Tag Archives: Linn B Halton

Jera’s Jamboree : Stationery Love with Linn B Halton

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My guest today on STATIONERY LOVE is Linn B Halton.

WELCOME!

linnbhalton1Stationery? Just say Bond, Basildon Bond! I’m a girl who always loved stationery and as a child had lots of little notebooks into which I constantly scribbled.

Seriously, I love the watermark and the feel of the sheets. Even the envelopes are lovely to hold in your hand. But how often do I write a letter these days? Seldom, I’m afraid.

When I think stationery nowadays it’s A4 copying paper for the printer or leaflets, card and bookmarks promoting my books. I still find that quite exciting though – I love the shiny, silky finishes!

linnbhalton2The one item I couldn’t live without is my journal. A friend gave it to me as a present and I transferred all my ideas for future novels into it. Up to that point I had scraps of paper in a shoe box – it was a very posh shoe box I hasten to add! It came lovingly wrapped around a very expensive pair of evening shoes. The fact that over twenty-years’ worth of ideas are all neatly written into this beautiful, silk covered and beaded book, means so much to me. So it’s not that I’ve lost my love for beautiful stationery, only that there’s less opportunity to use it.

These days I tend to send fewer cards, but as you can see I love handmade cards, even if I didn’t make them myself! Here are some I have ready to send:
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But most cards I send tend to be what used to be called ‘notelets’ (I have some pretty lemon coloured ones) or Christmas cards with money in them! I tend not to send many Christmas cards now and donate to charity instead.

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The electronic age has made snail mail too slow. We expect everything to happen instantly – so who can wait for the post? And as for scribbling in precious little notebooks? Well, I now have spreadsheets and word docs I’m afraid. But my writing ‘journal’ will always be one of my favourite possessions. It reminds me being a child and dreaming that someday I’d write books. I often give stationery as presents to young children. I also keep these little treats in a drawer and when young visitors pop in I pull out a pack of coloured pens and a little notebook… it ALWAYS gets me a huge smile!

Thank you for taking part today Linn.  I love it that you give stationery as presents to young children.  I’ve carried the tradition down to my own boys of the joy in owning their own stationery (although they also use technology today rather than pen and paper).  What do blog readers think?

Linn B Halton lives in the UK, in the small Gloucestershire village of Arlingham, on the banks of the River Severn with her adorable husband and cat with attitude – Mr. Tiggs! She writes romantic fiction with a psychic or astrological theme and many of the paranormal events that feature in her books are real life experiences.

Linn is also a featured new Author on http://loveahappyending.com/ and Editor of the feature Author & Associate Catch-Ups and Publisher Interviews/News on the website’s magazine-style blog.

Linn writes mainly contemporary women’s romance, often with a psychic or astrological theme – life, love and beyond … but it’s ALWAYS about the romance…

Linn is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Website
Aloveahappyending.com author

RNA page
Signed by: http://sapphirestarpublishing.com/
Twitter: @LinnBHalton Facebook:Linn B Halton

Today Linn is launching Never Alone.  Congratulations!

NeverAlonecover

Life is all about the choices we make…

Holly is the envy of all her friends; she has lived with the gorgeous Will for five years. She supported him whilst his IT company grew and a life split between homes in the UK and Los Angeles beckons, offering them a glamorous and exciting lifestyle.

A series of terrifying encounters unleashes an inherited psychic sensitivity within Holly and she begins to wonder whether the path she’s on is the one she’s destined to take. The thought of hurting the people she loves the most causes her to bury her emotions, until fate takes a hand. Suddenly her perfect life begins to unravel…

“It’s a gift to be shown something that allows you to make a difference and alter the outcome of someone else’s life. However, the weight of the responsibility that goes along with that is huge and what about the ethics? The thing I have to ask myself is how did my actions change the future?” Holly Elizabeth Atherton

To find out more about the launch please visit:

Loveahappyending

Fiction Addiction Book Tours

Jera’s Jamboree : Guest Author Linn B Halton

Hitting the ground running in 2013! When life is stranger than fiction…

Well, I always start off a new year with a list of objectives and goals. The list for 2012 was impossible, but hey, I managed to tick off everything, with one exception. That was to release the last of the five manuscripts I penned when I gave up my career to write, in March 2009. However, there was a good reason for that and Never Alone is being released on 16 January 2013!

