Tag Archives: love

Jera’s Jamboree : Author Interview ~ Amanda Prowse

I have great pleasure in welcoming Amanda Prowse to Jera’s Jamboree today.

Amanda Prowse Book Shots (22 of 26)

Amanda has always obsessively crafted short stories and scribbled notes for potential books and started writing full time five years ago. Her first novel ‘Poppy Day’ was published in October 2011 and following appearances on SKY News, ITV and BBC reached No.1 in the Amazon ‘Movers and Shakers’ chart along with numerous other Top 10 rankings on Amazon, in Supermarket Charts and Amazon rankings.

After signing with prestigious publisher Head of Zeus, the novel ‘Poppy Day’ was given a professional makeover and re-released in October 2012 achieving another amazing wave of publicity and interest in Amanda’s work.  Amanda’s eagerly awaited second novel in the ‘No Greater Love’ series entitled ‘What Have I Done?’ was released on the 1st February 2013 and was soon catapulted into the Amazon paid Kindle chart at No.3 across all genres, with rave reviews from readers who praised her ability to tackle a sensitive topic in an uplifting and sympathetic manner.

All of Amanda’s books in the ‘No Greater Love’ series share a common theme in that they are contemporary love stories, the main characters being ordinary women who find themselves in extraordinary situations. The covers for the series are works of art in their own right by the award winning designer Ami Smithson of Cabin London.

Amanda is married and divides her time between working in London and home in the West Country.

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Hi Amanda,

Please summarise What Have I Done? in 20 words or less. 

Uplifting story of a woman’s struggle to rebuild her life after killing her controlling husband following years of domestic abuse.

Your book tackles a social barrier, how have you incorporated it into the story?

The heroine Kathryn Brooker is married to an award winning headmaster of a posh public school and it appears that she has an idyllic life but behind closed doors, Kathryn is married to a controlling monster who sets her tasks to do every day and awards punishments to her every evening depending on what she has done ‘wrong’.  The book lifts the lid on controlling relationships in middle class families and is designed to encourage debate on the uncomfortable and stigmatised topic.

What was the idea/inspiration for your novel?

I wanted to explode the myth that battered wives only exist in certain socio-economic groups.  Having found friends in my immediate circle who had experienced abuse, I realised it was more common than we like to think.  By encouraging discussion and debate about this sensitive issue I hope it helps educate both victims and perpetrators that it is not to be tolerated.

Did you do any research for your book?  What resources did you use?

I had to carry out extensive research into domestic violence, psychological abuse and controlling relationships for ‘What Have I Done?’ otherwise the story would not have been credible.  Initially I thought that we would have to conduct a campaign requesting volunteers to come forward but that didn’t turn out to be necessary.  What surprised me the most was how easy it was to find women literally on my doorstep who had experienced all kinds of abuse and were willing to talk about it openly.  Everyone that I spoke to about the book knew a colleague, friend or relative who had been affected by these issues and I found without exception that everyone who confided in me during my research were brave and inspiring women.

What Have I Done? is a story in a series.  Please could you tell us more?

‘What Have I Done? is the second book in the ‘No Greater Love’ series of which there will be at least six novels and possibly more.  The key point of the collection is that each book explores a different kind of love, such as that of a wife for her husband or a mother for her children.  Each of the books has a main character and smaller characters in one book feature in other titles so observant readers will notice how the lives of other characters have progressed.  Even better, each book is a standalone story in its own right, so you don’t have to have read one before you move to the next and you can read them in any order.

Do you have a theme for your book covers?  Who designs them?

The theme for the ‘No Greater Love’ series is a single girl, the heroine, against a landscape that is significant in each book.  I’m very lucky to have my covers done by Ami Smithson of Cabin London, who is an award winning designer and the covers are a work of art in their own right.  I know that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but it is difficult not to when they are so appealing.  One lady who saw the cover on the hardback of ‘What Have I Done?’ said that it encapsulated the entire book in a single snapshot.

What inspired you to write?

I have always obsessively crafted short stories and made copious amounts of notes about potential characters but never showed them to anyone as I didn’t think they would be good enough for anyone else to read.  One day my husband asked to have a look at my first ever book and then another and said that he honestly thought that they were great!  He encouraged me to give up my job as a management consultant and write full time, which was a real struggle as I was the major breadwinner at the time.  We sold our house to meet the bills that we accrued while I was writing then exhausted our meagre savings and ran our overdraft up to its limit before I was signed by an agent after four years of really hard struggle.  If it had taken even a few weeks longer, I would have had to abandon my dream of writing and go back to the office job so I was extremely grateful to get my big break.

You have self-published a novel Amanda, are there any tips you could share with new writers that have worked well for you or was there something difficult you overcame? 

The first edition of ‘Poppy Day’ was self published and once written, the most difficult thing to overcome was how to get the book to market, specifically to the demographic who are most likely to be interested in it.  My top tip is to engage with established groups and introduce them to your work by going along and talking to them about the subject matter you have covered.  If they take a copy and like it, they will spread the word for you.  It is a long slow burn and takes a lot of effort but if you have no marketing budget then it’s the road you have to take.

Do you have a most creative time of day?

I constantly have ideas pinging into my head and often wake up with something else to weave in and have to start getting it down.  Yesterday I got up at 6am and wrote continuously for 14 hours in my PJs.  I never miss an opportunity to write, whether it is waiting to pick my boys up from school, travelling on a train or anywhere really, because you never know when you will have another good idea!

