Patricia Osborne on connecting with her characters and writing a family saga.

Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , ,
Today, I am welcoming family saga writer Patricia M Osborne, to my blog, as she celebrates being the Chindi Authors’ Author of the Week.

In her post Patricia elaborates on writing a family saga and shares the bond she makes with her characters. Over to you, Patricia…

“Firstly, thank you to Carol for inviting me over to her blog during my ‘Chindi Author of the Week’ which happens to coincide with publication of my second novel, The Coal Miner’s Son.

“As a writer, I’m sure I’m not unique in falling in love with my characters. This is why I love writing a family saga series. It means I can stay with my characters for longer. However sometimes it is necessary to lose a character and bring in new ones.

“A family saga is about life and you can’t have life without uncertainties and losing people we love. That can be no exception in a family saga and sometimes a character needs to die. When this happens I grieve and you will find me sitting over my PC crying as I mourn for my lost character.

“On the other side of the coin I get to keep some characters and create an even stronger bond with them. In The Coal Miner’s Son, two new characters join the saga that aren’t in fact human but animals. One, Millie, who is a young jet-black horse, and the second, Tassles  a beautiful red setter. Tassles stays with me for longer as she’s featured in Book 3, ‘The Granville Legacy’ too.

“Creating a character takes a lot of thought and as writers we need all the help we can get. I find ‘Character Creation’ by Linda Anderson in Creative Writing, A Workbook of Reading, Edited by Linda Anderson a great asset, along with K M Welland’s Creating Character Arcs.

“My debut novel, House of Grace, is written in the first point of view of Grace Granville but in The Coal Miner’s Son, Grace has less of a voice and the narratorship is taken over by two narrators, nine-year-old George Gilmore, and his estranged Aunt Elizabeth, both telling their stories in first point of view. In Book 3, ‘The Granville Legacy’, Grace returns along with George, but George as a man.

“I love my characters and my characters become more than friends but family.”

About the Books:

Blurb for The Coal Miner’s Son

After tragedy hits the small coal mining village of Wintermore, nine-year-old miner’s son, George, is sent to Granville Hall to live with his titled grandparents.

Caught up in a web of treachery and deceit, George grows up believing his mother sold him. He’s determined to make her pay, but at what cost? Is he strong enough to rebel?

Will George ever learn to forgive?

Step back into the 60s and follow George as he struggles with bereavement, rejection and a kidnapping that changes his life forever. Resistance is George’s only hope.

Available via Amazon and all good bookstores: The Coal Miner’s Son

Blurb for House of Grace:

All sixteen-year-old Grace Granville has ever wanted is to become a successful dress designer. She dreams of owning her own fashion house and spends her spare time sketching outfits. Her father, Lord Granville, sees this as a frivolous activity and arranges suitors for a marriage of his choosing.

Grace is about to leave Greenemere, a boarding school in Brighton. Blissfully unaware of her father’s plans, she embarks on a new adventure. The quest includes a trip to Bolton’s Palais where she meets coal miner, Jack Gilmore. Grace’s life is never the same again.

Is Grace strong enough to defy Lord Granville’s wishes and find true love? Will she become a successful fashion designer? Where will she turn for help? House of Grace is the first book in the historical fiction family saga trilogy.

If you like Mr Selfridge and House of Eliott then you’ll love this riches to rags 1950s/60s saga. Delve into House of Grace and follow Grace Granville as she struggles with family conflict, poverty and tragedy.

Available via Amazon and all good book stores: House of Grace

About the author:

Patricia M Osborne is married with grown-up children and grandchildren. She was born in Liverpool but now lives in West Sussex. In 2019 she graduated with an MA in Creative Writing (University of Brighton).

Patricia writes novels, poetry and short fiction, and has been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. Her first poetry pamphlet ‘Taxus Baccata’ is to be published by Hedgehog Poetry Press during 2020.

She has a successful blog  where she features other writers and poets. When Patricia isn’t working on her own writing, she enjoys sharing her knowledge, acting as a mentor to fellow writers and as an online poetry tutor with Writers’ Bureau.

