Jenny Kane & Jennifer Ash

Jenny Kane: Coffee, cupcakes, chocolate and contemporary fiction / Jennifer Ash: Medieval crime with hints of Ellis Peters and Robin Hood

Category: Contemporary Romantic Fiction Page 48 of 57

Abi’s House Countdown Deal: Grab some Cornish sunshine for only 99p or 99c!

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On July 19, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction

My latest novel, Abi’s House- a tale of Cornish sunshine, fish ‘n’ chips, friendship, new beginnings, and romance- is on special offer for 5 DAYS ONLY, at the bargain price of either 99p or 99c!!!

AH FB 99p sale ad

Blurb

Newly widowed at barely thirty, Abi Carter is desperate to escape the Stepford Wives-style life that Luke, her late husband, had been so keen for her to live.

Abi decides to fulfil a lifelong dream. As a child on holiday in a Cornwall as a child she fell in love with a cottage – the prophetically named Abbey’s House. Now she is going to see if she can find the place again, relive the happy memories … maybe even buy a place of her own nearby?

On impulse Abi sets off to Cornwall, where a chance meeting in a village pub brings new friends Beth and Max into her life. Beth, like Abi, has a life-changing decision to make. Max, Beth’s best mate, is new to the village. He soon helps Abi track down the house of her dreams … but things aren’t quite that simple. There’s the complicated life Abi left behind, including her late husband’s brother, Simon – a man with more than friendship on his mind … Will Abi’s house remain a dream, or will the bricks and mortar become a reality?

Abi's House_edited-1

Here are some of the lovely review’s Abi’s House has received…

“A summer read as scrumptious as its Cornish backdrop. Brilliant!”

“This novel is a box of delights…the perfect escapist read…”

“Better than a Cornish Cream Tea…”

“Reading a Jenny Kane book is like opening a journal by a much loved friend…”

***

To pick up your copy Abi’s House at only 99p or 99c, visit these links before 26th July

 
Happy reading,
Jenny xx

Sand in My Shoes: A Taste of Summer from Jenny Harper

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On July 18, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction

Today I’m delighted to be able to share with you a tasty snippet from the lovely Jenny Harper’s new summertime novella, Sand in my Shoes.

At only 99p or 99c, Sand in my Shoes is an absolute bargain!!

SIMS

Here’s the blurb-

A trip to France awakens the past in this heartwarming summer read from the author of People We Love.
Head teacher Nicola Arnott prides herself on her independence. She has successfully juggled motherhood and career, coping with early widowhood by burying her emotions somewhere deep inside herself. When a cancer scare shakes her out of her careful approach to life, she finds herself thinking wistfully of her first love, a young French medical student.
She decides to revisit the sleepy French town she remembers from her teenage years – and is astonished to meet up with Luc again. The old chemistry is still there – but so is something far more precious: a deep and enduring friendship.
Can it turn into true love?

****

Sand in My Shoes

Let me whet your appetite with this extract from Jenny’s engaging European romance…

Nicola Arnott pushed open the French windows onto the balcony of the apartment she had just rented, and stepped out Above her, the blue and white striped canopy offered shade, but not coolness. She gasped – not at the heat, but at the view. She’d seen it, of course, on the letting agent’s particulars – after all, it was the view that dictated the price, not the apartment’s facilities, which were meagre – but no photograph could do justice to the panorama that greeted her.

She’d enjoyed so many holidays in France with David – in the Loire valley and the Dordogne, on the Côte d’Azur and in some of the country’s great cities – before Eleanor had been born. After that, they’d had so little time together before he’d been snatched from her. Now she was back.

She watched a dinghy tack and change direction, its sails startlingly white against the bright blue waters of the Bassin d’Arcachon. Picture postcard perfect.

Unthinking, she grasped the balcony rail and yelped. It was burning hot.

Nicola felt no pain when she thought of David, only love. But all memories were softened by time. If she were really honest, hadn’t they fought over everything? Whether to get up early to explore or laze in bed till midday. Whether to open the window at night or keep it closed. Whether to walk or take a taxi. Little things. Things that didn’t matter, but niggles that were easy to forget in the aftermath of loss.

It hadn’t been real fighting, just bickering – the kind of bubbling undertow that characterises many relationships but doesn’t affect the core.

