Release date - 10th August 2017 Book length - 338 pages Publisher - headofzeus.com Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK The second StoryWorld novel set in the glamorous, pressurized world of a live London TV station. StoryWorld is the nation's favourite morning show, and producer Liz Lyon wants to keep it that way. Her job is to turn real-life stories into thrilling TV – and keep a lid on the cauldron of conflicts and resentments that constantly simmers off-stage. In this gripping novel of power, rivalry and betrayal, Jane Lythell draws on her experiences of working in the heated world of live TV. Liz Lyon must balance the monster egos at work with the demands of her teenage daughter – and the man she's just started dating – at home. It's all in a day's work. MY REVIEW BEHIND HER BACK by Jane Lythell is the second novel set in the ultra competitive tv station StoryWorld and again, this story completely blew my socks off with its engaging plot line and compelling antics. Producer Liz Lyon is still juggling her personal life with her teenage daughter Flo, and her highly demanding career but at least she feels that she is on a better footing with her boss and can trust her solid team completely. But when StoryWorld gains a new staff member in the form of formidable Lori Kerwell who is determined to get what she wants, Liz's work life gets a whole lot more complicated. Throw in a tv presenter who is getting too big for their boots, a scandalous revelation, a new romance, a dodgy builder, and an angry teenager, and Liz's life has become every inch a soap opera. But when her very livelihood is threatened, will she walk away from the job that has been such a huge part of her life? And as for her new romance... BEHIND HER BACK by Jane Lythell is a cleverly paced and well-written story that unleashes the drama from behind the scenes of this celebrity world and mixes it effortlessly with deeper and more personal issues throughout. Liz is such an open and compassionate character and you cannot help but feel a connection with her as she tries to juggle being a single mom to a stroppy teenager, with a very competitive and demanding career - never mind her trying to fit in a little personal time or romance. I loved getting to know more about Liz's team in this book, especially Henry and Simon, and as with Woman of the Hour, I literally did not put this book down until I reached the final page - which left me desperate for the next book!!! BEHIND HER BACK by Jane Lythell is another dynamic story from an author who has fast become one of my favourite go-to authors and I highly recommend this novel. Author Bio: I worked as a TV producer for 15 years and my third novel WOMAN OF THE HOUR takes the lid off the TV industry. Behind the glossy exterior of the on-air programme there lurks backstage intrigues, scandal and huge egos in conflict; an insider's account of the private life of a TV station. My second novel AFTER THE STORM follows an English couple who get on a small boat with two American strangers to sail to an island after knowing them less then 24 hours. It has been described as Marine Noir. My debut novel THE LIE OF YOU is a portrait of obsession to the point of madness in which a woman tries to destroy her colleague. For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/janelythell Facebook - www.facebook.com/janelythellbooks/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/jane_lythell_writer/ Read on for a wonderfully insightful guest post from Jane Lythell.... GUEST POST
BEHIND HER BACK: CREATING BELIEVABLE CHARACTERS It’s so important to create characters your reader will believe in. It doesn't matter if they dislike a character or adore them, but it does matter if they don’t believe in them. I create a sheet for each of my main characters and think about what food, clothes and music they would like. What is their greatest fear and the worst thing that has happened to them? Even if not all of this makes its way into the book it helps the characters to live in my mind. With Liz Lyon for example:
I went over to the phone and snatched it up. It was one of those stupid recorded calls about payment protection. I slammed the phone down. Flo had gone into her room and I heard her pulling her chair to wedge against the door. She was barricading herself into her room. Our relationship had come to that. I paced up and down the sitting room thinking I would phone Ben and tell him to butt out. He had asked me to let her do the fashion shoot, for chrissakes, and now there was trouble he was backing her; anything so he could be the good-time dad and I could be in the wrong. I went into my bedroom and called his number. It rang and rang but he didn’t pick up. I took off my boots and I felt like crying. I heard the front door slam and I rushed out. Flo had left a note on the kitchen table. I hate you. I’ve gone to stay with Rosie. I did what I always do when I’m feeling stressed and turned to comfort food. I made myself macaroni cheese with an extra helping of Cheddar. It was death by cheese. My flat has always been my haven from work but at the moment it’s warfare at work and warfare at home. In contrast to Liz, Fizzy Wentworth is the star of StoryWorld TV. She started as the PA to the Managing Director and her first role was as the weather presenter. Her rise to the main anchor role was meteoric. Her traits are:
‘Now I know I said there’d be no photos of Zac shown on screen but I’ve been thinking about it. It’s not unreasonable for the viewers to want to see Zac, is it? I mean, they sent me all those toys and bootees and shawls,’ Fizzy said. ‘They have been amazingly generous. They love you,’ I said. ‘So I had this brainwave. I’m going to hire a top portrait photographer to take a mother and baby shot of me and Zac. I want the man who did Prince George.’ ‘Wow…’ ‘I want something extremely tasteful. And I’m willing to share the best shot on StoryWorld – only one photo and it won’t be broadcast anywhere else.’ ‘That’s a great idea,’ I said. ‘I’m glad you like it. I think it gives the viewers something back without anyone being able to accuse me of cashing in on my baby.’ It amused me that Fizzy wanted the royal photographer for this but then Zachary had been born into the mad world of celebrity royalty. Having created your characters the joy (and the work) is in making the plot developments stem from those very character traits you have portrayed. So Liz’s self-doubt is a factor in how the story plays out as is Fizzy’s highly competitive nature. I am disappointed when I read a book and a character has been bent out of shape in order to deliver a late twist. A reader shouldn’t think ‘but he or she would never have done that!’ I think it is important to stay true to how your characters would behave. Jane Lythell *I want to thank Clare from Head of Zeus Publishing, and the author Jane Lythell, for the opportunity to review this book and take part in this blog tour. Don't forget to check out all of the other stops along the way! And thanks again to Jane for the great guest post above.
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WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! Currently ReadingUPCOMING BLOG TOURS
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