Friday 31 January 2014

NEW YEAR...NEW CHALLENGE!

In a bid to broaden horizons this New Year I am running a virtual book club with a mixture of genres on the list.  I love my rom-coms and rarely stray from that when looking for a new book to read, but it's always good to try something new so I'm setting myself and all of you a challenge! Each fortnight there will be one chick lit novel to read and one book of a different type.  At the beginning of each fortnight, my fellow blogger Laura (My best friend blogs) and I will be posting reviews of the two books to get the discussion going, so feel free to post your comments once you have read the book!  Here's the list up to end of April, Happy Reading!

10th Feb
1) Don't tell the Groom by Anna Bell
2) A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke

24th Feb
1) The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
2) The Flavours of Love by Dorothy Koomston

10th Mar
1) The Love Detective by Alexandra Potter
2) The Wind in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame

24th Mar
1) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
2) Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid

7th Apr
1) Here’s Looking At You by Mhaira McFarlane
2) Rivers of London 1 by Ben Aaronovitch

21st Apr
1) The Naughty Girls Book Club by Sophie Hart
2) Dead Tomorrow by Peter James

HAVE YOU READ ANY ALREADY?


Thursday 30 January 2014

Meet....Trisha Ashley

A HUGE HELLO to Trisha Ashley


Having recently read, reviewed and thoroughly enjoyed Trisha's latest book I am very pleased to welcome hers truly to the Novel Cafe to answer some questions. Thank you and a Huge Hello!
Interview conducted in Dec 2013. 


1. Trisha, tell us a little about your journey to becoming an author.
I think most authors start out as children, writing stories, poetry, plays – but then there comes a moment when you read a novel and think: ‘I could do better than that!’  And you do, though of course getting published was just a dream for a very long time! 
      My big breakthrough was being taken on by my wonderful agent, Judith Murdoch, because she showed me how making small changes to the sort of books I was writing (which were satire) would enable them to fit into the romantic comedy genre.
      Now, many years down the line (and I can tell you it was frequently a very bumpy journey!) and sixteen or so published novels later, I've had five consecutive Sunday Times top ten bestsellers, so I feel very blessed.   

2. What are you doing when you’re not writing?
Walking the dog, baking, pottering in the garden and oil painting.

3. What do you find most challenging about writing?
I write about topics that interest me and which appear to strike a chord with readers and this isn't always easy.  I’m often surprised at reviews that describe my books as ‘a light frothy read’ because all of them contain the darker strands that can affect women’s lives, such as miscarriage, divorce, breast cancer and infertility…  For example, at the start of The Twelve Days of Christmas, the heroine is struggling to come to terms with feelings of grief and anger about her husband’s accidental death, while my latest one, Wish Upon a Star, is all about a very ill small child.  But ultimately, I want my readers to finish my novels feeling happy and warmed right through, so that’s a challenge.

4.Is there any book you think ‘I wish I wrote that’.
      No. 

5. Many of your novels are set in the village of Sticklepond. Is this based on a real place?
Six of my novels are set in West Lancashire, though only four of them in Sticklepond, which is an entirely made-up village. In fact, I've created a whole new borough stretching from the sea above Southport to the beacon hills to the east.
       I didn't set out to write a series, so the novels all stand alone, but by now there are quite a lot of overlapping references to characters, places and events, so people often want to read them in order. Lancashire is easy to write about, of course, because I know the people, the old legends and traditions, so there’s a lot to instantly spark the imagination. 

6.  You like to write festive novels.  Is Christmas a special time of year for you?
  I do seem to include a Christmas scene even in those of my novels that are not specifically set around that time!  My own Christmas is always quiet and laid back because we've forged our own way of doing things over the years, a mix of old and new traditions.  For instance, we have roast duck on Christmas Day, because we like it better than turkey, and usually profiteroles for dessert, saving the Christmas pudding for Boxing Day.   We watch lots of Christmas films, play board games, take the dog for walks and generally chill out.

