Always The Bridesmaid Blog Tour: Author Interview with Lindsey Kelk

I am so happy to be part of Lindsey Kelk's new novel Always The Bridesmaid Blog Tour today! I had the pleasure of having Lindsey stop by for a short interview. Here is the interview.

Q) Hi Lindsey, "Always The Bridesmaid" came out 7th May, Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Yes! Always the Bridesmaid is about Maddie, an assistant events organiser who finds out at the beginning of the book, that one of her best friends is getting married and that the other is getting divorced. Trying to play peacemaker between the two of them while helping to plan Lauren a wedding and counsel Sarah through her break up, she’s still hung up on her ex and miserable in her job.

Even though Maddie is a bridesmaid in the book, it not really a story about that, it’s about allowing yourself to be pushed into a bridesmaid position in your life. Maddie is so used to coming second -  with her friends, her family, her career – that she doesn’t even realise there’s another way to live. This is the story of how that all changes.

Q) Have you ever been a bridesmaid?

I have, once as a little girl and twice as a grown up. I don’t think I was very good at it either time. I definitely cried on all three occasions but only had to be carried out to bed once. I cannot confirm that was when I was a little girl.

Q) What inspired you to write this story and why?

My life, the lives of my friends, stories I heard from other people. I love looking at the things that effect our day to day lives, issues that are bigger than ourselves, and starting my story there. About a Girl was about the pressure on people to make huge important choices when they’re very young and the fear that comes with making the wrong one, I Heart Christmas was about ‘having it all’ and whether or not that’s a fantasy concept, What a Girl wants was about making choices when you have no idea of the outcome. I take an idea and build a world around it. Or at least, that’s the plan.

Q) Favourite Chick-lit film and why?

I basically love everything that’s ever been committed to celluloid so it’s hard to choose a favourite. I enjoyed them all, Bridget Jones, Devil Wears Prada, even Shopaholic – it gets a bad rap but I think Isla Fisher and High Dancy are lovely in it. But then Hugh Dancy is lovely in everything.

Q) Are you a fan of weddings?

Ehh, it’s such a broad brush. Sometimes they’re wonderful and sometimes they’re painfully terrible, I’ve been to both ends of the spectrum. I love the idea of a wedding but I’m also very cynical about the idea of marriage in general and the thought of spending all that money on one day which ultimately might not mean anything really causes me pain. But if anyone asks, yes! I love weddings! They’re wonderful and not an extortionate obligation at all!

Q) Have you any writing tips to anybody who is wanting to start writing?

Just write! It’s really the only tip you need. If you desperately want another, read. The more you read, the better your writing will become and the more you write, the easier it will be. That’s really all you need to know. To be a writer, you have to write.

Q) Describe Always the Bridesmaid in 5 words...

Stunning masterpiece of epic proportions OR A funny, thoughtful, sweary story


Thank you Lindsey for stopping by!
Always the Bridesmaid is out now!
Go buy now!!

What A Girl Wants Blog Tour : Author Interview with Lindsey Kelk

Today I have the lovely pleasure to be part
of Lindsey Kelk's blog tour for her new book What A Girl Wants! Here is Lindsey to tell us a little bit about her new book and which character she loved writing the most...

Can you tell us a bit about your new book?

      It’s called What a Girl Wants and it’s the follow up to last summer’s About a Girl. It’s  fun, funny read, all about the choices people have to make in life and what the consequences might be if they make the wrong ones!

Team Nick or Team Charlie?

Ha! I can’t pick, I know too much about both of them. I will say that it’s easy to choose Team Nick because he’s so handsome and brooding and sexy but really, would you want to deal with that much drama on a daily basis? No, trust me, you wouldn’t. I think there’s a very strong chance that I’m Team Neither of Them and Team Get a Better Bloke, Tess.

If you could be any of your characters for one day, who would you be and why?

I’d be Cici from the I Heart books because Christ almighty, can you imagine being that rich and fancying yourself that much?

Where do you prefer, New York or London?

I’ve got to say New York. It’s my home now and I can’t imagine living back in London again. it’s weird, when I moved to London I was only 21 and it seemed so big and so fast, now when  I visit, it seems as though everything closes so early and is so expensive. It’s weird how quickly you get used to different things.

