Monday 24 October 2022

Author Q & A with Jenni Keer





A love that seems lost, may still yet be found, for real love always endures.

1890. One summer evening changes everything for Sidney and Leonard Bellingham when their beloved mother disappears from the family home, Halesham Hall. Left with their bitter father, they are taught to trust no one but themselves, with brother pitted against brother to see who is worthy of inheriting the Bellingham Board Games company. But the series of twisted games they are forced to play will have far reaching consequences.

1920. Phoebe Bellingham arrives at Halesham Hall determined to solve the puzzles that will allow her to claim back the Bellingham inheritance. But this legacy involves more than one secret, and soon Phoebe realises that the stakes are higher than she ever could have imagined.

                                    

Title: The Legacy of Halesham Hall

Author: Jenni Keer

Published By: Headline Accent

Publication Date: 15th September 2022

Links: UK:   Amazon 

Waterstones

WHSmith


                                                                   ~~~~~


Author Q & A with Jenni Keer

 Hi Jenni and welcome to Sincerely Book Angels blog.

Hi Annette. Thank you so much for having me over. It’s always a joy to chat books with a fellow author, and particularly kind of you to invite me now that my fourth book, The Legacy of Halesham Hall, has just been published.

What inspired you to write this book?

This book has possibly been lying dormant inside me for decades, but the initial inspiration was a weird house I came across online, with many peculiar features, including staircases that didn’t lead anywhere. My writer brain immediately conjured up a staircase that led to a permanently locked door, and I wondered what might be behind it. You know how we authors simply can’t stop asking questions! As I started to develop the story, I realised that the tone was being influenced by my love of Du Maurier’s Rebecca, and so I would describe it a light gothic romance. It’s been an absolute joy to write and I hope people enjoy Phoebe’s twisty, turny journey.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Nope, but looking back, it is obvious that this was my calling. It wasn’t until I become mum to four boys in three years, and was reading all the uplit I could get my hands on, that the thought of writing a novel even occurred to me. Once I set off down the road, however, there was simply no turning back.

Can you please tell us a little about your publishing story.

Once I’d decided I was going to write a full length novel (I briefly flirted with short stories but had far too much to say to be limited to 2000 words!) I had a feeling I would eventually be able to get traditionally published, but just didn’t know when. Would it take two years? Or twenty? (Spoiler alert – it actually took nine.) I wrote my first 100k novel over the next couple of years, largely in the evenings when the boys were in bed. I sent it out to agents and received the inevitable rejections. I learned from my mistakes and wrote another novel. And then another. And then another … determined to keep going until I secured that all-elusive publishing deal. Eventually, I sent The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker off to a publisher open submissions and, much to my surprise, I was offered a two book deal. Securing an agent swiftly followed.

What other books have you written?

I had two romcoms out with Harper Collins: The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker and The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows. Then I tweaked my genre slightly and have had two dual-time stories published with Headline Accent: The Secrets of Hawthorn Place (which has done exceptionally well) and The Legacy of Halesham Hall, which came out on Sept 15th.

Have you ever had writer's block?

No, but possibly because I don’t always write chronologically. I tend to hop about and write the scenes I’m inspired by, so when I do get stuck, I just move to another section of the story. I’m a pantser, so rewriting doesn’t faze me.

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

Mostly, I write at my desk, which is tucked away in the corridor between the living room and the downstairs loo. But I can write anywhere. I have an extremely busy household (six of us, remember) so sometimes I will escape to a friend’s house or the local library. During the winter, I decamp to the sofa, because it’s closer to the log-burner and therefore warmer. But during the summer, my ABSOLUTE favourite writing place is at the bottom of my garden. I do so love being surrounded by green.

What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

1. Tell the story that you want to tell. Don’t try to write for the market. Your passion for the story will always shine through.

