**Lust or Love Review**

Lust or Love Part 1: The Beginning by H Barlow.

Earlier on in the week, I was lucky enough to take part in the Lust or Love Blog Tour where I got to interview the wonderful H Barlow. It's always good to get into the mind of other authors and find out what makes them tick. It also got me wanting to read Lust or Love!

In Brief ~

Lust or Love is a three part series which follows Heather and Kian and their lust or love for each other. Part 1 the beginning sends us back six years to when Heather and Kian met and Heather's struggle of being a young single mother whilst living with her parents and working in a night club.

The Blurb ~ 

LUST OR LOVE IS ONLY FOR ADULTS 18 + WHO ARE NOT EASILY OFFENDED BY SOME SWEARING AND SOME SEXUAL CONTENT. 

Lust or love is set in South Yorkshire,town Doncaster, UK .The speech and thoughts of the characters is set in the south Yorkshire accent and Doncaster's pronunciation of words. 

Lust or Love is the first in a 3 part series.
 
What do you do when the one who is very wrong for you keeps coming back into your life? Single mum Heather is turning 30 and evaluating her life. Set in 2011 in a small town in Yorkshire England. Look back into Heather's past and follow her to the present. Heather has for 6 years been torn between her feelings for the destructive Kian and the harsh truth that they probably wont ever be together. Over 6 years life has took them both in different directions, however Heather can never seem to get Kian out of her mind and sometimes at the most unexpected points in her life Kian always seems to reappear. If it isn't really love then is the lust worth the pain of the heartache and can Heather ever let Kian go for good.

My Review ~

From the second I started reading this book, Hayley had me hooked. She reeled me in and kept me there. I did not want to put the book down. I was totally addicted and wanted to know what happened next. I had it finished in no time, one because I needed to know what happened next and two because it is a fairly short quick read. 

When I started reading it, I wasn't sure what to expect but it wasn't what I got. It's wrote in an easy to read way, which kept it light and very entertaining. It was very different to what I have previously read and this is a good thing. It's what makes it stand out. I hate the fact that I now have to wait to find out what happens next but it also gives me something to look forward to. I will definitely have my finger at the ready to download part 2 BUT when will that be? 

If you'd like to read something a little different that will leave you wanting more, then I recommend you download this author's debut novel. 

Links ~

Lust or Love Part 1: The Beginning ~ Amazon.co.uk

Lust or Love Part 1: The Beginning ~ Amazon.com

***It Had To Be You Review***

Lynda Renham has only gone and bloody done it again! Croissants & Jam was my favourite by this talented author but now I think I may have a new one... It Had To Be You is wonderfully predictable that leaves you all warm and fuzzy!

In Brief  ~ 

Binki's Christmas doesn't go quite to plan. She imagined her wonderful boyfriend Oliver proposing to her over the Christmas Turkey so then she could spend the new year organising the wedding of the year. Instead she finds herself propositioned by her boss's Christmas bonus and unfortunately it doesn't involve money. Her Christmas Eve goes from bad to worse when a traffic warden that has less Christmas spirit then her issues her faithful KA with a parking ticket, a not very nice Christmas tree stabs her in the eye and worse still, ends with finding said wonderful boyfriend drunkenly humping his boss in their bed!

My Review ~ 

This book will surely have you smile and occasionally giggle as Binki starts to rebuild her life. The new year looks promising when she inherits her auntie's beautiful house but there's just one problem ~ it already has a resident and it turns out her aunt left it to them both! A new house, a new job, even it isn't her preferred choice and new best friend has Binki all in a spin and sparks starts to fly!  

Binki is such a likeable character and I share her passion for m&m's and the chocolate teapot. In fact I am investing in one! William is an absolute gem. A true gentleman, good looking with a sense of humour and loaded to boot. Lynda had me questioning would they, won't they and screaming no not Oliver! I really wasn't disappointed so thank you Lynda for another fabulous read. I cannot wait for the next one...

 If you would like to read it, here's the blurb and links. Enjoy!

