Jo Lambert – Author – Page 2

SEPTEMBER UPDATE…A LITTLE LATE

Posted on October 9, 2023October 7, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

Yes, apologies everyone. Following a perfect week in Lake Garda, Italy, we arrived back at Bristol Airport only to be struck down by a virus infection. Although Covid tests were taken and showed a negative result, I did have my suspicions. I lost my sense of smell, and that has never happened before. Even with a cold, I’ve always had some sense of smell. Not this time. We both had different symptoms too. While I had runny nose and blocked head (plus the lack of smell), OH began with those symptoms, but quickly developed a cough. Continuous intakes of paracetamol and cough mixture gradually improved things. However, it was a case of keeping up the medication and staying indoors, to avoid giving it to others. Not sure where we picked this up. We’d used buses and ferries during our week, and eaten out in local restaurants, so it could have been anywhere. Glad to report it’s now packed its bags and gone.

WRITING

I’m pleased to report that I have at last made a start my new WIP. I decided to take a break over the summer. I stepped back from writing, and it was great to have some protected time. We went away (Norfolk and Devon) and I read a lot. At the same time I began to jot down my thoughts in relation to a new story. As always, everything came in fragments, some of which didn’t fit but I scribbled them down anyway – you never know, it just might come in handy. Eventually, a plot started to take shape and I began writing last weekend. My last three books have featured a coastal backdrop. The towns involved inspired by both Devon and Cornwall. The perfect place to base a fictitious community. This time I am moving inland, but there will still be water as a lake will form a central part of the new neighbourhood. I’ll be chatting more about this in next month’s update.

AND FINALLY, READING…

A busy month for reading. Four big favourites here – The Cottage at Whisper Lake set in Australia, New Dreams at Polkerran Point set in Cornwall, Absolutely and Forever set in 1950 and 60’s Britain and Under a Gilded Sky set in nineteenth century America. They’re all very different and definitely a departure from my usual choices, but all four turned out to be very special reads.

I’m currently reading actor Richard Armitage’s debut novel Geneva, a thriller which is proving quite addictive. I’ll be back again at the end of the month with more news. Until then, have a good October…

Holidays, Italy, MONTHLY UPDATE, READING AND REVIEWING, WEATHER, Writing

AUGUST UPDATE…

Posted on August 25, 2023August 24, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

August had the potential to save summer. To inject some sunshine into those last thirty one days before September arrived. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Okay, there were moments of warm sunshine. Days when the beach beckoned, or eating in the garden was possible. But somehow the rain just kept coming back, bringing with it gloomy grey skies. I’ve always seen the August Bank Holiday weekend as the gateway to autumn. Having said that, both September and October can often surprise us with unexpected sunshine and unseasonably warm days. So, who knows, maybe this year, an Indian summer awaits us. We can only hope!

AUGUST READS

August has been a quiet month for reading. I’m still working on the outline for my new book, which I plan to begin writing at the end of September. I think that probably cut the number of reads. All in all, it proved to be a month of quality rather than quantity, with Kate Ryder’s Echoes on a Cornish River definitely coming out on top as my favourite read.

September starts with a holiday. Our long awaited trip to Italy. This was booked in February, which seemed ages ago, but suddenly, here it is, less than a fortnight away. We are returning to Desenzano on Lake Garda. It’s my first trip abroad since 2018 and the fated ankle break while staying in Menorca. It was followed shortly after by Covid, which curtailed our ability to take holidays, even in the UK. It will be our fourth trip to the lake and second to Desenzano (where we stayed in 2016) . Italy is one of my favourite holiday destinations. I love everything about the country – the weather, the food, the people…and, of course, the history. I’m so looking forward to this trip, which will be followed by our Ruby Wedding Anniversary in October. And then, we’ll be thinking about Christmas…

Well, that’s all for now. I’ll be back at the end of September. In the meantime, wherever you are, enjoy the coming Bank Holiday.

MONTHLY UPDATE, Reviewing, Writing

We’re having a heatwave? I don’t think so…

Posted on August 2, 2023August 1, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

So here we are again, the end of yet another month. Seven down, five to go. This year has been a strange one. We’ve had only a handful of lunches on our back patio and as for the seating on the decking? Well, the covers have yet to come off. As I sit here, there’s rain against the window once more. I’m hoping that August will restore my faith in the weather and bring some of that much missed summer sunshine back to the UK.

July was a quiet month with not much to report. I’m still working on my new writing project, but don’t plan to begin until we’re back from Italy later in September. Desenzano, on Lake Garda, where we will be staying, actually features in A Cornish Affair, which was published back in 2019. It definitely ticked all the boxes when I was looking for somewhere for my two star crossed lovers to meet and resolve their differences.

