Tag Archives: romcom

Exciting book news!

Writing & Reading, , , , , , ,

I am very excited to share the news that my new book, A Summer of Second Chances, is now available for preorder.

It is due for release on April 27th 2021 in ebook format, though I believe the paperback will be released at the same time, or soon after. I will update on Facebook and Twitter when I know more.

Here’s the gorgeous cover by Choc Lit’s cover designer, Berni Stevens. I am so pleased with it. I am a little bit in love with the chocolate Labrador, who is called Granger in the story, and I so want to move in to Dapplebury House.

 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?

Preorder available here: Amazon (other retailers following soon)

In case you are wondering why it is being released by Choc Lit and not their imprint Ruby Fiction (as the Lisa Blake series was) the answer is simply that this book fits the Choc Lit criteria of being written from both the female and male perspective. It was a lot of fun to write.

To find out more about the inspiration behind A Summer of Second Chances, take a look at my Pinterest board. When I start to write, I like to collect pictures for inspiration. Gathering them together helps me focus on the mood and connections within the story. Here are just a few of the pictures you will find. 

I hope you like the look of A Summer of Second Chances. This is always a nerve-wracking time waiting for early reviews to come in. Thank you to all those who have preordered already; your support is hugely appreciated.

In other book news, Maybe Baby is now available in ebook, audio and paperback. The eagle-eyed among you may spot the paperback in some stores on the high street as shops begin to open their doors on April 12th. 

And finally, please sign up for my newsletter, it would be great to have you on board:

Thank you for reading. xx

Feel Good Friday with Gina Hollands.

Author Interview, Guest Post, , , , , , , , , ,

Welcoming Gina Hollands, as she shares her top tip for wellbeing and an extract from her feel good Friday read, Little Village of Second Chances.

Hello Gina, I’ve been gathering lots of good advice from fellow authors and would love to hear your top tip to promote wellbeing?

Treat yourself! Do whatever makes you happy with the time and money you have to do it. For me, an absolutely blissful day would be a day off work, head into town, have a coffee (on my own!) and buy myself something nice to wear. A bonus would be to go out for dinner that evening so I can show off my new purchase!  I’m sure to feel fantastic after all that, especially if there’s a glass of wine and a big nosh up involved!

That sounds great, I think we are all missing doing those things at the moment.

I love the cover of your new book, and the fact it is about a second chance romance. Tell us a little more about it:

Little Village of Second Chances is a modern day romance set in a Yorkshire village. It’s about two people who really don’t want to fall in love with each other because they’re on opposing sides. Both these people, Sarah and Shay, have had very challenging things happen to them in their pasts, to the point they’ve almost given up on finding happiness again. Despite their past heartaches, Sarah and Shay enjoy plenty of light and (I hope!) funny moments, which I’d like to think create a heart-warming read.

My aim was to create an accessible and enjoyable romance with characters readers can relate to. Shay and Sarah try their best to be good people but, like all of us, they have their flaws, and they have to work these out if they hope to have a bright future together. Although they’re both fiercely independent , they find a strength in each other that helps them thrive.

Accessible, enjoyable and relatable, some of my favourite words when it comes to picking a  feel good read.

And just for a bit more of a tease, please share an extract:

‘How about we go down here?’ Shay nodded towards The Shambles, the quaint old street lined with overhanging timber-framed buildings, all leaning forwards slightly as if whispering into each other’s roof eaves. ‘I know a great little wine bar about halfway down.’

The Shambles was Sarah’s favourite street in York – where she often used to treat herself to the odd purchase after she’d been paid or at least a coffee in one of the quintessentially English cafés. Tonight, however, she didn’t think venturing down the ancient street was such a good idea.

‘Um.’ She looked down at her heels. ‘I’m not sure I’m wearing the appropriate footwear to navigate those pavements and cobbles.’

‘That’s easily solved.’ Without warning, he swept her up into his arms.

She let out a yelp and flung her arms around his neck, where his hair was starting to curl up at his jacket collar.

‘I’m far too heavy for this,’ she yelped.