Who did you love writing about the most in your books and why?

I don’t think there are any characters I haven’t enjoyed. It’s always fun to write about trouble causers because who doesn’t have a bitchy itch they want to scratch every once in a while and in real life, you can’t. It’s pretty good fun writing about mega cows and then slapping them in the chops when they deserve it in a book though…

Describe WAGW in 5 words

Fun, funny, honest, friendship, escapism

Fiction Addiction Book Tour: Author Interview with GVR Corcillo

Hi, Abbey! Thanks for inviting me on over to this whimsical and delightful Miss Bookworm site! I am so looking forward to this chat. 

Why did you choose GVR Corcillo as your pen name?

GVR Corcillo is how I choose to represent myself on my books, but it is not really a pen name – it is my complete name. And I decided that since when I write, I draw upon every aspect of who I am, my name should represent who I am. GVR Corcillo stands for Geralyn Vivian Ruane Corcillo. My given name is Geralyn Ruane. Then, when I was in 7th grade, I lied to a priest in order to snag Vivian as my middle name. For Confirmation, I was supposed to choose a saint's name, but I had just seen Gone With the Wind, so I told the priest Vivian was my grandmother's name, and he let me take it. It isn't, but do I feel guilty about lying? Hardly.  What does the Church expect, letting 7th grade girls choose their own names? Many years later, I married Ron Corcillo and chose to change my last name to Corcillo. Many of my friends were surprised by my decision, but I don't see what's so empowering about keeping my Dad's name. Thus, I became Geralyn Vivian Ruane Corcillo – a name that represents all of me - the laughter, the pain, the triumph, the tears, the elation, the disappointments, the hope, the emptiness, the kindness - and everything else that comprises a life. But 4 names is quite a mouthful, so...GVR Corcillo!

 Now, how did you decide on the name for your book? Do some people get it wrong and think the book is erotica?

Some people do, yes! Every once in a while I will get an angry one star review, and if I look to see what else the reader has rated, I will discover mostly erotica books among that reviewer's favorites. But I am not trying to fool anyone. I specifically chose a goofy illustrated cover in order to get across the humor of the book. My next book, Queen of the Universe, generates no such titular confusion. (Okay, pun intended.) The title She Likes It Rough is meant to make you look twice, for sure, but it is also tongue-in-cheek – the heroine Lisa is ALWAYS making life hard on herself, and throughout the book, during her adventures, she is quite literally choosing the rougher path!

The inciting incident of Lisa's quest to change herself – the freak fast-food accident – is bizarre and hilarious. How did you come up with idea of having a fast-food drive thru crush and nearly kill your heroine? 

First I came up with the idea of Lisa getting so depressed by NOT fitting into wedding gowns that she responds by completely pigging out at a fast-food restaurant – totally emblematic of how Lisa makes decisions that make her life less and less satisfying. From there, I knew something had to happen with the fast food to shake Lisa up. Why the fast-food? Because one of the themes of the book is that Lisa must learn to stop avoiding her life's wishes and goals, always relying on crutches to get her through the day. So it was crucial that one such crutch – comfort food – is what almost does her in.     

What genre does your book come under?

When my book was free for five days on Amazon, it was in the Top 5 all five days in the Humor category. It was also in the Top 5 all five days in the Romantic Comedy category. So it fits nicely into either of those genres. And of course – don't look now! - I am about to call my book...Chick Lit!!! The genre Chick Lit has been reviled and declared dead practically since it's inception, but just look at Meg Cabot's books and Sophie Kinsella's books and Helen Fielding's books. Chick Lit is anything but dead!! She Likes It Rough has also so far advanced to the Quarter Finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards in the Romance category, so the book can slide into the Romance genre as well. All this being said, I must admit, I am not a big fan of pigeon-holing books into categories. I often wonder what would happen if J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye were released today. Would it be labelled Young Adult and dismissed by “serious” literary critics the world over? Would it make it to the reading list in almost every high school in America? Maybe not.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary. The playful irreverence of the story as a woman tries to become the hero of her own life echoes throughout my book. With one big difference. My heroine Lisa's goal is never to get a guy or get married. Her prime directive is to make her life count for something, to become more significant. Her interaction with the hero Jack is a big part of that journey, but Lisa never focuses on her 'single' status as something she needs to remedy. Because of this shift, She Likes It Rough reminds me of Lisa Lutz's Izzy Spellman Series. Though my book is not a mystery, it uses wacky situations to explore not only romance, but relationships with family, career angst, and ways and means of getting along with the rest of the populated world.