I’m planning to write a piece on my writing blog about using real places in my fiction. I have done this many times in the books I’ve published and on one occasion, when I needed a heroine to walk around Verona, I used Google Map. I had actually visited the city, but my memory, coupled with photos I’d taken at the time, weren’t really sharp enough to make the scene convincing. I’ll be posting on FB and ‘X’ as it is called now (not sure I can get used to this strange new name, but that’s another story) later this month.

MY READING MONTH

And finally…

From the covers below you would be forgiven for thinking I’ve been locked away in a room for the last 31 days and done nothing but read. Not so, but it’s my biggest monthly reading challenge so far this year. Some books, depending on the story, I’m able to finish in a couple of days; others take a bit more time. All of these were great reads, but there were three which I felt really stood out – two crime and one coming of age novel set in the States.

The Nail Salon by Natalie Tambini.

Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman.

The Crying Cave Killings by Wes Markin.

Check out my Goodreads account to see my reviews

Well that’s all for this month, I’ll be back at the end of August.

Best wishes, Jo

Cornwall, Devon, Goodreads Reading Challenge, Holidays, MONTHLY UPDATE, Psychological Thriller, Writing

June Update

Posted on July 5, 2023July 6, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

A little late this month as I spent the last week of June in South Devon. An amazing break, catching up with family and ex-neighbours plus having two friends stay over with us in our apartment.

When visiting South Devon we usually stay in either Dartmouth, Kingsbridge or Salcombe. This year it was the turn of Kingsbridge, where we last stayed in 2017 just before the pandemic put us into lockdown. Post Covid there have been changes in the town. Some retailers have gone, while new ones have arrived. Thankfully the Mangetout Deli is still open and thriving. It was one of the first places we dropped into to purchase items. We have also enjoyed meals at The Crabshell Inn, which is only a few moments walk from our apartment. This year, however, we were shocked to find how much prices had shot up there, so opted to eat elsewhere instead. It’s a great place, right on the water’s edge but I couldn’t believe how expensive it had become.

We had a great week, meeting up with OH’s cousin, and having lunch with ex-neighbours who have moved to Ivybridge. We also had friends join us for a two night stopover. The weather held, hot and cloudless over the first weekend changing to sunny intervals accompanied by a strong wind for the rest of the week (check out the cloud formations as Beesands where we stopped for a coffee at The Cricket Inn on our way to Dartmouth on Thursday).

We walked a lot, checked out some new eateries and generally relaxed. The view from our apartment window was amazing. A view of the estuary with fields of sheep opposite. South Devon is one of my happy places and Dartmouth has, like Fowey, proved inspirational when creating Kingswater, the fictitious estuary town in my Cornish trilogy.

As at the end of all holidays, we were sad to leave, but now it’s all about where to choose for 2024 – Salcombe or Dartmouth? My money is on Dartmouth. Post Covid we found it swamped with tourists, but now holidays abroad are back, it’s much less crowded. It’s a great place to watch not only people but activity on the water as well. Relaxing and restful, I can’t wait to return.

READING

During June, I managed to read and review five books. It means I have now hit my Goodreads Reading Challenge target for the year. I would like to give a special mention to Sheryl Browne – yet another edge of the seat read with My Husband’s House. I also enjoyed Luisa A Jones’ The Gilded Cage, while Isabel Ashdown’s Homecoming and Nikki Smith’s The Beach Party both received five big stars from me – both highly recommended.

So that’s it for June. Back with you at the end of July.

Writing

Bye Bye May…

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

May arrived with little change in the weather. In fact, by the time I’d had my birthday and we were on our way to Wells Next The Sea in Norfolk for a week’s holiday, although the sun had put in a regular appearance, it came with a sting in the tail – a sharp north easterly wind. Looking back to 2017 when we came to Wells and had our first holiday in Church View, I remember it being a week where we did have rain, but eventually those grey clouds cleared away and when the sun came out, boy was it warm! I guess we shouldn’t have been too surprised with what’s happened this year though. It’s been a strange time weather-wise, with what has felt like continuous rain since the beginning of the year.

This was our fourth trip to Wells, something that began after watching Kingdom back in 2007. Set in Norfolk, it it featured a family legal practice based in Wells, and starred Stephen Fry and Hermione Norris. You can still catch all three series on ITVX. Just as the crime drama Bergerac back in the 1980s was a great show for promoting Jersey (and yes, it was one of the factors which influenced us to take a holiday there), so Kingdom did the same for Wells. What started as a trip out of curiosity, has now become one of our established holiday destinations. It really is a wonderfully relaxing place to chill out for a week (or two).

