clock is a lie-in!
***
To read last week's post: #BabyintheHouse - Ikea, click here.
***
Having recently (well, six months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
November 23, 2014
#BabyintheHouse - Ikea
You know you're a parent when...
...you get to Ikea before it's open on a Sunday morning!
Having recently (well, six months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
...you get to Ikea before it's open on a Sunday morning!
Having recently (well, six months ago) become a parent for the first time, my world has been turned upside down. I'd like to share some of the ideas I've had, the discoveries I've made, and the secrets of parenthood. I hope that both parents and non-parents will be able to enjoy these posts.
Please feel free to leave comments and share your experiences.
November 11, 2014
Independent Jenny by Sarah Louise Smith
About the Book
Title: Independent Jenny
Author: Sarah Louise Smith
Publication: Crooked Cat Publishing Ltd (12 Sep 2014)
Summary: "I slept with someone else". Those five words changed everything.
After her husband Ross drops a bombshell, Jenny's emotions go hay-wire. Things are made even more complex when his brother Aiden makes a confession of his own... A holiday escape with her friend Hayley seems the perfect way to figure out what - and who - she wants. But Hayley has a hidden motive that results in Jenny spending time with her ex-boyfriend Will, who is now married. Should Jenny forgive Ross? Can she ignore her feelings for romantic Aiden? And why can't she get Will out of her head? One thing is for sure: Jenny doesn't want to be alone. Surely any man is better than no man, right?
What I Think
Sarah Louise Smith can create plausible and likable characters with ease. When we meet Jenny she is at the beginning of a journey - mentally, physically and emotionally - to discover where she wants to be and with whom.
The thing I love most about Sarah Louise Smith's books is that the relationships in them are real. These are not fairy stories. Often in chick lit books, or the screen version: Hollywood rom coms, the characters spend no real time together and only become a couple at the end. This doesn't allow for a true exploration of their relationship. On the contrary the relationships explored in Smith's books are longstanding and the problems which arise from these are explored fully.
This book looks at the choices we are sometimes faced with. The ending, as with the previous books I've read by this author, didn't disappoint!
About the Author
Sarah Louise Smith is the author of three chick lit novels: Amy & Zach, Izzy's Cold Feet, and Independent Jenny.
Sarah lives in Milton Keynes with her husband, lovely step-daughter, cute cat, and loopy golden retriever.
She has been working in marketing communications for several years and has a passion for reading, her favourite genre being "chick-lit".
Sarah has been writing stories ever since she can remember. A few years ago her husband bought her a laptop out of the blue, telling her she could accept it only on the condition that she used it to write a novel, something she'd been saying she wanted to do since she left high school.
You can find out more by visiting her website www.sarahlouisesmith.com.
Title: Independent Jenny
Author: Sarah Louise Smith
Publication: Crooked Cat Publishing Ltd (12 Sep 2014)
Summary: "I slept with someone else". Those five words changed everything.
After her husband Ross drops a bombshell, Jenny's emotions go hay-wire. Things are made even more complex when his brother Aiden makes a confession of his own... A holiday escape with her friend Hayley seems the perfect way to figure out what - and who - she wants. But Hayley has a hidden motive that results in Jenny spending time with her ex-boyfriend Will, who is now married. Should Jenny forgive Ross? Can she ignore her feelings for romantic Aiden? And why can't she get Will out of her head? One thing is for sure: Jenny doesn't want to be alone. Surely any man is better than no man, right?
What I Think
Sarah Louise Smith can create plausible and likable characters with ease. When we meet Jenny she is at the beginning of a journey - mentally, physically and emotionally - to discover where she wants to be and with whom.
The thing I love most about Sarah Louise Smith's books is that the relationships in them are real. These are not fairy stories. Often in chick lit books, or the screen version: Hollywood rom coms, the characters spend no real time together and only become a couple at the end. This doesn't allow for a true exploration of their relationship. On the contrary the relationships explored in Smith's books are longstanding and the problems which arise from these are explored fully.
This book looks at the choices we are sometimes faced with. The ending, as with the previous books I've read by this author, didn't disappoint!
About the Author
Sarah Louise Smith is the author of three chick lit novels: Amy & Zach, Izzy's Cold Feet, and Independent Jenny. Sarah lives in Milton Keynes with her husband, lovely step-daughter, cute cat, and loopy golden retriever.
She has been working in marketing communications for several years and has a passion for reading, her favourite genre being "chick-lit".
Sarah has been writing stories ever since she can remember. A few years ago her husband bought her a laptop out of the blue, telling her she could accept it only on the condition that she used it to write a novel, something she'd been saying she wanted to do since she left high school.
You can find out more by visiting her website www.sarahlouisesmith.com.
November 2, 2014
Independent Jenny by Sarah Louise Smith - author interview
I'm very pleased to be able to welcome back Sarah Louise Smith - author of three chick lit novels published by Crooked Cat Ltd.
1. Congratulations on the release of your third book, Independent Jenny. How does it feel?
Thank you! It’s a bit surreal, actually. I never get used to receiving a paperback in the post… it might be the third book but I never get used to it.
2. Can you give us a brief description of Independent Jenny?
In chapter one, Jenny discovers her husband has cheated on her. He wants forgiveness, but while she contemplates this, she discovers her brother-in-law has feelings for her and she starts to develop a crush on him, too. Unsure what to do, Jenny goes on holiday and meets yet another man she has a crush on. Her feelings go hay-wire and she isn’t sure who or what she wants; just that she doesn’t want to be alone.