  

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?  

I can easily see She Likes It Rough as a major motion picture starring Scarlett Johansson and James Franco. In The Avengers and in Captain America, as Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson has shown that she can play tough and bold and adventurous. And her turn in The Nanny Diaries shows how well she can play a more tentative character – making her so easy to picture as the perfect Lisa. And James Franco – no matter what I have seen him in - including Veronica Mars, where he pokes fun at himself! - he exudes confidence and a complete comfort with who he is – and that is Jack to a T.

  

I notice She Likes It Rough won Best Indie Book 2013. Congratulations! 

Thanks!

How or why did you decide to indie publish this novel? 

It's all because of Leonard Wang Kingsley! I went to school with him, and we met up again a few years ago at a class reunion. So, we began emailing each other. (We live on opposite coasts.) I talked a lot about my writing goals and aspirations. Last spring, he sent me an email suggesting I self-publish my novel. Really? I thought. Could I be so bold? He sent me a list of everything I would need to do, and ever since that email, I have been working on everything on that list! Also Debra Holland, a wonderfully generous and phenomenally successful author that I have known for years, has been another inspiration. She self-published several of her novels two years ago and has blasted a beacon of light and guidance across the world of publishing.

Often you hear about the “bells and whistles” aspect of a book – the exciting hook that's going to make people pick up the book. What are the “bells and whistles” of She Likes It Rough?

Kick-ass Jack and and clutzy Lisa'a adventures out in the wild! Their derring-do in the great outdoors was so much fun to research and write! Lisa is so scared, but she steps up and jumps when Jack coaches her to jump - into the middle of the ocean, off a cliff, out of a plane. Lisa leaps completely out of her own world, which is dominated by pop culture references to the movies, TV shows, songs, books, and commercials she's been surrounded by all her life. How she melds what happens in the wild with what goes on in her everyday life is the essence of the story.

Why did you start writing? 

Because I had nothing to lose. It took me a long time to figure that out. I have wanted to “BE A WRITER” since eighth grade when I stated my intentions to my English teacher, Mrs. Sheehan. And she said, “That's good. You have a flair for writing.” And for the next twenty years, I dreamed about “BEING A WRITER.” But I didn't act on this dream because I was petrified that if I actually tried to be a writer, I might not become the world's most amazing best-selling powerhouse that I wanted to be. So, I graduated from college but did not seriously pursue writing as a career. But you know what? I didn't pursue anything else seriously either, because truly, I was saving my heart and soul for writing. By the time I was in my mid-thirties and tired of paycheck to paycheck jobs, I finally decided, “What the hell? I may as well write – I'm not really doing anything else anyway! What have I got to lose?” I had finally come to understand that for me, getting immediately rich and famous, while that would be great and is by no means off the table, isn't as important as simply loving the work I do every day. So now I spend every waking minute I can spare, and many minutes when I should be sleeping, working hard on my writing career.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Years! This book has gone through so many incarnations. Very little is left from the first 'first' draft except the hero's name and the scene in his office that involves the wetsuit. Over those years, not only the story, but also my writing style was evolving as I became more and more comfortable with and confident about my own voice.

What kind of advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Find that balance between your vision and what critique partners and beta readers say about your writing.  If people critiquing your work understand your story, characters, and goals, and they give you advice on how to more effectively convey your narrative - great! But beware of beta readers who simply want your story to go a different way because that is how THEY would have written it. Stick to your vision, but be willing to consider advice on how to better convey that vision.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that not many people know..

I can no longer give blood because I am a possible carrier of Mad Cow Disease. What can I say? It happens.