The reason for the delay was quite simply because I ended up releasing an ebook of my debut novel, Touched By The Light, and that wasn’t on my original list! But it was something I had wanted to do since it was published in hardback only in February 2011. Because of the price (£16.99) it made it virtually ‘invisible’ to most readers and it wasn’t until my contract ended that I was able to get it out there at an affordable price as an ebook.

I’m a great believer in fate though and I truly believe the delay was for a good reason. As a new author I had to hit the ground running and getting five books out there in less than two years is a tough target. Even with the amazing Sapphire Star Publishing contracting two of my books – The Quintessential Gemini and The Restaurant @ The Mill, it’s been a huge learning curve. However, I enjoy the mix of being both traditionally published and self-pubbed at the same time.

Self-publishing is hard work. You do everything yourself. In October 2012 I had just finished setting up a cover reveal tour amongst author and book reviewer friends, for Never Alone. It’s very time-consuming and the next task was to plan the launch – then Fiction Addiction Book Tours burst onto the scene! Run by my great friend and wonderful reviewer, Sharon Goodwin, it was the answer to a prayer. I run three websites as well as having a writing career and it’s been crazy busy ever since I sat down and wrote that first word! I was thrilled to be able to ‘hand over’ arranging the launch Book Tour to Shaz whilst I coped with getting the final edits done to release the advance review copies. The result – A Fiction Addiction Virtual Blog Tour commencing 16 January 2013!

Never Alone is a romance story with a twist. Read on to find out what it’s all about. But first I’d like to share a little ‘secret’ with you! The fun thing about being an author is that you can be self-indulgent when you write. I often find it difficult to ‘let go’ of side characters. They have a part to play in a story that doesn’t centre around them, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting! In this story we meet a young woman named Holly and her parents naturally have a small part to play. Isobel and David are caring parents, doting on their daughter, but I also felt they too had a story to tell. So in one of my other novels, The Restaurant @ The Mill (published by Sapphire Star Publishing) theirs is one of the six stories based around a rather special place to dine! It turns out they did have a love story all of their own…

Now let me tell you a little bit about Never Alone:

Holly Atherton has a seemingly perfect life, until suddenly it all beings to unravel. She has spent her life living up to other people’s expectations of her, trying to please them.

She has it all – the affluent family who dote on her, a job she loves in her father’s business, and the perfect boyfriend. Will is a successful entrepreneur and they are about to start enjoying a lifestyle many can only dream about. His latest business deal will see them with homes in the UK and Los Angeles.

But what if you wake up one morning and find yourself wondering whether the path you are on is the one you are supposed to be taking? Is she too caught up in pleasing her parents and Will to take her future into her own hands?

When Holly’s psychic sensitivity begins to surface she doesn’t know how to handle it. Vivid dreams seem too real to ignore and she finds herself ‘talking’ to Nick, the recently deceased brother of her best friend, Celia.

Just having someone to whom she can offload what she’s feeling helps and she feels happier moving forward with Will into their exciting new future and all seems well… but, of course, life is never that simple…

Thank you so much for being a fabulous host Shaz – Fiction Addiction Book Tours has hit the ground running – and I’m thrilled to be one of your first customers! Wishing you all the success in the world.

(Thank you Linn! Fiction Addiction Book Tours is looking forward to supporting the magical journey of your words around the world)

To find out more about author Linn B Halton:

Website
A loveahappyending.com author
Signed by:http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/linnbhalton
Twitter: @LinnBHalton
Facebook: Linn B Halton
Romantic Novelists’ Association page

Amazon.co.uk (buy)
Amazon.com (buy)

Jera’s Jamboree : Cover Reveal ~ Never Alone ~ Linn B Halton

I’m doing a fab splash around some wonderful blogs and websites to celebrate a brand new shiny cover, hot off the press. This story is full of heart and a young woman, Holly Atherton, who doesn’t want to say ‘yes’ to having that wedding ring placed on her finger. Even though Will is the love of her life and absolutely gorgeous!

Never Alone is being released in January 2013 and it’s a story of true love, but as we all know the path is never easy. Keep reading to find out how you can win an advance copy to be sent out in December 2012.

