Safkhet Publishing ~ Summer Reads

Tuesday 31 December 2013

Hoping all your dreams & wishes come true. :)


This year didn’t start too well, some disturbing news on my partner’s health front giving us cause for concern. As the year progressed though, we put our faith in the specialists and the prognosis is all that we could hope for. Sadly, we also lost two people who were dear to us, and who will stay in our hearts. That said, within our little family unit, we are safe and content.

Still, though, as I lay in my bed last night, I found myself wondering why ‘this’ can’t happen and ‘that’ can’t be; having a bemoaning my lot moment, as we do sometimes. I then had a mental flash of an image I’d seen on TV, slotted in between the pre-Christmas must-haves and the post-Christmas sales and holiday ads. I’m not going to reproduce it here, I’m sure you can see it as starkly as I can when I say it was of a mother desperate for some way to feed her tiny malnourished child.

I was warm and cosy in my bed. My fridge is bursting with food aplenty. Knowing I donate to charities, praying the organisations I donate through ensure the funds ever get there, I swallowed back a lump in my throat and gave myself a swift kick up the derrière. Whatever the New Year brings, I realised I was fortunate enough to be able to cherish fond memories of dear lost relatives, share new memories with family and friends. I have twinkling tree lights and a fire to toast my toes in front of. Am I really that badly off? I think not.

When I woke this morning it was with renewed determination to make this year count, not to be aggressive in what I hope to achieve, but to be positive, to try to enjoy each moment of each day, even those where life’s little mishaps come to try us. I doubt I’ll get through the first week without having a mental moan about something, but I’m going to give it a go.

I hope everyone I know can find their little bit of positivity, that their New Year brings them all that they might wish for. It’s not easy sometimes to count our blessings, but I, for one, realise I do have a few to count.
A heartfelt thank you to all my friends and supporters. I really could not have got through this year without you!

Stay safe. Be happy.
 Love Snoops (and me!) xxx

Saturday 21 December 2013

Snoops and Odi wish you A HAPPY CHRISTMAS.


Odi is having a bit of a wardrobe malfunction. As his little spine isn’t functioning too well either, we’ve decided to overlook the fact that he’s wearing the same dress he wore last Christmas. He’s doing well, however, and would like to thank everyone for their concern and wishes you all a Christmas filled with joy, and lots of chewies.

 
When he can get a look in, Snoops would like to thank everyone for their support this year, particularly all those lovely people who have taken time (a precious commodity in today’s hectic world) to read and post some truly beautiful reviews for his books.

From homeless to happy, both of my hunter/killer foster dogs would like to wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a New Year that sees all your dreams and hopes come true.


KEEP SAFE.
Have a wonderful Christmas & a happy new year!

Friday 6 December 2013

Next Christmas Will Be Different ~ Pauline Barclay. FREE + REVIEW!


Today I have the pleasure of hosting Pauline Barclay, author of four top selling novels! Pauline has released a short festive story in time for Christmas, Next Christmas Will Be Different, a beautiful read, and it's now FREE!

Host’s note: I’ve read it. I love it!

"Thanks Sheryl for having me on your fabby blog to promote my short story. As you know I wanted Next Christmas Will Be Different to be available as a free download on all e-readers, and I am delighted to announce it is! It's a little gift from me to say thank you to all the fabby readers who have read my books."

Next Christmas Will Be Different.

When the O’Reilly family gather for the festive season it is a time for catching up, eating too much and making promises, but can the promises be kept?

Sheryl’s Review:

Coming from a large family myself, I immediately warmed to the O’Reilly clan. Pauline Barclay’s ‘Next Christmas Will Be Different’ drew me in from the first page. A truly heart-warming story turning around Mary O’Reilly and her grown family coming together to celebrate Christmas, I felt less like a voyeur watching proceedings as the various generations slipped into their traditional roles under ‘Nana’s’ roof, more like a member of the family sitting alongside them. Reading this short, sweet story felt like coming home. It’s a lovely reminder of what it means to have family you can share that special time of year with; of how, no matter the distance or differences between you, you can easily fall into familiar step with your loved ones. A reminder also, perhaps, to appreciate them while you have them, especially Mum. The antics of the men were so typical I just had to smile. I sincerely hope I can visit the O’Reilly family again next year – and that nothing at all is different.

