Declan and Kate spend the night here.
Weymouth and writing go together like fish and chips, the sea and sand, and Portland Bill and the red and white lighthouse. I love using scenery from my home town, and Chesil Beach features in both Truth or Dare? and Follow Me, but leading up to the release this week of my debut, Truth or Dare?, I would like to share with you an insight into my life, in fact and fiction.
Truth or Dare? begins in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, where I bought my first house. In the late eighties and early nineties, it was a small market town, a fifteen minute drive from the big shops in Central Milton Keynes. I moved there from Watford, primarily because property was cheaper, but also for my job. I was an insurance claims assessor, and Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire were part of my area.
My parents lived in Weymouth, and I visited whenever work, social life, and Rotaract permitted, rising early so during my drive I would see the sun drift over Salisbury Cathedral, and arrive in Weymouth in time to watch the dedicated dog-walkers set their hounds free on the beach. I would reach my parents’ house ready to sit at the family table for breakfast. Sometimes I told my mum I was coming, other times, I’d just pitch up.
I’ve lived in Weymouth for twenty years, on three separate occasions, this latest spell being the longest. I cannot imagine leaving. It holds many precious memories – marriage, births, deaths, friendships.
I love the scenery, the drama, the cry of the gulls. The sea.
It is no wonder Weymouth and Portland feature in my novels. I hope I can do it justice.
And I hope you enjoy reading Truth or Dare? It’s published today, and is available on Kindle.
Laura x
Truth or Dare? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G3I4PHM
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?
Choc Lit Lite.
As I was reading this post, I could picture you, Laura, and had such a smile on my face as it perfectly reflects the loving, caring, dedicated person you are. What a gorgeous venue The Smugglers Inn looks too! Great photos. I’m thrilled to bits for your success and wish you the very best with Truth or Dare xxx
Thank you, Jan. Part of the Smugglers is thirteenth century. It’s the perfect location for a wedding reception. We had glorious weather on our day 🙂 xx
I am happy and proud to have known you since your Watford and Rotaract days. I remember your lovely house in LB and all of the fun we had producing pop quizzes – and being on the winning team at the District 126 pop quiz 3 years running!!
I’m sure I’ve been to the Smugglers Inn with you. Is that the one near Osmington Bay?
That’s the one, Jo 🙂 And thank you for your lovely comments. We spent a lot of time talking about our favourite bands. I’d forgotten about the pop quiz. Good memories xxx