She stood and stretched. Here she was, reminiscing already, and she hadn’t even unpacked. In any case, David had died twenty years ago and she had rebuilt her life since then. She had her work – at the primary school where she was headteacher – wonderful colleagues and friends, and several hundred children who filled her days with laughter and young life, and gave her all the challenges she could wish for. She had Eleanor, her daughter, and she had her beloved West Highland terrier, Darcy. So what if she hadn’t found love a second time? That had been partly circumstance, partly choice.

The boat had tacked again. Now it was heading for the low islands off the Grande Dune du Pilat, the magnificent three-hundred-and-sixty-foot-high natural sand dune that was one of the main tourist attractions of the area. She knew the islands well. Hadn’t she sailed there with Luc that extraordinary summer?

Sweet sixteen, and never been kissed? She’d celebrated her seventeenth birthday on the third day of her holiday in Arcachon with her parents. The night she’d met Luc. The memory of it made her smile, the sense of him stronger now that she was back here.

Stupid.

She pulled a chair towards her. Its metal feet, grating on the tiled floor of the balcony, set her teeth on edge and she sank onto it with a grimace.

So much to think about. So many memories. And so many worries about what the future held…

***

If you would like to buy Sand in my Shoes, it is available from all good e-retailers including-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sand-My-Shoes-Summer-Special-ebook-x/dp/B00YEV1HQW/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1436782857&sr=8-15&keywords=Jenny+Harper

http://www.amazon.com/Sand-My-Shoes-Summer-Novella-ebook/dp/B00YEV1HQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436947440&sr=8-1&keywords=Sand+in+my+shoes+Jenny+Harper

Happy reading,

Jenny xxx

The Romantic Novelist’s Association Conference: A Lesson in Hope and Hanging in There

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On July 15, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction

This weekend I was lucky enough to attend my very first Romantic Novelist’s Association (RNA) Conference. I use the word ‘lucky’ advisedly, because as with First Great Western trains were on strike, I had to take a very imaginative route to actually get from Devon to London. But it was very much worth it.

Jen and Kd

Jenny Kane and Kd Grace

Over the years I have attended many writing events and conferences, but they have all been of the more ‘adult’ variety. This was the first time I had been to one as ‘Jenny’ and not ‘Kay.’ As my train pulled into Waterloo my sense of excitement was great. Not only was I going to meet some of my fellow Accent authors and my dear ‘Xcite’ friend Kd Grace (aka Grace Marshall), but I was actually going to an event! I have missed loads of amazing events lately due to a trapped nerve in my leg, and I felt like a child off to meet Father Christmas as I walked through London, heading towards Queen Mary’s University, and my first major gathering of romance writers.

Train coffee

With a schedule that was so packed with great talks and workshops, it was a challenge to choose which to attend. I may have been in the writing game for nearly 11 years, but I still have a great deal to learn, and this was the place to do it. With names as eminent as Katie Fforde, Julie Cohen and Jean Fullerton on the schedule, how could I fail not to come away with my head packed to the gunnels with ideas, inspiration- but most of all – hope.

Writing is a weird profession. You sit alone most of the time, trapped in your imagination and a world of ‘what if’s’ which you have invented. Even if other people are nearby, you are alone inside your own head so it is vital that we all get together sometimes, just to remind ourselves that we aren’t the only ones struggling to be noticed. To know that even the big names, working hour after hour in the hope that someone will buy their work when there are so many wonderful books to chose from, struggle sometimes.

We need to get together to learn, to laugh, to moan, discuss, let off steam, and give each other a boost- to say ‘you will make it’, ‘the next level is possible,’ and to hear that even the best writer’s in the world have downward lulls and bad sales now and then.

So although the classes were all excellent, what I will most remember from this years conference- and indeed- what was most useful to me- was the friendly sense of camaraderie. To see authors in the flesh after years of only communicating via Facebook was wonderful.

The amazing Hazel Cushion, manager of Accent Press, arranged a Pimms party for all the Accent authors, and anyone else who wanted to come along. Boy, can Hazel organise a good party. Standing in the sunshine by the canal that runs behind the university, I sipped my explosive cocktail while chatting to authors Richard Gould, Gilli Allan, Alison Rose, Lizzie Lane, Gill Stewart, Kat Black, Zoe Chamberlain and Kd Grace, along with the fabulous Rebecca Lloyd, ‘chief’ editor at Accent, her side kick, Cat Camacho, and many more smashing folk.

