Progress Report

I've been pretty busy lately and therefore not able to blog as much as I'd like to. I reached a significant landmark today though; I finished my WIP. It is a YA story based in rural Wales set in the 1920s which contains fairy tale and coming of age themes.

It was a labor of love and a story I'd had in the back of my mind for quite a while screaming at me to write it so I'm glad it is now all down on paper!

However, I won't be resting on my laurels. I plan to relax over the weekend (and finally watch The Lego Movie) but on Monday I'm diving straight in to my next project, the third book in my Avalon series working title, Coming Home. The first book in the series, First to Fall is out in just over a month! Yes I'm crazy excited that my next release will be hitting e-readers on Tuesday 26th August.

I haven't been to Avalon for a while so I'm looking forward to reconnecting with old characters and progressing their stories.

I'm fortunate to be able to work full time from home. My freelance work enables me to have the time and financial freedom to focus on my own projects. I have an ever expanding list of stories that I just have to write! I'm not sure if I'll ever complete all of my generated ideas but it is certainly fun trying!

Hope everyone has been out enjoying the glorious weather! It is a rare treat for us Brits to have this amount of extended sunshine! I might be avoiding it for a while though as whilst out walking Rollo earlier I foolishly took a short cut through an overgrown area of the woods behind my house whilst wearing shorts and am now sporting some rather sore looking nettle stings! Oh well!

xoxo

I'm Going on Tour

So to tie in with the release of First to Fall on Tuesday 26th August I am going on a 10 stop book tour from 25th August - 7th September! There's going to be a giveaway of my previous book, Sunkissed and also interviews and guest posts!

It's all being organised by http://girlslovetoread.com/ so if you're interested in taking part get in touch with them and they will hook you up! 

Any reviewers/bloggers interested reviewing the book prior to release aside from the blog tour are more than welcome to get in touch also. Next month I'll be able to share the cover for First to Fall and the book will also go live on Net Galley for ARC requests!

It is all very exciting!

This is my first professionally organised blog tour so I'm not sure what to expect but can't wait! I love interacting with new bloggers/reviewers so will hopefully meet lots of awesome people through the tour! 

If you're wondering if First to Fall is for you, check out the blurb below;

Aiden Connelly is a young, successful Chicago based lawyer who has grown tired of the rat race of city life so he decides to relocate his family to the small, Southern town of Avalon. Once there he settles into his new job and tackles his first case, that of fallen beauty queen, Brandy White who is accused of murdering her husband, local football hero, Brandon, in cold blood. As Aiden delves deeper into the case he soon realises that things are not as they seem and that Avalon is far from the idyllic town that it appears to be. It is up to him to unravel the mystery surrounding Brandon’s death before it is too late…

So for now I'm busy arranging everything prior to First to Fall's release! Just over a month to go! I can't wait to share it everyone!

xoxo

Returning to Avalon

So I've some exciting news to share!

The first book I ever wrote, Not All Stars Sparkle is having a swanky upgrade and being released through CarinaUK and the first big change is that it has a new title! The book will henceforth be known as...First to Fall!

I'm still getting used to the new title as I was a tad attached to NASS for sentimental reasons. But change is good and a new title will give the story a much needed new lease of life!

First to Fall will be released via all digital retailers on August 26th with the sequel, Cradle to Grave due for release in September.

So it is going to be a busy few months ahead! I'm excited for everyone to be able to discover Aiden and the town of Avalon through the first book, but also with the long awaited sequel people will also be able to find out what happened to him after that infamous murder trial!

Once covers are available I'll share them! CarinaUK always create the most amazing covers so I can't wait to see what they come up with for First to Fall and Cradle to Grave. 

I'd be interested to hear what people think of the new title!

xoxo

I Don't Watch TV All Day...

Lately some well meaning family members and friends have been inquiring about how I spend my days as a full time writer. I can always tell by the inflection in their voice that they have this image of me spending countless hours in front of the TV whilst they are out working hard for a living. It doesn't help that I'm alarmingly aware of all Grumpy Cat's movements thanks to Twitter and already caught up on #OITNB. But to answer questioning minds, here is a standard day in my life as a full time writer;

• I get up. No, not at noon. At eight as that's when the shower is free. Then I eat breakfast and hang out with my dog, Rollo.
• After breakfast my mornings are dedicated solely to my writing. I have two laptops. One isn't connected to the internet and it is on this one I spend my mornings working on my WIP and doing freelance work. I don't know why but I always prefer to write early in the day, it must be because my mind is fresher. 