2. FINISH writing the book, and don’t get distracted by the shiny new idea. It is so important to work though all the rubbish bits (like the sticky middle and the part where you hate the story and wonder why you ever thought it was a good idea) and to learn how to edit an entire book. You will surprise yourself by how much the book improves AFTER you’ve finished that nightmare first draft.

3. Persevere. The only difference between a published author and an unpublished author, is the published author didn’t give up.

Who would you choose to play your favourite character in the film of your book?

I had this question recently at a Waterstones event so I shall repeat what I said to them. I always think of myself as the protagonist (even if she’s four foot tall, ginger and nothing like me!) so I couldn’t possibly cast any of my heroines. I also strongly feel that everyone conjurers up their own image of the characters, so to name actors would invariably disappoint people. I made the mistake of showing someone a photograph of the real life Arts and Craft architect who had inspired the wonderful Percy Gladwell in Hawthorn Place, and they were so horrified that I decided never to do that again… 

What is your next book about?

I’m currently writing a novel set in 1927, and for the first time, the setting is not linked to my beloved East Anglia, but is instead set in an unnamed part of West London. It’s been both a joy and absolute nightmare to write because it has an unusual structure. The roaring twenties were a fascinating period in history and I have some delightful characters, but I’m keeping the plot-line close to my chest because this one has a very different slant…

Jenni at a book signing with author friends
from the RNA Norfolk Chapter

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

Thank you so much for having me over. I’ve loved answering all your questions and hope that if your readers like the sound of my books, they will connect with me on social media, and come and say Hi. I’m very friendly :) Jenni x


Sincerely

Book Angel x


About the Author

Jenni Keer is a history graduate who embarked on a career in contract flooring before settling in the middle of the Suffolk countryside with her antique furniture restorer husband. She has valiantly attempted to master the ancient art of housework but with four teenage boys in the house it remains a mystery. Instead, she spends her time at the keyboard writing commercial women's fiction to combat the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere, with her number one fan #Blindcat by her side. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy-dress and is part of a disco formation dance team.

The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker (Jan 2019).

The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows (July 2019).

THE SECRETS OF HAWTHORN PLACE out Oct 2021.

Wednesday 12 October 2022

A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain





When Paige turns up unannounced at Wynthorpe Hall, she discovers the place she knew when she was growing up has changed beyond all recognition. She’s only planning to stay for a short time, but is quickly pulled into local life.

One night while driving home after delivering library books and shopping to residents she stumbles across an isolated cottage and meets Albert, its elderly and rather grumpy owner. She quickly realises there’s more to Albert than meets the eye and the same can be said for the other man she can’t seem to help running into, handsome but brooding Brodie.

All three of them have a secret and a desire to hide away from the world, but with Christmas on the horizon, is that really the best way to celebrate the season?

Title: A Christmas Celebration
Author: Heidi Swain
Published By: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication Date: 13th October 2022
Links:  UK:   Amazon   




Our Review

I have read and loved every one of Heidi Swain's books and this one was just perfect for a cosy evening curled up in front of a warm fire or at least wrapped up in a cosy blanket with a candle as I'm refusing to put put my heating on this winter.

A Christmas Celebration is about Paige who comes back very unsure of herself after volunteering in a refugee camp. She stays with her Godfather Angus and his family at the wonderful Wynthorpe Hall. Whilst there she helps to earn her keep by volunteering to make deliveries to elderly and isolated people. 
One day she walks into an art class and notices everyone looking in awe at a man that she can only see the back of and when he turns round she can see why everyone was enamoured with him. - I must point out that at this stage I thought he was naked and posing for the art class but it turns out he was fully dressed so I did chuckle to myself at that point. Anyway the handsome young man in question is Brodie who seems to have a few problems to deal with and isn't always happy to see Paige.
However they are often thrown in each others' paths so they have to learn to get on with each other.