Hazel

Hazel Cushion

Katrina Power, Cat Camacho and Alison Rose

Katrina Power, Cat Camacho and Alison Rose get the ice ready for the Pimms

It was at the party that one of my personal conference highlights occurred. The adorable Alison Rose introduced me to one of my writing heroes. I have long admired Katie Fforde for her books, and for the help she frequently gives other authors. And there she was, only a few feet from me. I have to admit, I had a tiny internal fan girl moment, which I seriously hope I swallowed down.  Not only was Katie lovely to me, she had actually heard of me!! I floated on a cloud for a while after that I can tell you.

The conference was huge, and there were so many people it was impossible to meet everyone I would have liked to spend time with, but everyone I did meet was friendly, helpful and encouraging. At a time in my writing career where so many options are possible- if I am brave enough to take the scary steps towards them- then it was just perfect to have so much helpful advice and a much needed injection of hope, and the oft spoken words ‘Hang in there’ ringing in my ears.

Here are a few photos of us mad writer types as we reveal in the joy that is being with other writers.

 

Gilli Allan and Kd Grace take a coffee break

Gilli Allan and Kd Grace take a coffee break

Books for sale

Books for sale

Alison Rose

Gala Dinner in the Octagon Library

Gala Dinner in the Octagon Library

Richard Gould and Lizzie Lane

Richard Gould and Lizzie Lane

My thanks to Eileen Ramsey, Jan Jones, Kate Thomson, and everyone else who organised such an amazing event. If you are interested in joining the RNA, or you want to attend next years conference (which will be in Lancaster), then you can find all the details here- http://www.rna-uk.org/

Happy reading,

Jenny x

 

 

 

Jenny’s Birthday Blog

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On July 13, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction

I am not entirely sure how it happened,  but I woke up this morning to find- without mother nature having the courtesy of actually asking me – that I am 43!
I hadn’t got used to being 42- I haven’t worked out the meaning of life or anything.

birthday cake

Yesterday I returned from my very first Romantic Novelist’s Association conference.  (I shall be blogging about that later this week) And while I was there I found myself reflecting on the year gone by. Like all years it has had its ups and downs- but boy, the ups have been amazing.
Abi’s House was obviously my high spot of 42-ness. I spent five months writing the draft and another six weeks getting it how I wanted it.

Abi's House_edited-1

Blurb

Newly widowed at barely thirty, Abi Carter is desperate to escape the Stepford Wives-style life that Luke, her late husband, had been so keen for her to live.

Abi decides to fulfil a lifelong dream. As a child on holiday in a Cornwall as a child she fell in love with a cottage – the prophetically named Abbey’s House. Now she is going to see if she can find the place again, relive the happy memories … maybe even buy a place of her own nearby?

On impulse Abi sets off to Cornwall, where a chance meeting in a village pub brings new friends Beth and Max into her life. Beth, like Abi, has a life-changing decision to make. Max, Beth’s best mate, is new to the village. He soon helps Abi track down the house of her dreams … but things aren’t quite that simple. There’s the complicated life Abi left behind, including her late husband’s brother, Simon – a man with more than friendship on his mind … Will Abi’s house remain a dream, or will the bricks and mortar become a reality?

Dedicated to my grandparents,  Abi’s House was a real labour of love.

My serial (I’m still in shock it’s a series), Another Cup of. .. is growing fast. The last Christmas tale from the Pickwicks gang Christmas in the Cotswolds is selling bizarrely well still, despite it being summer,  and the next Christmas special is in production.

Since I was 42 I have also written my next full length novel,  Another Glass of Champagne,  which comes out in April and another children’s picture book,  Ben’s Biscuit Tin Adventure (out approx. Sept)

The other me, Kay Jaybee,  has been pretty busy too. So now I come to think about it,  it’s know wonder I haven’t had time to discover the meaning of life yet…maybe by the time I am 44…

Happy reading

Jenny xx

Guest Post by Sharon Black: Going Against Type

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On July 10, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction

Today, I’d like to welcome debut novelist, Sharon Black, to my site, to tell us all about writing her first work of fiction, and what inspired its creation.

Over to you Sharon…

HI JENNY, thank you so much for having me here on your blog today. I’d like to tell you and your readers a little about myself and my inspiration for my debut novel.

