Those People by Louise Candlish

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS YOU'LL LOVE TO HATE

Until Darren and Jodie move in, Lowland Way is a suburban paradise. Beautiful homes. Friendly neighbours. Kids playing out in the street. But Darren and Jodie don't follow the rules and soon disputes over loud music and parking rights escalate to threats of violence.

Then, early one Sunday, a horrific crime shocks the street. As the police go house-to-house, the residents close ranks and everyone's story is the same: They did it.

But there's a problem. The police don't agree. And the door they're knocking on next is yours. 

Title: Those People

Author:  Louise Candlish

Published By: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 27th June 2019

Links:   UK:    Amazon      US:   Amazon

Waterstones        WHSmith

Our Review

I can only say I am completely in awe of Louise Candlish. Her writing style is sleek, slick and stylish. The characters are mostly unlikeable but strongly developed and that only seems to draw you in further to the story. 

Those People is about a well to do neighbourhood in London, the neighbours all get on so well and live in a perfect suburban bubble consisting of play out Sundays when all the cars are moved off the road to allow the children to play outside safely.

Everything is running smoothly until the horrible neighbours Darren and Jodie move in. I felt myself raging at these neighbours as they were as obnoxious as you could possibly get with their loud metal music and second hand cars parked everywhere.

But then empathising with the other neighbours made me look at myself as the snob within me made me feel that this man was less that human and I hated him and I didn’t like that aspect of myself. The same happens as the focus is turned on all of the nice neighbours in the book and you wonder just how nice they actually are. 

Louise has the ability to dissect the human psyche and push it to the limit. The effect those people had on the relationships that once appeared to be happy is truly amazing. 

The book describes how far people will go if they are pushed to the edge which these neighbours were. It also shows the futility of the law abiding neighbours when faced with people like this who have no fear of the law and no regard for the extreme antisocial behaviour they are carrying out. It also makes you wonder who the law is actually protecting.

This book is actually quite scary and I hope that I never get neighbours like this.

The plot is so clever with its twists and turns but the observational psychology is completely genius.

I loved Louise’s previous book Our House which was also devastatingly clever. 

I think Louise’s piece de resistance is the fact that at the end of the book we are always in for another heart sinking shock which leaves us thinking Oh Sh*t!

Absolutely bloody brilliant. 

Click here for our review of Our House

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Louise Candlish is the bestselling author of twelve novels. Her thriller Our House was a number one bestseller in paperback, ebook and audiobook and is shortlisted for a 2019 British Book Award - Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. It has been optioned for TV by Death in Paradise producers Red Planet Pictures, and was picked as a Book of the Year 2018 by the Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Real Simple, the Guardian, the Daily Mail, the Sunday Express, Red and Heat. Louise lives in London with her family.

Foxglove Farm by Christie Barlow

Return to Love Heart Lane for friendship, romance and a community who will be there for you no matter what…

Isla and Drew Allaway appear to have the perfect life – a strong marriage, two beautiful children and their picture-perfect home, Foxglove Farm.

But, new mum Isla is struggling. She loves her little family but with Drew working all hours on the farm, Isla’s lonely.

When she discovers that Drew has been keeping secrets from her, Isla has to face losing the home they all love.
Can the Love Heart Lane community pull together once more to help save Foxglove Farm? And can Isla save her home…and her marriage?

Title:  Foxglove Farm

Author:  Christie Barlow

Published By: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 29th June 2019

Links:  UK: Amazon      US: Amazon  

WHSmith             Waterstones

Our Review

Foxglove Farm is the second in Christie Barlow’s new HeartCross series, with the first one being LoveHeart Lane. 

This book was pure escapism and just lovely from start to finish. It was also interesting to take a deeper look at a relationship as a lot of books finish when the couple eventually get together. but in this case Isla and Drew were very happily married with two adorable sons. However Drew is not acting himself and this pushes a wedge between them.

When Isla’s granny Martha turns up it puts even more pressure on Isla as she realises she will have to let her move in with them.

Drew’s behaviour is very worrying and raises the subject of men’s mental health. All too often men are told to man up and get on with it but sometimes they need a little help to get through certain worries.

This story emphasises how things can go from bad to worse because sometimes men are reluctant to talk about what’s worrying them. I think this was done very sensitively and showed how both parties can become isolated from each other which can cause relationships to break down.

