Forbidden by Linn B Halton

This is a delightful romance that explores the possibility of there being something more than just the ‘here and now’. If that were the case, how would it work? What keeps us on the path determined for us, when we have free will? How would the spirit world link with us as we go about our lives? Love is a powerful emotion, but can it change the course of someone’s destiny? 

In Forbidden Ceri and Alex find it difficult to let go of the guilt they carry for things that have happened in their past. No two lives are the same and each of them has their own emotional baggage.  But what if someone else calls the shots and you are simply meant to follow the path that is set out before you? Will that take Ceri and Alex in different directions, no matter how hard they try to stay together? Ceri’s journey continues …

Linn has a wonderful writing style and you very easily lose yourself in her books. This is a great trilogy that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. I could read Linn's work continuously and my only negative about these books is that they finish too soon! 

Falling (Angels Among Us #1) 

Forbidden (Angels Among Us #2)

Now available to pre-order:

Forever (Angels Among Us #3)

Website

Twitter: @LinnBHalton

Facebook: Linn B Halton and Author Linn B Halton

HarperImpulse author page

Romantic Novelists’ Association page

Festival of Romance 2013

Wow! What another fab day! 

I knew it was going to be a great day when I bumped into Sheryl Browne, a fellow LAHE member and person from my neck of the woods, in the hotel reception! Big hugs from this lovely lady made a wonderful start to the Festival of Romance for me. 

Coffee and cake was just what I needed and there were readings from 14 brilliant authors. I love to hear authors read from their own books as they were written to be read. It's especially poignant for me when I've read the book too. 

Great to finally meet my fellow book blogger JB Johnston who had flown over from Northern Ireland. Joined by the lovely Carol Wright (DizzyCLLB) too it's just so good to meet up with people you mix with daily on line. Lovely also to meet Lou Graham again.

We headed over to the Romance Fair where it was wonderful to see Linn B Halton, Janice Horton and Mandy Baggot on the Love A Happy Ending stand. Again hugs all round.  Fab also to see Sheryl again, Nicky Wells, Will Sutton and others on the Safkhet Publishing stand too. 

An interview with last years award winners (Rowan Coleman (aka Scarlett Bailey), Fiona Harper, Pia Fenton (aka Christina Courtenay), Nicola May and Pippa Croft (aka Philippa Ashley) was really informative and interesting with questions from Lou Graham then from the audience. Fab to hear so many different experiences and opinions on writing, publishing and romance. 

Lovely for me to meet the fantastic Nicola May who I feel I already know so well through her books and social media and I got the squeeze I'd been promised from her. 

More readings in the afternoon from a number of again more fabulous authors and the opportunity to chat with them and buy their books made this another day to remember.  The bloggers then went off for a cuppa and a chat with a Festival Organiser, Literary Agent and Publisher Kate Allen before they all headed off to get ready for the ball and I headed home. Next year Cinders will go to the ball! 

I will announce the winners later today but just wanted to write briefly here about what a fab day out the Festival of a Romance 2013 was and share some of my pics. Roll on next year! 

Kim

Xxx

Review - Dead Burn by Jennifer Chase

I do love to read about the vigilante pursuits of Emily Stone!

We join Emily in her toughest case yet, when a serial killer is on the loose in California, tracking down and gruesomely killing it's victims in a string of vicious arson attacks.  Emily, Rick & Jordan work as a united team in an attempt to track down the killer and find and protect his targets before he strikes again. 

She thrives on danger, but this time, someone has their eye on her too! Will she get to them, before they get to her? 

When Jennifer asked me if I would like to review the latest book in the Emily Stone series, I jumped at the chance.  I've read all the others in the series and they are brilliantly written thrillers.  Within a few seconds of opening this book, I was very quickly reminded of Emily's determination, courage and highly protective personality and continued to read most of the book whilst holding my breath.

There were times when I wanted to shout at Emily because I knew she was in danger and she couldn't see it.  I've always compared Jennifer's writing to James Patterson and I still think this way, yet I do think it also improves if possible with each book.  Her writing is full of suspense, intrigue, thrill and mystery. You just want to keep on turning the pages even though your heart is pounding away like mad!

I could read about Emily Stone all day long.  She is one hell of a courageous, independent, gutsy, tough cookie, prepared to take on the world in an effort to help others.  I'd love her to be watching my back!

It would be brilliant to see this series transferred to TV. It would make for a riveting watch on the edge of your seat!

Jennifer Chase lives in California and holds a bachelor's degree in police forensics and a master's degree in criminology. She also holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling and is a member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists so she definitely knows what she's talking about.  Compulsion is the first novel that stars Emily Stone and Dead Game the second.  I love that Jennifer has a section of her website that is dedicated to Emily.

Blog/Website

Books: Compulsion  Dead Game  Dark Mind  Dead Burn  Silent Partner  Screenwriting

Review - Christmas Yves by Nicola May

OMG! This is just the best Christmas story ever!
 