Do you have a favourite place you go to for inspiration or a favourite activity?

Like most authors, I’m an avid people watcher and I do like observing those around me.  My best mate and I have a favourite coffee shop and I see all sorts in there.  It’s not enough just to watch them though; I have to concoct background stories for them all.

Are you a panster or a plotter?

I had to Google panster.  Neither, I’m very fortunate in that the entire plot comes to me in a few minutes with every twist and turn.  I know where I am going with it and now never make notes or a plot.

Being a writer can be lonely.  Do you have a support network?

My husband Simeon is an army officer and my absolute rock.  His unswerving confidence that I would be successful combined with his efforts to promote my work have meant that I have always enjoyed amazing support.  My best friend Carol who works in media has always encouraged me without reservation and my family are right behind me to, so I have been very lucky in that respect.

Which authors have influenced your writing?

Jodi Picoult, Rose Tremain, Sarah Dunant and also the work of Mike Lee, all of whom are masters of their craft.

Do you have a favourite book?

The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.  It is one of the most moving stories of love and loss and Clare’s selfless devotion to her husband is just magnificent when he goes away.  She loves Henry so much that she would rather be on her own than settle for anyone else apart from him and I admire that quality.  The book is unusual in that it crosses genres from Romance to Science Fiction, an area that I wouldn’t normally read and is a wonderful original idea.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading ‘Standing Tall’ by my good friend Andy Reid.  Andy is an ex-soldier who lost both of his legs and an arm in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incident in Afghanistan.  His story is the brutal, honest and forthright account of his journey to become rehabilitated, his marriage to his wife Claire and the recent birth of their first child following his injury.  I thought Andy was a hero before I started the book and this book has confirmed that he exceptionally brave and strong in every respect.  It is a real piledriver of a book that is making me laugh and cry in equal amounts.

Finally, what is your WIP?

Just polishing the third book in the series entitled ‘Clover’s Child’.  It is the prequel to my first novel, ‘Poppy Day’ and tells the story of Poppy’s Nan Dorothea who grew up in the East End of London in the 1960’s.  Dorothea, or Dot as we come to know her is a feisty young girl who meets the love of her life Soloman in a chance encounter.  The book explores social and racial divides as both sets of parents are dead set against the relationship for very different reasons; Dot’s love is a black man from a wealthy family whereas she is just a working class white girl.  The story follows their battle to overcome prejudice and find true happiness while others seek to drive them apart.

Thank you for sharing with us today Amanda.  The No Greater Love series sounds very inspirational.

Follow Amanda on Twitter @MrsAmandaProwse

Like Poppy Day on Facebook as the PoppyDayNovel.

While the new website for information on books, appearances and events can be seen here http://www.amandaprowse.org, lots of material on Poppy Day, What Have I Done? and other books can be found at www.poppyday.co.uk and http://www.amandaprowse.co.uk

20130101_WHID Cover Hi ResKathryn Brooker is the headmaster’s wife. While her husband spends his days disciplining unruly teenagers in the grand halls of Mountbriers Academy, Kathryn spends hers baking scones for her son’s cricket match in a beautiful cottage in the manicured school grounds.

In the evenings, when her husband strides home to compliment her cooking and kiss her hello – ignoring jokes from their children about grown-up lovebirds – Kathryn Brooker is the very picture of a fulfilled wife and mother. Anyone who peered through the downstairs sash window at the four figures sat easily around their scrubbed-pine kitchen table would see a happy family without a care in the world. They would envy Kathryn her perfect life.

But they would be wrong. Kathryn is trapped in a nightmare. And she is about to do something to change it. Something only a truly desperate woman would do…

 

 

 

Shaz’ Stars interviews Author Pauline Barclay

In the hot seat today I would like to welcome:
  

PAULINE BARCLAY

Hello Pauline, thank you for letting us have a peek behindthe scenes.  Your sun sign is SCORPIO.
  1. A Scorpio will never give up because they are determined to reach their goal.  The key to success is founded on their ability to re-survey and take a different approach if necessary.  Has this ever happened to anything you’ve been writing?  Has something not been working out and you’ve managed to step back and re-evaluate what you could do?
Laugh! Ithink most of the time. I can say at some point during my writing of my lastthree books I had to stop and look at what was happening. In fact if I’m to behonest, more than once! Sometimes drastic changes were needed, other timestweaks. My latest book had some serious rewrites to get it flowing well. Sometimes It Happens… has a large castof characters and it was vital that not only did the characters play theirpart, but at the right time!

  1. With astute powers of observation and excellent memories, Scorpions are able to recall anything when needed.  Do you use these skills when writing a descriptive piece from memory?
I’mterrible, I remember every detail and rarely miss much, but it does come inuseful when building my characters. Jane Leonard’s emotions in Magnolia House swing from joy to despairand I’ve tried to capture tiny details that convey to the reader how Jane feelsand how she deals with the enormity of her situation.

  1. Scorpions like to be in control – to be aware of situations and always know what’s going on.  In life that isn’t always possible.  Do you feel that in creating a world via your writing this helps you to feel safe on an inner level when maybe life is in chaos around you? 
I’m acontrol freak and when I’m not in control I look for ways to shift the balanceback. As for writing, I just love to write, I suppose creating my charactersputs me in control of how they develop. Henry Bryant-Smythe from Satchfield Hall totally controlseveryone around him. He is the frightening side of control.