As a bonus, Pauline has also included five FREE chapters from each of her novels: Storm Clouds Gathering, Satchfield Hall, Magnolia House, Sometimes It Happens! (If you would like to read my review for Sometimes It Happens, go here: REVIEW

Buy Links:




Smashwords for all downloads

Pauline's links:



I hope you enjoy this short festive story.

Saturday 30 November 2013

Review: It Happened One Night by Phillipa Ashley ~ Perfect Escapism.

It Happened One NightIt Happened One Night by Phillipa Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It Happened One Night When I picked up It Happened One Night, I really needed something I could get immersed in. This story was the perfect antidote to life, providing the much needed escapism I needed. I did have to put it down, necessarily, but you know that little thrill of anticipation you get when you have a lovely book waiting you can just fall back into? This book was it.

I really admired how Phillipa Ashley brought the sometimes superficial glitz and glamour of the film industry and rural village life together seamlessly and believably. The title gives a clue to the story. We have a young couple falling for each other and love interrupted by a tragedy precipitated by families at war, prejudices and untold secrets. The young lovers are torn apart. Sophie’s loyalties lie with her family. Adam’s loyalties are to Sophie. If he truly loves her, though, he must surely see the damage he’s caused and walk away.

Moving on, ten years later Adam is back in the small village, a successful film producer with a girlfriend (there are some intriguing touches her. He actually does love the woman, it seems). Sophie’s has managed to patch up the wounds to her heart and move on, too, pouring her energies into running a burgeoning bakery/catering business with her best-friend, Lily. It’s a classic ‘will they, won’t they’ story. What makes the book powerful reading is the authenticity of the author’s characters. Adam’s passionate fury is sometimes palpable and tremendously well communicated, as is Sophie’s strength of character, along with her vulnerability. Sophie’s mum I did have a feeling about (no spoilers). I asked myself, but why didn’t she…? Fear not, the author rounded her story off perfectly. Harry, aka Colin Firth in the shirt (and he knows it), is fabulous, you really can’t help but smile at his womanising antics. A wonderful foil and a playboy, perfectly dressed [on set] in period costume to play the role, I loved that we got a glimpse of his honourable, caring side. Then we have Nathan, Sophie’s younger brother, the man of the family and stuffed full of ill-repressed anger aimed squarely at Adam.

This really was a lovely book to read, plenty enough tension to keep you glued to the pages and radiating that perfect sort of warmth that makes you want to curl up in front of the fire. I would have no hesitation in highly recommending it.

View all my reviews

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Book Launch: BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS ~ Sarka-Jonae Miller!


Between Boyfriends was 11 years in the making, and finally on 11/11 Booktrope is launching the chick lit novel: 
 
Blurb

At first glance, twenty-one-year-old Jan Weston has it all: a gorgeous boyfriend, fun friends, and wealthy parents who take care of all those pesky credit card bills.

Then her boyfriend dumps her, her friendships fall apart, and her parents cut her off. Suddenly without money, without a man, and without a plan, it's time for Jan to grow up.

Determined to get her life back on track, Jan decides it's time to make it on her own. Can she find her way as a single lady in San Diego? Can she fix her friendships, her job prospects, and her hair? And can she keep her vow that she'll never date again, even after she meets a guy who just might be perfect for her?

BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS is a sexy, hilarious story of living life, finding love, and growing up... but not necessarily in that order.