Thanks, Abbey! This was fun. I look forward to lots of comments from your followers and fans – I love to connect with fellow bookworms! So, everyone, if you have a question of your own, or just want to shoot the breeze, I'll be here all day :)

Author Interview with Jane Costello

Hi Jane! Thanks for popping by today, I am a huge fan of your books!

The Time of our Lives is out now...

Could you tell us a little bit about it?

Well, it’s my seventh book and it started as the grain of an idea when I was on a flight, returning from a holiday. I wanted to challenge myself to write a novel set over a very short period of time – literally days – but still packed with drama, comedy, friendship and love. That was how Imogen, Meredith, Nicola and Harry were born. I then sent them to a glorious hotel in Barcelona and put them through an intense, magical and relatively madcap few days, which changed all of them in different ways.  It was an absolute joy to write and I really hope people love reading it too.

What inspired you to start writing?

Very simply, it was a love of reading. I wrote books of varying quality* when I was younger and had always dreamt of being an author (*i.e. dire). But you don’t just leave university and go on a graduate traineeship to be a novelist. My first career was as a journalist – which I loved and eventually became Editor of the Liverpool Daily Post. But it was only when I was on maternity leave that I came up with the idea for Bridesmaids and, convinced I was onto something, decided to really go for it. It unfolded from there and, nine years on, here I am. 

 What made you come up with the title for your new book “The Time of our Lives”? (I have Dirty Dancing’s classic song while typing these questions, tehe.)

A title is really important – it’s got to grab you, intrigue you and, obviously, give clues to the themes of the book. I’ll be honest though and say that I always find them difficult to come up with. I refuse to go with something unless it’s exactly right and, consequently, I’ve written entire manuscripts in less time than it’s taken to come up with the title! The Time Of Our Lives was longer than I usually go for but I loved it – it captured the lovely, feel good vibe that (I hope) shines through in the book, despite some of the major challenges thrown at my characters.

How will you be celebrating your release of The Time of our Lives?

I always pour myself a glass of champagne (or several) to toast publication day as it’s the culmination of such a lot of hard work. This year was no different but I’ve also been lucky enough to have some brilliant events organised around publication too, beginning with a launch event in conjunction with Stylist magazine at The Folly bar in London. It’s not all over now, of course – I’m at the Bookmark Festival in Oldham on World Book Night on 23 April and there are other events coming up over the next few months. So, it’s been one long celebration really – my favourite kind.

Did you ever think you’d become an author?

I’d always wanted to, but quite honestly it’s so competitive I sometimes felt as though I might as well say I wanted to win the X Factor. I was genuinely shocked when I sent off my manuscript and found an agent (a brilliant one at that) who was interested. I know that for some people their dream job doesn’t live up to expectations, but in this case it absolutely has. I think being an author is like having children in some ways – it’s sometimes hard-going, you have have moments of self-doubt - but overall it’s the most joyous experience imaginable. I really love it and consider myself really lucky to something for a living that I’ve always wanted to.

Out of all your books which character did you love writing about the most and why?

This is so hard to answer – that’s like asking which is my favourite baby! They’ve all had elements I’ve loved, but if you really pushed me, I’d narrow it down to three: Imogen (from The Time Of Our Lives) for her sheer determination and the way she’d rebuilt her life; Henry (from My Single Friend) because he was such an antidote to everything we expect in a hero – geeky and gorgeous at the same time! - and Emma (from The Wish List) for the sheer comedy I unleashed when I wrote her (I’m especially fond of the scenes in the bar and the GUM clinic!)

5 words to sum up “The Time of our lives”...

Funny, warm, fast, glamorous, emotional.

A Place to Call Home Blog Tour: Q & A with Carole Matthews

Today's blog stop for Carole Matthew's new book A Place To Call Home is heree.
I have the lovely Carole stopped by for an Author Interview with me aka MissBookworm Reviews.

Hi Carole, I am such a fan of your books and love them so much. The covers are always beautiful and the stories always make you laugh, shed a tear and fall in love...

Thank you so much, that’s very kind! Thanks for having me on your blog. 

Q) A Place to Call Home is out this month! Could you tell us a little bit about it?

It’s my twenty-fourth novel and is an uplifting story about a woman who flees an abusive relationship with her small daughter. She finds herself making a new home and family in the most unlikely place. 