 The Coal Miner’s Son is the second book in the House of Grace trilogy.

Discover more about Patricia M Osborne and her work via: Twitter | Facebook | Patricia’s Pen

Thank you so much for sharing a little insight into writing sagas and your relationships with your characters, Patricia. I love Tassles!
Congratulations on the publication of The Coal Miner’s Son and enjoy the rest of your Author of the Week! xx

Great News From Caroline James!

Publication Day Push, , , , ,

There’s exciting news from Caroline James as she releases her latest novel, Hattie goes to Hollywood. And it sounds a great read …

The Blurb:

Fans of Agatha Raisin will love this new mystery series from best-selling author Caroline James.

A Cumbrian Village…
Three suicides…
A red-hot summer…

Join super-sleuth Hattie as tempers and temperatures rise in the Cumbrian village of Hollywood. With mischief and shenanigans aplenty, will Hattie discover the truth?

A funny and intriguing mystery – the first in a new series by Caroline James

When recently bereaved Hattie Mulberry inherits her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Hollywood in Cumbria, she envisages a quiet life. But retired hotelier Hattie is bored and when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and H&H Investigations is born. During the hottest summer for years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. Temperatures rise as she throws herself into village life and, with mischief and shenanigans aplenty, Hattie has her work cut out. But will she establish the truth?

Listen to Caroline talking about Hattie goes to Hollywood here:

http://youtu.be/tKo1I3XmyF0

Available in ebook, paperback and audio, out on February 14th 2020. Click to buy, here.

About the author:

Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that features in her novels. She is based in the UK but has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can. A public speaker, consultant and food writer, Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association and writes articles and short stories and contributes to many publications. In her spare time, Caroline can be found trekking up a mountain or relaxing with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.

Find out more about Caroline James and her novels here: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog

Once again, huge congratulations, Caroline, enjoy the publication day celebrations, and I can’t wait to read it. xx

 

Review of T.A. Williams’ novel, Dreaming of Verona!

Book Review, Publication Day Push, , , , , , , , ,

As a lover of T.A. Williams’ books, I am delighted to wish him a very happy publication day and to share my review of his latest novel, Dreaming of Verona.

The blurb:

Verona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?

When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past
holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of
star-crossed lovers… or is there?

A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Canelo

My review:

I am a fan of T. A. Williams’ books, I have never been to Verona – but I LOVE Romeo and Juliet, and, of course, I have a soft spot for Labradors (I’ve yet to read a book by the author that doesn’t feature one), and so this was a must-read for me.

The characters were likeable, each with their own issues and development through the story. The setting was sumptuous. Verona is definitely on my ‘to visit’ list. The story led me on a gentle journey that I was more than happy to relax and enjoy. And there really was lots to enjoy as the pages slipped by – female friendship, self-discovery, love, loss treated with a gentle understanding, a range of interesting male leads, and more than one budding relationship.

And, as for the Labrador, I was not disappointed. Dogberry was a delight! I need to break it to my husband that I need another Labrador so I can steal the name.

Overall, it was a lovely, gentle, enjoyable read, that led me off on to an adventure in the beautiful city of Verona!

Buy the book Amazon.UK | Amazon.com

About the author:

T.A. Williams says, “I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.

“The fact that I am now writing romantic comedy is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations and, as a writer, I obviously have to go there in person and check them out first. I love my job…”

Discover more about T.A. Williams and his work here: Twitter | Website | Facebook

Thank you, T.A. Williams, for another great read – including a Labrador! Thank you, also to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources, and Canelo for the advance copy of Dreaming of Verona.

My reviews are posted on Amazon UK and Goodreads. xx

Review of Rachael Stewart’s latest novel, Getting Dirty!

Book Review, Publication Day Push, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today, I am delighted to join the publication day fun and share my review for Rachael Stewart’s Getting Dirty!