Praise for Between Boyfriends

"This book is the ultimate chick-lit read--a light-hearted romp focused on the travails of Jan, a college student dumped by her boyfriend, an SDSU student. The moment proves an epiphany, as Jan resolves to stop dating and find fulfillment as a single woman." - East County Magazine

 
Between Boyfriends "presents a unique twist on the chick lit genre." - Hollywood & Vine magazine


"Over the course of the book, Jan, who is in her early 20s, begins to grow as a person and even strikes up a true friendship with a man, a first for her." - Rancho Santa Fe Review


"Cut off by parents? Not got a boyfriend? That's the formula for a chick lit hit." - Indie Author Land


"The book teaches both subtle and obvious lessons about friendship, relationships, responsibility and decision making." - The Masquerade Crew


"Between Boyfriends is a delicious slice of chick-lit! Snappy dialogue sets this story apart from the pack as it follows a young woman who, financially cut off by her parents when she fails to attend school, learns that life is more than her Amex card, and reunites with a mother who has endured her own brand of pain." - Jan Moran, bestselling author


"BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS is a great read. It's got everything you'd expect in a chick-lit book: good friends, fun, and a little romance, but the thing Sarka-Jonae adds to this story is a journey." - Caroline Fardig, bestselling author

Book Title: Between Boyfriends

Author: Sarka-Jonae Miller

Genre: Chick Lit, New Adult

Words: 104,000

Publisher: Booktrope

Release Date: November 11, 2013
 

Author Bio

 
Sárka-Jonae is a novelist, publicist, and journalist, among other “ists” there aren’t room for. Her novel writing career began with Between Boyfriends, an edgy chick-lit book for women who’ve been ”between boyfriends”, which is much cooler than being single.

SJ is a graduate of Syracuse University. Before writing full-time, she was a personal trainer and massage therapist, helping people tone up, slim down, and chill out. In her free time, Sárka-Jonae loves to dance in flash mobs, in music videos, on speakers, or at home in her underwear. She practices kung fu and yoga, was briefly a Buddhist nun, and travels extensively for ”research”. She’s a huge animal lover and has been vegan since 1999. She’s committed to respectfully unveiling the truth about the horrific way factory farms abuse animals. SJ lives in San Diego with two cats and two dogs.


Social Media Links: 





Buy Links:




Link to the Apple iBooks version coming soon.

Saturday 2 November 2013

Grumpy Old Menopause by Carole E Wyer - Sneak Peek Review.

Grumpy Old MenopauseGrumpy Old Menopause by Carol E. Wyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grumpy Old Menopause Whatever you do, don’t mention … the menopause!! If you do, make sure it’s preceded by the words ‘Grumpy Old…’ and followed by a demand for the book on prescription from your doctor. What a tonic! My mouth curved into a smile a few pages in. By the exercise section I was guffawing out loud. I kid you not. The fishing joke had tears streaming down my cheeks. The book takes an informative, yet easily digestible, look at the serious ‘shhhhh’ subject (sadly still labelled ‘women’s problems’, ergo a mystery to the male of the species).

The author has obviously done her research on tried and tested remedies for symptoms of the menopause, including the propensity to burst into tears and do something drastic with one’s husband, supplying links to further research, along with suggestions, where appropriate, to seek medical advice before embarking on said remedies. Carol’s easy to read style of writing and razor sharp wit, however, make the reading of this intelligently written book an absolute delight. She talks about gifts you should buy (or, more importantly, shouldn’t buy on risk of being garrotted) a woman of a certain age. If you’d like a recommendation for the perfect gift, in my estimation, Grumpy Old Menopause is it. The book is insightful, informative and possibly the most uplifting tonic you could take. An absolute must-read – for Her and For Him. If you are a woman struggling with the symptoms of the Menopause, read it. If you are man living with a woman, etc, ditto. Trust me, Carol E Wyer’s book will make the whole thing much more bearable. It tells you you are NOT alone, despite the ‘menopause’ word still often being whispered in hushed tones. It allows you to laugh. More, it makes you realise it’s essential and acceptable to. My advice: buy one for each other, maybe as a stocking-filler this Christmas. Keep it on the bedside table. Men, flash it at your wife (the book, that is) when she’s having a flush. Hopefully, you’ll raise a smile even though she’s feeling distinctly wobbly. Children of MM’s (Menopausal Mum’s), this is a gift she WILL most definitely appreciate. In short, I loved it! Highly recommended!