‘Trust me,’ he said. ‘You’re as light as a feather compared to Mrs Grey.’

‘What?’

‘Never mind.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, you crazy man.’ She laughed, as he strode down the middle of the cobbled roads much to the amused glances of everyone they passed. She’d never seen him like this before – jolly and carefree. It was a version of him she liked. Very much. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, enjoying his warmth and the strength of him pressing against her. If only she could lose herself to the happiness of this moment. Instead, confusion whirled inside her. Since leaving hospital and moving in with Shay, he’d been distant – aloof with her even, but tonight something about him was different. Was it because she’d mentioned moving away? Was he in high spirits because he knew they wouldn’t have to dance around each other for much longer?

‘Here we go, my lady.’ He set her down outside a tiny, cosy-looking wine bar with fairy lights crisscrossed in its dark windows. The swirly silver writing on the door told her it was Romans. She’d never been inside before but had heard from her colleagues in the office it was the most romantic bar in the whole of the city.

Aw, that brought a smile to my face. Little Village of Second Chances was released on June 23rd and is available in ebook and audio: Amazon | Kobo | Audio

As writers are always thinking of their next project. What can we expect from you next?

I’ve just started my new novel, a romcom set in Worthing. I like to write characters who feel that they could be real and who are living through the mundanity of normal life when romance strikes! I write the books I’d like to read – humorous escapism but with a good healthy streak of real life. I’m hoping my new novel will be ready and published by 2021.

That sounds great. Good luck with it, as you know, Worthing is not far from where I live, too. 

Before you go, please indulge me by answering five quick fire questions inspired by my nosey nature:

Cinema or Netflix? Cinema! Preferably The Dome on Worthing’s seafront.
Sweet or savoury? Yes.
Tea or coffee? Yes again.
Starter or dessert? Triple yes.
Who would you give your last Rolo to? I’d eat it myself. In the bathroom. When nobody’s watching.

Ha, I think there was a theme to your answers there!

Very best of luck with Little Village of Second Chances and thank you so much for stopping by. xx

About the author:

Originally from Yorkshire, Gina Hollands now lives by the sea in West Sussex with her husband and son. When she’s not working in her job in marketing and PR, or writing her latest book, Gina can be found dancing everything from lindy hop to salsa, shopping (she loves clothes far too much for her own good), eating out (she hates cooking far too much for her own good), or relaxing, which generally involves reading a book someone else has written or indulging in her new hobby of learning to play the piano. She has a sneaky suspicion she may be a musical genius in the making, but isn’t about to give up the day job just yet.

Discover more about Gina and her work here: Twitter | Facebook | Blog

Don’t miss Angela Britnell sharing an extract from her latest novel, A Summer to Remember in Herring Bay, next week.

 

 

 

Feel Good Friday with Helen Bridgett.

Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , ,

 

It’s Feel Good Friday on my blog, and I am welcoming Helen Bridgett as she shares a wellbeing top tip and an extract from her new novel, Summer at Serenity Bay.

Welcome to my blog, Helen, please share your top tip to promote wellbeing:

Many of us spend a lot of time in front of computers and writing all day can cause so much back and shoulder ache. My top-tip is very simple – just get out and walk. Go for a walk in the fresh air every day for at least half an hour. As well as being good for the body, it will clear your mind. I often find that any niggles I’m having with my writing sort themselves out while I’m strolling along.

And apart from walking – laugh a lot! Find a TV show, read a romcom, go out with friends – anything that makes you smile. Who doesn’t feel better after a really good giggle?

I’m all for promoting a good giggle, especially inspired with by a romcom. With that in mind, tell us a little about your latest novel:

It’s the story of two friends who work together to create a rather unconventional Wellness Retreat in a village on the Northumberland coast. In order to promote the retreat the friends get involved in a reality show and as a result, a group of celebrities descend on the village bringing with them some fun and some scandal.

It sounds great, please share a ‘feel good’ extract:

They sat down on the sand looking out at the sea, saying nothing but listening to the hypnotic sound of the rolling waves over the sand. Chloe lay back and closed her eyes letting her entire being just drift, shortly afterwards she felt Roisin lying down beside her.

