Author: Jo Lambert - Author

The Girl in the Photograph by Kirsty Ferry: Extract Post

The Cove, 1905

‘Ahoy there!’
Lorelei saw the figure on the shore waving to her as she settled on the rocks and felt a little burst of anger that her fun had been thus intruded upon. Then, as she watched him come closer to the shoreline, she realised that he was quite a stranger, and therefore very possibly the artist from the Dower House. From his confident stride and the way he held himself, this was no old man – no elderly gentleman who she could chat to. This was someone altogether much younger and much more vibrant.
She sat up straight on the rock and began to wring her hair out, twisting it and squeezing it between her long, artistic fingers. ‘Do you have permission to be on this beach?’ she shouted. ‘It is private, and I’m afraid that you are trespassing. If that is the case, you may have to be shot.’
The man laughed and she could see he was wading out towards her, heedless of his trousers soaking up the sea water.
‘I do have permission,’ he shouted back. ‘I’m renting the Dower House from the Scarsdales. I might ask you the same question. Do you have permission to be here?’
‘Then I assume you are Mr Cooper,’ stated Lorelei, ignoring his query.
‘I am indeed Mr Cooper,’ replied the man. He bowed elegantly, if a little mockingly, and she noticed with appreciation the fact that his hair fell over his face in a very Bohemian fashion.
‘Then you are an artist, Sir.’
‘I am an artist. But my medium is photography.’ He took a few more strides towards her so the water was up to the middle of his thighs and he smiled. The deep brown of his eyes was very pleasing and Lorelei smiled back. ‘Yet I do not know who you are,’ he continued. ‘Are you perhaps a mermaid or a siren, waiting for a sailor to clamber onto your rock and lapse unto certain death?’
‘You are Scottish, Mr Cooper,’ commented Lorelei, deliberately evading his questions. It would be rather fun to keep him guessing, she had decided. God knew she had little enough fun with Walter and she could never talk to him like this.
‘I am indeed Scottish. And that is now three things you know about me, Madam Siren.’ He held up his hand and began counting them off his fingers. ‘I am Mr Cooper. I take photographs. And I hail from Scotland. Oh! No, my apologies. You know four things. You also know that I have permission to be on this beach, which is more than I know about you. I may have to report you to the Scarsdales after all.’
‘Report away.’ Lorelei slipped off the rock and began to swim diagonally across the expanse of water, cutting quite closely by him on an arrow-straight route towards the bathing machine.
‘Incredible woman!’ Julian called after her. ‘I will discover your identity, have no fear.’
‘Oh, I don’t fear that!’ she shouted back over her shoulder. ‘And I am sure we shall meet again, sometime soon, Mr Cooper. Adieu!’

ABOUT THE BOOK

What if the past was trying to teach you a lesson?
Staying alone in the shadow of an abandoned manor house in Yorkshire would be madness to some, but art enthusiast Lissy de Luca can’t wait. Lissy has her reasons for seeking isolation, and she wants to study the Staithes Group an artists commune active at the turn of the twentieth century.
Lissy is fascinated by the imposing Sea Scarr Hall but the deeper she delves, the stranger things get. A lonely figure patrols the cove at night, whilst a hidden painting leads to a chilling realisation. And then there’s the photograph of the girl; so beautiful she could be a mermaid … and so familiar.
As Lissy further immerses herself, she comes to an eerie conclusion: The occupants of Sea Scarr Hall are long gone, but they have a message for her and they’re going to make sure she gets it.

Book 3 in The Rossetti Mysteries, Book 1 – Some Veil Did Fall. Book 2 – The Girl in the Painting

The Girl in the Photograph is available to purchase as an eBook and paperback from all good book retailers. Click here for buying options: http://www.choc-lit.com/dd-product/the-girl-in-the-photograph/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kirsty Ferry is from the North East of England and lives there with her husband and son. She won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing competition in 2009 and has had articles and short stories published in Peoples Friend, The Weekly News, It’s Fate, Vintage Script, Ghost Voices and First Edition. Her work also appears in several anthologies, incorporating such diverse themes as vampires, crime, angels and more.
Kirsty loves writing ghostly mysteries and interweaving fact and fiction. The research is almost as much fun as writing the book itself, and if she can add a wonderful setting and a dollop of history, that’s even better.
Her day job involves sharing a building with an eclectic collection of ghosts, which can often prove rather interesting.

Follow Kirsty on Twitter @Kirsty_Ferry
Like Kirsty on Facebook Kirsty Ferry Author

Hi Ros and welcome. Can I start, as always, by asking you a little about yourself?