View all my reviews

COVER REVEAL + e-launch: The Consequences Collection by Melanie Robertson-King


I love welcoming other authors onto my blog. Today I have with me Melanie Robertson-King with her COVER REVEAL and e-launch of:
The Consequences Collection.

"If you could see the consequences - would you?"

Special thank you to Madliz Coles whose kind permission made it possible to use her evocative photograph as the cover image for my anthology.

Blurb: 

The Consequences Collection is an eclectic compilation of twelve stories ranging from non-fiction through creative non-fiction to pure fiction, in prose and poetry.

The story of a Scottish Home Child is based on fact and told from the child's point of view; The Mystery Woman of Kinettles is a non-fiction article on the appearance and subsequent disappearance of a woman's body near the Wellington County House of Industry (Poor House) in 1879 Southwestern Ontario.

Some of these stories are lighter than others, and some might even beg you to leave the lights on.

Excerpt from the cover story Consequences:

Splat! The mail landed on the ceramic tile floor of the foyer. Usually, the noise was followed by the snap of the mail slot door closing. Today it wasn’t.

Something must have stuck in it. Sylvia put her coffee down on the counter and walked to the front door. A large white envelope remained suspended in the door. She pulled it the rest of the way through. The flap snapped shut and even though she was used to hearing the metallic sound, it startled her.

She’d expected a letter from her solicitor regarding her divorce from Bill but it wasn’t there. However, that one in particular had piqued her curiosity. Emblazoned on the top left corner was an official-looking crest. The addressee’s name and address were correct. It was her. Why would this person or agency be sending her a letter? She’d never heard of them before.

Sylvia turned the envelope over and worked her thumb under the flap. Those self-sticking envelopes are a bugger, she thought as she tried to rip it open. Finally, she gave up and tore down the side and yanked the contents out.

She skimmed over the letter but it didn’t make any sense so placed it on the small table by the door. It could be dealt with later. In the meantime, she looked at the rest of her mail. Nothing else untoward – just the electric bill, gas bill, and the usual assortment of junk – mail. She dropped them on top of the letter and returned to the kitchen.

The coffee she’d poured earlier had gone cold. She dumped it down the sink and turned the water on to rinse it away before getting a fresh one.

Drawn by some inexplicable force, Sylvia went back to the foyer and collected the letter and the mangled envelope. She returned to the kitchen, flipped on the radio and sat down at her small table. Why had she opened it in the first place? She should have just binned it. That’s what she usually did with unsolicited mail. But there was something strangely familiar about it. The addressee information was on a computer printed label so there was no clue there. The sororities from University had crests or emblems to differentiate one from another. She wracked her brain trying to remember what they looked like. It had been over thirty years since she’d attended. Sylvia never belonged to a sorority because she thought the girls who did were snooty and stuck-up.

She’d call her friend, Laurie and tell her about the letter. They’d been friends since childhood, attended the same elementary and secondary schools and even the same University. She could tell her anything, couldn’t she?

About the author:
Melanie Robertson-King has always been a fan of the written word. Growing up as an only child, her face was almost always buried in a book from the time she could read. Her father was one of the thousands of Home Children sent to Canada through the auspices of The Orphan Homes of Scotland, and she has been fortunate to be able to visit her father’s homeland many times and even met the Princess Royal at the orphanage where he was raised.

She lives in Brockville, Ontario, Canada a few short city blocks north of the St Lawrence River with her husband of thirty-eight years and is 'housekeeping staff' to a big, goofy, but loveable, dog (cross between lab, shepherd and black and tan hound).

A Shadow in the Past, published in 2012 by 4RV Publishing, was Melanie's debut novel.

Where to buy The Consequences Collection:

Paperback:

Lulu.com

Epub:

Lulu.com

Kindle:

amazon.com

amazon.ca

amazon.co.uk

Coming soon to amazon in paperback and to Barnes and Noble for the nook and the iBookstore.

Melanie's links:
Website
 
Celtic Connexions Blog  

Facebook Author Page

Goodreads author page

Amazon author page

Loveahappyending Lifestyle magazine author page

Twitter:  @RobertsoKing

 

Monday 28 October 2013

Manic Monday Update.