Two days before Christmas, Evie Harris discovers that her boyfriend is up to no good.  Hilarious best friend Bea, takes her to the pub to try to cheer her up when she is approached by handsome stranger Greg who overhears her dilemma and persuades her to help out at a homeless shelter on Christmas day. 
 
When she meets homeless man Yves, she makes a new and firm friend and begins to unravel her life through a series of spiritual awakenings.  He takes her on a journey to heal and find peace within herself whilst travelling around a number of London landmarks amongst the stunning winter scenery and backdrops.
 
How will New Year's Eve pan out? Will she find peace and love and where does that leave Yves? Or Greg for that matter? Yeah right - well I'm not going to tell you that now, am I? 
 
I loved this novella right from the start.  Bea and Evie have such a fabulous friendship, I adore them both as if they are my new best friends. I've always loved reading Nicola May's books.  She writes the things that we are all thinking!  She also creates such lovable characters that immediately get into your heart. 
 
When I read the last sentence of this novella, I have to confess that I burst into tears as my heart exploded with emotion.  Proper sobs too! For me, it was such an unexpected but wonderful ending.  Just thinking about it again is making me tear up! It completely blew my mind!

This novella is filled with fun and laughter and at the same time is moving beyond words which is an incredible gift that Nicola has. It is full of hope, love, peace and joy and is completely heart-melting!  It is such a beautiful, fabulous and amazing story. 
 
The world just has to read it!
 
Buy via Amazon.co.uk 

Buy via Amazon.com

You can find out more about Nicola and more about the other books she has written at www.nicolamay.com.
You can like Nicola's Facebook Page by clicking here

You can follow Nicola on Twitter by clicking here

Spirits of Christmas: A Rock’n’Roll Christmas Carol

 

At one time, up-and-coming rock singer Jude had it all: a great band, a platinum record, a loving girlfriend. This Christmas, however, he is well down the road towards spontaneous self-destruction.

 

Unwitting at first, Jude has progressively alienated his band and driven away the love of his life. Tonight, the night before Christmas Eve, he has broken the final taboo during a disastrous gig. Yet Jude doesn’t see how badly his life has derailed, not until a ghostly procession of legends passes through his bedroom with a series of vivid and powerful wake-up calls.

 

Will the Spirits help Jude put the friendship, love, and rock music back into his Christmas?

 

Spirits of Christmas is a modern-day rock’n’roll adaption of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol.This novella will enchant romance readers, rock lovers, fans of ghost stories, and everybody who adores the festive season.

 

Amazon.co.uk Kindle | Amazon.co.uk Paperback

Amazon.com Kindle | Amazon.com Paperback

 

 

 

About Nicky Wells: Romance that Rocks Your World!

 

Hi! I’m Nicky Wells, your ultimate rock chick author. My books offer glitzy, glamorous contemporaryromance with a rock theme ~ imagine Bridget Jones ROCKS Notting Hill! If you’ve ever had a crush on any kind of celebrity ~ rock, pop, movie or other ~ you’ll connect with my heroes and my leading ladies!

 

Like my first leading lady, Sophie, I love listening to rock music, dancing, and eating lobsters. When I’m not writing, I’m a wife, mother, occasional knitter, and regular contributor to The Midweek Drive show on Lincoln’s Siren 107.3 FM. Rock on!

 

My books: Sophie’s Turn | Sophie’s Run | Sophie’s Encore | Spirits of Christmas

 

Join me: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Romantic Novelists’ Association | Sapphire Star Publishing |Amazon | Goodreads | Pinterest

 

So, what did I think? 

Jude WAS the ultimate rock star. With his band, a platinum album and a wonderful girlfriend. Unfortunately this Christmas, he was way down on his uppers! He's upset his mates in the band and also his girlfriend and they have decided that they no longer want anything to do with him.

This novella is written in the time of the night before Christmas Eve. He is visited by the spirits of a series of legends who try to show him the rights and wrongs of his life and show him how he can put things right if he chooses to do so. But what will he choose?

Nicky Wells is an awesome author. Her rock star series is completely fantastic and so entertaining. This book is slightly different and darker style of writing for her but hugely readable.

This is a brilliant adaption of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It's a great read for fans of Nicky Wells (who might get a little surprise!) and a wonderfully festive read! It put me right in the Christmas spirit!

 

EXCERPT

 

‘Hiya, Jude!’

The voice emerged from the door, and Jude’s head whipped round as if drawn by a string.

‘Hiya, Jude,’ the voice repeated cheerfully. Unexpectedly, it launched into the first line of one of Jude’s most favourite songs. Jude once again sank onto the bed, his legs refusing to carry him with the shock of this second apparition.

‘Is this really you?’