3. When you were promoting your second book, Izzy’s Cold Feet, you said that you had already started your third book (which presumably is this one). Did the story of Independent Jenny form easily?
It took me a while to really develop the story, partly because I had the fourth novel swirling in my head and I was keen to start it, but wanted to finish Jenny’s story first. I went away to the Isle of Skye for a break last year and developed most of the plot while I was there. It’s such an inspiring and beautiful place that I ended up setting a large part of the story there.
4. This post is part of a ‘blog hop’. Do you feel as a 21st century author that you are very involved in the process of promoting your book? Is this something you enjoy?
Yes, promotion is essential if you want to sell books … luckily for me, I’ve been working in marketing communications for many years so that part comes quite easily to me – I just need more hours in the day to work, write and promote!
5. Can you see yourself in Jenny, or any of your other (main) characters? If so, is this intentional or something you don’t realise until you take a step back from your work?
Definitely. Some people I know say they picture me when reading as the voice of my characters sounds like me, and the way I talk… I guess that’s natural in a way when writing in the first person. It’s not intentional, though – just something I realize later.
6. Independent Jenny is set in two locations. Do you do research for your books, or do you choose places you know already?
I choose places I know, I’d find it hard to write about a place I’d never been to. I love to travel and find a lot of inspiration from the places I visit; and I write a lot of notes to help me remember them accurately. I’m traveling to New York City, Niagara Falls, and Washington DC in the coming weeks so expect my next novel to have a setting in one of more of those locations!
7. Would you ever consider having any of your books converted to the big screen? If so, would you like to write the screenplay? Who would you like to play Jenny, Izzy (Izzy’s Cold Feet) or Amy (Amy & Zach)?
Yes, I’d love to see my books on the big screen, although I’d probably get upset if they changed too much. I’ve never written a screenplay but that might be fun challenge.
Re actresses, I’d pick someone British (or who could do a very good British accent!) – so I guess someone like Keira Knightly, or Emily Blunt. They’re both fab actors.
8. Lastly, what can we expect from you in the future? Have you started book number four yet?
Yes, I’m over half way through book four. Like I said, it was on my mind for a while before I had the chance to start it so it’s coming along quite quickly. It’s a similar genre and theme, about a girl who tells a small lie to a man she has a weekend fling with … but when the fling turns into something more serious, the lie doesn’t seem so small anymore.
Thank you very much to Sarah! For more about this author and her books, please check out the links below.
Website - Sarah Louise Smith
Or you can follow her on twitter
Publisher - Crooked Cat Ltd.
1. Congratulations on the release of your third book, Independent Jenny. How does it feel?
Thank you! It’s a bit surreal, actually. I never get used to receiving a paperback in the post… it might be the third book but I never get used to it.
2. Can you give us a brief description of Independent Jenny? In chapter one, Jenny discovers her husband has cheated on her. He wants forgiveness, but while she contemplates this, she discovers her brother-in-law has feelings for her and she starts to develop a crush on him, too. Unsure what to do, Jenny goes on holiday and meets yet another man she has a crush on. Her feelings go hay-wire and she isn’t sure who or what she wants; just that she doesn’t want to be alone.
3. When you were promoting your second book, Izzy’s Cold Feet, you said that you had already started your third book (which presumably is this one). Did the story of Independent Jenny form easily?
It took me a while to really develop the story, partly because I had the fourth novel swirling in my head and I was keen to start it, but wanted to finish Jenny’s story first. I went away to the Isle of Skye for a break last year and developed most of the plot while I was there. It’s such an inspiring and beautiful place that I ended up setting a large part of the story there.
4. This post is part of a ‘blog hop’. Do you feel as a 21st century author that you are very involved in the process of promoting your book? Is this something you enjoy?
Yes, promotion is essential if you want to sell books … luckily for me, I’ve been working in marketing communications for many years so that part comes quite easily to me – I just need more hours in the day to work, write and promote!
5. Can you see yourself in Jenny, or any of your other (main) characters? If so, is this intentional or something you don’t realise until you take a step back from your work? Definitely. Some people I know say they picture me when reading as the voice of my characters sounds like me, and the way I talk… I guess that’s natural in a way when writing in the first person. It’s not intentional, though – just something I realize later.
6. Independent Jenny is set in two locations. Do you do research for your books, or do you choose places you know already?
I choose places I know, I’d find it hard to write about a place I’d never been to. I love to travel and find a lot of inspiration from the places I visit; and I write a lot of notes to help me remember them accurately. I’m traveling to New York City, Niagara Falls, and Washington DC in the coming weeks so expect my next novel to have a setting in one of more of those locations!
7. Would you ever consider having any of your books converted to the big screen? If so, would you like to write the screenplay? Who would you like to play Jenny, Izzy (Izzy’s Cold Feet) or Amy (Amy & Zach)?
Yes, I’d love to see my books on the big screen, although I’d probably get upset if they changed too much. I’ve never written a screenplay but that might be fun challenge.
Re actresses, I’d pick someone British (or who could do a very good British accent!) – so I guess someone like Keira Knightly, or Emily Blunt. They’re both fab actors.
8. Lastly, what can we expect from you in the future? Have you started book number four yet?
Yes, I’m over half way through book four. Like I said, it was on my mind for a while before I had the chance to start it so it’s coming along quite quickly. It’s a similar genre and theme, about a girl who tells a small lie to a man she has a weekend fling with … but when the fling turns into something more serious, the lie doesn’t seem so small anymore.
Thank you very much to Sarah! For more about this author and her books, please check out the links below.
Website - Sarah Louise Smith
Or you can follow her on twitter
Publisher - Crooked Cat Ltd.