  1. Setting short term goals that can be accomplished is a Scorpion trait.  Do you set yourself short-term goals – plan ahead? 
I alwayshave a number of goals to meet, I like to set challenges. With my writing I amthe same, I set time frames and word counts. So when the words don’t flow orother things get in the way and I don’t meet my expectations, I am not happywith myself.

  1. With such a penetrative mind, Scorpios ask questions and delve deeply to understand something.  Is this a trait you use in your research?  Can you share with us any research techniques that have worked well for you?
I liketo fully understand what I write is plausible. I love writing the emotionalside of my characters, so I spend a lot of time watching and listening topeople on how they react and behave. For my next book (number 4) I have anappointment with a bank manager to understand debt, particularly unpaid debtand the actions that need to be taken, in particular drastic action! Once Iunderstand this part, I can write the emotional side of the story!

  1. Scorpions sensitivity means they get hurt easily on an emotional level.  How have you handled any rejection in connection with your writing?  Have you any helpful strategies to share with our readers?
Mywriting like all writers, I take personally and yes I do get upset withnegative criticism and rejection. I cry and keep away from people. Then whenI’ve ran out of tissues, I realise it is not the end of the world and I pickmyself up, brush myself down and get right back to doing what I love, writing.Everyone has their opinions and some are right and others, well! I wouldsuggest to anyone that no matter what is thrown at you, never ever give up inbelieving in yourself.

  1. John Keats, George Eliot and Robert Louis Stevenson are writers who were born with a Scorpion sun.  Who has inspired you and please would you share why?
I can’tsay anyone person inspired me to write, I’ve always loved writing, but EnidBlyton inspired me to read all her wonderful children’s books. My parents areavid readers and I have never known a time in my life when they did not have abook at their side.



Thank you for sharing with us Pauline. 
Pauline 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. 

Pauline Barclay Biography 

Years ago I gained a BA (Hons)degree from the Open University, today I spend my time writing fiction. I havethree books published: Sometimes ItHappens…
Magnolia House and Satchfield Hall.

I am a Yorkshire lass, but havelived in several different locations including, Suffolk, Surrey andHolland.  Today, I live on the beautifulvolcanic island of Lanzarote with my husband and our two gorgeous rescuedoggies.

All my books are available fromAmazon
All three are available in Kindleversion
Magnolia House & Satchfield Hall are also available inpaperback.
You can find me at:
My Web: www.pauliebarclay.co.uk
My Blog: http://paulinembarclay.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pauline-Barclay/121242304590624
Twitter:@paulinembarclay
Loveahappyending: http://loveahappyending.com/pauline-barclay/


  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 408 KB
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B0050K7NVE

Winning the lottery was just the beginning for Doreen Wilkinson, nothing prepared Doreen for her holiday at Villas Bonitas and nothing prepared Villas Bonitas for Doreen Wilkinson.

Sometimes It Happens…is about secrets, deception, lies, love and laughter. Tears will flow because this is one holiday that will never ever be forgotten by many!



An Autumn Crush by Milly Johnson

     Paperback: 432 pages
                    Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (29 Sep 2011)
                    Language English
                    ISBN-10: 184983203X
                      ISBN-13: 978-1849832038
Synopsis from Amazon: 

After a bruising divorce,headstrong Juliet Miller invests in a flat and advertises for a flatmate,little believing that in her mid-thirties she’ll find anyone suitable. Butalong comes self-employed copywriter Floz, raw from her own relationship split,and the two women hit it off. When Juliet’s twin brother Guy meets Floz, he isovercome with a massive crush. But being a shy, gentle giant, he communicatesso clumsily with her as to give her the opposite impression. Guy’s best friendSteve has always had a secret, unrequited crush on Juliet. After a night of toomuch wine, Steve and Juliet end up in bed, after moaning about the lack of sexin their lives. Convinced that Juliet doesn’t feel the same way, Steve agreesto a ‘just-sex’ relationship, until they can both hook their dream partners.Just when Guy has finally plucked up the courage to tell Floz how he feels, hefinds she has rekindled an old romance. Floz has never had much love in herlife and is obviously thirsty for affection. She loves the whole Miller family,from Juliet and Guy’s warm, loving parents, to their ancient one-eyed black cat.But can Guy turn Floz’s affection for his family into something more – intolove for him? Then Juliet makes a series of discoveries which will turn thelives of all four friends upside-down and turns that Autumn into a season wherelove can be harvested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the opening of this story where Juliet and her friendCoco are interviewing for a flat mate, right up to the last punctuation mark, Ihave really enjoyed living in this world created by Milly Johnson.
The story takes us through the Autumnal months of August,September, October and November living alongside characters whose antics haveprovoked emotional outbursts from me and no doubt will from you! 
Guys frustrated attempts at getting close to Floz actuallyhad me in stitches of laughter.  Ispluttered with mirth at the things that happened when Steve and Guy went roundto Juliet’s flat, ostensibly to check out the plastering. 
I also just have to mention Steve who at one point findshimself outside on the steps of the flat whose clothing leads Juliet’s neighbour to believe he’s a transvestite.  Hilarious! I am still laughing now …
Amidst the laughter though (of which is there plenty),sadness is also woven through the story. Milly Johnson is not afraid to deal with the darker side of life.  Dysfunctional families, internet dating,addictions and more all have their place in this novel.
I loved The Miller family who are open and welcomingproviding roots and stability for everyone involved in their lives.
There is also plenty of intrigue.  The author drops us hints as we’re going along so the first timesomething is mentioned it gets you thinking where it will fit into the storyand as you’re reading further into the story we get to know a little bit moreuntil the time is right for the revelation.
Milly Johnson very cleverly moves the plot along at a steadypace and just when something is becoming all ‘sown up’ something else isdropped into the mix so there is more intrigue to keep you turning those pages,wanting to know what will happen.
The way the story is written just carries you along in itsflow.  I found it easy to read which tobe honest, is just what I needed after a working day in school – although attimes I should have been sleeping and NOT reading!  Pure escapism …
I was quite sad when I knew I was getting close to theend.  I’d been swept along with Floz bythe power of Juliet’s personality, been caught up in Coco’s flamboyant personality and love life, been wrapped up in the warmth of the Millerfamily, cried tears of laughter and sometimes deep sadness, been frustrated bythe non-relationship of Floz and Guy but uplifted by Juliet and Steve’sshenanigans.  An Autumn Crush has keptme good company this past week and taken me out of my everyday life.  I didn’t want my brief time in this world toend.
An Autumn Crush has truly entertained me and touched myemotions and for these reasons, my rating is:


