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: The Potting Shed Page 2 of 3

Audio Fun at The Potting Shed

By

On April 26, 2023

In Audio, Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Romance, The Potting Shed

I’m delighted to be able to announce the publication of both Frost Falls at The Potting Shed and Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed in audio format!

So, if you enjoy listening to a story, then why not take a trip into the world of Maddie Willand and her friends as they take over the running of the family plant nursery…

Frost Falls at The Potting Shed: Blurb

It has always been Maddie Willand‘s dream to take over her father’s plant nursery. But after his sudden death, she is devastated to discover that she might lose The Potting Shed forever.

Maddie’s bossy older sister, Sabi, is joint owner of the nursery, and she’s convinced that the best thing for both of them would be to sell up.

Determined to keep the business going, Maddie can’t afford any distractions, but staying focused might be harder than she thinks. Especially when a major garden centre chain puts in an offer for the land – and her search for legal advice throws her into the path of attractive lawyer Ed…

As frost begins to fall over The Potting Shed, will Maddie find the strength to save her father’s legacy and open herself up to new beginnings?

Available from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kobo, Nook and Waterstones as an ebook or paperback, and in audio format: Amazon UK, Amazon US.

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed : Blurb

Maddie and her sister Sabi are back at The Potting Shed, but are their troubles over?

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed is the sequel of Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, part of a new series by #1 Kindle bestselling author, Jenny Kane, that revolves around a family-run garden centre.

Spring has arrived at The Potting Shed and things seem to finally be going Maddie’s way. Her relationship with lovable lawyer Ed is going well and the business is thriving with the help of her new friend Jo and his bright orange coffee van.

But troubles are just around the corner… The upgrade of The Potting Shed from a nursery to a garden centre is at a critical point – turning part of Maddie’s business into a building site, and just as she has to temporarily move out of her home, a major garden centre announces its grand opening only twenty miles away.

With money running out Maddie and her sister Sabi must think fast – they only have until the end of bluebell season to save The Potting Shed…

Out now as an ebook or paperback from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kobo, and Waterstones and in audio format from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Personally I love to listen to an audiobook while I’m driving or doing the housework – but I suspect these tales would be particularly fun to listen to as you potter around the garden or plant up your veg in the greenhouse!

Happy listening,

Jenny x

Garden Centre Loving

By

On April 4, 2023

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Romance, The Potting Shed

I visited garden centres regularly as a child. My parents would take me each weekend – treat me to a drink and a cake – and we’d all do a crossword or word puzzle together. This tradition continues to this day, but these days they take their grandchildren instead!

As an adult, I’ve found my own garden centres to love – a particular favourite is The Old Well in Uffculme, Devon. This family run haven is the inspiration behind The Potting Shed. I can be found there at least once a week, happily munching toast, while my husband devours a teacake- watching the world go by. All human life is there! From the regulars who offer cheery greeting, to afternoon tea pensioners, middle aged couples, bored teenagers waiting in the café while their parents shop for shrubs, families trying to install café etiquette into their young children, and beyond.

Then there’s the staff! Always friendly – I know they won’t mind me calling them quirky! Full of fun, they work on in all weathers, and have thus – in their quiet way – formed the basis for the characters of Maddie, Ed, Sabi, Jem, Henry and more – and helped me turn a vague idea I had about setting a novel in a nursery or garden centre into a reality.

Now, that original novel, Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, has been joined by Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed, that vague idea has taken on a life of its own- and I’m delighted to say, the stories are proving popular with romcom readers as well as folk who like stories based in Devon, in gardens, in garden centres, or just stories that include groups of friends helping and supporting each other as life does its thing.

While you can read either of these books as standalone books, they are more fun if read in order.

Frost Falls at The Potting Shed – Blurb

From the author of the bestselling Mill Grange series a new exciting series perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Jo Thomas and Trisha Ashley!

It has always been Maddie Willand‘s dream to take over her father’s plant nursery. But after his sudden death, she is devastated to discover that she might lose The Potting Shed forever.

Maddie’s bossy older sister, Sabi, is joint owner of the nursery, and she’s convinced that the best thing for both of them would be to sell up. Determined to keep the business going, Maddie can’t afford any distractions, but staying focused might be harder than she thinks when – after a major garden centre chain puts in an offer – her search for legal advice throws her into the path of attractive lawyer Ed…

As frost begins to fall over The Potting Shed, will Maddie find the strength to save her father’s legacy and open herself up to new beginnings?

