Cover Reveal ~ Never Alone!

I'm doing a fab splash around some wonderful blogs and websites to celebrate a brand new shiny cover, hot off the press. This story is full of heart and a young woman, Holly Atherton, who doesn't want to say 'yes' to having that wedding ring placed on her finger. Even though Will is the love of her life and absolutely gorgeous!

Never Alone is being released in January 2013 and it's a story of true love, but as we all know the path is never easy. Keep reading to find out how you can win an advance copy to be sent out in December 2012.

Before I tell you all about Holly's story, I wanted to ask my lovely host, talented romcom author Sheryl Browne, what top tip she has for keeping her man happy! Of course, I couldn't ask that question if I wasn't prepared to spill the beans myself....

Set aside 'together' time, whether that's an evening out or a short-break away, as long as it's romantic! Think of it as a date, or if you are going away together re-kindling your 'affair'. Don't let life get in the way!

So Sheryl, what's your little secret?

Look like you’re having fun at the away-game rugby matches. OK, so you’re standing in a crowd or raucous, roaring men. You’ve got goose-pimpled thighs, you can’t feel your feet, and your ice-cold beer is going straight through you. On the plus side, the thighs on the field are not bad – and give your man mince pies and mulled wine at a boxing day match and he’ll think he is Heaven and you are an angel!

Thank you Sheryl (laughing out aloud), I'll add that one to my list, although I doubt I could pull it off! I could do the 'watching the testosterone running around the pitch' bit (with pleasure), but as for standing in the cold ... really??? It MUST be love ha! ha!

 

Holly Atherton has a seemingly perfect life, until suddenly it all beings to unravel. She has spent her life living up to other people's expectations of her, trying to please them.

She has it all - the affluent family who dote on her, a job she loves in her father's business, and the perfect boyfriend.

Will is a successful entrepreneur and they are about to start enjoying a lifestyle many can only dream about. His latest business deal will see them with homes in the UK and Los Angeles.

But what if you wake up one morning and find yourself wondering whether the path you are on is the one you are supposed to be taking? Is she too caught up in pleasing her parents and Will to take her future into her own hands?

When Holly's psychic sensitivity begins to surface she doesn't know how to handle it. Vivid dreams seem too real to ignore and she finds herself 'talking' to Nick, the recently deceased brother of her best friend, Celia.

Just having someone to whom she can offload what she's feeling helps and she feels happier moving forward with Will into their exciting new future and all seems well... the rest is coming soon!

TAKE PART - Thank you for helping me to celebrate this cover reveal. Simply leave your TOP TIP for keeping your man happy and 6 names will be randomly selected from the blogs taking part to receive an advance ecopy of Never Alone in December 2012.

Festive wishes to everyone! Linn

To find out more about author Linn B Halton:

 

Website
A loveahappyending.com author
Signed by:http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/linnbhalton
Twitter: @LinnBHalton
Facebook: Linn B Halton
Romantic Novelists' Association page
Amazon.co.uk (buy)
Amazon.com (buy)

     

Taking the Plunge ~ Ali Bacon!

Today I have with me uber-talented author Ali Bacon!

~ Take it away, Ali!! ~

Taking the plunge: my Tiger Woods moment. 

 

Now pay attention at the back, please. You may think that golf is the dullest game on earth, but for anyone (like me!) who gets hooked it is totally riveting and also Awesomely Difficult. Let’s face it even the pros muck up sometimes (quite a lot actually) and the famously cool Tiger Woods has been known to shank* one off the first tee (* shank: a completely awful shot that goes off at an embarrassingly stupid angle usually into a tree or a spectators head. You see I’m even helping you with the vocabulary.)

 

In fact the first tee is where it notoriously does go wrong, because whereas Tiger will have practised for two hours before hand, amateurs are likely to have fallen straight out of bed, jumped in the car and turn up still tying the laces on their shoes. Then they get up on the tee, swing a club and slash at the ball with as much strength as they can muster with predictably dire results. Yes, yes, I will get on with it but I just have to give you the feeling of barely suppressed tension that surrounds playing your first shot, even if it’s quiet and you’re among friends.