I thoroughly enjoyed my return to HeartCross and could imagine the beautiful view of HeartCross mountain from Foxglove Farm. I also enjoyed the community spirit as everyone rallied round after a disaster.

I loved the underlying story of dodgy characters and criminal activities, I don’t want to say too much about that though as it will reveal the plot but I was completely immersed in the story.

I have to say my heart was stolen by a herd of Alpaca’s that I completely fell in love with, especially a little one called Mop.

This was such an original story that drew me in, hugged me tight and refused to let me go. I loved it and am now looking forward to the next one in the series so I can drop back into HeartCross and see how everybody is getting on. 

Click here to read our review of LoveHeart Lane

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty's Countryside Dream, Lizzie's Christmas Escape, Evie's Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane and Foxglove Farm. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA & Australia.

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being.

Tell Me Your Secret by Dorothy Koomson

Pieta has a secret.
Ten years ago, Pieta was kidnapped by a man calling himself The Blindfolder who said he wouldn't kill her if she kept her eyes closed for 48 hours. She never told anyone what happened to her, vowing to move on with her life. But when The Blindfolder starts hunting down his past victims, Pieta realises she may finally be forced to tell her deepest secret to stay alive . . .

Jody has a secret.
Fifteen years ago, policewoman Jody made a terrible mistake that resulted in a serial killer known as The Blindfolder escaping justice. When Jody discovers journalist Pieta survived an attack by him, she realises she may finally have found a way to catch him. But that would mean endangering at least two innocent people . . .

They kept quiet to protect themselves.

Will telling all save or sacrifice each other?

Title: Tell Me Your Secret

Author: Dorothy Koomson

Published By: Headline

Publication Date: 27th June 2019

Links: Uk:   Amazon       US:    Amazon

WHSmith       Waterstones        Kobo

Our Review

I have loved every single one of Dorothy’s books. Each has a unique quality, all have emotionally charged themes, character driven plots and fantastic storylines which have got progressively darker. I have to say though that this was by far the darkest one yet.

The story was told by alternating between Detective Inspector Jody Foster and journalist Pieta Rawlings. Two strong women who are brought together by the investigation into an horrendous serial killer called the Blindfolder, but also by the horrendous secrets they are keeping and the fact that certain death awaits them if they tell anyone.

One observation that I found so realistic and upsetting is that both of these women, for different reasons, felt so guilty because they blamed themselves for the women being killed because of something they didn’t do when in fact the killer was entirely to blame for the murders.

The premise behind the kidnappings and killings was absolutely chilling and terrifying.

Pieta was a very guarded character and it becomes apparent throughout the story just why she is the way she is and that her ultimate goal was to keep her young son safe.

Her story gripped me by the heart and twisted it so painfully, especially after something she said on page 310 which filled me with fury because that does happen in real life. I've seen cases on the news and think it’s disgusting that women and their children are put through this sort of thing.

DI Jody Foster’s story was equally heartbreaking, she was consumed with guilt about her sister’s death and was determined to avenge her. But she also had to maintain the professionalism that is required for her job.

This was a fast paced compelling storyline that raises painful questions about extremely emotive situations and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

I'm already looking forward to Dorothy’s next book.

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Dorothy Koomson is the award-winning author of 14 novels and has been making up stories since she was 13 when she used to share her stories with her convent school friends. Her published titles include: The Friend, When I Was Invisible, That Girl From Nowhere, The Flavours of Love, The Woman He Loved Before, Goodnight, Beautiful and The Chocolate Run.

Dorothy’s first novel, The Cupid Effect, was published in 2003 (when she was quite a bit older than 13). Her third book, My Best Friend’s Girl, was selected for the Richard & Judy Summer Reads of 2006 and went on to sell over 500,000 copies. While her fourth novel, Marshmallows For Breakfast, has sold in excess of 250,000 copies. Dorothy’s books, The Ice Cream Girls and The Rose Petal Beach were both shortlisted for the popular fiction category of the British Book Awards in 2010 and 2013, respectively.

Dorothy’s novels have been translated into over 30 languages, and a TV adaptation loosely based on The Ice Cream Girls was shown on ITV1 in 2013. After briefly living in Australia, Dorothy now lives in Brighton.

