Category Archives: Writing & Reading

Meet Three Characters from Beneath an Irish Sky.

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Today, I am joined by the authors writing under the pseudonym Isabella Connor as they introduce three characters from Beneath an Irish Sky, the first novel in the Emerald Isle series.  

Welcome ladies, over to you…

We’d like to introduce the three main characters from our novel, Beneath an Irish Sky– though of course, the peripheral characters are pretty good too. Of course, everyone has his/her own visualisation of a fictional character but if anyone is interested in how we imagined them, take a look at our Pinterest page, here.

However, visual doesn’t cover personality…

The inspiration for Luke originated from the character Dallas, played by Joe McFadden in BBC’s Sex, Chips and Rock and Roll.  When we told Joe this he hoped there might be a part for him in the tv series…

LUKE KIERNAN:  20-year-old Luke is a spirited young man with a charismatic personality despite his tough upbringing.  Raised a Traveller in Ireland, he is   driven by passion and is a champion of lost causes.  Slow to trust, but once he does his love and loyalty will be intense and unwavering. Though not tall, standing around 5’7”, Luke has black hair with soft curls which just reach his collar, blue eyes and long dark lashes – despite his slight stature, he is likely to stand out in any crowd.  Braver than he probably should be, stubborn and impulsive, Luke will always support the underdog. Hates injustice and prejudice. Loves animals, possibly more than he does people.  Dreamed of playing professional football for Manchester United and Ireland. Has a good singing voice with vocal range from alto to counter-tenor. Enjoys reading, music, plays the guitar.  Luke is streetwise but also naïve.  Shy and inexperienced, he falls in love with Kate, the daughter of his father’s on/off girlfriend – and soon makes up for lost time.

JACK STEWART:  A warm heart beats beneath a tough outer exterior.  Jack is 6’1” tall, lean and muscular, with green eyes and light brown hair which is greying at the temples, and he  looks younger than his forty-six years.  Enjoys working out and walking, good food and wine.  Stubborn, with a tendency to being ostrich-like if he doesn’t want to face something. Became cynical and hardened by the death of his first wife and the disappearance of his second and hehas since lived without commitment or real love, not acknowledging his need for both. He initially refuses to believe that Luke is his son but feels an obligation because there is a chance that he is, and also he hopes that Luke can provide an answer to the question that has been unanswered for 20 years – why did his much-loved wife leave him.  In the past he has been easily influenced by his parents, especially his mother who considers herself English aristocracy, and who strongly disapproved of his marriage to Traveller Annie but when Jack falls for another Irish woman, he finally finds the strength to ditch the ostrich.

EMER SULLIVAN:  Emer, 35, is passionate about her job as a trauma counsellor in a Dublin hospital. Down-to-earth with a warm sense of humour, she has long red curly hair, freckles, and green-yellow eyes. She grew up in County Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland, where her father was the local doctor. She is loyal to family and friends, and has a close relationship with her sister, Maeve. Her profession has made her value honesty. Irregular work hours make a personal life tricky, and five years in a failed relationship has left Emer worried that she doesn’t have the emotional energy left to invest in another. She meets Jack Stewart when he arrives from England to identify the body of his estranged wife, but then has to deal with the shock of finding a 20-year-old son he had no knowledge of. Emer forms a bond with the vulnerable Luke, and then tries to help father and son connect with each other and work through the trauma of the past. As her relationship with Jack develops, though, she starts to feel trapped in the middle of their feud. She worries that saying yes to love will only expose her heart to more pain.

About Beneath an Irish Sky:

The past is never over …

Jack Stewart thought he’d put the past behind him. On the surface, he has everything – success, money, a big house and he is never short of an attractive woman by his side, but a tragic road accident shatters his world.

Raised as an Irish Traveller, Luke Kiernan hasn’t had it easy, and when he wakes in a Dublin hospital to find the man he’s hated since childhood at his bedside, he’s hungry for revenge.
Two very different worlds collide, bringing new dangers, exposing past deceits, and unearthing dark family secrets buried long ago. But from tragedy springs the promise of a fresh start with two women who are intent on helping Jack and Luke mend their lives.

Can new love heal old wounds, or are some scars there for good?

Purchase from Amazon.

Thank you for the great post and for sharing your characters with us, ladies. xx

About the authors:

Isabella Connor is the pseudonym for two internet buddies who have never physically met, and who live on different continents – one in North America, the other in Europe. Val O is a teacher, and Liv T an NHS worker. Beneath an Irish Sky is the first of a planned quartet of novels set in the same area, but stand-alone stories.

Discover more about Isabella Connor’s work here: Amazon | Twitter | Facebook

February, the month of love!

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With February being the month of love, I am delighted that Maybe Baby is currently included in the Choc Lit / Ruby Fiction 99p Valentine’s sale.

“A truly heart-warming story of love, romance and most importantly friendship,” Maybe Baby is the perfect read for a month that includes Galentine’s Day on 13th February and Valentine’s Day on 14th February.