Hi, I took early retirement, having been a primary school headteacher in three different schools, and we moved to live permanently in France. It was there, with plenty of time on my hands, that I began writing in earnest. I completed a book of contemporary romantic fiction which I initially indie published. I soon took it down after I was accepted onto the RNA New Writers’ Scheme and received feedback on the manuscript. My second book was accepted by Endeavour Press (now Endeavour Media) and after redrafting the first, that was accepted too. Also, I have two novels and a novella which are 20^th century historical fiction about three sisters during times of major conflict. These, I have indie published and all three have been awarded ‘Chill with a Book’ reader’s awards as well as two with ‘Discovering Diamonds’ awards. The last in this ‘Strong Sisters series’ is on the way and will be set in the Cold War.

Who are your favourite authors and have any of them inspired your writing in any way?

This is a hard question because there are many. My mum was a published author of many romantic novels and was, too, a member of the RNA in the 1970s. She always encouraged me to write but I was a busy working mum and didn’t get around to it. I hope she’s proud now, from wherever she’s looking down.  I love James Hilton’s books, especially ‘Random Harvest’ which is a great traditional love story with a magnificent twist at the end. He’s more well-known for ‘Goodbye Mr Chips’. I have a copy from 1941 with my granny’s pencilled notes in the margin. She inspired my book, ‘Flowers of Flanders’, although it’s not her story. I guess there’s an emotive response to ‘Random Harvest’ for that reason, too.

How do you go about choosing character names for your novels?

For the Strong Sisters, I needed flower names because they are ‘Flowers of Flanders’ in the first book and ‘Flowers of Resistance’ in the second. So, I chose Rose, for the traditional warm and caring sister, Delphinium, known as Delphi, for the exotic, wild and selfish one and Iris, (Izzy) for the youngest, who will bloom in unusual, unexpected and striking ways as she matures. The last book in the series, set in the Cold War, is probably going to be ‘The Flower that Shattered Stones’. For the contemporary books I trawl names on the internet which seem to suit the times and the personality of the character. Some of my characters are French so I use the same principle.

Beach or city girl? Where are your favourite holiday destinations and why?

I would say beach, but I don’t enjoy lazing on one. I prefer exploring or bouncing about in the waves. My childhood was spent in Cornwall around Penzance, with cousins. Happy memories, and my latest WIP is set near there, in a tiny place called Mousehole. We have discovered cruising recently. That, I do love. Its so interesting to visit different places and also to spend time people watching.

Are you able to tell us a little about what you are working on at the moment?

I’ve literally just completed a new-adult romance. That’s the one set in Cornwall. I’m half way through another romance about a 40 something woman who has to relocate from London, following the death of her husband. She moves to a small Northamptonshire village. She needs to rehabilitate to contentment.  A homeless rough sleeper plays a significant part in this and as well as a Frenchman with a mysterious past.

And lastly, you’re planning a year away on a desert island. Name four must haves and the reason for choosing them.

Pencils and paper would, of course, be a must. I’m assuming there’s no electricity or internet. Perhaps a Bible. I follow no doctrinal religion at all, but in the absence of other people it would be good inspiration for adaptation to modern times. It’s full of great stories.  That’s two items. I’m counting the pencils and paper as one. Hope that’s alright. I’d take a family photo. My husband and I have two daughters and four granddaughters as well as two sons-in-law. My last item would be one of my ‘fumsup’. These are tiny keepsakes of a mannikin given to soldiers in WW1. They have wings on their ankles for a speedy return, a four-leaved clover impressed into the forehead and their tiny arms raise up to touch the wooden bead head. I have a collection of different ones; some brass, others silver or gold. Many are quiTe rare.

ABOUT ROS

I worked as a head teacher, so my writing then was policy documents, essays and some stories to which young children enjoyed listening. I have two married daughters and four granddaughters. Having lived in France for ten years we are now back in England living in a small town between Stamford and Peterborough and loving it. We enjoy ballroom and Latin dancing as well as walking the dogs.

All my books may be purchased here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ros+rendle

or from me, via my website:

www.rosrendleauthor,co.uk

Other links are:

www.facebook.com/RosalindRendleAuthor

www.twitter.com/ros_rendle

It’s publication day for Kirsty Ferry’s second instalment of the Hartsford Mysteries Series and here’s my review.

“The stars are aligning and it’s time again …”

Working at the Folk Museum in Hartsford village means that Kate Howard is surrounded by all sorts of unusual vintage items. Of course she has her favourites; particularly the Victorian ice skates with a name – ‘CAT’ – mysteriously painted on the sides.
But what Kate doesn’t realise is how much she has in common with Catriona Aphrodite Tredegar, the original owner of the skates, or how their lives will become strangely entwined. All Kate knows is that as soon as she bumps into farrier Theo Kent, things start getting weird: there’s the vivid, disconcerting visions and then of course the overwhelming sense that she’s met Theo before …

MY REVIEW

This book does indeed confirm Kirsty Ferry as one of the best time slip authors. In Watch for me by Candlelight we are back at Hartsford Hall in Suffolk. Elodie, who featured in Watch for Me by Moonlight, is now married to Alex and pregnant with twins. This time the story centres on Kate Howard who looks after Hartsford Hall’s Folk Museum. As the story begins Kate starts her day with a visit to the bakery to collect rolls for her breakfast. There she bumps into a stranger. He looks familiar. Kate wonders where she’s seen him before.