For more information on Dorothy Koomson visit www.dorothykoomson.co.uk

99 Days with You by Catherine Miller

Sometimes the end is the start of forever…

Emma and Nathan couldn’t be more different. But when they meet in a hospital waiting room, to the sound of a ticking clock and surrounded by faded magazines, they are both terrified, nervous and alone. And they have one fatal thing in common…

Emma lives a quiet life. She looks after her disabled mother. She lives vicariously through the well-thumbed pages and cracked spines of her beloved books.

Nathan spends his days fifteen thousand feet above the ground, soaring through the air, stomach somersaulting, as a sky diving instructor. After a lifetime of having a recurring dream that he would die at twenty-seven, he treats every day like it’s his last.

As fate throws Emma and Nathan together, everything is about to change.

Emma has never been kissed, or tasted champagne, or travelled abroad. Nathan has never fallen in love, worn odd socks, or grown a sunflower from a seed.

Emma and Nathan vow never to waste an hour, knowing that goodbye could come all too soon. But as they lose their hearts to one another against all the odds, have they found each other too late?

An utterly heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting novel about the redemptive power of love and how the end isn’t the end at all... Fans of Jojo Moyes, Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain will lose their hearts to Catherine Miller’s stunning story.

Title:       99 Days With You 

Author:   Catherine Miller

Published By: Bookouture

Publication Date: 19th June 2019

Links:    Amazon          Kobo          Apple Books            Googleplay

Our Review

What a wonderful and heartbreaking love story.

Emma meets Nathan in a hospital waiting room, both are alone for one reason or another and decide to help one another out by accompanying each other to their appointments.

I thought this was such a unique concept for a book. It was very authentic and worked really well. Emma's story was especially sad as she was a carer for her mother who was suffering from a lime limiting illness. So her emotions included guilt at possibly not being there for her mum.

What follows from their initial meeting is simply beautiful, their journeys through diagnosis and treatment are devastating. Yet each of them are able to learn so much from each other and provide one another with support and strength.

I really couldn’t put this book down as Emma and Nathan truly embedded themselves deep in my heart. Part of me wanted to shout and scream, ‘Why is life so unfair?’

Catherine Miller has not shied away from exposing true heartbreak, the reality of this sort of illness happens to people every single day and this feels like a tribute to all those who’ve lost their lives and everyone fighting cancer.

Despite the absolute pure heartbreak there is such an uplifting feel to the story and a strong message to live every hour as if it’s your last. However, I can assure you that you’ll need lots of tissues.

Sincerely

Book Angels x

About the author

When Catherine Miller became a mum to twins, she decided her hands weren't full enough so wrote a novel with every spare moment she managed to find. By the time the twins were two, Catherine had a two-book deal with Carina UK. There is a possibility she has aged remarkably in that time. Her debut novel, Waiting For You, came out in March 2016.

Catherine was a NHS physiotherapist, but for health reasons (Uveitis and Sarcoidosis) she retired early from this career. As she loved her physiotherapy job, she decided if she couldn't do that she would pursue her writing dream. It took a few years and a couple of babies, but in 2015 she won the Katie Fforde bursary, was a finalist in the London Book Fair Write Stuff Competition and highly commended in Woman magazine's writing competition. Soon afterwards she signed with Carina. Soon after that, she collapsed in a heap and was eventually revived by chocolate.

Since then she's had four novels published and hasn't found a week that didn't require revival by chocolate. She is one eighth of The Romaniacs - a group of writing friends who've supported each other since meeting through The Romantic Novelists' Association's New Writers' Scheme.

https://twitter.com/katylittlelady

The Things I Know by Amanda Prowse

From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes a heartwarming tale of first impressions and lasting love.

Thomasina ‘Hitch’ Waycott loves living and working on the remote family farm and B&B. But she also wants more. To see the world. To own her own home. To fall madly in love.

But those are fairy tales, and if her life is a fairy tale, then she’s the ugly duckling. Her deformed lip, her crooked limbs and her weak heart have kept her from taking chances. But that’s about to change.

When Grayson Potts comes to stay, he’s unlike anyone Thomasina has ever met. He’s aloof, eccentric and exceptionally kind. He’s also totally unconcerned with the physical flaws that have always defined Thomasina.

The two form a bond that neither has had before. It’s possible that it could become something more, but Thomasina also wonders if it’s too good to be true. By putting her heart on the line, Thomasina may open herself to heartbreak. But she may also open herself to so much more.