7. How would you feel about selling the film rights to one of your books?
Deliriously happy!  I often amuse myself by casting characters in the various roles – and what a wide cast of interesting female ones there would be!   I think there is always room for a new feel-good Rom-com, so fingers crossed that one day…

8. Your latest book, Wish Upon a Star, was released last week.  Can you tell us a bit about it?
Cally is a single mum with a life that revolves around her little girl, Stella, who was born with serious health problems. When Stella’s condition suddenly worsens, she sells up her London flat and they move to the village of Sticklepond in West Lancashire to live with her mother, while Cally tries to raise enough money to take Stella to America for a potentially life-saving operation.  
      Cally only realises quite how tough shouldering everything alone has been when all the villagers - and especially laid-back and charming baker Jago - rally round to help.  All Cally wants for Christmas is a miracle to save Stella and the story is very much about following your star wherever it may lead and however tough the going might be, with hope in your heart.


9.  Will we continue to read more about the residents of Sticklepond?
Yes, but not for a couple of books, because I like to leave them to get on with their lives in peace for a while.

10. What’s next for Trisha?
      I’m currently writing the next book – I always seem to be writing Christmas books in summer, and summer books in winter - and next spring Avon Harper Collins will be producing a new edition of one of my long-out-of-print novels, Every Woman for Herself.  It’s set in Yorkshire, where the Rhymer family, Emily, Charlotte, Anne and Branwell (the result of a misguided and failed attempt by their father to recreate the Bronte family) slowly return home, one by one, to the haven of Upvale – only to find that things are about to change forever.
      Every Woman for Herself was voted by readers one of the three best romantic novels of the last fifty years, which was a truly wonderful moment, and I’m constantly being asked where a copy can be found, so I’m delighted it will soon be easily available again.     
     
     And could I just finish by saying that I have the most lovely, loyal and supportive group of readers any author could wish for, which is why the dedication at the front of Wish Upon a Star is just for them – truly my stars to steer by.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Meet........Tasmina Perry!

A WARM WELCOME TO TASMINA PERRY!



Best selling author Tasmina Perry joins me at the Novel Cafe to tell us about her love of travel, writing and her latest novel The Proposal, which is available now. Huge thank you to Tasmina for taking the time to answer some questions for my blog and congratulations on the release of The Proposal. Interview conducted Dec 2013.

1. How would you describe yourself in 5 words?

Creative, fun, determined, talkative, loyal.

2. Do you have any 'Guilty Pleasures', just like the name of your book?

I love village fairs. Every summer I drag my husband and son around the countryside to whichever ones I can find! Friends wonder why I want to spend every sunny Sunday doing it, but they sell books, home-made jam and cake - what's not to like!

3. You love to travel, have you got a favourite place and why?

I love Hana a remote town in North East Maui. I did a home exchange there once and it's like a little pocket of Paradise. My favourite place in the world is probably St Ives. We go at least twice a year and I'm never happier than when I am watching the sun go down over Porthmeor beach.

4. Is there anywhere you haven't been where you would really like to go?

I love the great outdoors so I guess it would be somewhere like Alaska or Patagonia.

5. How has your travelling contributed towards your books/writing?

I always wanted to write big, escapist novels so beautiful locations have always been at the heart of my books. I always try and write about places I have been to, or go and visit the places I want to write about to make it as authentic as possible.

6. You have wrote some amazing books, do you have a favourite?

Daddy's Girls is special because it was my first. The feeling of seeing your debut novel in print is quite magical. I'm also very fond of The Proposal. I loved doing all the research (part of is it set in 1958 during the last debutante season,) and I cried writing the last chapter!

7. As well as amazing stories they are full of great characters, if you could swap places with any of them who would it be?

I don't know about swapping places with them, but I have an affinity with the character Kate from Daddy's Girls. In the book, she falls in love with Nick as they set up a magazine together, which is how I got together with my husband John.

8. Your new book The Proposal, tell us a little about it.

It's set between the present day and 1958. Out of work dancer Amy Carrell answers an advert in the Lady magazine to be a companion to an older lady Georgia Hamilton on a Christmas trip to New York. They spend four days together during which Georgia teaches Amy the art of old school glamour and etiquette whilst Amy helps Georgia resolve a dark secret in her past.

9. If The Proposal hit the big screens who would you choose to play the parts of Amy and Georgia?

I actually 'cast' my characters in my head before I start writing my books, so I have thought alot about this. I'd have Rachel McAdam play Amy and Judi Dench play Georgia.