My background is in journalism. After I left college, I worked as a features writer for a national newspaper here in Dublin. I married and took a substantial break from paid work, when my children were small, before returning to write for another national paper for a while.

By the time I was ready to write a novel, it seemed natural for me to write about what I knew.

Going Against Type by Sharon Black - 200

Going Against Type is a romantic comedy, it’s set in the world of Dublin-based national newspapers. Because the setting was familiar, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone in other ways.

Going Against Type tells the story of rival newspaper columnists, who write under pen names, and unknowingly fall in love with their arch enemy: each other! They each have good reason to protect their alter egos. So their relationship develops, each blissfully unaware of whom the other is. Until they are forced to reveal themselves….

My inspiration for the book was the 1940s Hollywood film, Woman of the Year, starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey. I loved all their films! Hepburn plays a high brow pundit, who rubbishes sport in one of her columns. Tracey is a sports columnist who leaps to defend his beloved sport and in turn, attacks Hepburn’s views, and the fun begins. In the film, however, they meet quite quickly and despite knowing who the other person is, they fall in love.

In Going Against Type, I turned the stereotypes around. So Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Regan is the sports buff. At the beginning of the story, she is given a chance to write the new, anonymous sports column, Side Swipe.

My hero, Derry Cullinane is a fashion writer and gossip columnist, The Squire for the rival paper. He’s sophisticated, man-about-town and a bit of a playboy. They fall in love, and that’s where the fun begins.

While that whole build up was really fun to do, it was also extremely challenging. The main reason was that I to ensure that Charlotte and Derry’s columns were quite acerbic. That way, you could see a huge contrast between their views in the papers – their weekly banter – and how they were with each other. It also meant there was more at stake.

The hardest columns to get right were Charlotte’s. Paradoxically, she turned out to be a wonderful character to write. I know very little about sport, having never been sporty myself. But I admire people who are, and I wanted Charlotte to be very different from me. Because Charlotte’s a journalist, I didn’t want anyone to think I was writing bits of me into my heroine.

So I did a lot of research. I read a lot of sports columnists, I checked all my facts, and then I tried to put myself into the head of a feisty, twenty-something woman, working in an area that’s largely dominated by men.

Her columns took a lot of writing and re-writing. I wanted them to be sharp, funny and very controversial. And as her columns got better, the character of Charlotte became more defined and easier to write. In the end, she felt like a real person; somebody I had known a long time.

A lot of people are surprised when they see that my hero is a gossip columnist and fashion writer. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule, but mainly these are areas in journalism that tend to be dominated by women.

Quite apart from wanting to just shake things up, I wanted to write a strong male character, who is completely comfortable in his own skin, and his fabulous tailor made suits! He is manly, yet completely relaxed with having a female boss and working in a features department, surrounded by women. Actually, he likes that a lot!

It sounds like a terrible cliché, but writing this book was a huge learning experience. I had written short stories down the years, and had some of them published. And I’d started so many books – but had never finished them.

This time, I armed myself with the tools: the nuts and bolts of novel structuring. And I knew I had a good story. I was determined to see it through. I’m so glad I did. I became an author and I’m so grateful for that. And I’m very proud of my debut.

***

EXCERPT

Note: Charlotte is sent to cover Ladies’ Day at The Galway Races. It’s here that she meets Derry for the first time.

‘So, did you get lucky?’ a deep voice drawled.

Charlotte spun to find Mr Panama Hat grinning down at her. Bloody hell, she thought, smiling back despite herself. Any other man she knew would look utterly ridiculous in what seemed to be a tailor made, striped linen jacket and trousers, combined with that damned hat. But he carried it off with a self-confidence that bordered on swagger.

‘Yes actually, I did,’ she admitted, still smiling. ‘What about you?’

He grimaced.

‘I lost. My own fault. I took a flier on somebody else’s tip.’

Charlotte grinned sympathetically.

‘Oh?’

Mr Panama Hat shook his head, scowling briefly.

‘I read some bloody sports columnist from Ireland Today. Had a few winners earlier this week. As I said, it’s my own fault. I never normally bother with racing tips. Whoever it is, he obviously doesn’t know a horse from a three-legged stool.’

Charlotte swallowed hard.

‘So how much did you lose?’ she managed, trying to sound casual.