For a moment, Jude’s second otherworldly visitor abandoned his song and remained silent, motionless, allowing Jude to take a good, long look. The sideburns, the nose, the defined chin, the round glasses were clearly visible despite the spirit’s transparent appearance. Everything about this figure was familiar, yet nothing was quite as it should have been. It was as though Jude was looking at a hologram, a distorted, stretched vision where nothing quite fitted together.

Nonetheless, Jude found his voice. ‘Oh my God, it is you!’

Excitement made his exclamation strong and clear. The figure flinched at the sudden burst of noise, but Jude ploughed on. ‘This is…this is totally unreal. I mean, imagine this—here’s me in my bedroom, and there’s you, come to visit me.’

‘I’m not who you think you see,’ the apparition interrupted. ‘I’m the Ghost of Christmas Past.’

 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spirits-Christmas-Nicky-Wells-ebook/dp/B00G9GNAP6/

 

http://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Christmas-Nicky-Wells-ebook/dp/B00G9GNAP6/

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spirits-Christmas-RocknRoll-Carol/dp/1492752371/

 

http://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Christmas-RocknRoll-Carol/dp/1492752371/

 

 

 

 

PERSONAL LINKS 

 

 

http://nickywells.com/

 

https://twitter.com/WellsNicky

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicky-Wells-Author/240322162658246

 

http://www.amazon.com/Nicky-Wells/e/B005CGMAY6/

 

http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/index.php/about/author/nicky_wells

 

http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/nickywells

 

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5047973.Nicky_Wells

 

http://pinterest.com/nickywellsrocks/

 

A very special story about Rosemary Craddock and The Lovegrove Hermit

A while ago, I received a phone call from a lovely lady called Rosemary Craddock who told me that she was an author whose typewriter had broken and she asked whether I would be able to type up a manuscript for a book that she had written called The Lovegrove Hermit. 

Rosemary told me that she was an author and that her first book (The Secret House) was published in 1979 and she then went on to have a book published nearly every year until 1986 when The Devil’s Folly was created.  

After writing seventeen chapters of another novel, Rosemary decided that she didn’t feel that the book was right and was missing something and she put it to one side.

Rosemary went along to see a Tom Stoppard play called Arcadia which was set across two periods of time.  It was this play that inspired her to write a book where one of the characters was a hermit and the name The Lovegrove Hermit came to her immediately. 

All bundled up, with the synopsis and a covering letter, the manuscript was sent off to her previous publisher – Robert Hale Ltd, and she called me one evening saying that she’d had a letter asking for an electronic copy and she was most concerned because she had no idea what this meant and what to do about it.

I told her not to worry, that it could be sorted within a few minutes, so I emailed a copy of the word document to the publishers and had the absolute pleasure of ringing up Rosemary after I had received an email back from Gillian Jackson, offering a publishing contract.

Today (31st October 2013) is publication day for The Lovegrove Hermit .  I am so delighted that I was able to play a part in this wonderful story.  You can buy a copy of the book here.

Rosemary is 80 years old and was born and bred in Hednesford, Staffordshire, the town in which I live.  She has been writing since childhood and has published many novels full of mystery, romance and intrigue, most of them set in the nineteenth century. 

Rosemary does not have a website, a Facebook page, a Twitter name, and doesn’t even own a computer or use the Internet.  Hednesford Library are taking this book on board and we are hoping that they will hold a signing event in her honour.   This is wonderful news in itself.  More wonderful news is that the book that Rosemary put to one side, has now also been finished and we hope that in time, the publishers may also agree to publish that one too.  Watch this space. . . . . . . .

Good luck vibes being sent to Nicola May

Well folks - what can I tell you about Nicola May?

I could tell you that at last year’s Festival of Romance in Bedford she won the Best Author Published Read with her fabulous book The School Gates.

I could tell you that this year she’s been shortlisted for not one but two awards at this year’s Festival of Romance with her brilliant book The Bow Wow Club which is a sequel to Working It Out.  The first award is the New Talent Award and the second is once again for the Best Author Published Read.  The awards take place on 9^th November and I’d love you to join me in wishing Nicola the best of luck for both categories. 

I could tell you that she’s extremely talented and writes hilarious fiction with a heart that has you crying with laughter one minute, then sobbing your heart out the next. 

I could tell you that on 16^th November 2013, Nicola is running a workshop helping people who want to self-publish a book.  She’s an expert having self-published her own books extremely successfully.

I could even tell you that she also offers a 1-2-1 consultancy to authors who want to self-publish.  If you want to learn from someone who has already done it and learnt the right and wrong ways, Nicola can advise you on any aspects that you are struggling with. 

Or, or I could just let you learn even more about Nicola, her writing and her consultancy by checking out her website www.nicolamay.com. 

I will just tell you one last thing! If you’ve never read a Nicola May book, then you are really missing out!

You can download The Bow Wow Club right here http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Bow-Wow-Club-Nicola-ebook/dp/B00CR1DY9E/ref=tmm_kin_title_0/279-3210019-2713811