Felicity Fox is a rarity for a woman living in the early 1800s. Not only does she frequent the ‘gambling hells’ where most ladies would not dare to tread, she can also beat any man at his own game. It’s no wonder she’s gained notoriety as the ‘Queen of Diamonds’.
Edward, Earl of Addington, despises gambling and is not exactly enamoured of Felicity Fox either, especially after she tried to swindle his family. Except now the Earl requires assistance from the Queen of Diamonds – and there’s everything to play for. But with Edward will Felicity find she’s involved in a more dangerous game than she’s ever played before?
Sharon was born in Sydney, Australia but now lives in London, UK with her husband, two small children and two black cats named for desserts. She started writing ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ fanfic aged fifteen, which eventually turned into the historical romance novels she writes today. You can follow Sharon at http://www.sharonibbotson.com or on twitter @seibbotson
Hi, there, lovely to be asked by Jo Lambert to do my Life Playlist.
I’m 54 years old and very proud of my age. It’s the time in my life where I feel most comfortable with myself and with who I am. It’s taken me along time to get to this place where I think life is just what it is…it’s just life…just live it.
I live in Cheshire, I have been married and divorced, have two wonderful children, a dog called Willow and a cat called Freddie. This year I had my book Behind Closed Doors, a psychological thriller published and what a dream come true that has been after over ten years of writing and rejections.
I love my own company which is pretty important for a writer. I don’t like travelling as much as I used to when I was younger. Having said that, I love cruises and have travelled with Cunard in the last few years and been totally spoilt. I think it’s an age thing or so my kids tell me, but who needs the hassle of airports if you can avoid them, right?
I speak Spanish fluently and a little French. My ideal day would be, if the weather is good, to write in the morning and then sit in the garden with a glass of something naughty and read a good book. I’m an avid reader and even though I vowed never to read on Kindle, I must confess I am now hooked. There’s something magical about a paperback that I adore, the smell and the feel of them, but practically a kindle is so light to carry around. I can even read on my phone if waiting for an appointment! That’s the advantage.
I love my garden and spend a lot of time there when I can and when the British weather allows me to.
I’ve not always written, but I’ve always read a lot. I remember the first book that got me into a heavy reading pattern where I just became obsessed with books, that was Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers. I was sixteen. From then on, I knew that I wanted to write. But I knew to do so I had to read a lot and learn and that’s what I did. I started writing around ten years ago. I first started writing paranormal romance, a genre I still enjoy reading. I do have a novel hidden in the back of my drawer, which I hope one day to blow the dust off and take another look at it. I then wrote chick lit and finally fell into writing thrillers. I think sometimes you have to just write until you find your niche.
Now back to the music and here are my choices:
Ventura Highway by America
Ventura Highway is a 1972 song by the band America from their album Homecoming.
I love listening to this. I have wanted to visit California all my life and at one time I was about to move out there but met my husband the day before I was to send my papers in the post. And as they say that was that. This song fills me with happiness and sunshine and sandy beaches. I still want to visit.
Soldier of Fortune by Deep Purple
When I wrote my first book, a paranormal romance, (unpublished) about fifteen years ago, after finishing I heard this song on the radio and thought how beautifully it corresponded to my book. I love the sound of David Coverdale’s voice, so emotive and gritty. It’s a beautiful song.
Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush
When I heard this song and that voice in 1978, I was mesmerised. Kate Bush was so different and her music so marmite. I loved this video and whenever I hear this on the radio today it takes me back to a time when I was twelve years old and carefree.
California Dreaming by The Mamas and the Papas
I’ve always loved this song because of the unique delayed harmonies. A real masterpiece for all time. It evokes images of West Coast cruising in corvettes, malt shops, beach boys cruising down the California coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The Mamas and the Papas created music that changed the culture of that time. It’s happy music, to sit in the garden on a hot summer’s day with an iced cool glass of wine and just relaxing.
Fairy Tale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
What can I say! This song is amazing. Brilliant. The lyrics and music are perfect. I love hearing this at Christmas time and all year round. It makes me laugh and smile and just feel happy.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
A simmering sense of dread dominates this brilliant debut thriller. Highly recommended!
She’s in your house, now she wants your life …
Tina Valentine has it all: the loving family, the beautiful house, the successful career.
But then Megan Pearson starts work at Tina’s law firm and with her arrival the perfect world Tina has built for herself starts to collapse as it becomes clear that the newcomer is intent on infiltrating every aspect of her life.
Something is obviously wrong with Megan but nobody else seems to see it. As the mind games and manipulations continue, Tina comes to the sickening conclusion that now she’s opened the door to Megan, it’s going to be impossible to make her leave …
I’m 54 years old and very proud of my age. It’s the time in my life where I feel most comfortable with myself and with who I am. It’s taken me along time to get to this place where I think life is just what it is…it’s just life…just live it.
JO LAMBERT 