‘What are you thinking about now?’ asked Roisin.

Chloe considered the question but she hadn’t been thinking at all, she’d relaxed completely but an emotion had taken hold of her and was nudging the edges of her mouth upwards into a big smile. She pushed herself up onto her elbows and looked across at her friend,

‘I’ve got this feeling that anything could happen here, you’re going to make it Roisin.’

‘I feel that too,’ smiled her friend, ‘it’s a magical place.’

I love that extract and you inspired me to go in search of your blurb to find out more:

What happens when you send a group of celebrities to a tiny seaside village?

Advertising executive Chloe Walsh thought she was visiting her friend Roisin to get away from it all, but little does she know her kooky friend has a master plan to breathe some life into her sleepy seaside village through a new wellness retreat – and she needs Chloe’s skills.

So starts a community effort to put the retreat, Serenity Bay, on the map. Everyone from Andy at the Surf Shack to Tony at the chocolate shop is involved – even Roisin’s Gran has a few ideas!

But Chloe strikes gold almost too soon, attracting the attention of a major production company. Now a colourful group of celebrities are preparing to descend on Serenity Bay to film a reality TV show. Is the village ready for the fun and scandal that are bound to follow?

It sounds a great read, while I was on Amazon I preordered it! If others are tempted to do the same you can preorder Summer at Serenity Bay here: Amazon | Ruby Fiction And you won’t have long to wait as it’s due out on July 14th.

I know writers are always thinking about their next project, so what can we expect from you next?

In January Ruby Fiction will be publishing my second book which will be rather different. It’s a crime novel featuring an amateur sleuth – I’ll say no more for now!

Oh, goodness, very different. Best of luck with both novels.

Finally, before you go, please answer five quick fire questions for fun: 

Mountains or beach?  Ooh – hard one. I really do love both. A beach in front of mountains?

Sun or snow? Snow – especially when it’s freshly fallen.

Paperback, ebook or audio? I’m really getting into audio books at the moment.

Sweet or savoury? Savoury – crisps over sweets every time!

Dog or cat? Dog – I have a chocolate Labrador called Angus who ensures that I get out for that walk every day.

 Oh I have a big soft spot for chocolate Labradors!

Thank you for stopping by my blog and I look forward to reading Summer at Serenity Bay. xx

About the author:

Helen Bridgett lives in the North East of England. Outside of writing feel good fiction, Helen loves the great outdoors and having a good laugh with friends over a glass of wine. Helen lives with her husband and their chocolate Labrador, Angus; all three can often be found walking the Northumberland coastline that inspired Serenity Bay.

You can find out more about Helen and her work here: Twitter | Facebook

Don’t miss Vicki Beeby stopping by next week to chat about her latest novel, and another on my tbr list, The Ops Room Girls.

Stories that will make you smile: Lucy Keeling

Author Interview, Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , , ,

Today, I am welcoming, Choc Lit author, Lucy Keeling, as she shares an uplifting extract from her novel, Just Friends.

Hello Lucy, how are you keeping in this strange new world? Do you have a top tip to promote wellbeing?

Thank you for inviting me onto your blog Carol.

It’s very strange times, and I hope that you and yours and everyone reading is keeping as safe and as well as possible. I don’t know about you but I’m so thankful that we have books, now more than ever, to provide us with a little bit of escapism.

I’m still working, writing and trying to homeschool, and honestly finding the whole experience quite overwhelming at times. But I very quickly learnt that I needed to take the pressure off all of us as a family. Our priority is getting through the day as best we can. If that means I have an early night with a book and bar of chocolate then that’s fine. If it means that the children have a film on in the afternoon (like right now whilst I type this) then so be it. There’s no textbook for this, there’s no guidance on how we best mentally survive a pandemic, so really I just get through the day, anything else is icing on the cake.

That sounds like good advice to me!

Lucy was runner up in Choc Lit’s search for a star competition with her wonderful romantic comedy, Make It Up To You.