Galentine’s Day is a time to celebrate your gal pals, that supportive network of friends and family who you know are there for you no matter what.

Whether virtual, real, or imagined in a novel – female friendships thrive where there is an element of support, appreciation and commitment. With many influential women in my life: my amazingly supportive late mum, three older sisters, three daughters and a granddaughter, as well as close female friends and colleagues, my writing frequently includes strong female relationships; Maybe Baby is no exception.

In writing the Lisa Blake novels (The Purrfect Pet Sitter and Maybe Baby), the story of Lisa and her first love, Nathan Baker, takes centre stage. However, the exploration of the reconnection between Lisa and her once-best friend Felicity plays an important part in the novels and was a joy to write.

The interaction between the two recently reunited friends reflects their past – the shared memories, the in-jokes, and the things only best friends would know about each other. Writing their characters and the moments they share was touching, as if I was privy to their lives and bond. I hope as people read the novel, they enjoy spending time in their company, as much as I did.

While we don’t see Lisa and Felicity celebrating Galentine’s in Maybe Baby, I am sure they would celebrate it in style. What we do see, however, is Lisa attempting to give her boyfriend, Nathan, a Valentine’s Day surprise he will never forget, but you’ll have to read the novel to find out if things go to plan.

No matter how you choose to spend the month of February, I hope it is in the company of those you love and a good book! xx

The blurb:

Just when you thought you had it all worked out …

Lisa Blake is back with her first love, she’s reunited with her best friend Felicity, and even her pet sitting skills are improving – everybody knows you can’t believe all you read in the local Gazette, don’t they?

Felicity is on the cusp of achieving her perfect wife-mum-life balance; Her husband, Pete, is being wonderfully attentive, and her four children are getting older and wiser (sometimes too much wiser) by the day.

But when Lisa walks in on a half-naked woman in her boyfriend’s flat and Felicity is left reeling from a shocking discovery, it seems life is nothing but full of surprises. Can love, laughter, and learning to compromise, help them achieve their dreams?

Maybe Baby is available in audio, ebook, paperback and in large print, buying links: Amazon | Kobo | Ruby Fiction 

Maybe Baby is the second book in the Lisa Blake series. While the story follows on from The Purrfect Pet Sitter (Lisa Blake book #1), it can also be read as a standalone novel.

Discover more here: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram |  

A New Feel Good Friday Read from Kirsty Ferry.

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It Started with a Wedding: An uplifting and fun romance for the new year from Kirsty Ferry.

I am always in awe of fellow Choc Lit author Kirsty Ferry as, as well as being a talented artist, she is also a prolific writer; And neither of these things are her day job! Her latest novel, the fifth in her Schubert series is released later this month (22/2/22 – what a memorable date). As she prepares for the launch, I thought I would share a little about her latest fabulous, feel good read.

The blurb:

It’s one thing to be asked to plan your sister’s wedding; it’s quite another when your sister is Nessa McCreadie …

Alfie McCreadie wants his twin sister Nessa to have the best wedding ever, but he’s not happy at being roped in as wedding planner – especially as, unbelievably, his main assistant seems to be Nessa’s cat, Schubert. Anyway, Alfie is a scientist. He might know his protons from his neutrons, but what does he know about weddings?

It’s Nessa who points him in the direction of Bea’s Garden, just outside Edinburgh, where he’s tasked with picking a “very-relevant-bouquet”. It’s there he meets Fae Brimham, who might be prettier than any bouquet bloom but doesn’t seem impressed by Alfie’s sensible, scientific side.

But when Nessa and Schubert are involved, surprises are bound to happen and, despite less-than-perfect first impressions, perhaps something new and beautiful can still blossom for Alfie and Fae …

This is Alfie’s story in the Schubert series. They can all be read as standalone stories.

Currently available for preorder, release date 22nd February 2022.

What folks are saying about It Started with a Wedding:

  • “Entertaining fun.”
  • Great for fans of magical powers, mythical spirits and the belief that cats are minds readers (of course they are)!”
  • “A quirky light-hearted romance.”
  • “I was very happy when this book was announced, and even more while reading it.”

Best of luck with the new book Kirsty. I hope it will be a huge hit. xx

About the author:

Kirsty Ferry is from the North East of England and lives there with her husband and son. She won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing competition in 2009 and has had articles and short stories published in various magazines. Her work also appears in several anthologies, incorporating such diverse themes as vampires, crime, angels and more.

Kirsty loves writing ghostly mysteries and interweaving fact and fiction. The research is almost as much fun as writing the book itself, and if she can add a wonderful setting and a dollop of history, that’s even better.

Her day job involves sharing a building with an eclectic collection of ghosts, which can often prove rather interesting.

You can follow Kirsty, and find out more about her work here: Facebook | Twitter | website | blog

Feel Good Friday with A Summer of Second Chances.