Title:  The Things I know

Author: Amanda Prowse

Published By: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: 11th June 2019

Link:  UK:  Amazon     US:  Amazon

Our Review

What a beautiful story. Thomasina is a lovely girl who was born with a few problems which made her different to other people. The description that was used about her problems at the beginning just melted my heart.

The second part that melted my heart was the lists that she made about the things she knew. Most of which were assumptions of what she expected to happen to her and the realisation that she didn't seem to have much choice in her future.

When her brother moves away to America it doubly emphasises how utterly trapped she feels in the life she has. Her parents had understandably wrapped her up in cotton wool and just wanted to keep her safe from the world but that sadly backfired.

When Grayson Potts comes to stay in her family’s guest house she realises he too is slightly different from the ‘norm’ and they become friends.

The writing is beautifully nuanced and very subtle in its description of both their problems and the journey they take throughout the book. Both have always wanted to escape the ties that bind them but family loyalty and guilt keeps them from moving on.

I loved how everything was tied up in the end. It’s a truly uplifting and beautiful story with beautiful heartwarming characters who will remain with you long after you've finished reading the book.

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author who has had twenty one novels published in dozens of languages. Her chart topping No.1 titles ‘What Have I Done?’, ‘Perfect Daughter’, ‘My Husband’s Wife’ and 'The Girl in the Corner' have sold millions of copies around the world.

Other novels by Amanda Prowse include ‘A Mother’s Story’ which won the coveted Sainsbury’s eBook of the year Award and ‘Perfect Daughter’ that was selected as a World Book Night title in 2016. Amanda’s latest book ‘The Coordinates of Loss’ went straight to No.1 in Literary Fiction when it was launched. She has been described by the Daily Mail as ‘The Queen of Family Drama.'

Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres.

A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda is a regular panellist on Channel 5's ‘The Jeremy Vine Show' and numerous daytime ITV programmes. She makes countless guest appearances on BBC national independent Radio stations including LBC and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour.

Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...

Author Q & A - Katie Ginger

In the little town of Greenley-on-Sea, summer has arrived. The turquoise waters of the sea sparkle in the sunlight and along the beach’s promenade, holiday-makers spill from ice-cream parlours and vintage shops.

For Sarah, summer brings the chance for a fresh start. As well as playing Miranda in the Greenley Players’ production of The Tempest (where she’ll get to spend loads of time with her best friends Lottie and Sid) she finally feels ready to find love again after surviving heartbreak. Could handsome colleague Dr Finn Macdonald be the very man she’s looking for?

Famous actor Nate finds himself hiding out in Greenley whilst a potentially career-ruining scandal blows over. But when the Greenley Players get wind of his arrival, they draft him in to help out with their performance – and Nate certainly doesn’t bank on his instant connection with the beautiful woman in the lead role…

As the temperature rises and the Players’ performance draws closer, can Sarah and Nate overcome their pasts and find love again?

Title: Summer Season on the Seafront

Author: Katie Ginger

Published By: HQ Digital

Publication Date: 10th June

Links: UK:  Amazon    US:   Amazon

Author Q and A with Katie Ginger

Hi Katie

Welcome to Sincerely Book Angels blog. 
Hi Sincerely Book Angels! Thank you so much for having me on your blog!


What was the inspiration behind Summer Season on the Seafront? 
Do you ever watch TV shows with your favourite actors in and imagine what it would be like to meet them in real life? No? Just me? Okay, well, as embarrassing as this may be, I sometimes get to wondering what these people are really like and what I'd say if I just randomly met them one day. What would we talk about, how 'normal' would they be?

I also used to work at Dover Castle where quite a lot of filming takes place. Although I was always trapped in the offices, some of my friends would be around when the filming happened, chatting to the actors and stuff and I think it was these two things that inspired the plot for Summer Season on the Seafront.

Also, I so enjoyed writing the first Greenley-On-Sea book, The Little Theatre on the Seafront that I wasn't quite ready to let the characters go yet. And as readers seemed to have enjoyed it, I wanted to go back there. To be honest, it was just the perfect chance to indulge my little fantasy!

,
Did you always want to be a writer? Secretly, yes, but life tends to get in the way, doesn't it? I loved writing as a kid but then I went to uni, got married, had kids, and it wasn't until I got made redundant from my job in the heritage industry that I took it up again. I fell in love with it completely and had some success with cosy mystery short stories. Then luckily, HQ DigitalUK had a Twitter pitch event and liked my pitch. They asked for the full manuscript and in January 2018 made me a two-book offer.