Church View, the house we rented is well furnished, right next to the Bowling Green Inn (a busy pub where you need to reserve a table if you plan to eat there) and five minutes away from both the High Street and the nearest supermarket. It’s also a short distance from Butlands, the open expanse of green where The Crown and The Globe are situated – two of our favourite eating places.

So what else have I been up to? Well, I met up with fellow writer Lizzie Lamb in Bath half way through the month. On her way home from Cornwall, it was a lovely opportunity to catch up over lunch with lots of book talk.

To be honest, this month is another which has flown by. I’m only hoping with the arrival of June we just might get some warmer weather.

Until next month….

May Reads…

Yes, nine books this month! With The Secrets We Keep being published at the end of April, I had time of my hands and, well, May certainly had some great titles lined up. A special shout out for Katie Bishop’s The Girls of Summer, and M A Hunter’s Adrift. Both were exceptional reads. Next month is a little quieter, I promise.

Cornwall, Costal Romance, Goodreads Reading Challenge, Holidays, Norfolk, Reviewing, Writing

APRIL UPDATE

Posted on April 29, 2023April 29, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

Wow! A third of the way through 2023 already. I can’t believe how quickly this year is passing. April has been a disappointment as far as the weather is concerned. More overcast days and rain punctuated with the occasional sunny day. I’m hoping we come out of this seemingly never-ending bout of greyness and emerge into wall to wall sunshine for a while. What are the chances, do you think?

April, of course, was publication day for my third and final book in the Cornish Coastal series. I had an amazing response on social media. Once again, thank you to everyone who liked, retweeted or posted a comment. It was very much appreciated, and it’s great to know there is so much support out there.

READING AND REVIEWING

This month I read seven books. Yes, I do try to limit myself to a sensible number but having said that, if I’m lucky enough to find titles I like which are well spaced through the month, it doesn’t seem a problem to add a couple more in. I’m quite a quick reader and so far on my 2023 Goodreads Challenge have completed 26 books. Below are those for April and I found two in particular were exceptional reads – Go As A River by Shelley Read, and The Enemy of Love by Annabelle

So that’s it for now. See you all next month. Take care, and enjoy your weekend.

Jo xx

Author Promotion, Cornwall, Publication Day, ROMANTIC SUSPENSE, Writing

It’s 25th April and Publication Day for The Secrets We Keep – the final part of my Cornish coastal trilogy…

Posted on April 25, 2023April 24, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

There was a moment in time when I thought I would never reach this point. That this book would never make it beyond the draft stage. There were times, in fact, when I wanted to throw the towel in and admit the whole thing wasn’t working. However, us writer’s are made of sterner stuff and despite a good portion of 2022 being taken up with hospital tests followed by many weeks waiting for the results, I soldiered on. It wasn’t always easy. There were stops and starts but eventually I could see the end of the tunnel. And now, here we are, the book is out tomorrow in both e-book and paperback.

This is the final book of my Cornish coastal trilogy. It was never planned that way. Originally Shadows on the Water was supposed to be a one off. But as I wrote, I could see the potential for two more novels. A Kingswater Summer was published in 2021 and I began working on book 3 in late ’21/early ’22. The idea was to have this, the final book ready by early summer for publication in August. That, of course didn’t happen. It’s a spring publication in 2023 instead.

I’m happy that I’m leaving my three girls in a good place – Ava with her vineyard heir Alex, Kiera with TV hero Jake and finally Hayley with photographer Nick. They’ve all had to work hard for their happiness – yes I’m a hard mistress and certainly put them through a lot of difficult situations before they finally found their happy ever afters.

So what’s next? Not sure at the moment. I began writing commercially in 2009. My first book was too big to publish as one story, so I expanded it and it became a series of books instead. I have withdrawn all four of them from Amazon and intend to update each one, including new cover designs. The other option is to move on with a new project. So far I’ve located my books in West Somerset, South Devon, and both north and south Cornwall. Growing up in the West Country, I have always based my writing there, but strangely never in Wiltshire, where I spent most of my childhood. So there is another county, which I might consider. Before I make my decision, however, I’m concentrating on this final Cornish story. If you plan to download and read, or purchase a paperback, then I hope you enjoy it. And if you have time, please leave a review – a few lines will do.

BLURB:

After her father’s tragic death, abandoning thoughts of university, Hayley supported her mother with the day to day running of the Estuary House Hotel in Kingswater. Now, she is ready to return to her studies, but before that there’s a summer to enjoy.