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed – Blurb 

Spring has arrived at The Potting Shed and things seem to finally be going Maddie’s way. Her relationship with lovable lawyer Ed is going well and the business is thriving with the help of her new friend Jo and his bright orange coffee van.

But troubles are just around the corner… the upgrade of The Potting Shed from a nursery to a garden centre is at a critical point, turning part of Maddie’s business into a building site. And just as she has to temporarily move out of her home, a major garden centre announces its grand opening only twenty miles away.

With money running out Maddie and her sister Sabi must think fast – they only have until the end of bluebell season to save The Potting Shed.

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed is the sequel to Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, part of a new series by #1 Kindle bestselling author Jenny Kane that revolves around a family-run plant nursery.

You can currently buy both eBooks on Amazon for less that £4 –

Frost Falls at The Potting Shed: An absolutely heart-warming and feel-good read to cosy up with in the cold! eBook : Kane, Jenny: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed: A totally heart-warming and uplifting spring read! eBook : Kane, Jenny: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

They are also available in paperback from all good retailers.

Happy reading,

Jenny x

PUBLICATION DAY: Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed

By

On March 30, 2023

In Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Jenny Kane, Romance, The Potting Shed

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed is out today!!

I’m so excited to be able to bring you more adventures from Devon, and The Potting Shed garden centre.

Blurb

Maddie and her sister Sabi are back at The Potting Shed, but are their troubles over?

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed is the sequel of Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, part of a new series by #1 Kindle bestselling author, Jenny Kane, that revolves around a family-run garden centre.

Spring has arrived at The Potting Shed and things seem to finally be going Maddie’s way. Her relationship with lovable lawyer Ed is going well and the business is thriving with the help of her new friend Jo and his bright orange coffee van.

But troubles are just around the corner… The upgrade of The Potting Shed from a nursery to a garden centre is at a critical point – turning part of Maddie’s business into a building site, and just as she has to temporarily move out of her home, a major garden centre announces its grand opening only twenty miles away.

With money running out Maddie and her sister Sabi must think fast – they only have until the end of bluebell season to save The Potting Shed…

Anyone who follows me on social media, will know that I’m a huge fan of nature, walking, and the great outdoors. One of my favourite seasons of the year is spring – in particular, bluebell season. There is something totally magical about seeing blankets of bluebells appear across our countryside. I just adore walking amongst them (taking care not to stand on them) every year. It felt natural, therefore, to set the second novel in The Potting Shed series at such a time that Maddie and her team could enjoy the bluebell season as much as I do.

Carrying on a few months after the end of Frost Falls at The Potting Shed,, Bluebell Season reintroduces us, not just to Maddie, Sabi, Ed, Jem and Henry – but allows us to get to know Jo (owner of a bright orange camper van which bestowed amazing coffee), his friend Sara, the amazing Little Acorns, and the mysterious Hazel Cooper…

Although Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone story.

You can find the paperback and ebook from today via all good book retailers.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kobo, Nook and Waterstones. 

I hope you enjoy my latest story. I’ll leave you now, as I need to edit the third book in the series – which is out in September!

Happy reading,

Jenny x

Opening Lines: Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed

By

On March 28, 2023

In Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Jenny Kane, Romance, The Potting Shed

Bluebells Season at The Potting Shed is published this week!

Out on Thursday, Bluebells is the second book in #thepottingshed #series.

Today, while getting ready for launch day, I thought I’d share the opening lines from Maddie, Ed and Sabi’s second adventure in #Devon.

Blurb

Maddie and her sister Sabi are back at The Potting Shed, but are their troubles over?

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed is the sequel of Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, part of a new series by #1 Kindle bestselling author, Jenny Kane, that revolves around a family-run garden centre.

Spring has arrived at The Potting Shed and things seem to finally be going Maddie’s way. Her relationship with lovable lawyer Ed is going well and the business is thriving with the help of her new friend Jo and his bright orange coffee van.

But troubles are just around the corner… The upgrade of The Potting Shed from a nursery to a garden centre is at a critical point – turning part of Maddie’s business into a building site, and just as she has to temporarily move out of her home, a major garden centre announces its grand opening only twenty miles away.

With money running out Maddie and her sister Sabi must think fast – they only have until the end of bluebell season to save The Potting Shed…

Here are the novel’s opening lines…

MARCH – Chapter One

Maddie’s breath caught in her throat as she saw the glass panel fall towards the gravel path. A vision of half of The Potting Shed’s new greenhouse roof being reduced to smithereens flashed through her mind as a workman dived forward and caught it a split second before it hit the ground.

