Tag Archives: Build a Man

Jera’s Jamboree: Guest Author Talli Roland

I’m a huge fan of Talli Roland’s and am delighted to welcome her to Jera’s Jamboree today.

Photo courtesy of author

 

Talli Roland writes fun, romantic fiction. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine). Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories–complete with happy endings. Talli’s debut novel The Hating Game was short-listed for Best Romantic Read at the UK’s Festival of Romance, while her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as an Amazon Customer Favourite. Her novels have also been chosen as top books of the year by industry review websites and have been bestsellers in Britain and the United States. Construct A Couple is her latest release.

 

Want to be a Novelist? A Recommended Diet

 

Writing from home each day, most of the excitement in my life revolves around food. Now, we all know the benefits of cupcakes and chocolate – how they can lift us from the doldrums when things may not be going so swimmingly with our writing efforts.

But what about all those other mood swings we writers experience? What should we munch on then?

I’ve developed a handy-dandy guide to help with just that question.

Stuck on a plot point. If your creative juices aren’t flowing, why not encourage a little saliva? I’d suggest munching on something sour; perhaps some of those super-mouth-pursing penny candies from the corner shop. Or, why not try sucking a lemon?

Bored with the book. No matter how excited we may be when we begin a new project, it’s inevitable that at some stage, boredom will set in. At this point, I’d recommend a bracing bite of a durian. It tastes like feet and I can guarantee you’ll feel alert after eating it!

Restless and anxious. Sometimes, reading over one’s own writing and the thought of showing it to others can be vom-inducing. I’d recommend a lovely cup of chamomile tea, paired with a digestive biscuit. Ahhhh…

When that character just won’t behave! Don’t kill them off with abandon. Instead, I recommend cooking up a piece o’ meat then stabbing it over and over to release frustration. (Note: I haven’t actually done this – yet).

The elusive ‘this novel rocks’ moment. Grab whatever food is handy and stuff your face fast, ‘coz I can guarantee that moment probably won’t last!

Happy eating! Oh yes… and writing.

 

To learn more about Talli, go to www.talliroland.com or follow Talli on Twitter: @talliroland. Talli blogs at talliroland.blogspot.com.

 

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 417 KB
Print Length: 308 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1475081960
Publisher: Notting Hill Press (5 Nov 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Language: English
ASIN: B00642BCX2

Slave to the rich and the rude, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she’s a high-flying tabloid reporter. When she meets Jeremy Ritchie — the hang-dog man determined to be Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between — Serenity knows she’s got a story no editor could resist.

With London’s biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy’s progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success. But when Jeremy’s surgery goes drastically wrong and she’s ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, Serenity must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.

Available to purchase on Kindle from Amazon.

The next book in the series, Construct A Couple, is now available.

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 329 KB
Print Length: 176 pages
Publisher: Notting Hill Press (8 Jun 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Language: English
ASIN: B008A6V1CW

Is any relationship strong enough to survive a string of secrets?

With a great job at a reputable magazine and a man who’s the perfect match, Serenity Holland thinks she’s laid the foundation for an ideal London life. When a routine assignment uncovers a shocking secret threatening her boyfriend’s company, Serenity decides to leave nothing to chance, taking matters into her own hands. Soon, though, she realises keeping secrets isn’t as easy as she thought . . . and the consequences are far worse than she ever imagined.


Available to purchase on Kindle from Amazon.

 

Secret Squirrel shares …

 

Secret Squirrel made a quick get away today after learning some news that she thought her readers would be interested in …

Author Talli Roland is offering her latest novel, Build A Man, absolutely FREE.  Yes that’s right, from today (Thursday) through to the end of Saturday, you can download Build A Man from Amazon and it will cost you nothing!  See links below for downloading a copy for yourself.  Talli’s goal is to reach as many readers as possible.  So spread the word!

 

 

You can read the blurb and my review here.  I said “Build A Man was a read that hooked me in and in all honesty, I’m looking forward to reading the sequel Construct a Couple.  I can’t wait to see how Serenity’s relationship with her boyfriend works out and if the tension in Build A Man is anything to go by …”

To visit Amazon UK to download your copy click here.

To visit Amazon US to download your copy click here.

 

 

 

 

 

Secret Squirrel is avidly reading Talli’s tweets to see her progress of Construct A Couple - the time is getting nearer … Secret Squirrel can reveal the cover which is gorgeous – what do you think?

