 Release date - 3rd November 2016 Book length - 180 pages Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB One phone call can change everything... Six days before Christmas, Stella could never have anticipated the impact on her life when the phone rings in her London office. The phone call is from a friend of the family informing Stella that her grandmother has been hurt in a fall at her home in the Scottish borders and is in hospital. Torn between her responsibilities at work and the need to be with her grandmother she decides she must return to Scotland immediately. However, on her return to where she grew up, it becomes apparent that her grandmother’s health is not her only concern. Relationships which have lain dormant for years are re- kindled and fresh opportunities present themselves – if she will only dare to take them...  REVIEW
With her grandmother's fall, Stella is forced to return to her Scottish home of Melrose and face Ross, the man she left behind when she ran away to London. The man she left broken-hearted. The only man she has ever loved. Knowing that she cannot avoid him for long, she tries to keep her distance as much as possible for both of their sakes, but with his family welcoming her back, her grandmother in the hospital, and her sister disappearing to Australia to unearth an old family secret, Stella is sure to have a Christmas like no other. And when Ross seems to have moved on with someone else, Stella struggles with letting him go from her heart because she never wanted to leave him - her hands were tied. Could a simple Christmas wish make a difference? With secrets, love, and the true meaning of family and loyalty, STELLA'S CHRISTMAS WISH by Kate Blackadder is a heartwarming tale that is sure to make you smile on a cold Winter's night. The beauty of Scotland comes alive in this story, and the characters are so engaging and really make you care about them. With many interesting personalities, plenty of misunderstandings, and hidden secrets coming to life, STELLA'S CHRISTMAS WISH by Kate Blackadder is a really entertaining read, and I highly recommend it! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5 Author Bio: My first full-length novel, Stella’s Christmas Wish, is published by Black and White Publishing in November 2016. It’s set in the beautiful Scottish Borders and in Edinburgh. I have had over fifty short stories published in magazines including Woman’s Weekly, The People’s Friend, The Weekly News and Writers' Forum, and Woman's Day and Fast Fiction in Australia. In 2008 I won the Muriel Spark Short Story Prize, judged by Maggie O'Farrell. Other stories have been in New Writing Scotland and long/short-listed for competitions such as the Jane Austen Short Story Award and the Scotsman/Orange Short Story Prize. For more information: Website - katewritesandreads.blogspot.ie Twitter - twitter.com/k_blackadder Facebook - www.facebook.com/KateBlackadderAuthor/?fref=ts *I voluntarily reviewed this book for Black & White Publishing. Thanks to Thomas and Kate for allowing me to a part of this wonderful blog tour!
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 Release date - 1st December 2016 (Mass Paperback) Book length - 373 pages Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB 'I think you might be my father . . .' When first-year student Zoë Barry walks into Professor David Connolly's office and tentatively says these words, he is left reeling. But it is the lives of his family - particularly his wife Caroline - which are turned upside down by the arrival of this stranger. A daughter, a sister, a friend . . . an enemy? Though no one knows quite who Zoë is, she is soon entangled in their lives. Yet her stories don't ring true and Caroline is determined to learn if the girl is the unlucky innocent she claims to be or someone with a far darker agenda. A deadly cuckoo in the nest . . .Because by letting Zoë in, David and Caroline aren't just leaving themselves vulnerable. They're risking the most precious thing in the world - the lives of their children . . . REVIEW
GIRL UNKNOWN by Karen Perry is just one of those books that get under your skin and gives you the chills. From the outside, David Connolly has a perfect life - happily married to Caroline, two wonderful kids, and a successful career teaching History in UCD with a prestigious promotion in his future. But when Zoe Barry turns up in his class and informs him that she is his daughter, it will alter everyone's lives in ways that they could never imagine. For life is anything but perfect for this family, and Zoe's appearance arrives at the worst time. But David is delighted to welcome Zoe into his life and his home as her presence allows him to cling onto his memories from his past, the past he regrets walking away from. But as even more tension seeps through the entire household, and everybody is affected by Zoe's presence, they must ask themselves can they really trust this girl? Do they really know her? And do they really know themselves? Told from different characters perspectives allows the reader to become really involved in every aspect of the story, from every possible angle. GIRL UNKNOWN by Karen Perry is a gripping, emotional, psychological thriller that will leave you stunned. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5 Author Bio: Karen Perry is the pen name of Dublin-based authors Paul Perry and Karen Gillece. Paul Perry is the author of a number of critically acclaimed books. A winner of The Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year Award, he is a writer and course director in poetry at the Faber Academy in Dublin. Karen Gillece is the author of four critically acclaimed novels. In 2009 she won the European Union Prize for Literature (Ireland). For more information: Website - www.theinnocentsleep.com Twitter - twitter.com/karenperrybooks Facebook - www.facebook.com/KarenPerryAuthor *I voluntarily reviewed this book for the Publisher  Release date - 6th December 2016 Book length - 378 pages Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk iTunes: itunes.apple.com Kobo: www.kobo.com Nook: www.barnesandnoble.com BLURB A serial killer murdering for kicks. A detective seeking revenge. When the body of a snatched schoolgirl is found in an abandoned biosciences building, the case is first treated as a kidnapping gone wrong. But Detective Kay Hunter isn’t convinced, especially when a man is found dead with the ransom money still in his possession. When a second schoolgirl is taken, Kay’s worst fears are realised. With her career in jeopardy and desperate to conceal a disturbing secret, Kay’s hunt for the killer becomes a race against time before he claims another life. For the killer, the game has only just begun… Scared to Death is a gripping fast paced crime thriller from author Rachel Amphlett, in a new series introducing Kay Hunter – a detective with a hidden past and an uncertain future… I am lucky enough to have a Guest Post by the talented Rachel Amphlett discussing what makes people read crime fiction. Check it out below: What’s the attraction of reading crime thrillers? I think, like many crime thriller authors, my love of the genre started when I was about five years old and started reading the famous five series by Enid Blyton. By the time I was in my very early teens, I was working my way through my mum’s collection of Dick Francis books and adding to those every birthday and Christmas when I received book tokens in lieu of presents. On top of that, every time my parents stocked up their bookshelves via jumble sales, I’d be devouring the likes of Ed McBain, PD James, and Robert Goddard. By the time I left school, I’d devoured most of the crime fiction section in my secondary school library, including books by Ken Follett, Agatha Christie, and Michael Crichton. To this day, I’m unable to walk past a second hand bookshop… Of course it wasn’t just books that were influencing me at that time. On television, the likes of The Bill, Moonlighting, LA Law, as well as the Alex Cross films played by Morgan Freeman and based on the books by James Patterson all fell into the melting pot and fuelled my imagination. So, what’s the attraction to this genre as a reader? For me, it’s a mixture of entertainment and escapism. There’s nothing like perusing the shelves in a bookshop or library, spotting a cover or a spine of a book, and then reading the blurb and thinking “I’ve got to read this”. The opening chapter is probably the most important part of a crime thriller for a reader. The anticipation of lifting the front cover and reading that first line, then the second, then turning the page, and then getting completely sucked into the mystery via an opening scene that leads you stunned is second to none. You know (with a few exceptions) that the villain will be apprehended by the time you reach the last page, the detective will have solved the mystery, and all will be right with the world, but it’s the excitement between the first page in the last and trying to work out who the bad guy is, or how they will be stopped, before the detective does. I have to admit, although I do like reading (and writing) stand-alone crime thrillers, I do enjoy reading books in a series because you get to know the detective over a period of time. You begin to appreciate what drives them. For instance, take Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series. That character has grown so much since first appearing in The Black Echo, and I think that’s what keeps the series fresh. It’s not just about the investigation of murder in each book, it’s how the main character’s life is changed by the investigation and the world around him. It’s the same reason why I enjoyed reading all the Val McDermid Tony Hill series, and the Roy Grace series by Peter James - as well as the fact that the stories aren’t just about the main characters, but include a regular supporting cast. As a crime thriller author, I’m re-reading a lot of the books on my shelves through different eyes these days - I find I’m analysing them more, trying to pinpoint exactly why those stories have endured. I hope by re-reading the masters, my own writing will continue to grow. It’s also a great excuse to forget the housework for a while…  REVIEW
Detective Inspector Kay Hunter has just cleared her name at work but is still dealing with everything she has sacrificed in the name of her job when the body of a kidnapped teenager is found on her watch. Now she must put her own troubles to one side to find the killer. For the terrifying circumstances of this young girl's death points to calculated murder rather than a kidnapping that went wrong. As days pass and with many leads going nowhere, DS Hunter and her team know that they are running out of time. But when they receive a tip-off it leads them on a desperate hunt to stop this psychopath. But when another girl goes missing, this time a lot closer to home, will they be too late? Or will they find another body scared to death? SCARED TO DEATH by Rachel Amphlett is a fast-paced, deeply disturbing thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. While getting to know Kay and the rest of her team we really get an understanding of life on the job, and how it ripples into their personal lives. The plot is terrifyingly unique and with so many twists and turns, I found myself gripped to the very end. SCARED TO DEATH by Rachel Amphlett is a compelling, dark novel and I highly recommend it to crime fiction fans everywhere. I look forward to reading more from Rachel Amphlett. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+ Author Bio: Rachel Amphlett is the bestselling author of the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the new Detective Kay Hunter series, as well as a number of standalone crime thrillers. Originally from the UK and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel is a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold, being sold to Fanucci Editore's TIMECrime imprint in 2014. An advocate for knowledge within the publishing industry, Rachel is always happy to share her experiences to a wider audience through her blogging and speaking engagements. For more information: Website - www.rachelamphlett.com Twitter - twitter.com/RachelAmphlett Facebook - www.facebook.com/rachelamphlett.author/?fref=ts *I voluntarily reviewed this book for the author. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rachel Amphlett for her guest post and including Books Of All Kinds on your blog tour.  Brides & Bouquets Cedarwood Lodge #2 By Rebecca Raisin Releasing November 24 HQ Digital Blurb: Christmas has come to Cedarwood Lodge in the second part of the feel-good romance serial from best selling author, Rebecca Raisin! Dreaming of a happily ever after at Cedarwood Lodge is Clio Winters’ current focus, especially with a winter wonderland wedding expo planned. But with brides coming from far and wide the heat is on for Clio to fulfil everyone’s dream of a Christmas wedding! It seems like Clio’s new business might be off to a rocky start and surrounded by love struck brides she can’t help but hope for a little Christmas romance of her own… Cedarwood Lodge is a delectable romance told in three parts – following Clio Winters journey back to her hometown of Evergreen. This is Part Two. Book Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Google Play | Goodreads Author Info: Rebecca Raisin is a true bibliophile. This love of books morphed into the desire to write them. She’s been published in various short story anthologies and in in fiction magazines, and is now focusing on writing romance. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships, and most importantly believe in true love. Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads  I am lucky enough to have a wonderful excerpt to share with you avid readers. Check it out: Excerpt: Clio, I hope the bridal expo goes off without a hitch. Have I told you yet that I’m glad you came home? Life was never really the same after you left. Looking forward to that dinner whenever you’re free. Timothy x Life was never really the same? But he got married and had a family about three minutes after I was out of sight! I’m sure I wasn’t on his mind one little bit. I didn’t hold any grudge or strong feeling about it – we’d been so young, really. But still, he had moved on fairly quickly. Would something bloom between us if I just let go and lived for the moment? The same niggle bothered me. Kai. Even if nothing happened with him, would it be fair to date Timothy when secretly my heart beat a double rhythm when I thought of my Australian surfer guru? Taking my cell, I hastily sent Timothy a thank you text back, avoiding any talk about the dinner date invitation. This was why I loved work. Being busy gave me the ability to shelve any boy dilemma and focus on the task at hand. I found a crystal vase and took the bouquet to my office. That done, I went back to the ballroom and checked off my list. Every vendor was accounted for, set up and ready to go. Isla and Micah had the activities organized. Aunt Bessie was getting her donuts out of the van and ready to serve… so what was I missing? I’d forgotten something, I could feel it. I wandered around the tables we’d set up in different themes, lifting champagne flutes, checking for smudges. The cutlery was lined up perfectly reflecting prisms of light from the chandeliers. Georges would serve canapes as soon as the guests – Georges! Normally he’d be singing and bellowing in the kitchen, foodie scents wafting down the hallway making my mouth water, but I hadn’t seen him arrive yet. I dashed down the hall to check. The kitchen was empty, not a pot on the stove and more worryingly not a sign of Georges. Snatching up the phone I called him, picturing the worst – a car crash, the roads were slippery this time of year. My heart was in my throat by the time he answered on the third ring. “Hi Clio, did you get my message? I’m sorry to let you down like this, but I couldn’t say no, you understand, don’t you?” Blood drained from my face as I checked my watch. Three hours until our brides were due and my chef was telling me he wasn’t coming. Trying to halt the erratic beat of my heart I said, “What message, Georges? Where are you?”  REVIEW