Before I tell you all about Holly’s story I wanted to ask my host, fabulous book reviewer (who also runs the amazing Fiction Addiction Book Tours) Shaz Goodwin, what top tip she has for keeping a partner happy. Of course, I couldn’t ask that question if I wasn’t prepared to spill the beans myself….

Set aside ‘together’ time, whether that’s an evening out or a short-break away, as long as it’s romantic! Think of it as a date, or if you are going away together re-kindling your ‘affair’. Don’t let life get in the way!

So Shaz, what’s your little secret?

Give him all the space he needs and respect who he is, so that he can be himself around you. Don’t try to change him. Don’t stifle him.

Shaz that’s probably one of the biggest mistakes people make – thinking they can change someone quite dramatically, rather than facing up to the fact that they just aren’t right for each other! Even if you are compatible, everyone needs some space! Fab tip, thank you.

So what’s going wrong with Holly’s relationship in Never Alone?

Holly Atherton has a seemingly perfect life, until suddenly it all beings to unravel. She has spent her life living up to other people’s expectations of her, trying to please them.

She has it all – the affluent family who dote on her, a job she loves in her father’s business, and the perfect boyfriend. Will is a successful entrepreneur and they are about to start enjoying a lifestyle many can only dream about. His latest business deal will see them with homes in the UK and Los Angeles.

But what if you wake up one morning and find yourself wondering whether the path you are on is the one you are supposed to be taking? Is she too caught up in pleasing her parents and Will to take her future into her own hands?

When Holly’s psychic sensitivity begins to surface she doesn’t know how to handle it. Vivid dreams seem too real to ignore and she finds herself ‘talking’ to Nick, the recently deceased brother of her best friend, Celia.

Just having someone to whom she can offload what she’s feeling helps and she feels happier moving forward with Will into their exciting new future and all seems well… the rest is coming soon!

TAKE PART – Thank you for helping me to celebrate this cover reveal. Simply leave your TOP TIP for keeping your man happy and 6 names will be randomly selected from the blogs taking part to receive an advance ecopy of Never Alone in December 2012.

Festive wishes to everyone! Linn

To find out more about author Linn B Halton:

Website
A loveahappyending.com author
Signed by:http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/linnbhalton
Twitter: @LinnBHalton
Facebook: Linn B Halton
Romantic Novelists’ Association page

Amazon.co.uk (buy)
Amazon.com (buy)

Jera’s Jamboree review: The Quintessential Gemini by Linn B Halton

The Quintessential Gemini by Linn B Halton

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 391 KB

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing  (5 Jun 2012)

Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.

Language English

ASIN: B0089E3YS4

For twenty-one years, the focus of Katherine Dale’s life has been her work. Love interests and hobbies came and went, but what has always been there for her was her nine to five habit. Until she’s replaced. With her confidence dented, Katherine is angry at life and at herself. 

She’s ignored hints of “changes to come” in her horoscope forecasts, written by the wonderful and renowned astrologer, Mark Ainsley-Thomas. 

Mark is now an “A” list celebrity in the UK and his new Agent is determined to raise his profile in America, so he has to take on the new, but talented, astrologer James Kingman to help him run his web-site.

Katherine lives her life according to her daily horoscope. When Katherine finds James has been writing her daily horoscopes rather than Mark, Katherine’s life explodes in confusion and, unexpectedly, love as the three lives become inextricably tangled. 

Now Katherine has to learn that the stars might be telling her that love is going to feature in her life, but when Katherine finds herself implicated in the headlines ‘Mystic Love Triangle Surprise’ she’s just as surprised as everyone else! None of the men in her life are love interests – so what exactly does fate have in store?

We first meet Katherine as she’s laying under her kitchen table after an accident.  The reader gets a glimpse into Kat’s personality … and shows us she’s a woman who likes to be organised!  It’s the first day of her new life.  The reader is introduced to how she feels about astrology as a support in her life – and then we’re seamlessly led on to astrologer Mark Ainsley-Thomas and how his life is changing into that of a celebrity (after new agent Harriet has taken over).  The resultant interviews and book signings means he needs someone to join his team – enter James!