Blurb ~

When 29-year-old Binki Grayson is offered Christmas bonus by her boss at the office party she didn't imagine he meant a quickie over his desk. Things for Binki just go from bad to worse and by Christmas Day she is not only jobless but boyfriend-less, so when she discovers her late Aunt Vera has left her something in her will she thinks things can only get better. What she doesn't realise is that her inheritance comes with a complication by the name of William Ellis.

A mishmash of misunderstandings, sex-shop escapades, high finance and a blooming romance make It Had to Be You another hilarious romantic comedy by the uproarious Lynda Renham.

Links ~ 

It Had To Be You ~ Amazon.co.uk

It Had To Be You ~ Amazon.com

Other books by Lynda  ~ 

 

***Lust Or Love Blog Tour***

Welcome to Lust or Love Blog Tour by the wonderful H. Barlow.

It's my pleasure to be part of this blog tour and to help promote H. Barlow's debut novel Lust or Love part 1 ~ The Beginning. As part of the blog tour, I got to interview the wonderful author herself, Hayley Barlow.

LUST OR LOVE IS ONLY FOR ADULTS 18 + WHO ARE NOT EASILY OFFENDED BY SOME SWEARING AND SOME SEXUAL CONTENT.

Lust or Love is set in South Yorkshire, town Doncaster, UK .The speech and thoughts of the characters is set in the south Yorkshire accent and Doncaster's pronunciation of words.

Lust or Love is the first in a 3 part series.

What do you do when the one who is very wrong for you keeps coming back into your life? Single mum Heather is turning 30 and evaluating her life. Set in 2011 in a small town in Yorkshire England. Look back into Heather's past and follow her to the present. Heather has for 6 years been torn between her feelings for the destructive Kian and the harsh truth that they probably wont ever be together. Over 6 years life has took them both in different directions,however heather can never seem to get Kian out of her mind and sometimes at the most unexpected points in her life Kian always seems to reappear. If it isn't really love then is the lust worth the pain of the heartache and can Heather ever let Kian go for good.

Hello Hayley and welcome to my blog. It's great to have you here and be apart of this blog tour. Right, let's get started...

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I used to love to write when I was in high school. When I was around 14 I think that I really got into my English work, writing story’s and reports for class. After I left school I never had the confidence to take it any further, work and life took over until I was 31. I decided to make some live changes and do things that I love to do and writing again was one of them.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Lust or love is my first novel and took over a year to write . It was going to be a stand alone until few months ago I decided that  there was more that  could be added to the book, I decided  it could split it into three parts and I'm still working on changing parts two and three. 

What is your work schedule like when you're writing? 

Hectic it is hard to stick to a schedule, I am still learning to do that one. 

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

I would hope that my characters are ever day people that can be easily related two, also my south Yorkshire accent is in there as my home Doncaster is were my book and characters are from. 

How do you plan to publish? (self or publisher)

I have been signed by a small publishing company Nocturnal Press Publications. 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? 

Slightly from my own experience’s, honestly I have had some rubbish relationship’s and I'm still single now. I know what it’s like to be a single mum and I can relate in some ways with Heather. 

When did you write your first book and how old were you? 

Lust or love is my first book and I was 31 when I started the story. 

What do you like to do when you're not writing? 

Other then spending quality time with my daughter,family and friends, I enjoy my job as a self employed massage and holistic therapist, and I enjoy curling up with a good book. 

What does your family think of your writing? 

Friends have read the book and love it my family support me in anything they do but cant read it purely because of the sexual content ,my sister said she wouldn't be able to determine Its just a character. 

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? 

The massive support system that I have gained just on Facebook by opening my own page and being in many book groups there has been a lot of Inspirational people supporting me from the very start of me writing the story. 

How many books have you written? Which is your favourite? 

Lust or love is only one so far However by turning it into a three part series I think just love lust or love Part 2 is going to be my Favourite. 

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? 