This was a book I greatly enjoyed, and as I haven’t shared it on my blog before, here’s my review:

This was a thoroughly modern rom-com with likeable characters. I especially liked the rather gorgeous, male lead, Marcus. I enjoyed spending time with the group of friends and finding out a little more about each of them (though not all is given away, as it is to come in future books). The central love story is sweet, believable and left me with a big smile.

Overall, it is a funny, warm and cosy read with tea and biscuits thrown in, what’s not to like?

As you can imagine from my review, when I heard I was going to get to revisit the characters from Make It Up To You in your new novel, Just Friends, I got more than a little excited about reading it. Can you tell us a little about the story?

Just Friends follows on from Make It Up To You, but believe me it can be read on its own. Just Friends has some of my favourite romantic tropes. There’s a fake relationship, a best friends sister thing, and not to mention a moment where there’s only one bed. Yikes. It follows a group of friends who are fiercely loyal to each other, and it’s how they navigate through their lives together.

Make It Up To You focussed on the relationship development of Sophie and Marcus. Just Friends focuses on Marcus’s sister Polly, and his best mate Bailey. Sophie and Marcus agree that Polly and Bailey should be their best man, and maid of honour, in the hope that it might bring them closer together. But of course it’s never that straight forward. So fans of the first one can enjoy seeing a little bit more of Sophie and Marcus, and fans of banter, cheekiness and endless flirting can enjoy Just Friends too.

That sounds great, I’d love it if you could share a sneak peek, with an uplifting extract?

Sophie and Marcus are moving in together and the friends are all ‘helping’ move their stuff into their new home.

‘You know what we should do?’ Bailey said, deliberately making his voice suggestive.

‘What?’ asked Polly cautiously.

‘We should get into the bed before it’s trashed and take a selfie to send to them later.’

‘Oh my God, that’s genius.’ With that agreement, Bailey quickly took off his shoes and gently got into the bed and watched as Polly did the same on the other side.

‘Oh man, this is one awesome bed.’ Polly stretched out at the same time she pulled the duvet up to her chin. Bailey grinned at her. He knew he shouldn’t but he couldn’t help but think of them in their own place, in their own bed. His heart warmed at the thought. Until Polly started wriggling around.

‘What’s the matter with you?’ Bailey asked.

Polly sighed. ‘I’m on the wrong side and I don’t like it. Hang on.’ Without warning, Bailey was suddenly transported into a place where his fantasies were quickly coming true. Polly had her hands on his shoulders and was swinging her leg over until she was on top of him. He had a moment of feeling her body heat on his chest before she swung the other leg back over.

‘Sorry about that. There we go, that’s better.’

Bailey blinked several times until he could gather the use of his body to move over to the side Polly had vacated. She was right this was better, but now he thought of a hundred ways it could be better still.

‘OK, it’s selfie time.’ Polly stretched her arm up but couldn’t quite get high enough to get the picture right.

‘Hang on, I’ll take it with mine.’ Bailey used his longer arms to try and aim the camera at them but as luck would have it they were too far apart, and before he could suggest it, she moved closer, the next thing he knew she had curled up next to him and moved his arm until it was behind her around her back, her head resting on his shoulder. Taking the picture a few times with them sticking their tongues out, laughing and pulling faces, he reluctantly pulled his arm down, but not before Polly twisted slightly, her body still leaning into his, close enough that he could smell the shampoo that she used, feel the heat of her against his side, feel her hair as it tickled his arm.

She grabbed his phone and looked at the picture. ‘Perfect.’ Polly grinned mischief making her shine. Turning round to look at him, their bodies warm under the duvet and surrounded by each other, Bailey was not able to move. He couldn’t, he wouldn’t, he didn’t want to ruin this tiny fragment in time that he doubted he would ever forget. Studying her eyes he was desperate for some kind of sign that she was interested, something that would tell him it wasn’t one-sided. But, more importantly, he was looking for a sign that he was worthy. Her brown eyes looked nearer gold, and Polly wasn’t looking away either. In fact, she was moving nearer, their faces getting closer, her breath on his cheek.