Q) What inspired you to start writing?

I’ve always been an avid reader of fiction, but I started out writing factual articles when I was a beauty therapist. The change to fiction came when I entered a short story competition and won it. I did the most sensible thing I’ve ever done in my life and spent the prize money on a writing course. Booking that prompted me to start writing the book that became my first novel, Let’s Meet on Platform 8. 

Q) Out of all your books which did you love writing about the most and why?

I think I always have a soft spot for The Chocolate Lovers’ Club and The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet. They were such fun books to write and, of course, the research was wonderful! I’m always getting asked to do a sequel by my readers and, always happy to oblige, I’m writing a third one now. 

Q) All your covers are beautiful, which one would you say is your favourite?

Thank you. I’m lucky to have a lovely artist called Alice Tait who paints them for me. I love them all but my very, very favourite has to be A Cottage by the Sea. I WANT that cottage!

Q) Which part did you love writing the most about A Place to Call Home and why?

I enjoyed writing it all. It’s very hard to pick a favourite bit, but I did like crafting the developing relationship between Hayden and Ayesha and also her friendship with Crystal. She’s been a lovely character to work with. 

Q) If you had to sum up A Place to Call Home in 5 words..what would you say...

Have the tissues handy. 

Thank you for Popping on my blog Carole, It has been a pleasure.

A Place to Call Home is out in paperback now!!

Buy Now!
Kindle Link - Amazon
Paperback Link - Amazon
Hardback Link - Amazon

Author Interview With Carlie Pettit

Today I have had the pleasure of the lovely Carlie Pettit on my blog today for an author interview.

Carlie's debut book MATCHES is out right now!

Love authors like Jilly Cooper, Tasmina Perry & Jackie Collins..are going to love MATCHES too!


Hi Carlie, Thank you for popping on my blog..

Q) Can you tell us a little bit about your debut book MATCHES?

Victoria is broken, lost and neglected. Her philandering older husband, Ralph, has spiralled out of control. The multimillionaire tycoon is on a journey of self-destruction, destroying everything in his way.

Ultra-cool Kim doesn’t do love – until she meets Omar. But her unconventional arrangement and a dark secret, turns her world upside down.

James is naive, and too nice for his own good. Married to the neurotic and psychopathic Amanda, who will stop at nothing to satisfy her desire to destroy Victoria, taking all that she has.

From mansions in Wimbledon Village, exclusive parties in Mayfair, to penthouses in Knightsbridge and first class travel across the world. Matches sizzles with passion, jealousy, greed, betrayal, sexual hedonism and secrets. Dramatic events rock their moral compasses. Explosive living leaves many wounded. Their decisions and actions will dictate who can forgive and who will get out alive. . .

Q) What inspired you to start writing?

I LOVE writing, and I have a very vivid imagination. It was round about this time, two years ago, that I woke up and told myself; ‘I am going to write a book.’ And that is what I did. I wrote, and wrote, and wrote. I’m not the sort of person who can do a 9-5 job. I needed something which I could do, anytime day or night. And wherever I am. Preferably in a hot, exotic location, sipping something ice cold and bubbly. . . MATCHES has delivered on all of these things, but I didn’t realise how hard you have to work. Writing is not for the feint hearted!



Q) What is your favourite book of all time?

That’s such a tough question!!! I love books that are compelling, pacy, engaging, not too descriptive. I guess I don’t have an all-time favourite, as my tastes change with my moods.



Q) Who are your target readers?

Those who are looking for a pacy, dramatic page turner. Readers who love: James Patterson, Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins, Tilly Bagshawe and Tasmina Perry.



Q) Did you ever think you’d ever become an author?

Not until I was 23. Then I discovered it was the ONLY thing that I wanted to be.



Q) What genre do you like to read?

I like all genres, I really do. It totally depends on my mood and where I am.



Q) Do you prefer paperback or Kindle?

I love them both. No preference.



About The Author.

When I’m not writing a sizzling novel, you can find me sipping a freezing cold flute of champagne in an exotic, preferably hot location. Or eating in some of the finest restaurants in my beloved London. At all other times, I am either shopping, reading, watching box sets, or taking long strolls on Wimbledon Common with the love of my life.