I would always say to anybody who wants to write to do it or if you real that you are  in a slump don’t give up keep on  going, don’t ever think you can’t do anything  because you can, follow your dreams not anybody else’s. 

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? 

I do from a few which most have said that the characters are easy to relate to,that the story flows well,I know some have had a bit of difficulty with the Doncaster slang but for some they have not been but of by it as they story is really good and they can not wait till part 2. 

Do you like to create books for adults? 

I really do enjoy writing, it doesn't all have to be just about the sex but it is fun to fit it into a story and I like that now in this day of age that writers can to do so. 

What do you think makes a good story? 

For me as I like to read anything,the characters have got to be easy to relate to and to like (even if I  love to hate them) . The story has to grip me and helps if I feel a mix of emotions from start to the end of any story.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher, then in my teens I wanted to be a writer then late teens to early adult hood I wanted to own my own bar. Now I love being a mum I would to own my own holistic salon and to keep on writing. 

Thank you so much for joining me today Hayley! You can contact Hayley on the following link ~

Lust or Love Facebook Page

If you would like to read Lust or Love part 1 ~ The Beginning, you can purchase it in paperback or eCopy from Amazon here ~ 

Lust or Love Part 1 Amazon.co.uk

Lust or Love Part 1 Amazon.com

***Release Date Announcement***

At the beginning of the week I let you in on my best kept secret, in the shape of my new up and coming book series, The Maxwell Mysteries. I hope it was the news you were all waiting for and you're now like a cat on hot bricks waiting for the next big announcement. I know I am...

Now, if you like something that makes you laugh out loud whilst sitting in the corner with your nose in a book and your family thinking you've gone stark raving mad, then I think you may be in luck. This new series has a good mystery for you to sink your teeth into and hopefully keep you hooked as well as making you laugh and of course you can't have a good comedy without a romance. This new book has all three!

So here it is.... drum roll please.... 

April's Busman Holiday will hit your Kindles on Monday 21st April 2014. 

To celebrate the release of my first ever mystery book, we have decided to go all and will be holding a special event on Sunday 20th April. Prizes will include:

~ PDF file of April's Busman Holiday

~ Book cover keyrings

~ Signed book cover prints

~ Chocolates!

To take part, join up ~ April's Busman Holiday ~ Release Party for your chance to win!

I am also looking for bloggers willing to take part in my first ever blog tour. If you are interested, please sign up here ~ Blog Tour I would love to hear from you!

Kerry Frith Author website

Kerry Frith Author Facebook page

The Maxwell Mysteries

I'm sure most of you are aware I have been busy working on something new. I have kept it close to my chest because I wasn't sure where it would lead but I am so happy with the progress. It has developed more than I ever imagined and I absolutely love it. It's something out of my comfort zone and I wasn't sure if I could pull it off BUT I am hoping I have. I have enjoyed it so much, the story practically wrote itself.

April's Busman Holiday is book one in the series The Maxwell Mysteries. The series follows DI April Maxwell who works for Shoreditch CID unit in East London. She makes it her mission to solve crime whilst having the slight distraction of chocolate, wine and sexy men. I'm not sure how many books the series will include at this stage because right now I am bursting with ideas!

OK, so here it is ~ 

The Blurb:

DI April Maxwell is like a dog with a bone especially when there’s a case to solve or a criminal to catch. She lives for her job and she’s bloody good at it so when she is forced to take leave she can’t think of anything worse. After the first day, she’s bored and it seems her one and only solution is to, well, actually take a holiday.

April packs a bag and heads to the New Forest to visit her family but when a boy band member turns up murdered, it isn’t long before she’s on the case. April makes it her personal mission to find out who killed Kai Williams whilst dealing with her over opinionated mother, a grieving teenage niece and gorgeous ex-boyfriend living next door.

As she closes in on the killer, the killer closes in on her and the rivalry between April and her perfect little brother heats up. It becomes survival of the fittest but there’s just one problem – April has never been very fit but she hasn’t let a thing beat her yet.

