Catherine’s Comments (group member since Dec 11, 2018)

Catherine’s comments from the G.N.A. Publishing░N░e░w░ ░A░u░t░h░o░r░s░ group.

Grasshopper wrote: "Sure no problem. In fact, I could line you up to be featured here in the next few months. Readers could interact with you and you could offer your freebies there.
🤗"
Thanks, that would be wonderful! I have a lot coming up in the new year, it would be great to share and interact.

Grasshopper wrote: "Perfect for this season. Thanks. Will read ASAP 🤗"

Thank you so much, it means a lot! I'm keen to get out there and meet new readers. Just let me know if there's anything I can do...free copies etc! xxx

Hi All,

Thank you so much for the chance to share an excerpt - a review would be just lovely!

Here's a short section from my Christmas rom com novella

Spoiler alert - this scene occurs midway through the book.

Stella thinks she's at a meeting to prepare an event for Jack's distillery, Jack thinks it's a date.

Magic and Sparkle - A movie on paper

The reception area was more like a country club lounge. A huge inglenook fireplace dominated the room, with wingback chairs placed around, thoughtful tartan cushions added for comfort. Could be good for an initial drinks reception, she thought, noting the bar cart off to the side.

‘I wasn’t sure if you’d agree to this.’ Jack took a couple of champagne flutes from the cart. ‘After the other night.’ She’d been planning on pretending that the kiss hadn’t happened, but maybe he was right – best to clear the air and start over.

‘Please don’t blame yourself, I definitely don’t. Let’s just forget about it.’ Jack added a measure of whiskey to each of the flutes, then poured something deep pink and topped them both up with champagne. He handed her a glass.

‘To fresh starts,’ she smiled at him and he visibly relaxed. The poor guy was probably worried that she was going to lose her head and jump on him again.

‘When is the Lennox group coming up?’

‘Friday.’ He was watching her carefully. This Friday? That was cutting it more than fine. He was obviously testing her. Well, she’d thrown together a reception for three hundred including some minor European royals on similar notice – this would be easy by comparison. She kept her face nonchalant and sipped at her drink. The whiskey gave a hell of a kick to the champagne but there was a fruity, almost flowery taste too.

‘That is delicious. Is it cassis?’ she licked her lips and studied the pinky-golden bubbles.

‘Rhubarb, actually. I was pretty much banned from my dad’s distillery until I was sixteen – he couldn’t get any work done with all the questions I used to bombard him with. But my mom took pity on me and started a side project with me. Rhubarb grows like wildfire back home.’

‘Back home? So you’re not back here permanently?’ The idea irked her, even though she had no business to be wondering about his long-term plans.

‘I’ve learned not to plan too far ahead.’ A brooding expression fell over his face.

‘But you can’t expect to be successful without planning ahead. You need a five-year plan as an absolute minimum.’ Jeez, this was absolute basics in business, surely he should know this. ‘That might fly back in the old country, but here’s a much more competitive market.’

‘You’re telling me,’ his laugh was so hollow that Stella thought that the business must be already going down the tubes. He obviously needed her help in wowing the Lennox group.

‘My five-year plan went a little off course when my fiancée took off less than six months after we opened up the business.’ He’d been engaged? You couldn’t sneeze within a ten-mile radius of Pendle Falls without it being in the local paper, but no one had thought to warn her about this?

‘I’m sorry,’ was all she could say. The atmosphere had thickened and Stella could feel they were getting into some truly personal territory. Naturally, she was curious, but she reminded herself – keep it professional. ‘Well, how about we get back to business?’ She looked towards the rest of the barn, hoping he’d take the hint.

Confusion played across his face until it eventually clicked. ‘Oh, do you want a tour?’ he asked.

‘Well of course. I need to know what I’m getting myself into.’ she rolled her eyes at him.