I’ve been running so hard trying to catch up, I was sure I’d meet myself coming back. Aaargh! I’m not sure the world is ready for two of me. So, finally, my To Do list is now up-to-date … ish. My Tbr pile is about to be tackled, before it topples and I’m found not-so beautifully pressed between books. I’ve submitted my latest MA module assignment, three scenes of a stage-play. Yay! I’m using characters from A Little Bit of Madness. I can’t wait to see it acted out by real flesh and blood actors! The characters are real flesh and blood to me, or course, the mad author. How fabulous will it be to see them climb off the page and tread the boards, though? All in all, I’ve been so busy I swear I haven’t had time to breathe. I’m not complaining, however. I might be too busy to remember to eat, but I’m doing what I want to and I’m therefore a happy (if slightly demented) bunny!

So, what’s next? Well, I’m joining some fabulous authors at the Festival of Romance in Bedford (8th – 10th Nov). I’ll be bobbing about, as I do, from the Lovehappyending Lifestyle table at the Saturday Book Fair to the Safkhet Publishing table, but I’ll be amongst talented company. For info, there’s an Audience with Katie Fforde in the same hall (the Harper Suite, Bedford Corn Exchange). You can’t get much more talented than that. I’ll be reading from one of my books (I’m not sure which yet) at The Baby Shower in the afternoon. I possibly won't be quite as fabulous as Katie, but I’ll do my very best! Full details of authors attending can be found here: Festival of Romance - Authors and the full itinerary can be found here: Festival of Romance 2013

It promises to be a fantastic event. At the conference on Sunday, publishers and industry experts discuss the burning issues for the romantic fiction industry – and writers get an opportunity to meet publishers one to one. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, what are you waiting for? Go here: Festival of Romance

Before that, on the 4th November, I’ll be one of the authors at the Safkhet Soul Virtual Tour organised by wonderful Carol Wright at Dizzy Little C’s Book Blog. We’d love to see you there. Details can be found here:

 
On the subject of tours, I’d like, once again, to thank JB Johnston of Brook Cottage Books for her sterling work in organising my fabulously successful Romantic Heroes Tour recently. Thanks to JB’s meticulous planning and fun participation, the tour was an absolute blast. Thank you, too, to all those lovely people who stopped by to comment (lots) and join in. Extra big thanks to reviewers and bloggers who gave of their precious time to read my books and post some truly lovely, humbling reviews. It’s thanks to you all I’m still here!

That’s it, pretty much … I think. I’m sure I must have forgotten something. Ooooh, yes, I’m supposed to write books, aren’t I? Whoops. Back to the keyboard it is then.

 
HAVE A LOVELY WEEK ALL!  xxx
 
 

Friday 18 October 2013

Guest Post: Caroline Fardig ~ IT'S JUST A LITTLE CRUSH!


Welcome Caroline Fardig, Author of #1 bestseller,

IT’S JUST A LITTLE CRUSH!


 

Caroline’s here sharing with us how to find a little ‘me’ time!

Take it away, Caroline!!!


 

Hey, Life!  Get out of the way so I can write!


We all have the same problem—too much to do, and not enough time to do it.  Talking with more and more authors, though, I’ve come to the conclusion that we have it the worst.  Most of us indies aren’t at the point yet that we can call our writing a “career”, mainly because by definition a “career” puts dinner on the table.  When you’re in a slump and only selling a few books a week, it doesn’t even put a cup of coffee on the table.  That being said, we still have the burning desire to get our thoughts on paper (or screen, as it were), and that means carving out the time to sit down and do it.

Some activities that take our time are unavoidable—our day jobs, our families, the ever-present housework, sleep…  The list goes on.  So what can we do to find precious time (preferably a decent length of it) that we can use to satisfy our creativity?  Simple.  You have to get a little selfish, and learn to not feel bad about it. 

You can’t do much about the hours you spend at work—if you want to get paid, you have to put in the time.  However, nearly everyone gets a lunch break or some kind of downtime, so bring your pad and paper or laptop and spend that hour writing.  You can eat and write at the same time, right? 