‘I can’t watch this anymore.’ Maddie turned her sister. ‘It took us so long to decide whether we should splash out on a greenhouse for my herbs or not, I don’t want to look again until it’s up. It’s too stressful.’

Sabi gave the two men the full force of the haughty glare she reserved especially for tradesmen. ‘Let’s go inside. We’re supposed to be talking battle plans for the nursery’s expansion, and I for one could murder for a cup of tea.’

*

‘You know the greenhouse’s roof wouldn’t have smashed, don’t you?’

‘Logically, yes.’ Maddie placed the biscuit tin in the middle of the kitchen table. ‘No point in paying for reinforced glass if it’s not going to do its job, but instinct still told me it was going to break.’

‘Have you worked out which herbs you’re going to grow yet?’

‘Almost.’ Maddie glanced down as Florrie’s wet nose nudged at her hand. ‘Yes, I know you want a biscuit, but you’ve already had one, and they aren’t good for you.’ She ruffled the puppy’s black and white fur, before returning to the point. ‘I’ll start by increasing production of the herbs I already grow. All the favourites: thyme, mint, chives, parsley, and such. But I also want to produce some less common varieties too. See if I can tempt people to be braver in their tastes. Borage definitely – it’s good in a jug of Pimm’s; maybe some caraway and chervil.’

‘Not coriander and dill? I use all of those – and basil of course.’

Maddie’s eyebrows rose. ‘You mean Henry uses all of those.’

‘Yes, well, it’s hardly my fault if my husband loves to cook.’

‘You’re a lucky woman, Sabs.’ Patting her sister’s arm, Maddie selected another biscuit. ‘But I’ll leave out those particular herbs for now. They tend to bolt if you don’t keep on top of them, and as we can’t afford to employ any more staff, I want to keep things low maintenance.’

Sabi delved a hand into her massive handbag, pulled out a state-of-the-art tablet, and opened it at a list of jobs that needed doing. ‘Maybe we should have ordered a bigger greenhouse.’

‘Anything bigger wouldn’t have fitted between the first polytunnel and the path to the car park.’

‘I still can’t see why it couldn’t have been built on the scrap of land at the far side of the nursery.’

‘Light.’ Maddie bit back the temptation to ask Sabi how many times they needed to have this conversation. ‘While the rear of The Potting Shed does enjoy the sunshine, overall, it’s lighter at the front of the nursery for longer each day.’

Sabi grunted reluctant acceptance of the situation as she pulled a cookie from the tin, brushing a crumb away as it hit her tablet’s screen…

If that extract has whetted your appetite, you can pre-order your copy of Bluebell today.

Pre-Order from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kobo, Nook and Waterstones. 

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed follows Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, and precedes Misty Mornings at The Potting Shed. 

Happy Reading,

Jenny x

Coming Soon: Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed

By

On March 17, 2023

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Romance, The Potting Shed

On 30th March the second novel in #ThePottingShed series will be published!

Blurb

Maddie and her sister Sabi are back at The Potting Shed, but are their troubles over?

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed is the sequel of Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, part of a new series by #1 Kindle bestselling author, Jenny Kane, that revolves around a family-run garden centre.

Spring has arrived at The Potting Shed and things seem to finally be going Maddie’s way. Her relationship with lovable lawyer Ed is going well and the business is thriving with the help of her new friend Jo and his bright orange coffee van.

But troubles are just around the corner… The upgrade of The Potting Shed from a nursery to a garden centre is at a critical point – turning part of Maddie’s business into a building site, and just as she has to temporarily move out of her home, a major garden centre announces its grand opening only twenty miles away.

With money running out Maddie and her sister Sabi must think fast – they only have until the end of bluebell season to save The Potting Shed…

Pre-Order from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kobo, Nook and Waterstones. 

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed follows Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, and precedes Misty Mornings at The Potting Shed. 

Happy pre-ordering!

Jenny x

COVER REVEAL: Misty Mornings at The Potting Shed

By

On January 16, 2023

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction, Jenny Kane, Romance, The Potting Shed

Today I’m delighted to be able to share the gorgeous cover for the third book in #ThePottingShed #series!

Misty Mornings at The Potting Shed.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

Misty Mornings at The Potting Shed is to be published in October.

This, the third outing for Maddie, Ed, Jo, and the garden centre gang, follows on from Frost Falls at The Potting Shed (out now) and Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed (out in March).

You can pre-order both Bluebell Season and Misty Mornings from all good retailers.

I’ll have more information about this Devon based, feel good, series soon!

In the meantime, I’d better get on with writing it!