• I have daily targets that I have to hit. My current quota is set at 4k but that can go as high as 8 or as low as 2 depending on current work/editing commitments. I'm a stickler for a schedule and have all my projects planned out months in advance and rarely deviate from the plan.
• When I'm done writing I walk Rollo. I live right by some woods so we are a bit spoiled for choice when it comes to walking routes. Being with Rollo helps me relax as usually at this point in the day my mind is still racing from all the plots I've got bouncing around in there.
• Lunch. This is where I maybe start to procrastinate a bit. I use lunch as an excuse to catch up on my favorite TV shows. At the moment I'm watching Pretty Little Liars. 
• Since all my writing has been done in the morning I dedicate my afternoons to responding to emails, I hate to keep people waiting if they've contacted me, and promoting my published books. Sometimes some more TV viewing might creep in there along with the consumption of far too many snacks. But I simply couldn't chain myself to my laptop and write content all day as I'd lose the quality. 

So there you go! I don't just sit and watch TV all day. I watch it sometimes during the day! I love what I do and know how incredibly lucky I am to be able to dedicate my life and my time to my writing, and also to Grumpy Cat! 

xoxo

Prime Deception - Prologue

I thought that today I'd do something different on my blog and share the prologue for Prime Deception. Looking back on it, its amazing to think how far the book has come since all those months ago when I sat down at my laptop and began the story (over two years ago I think).

I always write in a linear sequence so this was the very first part of Prime Deception that came in to existence and it has hardly changed since I originally wrote it on its journey to publication. I like to think that it works nicely to set the scene for the rest of the book. I find writing Prologues and Epilogues to be my favorite parts of a book as they always round things off nicely, like imaginary bookends! 

Anyway, hope you enjoy the prologue, if it piques your interest the book is currently available through Amazon so do check it out!

Have a lovely weekend : ) 

xoxo

Prime Deception

Prologue

The Shadow Newspaper Offices, London

Dawn had not yet broken over the capital and yet the offices of The Shadow newspaper were already a hive of activity. Eager and ambitious journalists were bent over their computers, furiously typing away, some not having left from the previous night before.

The Shadow was England’s biggest selling tabloid newspaper, and as its name suggested, it was ever present among society, exposing every ounce of scandal and corruption as it occurred around the country.  The paper had grown in notoriety over the last decade, being linked to practically every sin committed by a member of the elite. If someone had behaved badly, The Shadow knew about it, casting the delinquent in darkness.

Part of the paper’s success was easily attributed to the doggish determination of the staff who listed eating and sleeping as a low priority compared with work. Journalism was a fiercely competitive field and they were each trying to make a name for themselves by catching that one big story which would set the country on fire.

John Quinn had that story. He almost trembled with excitement when he thought about it. He ran his hands through his thinning black hair as he sat slumped over his desk, going over for what felt like the hundredth time, the questions he needed to ask. He had been up all night since he had received the call. It was a young girl wanting to make money on a kiss and tell story, standard stuff really, except the man involved was no ordinary man. John had run in to her at a party a few months back, she had been really drunk, and talkative. He’d held back on revealing his occupation until she completely divulged her extra curricular activities to him. She had seemed genuinely horrified when he offered her his card, professing how she most certainly did not want to sell her story. But he knew she would, the money was too good to pass up; dignity always had a price.

So, as John had predicted, she had called. Now, all he had to do was capture her side of the story and run with it. It would be front page news and he would instantly have made a career for himself.  Having spent four years at university, three as an unpaid intern, five being the office gopher then three as a struggling journalist John felt he was long overdue some success in his field.  He needed to go home, shower, make himself presentable, but he was afraid to even leave his desk, afraid someone might snap the story up from right under his nose.

He remembered how desperate the girl had sounded when she called and almost felt guilty. He couldn't be sure, but he thought she had been crying. John had seen so many young women, naively lured in to bed by rich and powerful men selling their story out of spite or desperation. He failed to empathize with their plight, after all, they had willingly engaged in events. But this time something felt different. Perhaps it was because the man in question appeared whiter than white to the rest of the country and exposing this girl and their sordid affair would tarnish and possibly destroy his reputation.

John Quinn was rarely shocked, but her story had genuinely caught him off guard. He did wonder if perhaps it had just been drunken ramblings, but then she had called. Confirming everything she had said and insisting she wanted to take him up on the offer of writing a piece. He’d named a price to her which few people would be strong enough to turn down because he knew just how valuable a story of that caliber was.

