Thursday 19 November 2015

Jersey Writers' Books at Christmas Fayres

Jersey Xmas Fayres.

I've been contacted by lots of locals and holidaymakers to the island who've tried to buy my books in the shops here - many thanks to them for trying - but at the present time they aren't available. So when the opportunity arose through the Jersey Writers to sell my books at a couple of the local Xmas Fayres, I jumped at the chance.

Thanks to Shelagh Marrett for arranging for us to be represented at these Xmas Fayres, my fellow Jersey Writers and I will be able to sell our books in the island - that is, if they arrive here in time! The printers have sent them to Accent Press head office instead of to me... So, I'll be waiting, hoping, and willing them to arrive here in time for the first Christmas Fayre where we'll also be selling our Once Upon An Island anthology.

The Jersey Writers' anthology offers a glimpse into Jersey's history and the people who have lived it. 'Once Upon an Island' contains stories from prehistoric to contemporary times with tales of murder, love, wartime and peace. 25% of profits will go to Jersey Heritage.

You can find the Jersey Writers here:

Saturday, 28 November at the Central Market from 8am - 4.30pm

Saturday, 19 December - Central Market 7.30am - 5.30pm

If you can't make it to one of these fayres the books are available on Amazon. Here's the link to my author page where you'll find my books, together with the anthology.

You can follow the Jersey Writers on Facebook and Twitter (@JerseyWriters1) follow us and we'll follow you right back.

Georgina X

Tuesday 17 November 2015

The Importance of Researching for my Novels by Judith Barrow

As part of the blog tour for her latest book, Living in the Shadows, Judith Barrow has popped over to my blog today to let us know the importance of researching her novels. Over to you, Judith.

I don’t think it occurred to me not to research for any of my novels. For them to come alive for my readers I needed the world that my characters lived in to be believable; to be real. How could I write Pattern of Shadows, a story set during the war, if I didn’t know what it was like to live with the hardship, the fear, even the attitude of the great British “stiff upper lip” and the determination to live life to the full against the background of a World War? Or portray realistic characters unless they were shown to exist in an authentic, convincing world of rationing and “make do” that was Britain in the nineteen fifties; the background of the sequel, Changing Patterns.

So, when I set out to write this last book of the trilogy, Living in the Shadows, I started with a whole raft of research under my belt that had taken me months to collect and study.

Set in 1969, the background for Living in the Shadows, had a particular fascination for me. I grew up in a small village in the Pennines; well away from the excitement and razzmatazz that the sixties brought; the music of the Beatles, the fashions and lifestyles of Twiggy, Mary Quant, Jean Shrimpton, Mods and Rockers, and the concept of the culture of “free love”, brought about by the emergence of Hippies. It was a world I viewed from a distance. In a household where newspapers were banned and televisions came and went back to Radio Rentals at the drop of a hat and on my father’s whim, I only read about these things in covertly bought magazines. It was some years before it all became a reality for me. 1969 to be exact!

Consequently researching for Living in the Shadows was as time consuming and absorbing as it was for the first two books.

To imagine the places that my characters move between, I made maps of both Ashford, the Lancashire town, and Llamroth, the Pembrokeshire village. Each location is complete with street names, pubs, churches and parks. Ashford also has the railways, the canal and the Granville; the Prisoner of War camp that is, in one way or another, the backdrop of all three novels.  By pinning the maps on the notice board in my study, I can see each scene in my mind.

I also have files for all three novels, sub divided into various topics such as: World News, Politics, Laws, Current Culture, Money, Fashions (for men and women), Hairstyles, Houses (in this I include household equipment/ styles/ furniture etc.), Food, Education, Shops, Entertainment (cinema films, dances  etc.), Transport, Children, Toys, Names.

I think names are so important; think of characters called Bertha or Hilda and then one of Kylie – conjures up a whole new image doesn’t it?

And talking of images, I’ve collected photographs from every era I’ve written about. Having a picture of a street, a house, or a fashion, makes it simpler to describe every time. A detail here, a feature there, all add to the realism of a setting, of an event.

It’s beguiling stuff, this research. And that’s the danger; sometimes, before I realise it, I’ve spent hours, drifting from one enthralling area of study to another.