Happy pre-ordering and reading,

Jenny x

 

2023: Bring it on

By

On January 3, 2023

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction, Jennifer Ash, Jenny Kane, Romance, The Potting Shed

2022 was – shall we say – challenging?

It definitely had it’s good points. On a personal note, I had my 25th wedding anniversary and I turned 50. Both of these events brought lots of fun with them, and many nights away, exploring various parts of the UK, and walking miles and miles of beautiful countryside. (Not to mention eating far more scones than I ought to have done. I will gloss over how many cups of coffee I’ve drunk in the cafes of England.)

On a writing note, 2022 was fairly quiet on the publication front – with just Frost Falls at The Potting Shed hitting the world.

Frost Falls at The Potting Shed

However, a quiet publication year can only mean one thing. Lots and lots of writing.

In 2022 I finished writing Frost Falls (which I began in 2021), wrote its sequels, Bluebell Seasons at The Potting Shed and Misty Mornings at The Potting Shed.

As Jennifer Ash, I’ve made a start on a new novel and I’ve written 5 short scripts, had a stab at a sitcom, wrote a long script based on a real life war time adventure – and can tell you nothing more about any of them!

2022 ended with a few upheavals in my non-writing life. None of them catastrophic- but all time consuming and are likely to slow my output a fraction in 2023.

Having said that – my next novel, the aforementioned Bluebell Seasons at The Potting Shed will be published in March, and Misty Mornings in October. (You can already pre-order them on Amazon!)

2023 will, as ever, come with a full creative writing teaching schedule, two retreats at the fabulous Northmoor, and a heap of lit fest appearances and book events.

For now however, it’s back to work and full steam ahead with the next novel.

Happy reading everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful year.

Jenny xx

 

Frost Falls at Christmas

By

On December 13, 2022

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Fiction, Jenny Kane, Romance, The Potting Shed

I love a story set over the festive season, so when I discovered that the first in #ThePottingShed #series was to be published in time for Christmas, it was the only excuse I needed to include a festive celebration within the novel.

While Frost Falls at The Potting Shed doesn’t cover Christmas Day itself, it does include the run up to Christmas, and all that entails when running a plant growing business.

Frost Falls at The Potting Shed

Blurb

It has always been Maddie Willand’s dream to take over her father’s plant nursery. But after his sudden death, she is devastated to discover that she might lose The Potting Shed forever.

Maddie’s bossy older sister, Sabi, is joint owner of the nursery, and she’s convinced that the best thing for both of them would be to sell up.

Determined to keep the business going, Maddie can’t afford any distractions, but staying focused might be harder than she thinks. Especially when a major garden centre chain puts in an offer for the land – and her search for legal advice throws her into the path of attractive lawyer Ed…

As frost begins to fall over The Potting Shed, will Maddie find the strength to save her father’s legacy and open herself up to new beginnings?

Here’s a little snippet of The Potting Shed at Christmas time.

It’s morning – Maddie is thinking back to the evening before, when she and her sister, Sabi, decorated their small shop…

By the time they’d left it, the shop smelt like Christmas. Packets of star-shaped ginger biscuits lay next to a basket of cinnamon sticks. Next to these, a trug of locally made Christmas puddings — which Maddie hadn’t realised Petra had ordered — waited for their big moment on the festive dinner table. On the opposite side of the shop, an old fire bucket was filled with logs, around which Jake had placed small sacks of firewood to buy.

Mini olive trees, resplendent in silver and gold terracotta pots, lined the far wall, beneath the seed racks – all of which had been restocked – the lowest rung dedicated to seeds for children. A string had been hung across the ceiling, on which were draped individually designed Christmas cards showing every festive scene imaginable, from jolly snowmen to biblical nativities.

‘All that’s missing are wreaths and garlands.’ Sabi linked arms with her sister. ‘And I flatly refused to let Petra order any of those. I’d have made some if I had time, but sadly…’

Maddie laughed. ‘If you’d managed to knock up some wreaths and garlands as well as a grotto, and sort the market, I’d have started to think some sort of magic was at work here.’

‘Well,’ Sabi grinned, ‘I’ve never been averse to a Christmas miracle.’

‘It might take a miracle to make our money back on this, Sab. I hadn’t realised you and Petra had ordered in so much stock.’ Maddie rearranged a coil of tinsel that had escaped from its basket by the door.

‘It might, or it might be fine.’

 

With the memory of her sister’s optimism echoing in her ears, Maddie decided to head straight to the shop once she was up, in the hope that the festive atmosphere they’d created would bolster her mood for the day ahead.