10. If you could make one wish come true this Christmas what would it be?

Last year, all my family got a desk given to a Kenyan school child, instead of a present from me. A few months ago we got sent photos of the kids using the desks and it was fantastic to see. So I wish that anyone who is stuck for a pressie ideas this Christmas heads to the Footsteps.org website and does the same!

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Book review.....Wish Upon a Star by Trisha Ashley

The perfect gift isn’t always under the tree…

Single mum Cally’s life is all about her little girl Stella. She’s resigned to the fact that the only romance she’s going to get is from the rom-coms she watches, and with her busy job and her daughter, she doesn’t have time to even think about love.

But life gets very tough when Stella gets sick. Balancing her job as a recipe writer and looking after Stella is all consuming, so when Cally meets handsome baker Jago the last thing she wants to do is fall in love, especially when she’s been badly burned by a Prince Charming from her past.
Can laid-back, charming Jago unlock Cally’s frozen heart and help her find true love and magic under the mistletoe?


Copy of book received from publisher - Thank you!



Cally is a brave, loving single mother of her young daughter Stella. Stella has a serious heart problem which a trip over to America for a rare operation can potentially cure. In order to pay for the treatment Cally is forced to sell her flat in London and move with Stella back in with her mother in the countryside village of Sticklepond where she meets handsome single Jago. The pair embark on a mission to raise as much money as possible to ensure Stella can get over to America, will they manage it before Stella's condition deteriorates? 

I really enjoyed this book, it was a heartwarming, touching, sweet story. I liked the fact that not only does the story focus on the typical ongoing relationship between male and female but also the strong unconditional love between mother and daughter and how nothing can get in the way of this everlasting emotion. Not only is your mind on this as you read but also about little Stella and whether she will 'make it' so you are captivated by the whole situation.

The characters were all very likeable so it was a pleasure to read about them, which is always a very big plus! Growing up in a village myself I felt I could really relate to the strong connection found in Sticklepond and found it very heart warming how much they all wanted to help. 

The only criticism I would have is that in my opnion once the story got going the 'middle' seemed to drag. I was getting fed up with Cally and Jago's ongoing 'friendship' and blindness towards each others feelings but with Stella to focus on I didn't loose interest in the book.

Overall I would rate this book 8/10 - A Chocolate Brownie! A fantastic read just a little drawn out in places. A read not just for Christmas! This will definitely not be the only Trisha Ashley book i will read.

Sunday 5 January 2014

Meet...Laura Farr (was Ziepe)

THE NOVEL CAFE WELCOMES...LAURA FARR!

I am thrilled to welcome newly married Laura Farr previously Ziepe to the Novel Cafe! Fellow Essex girl Laura tells us all about her journey to becoming a published author and her new novel due for release next month. Big thanks to Laura & congratulations :-)

Interview took place December 2013.




1.Can you tell us a little about your journey to becoming a Published Author

I've always loved writing since I was a little girl.  I used to love reading Judy Blume books and I remember always being so excited when the book fayre came to my primary school.  I always loved writing and English was always my strongest subject at school and in sixth form.  I remember leaving sixth form and getting a job in a bank in London doing general admin which I hated.  I was complaining to my friend one day and she suggested I went to university to get a degree in something that would help my career.  I remember not knowing which courses to take and she asked me what my dream job would be.  I told her I'd love to be an author more than anything and she then helped me apply to creative writing courses (I know, she’s a very good friend!)  I loved uni, but when I left it was hard to just start writing a book.  I always started, but never finished because I'd be too busy with work (I worked at a media company and then for a law firm).  Once again, I'd found myself doing jobs that bored me.  That’s when I decided to create my own business (mycelebritydress.com).  I’ve always been entrepreneurial and was overwhelmed with how much interest I had in my website, which was featured in newspapers, magazines and even ITV’s This Morning a few times.  I was soon busy enough with my business to leave my law firm job and it was through my business that I heard about a new programme about to start (TOWIE).  I was originally supposed to be on the programme as a character, as I thought it would be a great way to promote my business, however, after filming a few scenes I just knew it wasn’t for me, so I called the producers and pulled out of filming.  I knew the show was going to be really popular though, so that’s when the idea came to me about writing a fun book about Essex Girls.  I did a bit of research and couldn’t find much out there, so I believed there was a gap in the market for my book.

2.      If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Creative, confident and fun.

3.      Are you a big reader yourself? If so, what are you currently reading and what's your favourite Novel of all time?