Accents and British spelling are used for this book.

Here are 15 random facts about The Maxwell Mysteries

1. I have never written a murder mystery before. This is my first and I have loved it.

2. The main character, April is a 35 year old divorcee.

3. April is originally from Hampshire but now lives in East London where I am from.

4. My husband and I visited April’s home town of Fordingbridge in 2012 for our wedding anniversary.

5. April has an elder sister and a younger brother. She has been known to suffer from middle child syndrome.

6. April drives my dream car ~ an Audi A4 convertible.

7. I must say a lot of April’s personality is based on my own. It’s really hard to not include your own traits, thoughts and feelings into a character. It just comes naturally.

8. April is a workaholic and doesn’t have time for much else. She lives and breathes for her job.

9. April enjoys black coffee with no sugar.

10. April isn’t an animal person and she swears the cat next door is stalking her.

11. This is a series but I haven’t decided how many books will make up the series. I guess it’ll be when I run out of ideas, which to be fair, could be a long time. I am always bursting with ideas.

12. Not every book will be based on a murder. It’ll also include thieves, con men, and kidnappers.

13. This series isn’t a love story but it does include love interests. Whilst my previous work has had one hero, I’m going to enjoy creating a few different ones for April to sink her teeth into.

14. Book 1, April’s Busman Holiday only took a month to complete. Once I started it, it just came together without any effort. It practically wrote itself. 

15. My mum designed the book covers.   

Keep up to date with release dates, teasers and more via my Facebook page.

The Beginning After The End Blog Tour

Welcome to The Beginning after the End Blog Tour by Hafsa Idrees!

It's my pleasure to host a blog stop as part of Hafsa Idrees blog tour to help promote her debut novel The Beginning after the End. For my part in the blog tour, I got to interview the wonderful author herself, Hafsa Idress.

Hafsa is a multifaceted budding 21 years old Pakistani writer who has contributed as a content writer for a number of websites and magazines. She holds "The 2010 Regional Ricoh (USA) Sustainable and Development Award" for her contribution to the joint Entomology research paper for INTEL ISEF 2010. She also wrote for GOI Peace Foundation Japan. She has numerous honors credited to her name including the Editor and Ambassador of Pakistan's First Youth Newspaper "Shascha", SEO Manager of Revolution Flame, Head of the Creative Department at Fortune Technologies and the Award for "Best Ten Paintings" on World Science Day For Peace Development (2006) by Pakistan Science Foundation. She just published her debut novel on Contemporary Literary Fiction “The Beginning after the End”. Her short story “Bridge of Sighs” was the only one from Pakistan which made its way in to the 100 words’ stories collection of 2013 from all over the world. Having graduated from Punjab University, Lahore with roll of honor, currently she is pursuing her Masters in Anthropology from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.

“Hafsa Idrees tells an extraordinary story that will make you think about life, death, love and faith like nothing before. The Beginning after the End is a book with a big big heart and a deep deep soul. You don’t enter its world – it enters yours.”

Roy Eynhallow, EynhallowBooks.com

The Blurb

What can the fear of losing the ones we love push us to do? In Chrissie’s case, it pushed her to distance herself from Allan, the man she loves more than anything else in the world. She knows he will not marry her, that they don’t have a future together. But why does “out of sight” not mean “out of mind”? The wall that Chrissie has built around herself becomes a prison. As she fights for survival in the cold world she has created, she gets an unexpected call from Allan. This call changes her life forever.

Hello Hafsa and welcome to my blog. It's great to have you and be a part of this wonderful tour. So, let's get started. 

At what age did you start writing?

Writing comes to me naturally. Since I learned to read and write at the age of five I have been addicted to knowledge.  Not just about a few things, but about almost everything. I’ve been blessed to have had unusual experiences, and received a great education which enhanced my writing skills. However, my first article got published in “SAHAR” Magazine when I was in 8^th grade. It was a college magazine and making into it was a huge achievement at that time. Later, I took up part time content/academic writing job right after high school and never stopped ever since. I have just published my debut novel. 