I would like to thank Simon & Schuster for providing mewith a copy to review.
I have The Yorkshire Pudding Club on my Kindle tbr pile andI will definitely be adding Milly Johnson’s other titles.
You can find Milly Johnson at her website, onTwitter and on Facebook.

http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?t=jersjam-21&o=2&p=8&l=as1&asins=184983203X&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

Introducing the Light Direction novel series by Ces Creatively (Loftus)

Today I would like to introduce you to the exciting andunique series of novels ‘The Light Direction’.


The concept of this novel series created by author Ces ISunique – not only is it an intriguing story with everything you want to find inan absorbing read (love, passion and betrayal with a supernatural theme!) butit also supports small businesses.




How?

Ces has written real businesses and products into the storymaking it a sensory brand.  Productshave been specifically designed for The Light Direction …….. bringing to lifethe sights, sounds, smells and tastes in the story.




The Story

The Light Direction novel series has a theme of love,passion and betrayal.  It features alove triangle with lots of supernatural twists.  Intrigued?


Ces says:
“I wasinspired to write the book series when my husband bought me a gorgeous bespokenecklace with three hearts on it from Rachel Lucie for our anniversary inFebruary 2011.
We hadbeen through a tough couple of years and came out the other side smiling as weworked together, kept believing we could achieve our dreams and createdinnovative ways to use our experience and abilities to help others.
Thenecklace meant something special about us still being in love and finding theright path, a light in the dark times to get us where we want to be despite theobstacles that were placed in our way.”
Howcan you find out more?

Youcan download an exclusive introduction consisting of two chapters linked to The Light Direction. It’s free and I can guarantee you will be intrigued!
Theexclusive introduction includes:
  • Information about the supported small businesses
  • Meet the Characters (amazing graphics as well as text!)
  • Two linked chapters – the first ‘Light Sands’ is written from the perspective of character Jeremy White, the second ‘Changing Landscapes’ is written from the perspective of lead character Emma Williams
  • Exciting giveaways





You can follow The Light Direction on Twitter and on Facebook.  


Keep watching The Light Direction blog for more information





Author information:


  • Ces Loftus is a mum of three from Poole, Dorset. Her fourth son was still born at full term and she almost died too. Following a series of  miscarriages, losing her business and facing eviction she has overcome adversity on many levels, building a successful cyber careerand channeling positive energy into writing the novel series called The LightDirection.
  • As a multitasking mum of three boys Ces wrote and designed almost everything to do with this project at night.


The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

  • Paperback: 512 pages
  • Publisher: Black Swan (4 Aug 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0552775223
  • ISBN-13: 978-0552775229

Synopis from Amazon:


It is 1947, and Evie andMartin Mitchell have just arrived in the Indian village of Masoorla with theirfive-year-old son. But cracks soon appear in their marriage as Evie strugglesto adapt to her new life, and Martin fails to bury unbearable wartime memories.
When Evie finds a collectionof letters, concealed deep in the brickwork of their rented bungalow, so beginsan investigation that consumes her, allowing her to escape to another world, ahundred years earlier, and to the extraordinary friendship of two verydifferent young women.
And as Evie’s fascination withher Victorian discoveries deepens, she unearths powerful secrets. But at whatcost to her present, already fragile existence?



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



The Sandalwood Tree is the first book in my The Transworld Book Group Reading Challenge.


Evie and Martin are travelling by train in India to get tothe village of Masoorla where they will be based while Martin, an historian,will be reporting on Partition.  Evie tells us the sights she sees on this journey and so we areintroduced into the sights, sounds and smells of India.  Evie is hoping that India will bring theirrelationship back to the idyll it was before WWII.

Straight away we can see the rift that is between Evie andMartin and compared to the relationship they had with each since first meetingand before WWII, we are able to understand how much their interactions witheach other have changed.  The way shecopes with this is to clean and so she finds the collection of letters while tryingto clean the blackened bricks behind the cooker.