When the luxury yacht, Odyssey, drops anchor in the Kingswater estuary, with Adam Davenport and his friends on board, Hayley has no idea about the impact they will have on her life. Spending time with Adam, she realises that despite having money and privilege he is very unhappy. Instinctively wanting to help him, she finds herself up against two huge barriers: his sinister friend Damian and Adam’s own capricious nature.

Nick Pallister is a young photographer staying at Estuary House while working on an assignment for the Cornish Tourist Board. On occasions Hayley ferries him upriver to find locations for wildlife shots. Kind, funny and easy on the eye, she is unaware of the danger as she gradually begins to fall under his spell.

When Nick unexpectedly checks out, taking steps to make sure he cannot be traced, Hayley comes to the painful conclusion she has merely been a summer fling. Days later, Adam takes a taxi into Truro and disappears. Despite an extensive police search, he is never found.

*****

Six years have passed, and Hayley is settled and happy with a small daughter, Amelie. Thoughts of that summer long gone. Nick Pallister’s unexpected arrival at the hotel both surprises and angers her. Determined to get some answers, she is unaware that he may have questions of his own; ones that could easily jeopardise the new life she has built for herself and her daughter.

Set on the south coast of Cornwall, The Secrets We Keep is a story of lost love, secrets and second chances.

Available in e-book at £1.99 (UK) and paperback on Amazon

Cornwall, Costal Romance, Holidays, Norfolk, Publication Day, ROMANTIC SUSPENSE, Writing

March Update…

Posted on April 7, 2023April 6, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

**Due for publication on 25th April, 2023.** **Currently available to pre-order on Amazon.Com and Amazon.Co.UK**

Yes, I guess this is the most important news to come out of March. The third and final instalment of my Cornish Coastal Romance trilogy is finally ready to meet the outside world. Given the kind of health issues that have seen me yo-yoing in and out of hospital for clinic appointments during 2022, it became a bit of a battle to complete The Secrets We Keep. Yes, there were times when I felt like abandoning the whole project, but looking back at how far I had come, I knew I had to keep going, no matter how difficult that final stretch would prove. Thankfully I managed it and can happily confirm I have the all clear and am now looking forward to getting back to regular writing.

Not sure how everyone else feels, but for me the move into summertime with the clocks being put forward an hour is a time for celebration. We’re eventually pulling away from those dark evenings and hopefully can now look forward to brighter, lighter days. Not that the weather is currently playing ball. We’ve had a few really lovely spring days full of sunshine, but there are moments, like today, when winter’s keen to tell us it hasn’t yet left the building!

Next month is a double for me. Birthday and the first of our holidays. We’re returning to Wells Next the Sea on the Norfolk Coast. This will be our fourth trip to this lovely part of the UK. Friendly locals, big skies, sea air, long walks and fabulous food…what more could you want?

MY READ AND REVIEWS FOR MARCH 2023

This month has delivered a great selection of books. I have a quite broad taste when it comes to reading. Despite preferring psychological thrillers, I often opt for something completely different if I know it’s an author whose work I enjoy, or if the synopsis interests me. Four of this month’s choices proved exceptional –

The Last Party at Silverton Hall (a wonderful dual time line read) The Hidden Letters (Lorna Cook being a favourite author of mine, didn’t disappoint with this), The Loch (atmospheric and suspenseful) and The Night She Vanished by Wendy Dranfield, another author who I know always delivers an exceptional read.

So that’s it for now. Hopefully by the time I’m back with my April update, we’ll be in a better place with the weather, with many of us looking forward to our 2023 holidays.

Take care everyone…

Writing

March 14th is publication day for author Wendy Dranfield’s new thriller…

Posted on March 14, 2023March 7, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

The Night She Vanished

Available in ebook, audiobook, paperback and on Kindle Unlimited.

My parents seem to be the perfect couple. But no one knows what I know…

Everyone in the small Midwestern town of Henderson looks up to my perfect parents. With dependable jobs as a midwife and the town sheriff, they help this close-knit community feel safe. But the locals didn’t grow up in my parents’ house. They don’t know what I know. And they wouldn’t believe me if I told them…

After my best friend vanished when we were just fifteen, I left town and never looked back. I couldn’t prove it, but I think my parents killed her.

Now, years later, my little sister has vanished. I have no choice but to go home and play happy families again. Because I have to find out what my parents have done to her. I have to try to save her.