So picture me a few years ago when in a journalistic moment (long story) I ended up on a golf day run by Golf Monthly Magazine (arguably the most prestigious golf mag in the UK). Nice idea but a little daunting because a) I was the only lady golfer taking part b) I had never met any of the other golfers, amongst whom were the magazine’s national editor, consultant golf pro etc etc.  

So, on the day it began with an early start driving up from Bristol to the Royal Ascot golf club where the event took place and then a long wait for others to arrive, i.e. plenty of time to get the jitters. After a bit of putting practice designed to  settle my nerves (it didn’t) I walked up to watch the first groups *teeing off  (*starting their game) to find that not only was an official photographer in attendance (gulp) but he was in the process of setting up an enormous video camera. Oh, yes, we would all have our tee-shots captured on film. Yikes! I wasn’t the only one who looked faintly sick. Like I say, it’s bad enough teeing off, but being filmed? At that point it all felt like a fate worse than death.  My legs turned to jelly, and believe me that’s a very bad feeling to have when attempting to hit a small white ball.

I’ve just discovered that my inelegant performance is still in the archives – (but don’t feel you have to look!)

At least it doesn’t show where my ball landed, but you can tell from the body language, it was a pretty rubbish shot. Ouch!

But things could only get better. My playing partners turned out tot be a lot of fun and we eventually all got over our nerves. Best of all, That Photographer, when he came out from behind his equipment, was, let’s say, rather easy on the eye,  and happened to be watching when I sank a magnificently long putt. (That’s the getting the ball in the hole part). So here’s his photo of me taking a belated bow.

In the end there was a slap up meal, lots of good prizes and I came third! 

Well worth that moment on the first tee? Yes, definitely, but with five more years of golf under my belt, I’m still not sure I’d want to do it again!

 

Ali’s novel A Kettle of Fish is a rollercoaster family drama set in Scotland and published by Thornberry Publishing (www.thornberrypublishing.com)

Buy it from Amazon UK (Kindle and paperback)

 

 

 

 

 

Where to find Ali

Ali on Facebook

Ali’s Website and blog.

Ali’s Loveahappyending Featured author page

 

 

Author, Medium & Clairvoyant, Richard F. Holmes!

Today I the absolute pleasure of hosting author, medium and clairvoyant, Richard F. Holmes!

Thank you, Sheryl.  I must say it’s a pleasure to be here.

Why thank you, Richard… so can you tell us about your latest book?

Yes, it’s called Inspiration For Breakfast and it’s a compilation of wisdom quotes that I felt compelled to put into book form, and I’m really grateful to you for showcasing it today on my official launch day.

As you may well know I really love inspirational quotes; I find that they can really fire you up and get you going and I just felt it was something I needed to do.  I had already published one new book this year and republished my first five pieces of work as two revamped paperbacks, but I found myself wanting to do something else before the year’s end, and Inspiration For Breakfast is the result of that.  I got the idea and just sat on it for weeks, but once I decided to go ahead with it, it was finished very quickly.

Was there any particular source you gathered all these quotes from?

A few really; I just love Eastern Philosophy, so the first section is dedicated to Easter Philosophy quotes.  Then there is a section on Marcus Aurelius quotes; Marcus was one of only five Roman Emperors to have been considered “good”.  There is also a section on Greek Philosophy quotes and a section on miscellaneous quotes from all kinds of people as diverse as Audrey Hepburn and Winston Churchill.

Who would you say your book was for specifically, Richard?

Literally anyone and everyone, Sheryl; young and old, male and female; anyone at all who is looking for a little bit of inspiration.

That sounds great, Richard, and I understand that Inspiration For Breakfast is not the only project you have been busy with?

Yes that’s correct. Firstly I decided that my Kindle version of Angelic Wisdom Trilogy needed sprucing up a little, so I engaged the services of our very own Stephanie Keyes’ company, Sycamore Road Design, to create a new cover for me, and here it is…

To celebrate the new cover reveal I am hosting a free giveaway on Amazon Kindle of Angelic Wisdom Trilogy, and anyone interested in downloading a copy can find the link at the bottom of the page(available from 26November through to 27 November inclusive). 