My books are family sagas. I like to think of them as life stories; they cross other genres: crime fiction, romance, historical fiction. Whatever they are, they’ve needed research. Taken as stand-alone books or as the trilogy, I always know when I've done enough research to bring my characters to life in their setting. And it’s only then that I start to write.

BUY LINKS: AMAZON UK & Honno https://twitter.com/barrow_judith

GIVEAWAY: 3 copies of the book (open internationally) 
 
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Monday 16 November 2015

Death Before Decaf by Caroline Fardig

Out today!

 

Perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Diane Mott Davidson, Caroline Fardig’s captivating new mystery novel takes readers behind the counter of a seemingly run-of-the-mill coffeehouse . . . where murder is brewing.
 
After her music career crashes and burns spectacularly, Juliet Langley is forced to turn to the only other business she knows: food service. Unfortunately, bad luck strikes yet again when her two-timing fiancé robs her blind and runs off with her best waitress. Flushing what’s left of her beloved café down the toilet with her failed engagement, Juliet packs up and moves back to her college stomping grounds in Nashville to manage an old friend’s coffeehouse. At first glance, it seems as though nothing’s changed at Java Jive. What could possibly go wrong? Only that the place is hemorrhaging money, the staff is in open revolt, and Juliet finds one unlucky employee dead in the dumpster out back before her first day is even over.
 
The corpse just so happens to belong to the cook who’d locked horns with Juliet over the finer points of the health code. Unimpressed with her management style, the other disgruntled employees are only too eager to spill the beans about her fiery temper to the detective on the case. Add to the mix a hunky stranger who’s asking way too many questions, and suddenly Juliet finds herself in some very hot water. If she can’t simmer down and sleuth her way to the real killer, she’s going to get burned.




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Mailing List: http://www.carolinefardig.com/mailing-list/

Twitter:  @carolinefardig

Wednesday 4 November 2015

Seized By Love by Melissa Foster Blog Tour


YOU FELL IN love with Blue Ryder and Lizzie Barber in Seaside Summers, now follow their journey to find true love in SEIZED BY LOVE, the first book in the Ryder series. 
 
Lizzie Barber runs a successful flower shop by day and secretly hosts the Naked Baker webcast at night to help pay for her younger sister’s education. To keep friends and family from finding out about her sexy secret, she’s put her social life on hold until her sister’s education is paid off and she can stop filming the webcast.

Blue Ryder fell hard for Lizzie Barber when he met her a year ago, and he hasn’t been able to get her off his mind since. Everything about the feisty little brunette, from her tight bod to her seductive smile, cuts straight to his heart. Though Lizzie has turned down every invitation he’s extended—Blue is not about to give up trying.

Renovating Lizzie’s kitchen brings Blue further into Lizzie’s life, and the oven is not the only thing heating up. One night and one powerful kiss changes everything. But when Lizzie’s secret is revealed and the safe bubble she’s hidden in shatters, true love may not be enough to put the pieces back together.

Buy Links








About Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the  World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Authors Links:






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GIVEAWAY

2 ebooks – Seaside Dreams
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Sunday 27 September 2015

A Jersey Dreamboat - Blog Tour

This is going to be a very busy week this week. Firstly A Jersey Dreamboat is part of a blog tour from 28 September to 2 October hosted by the fabulous Brook Cottage Books.


I'm also taking part in the inaugural Jersey Literary Festival from 30 September to 4 October. Here's the link to the timetable where you can buy tickets if you wish to attend the talks - *whispers* mine is on Sunday at 3.30, hope to see you there.







Monday 21 September 2015

Chatting to Alaina Drake about Forbidden Touch

Today I'm welcoming Alaina Drake to my blog for a chat about her intriguing book Forbidden Touch (out 24 September).