‘Helloooo. Bailey? Polly?’ Mya must have said something quietly to Paige as the pair of them burst out laughing. Polly jumped up fast enough to injure herself. So fast that he could almost believe the last few minutes had been another one of his intense dreams. He got out of bed and put his shoes back on.

‘We’re up here. We’ve nearly finished the bed. We’ll be down in a minute.’

Bailey watched stunned as Polly flawlessly carried on as if everything was normal, that she hadn’t been leaning forward to kiss him. Bailey shook his head, trying to re-group.

‘Here get going.’ Pulling the duvet completely off they covered the bed sheet with glitter and streamers and confetti and everything, the pair of them laughing quietly the worse they made it.

‘Right. That’s probably enough.’

Polly snorted. ‘It was enough three bags of confetti ago.’

Aww, that was fab! (I’ll confess that Lucy sent me two extracts of the novel to chose from and I loved them both.)

**Just Friends is available to preorder, here, and is released on May 26th.**

What can we expect from you next?

Well, I am now trying to write book three in this series. If you’ve read the first one then you will know that Mya’s occupation is a mystery, maybe by the end of Just Friends you will have an idea, but book three will be all about Mya and I can’t wait to get that written, and hopefully share it with you all in 2021.

Thank you so much for inviting me on your blog, Carol x

That all sounds very exciting, best of luck with it. Thank you so much, Lucy, for stopping by and I can’t wait to read Just Friends. xx

About the author:

Lucy Keeling writes fun, sexy, stories with all of the happily ever afters. When she’s not typing at the kitchen table, she’s arranging and then re-arranging to see her friends for the occasional spot of day drinking. Lucy is currently writing the third book in a Contemporary Romance series, the first of which was Runner-Up in ChocLit’s ‘Search for a Star’ competition. This story has become her romantic comedy debut ‘Make It Up To You’. The second book in the series ‘Just Friends’ is available to pre-order now.

Discover more about Lucy and her work, here: Facebook | Twitter | website

Don’t miss author Jan Brigden, sharing an extract from her novel, If I Ever Doubt You, on Friday 22nd May! xx

Stories that will make you smile: Caroline James

Author Interview, Book Review, Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , ,

Welcoming Caroline James as she shares an uplifting extract from her latest novel, Hattie Goes to Hollywood.

How are you keeping in this strange new world? Do you have a top tip to promote wellbeing?

I work from home, so in many ways nothing has changed on the work front other than not being able to undertake any public speaking events or host workshops, but I’ve really struggled not seeing my family and friends. We live quite rurally so are lucky that there is space around us and my daily exercise has been to go out on my bike. But this has been different. To experience the countryside with no cars, trains or planes and to hear nature in its pure form is wonderful. Exercise is a great source of wellbeing for me, as is baking and we’ve been having the odd treat with comfort foods such as cakes and scones (and my favourite tipple of raspberry gin). I think we all need a treat in these uncertain times as we find our individual route through this difficult journey.

Tell us a little about your latest novel:

My novel, Hattie Goes to Hollywood was published recently and it is the first in a new series of mysteries. The main character is retired hotelier, Hattie Mulberry who has inherited her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Holllywood in Cumbria. She envisages a quiet life but when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and her private sleuthing business is born. During the hottest summer in years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. There are plenty of shenanigans, mischief and even romance as temperatures and tempers rise and Hattie has her work cut out to discover the truth. The book is available in all formats including audible and has received some great reviews, which makes all the hard work of writing so rewarding and I hope that readers enjoy Hattie and her further escapades.

Could you share an uplifting extract?

Having been called away, Hattie returns to her run-down cottage to discover that her handyman has been busy…

Hattie parked in Lovers Lane and climbed out of her car. She left her luggage on the back seat but picked up her handbag and deposited various bits and pieces accumulated during her journey. A half-eaten sandwich and a glossy magazine joined the remains of a packet of sweets.