From this point on, the story weaves between Evie andMartin’s life now (in the 1940’s) and Felicity and Adela’s life in the1850’s.  We find out why and how the twoVictorian ladies meet and how rebellious they are in living to find their ownjoy in life.  Later on in the story,both stories merge.  I loved the way theauthor has written parts of each century intertwined – for example with theafghan that was first made in the 1850’s but is now around the shoulders ofEvie and when the ‘kitchen’ that was first installed by Felicity and Adela butnow being used by Evie and Martin.

Evie and Martin’s story is written in the first person fromEvie’s perspective.  It is chatty anddown to earth and pulls you in from an emotional and a sensory aspect.  It is through Evie that I experienced allthe exoticness that is India – from the women cooking over their cow dung fireson the dusty roadsides to the opulent silken saris.  I smelt the spices and the smoke and experienced themonsoon.  As Evie visited the perfumestall at the bazzar and even when she laid down for the henna tattoo, I wasalso there by her side.  I felt so veryfrustrated alongside Evie each time she made an advancement of truce to Martinand was knocked back.  During the traumathey have to go through I was also having panic attacks with her and shared herdrugged sleep.  Each time Evie findsanother missing piece to the puzzle of Felicity and Adela’s life in India, Itoo was intrigued and wanted to find out how we could find out where the nextletter/journal/historical record was …………………… and coming up with my own ideas!

Felicity and Adela’s chapters are written in the thirdperson, which also works really well. Aside from the letters (which are found and read in the 1940’s) we getto learn about their life in India.  TheSepoy Rebellion becomes more real for us as opposed to Evie reading about it inan historical book.  We also get toexperience briefly the Holi – the spring festival of colours.  I loved the fashion (if you could affordit!) in the 1850’s of hiring dressmakers and holding swatches up to your faceto see if the colour suited.

After Martin’s confession, they have emotions to overcome other than those they feel for each other.  I saw this as the start of the healing process even though it was still painful.  I thought this was exactly how any two people would havefelt.  The author has this emotionaljourney exactly right.

My romantic heart really enjoyed the final few pages.  It was such a fitting ending!

A moral I thought worth mentioning highlighted in the story– don’t judge people by the mask they present to the world because you reallyhave no idea what is their reality!

The Sandalwood Tree is an amazing journey through adifferent culture involving love, secrets, passion and emotions. 

I had worked out the secret, the connection to the 1950’sand for this reason I am not giving The Sandalwood Tree my four fairy rating.

You can find out more about the Sepoy Rebellion, Partition and the Holi festival on Wikipedia.

You can find out more about Elle Newmark on her website.


Buy it and share it




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Raven (The Raven Saga) by Suzy Turner

Synopsis from Amazon:
  
After the inexplicable disappearance of Lilly Taylor’s parents, she has no choice but to move to Canada where she unravels some frightening yet intriguing family secrets…

Her whole life had been based on a lie. Lilly had grown up in a loveless home with a father who she had barely ever seen and a mother who was… well, not very motherly.
After they mysteriously disappear without a trace, Lilly is sent to Canada where she finds a whole new way of life. A life filled with love and people who care for her. But that’s not all she discovers, Lilly also finds out that she isn’t who, or what, she thinks she is. 

Lilly has a very special ability and it’s just a matter of time before her true self starts to shine. And when it does, her life will never be the same again. 



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


Raven is Part I in The Raven Saga and is an urban fantasy novel for children and young adults. 

I first became aware of Suzy Turner on author Mandy Baggot’s new feature on her blog called Meet and Greet.  You may already know that I love video trailers for books so of course I couldn’t resist watching the linked video trailer for Raven …………. and was intrigued enough to download a copy for my Kindle.

Raven begins with Lilly’s day-to-day life, the routine that she has with her parents.  It is very rarely that she has contact with her father and her mother only sees her to feed her – food which is always from tins.  Her parents stay locked in a room.  At school she is a loner and nicknamed ‘Mellow Yellow’ because of the colour of the clothes she always wears.  A new girl starts at school, December Moon, and they become close.  Lilly’s mother is always watching at the window when Lilly returns home from school for lunch and at the end of the day.  One day, Lilly returns, glances up to the window, to see nothing – no mother watching.  It is from this point that Lilly’s life changes dramatically.

At first Lilly stays with the two older ladies in a flat in the same building and she is taught basic cooking skills.  At night, two ravens knock on her window and this gives Lilly a sense of comfort.  I have a feeling that the two older ladies are important in ways that we don’t find out about in Part I.

In Powell River, Canada, Lilly gets to know her family and settles into her life.  Not only does she learn and use the genetic inheritance that has always been hers but also comes to understand why her childhood was as it was.  The relationship Lilly has with her cousin Jo is brilliant.  I loved the bond they had between them and this relationship is central to resolving some issues.  Another character I identified with is the gentle Rose – the maternal role she takes on for Lilly is perfect.

I always enjoy watching a character grow and we certainly get to see that for Lilly.  Due to her strange childhood, Lilly starts off as a very serious and lonely 13 year old.  She has no expectations of life and because she has no contact with other children, believes her life is normal.  She leads a very empty existence.  Once in Canada, we see her accepting the love of the paternal side of her family and she blossoms.  She becomes someone who believes in herself and the roots give her confidence to explore and find herself. 

The quest that Lilly and her grandfather Gabriel make to The Elders intrigued me.  I was waiting for a crisis to happen and when it did, I thought it was brilliant.  I loved the symbolism of the cave and the cage ………… and owls being one of my totems, I was delighted to find an owl as part of the story!  Lilly really comes into her own when dealing with the crisis – I was cheering her on!

