In celebration of the release of What Doesn’t Kill You, my first novel in the Chesil Series, Truth or Dare?, is currently 99p on Amazon (10 December 2015)
If you like your romances a little darker, why not check out The Chesil Series?
Take care.
I am thrilled, delighted and honoured to bring you the news that my third book, What Doesn’t Kill You, is the first to be published under Choc Lit’s newest imprint!
Dark Choc Lit is the new imprint for ‘… compelling, emotional, hard-hitting novels. Not your typical romance story.’
My author tag is ‘romance without the soft edges’, and with Truth or Dare? being quoted on Amazon as ‘hard-hitting‘ (wood_beez48), ‘romance but so much more‘ (Happy reader), and ‘For those who like their romance/love stories a bit tougher, then Truth or Dare? is it.‘ (Book reviews), and Follow Me Follow You, being ‘very emotionally affecting‘ (Welsh Annie) and ‘a mature romance with it’s feet set firmly in reality‘ (Shani), I feel very at home with Dark Choc Lit.
It is most definitely the home for the third in the Chesil Series, What Doesn’t Kill You, and I’d like to take this time to thank my amazing publisher for this opportunity.
So … are you ready to see the beautiful Berni Stevens cover? I have no idea how Berni does it, but she captures the essence of the entire story with her stunning covers.
Scroll down …
It’s a beauty …
The Blurb:
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – but how strong can one person be?
Griff Hendry knows what it is to be strong. After a turbulent past, he’s dedicated himself to saving lives, working as a coastguard along the breath-taking shores of Dorset. It’s Griff’s belief that everyone is worth saving – which is why he can’t forgive his father, Logan, for what he did.
Griff’s future is plunged into uncertainty when his wife, Evie, tells him she wants a separation. The revelation is a shock and leads Griff to question what Evie could possibly be hiding – and she isn’t the only one holding back. Griff’s troubled stepdaughter, Tess, also harbours a dark secret.
As the truth is uncovered, Griff is forced to accept that perhaps he’s never understood what real strength is.
From Dark Choc Lit – compelling, emotional, hard-hitting novels. Not your typical romance story.
Available for pre-order from Amazon.
I am so excited!
Set for publication on the 26th November.
I really hope you enjoy the read.
Take care.
Website Jail.
I’ve been in website jail. It’s taken a little while to sort out, but I am once again free to blog!
I was victim to over a thousand spam or non-existent subscribers, and as my last blog went out, so did three thousand emails, of which hundreds pinged back. This action put my website host on alert, and quite rightly, they put the site on lock-down.
In order to gain back control, I had to delete the dead or spam email addresses and install a captcha code box to prevent robot subscribers. I spent a lot of hours copying, pasting and deleting these addresses in order to remove them from my database, and once I let my provider know I’d complied with their request, my site was unblocked.
So, lesson learned. On the off-chance my code box doesn’t pick up all the spammers, I will delete the addresses that ping back as and when they occur. The reason I didn’t do this before? Fear of the unknown. Well, now I know, and despite being a lengthy process, it turned out to be reasonably simple thing to fix.
What I wanted to tell you, whilst I was in website jail, was that both my Choc Lit novels, Truth or Dare?, and Follow Me Follow You, are in the Amazon summer sale, each 99p to download, here. If you’ve read and enjoyed them, please do recommend them to a fellow reader. Thanks.
Ahhhh. Life on the outside … Oh. It’s raining.
Time to curl up with a good book, then.
Laura x
I have some exciting news for both Truth or Dare? and Follow Me Follow You.
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 You is 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.
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.
Morning all and happy bonfire night!
My Choc Lit debut novel Truth or Dare? is a Kindle Daily Deal today, November 5th 2014.
‘Really enjoyed this book – couldn’t put it down and read it over 3 nights. There were elements of the characters I could really relate to, especially Rosie. After about 2 years of not reading anything at all it was the perfect story to get me back into books and I’m looking forward to the next one.’ – Amazon Reviewer.
