I have some exciting news for both Truth or Dare? and Follow Me Follow You.
‘Thank god for amazon and my kindle, if it wasn’t for these I would never get to read great books like this.’ Amazon Reviewer.
Truth or Dare? has been selected for Amazon’s Kindle Valentine Deal, and is currently 99p only to download. If you enjoy reading romance without the soft edges, this could be the book for you. It’s received great reviews, and it’s a thrill knowing readers really enjoyed a different type of romance novel – my type of romance novel.
Follow Me Follow Youis now available as an audio book, which is a first for me. I would love to hear from you if you listen to Chris and Victoria’s story.
Also with Follow Me Follow You, I am delighted to say I have my first Waterstones book signing on Valentine’s Day, Saturday 14th February, in the Dorchester branch. I’ll be there from 11-1, signing copies of my paperback, and would love for you to come and say hello, and of course, buy a book 😀 Follow Me already has twenty 5* reviews.
‘I loved it – a cleverly created world, a beautiful love story, and enough dark and light to make it a really original read.’ Welsh Annie
Waterstones are running an entire day of romance related events and it’s going to be brilliant.
That’s my news for today. I still have my head down, getting on with book 3, What Doesn’t Kill You, and it’s rattling along at a fair speed now as everything is coming together for the big finish. I’m also thinking about book 4 and have a title and an idea for that, so as soon as I’ve submitted WDKY …
Have a great week, and take care in this cold, icy weather.
Happy New Year! I hope 2015 started on a positive note for you, and continues in the same way.
My year has begun with the determination to hit my March deadline for book 3, which means a daily word count of 2000, plus a rewrite. I’m not a fast first draft writer, often agonising over every word, but this does mean the second draft is usually less painful and less time consuming.
In the meantime and at the time of writing this post … the RNA anthology, Truly, Madly, Deeplyis currently 59p only, as a download from Amazon. My short story, Bitter Sweet, is in this extended addition, along with 34 stories written by romantic novelists. It’s a varied, interesting and wonderful collection of stories, showcasing the many types of romance and romance writing.
I am a huge Paloma Faith fan and there have been many times I’ve turned to her music for inspiration. On occasion, lyrics have triggered thoughts that led to me solving plot problems in my novels, and I’ll quite often play particular songs from her albums to set the mood and tone of the scene I’m writing.
Paloma is one of the artists I would travel miles to see and hear perform live.
Our trip to Bath at the end of November was built around a Paloma gig at the wonderful art deco Bath Forum. As soon as my friend and I arrived and parked the car, we went in search of the Forum, only to discover the car park was right next door. The crew was unloading the lorry with the instruments and set and there was a part of me that wondered if we’d see Paloma enter the building.
The Forum Seats 1800
The gig was outstanding – beautifully crafted, with endless energy and excellent musicianship from Paloma and the band, delivered with humour, passion and emotion, all of which drew me in. I admire Paloma’s creativity and her ability to connect. For me, she achieves in the music world all that I strive to achieve in the writing world.
Once again, a plot problem I’ve been struggling with was resolved by listening to Paloma, only this time it wasn’t through the lyrics of a song, but in her funny and chatty link to Ready For The Good Life. I’m trying to work out why this happens. Is it because we both write about romance and relationships?
How have your plot problems been resolved?
We didn’t see Paloma enter the building, but I live in hope that I will one day meet her to thank her for helping keep my creative well topped up.
Did I mention I’m a huge Paloma faith fan?
In my final part of the mini series, I’ll be taking a look at a recent TV drama that has my mind buzzing.
On Sunday 2nd November 2014, my daughter and I attended the launch of Isabella Connor’s second Choc Lit novel, An Irish Promise.
Liv & Laura
Arriving promptly at 14:00 hours, I was jubilant at having reached our destination sixty miles from home on time, despite a long wait for a bacon bap, and a traffic jam somewhere near Lyndhurst.
It was only when I asked my daughter to check the invitation to ensure we were most definitely and absolutely at the right building, I realized we were an hour early …
What can I say? I was keen.
Isabella Connor is the pen name of Liv Thomas and Valerie Olteanu. With Val
Liv Thomas
in Canada, the launch was hosted by my lovely friend and fellow ChocLiteer, Liv, who ran a cryptic quiz, raising funds for charity, answered questions from the floor, and signed copies of An Irish Promise.
With orange, white and green bunting, food and drink-a-plenty, and live music from the excellent Kat Sinclair, it
Kat Sinclair
was a fab event.
As a proud and contented owner of a signed paperback version of An Irish
Promise, and having spent the afternoon with Liv, her family and friends, other writers and my daughter, I’d say it was time well spent.