Raven ends very cleverly – a resolution for Rose – but we have no knowledge yet of where Lilly’s father is.  We lose two male characters at different parts in the story and I am intrigued to find out if there will be another male character to take their place.  Specifically I’m hoping to see the return of one of them ………….  I am eagerly awaiting Part II of The Raven Saga ‘December Moon’ which is released in September J

Raven is written in the first person from the perspective of Lilly.  This alongside the style of writing works really well.  Raven is easy to read, with tension building and resolution in several places.  The plot and the fantastic characters held my attention throughout.      

Raven is a story that includes family relationships, love, shapechanging, werewolves, witches, vampires and magic.  A fabulous mix for an adventure!

Although children and young adults are Raven’s target audience, I would also recommend Raven for any adults who love the magical and paranormal!

I am delighted to be hosting Suzy Turner at Jera’s Jamboree as part of her virtual book launch for December Moon (The Raven Saga Part II).  Check back on my blog on 12th September.

You can find our more about Suzy and read a sample of Raven on her website and catch her on her blog.  Suzy also tweets and you can find her on Facebook.

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When Tomorrow Comes by Joanna Lambert

Synopsis from Amazon:
1967: When eighteen-year-old Ella Kendrick moves to the Somerset town of Abbotsbridge to live with her mother Melissa and stepfather Liam she is looking forward to getting to know someone who has been absent from her life for eleven years. Ella is intrigued by this glamorous, fashionable woman and hopes she holds the key to many unanswered questions about her childhood. However, living in the Carpenter household does not turn out to be the idyllic experience Mel has promised her daughter. Scheming and manipulative she has specific plans for Ella. Plans which do not include boyfriend Niall O’Farrell left behind in the village where she grew up with her grandparents, or the university place she hopes for. After Ella loses Niall to her best friend and her career aspirations have been trimmed to a college course, ambitious Mel puts her main plan into action – finding her daughter a wealthy boyfriend. In doing this, she is looking for a marriage which will give her the right connections and help her own social advancement in the town. But Mel’s plan stalls when on a cold January evening, local nightclub owner’s son Matt Benedict unexpectedly walks into Ella’s life. Ella knows she will have to fight to stay with Matt, branded as most unsuitable by her mother; but it is not just Mel she is up against. Matt’s mother Faye has her own reasons for parting them, as does Andy Macayne, the rich, self-indulgent young man Mel hopes her daughter will eventually marry. WHEN TOMORROW COMES is the first book in the Behind Blue Eyes Trilogy. Ella and Matt’s journey is about to begin………
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Although the synopsis starts from 1967, the story begins in a ‘world’ that is the foundation and sets the scene, which starts in 1965.  Ella is sixteen and living in the village Meridan Cross.  Her father died a few years ago, her mother disappeared, so she is being lovingly brought up by her maternal grandparents on their farm.  
We get to experience village life, getting to know all the characters who inhabit the village ……………. and all the gossip.  For the youngsters, their social lives revolve around the farming community ie Young Farmer’s Midsummer Barn Dance.  We become involved in watching Ella’s relationship with Niall develop.  Niall, who is the charismatic older boy and has all the females flirting with him.  There is a tragedy at the train station in Abbotsbridge, a wedding to attend and then Ella moves out to live with her mother Mel and step-father Liam.
The story then involves us in Ella’s life in Abbotsbridge but we also look back to what is happening in the village.  Ella soon faces the truth of how Mel has changed everything about her life.  She accepts college and is determined to be successful.  Emotions become involved through a betrayal and we really get to see the strength of Ella’s character as her life unwinds in the town.
Mel really is ambitious for her daughter but not in a ‘wanting the best’ for Ella …………… but what she wants for herself, to enhance her own reputation.  For all her high and mighty ways she is not liked in Abbotsbridge.  She is likened to Cruella de Ville by Ella’s friend Rachel ………… which is very apt!  I really couldn’t find any redeeming features in her personality.  Ella’s relationship with Mel is offset by Liam, who is something of an ally for her.  A perfect balance in their household.  I found myself feeling really sorry for Liam having had to live with Mel for all those years and could see how escaping off to his study to work was a form of relief!
All the characters are totally believable and have their own problems to deal with, their own journeys to come to terms with.  The scenes are written in such a way that it was so easy to image I was actually there, taking part.
There are references to the fashions of the day – ie clothes, songs, pre-decimalisation and cars.  The huge difference I found is, of course, no mobile phones!  The teenagers have no privacy and parents control who they speak to and when.  So different in today’s world!
The world of both village and city that the author creates in the first of this trilogy was all absorbing for me.  I can’t wait to read the second movement to find out where we will journey to next!
Joanna Lambert is a showcased author on the interactive author/reader project of Loveahappyending.  I am proud to have been accepted as one of her Associate Readers.