Feel Good Friday, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , ,

What a week! A Summer of Second Chances is out in the world, as an ebook, and early reviews are making me smile.


Publication day was a lot of fun, with support from my family and writing friends as well as my work colleagues. I was thoroughly spoilt and LOVED my book cover cake, gorgeous flowers and other (mostly edible) goodies!

It is always nerve-wracking waiting for reviews to begin to appear, but I can confirm, A Summer of Second Chances has ten lovely reviews, at the time of writing, on Amazon UK. Reading them has left me with a big smile. Here’s a little taster; you can check out more here: Amazon reviews.

I am so pleased that readers are enjoying my characters and the beautiful setting of Dapplebury – based on Arundel, for those who know or have visited the historic town in the South of England.

I have a blog tour coming up soon so no doubt I’ll be nervous again then too, as my book will be reviewed by thirty wonderful book bloggers via Rachel’s Random Resources. I’ll be sure to share what they have to say.

And if you have some how missed me shouting about A Summer of Second Chances this week, here’s the blurb:

Does first love deserve a second chance?
Ava Flynn sometimes feels like the clothes donated to her charity shop have seen more life than her, but ‘maximum dedication for a minimal wage’ is what it takes to keep her mother’s beloved wildlife charity, All Critters Great and Small, running – especially in the village of Dapplebury, where business is certainly not booming.

But when Ava’s first love, Henry Bramlington, returns to the village, suddenly life becomes a little too eventful. Henry escaped Dapplebury many years before, but now he has the power to make or break the village he left behind – All Critters Great and Small included. Can Ava trust the boy who ran away to give both her and her charity a second chance?

Publisher: Choc Lit
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Available as an ebook: Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | GooglePlay | Nook |
Coming soon in paperback and audio (sorry I don’t have exact dates for this yet, but await news from my publisher).

If you read A Summer of Second Chances, I would love to know what you think. Reviews, on the site from which you purchase the book, mean an awful lot to authors and help them and their work get noticed.

In other book news, the paperback of Maybe Baby is currently in The Works. It has been spotted and purchased from various stores, including Rustington, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Bournemouth and in Wales (sorry, I am not quite sure which town that was in). It is so lovely to hear from readers who have seen it on the high street. It is not currently on their website, but if it is not in your local store, they should be able to order it in for you.

Finally, don’t forget to join my newsletter for more book news, competitions, giveaways and more. Sign up before May 1st for a chance to win a copy of The Purrfect Pet Sitter. The first newsletter will be landing in inboxes this week!

#WritingWednesday with Carol Thomas: Character Juxtaposition.

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Character Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is a great way to highlight differences between characters. Used appropriately, it can also invite comparisons – these comparisons allow the author to explore their characters more fully. Similarly, the reader is lead to consider the opposing characters more deeply as they observe not only their actions within the novel but also their interactions.

While authors often like to bring juxtaposing leads together (opposites attract and all that), I like to explore female friendships within my novels and often have them as the opposing characters to see what they bring out in each other.

Crazy Over You

In my novel Crazy Over You, Abby Turner has been married for fifteen years when she discovers her husband has had an affair. In contrast to Abby, her best friend, Melissa, is engaged and soon to be married. The pair are at different stages of life and facing different points of change in their relationships. Writing the scene where Abby attends Melissa’s wedding enabled me to explore Abby’s feelings about love and marriage in light of all she has been through. It makes for an honest, thought-provoking and engaging read that challenges the reader to consider their own feelings on Abby’s situation.

The Lisa Blake Series

In the Lisa Blake series, The Purrfect Pet Sitter and Maybe Baby, Lisa has been in a difficult relationship. After suffering a loss, she returns to her hometown, reuniting with her once best friend, Felicity, who is married with four children. Her life is busy and hectic. Felicity and her husband have their own problems to solve while Lisa is embarking upon a new relationship while dealing with issues from the past. I loved exploring Lisa and Flicks’ developing relationship. The juxtaposition works, especially as their differences mean they complete each other in ways only true friends can.

A Summer of Second Chances

In my latest novel, A Summer of Second Chances, the heroine, Ava Flynn, is running a charity shop to support her mum’s beloved charity, All Critters Great and Small. In contrast, her best friend Mary is a wildlife officer who appears to have life sorted. In juxtaposing these characters, I explored their strengths and vulnerabilities. In the village of Dapplebury, despite popular belief, things aren’t always what they seem. I enjoyed exploring the motivations and emotions of these characters through their support for each other.

(A Summer of Second Chances is out on April 27th 2021 and is now available for preorder.)

In summary …

Exploring the interplay and interactions between juxtaposing characters helps the author and, importantly, the reader understand those characters on a deeper level. It allows the character to experience and comment on situations they might otherwise not encounter. Drafting out juxtaposing characters or situations is also a good writing exercise!

Join my newsletter before the 1st May 2021 to enter to win a signed paperback of The Purrfect Pet Sitter.