Clio is determined to make the bridal expo at her beloved Cedarwood Lodge a resounding success, no matter how many sleepless nights it takes. But with such a great crew and her best friend Amory from New York staying with her, what can go wrong? After all, Cedarwood has this undeniable magic that makes you feel alive. But life is never that straightforward. Her best friend is running away from love, her childhood sweetheart seems intent on rekindling their past, her chef disappears on the morning of the expo, and the one man who gives her butterflies is unlikely to stay in Cedarwood past Christmas. Throw in a mystery surrounding her detached mother and the lodge which everyone in town seems determined to keep secret, and the holiday season has become a lot more interesting for Clio, who is about to find out that timing is everything. BRIDES & BOUQUETS AT CEDARWOOD LODGE by Rebecca Raisin is part two of this enchanting tale, and once again I completely fell under the lodge's spell. With plenty of disasters, misunderstandings, friendships and love, this series has got everything you could want in a good book. I love Clio and her desire to make everything right for everybody that she comes across, even if she does shy away from risking her own heart. The group as a whole make me smile as we get to experience proper friendships, in good times and bad, with love and loyalty at every turn. This is a heartwarming series that I know I will re-read time and again, and I cannot wait for the third instalment!!!! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+ I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rebecca Raisin and LRR Promotions for allowing me to be a part of this exciting blog tour.  Book length - 384 pages
Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB It will take a Christmas miracle for two very different souls to find each other in this perfectly festive fairy tale of New York! Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. She might be spending the holidays alone this year, but when she's given an opportunity to house-sit a spectacular penthouse on Fifth Avenue, she leaps at the chance. What better place to celebrate than in snow-kissed Manhattan? What she didn't expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous—and mysterious—owner. Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife's death looming, he's isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. He wants no interruptions, no decorations and he certainly doesn't appreciate being distracted by his beautiful, bubbly new housekeeper. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist? REVIEW This is the third book in the From Manhattan with Love series and is my favourite so far. Eva is such a compassionate, caring individual even to the point where she tries to hide her own sadness and grief, from her friends who love her dearly, because she doesn't want to upset them. When she takes on a job to decorate the penthouse of Lucas Blade while he is on a writing retreat, she is determined to make the best of things. But when she finds herself stuck in the apartment with the man himself, she didn't plan on the feelings he would stir up. But what do you do when the person you start to fall for hates the very concept of love? The last thing Lucas needs is some perky, optimistic woman that his grandmother sent over, hovering in his apartment. It is the anniversary of his wife's death, and on top of that, he has a book to hand in that he hasn't even started writing yet. But as he spends more time with Eva he cannot help but be mesmerised by her company, and talking to her seems to inspire his writing. But when their undeniable connection starts to lead into something more, Lucas is determined to cut ties with Eva for good - he has learned first hand that love never works out, no matter how much it hurts him to let her go. MIRACLE ON 5TH AVENUE by Sarah Morgan is an emotional and sweet story of love, grief, and learning to take chances. Both of the characters have suffered grief and loneliness but their interpretations of what that means for their futures are polar opposites. With plenty of sassiness, funny and touching moments, this tale really gets into your heart and I could not put it down until I had reached the last page. MIRACLE ON 5TH AVENUE by Sarah Morgan is an exceptional read and I recommend it to fiction fans everywhere. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+ Author Bio: USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes contemporary romance and her trademark humour and sensuality have gained her fans across the globe. She has been nominated 4 times for the prestigious RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America and has won the award twice. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors. Look out for Sleepless in Manhattan, the first book in Sarah's brand new series set in New York City and coming in 2016. For more information: Website - sarahmorgan.com Twitter - twitter.com/SarahMorgan_ Facebook - twitter.com/SarahMorgan_ *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com  Release Date - 3rd November 2016
Book length - 552 pages Available on - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB Italy, 1945: as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated cities, its population fights each other to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate - her mother has abandoned them already and her brother is being drawn into the mafia. Early one morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, she is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her family and in doing so forges a future very different to the one she expected. But will the secrets of her family's past be her downfall? This epic novel is an unforgettably powerful story of love, loss and the long shadow of war. REVIEW There are not enough words to describe the magnificence of this gripping tale but I will try to do it justice. Caterina Lombardi is doing the best that she can for her family in her home of Italy in