Right from the off I really liked Kate’s character. She’s committed to her job, loves Hartsford Hall and the village and has unlimited patience with everyone. One night the unexpected sound of the cuckoo clock downstairs wakes her and triggers the beginning of her time travel adventures. She finds herself back in Victorian times as Catriona Tredegar a young woman staying at Hartsford Hall with her friend Lady Amelia (Millie) Hartsford. A nasty fall while skating on the ice has brought the Hall’s blacksmith Will Hadden to her rescue and sees the beginning of a forbidden love affair between the two of them.

Nineteenth and twenty first century stories run together seamlessly. Kate has her share of troubles with arrogant, self-absorbed boyfriend Chris and her awkward assistant Jenna. And then there’s her attraction to newly arrived farrier Theo Kent, the familiar stranger she bumped into at the bakery. Both heroines face many challenges, Cat probably more so due to the social restrictions of the time.  Her love affair with Will seems doomed from the very beginning. With everything stacked against them can they ever have a happy ever after?

The story is also related in parts from Will and Theo’s viewpoints, adding their voices and life challenges into to mix.  All in all it made for an absorbing read.

Although it was sad to say goodbye to Katie, Theo, Cat and Will, I held onto the thought that Kirsty no doubt still has many more Hartsford Hall tales up her sleeve – great news for all of us.

All in all an excellent read with great characters, well deserving of five stars.

I would like to thank Choc Lit for an ARC copy of Watch for Me by Candlelight in exchange for an honest review.

Hi Catherine and welcome. Can I start, as always, by asking you a little about yourself?

Hi, Jo and thank you for the invitation to Tuesday Talk. I am Irish and live in Dublin. In the past I have worked in the Irish and New Zealand public services and in the private sector. I am now retired and grateful that I can enjoy all the ‘good things’ of life such as food and wine, travel, music, especially opera, and theatre. My favourite countries to visit are France and Greece. I am never without a book to read or a notebook to scribble in.

Who are your favourite writers and have they influenced your own writing in any way?

Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen pointed me towards the Regency, J R R Tolkien is a wonderful story-teller and P D James and Reginald Hill showed me that so-called ‘popular’ ‘genre’ fiction can include great novels.

What inspired you to set your stories during the Regency period?

I was introduced to the Regency while I was in my teens, not only through Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, but also through the romantic poets such as Wordsworth, Shelly and Keats, and essayists such as Charles Lamb and William Hazlitt.
The first quarter of the nineteenth century was one of the most significant periods of European and American history whose events still resonate after two hundred years. The Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland of 1800, the Anglo-American war of 1812 and the final defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 all still shape our modern world. The aristocracy-led society that drove these events was already under attack from those who saw the need for social and political reform, while the industrial revolution saw the beginning of the transfer of wealth and ultimately power to those who knew how to exploit the new technologies.
It was still a patriarchal world where women had few or no rights but they lived and loved and died, making the best lives they could for themselves and their families, often with their husbands away for years with the army or at sea. And they began to raise their voices, demanding equality and emancipation.
I love the challenge of evoking this fascinating era with characters who behave authentically in their period while making their actions and decisions plausible and sympathetic to a modern reader.

Portrait of Lady Morgan (Sydney Owenson) (1776-1859), Writer, c.1818, Artist: RenÈ ThÈodore Berthon. A lady in an empire line dress seated on a chair beside a writing desk. Pen in hand. A vase of flowers.

Kilburne, George Goodwin; 1839–1924. “Hearts are Trumps”, undated. Oil on canvas, 102 × 77.5cm. London Art Market, Sotheby’s, 30. September 1987, Lot 156.

What makes a great hero?

Strength, courage and loyalty. Strength and courage to bear his burdens, confront his demons, do his duty, question received wisdom and shibboleths. Loyalty to his principles, his family, his duty, whether professional or personal. These are general attributes that might apply to anyone. In terms of fiction, and especially in terms of a romantic interest, there must be an initial spark between the couple even if at first it is unrecognised or ignored. There must also be a certain compatibility of mind and interests, mutual respect and a strong sexual attraction. And, of course, a true hero’s strength, courage and loyalty will always be at the service of his other half.

Beach or City? Where are you the happiest?