What follows is an entertaining glimpse into our three main characters lives.  Kat as she finds herself in the limelight as Camsworth’s spokesperson for the village’s Writers Circle … and the international spotlight; Mark whose speech at the Town Hall sparks the media into hot pursuit; James who is on his own journey of healing emotional childhood wounds and needing to believe in himself.

Narrated in the first person from each of our main character’s perspectives, this allows the reader to identify with who they are and where they are in life.  This could have been confusing but not only does each character have their own chapters, each character’s ‘voice’ is so different – so if you put the book down mid-chapter there is no problem in remembering who you are with.  Each chapter has it’s own sub-title which gives us a teaser as to what could be coming …

The writing style is well-paced and easy to read.  I thought the sub-plots weaving through the story added depth.  The breast clinic scene is portrayed so well – the atmosphere is palpable.  James’ relationship with his elderly neighbour Jake is heart-touching and I just loved that on the first Tuesday of every school holiday is ‘Girls Day’ for Kat, her sister Cassie and her two children.

Astrologically themed, there is factual information as well as the forecasts that Kat shares with us.  If you have no interest in Astrology, don’t let that put you off … the astrology is the foundation for a contemporary romance that encompasses village life and some brilliant characters.  Although Kat has been ‘knocked’ from her redundancy it is James who we see growing as a character.  I always enjoy seeing a character develop … and it’s a refreshing change for it to be a male lead :)

The ending? A triple celebration … which leaves you with that feel-good factor.

Buy it and spread the word

If you’re looking for a book to escape from reality for a few hours then The Quintessential Gemini will fulfil that.  At the time of my review retailing on Amazon in Kindle format for £2.68, you’ll get a lot of story for a small cost!

I would like to thank the publishers, Sapphire Star Publishing, for providing me a review Kindle copy in exchange for an honest review.

Recently I took part in the blog tour for The Quintessential Gemini.  If you missed my Shaz’ Stars special interviewing lead Katherine Dale, you can read it again here.

Disclaimer: The author has become a friend over the past year however my review is objective and I have received no monetary compensation.

Linn B Halton is one of 30 showcased authors with Loveahappyending.  To find out more about her you can visit her website, tweet with her  or ‘like’ her author page on Facebook.

Blog Tour: Shaz’ Stars special: Quintessential Gemini by Linn B Halton

Shaz’ Stars interviews Katherine Dale – The Quintessential Gemini! plus a giveaway

Welcome to Shaz’s Stars!

Using sun sign astrology I have been interviewing Love a Happy Ending Authors to see how the traits of their sun sign affect their craft.

Today author Linn B Halton asked if I would interview Katherine Dale, who is The Quintessential Gemini.  Of course, I couldn’t resist…..

In the hot seat today I would like to welcome: Katherine Dale

Katherine, thank you for letting us have a peek at what’s been happening for someone who IS ‘The Quintessential Gemini’.

Gemini’s are adaptable and versatile, has that helped in what has been a difficult time for you personally?

Hi Shaz, so lovely to meet you! It has been a tough time since I was made redundant from a job that was my whole life; it shakes your world. Even though my horoscopes had been dropping hints, I supposed I didn’t really want to face up to the facts. Of course I adore astrologer Mark Ainsley-Thomas and should have known better. Similar to you, he too has a reputation for being spot-on with his forecasts. I’m such a typical Gemini in many ways, that’s why Linn B Halton calls me ‘The Quintessential Gemini’ (laugh)! And you are right, I’m usually quite proud to consider myself both adaptable and versatile, but recently I seem to be constantly struggling to find the next step to take me forward.

Ah, that would be one of the negative traits of the sun sign Gemini, an ability to become uncertain of yourself and to withdraw.

I didn’t know that! It could explain a lot of things. I decided to turn my back on accountancy and now I’m writing a book, but perhaps that’s not helping me either as I spend a lot of time on my own. Well, I have my cat No. 4 to keep me company of course. The problem is he’s not used to sharing the house with me during the day and I feel as if I’m invading his territory! Thinking about it though, I think you might be right there – I am getting rather withdrawn.

Gemini’s are usually very sociable and are at their best when they are able to shine in the company of others. Perhaps you need to get out a bit more whilst you are adjusting to your new life?