Paige makes a discovery one evening when she gets lost and finds a lovely old man called Albert who is very much in need of help but very reluctant to accept any. The story follows the relationships between Paige and Albert and Paige and Brodie and I'm so pleased to say that there was a happy ending all round.
It was lovely visiting the Winter Wonderland once more and the Cherry Tree Cafe and seeing how many of the previous characters from Heidi's books are getting on. I really enjoyed the relationship between Archie and Paige as he remembered her as a little girl and still teased her mercilessly and I think that really helped Paige to feel at home straight awayand added another dimension to her character.

This book is as comforting as one of Heidi's delicious winter crumbles covered in custard, it had just about everything you could want from a christmas romance, a love story with a handsome hunk, special friendships, family and a real sense of community with everyone pulling together to make the perfect Christmas celebration.

I loved it and it's really put me in a christmassy mood.

Sincerely
Book Angel x 

 About the Author

Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author who writes feel good fiction with heart for Simon and Schuster. She releases two books a year (early summer and winter) and the stories all have a strong sense of community, family and friendship. She is currently writing books set in three different locations - the Fenland town of Wynbridge, Nightingale Square in Norwich and Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast.

Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk. 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

Tuesday 4 October 2022

Before I Do - Sophie Cousens



The brand new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Just Haven't Met You Yet and This Time Next Year

'Romantic, wise and LOVELY' Marian Keyes

What would you do if the one that got away turned up the night before your wedding?

Audrey is marrying Josh; steady, dependable Josh, the love of her life. They share a flat and a bank account, and it's the only relationship that Audrey's ever had that feels like something she can put her trust in. But romance should be full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey's found herself wondering if Josh really is 'the one'.

So, when Josh's sister Miranda arrives at their rehearsal dinner with Fred - Audrey's 'What If?' guy, the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with but never saw again - Audrey can't help but see it as a sign.

Surely Fred's appearance the night before Audrey is due to get married can't be a coincidence. And when everything that could go wrong with the wedding starts to go wrong, Audrey has to wonder: could fate be trying to stop her from making a huge mistake?


Title: Before I Do

Author: Sophie Cousens

Published By: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date:  18th August 2022

Links:   UK:   Amazon        US:    Amazon 

Waterstones


Our Review

What a bloody brilliant book, I’ve literally just read it in two sittings and I adored it.

Audrey is a wonderful character, she is as lovable as she is flawed and the supporting cast were so much fun.

With feelings for two hunky men how on earth is Audrey supposed to choose? Is it dependable Josh whom she has been going out with for years and is about to marry or flirty Fred the exciting adventurer who appears back in her life the day before the wedding. I know that my choice for her changed as the book went on and the story delved into the past of both relationships. The guy I wanted for her at the beginning was not the one I eventually wanted her to be with.

I can see this story as a film with Audrey being played by Emilia Clark. There are so many ups and downs but everything is handled with sensitivity and awareness of what I and many women have been subjected to in our lives. That need to be kind and not want to offend really hit home for me as did the thought of horrible stepdads and the close relationship between mother and daughter being affected by selfish men.

Alongside the family trauma there are lots of laughs too and many laugh out loud moments. Granny Parker with her prophesy of doom was hilarious. I really liked how the dynamics of the relationships changed as Audrey pretty much grows up during the story.


Beautifully written, funny, emotive and bursting with love. I simply adored every minute of this book and will be buying the author’s previous books too.

Sincerely
Book Angel x


About the Author

Sophie Cousens started her career in television, where she produced, among other things, The Graham Norton Show, Big Brother, Ant and Dec and Russell Howard’s Good News. Working in TV taught her three things;

1 - Wearing a lanyard makes you look as though you know what you are doing.

2 -The best phrase you can contribute in meetings is "let's action that!"If you say it often enough, hopefully someone else will do your work for you.

3 - If in doubt, find someone wearing a lanyard - they'll know what to do.

Sophie currently lives in Jersey where she now writes full time. She lives with her husband Tim and has two small children who keep her occupied with important questions such as 'but did Cinderella have a toothbrush?' and 'do giraffe's know they have really long necks?' She yearns for a time when she will be able to add a miniature dachshund to the party.