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Always on my Mind by Colette Caddle

Synopsis taken from Simon & Schuster UK:
Old flames, new temptations . . .
With only a few weeks to go until her Dublin wedding, Molly Jackson is happily anticipating married life with Declan, her boyfriend of four years. Her sister Laura has all the arrangements firmly in hand, from the designer dresses to the prestigious venue; and if Molly would have been happier with something a little more low-key, she can hardly complain. She’s got everything she ever wanted: her perfect job, as an agony aunt for online magazine Teenage Kix; Declan, the love of her life; and, in Belle, Oliver, Rory and Laura, a loving and warm, if slightly eccentric family.
Then Declan drops his bombshell: he has to go abroad, on business. The wedding must be postponed. Hurt, and reeling from the shock, Molly is seeing Declan off at the airport when she bumps into Luke Fortune. Luke, her childhood sweetheart, left the country when they were both eighteen. It’s been almost twelve years, and Molly thought she had moved on. But, seeing Luke again, she realises that she has a window of opportunity, while Declan is away, to put a few of the ghosts in her past to rest . . .
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Our journey begins on the way to the airport.  Molly is driving Declan, he’s on his way for the interview that will lead him abroad.  At the airport, Molly makes eye-contact with childhood sweetheart Luke and so begins her journey of not only healing her heart from a sad loss but to also finding out where her heart truly belongs.
As we get to find out more about Molly, we also get to know the members who make up her family.  Her father Oliver is still making the most of exploring life and mother Belle is very perceptive and intuitive about her children.  I found the Jackson’s Sunday brunch fascinating – it’s open house and they all get the opportunity to maintain their links.  We get to know more about the people through their interactions with each other.
Molly’s older sister Laura and her family also figure quite strongly in the story.  Laura fell pregnant at 19 and married, the twins Ashling and Adam are now 14.  Life isn’t going exactly in the way she expected.  In both families, Laura is well-known for her nagging and always finding something wrong.  She has a tendency to act superior and although materialistic, we see a slipping of her mask.  We follow Laura as she fights against her feelings, trying to find her way in life.  I loved the sibling relationship between Molly and Laura. 
I have to say that Colette Caddle portrays the angst of teenage years so well -  how Laura’s children interact with her is so spot on!  …………..  as the parent you are seen as the enemy and the author captures this brilliantly. 
It’s not often I read about the male point of view in a story but the author has included this for Laura’s husband Robert – it made him very real and worked well.
Not only do we get involved in the people’s lives already mentioned but Molly’s best friend Ellen and her life is also another plot running alongside.  Ellen is pregnant, the father, Andrew, is not around.  The one and only complaint I have in this story is that I would love to know what unfolds for Ellen, I was so hoping we would get to see something more for her! 
We don’t see much of Declan (as he’s working abroad). We get to know more about the men in her life from conversations Molly has with the important people around her.
Molly’s career was chosen as a result of the sadness she carries in her heart and even though a family member thinks she’s wasting her skills, it is the role of agony aunt on Teenage Kix that is quite pivotal at one point in the story.  Another part of the story that had me gripped!
Not every detail about ‘the ghosts’ in Molly’s past are revealed until we’re near the end.  We are told some things as the story progresses. In fact, I thought my guess was accurate but I didn’t foresee the whole of the experience.  It had me on the edge of my seat.
Another thing that hooked me in Always on my Mind was that each time something started to settle, another thing happened to rock the boat.  This kept me avidly turning the pages, wanting to find out where we were going.  I found this quite emotional and admit to tears in places!
I really didn’t know which man Molly would choose – would it be fiancée Declan, childhood sweetheart Luke ……………or ……….. Gareth?
Always on my Mind is a fabulous story of family, love and friendships.  I was really involved with the characters and reluctantly turned the pages towards the end, as I didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters and their lives.  In my world, there is no higher accolade than that!
I would like to thank the author for choosing me to win this signed copy.
Always on my Mind was published by Simon & Schuster Ltd  in paperback on 7 July 2011.
You can find out more about Colette Caddle on her website.
Colette Caddle is also on Twitter.

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the Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