You sound just like my sister, Cassie. She even held a dinner party and invited a tall, handsome stranger to make up the foursome, together with her darling husband Sean.  His name was James, bit of a floppy hair thing going on with him but he seemed nice enough. The problem was that it all felt so awkward and the poor guy left on the pretext of an emergency call from an elderly neighbour. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough and I felt really awful because it was entirely my fault. He started talking about the fact I’d lost my job and then I felt that everyone was feeling really sorry for me – I wasn’t very nice to him I’m afraid. I haven’t had much luck with love so far, never met ‘the one’ and I certainly wasn’t ‘shining’ the night I met James.

Gemini’s are said to be skilled in the arts of language – in speech and writing so that should stand you in good stead for your writing. 

I hope so, although I’ve just had a blazing row with a guy on Mark Ainsley-Thomas’ website. I get my forecasts daily by Email and it’s the first thing I do in the morning, check to see what sort of day is ahead of me. Just after I was made redundant something changed, I just couldn’t understand what Mark was trying to say. So I Emailed him, the problem was I found out he doesn’t write the daily ones anymore, a Mr Kingman writes them. I didn’t mean to be rude to him, but my life is in pieces and how on earth am I supposed to know what to do next if I can’t understand what he’s trying to tell me? I feel everything is falling apart, I just hope other Gemini’s aren’t going through the same thing.

You shouldn’t worry too much, Gemini is a mutable sign (which means change) and Gemini’s are chameleon like, changing their personas to fit with whomever they are with.

Really? You think so? That’s heartening. I’m trying so hard to adjust to this new life and I hate upsetting anyone. I know that Mark Ainsley-Thomas is now a celebrity and I realise he doesn’t know me at all, but he has been a huge part of my life.  I just can’t warm to the new guy, so I have to live governed by Mark’s monthly forecasts, when he’s doing the readings and telling me what to do next. I hope they don’t sack Mr Kingman because I made a fuss. Maybe I’m trying too hard and I should relax a bit and let my instincts take me forward, let the chameleon take over! It’s been so good talking to you Shaz, you’ve really cheered me up!

You mustn’t forget that those born with their sun in the sign of Gemini are said to be restless. 

I suppose you are right there. I so wanted to find love but now I’ve given up on that too. I’ve never felt more restless than I do now, perhaps the book I’m writing will be the start of something new and exciting for me. Who knows, it might fill that empty little part of me that longs to meet someone special; perhaps my ‘someone special’ is a character in my book!

Well, good luck Katherine and remember, Gemini’s are all about duality, the twins, yin and yang. You have everything you need to get what you want out of life, if it’s a little out of kilter at the moment it’s only a passing phase.

Note from author Linn B Halton: Thank you Shaz, I’ve been a little concerned about Katherine recently. Who lives their life according to their horoscope? It’s crazy! But I think you’ve given her confidence the boost she needs. I’ll send you a copy of The Quintessential Gemini and you can find out how it all ends …

PS. When you did my ‘Shaz’ Stars’ chart and sent me your interview questions I felt like an open book. You knew exactly what to ask. If they sack Mr Kingman perhaps Mark Ainsley-Thomas will offer you a job instead (laugh). Thank you for a fun interview and for inviting me to your wonderful blog today.

The Quintessential Gemini is published by Sapphire Star Publishing 7th June 2012.

For twenty-one years the main focus of Katherine Dale’s life has been her work.  Love interests and hobbies came and went; but always there for her, her only constant – other than her cat delightfully named No. 4 – was her nine to five habit.   Until she’s replaced.

Her confidence is dented and she’s angry; at life and at herself.  She’s failed to grasp the office politics that were going on around her and ignored hints of ‘changes to come’ in her horoscope forecasts. Forover twenty years she has followed Mark Ainsley-Thomas, a renowned Astrologer in the UK and USA.  His daily forecasts direct the way she lives her life as a typically complex Gemini.  Mark is now an ‘A’ list celebrity and his new Agent is determined to raise his profile in America, so he has to take on James Kingman to help him run his website.