Family comes first, and time with your family is precious.  However, if your kids are doing their homework, sit alongside them and do your work as well.  It seems like I spend a lot of time in my minivan, waiting on kids to get out of school or practice, so I always make sure that I have my laptop with me, should genius strike.  Even a few minutes to jot down a bit of dialogue that popped into your mind can be extremely helpful.  And don’t forget, kids have early bedtimes, so take advantage of that (if you can stay awake!) and do your writing after they go to bed and the house is quiet.

Oh, housework—the bane of my existence.  The first thing I’m getting when I become a rich and famous author is a housekeeper!  To be perfectly honest, this is what I let slide when I’m looking for writing time.  I do what I can to streamline it—getting kids or husband to do some tasks, cleaning the kitchen while I’m cooking instead of leaving a big mess to clean up at the end, keeping clean towels/underwear/socks in bins in the laundry room (kind of a self-service type thing), not actually cleaning something until it starts to look dirty, and other shortcuts that would have Martha Stewart’s starched and ironed panties in a twist.

Sleep.  Who needs it?  I can sustain (with the help of coffee) my sanity on 6 hours of sleep per night.  Maybe not the healthiest suggestion, but it works for me.  I write late at night, and then get up early in the morning to do a little marketing (tweeting, Facebooking, etc.).  And while we’re on the subject of social media and the Internet, I’m sure there is a lot of time that we all are spending—or wasting, rather—on surfing the web, watching viral videos, reading uninformational “news” stories, etc.  More than likely, there’s a good hour of time per day that you can get back just by closing your Internet browser.

But what about those days when you have the time, but just aren’t feeling writer-y?  Well, that’s a different article altogether!  Just remember to try everyday to find your “me-time” to write.  It doesn’t have to be hours on end to be productive. Take what you can get, and enjoy it and your life.  You only get one!

  

IT’S JUST A LITTLE CRUSH

by Caroline Fardig is a #1 Bestseller on Barnes & Noble’s Humor and Women Detectives lists!  IT’S JUST A LITTLE CRUSH will be on sale for $0.99 through October 24th.  Get your copy today!



 Available for:


 

Book blurb:
The sleepy town of Liberty hasn’t seen murder in…well…ever. Residents are stunned when the body of a young woman is found strangled, and reporters at the Liberty Chronicle are thrilled, rather disturbingly, over the biggest news story to hit town this century.

Lizzie Hart has even bigger problems. Lately, she can’t seem to concentrate on her job as copy editor at the Chronicle with the new hunky investigative reporter, Blake Morgan, swaggering around the office. How can a girl work when she’s using all of her energy combating Blake-induced hot flashes and struggling to repress the giggly inner schoolgirl that’s constantly rearing her dorky head? It’s a good thing that Blake barely knows Lizzie exists.

After an odd string of events, however, Lizzie begins to wonder if Blake is really as fabulous as she has fantasized. When Lizzie and Blake find a co-worker dead, Blake’s personality changes completely—and not in a good way. Even though the police rule the death as an accident, Lizzie immediately suspects foul play and senses a connection to the recent murder. She is determined to bring the killer to justice, but is having some trouble getting her Nancy Drew on thanks to the pesky stalker she’s picked up—Blake Morgan. Wait, didn’t she want him to follow her around and pay attention to her? Not like this. Blake has turned from cool and smooth to cold and downright scary, making Lizzie wonder if he should be next on her suspect list.

 

About the Author:


CAROLINE FARDIG was born and raised in a small town in Indiana. Her working career has been rather eclectic thus far, with occupations including schoolteacher, church organist, insurance agent, funeral parlor associate, and stay-at-home mom. Finally realizing that she wants to be a writer when she grows up, Caroline has released her debut novel, IT'S JUST A LITTLE CRUSH, now a #1 Bestseller. She is currently hard at work churning out a second novel in the LIZZIE HART MYSTERIES series. She still lives in that same small town with an understanding husband, two sweet kids, two energetic dogs, and one malevolent cat.

  

 
 
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Twitter:  @carolinefardig

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