But when bones are discovered on a local farm, and all the evidence leads back to our front door, I realize I was wrong about absolutely everything. And that coming back was the deadliest thing I could do…

An utterly gripping read that will have you on the edge of your seat long into the night.

Amazon link: https://mybook.to/TheNightSheVanished

Author bio

Wendy is the bestselling author of the Detective Madison Harper crime series.

She is a former coroner’s assistant turned crime writer who writes a mixture of standalone thrillers, crime series and short stories. Some of her books have been shortlisted and longlisted for various writing competitions and awards, including the Mslexia novel competition and the International Thriller Writer Awards. Several have also hit the Amazon Top 100 chart.

You can find more information on her website: wendydranfield.co.uk

Twitter: @WendyDranfield

Facebook & Instagram: Wendy Dranfield Author

MY REVIEW

When she was 15, Nicole Rivers best friend Lori disappeared. Blood on the grass in the local park where she was last seen indicated foul play, but her body was never found. Now, Nicole’s younger pregnant sister Amie has also disappeared. A phone call from her mother, asking her to return home, sees Nicole and her husband Lucas travelling back to Henderson, the town where she grew up to be reunited with her estranged parents. Unhappy that little appears to have been done by her father, the local sheriff, to locate her sister, Nicole decides to investigate.

The Night She Vanished is Wendy Dranfield’s second stand alone thriller and it’s another brilliant read. The story is full of twists, turns and surprises with cleverly written characters whose motives you’re never quite sure of. It’s a total page turner with a dramatic conclusion. I have to admit to burning the midnight oil to finish this one, I simply could not put it down. A well deserved five stars from me.

Crime Thriller, Holidays, MONTHLY UPDATE, Psychological Thriller, Writing

MONTHLY UPDATE

Posted on March 3, 2023March 2, 2023 by Jo Lambert - Author

First post of 2023! January has simply whizzed by and now we’re saying goodbye to February. The first month of the year is my least favourite and usually the most quiet. So, I decided to move on and save my first update for February. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to have happened, here so I am, finishing off the post during the first few days of March!

What a lot of difference these weeks have made. The days are lighter and the dusk is nudging towards six pm. Whether you believe in Seasonal Affected Disorder or not, dark mornings and the early onset of dark evenings as the year ends definitely makes an impression on me. And not a good one. The run up to Christmas, with all its social activities acts as a distraction. There are things to look forward to. Purchases to make, get togethers to organise. And then, soon after the last strains of Auld Lang Syne have faded, there you are, face to face with January and a whole month which makes me feel I want to hibernate. No, of course that’s an exaggeration. It’s another year. New things to plan and look forward to. Nevertheless, I always find myself eager to get away from those thirty one days and move into February. And now, here we are, and I know I should not wish my life away, but I’m so glad January and February are behind me.

Fitness classes have resumed and I’m glad because I really felt the need to get back to proper exercise. Standing in the kitchen using two tins of beans for weights is no substitution. Joking aside, I do actually have some proper weights (in a girly pink circa late 1980s). I also have a step exerciser, and a selection of exercise bands, and I try to make time for home exercise. There is no substitution, however, for exercising as a group with a proper fitness trainer.

Holidays – I think everyone thought I was mad booking two holidays for 2023 in November. However, it’s clear from the situation with the current level of bookings on holiday websites that UK holidays a very much in demand. I’m spending my birthday in Norfolk at Wells Next The Sea. We first came here in 2007. Friends of ours retired to Dereham and love it so we always catch up with them whenever we stay here. I’ve always had this thing about boats and water and love Wells. It’s also a place for walkers and is a great opportunity to walk those extra pounds off (the pubs here are very good!)

In June we travel down to Devon. This time we’re in Kingsbridge; somewhere we haven’t stayed for quite a few years, usually opting for Dartmouth if we decide to stay in South Hams. And finally, in September we’re spending a week at Lake Garda. I really love the Italian Lakes and this time we’re going back to Desenzano, staying in the same hotel as we did in 2016. It will be my first trip overseas since Covid. The last time I holidayed out of the UK was in 2018 in Menorca. Memorable for all the wrong reasons, as I broke my ankle stepping awkwardly off the bottom step of the staircase in the villa where we were staying. As a result, I spent most of the summer in plaster, followed by a boot and physio. Not something I’m keen to repeat…

And finally –

READING AND REVIEWING

A busy two months so far – and some exceptionally good reads. For an excellent crime drama, I can recommend The Lonely Lake Killings by Wes Markham. Or if you are a lover of psychological thrillers then why not try The Summer Party by Rebecca Heath?

JANUARY and FEBRUARY