1. Did you do any research for your book?  What resources did you use?
I researched the setting a lot. The book is set in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in the university city of Boulder. My family and I take vacations there each year to hike and climb in the mountains. I took a lot of pictures of the natural surroundings and flipped through them for inspiration as I wrote.
2. Do you have a favourite place to write and if so, where is it?
I write at my desk in our downstairs study. I am a full-time stay-at-home mom during the day, so I write after our daughter goes to bed. I’ve come up with a system that works for me. I have to have her baby monitor right next to the lit candle. I have to eat peanuts when I write and I have to wear one of my husband’s sweaters when I write the…ahem…steamier scenes. Call it quirks…but it works for me!
3. Do you aim for a certain amount of words when you write, or something else you aim for?
I always try for a thousand words a day minimum when I’m writing a first draft. I find that getting the “juices” flowing each day gets me into a rhythm where my body expects to write every night and actually misses it when I don’t. I always write even when I don’t feel like it. I can always highlight and delete the really bad stuff, which, of course as all writers will tell you, happens a lot.


4. Are you a plotter or a panster?
I’m both. I plot out the main character arc. I ask myself: how does each character grow? How does their individual growth lead them to a stronger romantic relationship? I know the basic storyline, and I try to map out each scene, but, inevitably, I will start with something like sixteen scenes and end up with twenty-five. I need more scenes than I think I will to develop characters, and I gladly add them in when my characters beg me to do it.
5.What are you working on now?
Forbidden Touch is Book One in the Claimed Series, which follows four women, all roommates, as they each explore romance in a different way. I have already written Book Two in the series, Forbidden Temptation, which focuses on roommate Jenn, a literature professor and avid rock-climber. I just finished the first draft of the third book, which is Forbidden Addiction. This book focuses on feisty Nina, my first scarred heroine. She made me cry and fall in love with her.
6. Do you have any tips for any new writers wishing to be published?
Forbidden Touch is my first published novel, so I can offer a lot of advice for new authors wanting to get published. The painful, scary, and sometimes depressing querying process is still fresh for me. My first piece of advice is to never worry about getting published as you write your first, second, or third drafts. If you write for an editor you think you will get someday, it will never work. Write for yourself. For the joy of it. Let the characters wake you up at one a.m. (even when your toddler is going to be up in five hours!) Let the plot work itself out when you’re folding clothes or blow-drying your hair. Write what you want to write. And, embrace the fact that the first couple drafts are going to stink. Wait, not just stink…I mean stink REALLY bad. And that’s okay! If you compared my first draft of Forbidden Touch to the final one, you would see very little resemblance. An author I admire and follow on Twitter once said, “Think of the first draft as shovelling sand into the sandbox. Every draft after that begins to build the sandcastle.”

So, I guess what I would say to new writers wishing to be published is to write with the goal to tell a story, not to get published. If it gets published, it’s just a really cool bonus.

Bio:
Alaina Drake discovered her love of writing in the fourth grade when she won her first young author writing contest. After attaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English Literature, she set out to write novels that combine her two loves: erotic romance and classical literature. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her watching sports, and, of course, reading way past midnight. She is an avid rock climber and former ballerina, and she finds a lot of connection between the two activities despite their obvious differences. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and daughter.

Blurb:
Hannah Black saunters into the bar in her four-inch stilettos, intent on breaking her recent streak of bad dates and even worse sex. What she finds instead is sizzling hot doctor Beckett Stanton - but she doesn’t realize that he is the last man she should have chosen for her one night fling. While their views of sex and love polarize them, the attraction between them doesn’t allow either to turn away. The two play a dangerous game that tests both of their resolves, and when Hannah is given the chance to satisfy her needs, she is forced to make a decision - because the man with whom she wanted a no-strings-attached fling tugs at her heart in ways she never anticipated.
 Here's a trailer for you to watch: https://youtu.be/qFhfPImR9YE
 
The shortened link to buy the book is this: (Mybook.to/Forbiddentouch
 
Follow Alaina on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alaina-Drake-961360597218796/timeline/

And Twitter: @alaina_drake

To follow the rest of the tour, here's who's coming next:
Thank you, Alaina.

Georgina

Monday 14 September 2015

Lynne Shelby Talks About French Kissing

Welcome to my blog, Lynne, and thank you for answering a few questions for me.

Hi Georgina, Thank you for inviting me onto your blog.

1. Please can you describe French Kissing in twenty words? Childhood penfriends, Anna, who is English, and Alexandre, who is French, meet as adults. Will their friendship grow into love?