 How were you discovered? 

My parents and teachers discovered me. When I was in school, my essays, stories etc. used to be unique and very mature. They used to observe my unusual behavior of over thinking and sensitivity which I used to relate with everyday activities. I was elder so my younger sibs and their friends got a chance to hear self-made stories and situations; I was a raconteur for them. 

 What books have you written? 

I have written only one book so far, “The Beginning after the End”. It’s a contemporary literary fiction and set in AZ, USA. Besides, I am working on my second book these days in which I am trying to focus on the Pakistani culture and second generation Pakistanis in the story line. It must be out by the end of 2014. 

 What genre do you write in? 

Literary Fiction. I read many other genres but literary fiction is my cup of tea. In my second book I am however experimenting to merge two or three different genres and make it more interesting. 

 Tell us a little about your most recent book. 

“The Beginning after the End” is basically written for those who have been through the emotional sets backs. It teaches them not to give up but to strive forward. You can always take a new beginning after the end of something and “live” instead of just “existing”. Your weakness can be made your strength; you just have to look at things through a different lens. There is a slight difference between NEED and WANT. Your “want” might not always be your need and vice versa. This is the hardest thing to accept but once you learn to accept the ways of life, reality, consequences of your actions and pre-written decisions of God, life becomes much easier. You can’t control everything. It is a universal theme. The book also challenges the common concept of happiness, memories and love. You might think differently about life and death once you read it. It’s a tale of pain, escape, strength and freedom. 

Who are your favorite characters in the book? Why? 

The leading character Chrishuanna Soule is my favorite as I think she is a lot like me.  Chrissie is very different from the world; she is sometimes as strong as iron and sometimes as weak as a snail. But when she decides to do something or achieve a goal, she’d cross every hurdle so bravely no matter what. She would absorb the pains of her beloved ones and take them as hers ..Sometimes funny, witty and sometimes as mature as a 70 years old lady, she will take you in her deep world if you stick to her till the end. 

 What aspect of your book sets it apart from others in your genre? 

It is very much close to reality and the tale relates to many of us. I had experimented to include my own experiences which give the main character in the novel a very strong, personal conviction to the beliefs and feelings that she expresses. And I believe every book is unique in its own way. 

 Where do you get your inspiration for your books? 

The people who surround me inspire a lot in so many ways. Not just the people, but things and places as well. I believe multiple sources of inspiration help a lot in coming up with something really unique and different. We all are stories. We all inspire each other. We all go through rough patches of struggle and it is absolutely amazing if you understand how to harness this energy positively which is just around you. 

 What do you do when you get writer’s block?  

This is very tough. Sometimes a trick seems to work and sometimes the same one completely fails. But carrying a note pad with me just all the time and writing down the things instantly as they hit my mind is very very helpful. Because when you sit to write all you could usually recall is a “good idea” that you had a few hours ago but it’s tough to remember what that idea exactly was. Also, I am not too hard on myself. Even if I know I am writing crap, I just write it because criticism is a part of editing and that comes later. Working on more than one writing project, setting deadlines and keeping them also work very well for me. 

What advice could you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 

Keep writing and don’t let anything else to consume you. There are many parts of book writing which can be soul destroying but don’t let them beat you. You are the boss of your life and the world you create for your books. Your hard work always pays. I think this beautiful quote from Rocky Balboa summons up everything which I intend to say. It is also very helpful for me.

 “The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you're hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!” 

You can find Hafsa on the following links ~

Facebook

Twitter

If you would like to read The Beginning after the End, you can purchase it from Amazon and Smashwords here ~ 

USA & The World

UK

Germany

France

Spain

India

Canada

Smashwords

Hafsa, I cannot thank you enough for joining me today. It's always a pleasure to hang out with fellow authors and get an insight into their imagination. You are full of such positive energy and I know you will go onto bigger better things. I wish you all the success for the future and I can't wait to hear more from you.