Even the spare hour between two and three.
Isabella Connor’s An Irish Promiseis available now.
Laura x
Blurb: A promise is a promise … Art historian, Rachel Ford has returned to the Irish village of Kilbrook intent on keeping her promise to take revenge on the school bullies who ruined her childhood and destroyed her family. Australian actor, Finn MacKenzie sets hearts fluttering when he turns up in sleepy Kilbrook to help his aunt with a school production. He seems to have a charmed life, yet his confident façade hides heartbreak and tragedy. Although Finn isn’t looking for love, when he meets the mysterious Rachel, there’s a definite spark between them. Rachel is torn between her desire for revenge and this new love affair. She doesn’t want to deceive Finn, but can she trust him to keep her real identity a secret? And will he understand why she must keep her promise, no matter the cost?
Lisa Eveleigh, Gillian Green, Lyn Vernham and Matt Bates: The role of booksellers, publishers & agents in a new book buying age.
It was fabulous – a concoction of workshops, discussion panels, friends, food and wine. I never fail to learn at these events. My friend and fellow Romaniac, Sue Fortin has posted a wonderful round-up of the weekend here. The RNA has a great post here.
At one point of the proceedings, there was an interesting, unscheduled chat about how comfortable we feel saying we write romantic fiction.
In my early days … okay, two years ago … I was slightly ill at ease telling people I was a writer. It had nothing to do with the genre – I am incredibly happy to be reading and writing romantic fiction – it was more that I had nothing solid to show for my efforts. In April 2012, when my 1500 word story, Bitter Sweet, achieved the runner-up position in Choc Lit’s short story competition, I had my first writing credit, and it was a little easier to speak the words, albeit it quietly, ‘I am a writer.’
Penrith 2012
Later that year, at the RNA conference in Penrith, the lovely Miranda Dickinson presented a workshop and everything I’d experienced, she too had been through, but she was a writer, and the more she said it, the easier it became to repeat and believe.
I left that presentation motivated and inspired, and still have the postcards Miranda gave out that day, asserting ‘I write, therefore I am a writer.’
Things have progressed for me since then, with Bitter Sweet finding a home in the RNA’s Truly, Madly, Deeplyanthology, stories in Romaniac Shorts, publication in Choc Lit’s Love Match, with a second anthology from them out soon, my debut novel, Truth or Dare? digitally published last October and my first paperback, Follow Me, Follow Youdue out this September. All my stories are romantic fiction.
I’m hoping you’re reading this and picturing me talking about it to you, my eyes wide with excitement, my speech a little too fast for clarity, because I love what I do. I love writing.
And I love writing romantic fiction.
I believe in self-fulfilling prophecies and affirmations. I believe that by saying something often enough, that dream, that hope, will happen. Whether caught up in the enthusiasm or reacting to the broken record, others start to believe too, and things happen.
Yes, we make our own luck, seek out the opportunities, put ourselves forward, but we need to believe in ourselves and in what we do to have the energy to pursue the dream. And that energy and belief will draw people in.
Negative energy will repel.
My name is Laura James, and I write romantic fiction.
I am delighted, thrilled and excited beyond belief to announce that my second novel, titled, Follow Me, Follow You, is to be published by Choc Lit in both digital and paperback formats later this year.
This will be my first book published as a paperback, and I cannot wait to hold a copy. The very talented artist and writer, Berni Stevens, designed the beautiful cover and has once more produced a perfect work of art and captured the essence of the whole novel.
I think this is a stunning cover. Thank you Berni and Choc Lit.
I feel privileged to be able to share this today, as it’s the second anniversary of the passing of my lovely mum. I started writing this book in the January of 2012, and was 60,000 words in to the first draft before Mum died, and whilst she never had the chance to read Follow Me, Follow You, she was kept abreast of the characters’ comings and goings.
As I stated before, she was a great supporter of my dream to write, and I can imagine her smile upon seeing this. She would say the cover was totally me.
Okay. She probably wouldn’t use the word ‘totally’, but she would instinctively know how much I love the colours, and the sheer pizzazz of the shooting star.
Sharing this today is fitting, and for me, completes another circle.
Take care.
Laura x
Follow Me, Follow You:
Victoria Noble has pulled the plug on romance. As director of the number one social networking site, EweSpeak, and single mother to four-year-old Seth, she wrestles with the work-life balance.
Enter Chris Frampton, Hollywood action hero and Victoria’s first love. His return from LA has sparked a powder keg of media attention, and with secrets threatening to fuel the fire, he’s desperate to escape. But finding a way forward is never simple. Although his connection with Victoria has lasted the test of time, has he been adrift too long to know how to move on? With the risk of them breaking, will either follow their heart?