2.  What is your writing process, are you a plotter, or do you start with an idea and see where the story takes you as you write? I start with the beginning of a story, and I know the end, but as to what happens in between, I see where my characters take me. Sometimes I think they are actually in charge and telling the story themselves!

3.  French Kissing is partially based in Paris – my favourite city – what was your inspiration for setting this book there? Paris is one of my favourite places too. It’s such a beautiful and romantic city – a perfect location for a love story.

4.  Can you tell us a little about your journey to being a published author? I’ve always written for pleasure and dreamt of one day having my work published, but about five years ago I ‘discovered’ romantic fiction and realised this was the genre I really wanted to write in. I joined the wonderful Romantic Novelists Association New Writers’ Scheme, and started going to writers’ workshops, and entering writing competitions. In January 2015, I received the thrilling news that I’d won the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing Competition, and that ‘French Kissing,’ would be published.

5.  That's fantastic, huge congratulations on your exciting win! What’s the most important advice you would give to someone who might be considering writing their own book? Write every day. Even if it’s just a few sentences, it’s amazing how your ms grows.

6.   I love the sound of Alexandre, your hero. I’m always asked if my heroes are based on real people. Is Alexandre based on anyone, or an amalgam of people and if so, can you tell us who? I was travelling back to London from Paris on the Eurostar, and there was a Frenchman sitting across the aisle who spent the journey phoning friends in England, telling them that he, François, was coming to London, and suggesting they meet up. Unfortunately, none of his English friends wanted his company. By the time the train reached St Pancras, I was feeling very sorry for François, and I’d had the idea for a story about a Frenchman coming to London who was very much welcomed by an English girl - these characters became Alexandre and Anna.

7.  I love the sound of French Kissing, have pre-ordered my copy and can’t wait to be able to start reading it. Can you tell us what you’re working on at the moment? I’m working on what I think is going to be the final draft of a novel about a love-triangle set in the world of showbusiness.

Another fabulous sounding book that I'll look forward to reading - here's the link to buy it.

Thanks, Lynne. Thank you, Georgina, it’s been a pleasure.

Website http://www.lynneshelby.com/
Blog: https://lynneshelbywrites.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @LynneB1

Friday 11 September 2015

Romantic Novelists' Association Blog: Georgina Troy: Jersey Cream

Here's my chat about my Jersey Scene series published with Accent Press with the lovely ladies over at the Romantic Novelists' Association Blog: Georgina Troy: Jersey Cream:

Georgina Troy is lucky enough to live on the beautiful island of Jersey where her books are  based. We were delighted to have the opportunity... you can read more through the link above.





Thursday 3 September 2015

Publication Day - A Jersey Dreamboat

Today is the publication day for the third book in my Jersey Scene series, A Jersey Dreamboat. *unable to stop doing an unco-ordinated celebratory dance* This is the first book that I haven't previously self-published and it has been great fun to write.

The book is fiction but was inspired from a trip I took with my great friend, Carol O'Regan McQuillan...


Genre: Contemporary Romance : Release Date: 4 September 2015


A Jersey Dreamboat

The third instalment of the Jersey Scene series. Event planners Izzy and Jess are badly let down when a Jersey socialite hires them for the busiest weeks of the season and then cancels at the last minute, leaving the girls with no bookings and no money. Feeling despondent, they try a night out to cheer themselves up, and meet the captivating and aristocratic Ed, who invites the two on a luxury yacht cruise to Nice, together with his two brothers. Romance builds through heady days of blue sky and warm seas, but when a last-minute wedding booking is offered, the girls must return to Jersey, and real life has to begin again ...or has it?

BUY LINKS




Published by Accent Press

Thursday 13 August 2015

Henry Cavill & the Battle of Flowers


Last night members of my family and I were lucky enough to have tickets for the pre-screening of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Huge thanks to our local hero and heartthrob, Henry Cavill, who arranged for the film to be shown here a day before opening at cinemas across the country and raising money for Durrell. Henry *swoons* is Durrell's Global Ambassador - and a great ambassador for this gorgeous island of ours. Did I mention that Henry also looks remarkably like Sebastian Fielding, my hero in A Jersey Affair? (Sorry, I couldn't resist adding that bit...).