Here I just have to say, ‘both’. I live ten minutes on foot from the sea and a ten minutes’ journey from the city centre. I love to walk on the beach and also love the buzz of the city. On holidays, I like to find accommodation near the beach, preferably with a sea view, but to use the day for sight-seeing, followed by an evening walk and a sundowner by the sea. One of my favourite places is Chania in Crete. The sunsets by the harbour are spectacular and there are so many places to visit during the day.

Are you able to tell us a little about what you are working on at the moment?

I am completing the final edits for my new novel A Suggestion of Scandal that will be published at the end of July. Here is the blurb.
If only he could find a lady who was tall enough to meet his eyes, intelligent enough not to bore him and had that certain something that meant he could imagine spending the rest of his life with her.
It is high time Sir Julian Loring married, but he certainly does not expect to discover ‘that lady’ in his half-sister Chloe’s governess. When he first met Rosa Fancourt, the orphaned daughter of a naval officer, she was a gawky girl fresh from a Bath Academy, when he returns to his father’s home for a house-party, somehow she sparks his interest. Then, just as he begins to get to know her better, she disappears—in very dubious circumstances. Julian cannot bring himself to believe the worst of Rosa, but if she is innocent, the real truth is even more shocking. Despite this, he is determined to find her and to ensure justice for her.
This has repercussions for his own family, not least for Chloe. And how is he to pursue his courtship of Rosa when she has taken refuge with her cousins? Driven by her concern for Chloe, Rosa accepts an invitation to spend some weeks at Castle Swanmere. But Julian’s cousin, the widowed Meg Overton, has also been invited and she is determined not to let such an eligible match as Julian slip through her fingers again. When a ghost from Rosa’s past rises to haunt her and Mrs Overton discredits Rosa publicly, Julian must decide where his loyalties lie.

You have been chosen to take part in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. Choose four candidates you would like to share the jungle with and give your reasons for choosing them.

I don’t think I am a suitable candidate for I’m a Celebrity. I would be voted out very quickly if I had not already been medically evacuated due to my allergies. Instead, I have picked four people with whom I would like to be snowed in. They must not only be good company, but also willing to turn a hand to keeping the household going.
Captain Frederick Wentworth (Jane Austen’s Persuasion). As a sailor, he would be used to all weathers, he is kind and practical, and would have the drive cleared of snow in no time.
Jamie Fraser and Clare Randall (Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander). Even if the power went, they would ensure we would have food and heat and Clare would be useful for any medical emergencies.
And now I must decide. Do I allow Captain Wentworth to bring his Anne, who would be a cheerful companion, or do I opt for my own husband of almost forty-five years? I think I must have both. This will give us a nicely balanced house-party of six, all of whom would have no difficulty in coping without electricity or access to modern media. And everyone will have their partner to snuggle up with during the cold nights.

Author Bio and Purchase Links

Catherine Kullmann was born and educated in Dublin. Following a three-year courtship conducted mostly by letter, she moved to Germany where she lived for twenty-six years before returning to Ireland. She has worked in the Irish and New Zealand public services and in the private sector. After taking early retirement Catherine was finally able to fulfil her life-long ambition to write. Her novels are set in England during the extended Regency period—that fascinating period between the demise of hoops and the invention of crinolines- the end of the Georgian era but before the stultifying age of Victoria.
Her debut novel, The Murmur of Masks, published in 2016, is a warm and engaging story of a young woman’s struggle to survive and find love in an era of violence and uncertainty. It takes us from the ballrooms of the Regency to the battlefield of Waterloo. https://goo.gl/zr7xvE
In Perception & Illusion, published in March 2017, Lallie Grey, cast out by her father for refusing the suitor of his choice, accepts Hugo Tamrisk’s proposal, confident that he loves her as she loves him. But Hugo’s past throws long shadows as does his recent liaison with Sabina Albright. All too soon, Lallie must question Hugo’s reasons for marriage and wonder what he really wants of his bride. http://amzn.to/2n9Ljxi
Her third novel, A Suggestion of Scandal, will be published in July 2018.

Social Media Links
Website: http://www.catherinekullmann.com/
Facebook fb.me/catherinekullmannauthor
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catherine-Kullmann/e/B01IW3F4MA/ref=

CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD BY SUE SHEPHERD

A moving and funny story about sisters, secrets and second chances.

Twin sisters Beth and Lisa do everything together, so what will happen now they both want a life of their own?
Beth has a secret she’s kept from everyone except her sister. But it’s time to get on with her life. Could a seductive Italian, a smooth-talking charmer or backpacking around Australia be the answer?
Lisa feels she’s always lived in her sister’s shadow. Maybe now it’s her turn for some fun, whatever the consequences. But will her drunken antics land Beth in trouble?
And when it comes to the crunch, will one sister have to give up what she wants so the other can have what she needs?
Another entertaining page-turner from the No.1 bestselling author of Doesn’t Everyone Have a Secret? – where things, and people, are not always as they first appear!