‘A thousand.’ He caught Charlotte’s horrified expression and laughed. ‘Hey, don’t look so worried! I’m a big boy.’

Charlotte stared at him in amazement. Who did that? Maybe he was a rich eccentric, the kind of guy who hung around the race courses, betting big. Not caring whether or not he won – or lost everything on the day. That said, she was damned if she’d come clean!

‘So do you normally gamble this recklessly Mr…?’ Charlotte trailed away meaningfully, biro poised over her notebook. He stuck out his hand, a warm smile forming.

‘Sorry I should have introduced myself. I’m…

‘Derry! Where have you been? They’re just about to start the judging. Come on darling, I have to go line up. I want you to be able to see!’

A tall blonde, wearing a rose pink knee-length dress with tiny matching jacket, pink stiletto sling-back shoes and a dizzy spiral of cream and pink headwear, teetered over and clung to Derry’s arm. She looked, Charlotte thought, vaguely familiar. The blonde smiled tightly at Charlotte and then noticed her press badge.

‘Oooh, you’re from the papers! Maybe I could talk to you when the judging’s over. Do you have a photographer with you?’ She didn’t wait for Charlotte to answer, but rushed on. ‘You’ll have to excuse us right now, okay?’

‘Of course, don’t let me delay you,’ Charlotte said, stepping back.

‘Wait,’ Derry began, shooting her a sudden intrigued look. ‘You’re not with Ireland Today, are you?’

‘Shit. Charlotte managed a surprised laugh.

‘Um, yes,’ she squeaked. ‘I’m er, writing a piece on Ladies Day.’

‘Oh right.’ He frowned. ‘What about their Side Swipe columnist? Do you know him?’

Lie Charlotte. And do it well.

‘No. It’s being written anonymously. I think the writer works from home…’ She smiled brightly at him. Behind Derry, the blonde shot Charlotte a steely glare. Charlotte glanced one last time at Derry.

‘You should go. And I have to work. Nice to meet you.’ She turned and walked away…

***

Sharon 254 ac smaller file

BIOGRAPHY

SHARON Black grew up in Dublin. She studied history and politics at University College Dublin and then did post-graduate in journalism at Dublin City University.

She has worked for national newspapers, including The Evening Herald and The Irish Examiner.

She had short stories published in U Magazine and won the 2010 Dromineer Literary Festival short story competition.

When she is not writing, she reads, walks and sees friends. She co-founded a local book club 14 years ago. She loves theatre, old Hollywood films, science fiction and good stand-up comedy.

She lives in a Dublin coastal village, with her husband and their three children.

BLOG: http://sharonblackauthor.blogspot.ie/…

WEBSITE: http://coldcoffeecafe.com/profile/SharonBlackhttp://coldcoffeecafe.com/profile/SharonBlack http://coldcoffeecafe.com/profile/SharonBlack

FACEBOOK AUTHOR PG: http://on.fb.me/1AG4C3J

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Authorsharonb https://twitter.com/Authorsharonb

ALL BUY LINKS: tirpub.com/gatype tirpub.com/gatype

***

Many thanks for visiting today Sharon, I wish you much luck with your new book.

Happy Reading,

Jenny x

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Interview with Stephanie Harte: Kitty Murphy’s Ticket to Paradise

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On July 8, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction

Followers of this blog will know that last month I was privileged enough to meet a whole host of writing, both established and fresh off the block, at the Tiverton Literary Festival. One such new comer, the delightful Stephanie Harte, instantly impressed me with her total passion for the craft, and so I quickly snapped up the chance to interview her about her first novel- Kitty Murphy’s Ticket to Paradise.

So, it’s time to get cosy folks. Kick off the shoes, grab a cuppa. Cut some cake, and let the interview commence…

coffee and cake

What inspired you to write your book?

I had dreamt of writing a book for years but had always been put off by such a daunting task. It would be a massive challenge, and I was filled with self-doubt, so I easily talked myself out of it every time the idea resurfaced. But something changed and on New Year’s Eve 2013 after one or two glasses of bubbly I decided to make a resolution, this year I’m going to do it. The time had come, and I finally felt ready to put pen to paper. I wanted to write a novel that would embrace my Irish heritage and pay homage to my dad’s incredible sense of humour and many quirky sayings.

What type of research did you have to do for your book?