What other jobs have you had? 

Loads! I've done bar work and worked as a receptionist a few times, the last time was for English Heritage based at Dover Castle But my main role in the heritage industry was managing the front of house team in Canterbury City Council's Museums Service. I've always loved history and heritage, it's a real passion of mine! 

How did it feel when your first novel was published?
It was absolutely the best feeling the world! I was excited and over-awed, nervous and incredibly happy all at once. I still can't believe these things are happening to me and count my blessings every single day.

I had a particularly emotional moment after my paperbacks were delivered. I was sat reading Jenny Colgan (one of my favourite authors of all time) and to be reading an author I've loved for years, years that I wanted to be a writer but never thought it would happen, with a box of my own books sat on the kitchen table, was a really strange moment. I had a little cry and decided to tweet about it (as you do!) and Jenny only went and replied, making the moment even more special!


Can you please tell us a little about your publishing story. 
Of course! I got my book deal through a Twitter pitch HQ Digital ran in July 2017. I was sat cuddling my kids before their bedtime when I saw it and decided to pitch a Christmas book I was almost finished writing. I didn't think anything would come of it but then they asked me for the synopsis and first three chapters! It was in the summer holidays so I basically ignored my kids and worked on it to get it absolutely perfect. HQ liked it and asked for the full manuscript when it was finished. Cue 4 weeks of writing like crazy, editing, more editing and even more editing! I sent it off in September and heard from them at the end of January 2018 asking if they could call me!

My heart was in my throat as soon as the email popped up and I don't think I've ever been so nervous. That phone call with Hannah Smith who has now moved to Head of Zeus was the most exciting, terrifying job interview of my life! But Hannah was lovely and so friendly, when she offered me a two book deal it was more than I ever thought possible.

The Christmas book that got me the deal comes out in October this year and the first book in the deal was The Little Theatre on the Seafront. I was lucky enough to get another contract when the idea for Summer Season on the Seafront formed!


What other books have you written? 

Only the Christmas book and a book I'm hoping will be my 4th novel with HQ. I'm going to pitch it to them soon, once I've finished editing it. I've also got an idea for another book that I'm really excited about and hope to start writing once my edits have finished.

Have you ever had writer's block? 
Not exactly. I've had some plot ideas that after further exploration just aren't working for whatever reason. Sometimes I'm just not in love with the idea, sometimes I can't see the characters properly. When that happens I shelve them until I can figure things out a bit more, or walk the dog!


What motivates you to keep writing?

Stories just keep popping up! Inspiration can come from anywhere — a conversation I overhear, an experience I have, a vague idea that pops into my head. Then as they develop I just want to tell them!

Where is your favourite place to write? 
I have a desk in the dining room, behind the door. It's not posh, but it's my little spot and I love it, especially in the summer when I can have the back door open and listen to the birds singing.



Do your characters moods ever affect your mood and vice versa? 

It's mainly my moods that affect my poor characters! If I've had a rotten morning it can be hard to write funny, uplifting things! When I was writing the first draft of Summer Season, my mother-in-law was very, very poorly and I found it very hard to write sparkling, witty dialogue. Sarah was coming across as a right old misery guts because that's how I was feeling! It was actually during the editing process when my lovely mother-in-law was on the mend that I added a lot more humour into it.

What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Just write. You'll only find your voice and figure out your process if you actually get writing.

Take every chance you can. Whether it's a Twitter pitch contest, a local writing competition, or being brave enough to start building your author platform. I think the writers who get the contracts are those that don't give up. Rejection is hard, but it only hits as hard as you let it. Take what you can from it and move on.

Connect with people! One of the joys of writing for me has been connecting with people I admire and learning from fellow writers. That might be through the Romantic Novelists Association, or often it's on Twitter. But there is something lovely about connecting with people who share your passion.

Which authors inspire you?

So many! I love Jane Austen and PG Wodehouse and for modern writers I really love Jenny Colgan, Wendy Holden and MC Beaton. They just nail it each and every time!

What are you reading at the moment?

I've just finished Faith Martin, A Fatal Flaw and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary.

If your book was made into a film what song would you choose for the opening credits? That is such a fab question! Because I love a cheesy 80s anthems, it's probably going to be Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. I know it's already the theme song to Mannequin, but they won't mind if I steal it, will they?