Purchase link

A TASTER…

Beth was getting out of her car when she heard a familiar voice behind her. ‘Beth Campbell, are you stalking me?’
She spun round, a smile already on her face. ‘Charlie Morris, you wally!’ He held his arms open and she ran to him. ‘When did you get back?’
‘Just over a week ago. Thought I’d come and see you, and, um … and … catch up with Michelle.’
‘You were away for ages.’
‘Yeah. I’ve been gone so long my face ought to be on milk cartons.’ He grinned, then added, ‘Don’t say it …’
‘What?’
‘That my face ought to be on bog rolls!’
‘I would never say such a thing.’ Beth gave his chin a stroke. ‘Your bum fluff hasn’t improved much.’
‘Nonsense. This is a brilliant beard,’ Charlie snorted.
She’d missed his laugh. ‘Michelle doesn’t live in Tennison Avenue any more. She moved out of her mum’s house.’
‘No one can blame her for that.’ He shuddered. ‘Bloody hell. Her mother. Meddling cow!’
‘Absolutely. Michelle’s not far though. She rents a flat with Ricky.’
‘OK. Cool.’
‘Do you want to go for a drink or something? You know, to catch up.’
He gave a casual shrug. ‘Yeah, sure.’
‘I’ll just need to pop in and tell them I’m going out, they were expecting me for dinner.’ Beth gestured towards her parents’ house. ‘Fancy coming in, to see them?’
Again, he was casual. ‘Uh huh.’
She opened the front door and called out, ‘Look who I found loitering outside the house.’
Pat and Don appeared at the kitchen doorway. Don blanched and dropped the tea towel he’d been holding. ‘Oh, Christ.’
‘Is that little Charlie Morris?’ Pat had a closer look.
‘Yep, it’s me. All grown up.’
‘You’re not wrong. How are you?’ She was staring up at him, amazed at his size.
‘I’m good, thanks. Just back from Singapore for a while.’ Charlie held out his hand to Don. ‘Hello.’ With a slightly nervous cough, he added, ‘I’m OK, honest I am.’
Realising he’d been staring, with his mouth open, Don apologised and shook the hand he’d been offered. ‘Sorry, son, it’s just, you know. I can’t help remembering …’
At this point, Nanna came down the stairs. ‘Who’s this, then?’ Examining Charlie’s face, she grabbed the bull by the horns and said, ‘It’s the boy who nearly died. Blimey, you didn’t get like that eating salad, did you?’ Turning to Pat she remarked, ‘You’d never be able to pick him up out of that paddling pool now, would you?’
Charlie grinned. ‘Hello, Nanna. It’s good to see you again.’
‘We’re going to pop out for a drink to catch up. Don’t worry about me for dinner, Mum, I’ll get something whilst we’re out.’ Beth grabbed her handbag and made her way over to the hall mirror. Applying an extra coat of mascara and some fresh lipstick, she then set about adding some cover up to the scars on her chin, a constant reminder not to listen to Lisa’s advice.
‘OK. Just the two of you, is it?’ Pat asked.
Beth looked at Charlie. ‘Um … Charlie wants to catch up with Michelle too.’
‘Well, we don’t have to … I just …’
‘He had no intention of catching up with her, you idiot. Can’t you tell when someone wants to be alone with you?’ Lisa asked.
‘He mentioned her first. I’m just going along with his plan.’
Beth gave Nanna a hug. ‘See you later.’
‘Have fun with the big fella.’
‘You know something, Nanna?’ Charlie said. ‘You haven’t changed a bit.’
Nanna tilted her head. ‘Nonsense, I’ve aged like a sausage in the sun, but thank you anyway.’

Christmas Day on Bondi Beach…Author Post by Sue Shepherd

‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ is a romantic comedy. It’s a moving and funny story about sisters, secrets and second chances.

Part of the book is set abroad. After a traumatic event when the twins are aged seventeen, they decide to embark on an overseas adventure to Australia. That part of the story was influenced by my own experience. Although my trip took place long before the twins went there, I did find looking through my old diaries very helpful.

One of the things I had in common with the twins was that I also spent Christmas Day on Bondi Beach. I was there in 1990. It was a mixed day. I thought I’d tell you about it.

We awoke on Christmas morning to discover that the sun was shining. No surprises there. It shone every day. I think the first thing that really hit me was the lack of family. By this point, I’d been away from England for three months and I was used to not seeing my mum, dad and sister, but never before had I woken up on Christmas Day without them. I was staying in a hostel, sharing a room with a couple of girls I’d known for about two months. Let me just confirm, that’s a very long friendship when you’re backpacking. Some friendships last a day, before you go your separate ways.