Katherine is totally confused by James’ forecasts.  After a couple of Email exchanges, James admits he’s writing the daily forecasts now instead of Mark and advises her ‘it’s probably best not to get too bogged down with the minute detail’.  Katherine explodes and drafts a reply, letting out all of the hurt and anger she’s been bottling up.  She feels better afterwards and instead sends James a much friendlier Email, acknowledging Mark has a unique style and wishing him luck.  To her horror she receives a tirade back from James and realises she sent the wrong Email !

The story is told through the eyes of Katherine, Mark and James.  Gossip results in all three being named in a national newspaper headline ‘Mystic Love Triangle Surprise’.

The problem is, what will Mark’s wife say when she hears this shattering news – especially as it isn’t true?  What will Katherine’s family think now she’s a scarlet woman?  And as for James, well – can it possibly get any worse?

The Quintessential Gemini is available to purchase from Amazon:

Kindle £2.68

Paperback £9.41

To find out more about Linn and her novels:-

Linn’s Website: http://linnbhalton.co.uk/
Amazon UK (buy) - http://amzn.to/kvB3YA
Amazon US (buy) - http://amzn.to/kiUKfZ
Twitter Account @LinnBHalton: http://bit.ly/ksXMDS

Loveahappyending.com Author Page: http://loveahappyending.com/linn-b-halton/

To enter to win an e-copy of The Quintessential Gemini, just leave a pick me comment.  The giveaway is International and closes midnight 22nd June 2012.  Good luck! 

Shaz Stars interviews author Linn B Halton

In the hot seat today I would like to welcome:
LINN B HALTON
Hello Linn, thank you for letting us have a peek behind thescenes.  Your sun sign is GEMINI.
 
You are very welcome Shaz and ‘Hi’ to our wonderful readers! 

Q.  Those born with their sun in the sign of Gemini are said to be restless.  Writing is a long process!  Do you have any strategies that settle your mind ready for writing?  Is there a creative ‘window’ in your day when you know you will be at your most settled and therefore productive?

I like to have everything organised, so that when I sit down to write my mind feels ‘uncluttered’.  The problem is that when I do write I start early, but unless something makes me break away from it I would write into the night!  I will even eat whilst typing… very bad habit!  I’ve waited a long time to be in a position where I can enjoy the luxury of writing, but it is a dual-edged sword.  I love every single second I’m with my characters and a part of the world they create and want me to write.  I just didn’t realise that being a writer wasn’t just about the writing…..laugh!




 Q.     Gemini-born people are intellectual and forever probing people and places in search of information.  Do you find when you are researching you have far too much information?  How do you choose which information you will use and which to discard?  Do you throwaway research that you don’t use or do you save it in case you may need it in the future?

I think I’m lucky in some respects because I’m able to quickly scan masses of information and just pick out what I need.  That’s usually because I know exactly what I’m looking for to start with and that certainly helps.  Again, that’s all down to my ability to be really focussed.  I keep all research so I can go back to it at a later date if I need anything more.  Some research is also of great interest to me, for instance I was researching how to develop one’s psychic abilities and had to include in my story a scene at a ‘closed circle’.  Reading up about chakras etc was fascinating, but I also had a friend who is a spiritualist check it over before I finalised that section of the book.




Q. Gemini’s constantly need new interests and flit from project to project.  Do you have several writing projects you are working on?

I do ‘flit’ because I am enthusiastic by nature.  However, I also have the ability to concentrate on things in great detail.  I would never write two books at the same time, I would always complete each as a separate project.  When I wrote my debut novel ‘Touched By The Light’, it was the start of an intensive 18 month period of writing and I produced five completed manuscripts in that time.  I’m glad I did, because these days I seem to spend my time building websites and writing articles instead of books!



Q. Gemini’s are very sociable and are at their best when they are able to shine in the company of others.  Writing is a solitary process.  How do you balance a need to be with others while you are engrossed in your writing?

Not a lot of people realise that I am actually quite a shy person.  So though I am generally thought of as outgoing, I do love my ‘alone’ time.  So I could happily write for long periods of time with only my own company, and James Blunt singing in the background!  But sooner or later I need to interact with people, because it’s essential – like breathing!



Q. Gemini is a mutable sign (which means change) and Gemini’s are chameleon like, changing their personas to fit with whomever they are with.  Do you take on the personality of the characters in your writing?