For 99p, this first book in the Chesil Series will take you on a journey from Bedfordshire to Dorset, to the spectacular Chesil Beach, as you meet Kate Blair, Rosie Jenkins, Josh Willis and Declan O’Brien.
Would you know when to do the wrong thing for the right reason?
Truth or Dare?
Love’s a dangerous game …
Kate Blair’s sick of unrequited love. She’s quietly waited for Mickey for the past six years and finding a compass-carved heart, with their initials scratched through the middle, only strengthens her resolve: no more Mickey and no more playing it safe.
It’s time to take a chance on real love and Declan O’Brien’s the perfect risk. He’s handsome, kind, and crazy about her so it’s not long before all thoughts of Mickey come few and far between.
But old habits die-hard. Kate may have started to forget … but has Mickey?
What’s Another Year?
What’s another year? I remember it as a 1980 Eurovision Contest winning song from Johnny Logan. It gave me shivers at the time.
Another year this time round sees the first anniversary of the publication of my debut novel, Truth or Dare?, book 1 in the Chesil Series. Plenty has happened in those twelve months. 
The book had a cover makeover for a start.
ToD was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction’s Best Romantic eBook, my short story, Mulled Wine and Cupcakes, was accepted by Choc Lit and published in the Love Match Selection anthology, I was invited to and attended Weymouth’s SandWorld to celebrate their Books and Author theme for 2014, and my second book, Follow Me, Follow You, book 2 in the Chesil Series, went into print – my first paperback, which I’m thrilled and relieved to say has been exceedingly well-received.
The Romaniacs, of whom I’m a member, went digital, forming Romaniac Press, and publishing our first anthology, Romaniac Shorts, with proceeds donated to the Romantic Novelists’ Association and Dyslexia Action. It’s a collection of twenty-two stories, some dark, others quirky or funny, which has received lovely reviews.
My short story, Bitter Sweet, was selected for the RNA anthology, Truly, Madly, Deeply, appearing in the extended digital edition, and last week saw my first foray into the world of judging, as I attended the Bridport Story Slam.
It’s been busy.
And I managed to feed my children! Although on occasion, they kept my 
engine running smoothly, particularly following my wrist surgery at Christmas. 
My daughter made a delicious gluten-free, vegetarian pie for my Christmas lunch, and my son took care of my scar, rubbing Bio Oil in at every opportunity.
Gajitman kept the supplies of coffee and chocolate coming. No mean feat, I can tell you.
And, in time for the RNA’s summer conference, I made gluten-free gin and tonic cupcakes. Oh yes.
Looking ahead, I shall be at SandWorld for the third and final time this season as an attending author on Wednesday 29th October 2014, signing copies of FMFY and enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the staff. It’s been an absolute pleasure spending time there, and I highly recommend it for a trip out. The sand sculptures are incredible.
I am 30,000 words into book 3 in the Chesil Series, provisionally titled, What Doesn’t Kill You, and have set a new deadline of 24th December 2014 to get the first draft completed. My intention is to sign up to NaNoWriMo this year to encourage me to push through to the end of the novel.
Towards the end of November, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society are kindly running a giveaway of FMFY. I wrote an article which appeared in February’s magazine reflecting on how I achieved a life-long dream of becoming a published author. It’s a great organisation, which is currently running a Remission Mission. I’m on the wall. I wonder if you can tell what my remission mission is …
My mission for today is to thank everyone who has made my writing dream come true, and salute those who have been kind enough to buy, read and review the books.
Thank you.
Take care.
Follow Me, Follow You Teasers: Day 11. Launch Day Goodies Pt 2
Since I’ve been writing for Choc Lit, I’ve learned some new skills.
When once I couldn’t bake cupcakes that didn’t resemble biscuits, I can now produce edibles sponges, brought about by providing tried and tested recipes for the Choc Lit anthologies.
With the release of my debut last year, Truth or Dare?, I produced home-made scratch cards for readers to take
part in a game of Truth or Dare.