Now, I look at photos of me that day, and I am flabbergasted. I’m slim, I’m young, I have very short funky hair. I know I’m saying it myself, but, damn, I was gorgeous. Why didn’t I realise it then? I’m old enough now to look back at that young girl as if I’m looking at a child of my own and be very proud of her. Not just because she looks good, but because she’s fearless. She’s just woken up halfway around the world on Christmas morning, and, to all intents and purposes, she’s alone in Australia!

We were staying in Coogee, but we’d heard that Bondi was the place to spend Christmas Day. We were a fairly large group from the hostel. It may surprise you to know that, even though this was 27 years ago, I’m still in touch with two people from that group. *Sue waves to Irene and Gerry.* As in the Christmas Day scene in ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’, there were artificial Christmas trees sticking out of the sand everywhere, and people had written on their bodies in fluorescent sunblock. The atmosphere was strange, a combination of amazement that we were all there in that iconic place on such an important day, mixed with a little sadness that we weren’t with our families. I remember thinking often, ‘What would I be doing if I was at home now?’

We took beer onto the beach. Great big slabs full of little stubby beers. And there we sat, in the blistering heat, and drank those bad boys, like there was no tomorrow. When you’re young, you have this overwhelming need to turn every situation into a party. Back then, Bondi Beach at Christmas was synonymous with backpackers and beer.

In a slight drunken stupor, I decided to go for a lone paddle. As I wandered into the sea, I realised that the current was strong. Within seconds my feet were taken from me. Just for a moment, I was under the water, unsure which way was up, and which was down. I had to keep my eyes tightly shut because I was wearing contacts. Thank goodness I kept my mouth tightly shut too! I waited, what was, in reality, a mere second, but felt like forever, for my head to break through the waves and for my body to become upright once again. As soon as it did, I opened my eyes and my feet scrabbled around, frantic to get purchase on the seabed. As quickly as the horrific incident had started, it was over. In a daze, I made my way back onto the beach. I’d probably been gone no longer than five minutes. Blinking, I located my group of friends, not easy when everyone is covered in the same colourful lettering and each group is sitting around identical small trees. Thank goodness for Gerry’s bright green beach shirt, which I used to guide me home.

Not long after I’d made it back from my summersaulting incident in the waves, an ambulance pulled up at the beach, and two paramedics ran down to the sea. A man from another group, possibly more drunk than me, had also decided to cool off and had ventured into the sea. Sadly, he was not as lucky as I had been, and we later heard that he’d died.

When I was writing about my characters going to Australia in ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’, I wondered whether I should allow them to drink alcohol on the beach. Given my experience, it seemed irresponsible as a writer. However, the decision was made for me. In the story, they go to Australia a decade after I was there. So, I decided to Google whether alcohol would still be allowed on Bondi Beach on Christmas Day, and I’m glad to see that it’s been outlawed since 1995, and the area is now strictly patrolled.

I think it would still have been an amazing experience for the characters in my book, and I’m glad I didn’t have to rely on my own moral compass to make the decision.

I’ve spent every Christmas Day since then in England. That time on Bondi remains, to this day, my strangest Christmas. I still feel sorry for the family of the man who lost his life due to over indulgence and silliness, he was no doubt just young and crazy, like we were. I’m also forever grateful that my own tumble in the sea proved to be far less dangerous.

ABOUT SUE

Born in Harrow, Sue went on to spend several years living in Hertfordshire before selling up and taking a leap of faith across The Solent. She now resides on the picturesque Isle of Wight with her husband, two sons and a standard poodle. Her passions in life are: her family, writing, the seaside and all the beautiful purple things her sons have bought her over the years. Happiest when hunched over her laptop with a cup of tea on the go, Sue loves to create stories with plenty of heart and laughs, but she makes sure to include a bit of naughtiness too. Ask Sue to plan too far in advance and you’ll give her the heebie-jeebies and she’d prefer you not to mention Christmas until at least November!

Sue’s links:
http://www.sueshepherdwrites.co.uk
twitter.com/thatsueshepherd

Robert Finlay seems to have finally left his SAS past behind him and is settled into his new career as a detective. But when the girlfriend of his former SAS colleague and close friend Kevin Jones is murdered, it’s clear that Finlay’s troubles are far from over. Jones is arrested for the killing, but soon escapes from jail, and Finlay is held responsible for the breakout.
Suspended from duty and sure he’s being framed too, our hero teams up with MI5 agent Toni Fellowes to find out who’s behind the conspiracy. Their quest soon reveals a plot that goes to the very heart of the UK’s security services. End Game, the final part in the critically acclaimed Robert Finlay trilogy, sees our hero in an intricately plotted and terrifyingly fast-paced race to uncover the truth and escape those who’d sooner have him dead than be exposed.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON.COM: http://a.co/94S2MX6

AMAZON.CO.UK: Link: http://amzn.eu/c4jdFeo

MY REVIEW

First can I say I’m really pleased to be part of this tour courtesy of Orenda Books and Anne Cater.  Many thanks for invitation and the ARC copy for review.