Very excited to read Matches!!

MATCHES IS OUT RIGHT NOW!!
BARGAIN PRICE OF £2.05 ON KINDLE..
Amazon

Ali McNamara's Time Travelling Blog Tour : Q&A with Ali McNamara

Kick Starting Ali McNamara's Time Travelling Tour for Step Back In Time Today is Me MissBookworm Reviews with a Q&A with the ever so lovely Ali.

 Hi Ali, I've loved all of your books so far and I am majorly excited for your new book Step Back In Time, Could you tell us a little about it?

The book blurb probably explains it better then I can!

When single career girl Jo-Jo steps onto a zebra crossing and gets hit by a car, she awakes to find herself in 1963. The fashion, the music, her job, even her romantic life: everything is different. And then it happens three more times, and Jo-Jo finds herself living a completely new life in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The only people she can rely on are Harry and Ellie, two companions from 2013, and George, the owner of a second-hand record store.

If she's ever to return from her travels, Jo-Jo must work out why she's jumping through time like this. And if she does make it back, will her old life ever be the same again?

What gave you the idea to write about your heroine time-travel story and why?

I’ve always loved Time-Travel stories –whether it’s in the cinema, on TV, or in a book, and I’ve always wanted to have a go at writing my own.

Which era was the most fun to research?

They were all fun in different ways. The sixties were the only one of the four I hadn’t lived through myself, so I probably had to do more research for that one than any of the others. But it was fun to go back and jog my own memories about the 70s, 80s and 90s!

If you could choose an era to live in forever, what would it be and why?Oh that’s hard – forever? I kind of like now!

Perhaps the 1930’s – which if you were lucky enough to be in the upper classes was a time of much glamour! Although my curvier figure would probably look better in 1950’s clothes – so I’ll go for then if its permanent!

If you had the chance to time-travel, where would you go and what places would you visit?I’ve always had a strange fascination with the 1940s, even though it was a time of great hardship and loss for the country during and after the Second World War, it was also a time of great bonding and uniting as a country. I’d love to experience some of the famous wartime spirit that’s always talked about with much fondness.

Will we see more of Jo-Jo and the gang in future books?I always say ‘never say never’ when asked that question about any of my books. If an idea for a sequel popped into my head and I thought it was a strong enough story, it could happen!

 If you were stranded on a desert island, Out of all your characters who would you like to be stranded on the island with?

Oscar – from my Notting Hill books. He’d definitely keep my spirits up!

Describe Step Back In Time in 5 words... Magical. Mystical. Uplifting. Curious. Romantic. 

Thank You Ali for such a wonderful Interview and I am going to be urging everybody to grab their own copy of Step Back In Time! It's not one to be missed off a bookcase :)

Author Interview with Sylvia Day

I had the ever so lovely pleasure in interviewing Sylvia today especially with the publication day for her new crossfire #3 Entwined With You which I think must can agree have been waiting so long for! I know I certainly have and i have started it today on my Kindle after pre-ordering for like 9 months after reading Reflected In You. Here is what Sylvia had to say about her new coming book....

Tell us a little about what’s in store for Eva and Gideon in Entwined with You?

Eva’s in a different place in Entwined with You. At the end of Reflected in You, Gideon made a pretty large sacrifice for her. Her big issues had been insecurities, concerns about other people – and other women, particularly – in Gideon’s life. It’s hard to have those sorts of fears and self-doubt after the person you love makes a huge sacrifice for you, like Gideon did for her. So Eva’s in a much more stable place as far as her comfort level with the relationship and being able to accept the depth of Gideon’s commitment to her. Gideon, however – what he’s done, there are a lot of ramifications. Not just externally, but internally. So as Eva grows stronger, Gideon’s actually struggling with more. That said, she’s really the anchor for that relationship; she has been from the beginning. So with her being stable, it brings new strength to their love affair, and readers will see a lot more moments of calm and connection between the two than we have seen in the previous books.

When you are writing, do you use any celebrities or people you know as inspiration?

Rarely. For the most part, the characters are unique in my mind. They don’t look like anyone else.