Aware that time was pressing on, John took one last glance at his notes and put on his jacket, intending to quickly return to his flat, wash and change and then meet the girl. He had just pushed his arm down in to the second sleeve when the internal phone on his desk began to ring. Sighing, he leaned forward and picked up the receiver, tersely announcing himself to the caller.

‘John, its Maria,’ came a soft female voice. Maria worked in the news department, unlike John who was in features. She was one of the few people within the tangled structure of The Shadow who he trusted. They had slept together a few times, and continued to do so on the rare occasions that he wasn't too exhausted or was feeling particularly lonely. Maria was nothing special, you could easily pass her by on the street without feeling the need to take a second glance, but she was kind and trust worthy. Qualities which John figured he might one day be looking for in a woman and so he attempted to keep her relatively close.

‘I’m just on my way out.’

‘I know, to meet with that girl, right? What was her name, Lorna Thomas?’

‘Yeah, that’s right.’ John had forgotten that he’d told her who he was meeting a few nights previous, but he had not disclosed the context.

‘I’ve just had a police report come through about her.’

‘Oh?’

‘Apparently she committed suicide last night. Want me to email the report to you? I figured you’d probably want to run with the story yourself. Chief says no more than a hundred words on it.’

‘Right…okay, yeah.’

In a daze, John took off his coat and re-positioned himself in his chair. He suddenly felt a pang of remorse run through him that he had not been more responsive to the girl’s sadness over the phone. He had propositioned her to sell her story; he hoped he had not driven her to take her own life. John Quinn shook his head in disbelief. The story that would have made his career was now gone, never to be confirmed. He read the report with dull eyes as it arrived in his inbox.

Sadness slipped over him as he placed his fingertips to his keyboard and began to write a brief obituary for the girl he was supposed to be interviewing. His heart felt heavy with each letter he pressed. John finished the piece and got up and walked away from his desk, but not before calling Maria and asking her to come round to his flat that night. He didn't feel like being alone.

22 year old Lorna Thomas of Kent was found dead in her car in the early hours of this morning. Police have ruled that she committed suicide.

No Rest for the Wicked...

So I've got quite a bit going on at the moment which is all very exciting.

Last weekend I enjoyed the first virtual Romance Festival which was a lot of fun and very informative. It reminded me of how invaluable tools like Twitter and Facebook are for a writer. Working at home can be extremely lonely at times when I've only my dog for company. I'm fortunate to have found many virtual author friends who can relate to the trials and tribulations of a life spent dedicated to your craft.

In terms of my writing I finished a manuscript and delved straight in to the next one! I love writing and have a long list of stories I want/need to write. I'm getting quite involved with my current story and may share the prologue on here at some point.

I found out that the first book I ever wrote, Not All Stars Sparkle, will be re-released through Carina around August. I'll share a specific date with you once I have it. As NASS was my first book it is really personal to me and I'm extremely proud of it and can't wait to share it with a wider audience. The sequel to the book will also be released through Carina later in the year.

I'm still working on a title for my project with Reuts which should be out towards the end of the year. We're almost settled on a title and are bouncing cover ideas around. The problem I have is that visual art isn't my forte so I'm not much use on the cover ideas front...

Currently I'm sat with Rollo who got covered in mud during his walk over, most of which is now on me as he's been in quite a cuddly mood lately...

I should also mention that Prime Deception is currently on offer (shameless plug). The price for it has been reduced pretty much everywhere and I've no idea how long that would last so I'd suggest getting your copy right away! But then I would say that, wouldn't I? ; )

It's just started to thunder here so I'm off to hide under a blanket somewhere!

Take care and have a great week!

xoxo

Virtual Romance Festival

Some of the biggest romance publishers are holding a Virtual Romance Festival next month and I'm lucky enough to be a part of it!

The festival will be held from Saturday 7th - Sunday 8th June and you can participate in all the fun from the comfort of your own home! You don't even need to get dressed! I plan on attending in my bright pink onesie!

Readers will get the chance to chat with their favorite authors, win books, see exclusive cover reveals and more!

It will be an exciting, innovative weekend for readers and writers alike which is why I'm so excited to be a part of it.  After all, I think everyone could benefit from a bit more romance in their lives!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up to attend here, its FREE!

www.bit.ly/Romance14

And hopefully I will virtually see you all there! #Romance14

xoxo