Kerry Frith Author Page

The Dog's Bollocks Blog Tour

Welcome to The Dog's Bollocks Blog Tour by Lynda Renham

I am so honored to be apart of this wonderful blog tour to help promote Lynda's new book The Dog's Bollocks. I have read it (of course!) and I loved it. Previously called The Valentine Present, my review can be found on this here very blog. Just click the link ~ My Review!  

So, for my part in the blog tour, I bagged an interview with the wonderful author herself, Lynda Renham and the pleasure was all mine! We had a good old chin wag and shared some biscuits. As an author myself, it's always great to chat with fellow authors and find out what makes them tick. It's good to know I am not the only crazy one! I find Lynda a true inspiration and it's been brilliant getting to her know her over Facebook. Wonderful Facebook!

Before we start the interview, if you are not familiar with Lynda or her work, let me just fill you in. Lynda Renham writes romantic comedy novels and has a growing fan base. She has been likened in style to Sophie Kinsella but writes with a down-to earth humour. Lynda’s novels are popular, refreshingly witty, fast paced, and with a strong romantic theme. Lynda lives in Oxford, UK. She has appeared on BBC radio discussion programs and when not writing Lynda can usually be found wasting her time on Facebook.

"Lynda Renham is right up there with chick-lit royalty! I'm not talking princess either, for me, the Queen of Chick-lit". – Booketta Book Blog’

Now, on with the interview:

Lynda Renham

Firstly Lynda, let me welcome you to my blog. It really is wonderful to have you here. Secondly, congratulations on your blog tour! I feel honored to be apart of it, being a fan of your books. I have read all of your books and loved them. Crossiants & Jam was my first and I confess, still my favourite. I know I cannot wait for It had to be you coming next month.

OK let's start... at what age did you start writing Lynda?

As soon as someone taught me how to use the pencil at school, but it wasn't easy as I'm sure you remember too. I found joined up writing even harder and….Oh, sorry you meant when did I first starting writing novels.  I was so busy rummaging through your cupboards for the chocolate biscuits that you seem to have forgotten to offer me. Oh well, I am on a diet anyway, so just as well.  What was the question again? Oh yes, I remember. I wrote my first piece when I was about seven and it was all about my rabbit and my dad thought it was quite good (well he would wouldn't he) and he sent it off to my favourite comic and they published it.

Oh Lynda, I apologise for the lack of hospitality. I'm afraid most people have to help themselves in my house. It's true. I am a terrible host. Bare with me and I will sort something out....

I am going to dive straight in and ask the question I am most curious about. Being a self-published author, I am still waiting to be discovered by the big fish. I am hoping they don't leave it too long before I go completely bonkers. So tell me Lynda, how were you discovered? 

Ooh it makes me sound dead famous doesn't it or infamous which is not so good.  I suppose it depends on how you look at the question. I don't know really. I self-published a little thing titled 'Wedding Cake to Turin' which went to the top of the humour charts and stayed there for ages. I then wrote another book which was accepted by Raucous publishing and that did even better. I'm not sure if discovered is the right word. If people really discovered the insane me they would run a mile.

Ooh, are these chocolate biscuits? Are they going spare?

Yes, yes, help yourself Lynda. I did not know that you self-published although I have heard of Wedding Cake to Turin. I tried to purchase a copy but couldn't find it anywhere. I then found out why! So I feel all tingly that there's still hope for me yet!

I know every book you have written and have read them but please could you enlighten our blog readers on the books you have written?

I've written the bestselling (could you highlight the bestselling, you know just in case it gets overlooked.) Crossiants and Jam, Coconuts and Wonderbras, Pink Wellies and Flat Caps  and The Valentine Present and Other Diabolical Liberties, soon to be renamed 'The Dog's Bollocks,' which is my latest book. Available on Amazon and at all good booksellers (supposedly) but often you have to order.

All very quirky and catchy titles and I love the covers! 

What genre do you write in?