Who would you choose to play your favourite character in the film of your book? Okay, my favourite character in Summer Season on the Seafront is my hero, Nate Hardy and I think someone like Tobias Menzies would be fab! He's a great actor and very expressive.


What is your next book about? Christmas!! I absolutely love Christmas and start planning it in September when the kids go back to school! I've just seen the cover and it made me go all squirmy in my tummy so I really hope people will like it!

Thank you so much for joining us on our blog today and good luck with the book.

Thank you so much for having me!

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Well, hello there! 

I'm Katie, and I'm a writer of romantic fiction and a few cosy mystery short stories. The Little Theatre on the Seafront is my debut novel and I've got another rom-com coming out in 2019, which I hope you'll also enjoy.

I live in Kent with my hubby, two kids, and our King Charles Spaniel, Wotsit. As I love a good chinwag, do come and say hello over on Twitter: @KatieGAuthor or on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/KatieGAuthor. I also blog about random stuff on my website: www.keginger.com.

Follow the rest of the blog tour here...

There She Goes by Lynne Shelby

When aspiring actress Julie Farrell meets actor Zac Diaz, she is instantly attracted to him, but he shows no interest in her. Julie, who has yet to land her first professional acting role, can’t help wishing that her life was more like a musical, and that she could meet a handsome man who’d sweep her into his arms and tap-dance her along the street…

After early success on the stage, Zac has spent the last three years in Hollywood, but has failed to forge a film career. Now back in London, he is determined to re-establish himself as a theatre actor. Focused solely on his work, he has no time for distractions, and certainly no intention of getting entangled in a committed relationship…

Auditioning for a new West End show, Julie and Zac act out a love scene, but will they ever share more than a stage kiss?

Title:    There She Goes

Author: Lynne Shelby

Published By: Accent Press

Publication Date: 6th June 2019

Links:  UK:   Amazon       US:   Amazon

Author Q and A with Lynne Shelby

Welcome to Sincerely Book Angels.

What was the inspiration behind There She Goes? 
Although I’ve never wanted to act professionally, I love visiting London’s West End to see a play or a musical, and most of my relatives and many of my friends work in theatre or film. I find their world fascinating, and this gave me the idea for a novel about an aspiring musical theatre actress. Acting can be a very glamorous career, but I know from the experiences of my friends and relatives that it can also be a precarious and demanding way to earn a living, with years of gruelling training and countless rejections at auditions before you land the role of your dreams. I hope that ‘There She Goes’ will give readers a glimpse of the hard work it takes to be successful in Theatreland.


Did you always want to be a writer? 
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer. I first submitted a manuscript – an adventure story about a group of teenagers discovering a mysterious, unknown island – to a publisher when I was fourteen. They didn’t publish it, but a kind editor sent me a letter encouraging me to keep writing. I’m very glad I took her advice!

What other jobs have you had? 
I’ve done all sorts of jobs, from stable girl to child actors’ chaperone to legal assistant, but now I’m lucky enough to write full time – which I think is the best job in the world!

How did it feel when your first novel was published?
Receiving the phone call that told me my first novel was to be published was a moment of total delight and amazement that I’ll never forget – I was ecstatic. I honestly felt as though I was floating above the ground!


Can you please tell us a little about your publishing story. 
Back in November 2014, I spotted the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing competition for new, unpublished, contemporary women’s fiction writers, with a prize of a publishing contract and a writing holiday at Chez Castillon, a writer’s retreat in south-west France. As an aspiring author, I’d found entering writing competitions, with the need to meet a deadline and keep to a word count a good way to hone my writing, and I’d won a couple of small flash fictions competitions, but I’d never before entered a competition of that size – or one with such an incredible prize. I sent off my entry – the first three chapters and a synopsis of my novel – and told myself not to think about it. In January 2015, I got the phone call that told me I’d won. After my debut novel was accepted for publication, I got a further three-book contract.


What other books have you written? 
My debut novel is ‘French Kissing,’ in which two childhood penfriends, one English and one French, meet as adults, when friendship could become something more. My next novel, ‘The One That I Want,’ is the first in the ‘Theatreland’ series of stand-alone novels set in the world of film and theatre. It’s the story of a girl working as a theatrical agent, who literally falls into the arms of a bad-boy A-List movie star and, against her better judgement, finds herself swept up into his celebrity lifestyle. ‘There She Goes’ is the second book in the ‘Theatreland’ series, and the third, ‘Take a Chance on Me,’ is to be published in June 2020. The books can be read in any order, but are linked by the setting and some of the characters who appear in all of them.