 She stood at the gate and looked at her cottage. After a three-week absence, everything looked the same. The front garden was neat, the lawn trimmed, and the last trailing fronds of wisteria hung heavily around the front door. But as she stepped onto the path, she peered curiously around the side of the cottage and, doing a double take, she stopped in mid-stride.

 Gone were the many piles of bricks and Alf’s debris and, as if by magic, a building had emerged. It adjoined the kitchen, overlooking the back garden.

 Hattie gasped. How on earth had they finished it so quickly?

 A neat little conservatory with a brick base, pretty windows and a roof made of attractively wrought iron and glass, stood proudly with views of the pond and fields beyond.

 She moved cautiously forward. There was no sign of Alf but there was every indication that while she’d been away, he’d worked tirelessly with his team. Hattie ran her fingers over the smooth sill of the conservatory and slowly guided herself to the entrance. The door was unlocked, and she turned the handle and gently pushed. The interior was bright and inviting and Hattie’s eyes were wide as she took in her new surroundings. A two-seater sofa lay along the furthest wall. Covered in cushions, it matched a colourful rug, that lay on polished stone flags. In the centre was a low circular table with a mosaic patterned top, was home to a collection of scented candles and various succulent plants, arranged attractively in a stone tray. A comfortable looking armchair was tucked beneath the window and Hattie crossed the tiled floor to sit down. Her fingers fumbled beneath the arms of the chair until she found a small control panel. As she pressed a button, her feet began to rise, and the back of the chair lowered.

Hattie sighed with pleasure and couldn’t contain the wide grin that spread across her face. It was heaven! She nestled a soft cushion into position behind her head and closed her eyes. After a few moments, she reached out to pull a cord on a window blind and watched as the view on the other side was magically revealed.

 Beyond the garden and fields, the setting sun hovered above the trees that surrounded the holly wood, the fading rays shimmied across the surface of the pond and, as the day began to diminish and darkness descended, the garden suddenly came to life. Hattie was enchanted as she watched hundreds of tiny twinkling lights dance along the boundary walls, their rays reflected on the inky pool. A movement on the water caught her eye and she leaned forward to see the shadowy shape of a duck creating tiny waves as it paddled along. Hattie watched Drake commandeer his pond and when she realised that a smaller figure was paddling in his wake, tears came to her eyes and she smiled.

 Her duck had company and, by the look of things, the hen was making herself at home.

Such a lovely moment in the book, for Hattie and Drake (who I loved). I think we could all do with a lovely conservatory like Hattie’s to relax in right now – do you think she’d send Alf round for me?

My review and links to buy:

Having read previous books by Caroline James, I was delighted to see that Hattie, a larger than life character of earlier novels, returns in this, the first of what promises to be an entertaining, cosy crime series.

Hattie is as wonderful and feisty as ever, as she moves to the Cumbrian village of Hollywood, where some suspicious deaths pique her curiosity. Being naturally nosy, she soon finds herself taking on the role of private investigator.

I love Hattie’s no-nonsense approach to life. She certainly says it how she sees it when it comes to dealing with those around her. Though, I did feel for her love interest and hope we see more of their relationship in future books. I also enjoyed her friendship and banter with Harry the Helmet, the local policeman.

The characters are all well-drawn, with individual personalities and their own secrets to come to light – some I loved and some I deplored for their actions (as is the author’s intention). I adored Drake, a duck that adopts Hattie and her home, soon after her arrival. For me, his presence even overshadowed the dog in this book, and that’s saying something coming from me!

While there are some references to previous stories, this can definitely be read as a standalone book, and I look forward to the rest of this new series.

Available in ebook, paperback and audio, click to buy, here. Also available nationwide from all good book shops.

What can we expect from you next?

I am currently finishing the follow up to my novel The Best Boomerville Hotel. The manuscript has been on my desk for some time and during Lockdown, I have had an urge to finish it. I have also got the outline ready for Hattie & the Heirloomwhich will be the next novel is the sleuthing series.

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

 Thanks so much for stopping by Caroline. My reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads. Don’t miss Jan Baynham up next on my blog, sharing an extract from her debut novel. xx