I write Romantic Comedy. I like to think of them as feel good films in a book. Also some of them are Romantic Comedy adventures and the new one is a Romantic Comedy Farce. But they are all guaranteed to make you smile.

You're right there. My family thought I were barmy sitting in the corner laughing my head off into my Kindle. Well more barmy then usual.

Please Lynda, tell me about your most recent book?

Well, if it is okay with you Kerry I would like to use your review to describe the book as I truly think you do it far better than I ever could.

Of course Lynda, I will be honored. 

Morticia Addams nails, Eton Mess, no life jackets and a horse's crop! This story had so many twists and turns. There was so much happening, it kept me on the edge of my seat (OK, laid back quite comfortably on the sofa) but my point is there was never a dull moment. 'arriet was so very likeable & I couldn't help but love Fiona. She had me in stitches. I wanted to throttle Julian myself and as for Hamilton, well I most definitely would have used the horse's crop! I couldn't help but warm to the Jack's too. I absolutely loved this book. It was an enjoyable read I couldn't put down and I swear my family thought I was nuts (well slightly more nuts then usual) sitting in the corner laughing to myself.

Yes, that says it all. Poor down to earth Harriet who arrives home after a wedding to find her boyfriend has got them in a lot of debt and the story is her efforts to get them out of it with laugh out loud moments as she does so.

Perfect. It truly is a funny entertaining read and I highly recommend YOU read this (to those reading this!)

OK Lynda, what I would like to know is, who are your favourite characters in the book and why?

My favourite characters are Harriet and the Jacks. Harriet because she is down to earth and you can really relate to her and the Jacks because they are bumbling gangsters, how can you not like them, while at the same time worry what they may do to Harriet. 

Agreed. I could not help but warm to the Jacks. They really did make me laugh and reminded me of typical east end wannabe gangsters. I can just imagine them in a movie! I loved Harriet too.

So what aspect of your book sets it apart from others in your genre?

This is so difficult to answer because I don't really know what sets my books apart from others writing in this genre, except to say that the heroines are women that every female can relate to. They do things that every woman has done at some time in their life. I think my protagonist has an unusual way of interacting with the reader which makes the reader feel she knows the character so well that when the books finishes she really misses the heroine. It is as though the characters become your friends. Plus of course they are always written in the first person which makes the reader's experience so much more personal.

I enjoy first person writing because it is like you are the character. I write in the same format. I know when I finish reading your books, I have withdrawal symptoms. 

What I would love to know is, where do you get your inspiration from to write these funny novels?

From my own life to be honest. I am the woman who prepares dinner and plugs in the slow cooker and then sits down for the day to write and forgets about it (which is the pleasure of slow cookers right?) Only to have husband come home to find there is no dinner cooked at all because I had plugged in the toaster instead of the slow cooker. I am also the woman who walks into the Gent's loo in the motorway service station and wonders why all these men are peeing in the Ladies'.

Oh Lynda, it's shameful. We are so alike!

How do you cope with writer's block?

Stick my head in the fridge until it passes. It usually works. Talking of food, do you have any cake?

Sounds like a plan! Yes, actually I do. I baked it myself in fact. Here you go...

OK, my final question Lynda. What advice could you give someone who aspired to be a writer?

Three words: 'Don't give up' Believe me you must and cannot do that. I speak from experience and didn't write for years during a period of my life when I was in a marriage that did not help me function as a person creatively. It was a bad decision. Never give up on your dream. Push forward no matter what.

Very wise words Lynda that I will hold close to my heart because let's face it, there are times when we all want to give up. I myself, am yet to concur my dream but at least with self-publishing, I am perhaps on the right road to that, as long as I don't give up!

You can find Lynda on the following links ~

Facebook author page

Amazon author page

Twitter

Website

Lynda, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time with me today. I truly have enjoyed having you here. Apologies on the lack of hospitality. I should take classes! I hope it hasn't put you off for future interviews. I have had a blast.  

I wish you a successful blog tour and I look forward to your new book, It had to be you coming February 14th. I know I will be purchasing it!