What motivates you to keep writing?
It’s all down to the characters who arrive in my head demanding that their story be told. When I start writing a new novel, I usually know the beginning and the end, but have very little idea what is going to happen in the middle – but I do know my characters very well. There always comes a point when they seem to take over the plot!


Where is your favourite place to write? ( can we please have a picture.)

When my children were young I wrote anywhere and everywhere – sitting in a car waiting for them to come out of ballet lessons or on the kitchen worktop while I was cooking – but when my eldest moved into her own flat, her bedroom became my writing room. My desk, which I made myself from a kit, is by a window overlooking my garden, so even although I live in a town, I have a view of trees and flowers. There are still times when I write in other places – I’ve no objection to writing beside a swimming pool when on holiday! – but my writing room is my favourite place to write.



What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring writer? 
1. Write as often as you can, as this will keep your story flowing and fresh in your mind, but don’t beat yourself up if other commitments mean you can’t write every day – writers need to get out in the world to have something to write about.

2. Read as much as possible, not just in your chosen genre if you have one, but in other genres and mainstream books as well, and think about what it is that makes a book ‘work’ for you as a reader.

3. If your dream is to be a published writer, never give up, because dreams can come true.

Which authors inspire you? 
Jane Austen, Ursula Le Guin and Sergeanne Golon are all writers who inspired me to become an author. 

What is your next book about? 
My next book, ‘Take a Chance on Me’, is about a girl who, years ago, abandoned her plans to become an actress, and what happens when a man from her past returns to the quiet seaside town where she still lives, and reminds her of the dreams she once had. 

Thank you so much for joining us Lynne and good luck with the book.

Sincerely

Book Angel x

 About the Author

Lynne Shelby writes contemporary women’s fiction/romance. Her debut novel, ‘French Kissing’ won the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing Competition, and her latest novel, ‘There She Goes’, is one of a series of stand-alone books set in and around London’s Theatreland. When not writing or reading, Lynne can usually be found at the theatre or exploring a foreign city, writer's notebook, camera and sketchbook in hand. She lives in London with her husband, and has three adult children who live nearby.

Poppy's Recipe for Life by Heidi Swain

Treat yourself to a glorious novel full of food, sunshine, friendship and love!
Things haven’t always been straightforward in Poppy’s life but her dreams are finally within her reach.

She's moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with her family but she is surrounded by loving friends, and feels sure that even her grumpy new neighbour, Jacob, has more to him than his steely exterior belies.

But the unexpected arrival of Poppy's troubled younger brother soon threatens her new-found happiness and as the garden team works together to win community space of the year, Poppy must decide where her priorities lie and what she is prepared to fight for …

Title:  Poppy's Recipe for Life

Author: Heidi Swain

Published By: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 30th May 2019

Links:  UK:  Amazon           US:  Amazon

Our Review

Heidi Swain’s books are always an absolute joy. Best read curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blankie with a hot cuppa and a home baked cake.

My favourite book of hers was Sunshine and Sweetpeas at Nightingale Square and so I was delighted to find that Poppy’s Recipe for life revisits Nightingale Square and we are able to catch up with some of the lovely characters that live there.

This book, although still a love story, was slightly different to the others because it focused on Poppy’s relationship with her teenage brother Ryan. They certainly went through many ups and downs which was very difficult at times for Poppy. It was interesting to see the effect Ryan's upbringing with their awful mother had on his thoughts and actions.

It added another aspect to Poppy’s personality to watch her become responsible for him, she was very sensitive to his needs and put him before herself which took some getting used to for him.

Heidi’s book wouldn’t be the same without a specific love interest though and Jacob fitted the bill perfectly.

This book has all the ingredients for the perfect recipe for life, warmth, patience, understanding, sisterly love, a community pulling together and true love. 

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Heidi Swain is the Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author of SLEIGH RIDES AND SILVER BELLS AT THE CHRISTMAS FAIR. Her other titles include The Cherry Tree Café, Summer at Skylark Farm, Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market, Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage, Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland and Poppy's Recipe for Life.

Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk with her family and a mischievous cat called Storm. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!

Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website heidiswain.co.uk/ or Twitter @Heidi_Swain