Having been a teenager in the 80s, I vividly remember what it was like, the music I listened to and the terrible clothes and make-up I wore. I thought it would be fun to write a book set in this era and provide some readers with a nostalgic trip down memory lane. For those lucky enough not to have a first-hand account of when big hair and shoulder pads were the height of fashion it would turn back the clock to a time when they were. So I relied on my very fond memories of the decade to write the novel and as a fact-finding exercise, purely in the line of research, I started making cocktails again just for old times’ sake.

Do you prefer to plot your story or just go with the flow?

I do a combination of both. I like to have a basic outline of the story from start to finish that I use to guide me, but I don’t stick rigidly to it. Then I go with the flow and see how the story unfolds as I begin to write. I enjoy inventing my characters and choosing names for them and every character I introduce adds another dimension to the story. I love being in the zone when ideas keep popping into my head quicker than I can type and completely lose track of time.

Book Cover

What excites you the most about your book?

This is my debut novel. I loved writing it because I was able to reminisce about the past. Although Kitty Murphy’s Ticket to Paradise is a work of fiction, it contains loads of incidents that actually happened to my friends and family. Many of the places that I wrote about in my book I visited on holiday. So it’s almost like a memoir, a record of my personal experiences and memories, and a chronicle of my teenage years. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of writing a novel and found it totally addictive.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I’ve just started writing my second novel that is about a girl called Violet Adams. It’s set in the 60s, and so far my research has been fascinating. Learning about hippies, marijuana, magic mushrooms and naked yoga has been a very enlightening experience and once again I find myself engrossed in the process. I just hope my computer doesn’t get seized.  The strange web searches I’ve been conducting would certainly raise a few eyebrows if anyone checked the history.

You can buy Kitty Murphy’s Ticket to Paradise from-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitty-Murphys-Ticket-Paradise-Stephanie-ebook/dp/B00SYWNEUE

The paperback will be available to buy soon.

You can follow Stephanie on Facebook at-

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008107800355

***

Steph Harte

Bio-

Stephanie Harte was born and raised in North West London where she still lives with her husband Barry, daughter Sarah, son James and Cairn terrier Ruby.

She was educated at St Michael’s Catholic Grammar school in Finchley. After leaving school, she trained in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at London College of Fashion.

She worked for many years as a Pharmaceutical Buyer for the NHS, based at Barnet General Hospital purchasing stock for North London hospitals including, Edgware General, Finchley Memorial, Napsbury & peripheral sites. Her career path led her to work for an international export company whose markets included The Cayman Islands and Bermuda.

Since 2007 Stephanie has been teaching regular Beauty Therapy workshops at a London based specialist residential clinic that treats children with severe eating disorders.

Stephanie Harte was born and raised in North West London where she still lives with her husband Barry, daughter Sarah, son James and Cairn terrier Ruby.

She was educated at St Michael’s Catholic Grammar school in Finchley. After leaving school, she trained in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at London College of Fashion.

She worked for many years as a Pharmaceutical Buyer for the NHS, based at Barnet General Hospital purchasing stock for North London hospitals including, Edgware General, Finchley Memorial, Napsbury & peripheral sites. Her career path led her to work for an international export company whose markets included The Cayman Islands and Bermuda.

Since 2007 Stephanie has been teaching regular Beauty Therapy workshops at a London based specialist residential clinic that treats children with severe eating disorders.

Kitty Murphy’s Ticket to Paradise is her debut novel she is currently writing her second.

***

Many thanks for dropping by today Stephanie! I wish you much success with your first novel.

Happy reading,

Jenny x

 

Abi’s House: A Very Special Dedication

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On July 3, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction

Regular visitors to this web site will remember that a few months ago I was privileged to be asked by the fantastic charity, CLIC Sargent, to take part in their Get in Character Auction.

This was an incredible opportunity to bid to have a character given the name of your choice in a novel written by some of the most  popular writer’s in the country – so you can imagine how honoured I was to be asked to donate a name!

The character I donated to the auction was a Cornish potter from my latest novel, Abi’s House – which is now out for sale.

Abi's House_edited-1

I was so excited- but also nervous! What if the winning bid was for a name I really didn’t like? After all, names are very important. The wrong name for a character can make or break a story. I need not have worried though! As luck would have it, the winner of the auction wanted to donate a name that fitted my character perfectly.