As well as that I have just released my latest CD, Mantra For The Soul.  This is a project that I am particularly excited about, and I also have someone working on a new backing track for one of my older meditation CDs that is already in production, and if things go to plan the finished article will seem like a completely new project only much better.  Finally, I have an idea for another CD in the new year that should turn out to be the best of the bunch.  So, all in all, exciting times! 

Well, thanks for joining me today, Richard, and sharing your exciting news!  But before you go can you just share one of your favourite quotes from the book with us?

It would be a pleasure, Sheryl, and thanks again for having me as a guest on your blog!

“Nothing is impossible; the very word says I’m possible.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

Link for FREE kindle version of Angelic Wisdom Trilogy

Amazon UK
Amazon US

About Richard

I am a medium and clairvoyant and also the author of 8 spiritual books and producer of 6 meditation CD’s that have helped to change the lives of many people from all walks of life. Only 12 years ago I was still struggling with an alcohol problem that was threatening to take my life in a very negative direction from which there would have been no return. These days I use the same principles that enabled me to turn my life around and apply them to my client’s individual needs. I help people replace the old negative mindsets, that keep them rooted in the past, with new positive thoughts and attitudes that enable them to get what they dream about having and being in their lives. By drawing on my own life experience I help people to grow and realise their true worth and potential; helping them to express themselves in ways that make them feel happy and fulfilled. People contact me when they are at a crossroads in their lives or when they feel they are stuck in a particular negative situation. It may also be because they are experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one or they may simply be in search of some guidance of a spiritual nature. Whatever the reason, I always aim to make people feel at ease so that they can enjoy the experience. I also help people to realise the gifts of clairvoyance, mediumship and healing that are present within themselves. This can be on a one-to-one or group basis and is achieved through guided meditation and other methods of inner work.

Where to Find Richard and his books

Richard’s Blog

Richard on Facebook

Twitter - @atmicsplendour

Buy in paperback - createspace

Buy on Amazon.co.uk (with original cover)

Buy Kindle version on Amazon.com (with original cover)

 

Festival of Romance ~ A FABulous affair!

It was a dignified affair, authors from across the UK coming together to discuss all things literary. 

 

To celebrate each other's successes...

 

And the Winner is...

Mandy Baggot!

 

*Yay!  Well done, that girl! WhooOOT!*

 

To network, swap opinions....

*Don't fancy yours much.*

 

 

Swig from bottles, swing from chandeliers... 

*Oi, who put the lights out?*

 

Forge friendships...



*Yes, Sue, I love you to bits! So does everyone on Table 1. And table 2. And table 3. And...*

 

Finally, to take to the floor to dance sedately around handbags (unfortunately Nicky was rather attached - to Mandy and her handbag).

*Oh,girls,
They wanna have fu-un.
Oh,girls,
Just wanna have... Nicky, gedoff my foot!*

 

*Olé!*

 

*We never touched a drop, did we, Gilli?

Nope, Nicky, not a drop.  Pssst, don't look now, but Sue's on the lovepath.*

 

Seriously, the Festival 2012 was a truly fabulous celebration of romance. The Romantic Fiction Conference was inspiring, uplifting and packed full of useful information. Hats off and huge thanks to Kate Allan and everyone else involved in a tremendous feat of organisation.  Just a suggestion, but next year make sure to book early!

We need a COVER MODEL!

Fancy A Little Bit of Fun?

Come to Safkhet Publishing’s booth on November 17 at the Festival of Romance in Bedford and become the cover model for my new book A Little Bit of Madness.

 

This cover is waiting for YOUR face!

The vote will be public on Facebook – all you need to do is get your picture taken and then convince the voters! Your face can be on the next cover – what an awesome present for your family and friends that would make!

 A Little Bit of Madness – coming soon!!

No rest for the wicked

Saving Charlton hall will burrow into your heart.

Celia Summers loves her job as an art therapist at The Harbour Rest Home, even if her partner, Martin, is disparaging of her efforts.

Martin, a solicitor, made speculative investments and needs to get his hands on his mother's assets, her home, Charlton Hall, to bail himself out of debt. In order to sell the house, he has to get Rosemary re-housed at The Harbour and tries to convince Celia with lies.

Meanwhile, Celia fights for gallery space for her charges' artwork, and to keep The Harbour from being closed.