the aftermath of the War. Her beautiful Sorrento and Naples may have been pillaged and bombed but its spirit and wonder still remain, ensnaring the hearts of the Allied soldiers who are trying to reinstate the land to its former glory. Like her flawed but stunning homeland, Caterina is determined to protect her secretive family during these dangerous times, but as she is drawn into a dangerous investigation, her life and her treasured memories will never be the same again. This stunning novel captivated me immediately, and its poetic prose describing this unique country and culture will transport you to a different time and place. Caterina and Jake are characters full of depth, strength, and honour, and their unusual relationship makes for a compelling read. THE LIBERATION by Kate Furnivall evokes the kaleidoscope of human emotions, from betrayal to love and loyalty, while telling a story of family, sacrifice, danger, and strength. This book is amazing and I highly recommend it to all fiction fans!! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+++ Author Bio: Kate Furnivall was raised in Penarth, a small seaside town in Wales. Her mother, whose own childhood was spent in Russia, China and India, discovered at an early age that the world around us is so volatile, that the only things of true value are those inside your head and your heart. These values Kate explores in The Russian Concubine. Kate went to London University where she studied English and from there she went into publishing, writing material for a series of books on the canals of Britain. Then into advertising where she met her future husband, Norman. She travelled widely, giving her an insight into how different cultures function which was to prove invaluable when writing The Russian Concubine. It was when her mother died in 2000 that Kate decided to write a book inspired by her mother's story. The Russian Concubine contains fictional characters and events, but Kate made use of the extraordinary situation that was her mother's childhood experience - that of two White Russian refugees, a mother and daughter, stuck without money or papers in an International Settlement in China. For more information: Website - katefurnivall.com Twitter - twitter.com/KateFurnivall Facebook - www.facebook.com/KateFurnivallAuthor *I was lucky enough to win a copy of this novel from THE Bookclub on FB  Book length - 308 pages
Available now 0n - www.amazon.com | www.amazon.co.uk BLURB Suspense, mystery, action, a little romance and lots of laughs Out-of-work actress Derry O'Donnell is talented, professional, just a little psychic... and broke. Spurred on by an ultimatum from her awesomely high-achieving mother, Derry embarks on a part-time career as Madam Tulip, fortune teller to the rich and famous. But at her first fortune-telling gig - a celebrity charity weekend in a luxurious castle - a famous rap artist mysteriously dies. As Derry is drawn deeper into a seedy world of fashion, millionaires, horses and cocaine, she must race to save her best friend from jail and a supermodel from being murdered. Her efforts threaten to destroy her friends, her ex-lover, her father and herself. Fans of humorous mystery writers Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen will love Madam Tulip. Madame Tulip is the first in a series of thrilling and hilarious Tulip adventures in which Derry O’Donnell, celebrity fortune-teller and reluctant amateur detective, plays the most exciting and perilous roles of her acting life, drinks borage tea, and fails to understand her parents. REVIEW MADAM TULIP by David Ahern is the perfect blend of cosy mystery and comedy which will keep you entertained from start to finish. Derry is just trying to make a living doing what she loves, but when her mother threatens to stop helping her financially, she knows she has to do something and fast. So Derry decides to use her slight psychic abilities and become Madam Tulip, and when she is booked to attend a celebrity bash in the countryside, what could go wrong? Everything as it so happens. With murder, drugs, millionaires and supermodels, Derry is going to have to really get to work to figure out the mystery. Throw in some romance and a unique cast of quirky friends and family members, and MADAM TULIP by David Ahern will have you laughing and playing detective at the same time. A really easy, enjoyable read. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖 4.5 Author Bio: David Ahern grew up in a theatrical family in Ireland but ran away to Scotland to become a research psychologist and sensible person. He earned his doctorate and taught in major Universities but could never explain to his granny why he didn’t own a stethoscope. Finding the challenge of pretending to know things exhausting, David Ahern shaved off his beard and absconded once more, this time to work in television. He became a writer, director and producer, creating international documentary series and winning numerous awards, none of which got him free into nightclubs. For no particular reason, David Ahern took to writing fiction. Madame Tulip wasn't his first novel, but writing it was the most fun he'd ever had with a computer. The second in the Madam Tulip mystery series, Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts, was published in autumn 2016. He is now writing the third Madam Tulip adventure and enjoys pretending this is actual work. David Ahern lives in the beautiful West of Ireland with his wife, two cats and a vegetable garden of which he is inordinately proud. For more information: Website - www.davidahern.info Twitter - twitter.com/daveahernwriter Facebook - www.facebook.com/DavidAhernWriter *I voluntarily reviewed this book for the author