The Crossfire novels have been hugely successful. What has been your most memorable experience as an author to date?

Every career has milestones. Over the last ten years, I’ve been blessed to have several big ones. Career-wise, the day Bared to You hit the New York Times bestseller list as a self-published book was one that meant a lot to me. Every aspect of the production was entirely under my control and that makes it very personal. Reader-wise, every time I have a meet-and-greet is a memorable experience for me. I love spending time with other readers who love the characters as much as I do.

Can you tell us a bit about your average working day?

Before I even roll out of bed, I’m checking my email via my iPhone. Since I’m in California, all of the industry professionals I work with are operating at least a few hours ahead of me, so I start every weekday trying to catch up. I’m at my computer from waking to sleeping, doing a mix of business items (interviews, Q & As, negotiations, contract fine-tuning, cover and marketing approvals, etc.) and actual writing. If I’m awake, there’s a 90 per cent chance I’m working, inclusive of weekends and holidays.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love to read, watch television, see 3-D IMAX action films, and spend time hanging out with my kids.


Entwined With You is Out Now!!

Author Interview with Lindsey Kelk

I had the ever so lovely pleasure of Interviewing the ever so fashionable Lindsey Kelk, author of the 'I heart' series and the single girls to do list. Here are the wonderful questions I asked and what Lindsey replied back with.

1)     With your new book About a Girl due out 4th July, please could you tell us a little bit about it?

It’s a funny, summery adventure about a girl called Tess who has her entire life turned upside down. When she loses her job and the love of her life all in one week, she makes a pretty drastic decision… hilarity ensues.

2) If you could describe About a Girl in 5 words, what would they be?

Funny, escapist, fun (totally different to funny), romantic and hopeful.

3) What Inspired you to become a writer and follow your dream?

I’ve always been a writer, ever since I as tiny, but I never thought it would ever be a career option. I wrote I Heart New York when I was bored senseless with everything else in my life. Once it was finished, I gave it to a friend to read and she pushed me to try to publish. It really was the book that inspired me to try.

4) Out of all your books, which did you love writing and researching about the most?

They all have their pros and cons! I Heart New York definitely felt the best when I was writing it because there was no pressure or expectation but researching About A Girl in Hawaii was pretty incredible.

5) Which travel destination do you love and why?

I love to travel so it’s hard to choose one place. New York is my home but it’s also my favourite place to play tourist. I also love Austin, Texas, LA and of course, Hawaii. I’ve never been much of a beach person but Hawaii transformed me completely. I want to be there, all of the time. It is heaven.

6) What are you currently reading? Is it worth recommending?

Ha, I’m actually reading The Intferno and Catcher in the Rye. Don’t ask me why but yes, they’re both worth it. Next up, I have The Rosie Project, I’ve heard good things.

7) With another "I heart" book out later this year, can you give us a little sneak of what is happening with Angela & Alex this time?

I could but then I’d have to kill you.

8) Are you a Kindle Fanatic or still love a good paperback?

I have a Kindle and love it when I’m traveling but I still love a proper book, paperback, hardback, I’m not fussy.

9) What inspried you to write the "I heart" series?

I was bored! Once I was half way through the first book, I knew I wanted to write a series, I just loved the characters so much.

10) Your a British Girl at heart but now live in New York (which by the way, Im rather Jel! hehe) which do you prefer?

I cannot tell a lie, New York is home now but I’ll always been British, I’m from Yorkshire for god’s sake, there’s no getting rid of that…

11) What 5 items could you never be without?

I’d like to think I could manage without anything but I do seem awfully reliant on my iPhone, passport, lipbalm, sunscreen and laptop.

12) Do you ever wonder whether the "I heart" series will ever be made into films? (which would be totally awesome hehe!) 

I do wonder… we shall see…

13) If you ever have spare time from writing, what do you love doing or seeing in New York?

I hardly ever have spare time, it’s rubbish! But when I do, every spare second is spent with my friends which means they usually set the agenda. I’m very well fed, big fan of brunch and I’m familiar with lots of New York’s bars… I went to the museum of Natural History recently which is awesome and yesterday I snuck out and went to sit in Prospect Park for an hour. It was the first really sunny day and it was packed, even at six in the evening. We love our parks in New York.

About a Girl is out 4th July, You can preorder now!!

Paperback      Kindle

Author Interview with Paige Toon

This week I have had the ever so lovely pleasure of having Paige Toon stop by my blog for a few questions, Here's what she had to say....Hi Paige, I am such a big fan of your books, I adore them all and they are the type of books I love that I can read over and over again which I think many of your readers can relate to.

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Q) What made you decide to start writing books?
A)I've wanted to write for as long as I can remember. It was a childhood dream, so it was one of the happiest days of my life when I got a book deal.
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2) Before writing, what did you use to do?

A) I worked at Heat magazine as Reviews Editor, which was such good fun. I used to be able to review pretty much any film, book, TV show, album, dvd that I liked. The freebies were awesome! I would have continued to work there and write novels simultaneously, but I had a baby and decided not to go back to work. I know how lucky I am to have a job that works around being a parent.~Q) Out of all the books you have written, which did you love writing & researching the most & why?
A) It would probably have to be Lucy in the Sky, because I was on such a high, having got a book deal. Within weeks of signing, I went to Australia for my mum's birthday. She and I went to Sydney to research Lucy and it was so much fun deciding where Lucy would live, where Nathan would live, where Molly would work, where they'd all go out. I felt like I knew them and I've tried to do that for every book since. I also loved researching One Perfect Summer because I moved to Cambridge at the point in the story that Alice does and it was so amazing researching the city that had become my home.
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Q) Could you tell us a little sneak bit about your next book?

A) It's called Thirteen Weddings (Apr 2014) and it's about a wedding photographer who falls in love with a groom. The main character is called Bronte, and you heard of her in Pictures of Lily when Lily went to work at Marbles magazine. Bronte was the editorial assistant who Lily covered for and she later went for the Picture Assistant role. But my actual next book (Feb 2014) is the young adult series about Johnny Jefferson's 15-year-old daughter that he never knew he had. All of the details are on www.paigetoon.com if you're interested.

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Q) Which favourite place/country from your books, do you love the most?

A) It would have to be Australia because I grew up there and still consider it home. I absolutely love Key West, though, and had such a great time researching The Longest Holiday.

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Q) If you was stuck on a desert island what would be the 4 items you could have?

A) I'd only need one: Bear Grylls! He'd show me how to survive. I could do with some chocolate and a couple of books, too. Oh, and lip salve. Ok, so I wouldn't just need Bear after all...

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Q) Are you currently reading anything atm, if so is it worth a recommendation?

A) I'm reading The Omnivore's Dilemma - a book group recommendation. It's very well written and interesting but to be honest, I'm only about 4% into it on my Kindle as I just want to switch off when I'm reading a book, not concentrate!
~8) If you could describe all your books in 10 words what would they be?

  A) Fun, summery, around-the-world, beach-reads, love triangles, tear-jerkers. (I'm counting tear-jerkers as one word, even though it's hyphenated!)

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Q)  What season do you love the most? Spring? Summer? Autumn? Winter?

A) Spring, because of all the blossom on the trees - so beautiful. And lately the weather in spring in the UK has been better than in the summer!
~Q)  With all your characters, do you always feel you can relate to them in some sort of way?

A) Always. I'm inside their heads when I'm writing their stories – I'm trying to think like they would think. Naturally they all have a little piece of me in them, too.

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Q) Are you a paperback kinda girl or a Kindle fanatic? 

A) I got a Kindle for Christmas and I have to say, at the moment, I'm a little bit converted. I never thought I would be. But I love having this nifty little device which fits into my handbag and gives me a whole bunch of books at my fingertips! Look forward to seeing you too! xxx

~ Thank you so much Paige for dropping by, Fab answers & will see you on Saturday 22nd June 2013 for book signing in Manchester. 
The Longest Holiday is out now!!

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO MEET PAIGE, SHE HAS TWO BOOK SIGNINGS ON SATURDAY 22ND JUNE,

MANCHESTER WATERSTONES ARNDALE CENTER 11AM - 1PM

LEEDS WATERSTONES ALBION STREET 3PM - 5PM

Paperback                 Kindle