Police Constable Alex Burrows, son of Colonel Burrows, comes to her rescue when she crashes her car. Alex turns out to be considerate, caring and with a witty, wicked sense of humour, which makes Celia laugh. She ignores his reputation as a womaniser but cannot ignore his trying to influence his father's will which makes Alex appear a liar like Martin.

Despite all efforts, The Harbour is doomed to closure. Celia decides to take Rosemary home and forestall Martin's plan to sell Charlton Hall. Celia is soon joined by the rest of her elderly independents, who rally together to stop Martin evicting them. Colonel Burrows is ready to thrash the enemy to death with his walking stick when his son arrives in his uniform. Alex explains that Colonel Burrows is the buyer of Charlton Hall and finally does what he's been trying to do for ages: ask Celia to marry him.

A Little Taster:

  “I think I might be able to assist.  Excuse me, dears.”  May squeezed between them, potty in hand.  “There,” she said, opening the window and chucking the contents out.  “That should cool their ardour.”

“Ohmigod.”  Celia gawked.  “May, I can’t believe what you just did!”

Eleanor laughed.  “Relax, Celia.  He hasn’t been assaulted quite as rudely as you think.  It’s tea, not pee.”

“I’ve been practising.”  May nodded importantly.  “It’s not as easy as it looks, you know, making huge potfulls and getting it right, especially when it’s orgasmic.”

“Organic, May.”

“Oh, don’t be such a baby,” Celia shouted through the window, as Martin gave an outraged screech and clutched his shirt from his chest.  “It was tea, not pee.” 

“It was bloody hot!”  Martin looked up, po-faced.  Appropriately, Celia thought.  “She could have seriously injured me, the silly cow.  Come on, Celia, see sense and come out before something awful happens.”

“It already did, Martin.  You happened.”

“Fine.  Have it your own way.”  Martin snapped.  “Let’s see if the police can persuade you, shall we?”  With great fanfare, he flicked open his new mobile, and whoosh, in an instant it was gone – swept away on a cloud of fire extinguisher foam.

“Yessss!”  Celia did a little twirl on the landing.  “Well done, Eleanor!”

“That is it!” Martin shouted through a face-full of suds.  “I’m going to find a public telephone.  The police will be here in minutes, Celia.  You’d better get out under your own steam, while you still can!”

“Do what you like, Martin,” she called, as the two men in suits climbed from their vehicle, now parked behind Martin’s Jaguar.  They’d had the good sense to stay out of the line of fire until now.  “We’re not budging.  We’re not even prepared to talk until we get assurances no contracts have been exchanged!” 

Let him chew on that for a while, Celia thought as she turned away.   Damn!  The bailiffs!  She realised they could split up at any moment and bolted downstairs, missing the last step from the bottom to land in a heap. 

“Ooh, bloody, bloody Martin.”  Celia crawled up the banister and limped on, sure at least one of the bailiffs would be trying to gain entry at the back by now.  “Batten down the hatches,” she shouted, stumbling into the kitchen. 

“All battened m’dear.  Blighters won’t get in here,” the colonel assured her, walking stick ready to thrash any hand that might nudge through the cat-flap.

“Mum,” Luke yelled from the front hall, “it’s Alex.”

Oh, no.  Celia’s heart plummeted.  Why, why, why, if he cared about any of them, couldn’t he have turned a blind eye, bunked off work, done anything but be involved in their eviction? 

“Where?” She raced back toward the front hall, ready to dish out the same treatment to him as they had Martin, except, um, it seemed someone already had.

“Here,” said Alex, meeting her in the hall looking disarmingly Colin Firth-ish.  Shirt plastered to his chest, his new shoes sloshing water as he walked, his expression one of total exasperation. 

“Who let you in!?”  Celia stared at him flabbergasted.

“Luke,” Alex supplied.  “On condition I told the bailiffs to back off and in the hope I wouldn’t drown, I imagine.”

“Good, God!”  The colonel blinked his monocle-free eye. “Not raining is it, lad?”

Alex sighed.  “Torrentially.  You might want to point out to May that hosing down policemen isn’t the best way to proceed if she wants to avoid a visit to the station.”

 

See you there!