Thrillers aren’t my normal choice but the ones I have read in the past I’ve enjoyed. End Game is no exception. Although the final instalment of a trilogy it is easily read as a stand alone novel.  From the moment I began this, the whole story pulled me in. It’s well written, and the pace never slacks, delivering an exciting read which keeps you on course, not wanting to put it down until that final page has been read.  A great plot with twists and turns aplenty. Intense and nail biting, having to set it aside for more domestic aspects of life at times left me quite frustrated.  A great book which left me thinking  I really ought to check up on Matt Johnson’s previous two novels –  WICKED GAME and DEADLY GAME.

For a good percentage of my working life I managed people. As part of that job I was responsible, when any of my staff left, for arranging collections, buying and wrapping gifts and organising presentations and leaving parties. Very often the person involved wouldn’t be leaving for a new job, or to have a baby, they would be saying goodbye to work for good. As I wished them good luck and a happy retirement it often crossed my mind ‘What will happen when it’s my turn to leave work behind? What will I do? How will I feel about saying goodbye to everyone and losing that day-to-day connection with other people?’ During those moments I realised I almost dreaded that day arriving. I loved work and it seemed impossible to even contemplate not being there.

From junior school to my college days I had always written, even successfully completing a full length novel (which I believe still lives somewhere in the attic). Eventually my desire to become an author fell by the wayside as full time work and then marriage took over. However the need to create stories and characters living in a parallel universe never quite went away. I’m still not sure where the inspiration came for the Little Court Series but suddenly in the early 2000s there I was, writing again. Managing to juggle home life and a full time job, by 2010 I had written and published a trilogy – a saga, for want of a better word, about the lives of four young women growing up during the 1960s/1970s.

I had always thought I would miss work when I eventually gave up. That there would be something of a void in my life. Kick starting my writing again came at the perfect time for me.  It made me refocus on what I really wanted to do. For years I had been on someone else’s payroll and now I very much wanted to take control of my life; be my own boss.  Of course it wasn’t something I achieved overnight. Two and a half years before I eventually left the workplace I opted to reduce my hours, moving to a two and a half day a week job share. Then in the summer of 2013 I knew the time had come for me to leave and become a full time writer. On reflection the choices I made – reducing hours before setting myself a leaving date – were absolutely right for me. After years of full time work to simply decide on a date and then leave would have been a huge culture shock, like being thrown into an ice-cold bath of water. It needed to be a gradual process to guide me gently towards this new direction I had decided embark on.

And now? Well my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. I still keep in touch with people I used to work with, even meet up with some of them occasionally for a drink or a meal. And as for missing the workplace, well actually I still have one. The virtual friends on Facebook and Twitter (some of whom I’ve actually met) have more than compensated for those I’ve left behind. I can now look back and say confidently it was the right decision, I love my life as a writer – in fact I couldn’t be happier.

Hi Fiona and welcome. Can I start, as always, by asking you a little about yourself?

Hello, lovely to be here. My name is Fiona Hogan and I’m a writer, blogger, editor and mother of five living in the beautiful midlands of Ireland. I’m an Indie author with four books currently on Amazon. I’m a Tolkien obsessive and zombie freak.

Who are your favourite writers and have they influenced your own writing in any way?

I discovered the joy of Tolkien as a child and am reminded of the Shire in the lovely fey countryside around where I live – I am constantly delighted and in awe of the huge scope of world building and complexity of characters in The Lord of the Rings and if I could ever write anything half as good I would be happy indeed. I also grew up on a diet of gothic horror and this has heavily influenced my own horror writing (my favourite genre), I owe a lot to H P Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe.

As a writer you don’t restrict yourself to a single genre. Once you have completed a novel, how do you decide what comes next?

I’m always writing short stories – horror or contemporary fiction so there is usually a horror collection around Hallowe’en. I have a romantic comedy in with a publisher and I recently started a sequel.
I have notebooks filled with story ideas and character snippets and often wake up at night to write ideas down in the notebook by the bed. I’m very lucky that I am never stuck for a story idea.

What prompted your decision to become an editor?

It was an organic process. When I finished my first book, I knew that although I had done my best with editing, it needed a pair of professional and fresh eyes to give it a clean sweep. I have been through the Independent Publishing route and know that there are so many things needing outsourcing – cover design, editing and often formatting. So, I began to take proofreading and editing courses and get as much experience as possible. I love it, I love being involved in the writing process and helping writers’ work to become as good as it possibly can.