I am constantly changing, and the changes are coming much faster now that I have given up what was my main career for over 20 years.  First I developed my hobby and was offered an opportunity to design show home interiors, then my husband and I spent three years renovating two cottages.  And now I’m writing, my guilty pleasure has become my ‘life’s work’.  Once a character is set in my mind, when I am writing about them I become them.  They are in effect writing the story.  When I finished writing my debut novel, the reality suddenly hit me that my characters weren’t actually real people.  I missed them .. (laugh).



Q. A negative trait of the sun sign Gemini is that they can become uncertain of themselves and withdraw.  Have you ever chosen not to do a writing project because you were uncertain of yourself?

I do like to withdraw into myself when I’m not sure about something and need to plan what I’m going to do next, or how to handle a situation.  But in essence I don’t move on something unless I think I can do a good job, so I’ve never had to ‘withdraw’ from anything.  I just wouldn’t commit in the first place and see that as a good thing.  Know what you can do and what is best left to others.



Q. Gemini’s are able to look at a project from all sides and put forth logical and well-thought out ideas.  This is an asset to team work.  How do you approach teamwork in relation to publishing your work?  What does teamwork mean for you?

loveahappyending.com!  Teamworking at its best – Readers, Authors and hopefully Sponsors!  My favourite saying is ‘no man is an island’, it is the first quote on the acknowledgement page in my debut novel.  But it is the READERS and their feedback that give a writer the heart to keep writing.  As a new author you have no idea whether you will gain a following.  That’s why loveahappyending.com was created – giving the READERS the power to give a new author exposure they can’t get, because they haven’t got a big advertising budget to promote their book.  But our wonderful READERS and ASSOCIATE READERS are in the driving seat here – I can’t wait to see the result!


Thank you for spending time with us today Linn.


Linn is a showcased author with Loveahappyending which is an interactive reader/author website.  Visit Loveahappyending to find out more about this brilliant project and how you, as a reader, can support them. 


Author weblinks:


Author website: http://linnbhalton.co.uk/

Twitter @LinnBHalton: http://bit.ly/ksXMDS

  • Hardcover: 248 pages
  • Publisher: Book Guild Publishing (24 Feb 2011)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1846245311
  • ISBN-13: 978-1846245312

Mya finds it hard to believe that she has just died. She clearly remembers being in a lot of pain and a sense of panic going on around her, then nothing but a bright, comforting light and the pain quickly being replaced by a state of calm and tranquillity. But what now? Mya wants to talk to people, find out how her friends and family are, but there s no one around to help – until she suddenly finds herself chatting to Laurel.

Laurel has what she sees as the dubious gift of being able to communicate with spirits, and when Mya bowls in, desperate for some answers, Laurel’s life is turned upside down. Her relationship with boyfriend Dan is already in a fragile state, she s unsure about her chosen career, and now there’s a bewildered, feisty young spirit getting in the way. As Mya flits around Laurel and Dan’s lives, unable to control how and when she appears, unexpected psychic connections are made and the course of true love takes a detour no one could have predicted.

If you read my Secret Squirrel feature you will have read recently that Linn has a novel being published by Sapphire Star Publishing … a US publisher.  Follow Linn on Twitter or read her website to be kept up to date with publication.

Secret Squirrel: Rising stars …

Whilst Secret Squirrel was communing with nature to catch the latest news on the ether …

… a whisper on the wind caused her to don her disguise and confirm those whispers.

Secret Squirrel is excited to announce that Sapphire Star Publishing has acquired a novel from a Loveahappyending author.

Step into the spotlight Linn B Halton

The novel in question is The Quintessential Gemini and Secret Squirrel is sharing with readers an exclusive extract:

It’s lunchtime before I realise that three and a half hours have passed in a flash. Today I’m making progress, yesterday was awful! However, my stars for today read:

 Gemini – Thursday’s Daily Forecast by Mark Ainsley-Thomas

 Love is in the air and those around you are inspired to show you the way forward. Exciting things are happening and now is the time to take a chance and step outside your comfort zone. What do you have to lose by being brave? Every day is a fresh chance to start again.

