Monthly Archives: August 2021

Escape to Greece with Ian Wilfred.

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This week, I am delighted to be taken on a sun kissed escape to Greece with author, Ian Wilfred. Over to you, Ian…

Thank you for inviting me on to your blog, Carol. I do love a sunny escape, and so I thought I would tell you about one of the great loves of my life (apart from my husband and dog, of course), the Greek town of Parga.

Parga is on the mainland of Greece, but you do feel you are on an island as it is not that well known. Located opposite Corfu, to reach it, you fly into Preveza. From there, it’s an hour’s journey around the coast to Parga. When we first visited, over twenty years ago, we had to get on a ferry for part of the journey; now, there is a tunnel that goes under the water. It saves a lot of time, but I do miss that little ferry trip.

Parga is a town of two halves divided by a steep (and I do mean steep) hill that leads to a castle affording fantastic views of the surrounding area. On one side of the hill, the harbour has its beautiful restaurants and fabulous little shops that look out to the sea. On the other side is the main beach of Valtos. It is simply stunning! Nestled behind the beach are olive groves with a scattering of holiday accommodation. Taking a sea taxi between the beach and the harbour takes less than ten minutes – and avoids the climb up the hill. Arriving by sea taxi into the harbour, lit up at night, is magical. It is a scene that appears in all three of my Greek books.

Parga first appeared in one of my books, SECRETS WE LEFT IN GREECE, in 2018. I changed Parga to Holkamos and decided it had to be an island; Valtos became Volmos, the castle and the sea taxi with the harbour all stayed the same.

(Always ready to seize an opportunity to escape into a beautiful setting, I found this video of Parga and can clearly see why you felt inspired by the town and surrounding area, Ian.)

The following year because I enjoyed writing it so much and readers seemed to love the island I had created, I revisited Holkamos with MY PERFECT SUMMER IN GREECE. This is one of my favourite books; I loved writing Cheryl’s story.

Last year I gave the Greek islands a miss. Instead, coming closer to home, I wrote a novel set in my fictional quayside town of Saltmarsh in Norfolk and also one set in Spain based on the lovely holiday resort of Mojacar (changing the name to Graingcia).

This year I’ve headed back to Holkamos with NEW BEGINNINGS IN GREECE and Graingcia with FINDING HAPPINESS IN SPAIN. These are my two summer reads. I’m always being asked what my books are about, and I keep coming back to the same sentence: they have quite a few secrets, a little bit of laughter, of course, romance, but above all, my books are about friendships and new beginnings not forgetting lots of gorgeous sunshine and fabulous food.

Ian’s books are available in ebook and paperback editions. Why not pick one up and head off to Greece, Spain or Norfolk. Purchase here: UK | US | Spain | Australia

Thank you for the great post, Ian. I love the sound and look of Parga and really enjoyed this hint at the wonderful settings within your books. I am also in awe of your prolific writing, so many wonderful novels, I can’t wait to dive in. xx

About the author:

Ian Wilfred lives on the Norfolk coast with his husband and west highland terrier. He is wonderfully supportive of fellow authors and is a member of the Romantic Novelist Association. His debut novel ‘Putting Right The Past’ is set on the island of Tenerife and was published in 2013. Since then he has gone on to publish other books set in his beloved Norfolk, the Greek islands, Spain and Martha’s Vineyard.

Discover more about Ian Wilfred and his novels here: Amazon | Facebook | Twitter 

Escape to Borteen Bay with Morton S Gray.

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Today, I am delighted to be joined by regular guest Morton S Gray as she talks about living in a fictional world. Over to you, Morton…

I write standalone contemporary “romance with a mystery to solve” novels but all set in my fictional seaside town of Borteen. I’m just putting the finishing touches to the seventh novel set in the town, having published the sixth – Summer at Lucerne Lodge in April 2021.

My debut novel, The Girl on the Beach was my first book set in Borteen. I truly find it amazing how quickly a fictional place can begin to feel completely real. In my head, I can walk down the streets and name the shops and their owners, I know what the views are like from various places in the town and surrounding countryside, even how wide the roads are.

When it came to writing Book Two in the Borteen Secrets Series – The Truth Lies Buried, my editor asked if I had a map of the town, so I drew one and added pictures to show how I envisaged the buildings and various landmarks. It was surprisingly easy to do, because I had walked the streets so often in my head. I fully intend to tidy this up at some point so that I can let readers see it, but at the moment the map includes some pictures to which I don’t have sharing rights.

I’ve set two books at Christmas in Borteen – Christmas at Borteen Bay and Christmas at the Little Beach Café and book seven’s timeline goes through the Christmas period too. The traditions of the town at this time of year again feel so very familiar to me, with the Christmas fair, Santa fun run and Christmas tree dressing event.

There have also been two summer books set in Borteen – Sunny Days at the Beach and Summer at Lucerne Lodge, which give the town a different touristy feel with more beach activity. Again, I can happily walk the beach at Borteen and visit the caves in the cliffs. The town is not based on an actual place, more a mixture of lots of seaside places I have spent time in, so it amuses me when my readers try to guess the actual location.

My characters are also very real to me. If any of them walked into a café I would instantly recognise them. I know their appearance and demeanour, how they interact as if I was inside of them looking out of their eyes, as well as from observing them through the eyes of other characters. Not only do I know how their facial features change when confronted with the situations I put them into in my books, but I know how they feel too, how their heart rate reacts and the sensations on their skin.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that I can put myself inside my story, fictional town and even inside the characters’ heads. I realise that makes me sound really odd, but it is how the process of writing works for me. For me as part of the practice of writing, I see my books unfold like films in front of me.

This experience isn’t unique amongst writers, but friends who haven’t had this encounter with a fictional world can look at me a little strangely if I talk about it, especially when I mention that other Borteen residents mentioned in the seven books so far are clamouring for their stories to be told too.

What a great post, Morton. I love your Borteen Secrets series and the way your knowledge of the setting and characters shines through in the writing. xx

Book celebrations:

 Morton is celebrating two things at the moment, the release of her sixth novel for Choc Lit – Summer at Lucerne Lodge and the paperback release of Sunny Days at the Beach.

Summer at Lucerne Lodge tells the story of Tanner and Rosie. They first meet at a charity auction held in the grounds of Lucerne Lodge on the outskirts of the seaside town of Borteen. However, that first meeting isn’t as innocent as it sounds, because Tanner has found a private investigator’s file on his father’s desk about Rosie and wants to know why … Discover more, here.

Sunny Days at the Beach begins when commitment free singleton and craft shop owner Mandy takes in an abandoned teenager, but then gin distillery owner Graham arrives in Borteen with some unexpected news. Discover more, here.

About the author.

Morton S Gray lives with her husband, two sons and Lily, the tiny white dog, in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel aged fourteen. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors.

Her debut novel The Girl on the Beach was published after she won the Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Star competition.Her other books for Choc Lit are The Truth Lies Buried, Christmas at Borteen Bay, Sunny Days at the Beach, Christmas at the Little Beach Café and Summer at Lucerne Lodge.

Morton previously worked in the electricity industry in committee services, staff development and training. She has a Business Studies degree and is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She also has diplomas in Tuina acupressure massage and energy field therapy. She enjoys crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.

You can find out more about Morton and her work via: website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Apricot Plots

Don’t miss author Ian Wilfred, as he stops by next week with a guest post that will have you dreaming of Greece. xx


Mental Health in Fiction by Angela Barton.

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Today, I am joined by fellow Choc Lit author Angela Barton, as she talks about mental health in fiction on the release of her novel Magnolia House in paperback. Over to you, Angela …

Behind millions of front doors where a perceived glow of perfection shines, live individuals or families struggling with private battles. Magnolia House is one such place.

Few lives go untouched by mental health problems, either their own or a loved one’s. As a writer I feel it’s important to make fictional characters multi-dimensional. Yes, they laugh, love and enjoy their lives, but not always. It would be unrealistic. Characters should face dilemmas, illness (including mental illness) and broken relationships.

My protagonist, Rowan, must confront a devastating change to her life in the opening chapters of Magnolia House, while her sister-in-law, Libby, suffers from depression that manifests in the form of an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I think when handled with care, a character with mental illness can not only enliven a storyline but also open readers’ eyes to new experiences and perspectives. But psychology and psychiatry are complex and evolving disciplines, and as a writer introducing a character with mental health problems, I find it a responsibility and an obligation to avoid caricature and most importantly, to get the facts correct. I once read a book where a character with depression was feeling better the day after taking anti-depressive medication. This inaccuracy immediately spoilt the book for me. This type of medication can take 4-6 weeks to work effectively. Spreading misinformation does everyone a disservice.

Although common, mental illness isn’t the norm so a writer must find a way for their readers to relate to their character, despite the illness and because of it. To feel better, Libby spends money she doesn’t have and finds herself in a lot of debt, all the while hiding it from her husband. The choosing, the wrapping and the buying gives her the high she’s seeking, but immediately she’s racked with guilt and anxiety at the money she’s spent. She needs to feel better, so she enters another shop and the cycle continues. It’s behaviour as real as an eating disorder or self-harming. It’s unlikely to stop until the root cause is discovered and worked on. Libby struggles to contain her illness and appears to be fine for the sake of her loved ones, until the day comes when she has no option but to ask for help.

Stories with characters suffering with mental illness work best when they are written around a person and their relationships, not writing about the illness itself. It doesn’t take pages of obsessive thoughts to deliver the message of an altered mental state. Mental illness can be debilitating but it doesn’t define a person. That job still rests with the writer and their huge challenge of not leaving the reader behind.

Magnolia House isn’t a story full of gloom and negative behaviours. So many of my reviews mention Mason (Ace), another of my characters in the book. He makes them laugh out loud and they say that he balances the darker storyline perfectly, which is a huge relief to me that they feel that way. Of course there’s plenty of romance too when Ace’s handsome and talented brother, James, arrives home from working abroad.

If you’re struggling emotionally, there are people who can help.

  • Call NHS 111 (for when you need help but are not in immediate danger)
  • Contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment
  • Contact the Samaritans  | call 116 123 | Website
  • Use the ‘Shout’ crisis text line – text SHOUT to 85258

Some reviews by readers of Magnolia House:

“This is emotional, beautifully written, heart-breaking and heart-warming story. I love how realistic the plot is. Rowan’s personal story could happen to anyone, the reader can really relate to her. All the character’s are beautifully created and very likeable, even the secondary character’s such as Tom’s sister Libby who goes through her own issues. Magnolia House is a story that is full of hope, love and compassion, highly recommended!”★★★★★

“This book is outstanding. I finished it in 24hours, and was totally gripped by it. I was actually moved to tears in some sections due to the magical descriptions by the author that allowed me to play out the whole story in my head.”★★★★★

“Oh wow, what a rollercoaster of a book! Angela has captured so many emotions in this story. There is love, hatred, disbelief, astonishment, compulsion and then honesty.”★★★★★

“Magnolia House was a wonderful emotional read. I cried along with Rowan at the beginning but also found myself laughing at some of the situations Rowan ends up in and I loved the intrigue and mystery behind the letters Rowan received. For me this was a perfect novel full of heartbreak, romance and mystery. Angela Barton really brought Magnolia House to life and I loved it.”★★★★★

“Magnolia House is much more than a romance, the characters have depth and sensitive issues are dealt with compassion and understanding.” ★★★★★

Thank you so much for the thought provoking post, Angela. In case anyone missed it, here is my review of Magnolia House:

Magnolia House is a heartwarming and entertaining read that doesn’t shy away from exploring the highs and lows faced by the main character, Rowan. Throughout the story, there are dark and light moments that the author has balanced well. While it incorporates loss, grief and deception, it is undoubtedly also a story of carrying on, and of finding the positives when all around you seems to be falling apart.

Rowan is a strong, likeable character, who doesn’t sit back and let her problems define her. She takes steps toward building a new life drawing the reader into her world, as they gain an understanding of her hopes and fears for the future.

I loved the supporting cast of characters, especially Mason, who brings energy and enthusiasm to all he does, and Jet – Rowan’s adorable dog. James is a likeable male lead, whose role is at first subtle but develops well as the story progresses.

As you’d expect from Angela Barton, the text is descriptive, making it picturesque in its depiction as images are brought to life from the page.

Click below to find out more about Angela’s novels:

You’ve Got My Number | Arlette’s Story | Magnolia House 

Author bio:

Angela Barton was born in London and grew up in Nottingham. She has three grown up children and adorable six-year-old twin granddaughters. Angela is passionate about writing both contemporary and historical fiction and loves time spent researching for her novels. In 2018 Angela signed publishing contracts for three of her completed novels with Choc Lit’s new imprint, Ruby Fiction.