With a job at the city’s most respected magazine and a man who’s the perfect match, Serenity Holland thinks she’s laid the foundation for an ideal London life. When a routine assignment uncovers a shocking secret threatening her boyfriend’s livelihood, Serenity decides to leave nothing to chance, taking matters into her own hands. Soon, though, she realises keeping secrets isn’t as easy as she thought . . . and the consequences are far worse than she ever imagined.

Secret Squirrel signing off until next time …

 

 

Book review: Build a Man by Talli Roland

Synopsis from Amazon:

Slave to the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she’s a high-flying tabloid reporter. Unfortunately, every pitch she sends out disappears like her clients’ liposuctioned fat, never to be seen again. Then she meets Jeremy Ritchie — the hang-dog man determined to be Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between — giving Serenity a story no editor could resist. 


With London’s biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy’s progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success, even going undercover to gain intimate access to Jeremy’s life. But when Jeremy’s surgery goes drastically wrong and Serenity is ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, she must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We meet Serenity in Talli Roland’s Build a Man while she is behind the receptionist desk at Transforma Harley Street clinic.  It’s very obvious to the reader how she feels about the clients and her over-riding ambition to make it big in the tabloid scene.

Boss and partner Peter is a man ruled by routine.  Everything is meticulously correct and he is pedantic to the extreme.  Initially, Serenity is drawn to him though because of this.  We always partner with someone who we think has that vital ingredient lacking in ourselves J and this is the case for Serenity.

Things get more exciting for Serenity when Jeremy Ritchie walks into the clinic for his total makeover.  Seeing her chance to promote something so unusual (a MALE having cosmetic surgery and not just one change but several planned) she jumps at the chance and with The Daily Planet on board, the website Beauty Bits is born.

During the undercover assignations, the intimacy between Serenity and Jeremy builds, after all, you have to get to know the person you are studying …

I wasn’t prepared for how drastically wrong the surgery goes for Jeremy.  For me, this turned a light read into something much deeper – I couldn’t click the button fast enough on my Kindle at the end of each page.  The tension builds all the time and when you think there’s going to be resolution … there isn’t.

Alongside the main plot is best friend Kirsty’s life and what is happening with her.  I loved the way the roles in their friendship changed and we saw the vulnerable side of Kirsty and the support of Serenity.

The characters in Build A Man have depth and are therefore believable.  We’ve all met people who have the characteristics of the male leads and also can identify with Serenity and Kirsty.  The antagonism from intern Mia is also believable.

I think the way the author deals with the controversial topic of cosmetic surgery is very well crafted.  The humour/derision and the way Serenity’s skill is ultimately used positively will satisfy the most anti views of readers.

Build A Man was a read that hooked me in and in all honesty, I’m looking forward to reading the sequel Construct a Couple.  I can’t wait to see how Serenity’s relationship with her boyfriend works out and if the tension in Build A Man is anything to go by …

I am giving Build A Man the following rating:

I would like to thank the author for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more about Beauty Bits by visiting the blog.

You can find out more about Talli Roland on her website, follow her on Twitter, or stop by and check out her blog.

Secret Squirrel’s whiskers …

Secret Squirrel’s whiskers have been twitching round the neighbourhood of author Talli Rolland and the waiting and watching has paid dividends.  Secret Squirrel found out not one but TWO interesting snippets to share with readers.


Talli’s new release, Build a Man, will be available on Kindle next week … that’s ahead of the official launch on 7th December!

Slave to the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she’s a high-flying tabloid reporter. Unfortunately, every pitch she sends out disappears like her clients’ liposuctioned fat, never to be seen again. Then she meets Jeremy Ritchie — the hang-dog man determined to be Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between — giving Serenity a story no editor could resist.  

With London’s biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy’s progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success, even going undercover to gain intimate access to Jeremy’s life. But when Jeremy’s surgery goes drastically wrong and Serenity is ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, she must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.





ALSO, Secret Squirrel can tell you that there is a SEQUEL to Build a Man …

Construct a Couple 
which is due out Spring 2012


Shhhh … Talli shared the blurb with Secret Squirrel:

With a great new job at a reputable magazine and a man who’s the perfect match, Serenity Holland thinks she’s laid the foundation for an ideal London life. When a routine fact-checking assignment uncovers shocking corruption threatening her boyfriend’s struggling construction company, Serenity decides to take matters into her own hands – coming up with a plan to set the world to rights, not to mention saving her boyfriend’s business and furthering her own career. Soon, though, Serenity realises her scheme might make her a star reporter, but it could also destroy everything else she’s worked so hard to build.

Something to ponder on, Secret Squirrel could be in your neck of the woods soon … in camouflage …