I love reading so much.  I read three books on my honeymoon which I've recently come back from; What Alice Forgot by Lianne Moriarty, Dishonour by Jacqui Rose and Forgive Me by Lesley Pearce.  Favourite novel of all time?  I honestly couldn't say!  Such a hard questions to answer.  I love Sophie Kinsella, Kimberley Chambers, Lesley Pearce and Lianne Moriarty; quite a mixed bag!

4.      What was your main inspiration for your debut Novel 'Essex Girls'?

I’d been a single girl on a holiday to Marbella a few years before I wrote the novel.  Almost being a part of Towie inspired me to write about Essex Girls in particular, but the fact it was set in Marbella was because I’ve been there several times.  I’ve worked in Greece when I was in my early twenties, so I know what it’s like to work abroad, which is why I decided that this was what my characters should do. 

5.      Which character most reminds you of yourself? Jade, Kelly or Lisa?

I would most probably say Jade, though there are parts of me in Kelly and Lisa too. I'm ambitious like Lisa, creative like Jade and a shopaholic like Kelly!

6.      Did you go out to Marbella for research when writing the book?

No, I’ve been there lots of times when I was younger and also with friends more recently. 

7.      The sequel 'Made in Essex' is due for release early next year. Did you enjoy writing this as much as 'Essex Girls?

I probably enjoyed writing this one even more.  I learnt a lot after writing the first book and I seemed to write the second one really quickly.  It’s a follow on because I wasn't finished with the characters and I wanted to develop them further.  I planned this novel a lot more too, which helped.

8.      Without giving to much away can you tell us a little about it?

Its light hearted and fun like Essex Girls, but there is a twist in the storyline this time and the readers will see much more of Adele.  It has some new characters too such as Chloe Sam’s sister and Adele’s friend, Donna.  Jade and Sam face some problems in their relationship, as do Kelly and Billy.  The question is, will their relationships survive? 

9. If you could be stranded on a dessert island with any fictional book character who would it be and why?
           
            Noah Calhoun in The Notebook…of course it would actually be Ryan Gosling just like the film. I'm not sure I'd need to explain why J


10. My first blog was all about 'Chick Lit's turned Chick Flick's' What is your favourite?


            Apart from The Notebook, which I've just mentioned, I think it would be good old Bridget Jones because both these films always make me smile no matter what mood I'm in.  I always love The Devil Wears Prada too.






Wednesday 1 January 2014

Book Review....Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

Issy Randall, proud owner of the Cupcake Cafe, is in love and couldn't be happier. Her new business is thriving and she is surrounded by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline aren't quite as upbeat about the upcoming season of snow and merriment. But when her boyfriend Austin is scouted for a possible move to New York, Issy is forced to face up to the prospect of a long-distance romance. And when the Christmas rush at the cafe - with its increased demand for her delectable creations - begins to take its toll, Issy has to decide what she holds most dear.

This December, Issy will have to rely on all her reserves of courage, good nature and cinnamon, to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas, one way or another . . .

Copy of book received from publisher - many thanks!

After reading Meet me at the Cupcake Cafe and thoroughly enjoying it i was very excited to hear Jenny was releasing a sequel, set at Christmas too, could it get any better?! I was not at all disappointed! I had one concern, what if i had forgotten what happened in book one? It was a while ago when i read it but no worry was needed, a brief recap at the beginning refreshes all you need to know and reading book one isnt even needed, perfect.

Issy Randall's passion is baking (which is also a huge hobby of mine so the recipes amongst the chapters...fab!)  and after the sad passing of her grandad she opened her very own Cupcake Cafe, made great friends and fell in love with the amazing Austin. All is pretty perfect in her world, until Austin goes on a trip to New York....is this the end?

I am a huge fan of Issy's Character in the Cupcake Cafe books. Her warm, innocent, endearing and lovable personality makes her a pleasure to read about, along with the other characters in the book. Austin and his little brother Darny, Caroline, Pearl and little Louis. Each have their own individual 'stories' and background which captivate the reader all the way through both books.

This book was a fun, warm, entertaining novel which i would recommend to everyone. I rate it 10/10 - The Novel Cafe Cupcake. Couldn't put it down, would read it again tomorrow! Brilliant book. Bring on book 3!