Today I had the great opportunity to chat to talented author Terri Meeker. Born in Wyoming, she has made her home in the Pacific NW. She's loved history since childhood and has been fortunate to live in lots of places with fascinating pasts, including: Washington DC, Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, Albuquerque, Missouri and Mons, Belgium. She's an ex-history teacher, a mom, a Whedonite, a gamer and a ginormous nerd. She also loves to write. Check out my Q&A with Terri below:
1. In your novels history is a vital element of the storylines. What is it about the past that calls to you? I fell in love with history when I was 12 because of a cool teacher. He showed me that people in the past weren't just dusty old memories. They lived vibrant, conflicted lives. exactly like you and I. The same passions. The same heartbreaks. When I was in college, I studied to become a History teacher. I did my student teaching in Mons, Belgium - the site of a famous World War I battle, which couldn't have been more exciting. After this I taught at the secondary level for a few years. I tend to approach certain times and historical figures like people treat a fandom. I get a historical 'crush' on a person and will gobble up dozens of books about them. My poor family (and anyone I run into) will get to hear about whatever it is I'm currently obsessing about. This became slightly awkward when I enthused about Victorian chastity devices to my daughter's new boyfriend. 2. Not Quite Darcy is my personal favourite of your books so far as I am a huge Austen fan and love that time period. Have you a favourite time period? And if so why? Haha, excellent question! And thank you for your kind words about 'Not Quite Darcy.' For some reason, all my books seem to take place within a relatively short window of time. 1870-1915. I like the Victorian Age a lot. I think we tend to romanticize that time, but the reality was a lot grittier (and more interesting). I'd rather read (or tell) a story based in actual history than a Disneyfied version of it. That is the driving force in all my stories. Stories about dashing Lords and dazzling countesses are fine, but maids and mama's boys have new stories to tell - and I could always relate to them a lot better. 3. As a writer, who has influenced you in your career? And as a reader, who is your go-to author for a guaranteed good read? As a writer - not to get too wordy, but three people have done the most. Joss Whedon (who inspired me to start writing in the first place), my husband Mike (who pushed me to try to get published) and my editor, Holly Atkinson (who taught me about the publishing world and is a wonderful friend). As far as reading? I'm so boring that way! When I read it's rarely fiction now! I read a lot of research books - usually source material. So that means that I spend a lot of time with 'A Ladies Guide to Household Staff' written in 1840 (oh, the racism and sexism!). Or military handbooks from the Great War. My favorite romance author is Laura Kinsale. Her book, "Flowers from the Storm" is amazing. Its about a guy who's had a stroke and the Quaker woman who tends to him. He can't even really speak throughout the story. I love tales that try to do something completely different like that. 4. While some authors plot everything out before they begin their novels, others sit down and just start typing. Which type of writer are you - a plotter or a pantser? Is there such a thing as EXTREME plotter? That would be me. I crash and burn, hard, when I try to pants. I have to know how it ends before I begin. I have to know the lessons the characters are going to learn. My outline before I begin is about 7-8K. I also must have files on all the other aspects of the story that I might need. For instance, with Billy the Kid, I filled files with info about horses, guns, Pat Garrett, fun slang, maps - as well as character sheets. To say nothing of the notes I took on all the biographies I'd read about him. I should lighten up! :D 5. You have three compelling books released so far - Not Quite Darcy, Angel of the Somme, and Dancing with Billy the Kid. What future treasures have you got in store for us? I am working on two at the same time. I've never done that before! I have a book in which Nellie Bly (the founder of investigative reporting) time travels from 1889 to modern New York City. Her guide is a computer nerd with Aspergers. I am rewriting this one (again) and so in the meanwhile, I'm working on a contemporary, which I hope to have complete before Christmas. It's about a struggling romance writer named Ivy who is fixing up the old family home when three of her book characters come to life. Their efforts to 'fix' things for their creator turn Ivy's life upside down, but in a good way. I'm really excited about this one. The way the characters have taken charge of their once fictional lives bubbles with positive energy. :) Hope you'll like it! Thanks again to Terri for taking time out of her busy schedule to chat with me today. I can't wait for your next book! For more information on Terri and to buy her novels, here are the links: Website - terrimeeker.com Twitter - twitter.com/ActualTerri Facebook - www.facebook.com/authorterrimeeker/?fref=ts Amazon-www.amazon.com/Terri-Meeker/e/B00NZ6PLBO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 |
WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! 
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