In addition to writing, Angela also relaxes by making landscapes using free motion sewing on a machine. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and a reader for their New Writers’ Scheme. Angela is also a member of Nottingham Writers’ Studio, the Society of Authors and Ellipses and Ampersands’ fiction critique group.

Discover more about Angela Barton and her novels here: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Pinterest | Amazon | Angela is also a member of Apricot Plots.

Escape to Tuscany with Angela Petch.

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Over the summer, I am delighted to be hosting authors as they share an escape which is special to them or their novels. And what better way to start than with an escape to Tuscany with Angela Petch.

I’m guessing you are immediately picturing sunflowers, vineyards, olive groves, food and wine. Well, I can offer you some of these in our corner of eastern Tuscany where we live each summer, but not all.

Our old watermill is high in the Apennines where it’s too cold for olives or vineyards to flourish: baking hot in summer but very cold in winter with brutal frosts.

Up until the 1950s our shepherds and herdsmen walked down to the coast in September with their livestock and stayed until May, to find pastures for their animals, as well as to earn money odd-jobbing for their families left behind in the mountains. I wrote about this in a previously self-published book. A Tuscan Memory tells the story of a family with a secret relating back to this long period of separation. It is called la transumanzain Italian.

Our area is known as the Upper Tiber Valley (the source is nearby) or the Alta ValMarecchia – another important river that runs alongside our watermill. It’s not a well-known part of Italy but I love it because it feels very “real”. I’ve spoken Italian since I was a child and this helps me with research for my books. Through speaking to local friends (especially the elderly), I have learned about traditions and history that I probably wouldn’t have discovered in text books or documents.

Evalina is in her nineties and lived through the German occupation of our area in World War Two. She remembers only too vividly that traumatic time and is content to share her stories. Some of those are woven into The Tuscan Secret and The Tuscan Girl. Bruno was a POW in Nottingham during that time and it was fascinating listening to his story. Sadly, he died in June 2020 but some of him lives on in the character of Massimo.

I met him whilst walking along a mule track. He spoke to me in English after we had spoken in Italian and I was amazed. Then, out came his story, which I was honoured to listen to. Walking takes me past ruins of abandoned farmhouses and hamlets with more stories to uncover, such as the horrific accounts I learned about the massacre of thirty-three civilians in the village of Fragheto (pictured below).

My latest published book is set further down our mountain in the area around the handsome city of Sansepolcro. This is where vines, olives and also tobacco are grown. The Tuscan House is really a tall tobacco house and I based my pacifist hero and partisan heroine in this location.

Obviously, we do venture into other corners of Tuscany and cameos of these stunning locations make their way into my books at some stage. It would be hard not to include them.

Discover more and escape to Tuscany with Angela Petch’s wonderful Tuscan novels. 

Here is what people are saying about Angela’s latest release, A Tuscan House:

‘Exciting, romantic, irresistible… captured my interest from page one… loved… beautiful… suspenseful… I really enjoyed reading this story.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Grabbed me and pulled me right in… unforgettable… absolutely loved… addictive. I was captivated… you feel really caught up in the twists and turns.’ On the Shelf Books

‘A beautifully descriptive narrative… haunting story… will remain with you for a long time after you’ve finished reading. Highly recommend.’ Pink Quill Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreaking… beautifully written… My heart ached… kept readers on their toes!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gloriously intriguing… A tale that tugs at the heart strings… I have nothing but praise for this beautifully written tale.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Purchase links:The Tuscan House | A Tuscan Memory | The Tuscan Secret | The Tuscan Girl

And, while not based in Tuscany, don’t forget Angela’s wonderful charity novel, Mavis and Dot. All proceeds from this novel go to vital research into Cancer.

Thank you so much for the wonderful post, Angela. It is always a pleasure to have you on my blog. xx

About the author:

Published by Bookouture, Angela Petch is an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.

Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill which they let out. When not exploring their unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of a converted stable. In her Italian handbag or hiking rucksack she always makes sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.

The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of her family live. When Angela’s not helping out with grandchildren, she catches up with writer friends.

Angela’s gripping, WWII, Tuscan novels are published by Bookouture. While her novel, Mavis and Dot, was self-published and tells of the frolics and foibles of two best-friends who live by the seaside. Angela also writes short stories published in Prima and People’s Friend.

You can discover more about Angela Petch and her writing here: Facebook | Twitter | website | Amazon | Apricot Plots