the Language of Flowers
A debut novel
by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Synopsis from LoveReadingUk:
The Victorian language of flowers was used to express emotions: honeysuckle for devotion, azaleas for passion, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it has been more useful in communicating feelings like grief, mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen, Victoria has nowhere to go, and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. When her talent is discovered by a local florist, she discovers her gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But it takes meeting a mysterious vendor at the flower market for her to realise what’s been missing in her own life, and as she starts to fall for him, she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, and decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.
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LoveReadingUK released an excerpt of the Language of Flowers and tweeted for reviewers to apply stating why they wanted to review the novel.  I applied because I was intrigued.  The excerpt (Chapter 5) told how Victoria was settling into a foster home and yet the synopsis told us she was eighteen and homeless – what happened between the time in the foster home and ‘present’ day to lead to her being homeless and alone? 
The story begins in present day.  Victoria is eighteen and leaving the group home to go to a Gathering House (where she will live rent free for three months which should give her a chance to find a job).  The other girls in the group home have given her a not very pleasant birthday present to wake up to and we get to learn of Victoria’s recurring nightmare.
The chapters alternate between Victoria’s time being fostered by Elizabeth when she was nine and the present day.  I thought this worked really well as each story builds in intensity and leads us to a point where past and present collide. 
Living with Elizabeth, we gradually see Victoria becoming the child she really could be.  She tests Elizabeth with her anger and her rage and it’s the way Elizabeth responds that leads to Victoria starting to believe in herself and accepting it might be possible for someone to love her.  It is with Elizabeth that she learns the language of flowers and while being home schooled by Elizabeth, she also learns the science.   We become aware of a feud between Elizabeth and her sister Catherine.
At eighteen, Victoria is so wary of people and life ………….. she reminded me of an injured animal.   The total fear towards intimacy and friendships.  The deep mistrust of life.  She doesn’t trust herself in having any relationships because she’s been taught by the system that she ruins everything and is not worth being loved. 
The way Renata, the local florist, offers her a job is so matter-of-fact.  Their relationship works well purely because there are no questions and very little interaction although ‘behind the scenes’ Renata is planning and making things happen for her that Victoria doesn’t find out until it’s already done.  I enjoyed the mystique that grew around Victoria as her reputation spread of being able to choose flowers that would make a difference in others lives.
I thought the way the mysterious vendor at the flower market communicates with Victoria, through the message of flowers, was brilliant.    I loved the way their friendship also came across as matter-of-fact.  They just accepted each other despite their own deep wounds.
I found it easy to visualise Victoria compiling her own ‘dictionary’ on flowers and their language – both in the library and in situ.  I loved the way she debated with the flower vendor the meanings of the different flowers.  I think the dictionary after the story has ended is a lovely touch.
 At one of those vital turning points in the story, the author very cleverly has a chapter on the past ending with Victoria in hospital while the following chapter on the present also has Victoria in hospital.  A reflection of each other – both making a huge impact on her life.
My intrigue was kept alive almost to the end of the book – it kept me avidly focussed.  We intuit that something terrible happened at Elizabeth’s home and when Victoria realises who the mysterious flower vendor is, we find out she has spent years trying not to think about what she’d done, trying not to remember what she’d lost.  This theme runs through the past and the present.
For me, the Language of Flowers is a powerful story of the feminine principle in our culture – woman as nurturer – and no matter how flawed we think that love is, it is often enough for us to function in the world and to become our own person.  It is also about family and what holds it together/tears it apart and of course the language that the flowers speak – the messages that can be given.
The ending was exactly how I wanted it to be – a lot more growing and understanding to get through.  I loved the possibility of what might be in Victoria’s future, symbolised by the daffodil, hawthorn and hazel.
This is one book that is a ‘keeper’ for me.  It will stay on my bookshelf.
I would like to thank LoveReadingUK and Pan Macmillan for sending me an uncorrected proof copy to review.
The Language of Flowers is published by Macmillan 18 August 2011.

About the Author

Vanessa Diffenbaugh was born and raised in California.  After studying creative writing, she went on to teach art and writing to youth in low-income communities.  She and her husband PK have three children: Tre’von, 18, Chela 4, and Miles, 3.  Tre’von, a former foster child, is attending New York University on a Gates Millennium Scholarship.  Vanessa and her family live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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Like Bees to Honey by Caroline Smailes

Synopis from Caroline Smaile’s website:
Nina, her son Christopher in tow, flies to Malta for one last visit with her aging parents.
Her previous attempt to see them ended in tears. Disowned for falling pregnant while at university in England, she was not allowed into the house.
This will be her final chance to make her peace with them.
But Malta holds more secrets and surprises than Nina could possibly imagine. What she finds is not the land of her youth, a place full of memories and happiness. Instead she meets dead people. Lots of them.
Malta, it transpires, is a transit lounge for recently deceased spirits and somehow Christopher enables her to see them, speak with them and help them.
And, in return, they help Nina come to terms with her own loss. One so great that she has yet to admit it to herself.
A major new novel from the acclaimed author of In Search of Adam and Black Boxes. In her third novel,  Caroline Smailes draws upon her own family history for a remarkable and unforgettable story. Like Bees to Honey is a story of loss, redemption and ghosts. It is a magical tale that will live with you long after you finish reading.
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The story tells the tale of Nina’s journey from being broken and lifeless to acceptance and wholeness.
The story is full of symbolism (which I enjoyed) and I loved the way the author uses onomatopoeia.
There are references to the Maltese folklore, which played a large part in Nina’s childhood and helps the reader to understand her character – and how confusing that can be when you are living in a different cultural city.
Once back in her homeland of Valetta in Malta, ghosts guide Nina and impart wisdom so that she is able to heal her emotions herself.  One particular ghost, Tilly, who has to stay in Nina’s family home, also heals as she is helping Nina.  Tilly’s character comes across really well and I thought she was adorable.
If you are staunchly religious you may be upset by Jesus’ portrayal ……………….  Personally, I found him to be written about as a beer swilling, chocolate loving, watcher of reality TV icon rather endearing.  He loses none of his compassion despite having his own office.  I loved this ‘grounded’ view of Jesus.  I also loved the idea that John Lennon hangs out in TGI Friday’s in competition with Jesus!
We don’t get to meet Nina’s husband Matt but we do get to read letters that she writes to him.  In the letters she describes the dreams in where Matt plays a central role (but doesn’t post).  In the beginning the dreams always feature an old woman who is speaking to her but she doesn’t understand the language – and the old women represent Matt.  Just one example of the symbolism found in Like Bees to Honey.
All through the book, Nina is dealing with the guilt she feels about her son Christopher.  There is a timely reunion with her father and sister which goes some way to helping her come to terms with what life has thrown at her.
Like Bees to Honey is unique in the way it is written.  It blends humour with seriousness and Caroline Smailes writing style is original.
I downloaded the Kindle version and Caroline Smailes told me the Maltese characters hadn’t translated well for the Kindle – but I found it didn’t detract from the flow of reading.
To find out more about Caroline Smailes and to follow her on social networking sites please check out her website. 
Like Bees to Honey was published by The Friday Project 27 May 2010.