The Blurb:

Sometimes digging up the dirt

Means getting deliciously dirty…

I always work for the good guys. My job was simple: get the dirt on Coco Lauren, a princess of a socialite who talks—and plays—dirty. But I kissed her. I tasted her. Uncovered the tantalising woman beneath the polished façade. And she undid me in every way. Now I’m the bad guy. But how do I tell Coco the truth…when coming clean means losing her?

Genre: Erotic Romance
Published by: Mills & Boon Dare

My review:

Rachael Stewart delights with this entertaining, racy read. Not only are the intimate moments between Coco and Ash well portrayed, but there is a genuine attraction and warmth between them too. You want their relationship to work on more than the physical level, and through the time they share, you gain an understanding of how much they need each other.

The plot was interesting and enjoyable, and while I knew there was going to be a happy ending, I couldn’t help but wonder how it would play out.

The supporting characters were great, adding to and increasing our knowledge of the leads. And I have to mention the trip to the Highlands… I loved Ash’s relationship with his dad, and seeing him in this whole new setting – sigh!

Overall, this was a fabulous, sexy read, with a good pace, likeable characters and a story that holds you throughout. As always with a Rachael Stewart read, I look forward to the next.

Click to buy the book: Amazon

Giveaway to Win an e-copy of Getting Dirty by Rachael Stewart (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

ENTER HERE

About the author:

Rachael Stewart adores conjuring up stories for the readers of Harlequin Mills & Boon and Deep Desires Press, with tales varying from the heart-warmingly romantic to the wildly erotic.

Despite a degree in Business Studies and spending many years in the corporate world, the desire to become an author never waned and it’s now her full-time pleasure, a dream come true.

A Welsh lass at heart, she now lives in Yorkshire with her husband and three children, and if she’s not glued to her laptop, she’s wrapped up in them or enjoying the great outdoors seeking out inspiration.

Discover more about Rachael Stewart via her website | Twitter | Facebook

Many thanks to Rachael Stewart for the great read, and thanks to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for enabling me to be part of the publication day push.

My reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads. x

Review of Rosie Green’s A Winter Wedding at the Little Duck Pond Cafe!

Blog Tour, Blog Tour Review, , , , , , , , ,

Celebrating the release of Rosie Green’s A Winter Wedding at the Little Duck Pond Cafe, I am delighted to share my review…

The blurb:

With Zak and Ellie’s wedding day approaching, there’s high excitement in the pretty village of Sunnybrook, especially among the Little Duck Pond Café crew. Ellie is over the moon with her romantic surprise wedding gift from Zak, and Madison is promising to organise a hen party to remember. Everyone has high hopes for a magical Christmas Eve wedding celebration at gorgeous Brambleberry Manor. (Even Maisie-Moo has a sparkling new outfit.)

But sometimes, even the best-laid plans can go wrong. And with the journey to the altar turning out to be rockier than expected, it’s going to take nothing short of a Christmas miracle to ensure a happy ending …

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy / novella

My review:

This was a lovely catch up with the inhabitants of Sunny Brook and all at the Little Duck Pond cafe. The story was told from the perspectives of Ellie, Jaz and Fen, key characters from previous books, and it was great to get their insight into the forthcoming event, as well as to see how their own relationships had developed. Fen remains one of my favourite characters.

After the lead up to this story, I would have liked a little bit more about the actual wedding itself, and to have shared in more of the warmth of Zak and Ellie’s relationship. I really like them as a couple and just felt, for me, the lovely Zak was a bit absent, when he should have been one of the stars of the show. (Can you tell I’ve got a soft spot for him?)

Overall, it’s a fab series, with characters who will become your friends, and a setting you will want to move into.

Buy the book Amazon.UK | Amazon.com

Check out the entire Little Duck Pond series here.

About the author:

Rosie Green has been scribbling stories ever since she was little. Back then they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ‘the baddies’. Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all, unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.

You can find Rosie on Twitter.

Follow the tour here:

Thank you, Rosie, for another great read! Thank you, also to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for the advance copy of A Winter Wedding at the Little Duck Pond Cafe, and for having me along as part of the blog tour.

My reviews are posted on Amazon UK and Goodreads. xx