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is action-packed, full of style and humour and a great storyline, I loved it. It didn't hurt to spend the time watching the delicious Henry and his equally charismatic co-star Armie Hammer throughout the film. I just hope there's a sequel.

Yesterday was our annual Battle of Flowers here in Jersey. There's a long, exciting built up to 'Battle Day' and I've taken part, behind the scenes once and on a float in the arena twice over the years. It's always great fun and an incredible atmosphere. Tomorrow night the floats will parade once again, but this time with lights along Victoria Avenue.

Below is a picture of the last time I took part in the 'Battle'. Can you see where I am?

The Battle of Flowers was first staged in 1902 in celebration of a Royal Coronation and has grown every since to become of the largest floral carnivals in Europe. You can find out more and discover past photos from the official website here.
This year Jersey Battle of Flowers is supporting the work of the British Red Cross as its nominated charity.
There's usually a lot going on over here in the summer and it seems that this year is no different.
 

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Picnics in Hyde Park by Nikki Moore

Nikki Moore was one of my fellow finalists in the Romantic Novelists' Association Joan Hessayon Award 2015 and today the sixth book in her #LoveLondon Series, Picnics in Hyde Park, is out in eBook.

Read this exciting romance series set in London, which has attracted four and five star reviews and been in the Top 100 Short Story chart on Kobo and Top 20 Holiday charts on Amazon UK.

The last story in the fun & flirty #LoveLondon series from exciting new chick lit author Nikki Moore! The perfect novel for reading in the sunshine... and falling in love with London.

‘Whoever said romance was dead has clearly never read a Nikki Moore book’ – Rachel’s Random Reads

The last story in the fun & flirty #LoveLondon series from exciting new chick lit author Nikki Moore! The perfect novel for reading in the sunshine … and falling in love with London.

Hot summer romance…or cold revenge?

Super nanny, Zoe Harper is mad! It was bad enough discovering her ex-fiancé Greg cheating on her just weeks before their wedding. But now she’s returned home to London to find her younger sister Melody has been left jobless, homeless, broke and dumped.

Zoe is determined to get revenge on the infamous Reilly brothers for her sister’s heartbreak. So when an unexpected opportunity gives Zoe a way in to uncaring—and dizzyingly gorgeous!—successful music producer Matt Reilly’s world, she jumps at the chance to make him pay.

But living with Matt as nanny to his two adorable, but complicated children, Zoe soon begins to suspect that not everything is as it seems… Matt insists on pushing everyone away including his children, but why? And if his delicious summer kisses are anything to go by, he can’t be that bad surely?

Can Zoe convince Matt to open up a little and help fix this family before she leaves…or worse, before Matt learns who she really is?
Out today - 13th August - as an ebook, paperback to follow. Get it from only £2.99!



Monday 3 August 2015

Cover Reveal - The Haunted Heart of Rory O'Dannon


Is the love of Megara's life a hallucination -- or a ghost?
The Irish poet Rory O'Dannon came to Megara during a high fever, but she never forgot. Twenty years later she still mourns him. Her marriage to charismatic Ken Benedict was a pragmatic decision as she no longer believes in true love.
Until a car accident catapults her back to 19th century Ireland--and into Rory's arms.
Finally united with the love of her dreams, and believing she has died, Megara commits her heart to him. But when she wakes from a coma, she is forced to accept that Rory was fictional--until she finds the wedding band he gave her.
Will she choose life with her husband, or death and a mere chance for love with Rory?






About Delia Colvin
 
Delia is the international bestselling author of The Oracle Series. She is both a screenwriter and a novelist and has been a featured author on several popular blogs, books and magazines including Southern Writers Magazine and others.
She has worked as an entrepreneur, in sales and advertising, in Air Traffic Control, and as a Russian interpreter. Delia lives in Granada Hills, California.

For more information about Delia J. Colvin and her upcoming releases, contact her at DeliaJColvin@gmail.com


www.DeliaColvin.com

 Join the mailing list to be notified when the book becomes available to pre-order / buy http://bit.ly/HauntedHeart



 GIVEAWAY

 Two $25 Amazon Gift cards

5 eBooks The Sibylline Oracle



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