Opening her curtains, she offered up muttered thanks. The rain had stopped, and a weak sun was highlighting a light frost that hung across the nursery. Maddie shuddered at the drop in the external temperature, wrapping her arms around her pyjamaed chest, and couldn’t help but admire the glisten of silver that tipped the Christmas trees and the gravelled paths….

You can buy a copy of Frost Falls at The Potting Shed from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kobo, Nook, Waterstones and all good retailers. It is available as a paperback, ebook or as an audiobook.

***

Happy reading everyone,

Jenny x

 

Blurb Reveal: Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed

By

On November 24, 2022

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Jenny Kane, Romance, The Potting Shed

I’m delighted to be able to share the blurb to the second novel in #ThePottingShed series.

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed continues the story of Maddie Willand and her sister Sabi, and their gardening nursery, The Potting Shed. It will be published in March 2023.

Blurb

Spring has arrived at The Potting Shed and things seem to finally be going Maddie’s way. Her relationship with lovable lawyer Ed is going well and the business is thriving with the help of her new friend Jo and his bright orange coffee van.

But troubles are just around the corner… the upgrade of The Potting Shed from a nursery to a garden centre is at a critical point, turning part of Maddie’s business into a building site. And just as she has to temporarily move out of her home, a major garden centre announces its grand opening only twenty miles away.

With money running out Maddie and her sister Sabi must think fast – they only have until the end of bluebell season to save The Potting Shed.

Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed is the sequel to Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, part of a new series by #1 Kindle bestselling author Jenny Kane that revolves around a family-run plant nursery.

***

Praise for The Potting Shed series:

‘A perfect feel-good story about family dynamics and sisterly love, with characters you truly care about. Loved it. Highly recommended.‘ – Jennifer Bohnet

‘I really loved this book. It was warm, funny and smart and made me want to get out into the garden. If you love reading and gardening then this is a perfect combination. A gorgeous story with a beautiful setting.’ – Kate Forster

If you want to get ahead of the game and preorder Bluebell Season on Amazon you can!

If you are a NetGalley reviewer – you can apply to read Bluebell Season now! http://netgal.ly/8TNNDl

Meanwhile, Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, is available at all bookshops and online retailers – many of the relevant links can be found here.

Many thanks to the team at Aria for all their hard work on this new series.

Happy preordering,

Jenny xx

 

Puddle Splashing

By

On November 8, 2022

In Blog, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Jenny Kane, Romance, The Potting Shed

I am the first to admit that, over the years, I’ve stolen a good deal from my own life experiences and given them to various characters in my romcoms.

In the Mill Grange series, Thea Thomas is, like me, a former archaeologist. In Another Cup of Coffee, Amy and her friends studied at the same university as I did, while Amy’s friend Kit, is an erotica writer. (my first writing incarnation, was as erotica writer, Kay Jaybee) In my Cornish stories, the locations – Sennon Cove and Penzance – are childhood haunts of mine.

In Frost Falls at The Potting Shed, two major parts of my life have been shared – my love for garden centres and my hobby. Puddle splashing.

Any of you that follow me on Facebook, will be used to seeing pictures of my wellington boots kicking their way through the various puddles that frequently form across Devon’s muddy landscape.

If you read Frost Falls – or any of the sequels (Bluebell Season at The Potting Shed and more are coming in 2023) – you will quickly discover that my main protagonist, Maddie Willand, has a secret hobby – Puddle Splashing. And that she, like me, has blue and white stripy wellies.

There is something extremely therapeutic about kicking your way through puddles. The sound of the water, the cold chill of the puddle against the rubber of the boots, and the sheer freeing-childishness of it, is immensely freeing.

Like Maddie, I rarely have time off, and I’m appalling at relaxing – but when I put my welly boots on and kick my way through puddles, my head completely clears of all work, all worries and all stresses.

I can totally recommend it!

Frost Falls at The Potting Shed

Blurb

It has always been Maddie Willand‘s dream to take over her father’s plant nursery. But after his sudden death, she is devastated to discover that she might lose The Potting Shed forever.

Maddie’s bossy older sister, Sabi, is joint owner of the nursery, and she’s convinced that the best thing for both of them would be to sell up.

Determined to keep the business going, Maddie can’t afford any distractions, but staying focused might be harder than she thinks. Especially when a major garden centre chain puts in an offer for the land – and her search for legal advice throws her into the path of attractive lawyer Ed…

As frost begins to fall over The Potting Shed, will Maddie find the strength to save her father’s legacy and open herself up to new beginnings?

Available from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Kobo, Nook and Waterstones. 

Happy reading,

Jenny x

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