CLIC logoI have dedicated Abi’s House to the group who kindly bid for the right to have a character in my book…

Dedication

A special dedication and thank you must go to the Dennyside Bowling Association. This UK-wide bowling club-based charity was founded by Leonard Denny in 1935. In 2014 they raised over £40,000 for various good causes. Recently they bid in the CLIC Sargent Get in Character Auction. Dennyside’s winning bid entitled them to choose a name for one of the characters in Abi’s House. So, please let me introduce you to Jacob Denny – a perfect name for a Cornish potter, and a generous tribute to Dennyside’s founder.

***

If you would like to read Abi’s House, you can buy it from all good e-bok and paperback retailers, including-

Kindle
 

Paperback
 
***
My thanks again to CLIC Sargent, everyone who bid in the auction, and to the Dennyside Bowling Club- in particular John, Ken, and Brian for putting the bid forward.
Happy reading,
Jenny xx

 

Abi’s House: OUT IN PAPERBACK TODAY!

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On June 19, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction

I can’t tell you how exciting it is to have a book published. It really is the most incredible feeling.

It is thrilling enough to have an e-book produced- but a paperback- a book that you can hold- stroke- smell…now that is a whole new realm of blissed out happiness!!

Abi House paperback box

Today, my latest novel, Abi’s House, hits the bookshelves. Even if you can’t see it in your local bookshop, you will be able to order it over the counter. And of course, the more people that order it in Independent Bookshops the better (not just for my sales, but for the whole industry!!)

Look at my lovely books- I adore them!!

A massive thank you to everyone who has already purchased Abi’s House. I’ve been overwhelmed by your kind comments.

If you’d like to buy the paperback version, if it available from all good bookshops as well as Amazon-

 
Happy reading,
Jenny xx

 

 

Novel Progress 8: The End – ish?

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On June 15, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction, News

Did you hear that? That was the sound of me shouting “Yippee!” I have just pressed ‘Send’ and sent my completed manuscript of next years novel, Another Glass of Champagne, off to my lovely editor Greg at Accent Press!

Another Glass of Champagne_edited-1

I dread to think how much coffee I’ve consumed while drinking writing this novel, editing it, and re-reading it so many times, I could quote passages from it!!

AGOC completed on laptop

Don’t be fooled however- the handing in of my novel doesn’t mean it’s finished. Now comes the waiting. My work is now sat on my editors massive ‘to read’ list. Then, once Greg has the time, he will edit it, then I will go through his edits, then he’ll go through them again, and on it goes…until we are both happy with it…and it can join the ‘to be published in Spring 2016’ queue.

My notebook, which has all my continuity notes in it, will be ever ready by my side, ready to double, triple, and quadruple check everything when the time comes.

AGOC notebook

In the meantime, I’d better start working on the next book!!

Happy reading,

Jenny xx

OUT NOW! Abi’s House: Out in E-Book TODAY

By

On June 13, 2015

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction

I’m delighted to be able to announce that my latest novel is out NOW!

Abi's House_edited-1

Newly widowed at barely thirty, Abi Carter is desperate to escape the Stepford Wives-style life that Luke, her late husband, had been so keen for her to live.

Abi decides to fulfil a lifelong dream. As a child on holiday in a Cornwall  she fell in love with a cottage – the prophetically named Abbey’s House. Now she is going to see if she can find the place again, relive the happy memories … maybe even buy a place of her own nearby?

On impulse Abi sets off to Cornwall, where a chance meeting in a village pub brings new friends Beth and Max into her life. Beth, like Abi, has a life-changing decision to make. Max, Beth’s best mate, is new to the village. He soon helps Abi track down the house of her dreams … but things aren’t quite that simple. There’s the complicated life Abi left behind, including her late husband’s brother, Simon – a man with more than friendship on his mind … Will Abi’s house remain a dream, or will the bricks and mortar become a reality?

***

I hope you enjoy my new adventure of friendship, self-discovery, Cornish scenery, cream teas, art, and lots and lots of fish and chips…

Minack Theatre, Cornwall

Minack Theatre, Cornwall

 

Sennen Cove, Cornwall

Sennen Cove, Cornwall

Available from:

http://www.accentpress.co.uk/Book/12915/Abis-House

Kindle
 

Paperback – available for pre-order. Out on 19th June.
 

***

Happy reading,

Jenny xx

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