Beach or city? What’s your favourite holiday location?

Beach – Moving to the sea is a huge part of my masterplan. Although recently I have been on some amazing city breaks in winter, with my girls – Brussels, London and Paris.

Are you able to tell us a little about what you are working on at the moment?

I am currently working on a short horror piece, the sequel to my novel Martha’s Cottage (with publisher), a horror novel and a screenplay.

You are about to hold a dinner party and can invite four famous celebrity guests (dead or alive). Who would you invite and why?

Tolkien obviously – he could sit at the head of the table. I’d have Neil Gaiman so I could pick his brains. I always wanted to play a zombie in one of his films – so, George A Romero. My last guest would be Anne Rice – she deserves a place, having written one of my favourite characters – Lestat de Lioncourt.

Bio

Fiona Hogan is a writer,blogger and editor living in rural Ireland. An Indie author, she has four books on Amazon – The Lights Went Out and Other Stories and What Happened in Dingle as Fiona Cooke Hogan ,and Death Comes Calling and The Nightmare under the name F. B. Hogan. Her latest novel – Martha’s Cottage is in the process of being published. A horror enthusiast, Fiona is addicted to horror short films and anything of the zombie genre. She is obsessed with Tolkien and likes a bit of Neil Gaiman.

Amazon Author Page
Fiona’s website – Unusual Fiction
Author Facebook Page
Twitter
The Editing Hub Website
The Editing Hub Facebook Page

Book Links
The Lights Went Out and Other Stories
What Happened in Dingle
Death Comes Calling
The Nightmare

A fabulously funny read from Caroline James. Think The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel but in the Lake District!

Let the shenanigans begin at the Best Boomerville Hotel …
Jo Docherty and Hattie Contaldo have a vision – a holiday retreat in the heart of the Lake District exclusively for guests of ‘a certain age’ wishing to stimulate both mind and body with new creative experiences. One hotel refurbishment later and the Best Boomerville Hotel is open for business!

Perhaps not surprisingly Boomerville attracts more than its fair share of eccentric clientele: there’s fun-loving Sir Henry Mulberry and his brother Hugo; Lucinda Brown, an impoverished artist with more ego than talent; Andy Mack, a charming Porsche-driving James Bond lookalike, as well as Kate Simmons, a woman who made her fortune from an internet dating agency but still hasn’t found ‘the One’ herself.

With such an array of colourful individuals there’s bound to be laughs aplenty, but could there be tears and heartbreak too and will the residents get more than they bargained for at Boomerville?

BUY LINKS:

Kindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Boomerville-Hotel-Caroline-James-ebook/dp/B078KD6716/
Apple iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/gb/book/the-best-boomerville-hotel/id1326833229?mt=11&at=11lNBs
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-best-boomerville-hotel
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Caroline_James_The_Best_Boomerville_Hotel?id=6IdDDwAAQBAJ
Our website (Ruby): http://www.rubyfiction.com/dd-product/the-best-boomerville-hotel/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37912507-the-best-boomerville-hotel

MY REVIEW

Well, what a wonderful way for Choc Lit to launch their Ruby fiction imprint. The Best Boomerville Hotel kept me entertained from the very first page to the last.
After her husband’s death Jo Docherty closed their hotel, the Kirkton House for a year. But now she’s back and with the help of her friend, the larger than life Hattie Contraldo, has reopened as The Boomerville Hotel. The object of their new business is, and I quote, ‘for midlife singles to learn new things and take up fresh challenges’. The hotel offers everything, from spa treats and yoga, to more cerebrally challenging things like creative writing, cookery and art courses. There’s something for everyone, together with a resident fortune teller and shaman.
As Jo opens for business and guests arrive, the reader is introduced to a great group of very different people. One of the central characters is Kate, someone who has spent a good part of her time bringing couples together with her on line dating business. But after selling her company it’s now an opportunity for some ‘me’ time and maybe finding Mr Right? He appears early on as the Porsche driving affluent Andy Mack who Jo and Hattie are quick to nickname James Bond. Could there be romance in the air? Could The Boomerville actually be responsible for two people finding happy ever after?
This is such an entertaining read. OK there are quite a few characters to get your head around but they’re introduced in such a way you have no problem distinguishing who’s who. The story dips in and out of their lives giving a great mixture of drama and comedy during their stay. Caroline keeps the pot boiling so the reader is constantly wondering what’s going to happen next. A first class read, I absolutely loved it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that features in her novels. She is based in the UK but has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can. A public speaker, consultant and food writer, Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association and writes articles and short stories and contributes to many publications. In her spare time, Caroline can be found trekking up a mountain or relaxing with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.