When once I couldn’t make … Ah, well, there’s the teaser. Let’s just say my daughter taught me how to make the fun goodies we’re giving away at the launch.
Animals: What’s Your Purr-fect Companion?
I know. It’s a corny title, but it suits this post.
As I passed SplatCat Rascal on the landing today, and having only moments before finished reading Shani Struther’s The Haunting of Highdown Hall, I got to thinking about the use of animals and pets in novels.
In Shani’s story, I met Jed, a dog. He is a wonderful companion to the heroine, Ruby, and I confess, I formed an attachment to him from the off. As writers, we know everything we put into a novel must have a purpose – to move the story forward, give insight into our characters, cause and/or resolve conflict, set the scene – and Jed has a purpose. You’ll have to read the wonderful book to find out what, but he’s not there for his cuteness alone.
Declan, my hero in Truth or Dare?, has a cat called Toto. As much as Toto would have loved a major role, he was written in for three small, but significant
reasons: to show the hero’s caring nature, to illustrate to the reader Declan possesses the ability to form attachments, and to act as Declan’s confidant. Declan talks to Toto and shares with him his innermost thoughts. I do it all the time with Daisy and Rascal …
In my work-in-progress, What Doesn’t Kill You, Griff Hendry, the male protagonist, has an old English sheepdog. Why have I written a dog into the story? My hero is a man who needs a dog. Without Ozzy, Griff feels incomplete. They’ve been together for a few years and they are best buds. Sometimes Ozzy is the only one who responds to Griff. Sometimes Ozzy is the only member of the family Griff totally understands. Ozzy never criticises, never moans and is always happy to see his master, but the old English sheepdog is the one who, albeit unwittingly, compels Griff to give serious consideration to his strongly-held beliefs.
What have animals brought to your novel? What’s your favourite book where the animal is the main character?
And yes, before you ask, Black Beauty made me cry.
Follow Me, Follow You, my new paperback with Choc Lit, has no animals … wait a minute … Did I hear a baa?
Take care.
For more photos of SplatCat Rascal and friends, please follow me on Pinterest. The Board is called Mad Cats and Englishmen.
Follow Me, Follow You: Preparing to Launch
It’s been an exciting few days as I’m now in a position to start putting together the invitation for the book launch of my first paperback, Follow Me, Follow You, published by Choc Lit , out September 2014.
Together with three local Weymouth writers, Kathy Sharp, Kate Kelly and Carol Hunt, I am hosting an author afternoon and launch at the Chesil Beach Centre, run by the fabulous Dorset Wildlife Trust. It is the perfect location, as Chesil Beach plays a major role in Follow Me, Follow You, and it also features in my debut novel, Truth or Dare?. My current work-in-progress also uses Chesil, Portland, Abbotsbury and surrounding areas as the backdrop, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to show friends and family why I love writing with Dorset as the setting. Perhaps I should call the books The Chesil Series.
I’m in the process of creating the invitations, but here are the details as they stand:
Saturday September 6th
14:00 – 16:00
Chesil Beach Centre, Ferrybridge.
There is a plenty of parking (pay and display) and a café attached to the centre. With the pebbly beach and sea either side, it is a beautiful spot. I would like to thank Dorset Wildlife Trust for the wonderful support.
We would love to see you there – there will be giveaways and the opportunity to chat with the local authors, buy the books, and if you would like, have them signed.
And so you know, I’ve been diligently practising my signature … 🙂
I look forward to seeing you there.
Take care.
My name is Laura James and I write romantic fiction. The romantic fiction I write is published in novel, short story and flash fiction form.
This isn’t a secret. Nor is it a brag. This is me standing up, taking aim and shooting out arrows of positivity. Whoosh!
During the 11th to the 14th July 2014, I attended my third Romantic Novelists’ Association conference.
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.’
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, Deeply anthology, 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 You due 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.
It’s a fabulous genre.
Take care.