Yes to all three. What a weekend at Bedford’s Festival of Romance!
This was my third attendance, but my first as a published author, and it was a thrill to be behind the Choc Lit table, chatting with readers and writers who share the same passion for romance.
I took my Truth or Dare? scratch cards and I’m now waiting for more of those truths or dares to hit the wall of my Facebook page, before choosing a winner to receive a Kindle version of the book. If you have anything you wish to share, or evidence of a dare, why not drop by and reveal all, here?
Lucie Wheeler, collecting her New Talent Award
Saturday night saw the presentation of the awards, the results of which can be seen here. Many congratulations to all the winners and nominees. I was particularly excited when my lovely Romaniac friend, Lucie Wheeler picked up the New Talent Award. Congratulations, Lucie – it was a hotly-contested prize.
On Sunday morning, I, along with another Romaniac friend, Celia J Anderson, Linn B Halton and Kristy Price were on a panel discussing the factors that helped us on our way to publication. For at least three of us, belonging to a writing group has made a huge difference, providing support, guidance, and friendship.
I’m reading Sue Moorcroft’s ‘Dream A Little Dream’, a romance where narcolepsy is central to the story. I will review the book once I’ve read it in it’s entirety, but will say I am thoroughly enjoying it. That’s no surprise to me, as I rate the author, both as a writer and a tutor. In July, I’m leaving Gajitman here to hold the fort, whilst I jet off to Italy for a week-long course at Arte Umbria, to be taught by Sue.
The reason for posting today is that ‘Dream A Little Dream‘, with its theme of narcolepsy, is a timely read for me. The hero, Dominic, is dealing with a recent diagnosis of the disorder. This not only includes coming to terms with a life-long medical issue, but taking on board all the other areas of his life that are affected by the sleep disorder. He is unable to continue with his job, not allowed to drive, and is concerned the diagnosis ended his previous relationship.
Why is this timely?
Last week, a close member of my family was diagnosed with epilepsy. Whilst I had reached this conclusion myself, it still winded me to hear the words spoken by the specialist. It’s early days, and, as a family, we are busy researching and learning about the condition, appreciating knowledge is power. I’ve had rheumatoid arthritis since I was eighteen. It can be frustrating at times, but I’ve had long enough to work out my limitations, and know to focus on the positives; what I can achieve, not what I cannot. It’s important that I retain my independence, but ask for help when necessary. But that’s life, isn’t it?
I don’t know how Dominic’s story will pan out, but his journey has been so well researched, thought out and portrayed, I have found comfort in reading it and relating it to my family circumstances. I think it is wonderful that well-written fiction can help people understand and deal with real problems.
Which authors and books have helped you make sense of the world?
The weekend of November 16th sees the start of the 2012 Festival of Romance, in Bedford.
I attended the inaugural Festival last year in Watford and had a thoroughly brilliant time. I met authors, publishers, editors and a group of ladies who, with me, were to become The Romaniacs.
The Festival format is a little different this year with Regency Romance hitting Bedford town centre and workshops and events divided between venues.
Friday night is the Festival of Romance Awards and Ball and I am thrilled to announce my current work in progress, ‘Follow Me’, has been shortlisted for the New Talent Award. Not only that, but five of my fellow Romaniacs are also on that list.
In total, twenty five new writers are in the running, so there’s plenty of great competition out there.
Many friends are up for a variety of awards and it is fantastic their hard work is being highlighted in such a positive way.
I offer my congratulations to everyone whose name has appeared on a shortlist and thank Kate Allan, Chief Organiser, and the committee for all their hard work in producing a weekend of romance.
For those who cannot make the event, I hope you enjoy your own weekend of romance.
On Saturday 13th October 2012, I attended an Advance Novel Writing Course, run by Julie Cohen. It tickles me that it was held in Reading. I know it’s pronounced Redding, but still.
I enjoyed the whole experience – the early morning drive, meeting like-minded souls and learning how to improve my writing.
The main thrust of the day for me was finding ways to build up my hero in ‘Truth or Dare?’ I’ve been working on ‘beefing’ him up and increasing his point of view, but felt I’d reached a point where anything I added would be waffle. As writers, we know that everything we put in a story must move it forward. Through Julie’s exercises, I have found depths to my hero that need exploring and sides to him I hadn’t considered. This excites me. I have so many ideas, I’m having to rein them in a little, just until I have them under control.
I type this as my two recently acquired kittens, Rascal and Sheldon, run riot around my house. If I can get them sorted, I’m hoping my ideas will lie down and also submit.