Talk about obscure! I haven’t seen anyone all week and I’ve only had one phone call, my sister Cassie inviting me over for dinner Saturday evening. I said no, but she says she’s already invited some guy and I’m needed to make up the numbers. In other words, she’s trying to fix me up with a man again. She also thinks I’m suffering from post-redundancy stress. She’s been reading her glossy women’s magazines again – unfortunately, I’m now in danger of being saved from this month’s latest syndrome. Love if probably the furthest thing from my mind at this moment in time – I’m much too busy wallowing in self-pity. However, I am getting to know the postman quite well. After four whole years, I have at last met him and we’ve struck up a daily dialogue that consists mainly of the weather, the weight of his postal sack and his arthritis. He looks about eighty, but obviously, he can’t possibly be that old and still delivering the post – can he?  

Secret Squirrel is wishing Linn all the success she deserves and there is only one thing left to say:

and the winner is …………………………..

1.  Dizzy C

2.  Lougrahamiiblog

3.  Stewpot

4.  Janice Horton

5.  Amanda

6.  Brigid

7.  Hannah

8.  Linn B Halton

9.  Reabookreview

10.  RedRoses4

                                                         11.  Wendy


Congratulations

Linn B Halton

Thank you to everyone who took part.  Keep looking for the next giveaway.


Touched by the Light by Linn B Halton

Touched by the Light
Linn B Halton
Synopsis from Amazon:
Mya finds it hard to believe that she has just died. She clearly remembers being in a lot of pain and a sense of panic going on around her, then nothing but a bright, comforting light and the pain quickly being replaced by a state of calm and tranquillity. But what now? Mya wants to talk to people, find out how her friends and family are, but there s no one around to help – until she suddenly finds herself chatting to Laurel. 

Laurel has what she sees as the dubious gift of being able to communicate with spirits, and when Mya bowls in, desperate for some answers, Laurel’s life is turned upside down. Her relationship with boyfriend Dan is already in a fragile state, she’ s unsure about her chosen career, and now there’s a bewildered, feisty young spirit getting in the way. As Mya flits around Laurel and Dan’s lives, unable to control how and when she appears, unexpected psychic connections are made and the course of true love takes a detour no one could have predicted.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I found ‘Touched by the Light’ to be an unusual and thought-provoking novel of love/romance and logically unexplainable connections.
Written in the first person throughout, Mya starts us off on our journey as the scene is set with the theme that flows through the most of the story.  We also see the story from the perspective of Laurel and her boyfriend Dan and also Mya’s sister Sadie and a medium called Grace.
Each new section of the story has a title so at no point was I confused with who was ‘speaking’.
This is a modern love story and Linn B Halton portrays her characters with depth by examining their emotions.  We become involved not only in Laurel and Dan’s relationship but also Lennie’s love life (Lennie is Laurel’s best friend), Grace’s love life and Mya’s family.  We get to identify with the characters through how they express themselves.  In reality, we are usually drawn to other people on a heart level because they provide something we think we lack in ourselves – they are our ‘mirror’ and this theme is quite central to the characters. 
You don’t have to have any previous knowledge or belief in the spiritual world to be drawn into the story.  There are explanations that will enhance your enjoyment!  Even though this is quite a ‘deep’ topic, there are a few fun moments, for example when Mya is frustrated while ‘being’ in Dan’s company.
The writing flows and we are led on to each new level at the right time. There is a balance of emphasis between ‘life after death’ and the romance.  It really is not a heavy read!
I only have one criticism  ……………..and that’s with the paper the book is printed on – it is so white that my eyesight found it hard to adjust to read anything else for a while.
There’s not a lot I can really say about the story itself without revealing any spoilers ……………..  I will say I hadn’t figured on what was actually happening (although I knew something was because of the unusual link between Mya and Laurel) or who really was the link between the characters. 
This love story is all related to how we interact despite the emotional wounds we carry and how through introspection and sharing we have the capacity to become whole.
If you want a love story that has depth and soul then this could quite possibly be the book you are looking for.
I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy to review.
Linn B Halton is one of the driving forces behind the new project at loveahappyending, which is supporting new authors.  Launch date is 29th June.  You can download a recent radio interview.
Linn has her own website where you can find out all about her and the projects she is involved in.

http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=jersjam-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&asins=1846245311&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr