The End

I've spent the better part of the last two months writing my latest book which is a psychological thriller with a working title of Azriel's Princess. I anticipate it will be a long time until the book is released as I've got several other releases lined up throughout the year.

But I just can't stop writing. I absolutely love immersing myself in the worlds I create in my books. I also can't stop working until I've finished a story else I feel bad for leaving my characters in limbo, waiting for their resolution.

I'm already planning my next book which will be a YA story set in rural Wales during the 1920s. Whenever I write something that isn't contemporary or fantasy I have to conduct a lot of research prior to starting to write the book. Small details like what a character says or wears can have a big impact on creating the overall feel of a period set story.

So over the next few weeks I'll be visiting Wales, making an horrific amount of notes and preparing my next book. I'll also have some very exciting news to share with everyone soon regarding a YA release coming in Autumn this year (or rather Fall depending where you are).

This weekend I'm taking time away from my writing for a much needed break to clear my head, enjoy the sunshine and possibly even venture out to the cinema!

As much as I adore locking myself away and writing you do so at the expense of your connection with the real world. I've disappeared off everyone's radar for a bit so it will be nice to resurface, albeit briefly, before I'm lost in another book.

So whilst it is The End of one book, it is just the beginning for another!

Have a lovely weekend everyone

xoxo

I Don't Write Alone

Since everyone loved Rollo so much when this post was featured on http://www.fiction-books.biz/meet-the-authors/new-on-the-shelf-at-fiction-books-this-week-41/ I thought I'd share it on my blog too! 

I Dont Write Alone

I think that the most unique aspect of my writing habits is that I don’t write alone. Whenever I sit down to write I am joined by my two year old Cavalier, Rollo. Normally he sits either across my shoulders or on my lap. The latter can be quite tricky when I’m trying to balance my laptop on my knees to write. Sometimes he snores or barks in his sleep so loud that it can be hard to concentrate!

He’s my constant companion and when I need to clear my head or focus on some story ideas I take him for a walk in the woodlands near my home.

Writing can be such a solitary pursuit so it’s nice to have some company with me throughout the day when I’m working. And sometimes he attempts to contribute by tapping his paw upon the keyboard!

Below is a picture of Rollo watching me write

He's even sat on my shoulders right now while I update my blog!

Thanks Rollo, for always being there to lend a supportive paw! 

Have a lovely week everyone xoxo

Release Day!

Prime Deception is released today! It is really exciting to think that my book is now out there in the wide world for people to read and hopefully enjoy.

The first few reviews to come in have all been positive which is reassuring.

I wish I could say that I've spent today doing really glamorous things to celebrate but in reality, today hasn't been all that different to other days.

I spent the morning working on my latest novel (a fantasy thriller) and also some freelance projects I'm currently involved in. Then I walked my dog through the woods where he got over excited meeting some canine friends and ended up covered in mud!

I watched Grey's Anatomy (big mistake). I've just started series 9 and for those of you who watch it will know, a very big character gets killed off in the first episode which 1. made me cry, like weep and 2. didn't put me in the best mood to stop procrastinating and finally check out my release day reviews.

But so far people seem to really like Prime Deception so I'm smiling if still slightly traumatized by the demise of McSteamy...

I had some lovely supportive tweets from people today which was really nice, so even though I've spent release day alone I felt like there were people on my side, celebrating with me! And now that the dust has settled I can indulge in a celebratory cupcake!

Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to take the time to review Prime Deception, and thank you to everyone who has bought it.

Have a great week!

xoxo

One Week...

One Week

Prime Deception will be released one week today. On Monday 7th April the book will go live and I'll be left nervously climbing the walls waiting for reviews to come in.

I always hope that people will enjoy my books, especially as a I loved writing them so much. I'm not doing anything special on my release day. I'll walk my dog, hang out with friends, nothing out of the ordinary. To me, the most amazing part of it all is just being able to share my stories with people. Everything else is just a bonus. 

I never stop writing. At the moment I'm working away on two freelance projects and also a new book of my own. My new book is a stand alone novel and once I've finished it I'll return to some of my series and work on a sequel or two. I like being able to mix things up and work on what I'm currently in the mood for, I think it helps to keep my writing fresh and stops things getting stale.

But Prime Deception is my current baby. It's about to be kicked out of the nest and in to the big wide world. It has a lot of similarities to my first novel, Not All Stars Sparkle, whilst being unique in its own right. It is definitely the most British book I've written so far which is a surprise as I'm proper British myself and quite open about my tea addiction! 

If people do go and buy Prime Deception, thank you so much, I hope you have a lot of fun reading it. I think CarinaUK did an amazing job with the cover and really managed to capture the essence of the novel. I'm really proud of the story, but its not just mine anymore, its almost out there for everyone to enjoy! 

Have a great week, see you on release day! 

xoxo

Date for the Diary...

So Prime Deception has a release date! Yay! It will be available from Friday 28th March. I'm really excited to get the book out in to the big wide world and see what people think of it.

Hopefully I'll be appearing on some blogs closer to the release date so keep an eye on my Twitter and Facebook for updates.

As excited as I am for Prime Deception to be released it is daunting too as there is always a small part of me that fears that people will hate it. Writing is so personal, and when you publish you put a little bit of yourself out in the ether for people to scrutinize...being judged is scary!!

But I'm crossing my fingers that everyone will love reading the story as much as I loved writing it. It's all about love and just how far we are willing to go for those that we care most about.

Besides my book release I am moving house in less than two weeks! Eeek! Worryingly I've not started packing yet which is unlike me as I'm usually militant with any sort of organisation. I think I just don't like the idea of sitting around surrounded by boxes...

Still, March is set to be a crazy, eventful month and I can't wait to enjoy it all!

xoxo

Not All Stars Sparkle Set to Shine Again

2014 has got off to quite a hectic start. I've been busy preparing my CarinaUK debut, Prime Deception, which is set to be released next month. I'm excited to share the publication date and cover with you closer to the time!

Carina have also requested to re-publish my debut novel, Not All Stars Sparkle, along with it's sequel, Cradle to Grave.

It is all really exciting but it means I've spent a lot of time locked away working on revisions and also planning out my big YA trilogy which I should be able to talk about more in the not too distant future.

I love writing and I'm so pleased to be able to share more of my work with people. It's just that everything seems to come at once as I'm also moving house next month so in the process of packing away pretty much everything! Anyone who knows me is aware that I find change and upheaval a right royal pain so I'll be much happier once I'm settled in my new home!

I've also lost a fair amount of my life to Being Human which I started watching the other week on a whim and am now absolutely hooked!

I'll hopefully have some release dates to update everyone with soon so until then it's back to boxing up my life in anticipation of the big move!

Until next time,

xoxo

Reflections on 2013

Reflections on 2013

As the year draws to a close I think that like most people, I become a bit reflective and look back upon what has happened during the last twelve months as we bid farewell to yet another year…

2013 saw two family weddings, one selling of a house and a long awaited second Anchorman film!

A couple of things I learnt this year;

• ·         All of my coat pockets are full of dog poop bags, unused of course. Guess it’s one of the side effects of being a besotted dog owner!!

• ·         Yellow never was and never will be my colour, it makes me even paler if that’s even possible!

• ·         Blondes seem to have more fun, so far anyway…

• ·         You can never have too many shoes. I have pairs I’ve never even worn but continue to hold on to, waiting for that fabled event that they will just be perfect for.

• ·         Despite growing another year older, I feel I’ve regressed further in to childlike ways. My Disney DVD collection grew, my adult sensibilities did not. Peter Pan had the right idea; I’d love to never grow up!

• ·         Forging your own path can be tough. 2013 was the year I decided to dedicate my life to my writing and it can lonely, frustrating, stressful and manic but ultimately, I’ve never been happier.

On the topic of my writing, I’ve managed to accomplish a lot this year but know that 2014 is going to be an even bigger year for me! This year I;

• ·         Wrote six novels in my capacity as a freelance ghost writer

• ·         Wrote two novels of my own, one a sequel to my very first novel, the second a historical romance novel

• ·         My second book, Sunkissed, was published in August

• ·         I’ve signed with a large publishing company and will be releasing two more books next year

And upon looking ahead to 2014, as mentioned, I will be releasing numerous novels including politic thriller Prime Deception as well as looking to write and complete sequels to Sunkissed and another YA novel I’ve written, along with starting a new YA series all together.

So it looks set to be a very busy year! Outside of my writing I will be moving house and going to see Maroon 5, Backstreet Boys (with Kevin!!) and Justin Timberlake in concert throughout the year!

There is so much to look forward to! So with December, and of course both Christmas and my birthday, I can begin to wind down and enjoy all the trimmings of the season!

To all my friends and readers, I wish you all a truly fabulous Christmas and New Year! I hope you get everything you wished for and find that someone special beneath the mistletoe…xoxo

P.S if Santa was wondering what to bring me this year, my wish list never changes, all I want for Christmas is one Leonardo DiCaprio! ; P