#AmReading ***The Redcliffe Novels Special Offer!*** Hot British Urban Fantasy Series

That’s right folks, I am promoting again! *Groan* I know, I know, but how else will I save up for a new car? Or my campervan for that matter…

Anyway, back to the subject. My fabulous urban fantasy series the Redcliffe novels are on special offer at the moment if you purchase them on Kindle. How convenient! You could download them all now for less than the price of a posh coffee or a fancy cake… And you could be reading them on the bus, the plane, the train, or at  home if you prefer.

Read them anywhere, but I guarantee you will fall in love with the Mason brothers and their friends! If you prefer the anti-hero character types then look no further. I try to conform to traditional stereotypes with my vampires, witches and werewolves, but you know what, this is how they are and there is nothing I can do about it!

Have a lovely day my friends, and feel free to leave a review when you are finished…

I Received Gifts from #WorldBookNight, Hooray!

I am a Very Bad Author. I totally missed World Book Night, and after I had planned to get involved with a local event too! *smacks one's fingers very sharply*

I blame the children. Not in a bad way of course. I have simply been so distracted as a mother lately that my professional life has been put on hold. But that is all about to change. My books must be written, edited, distributed and read. And that is my job.

Yesterday my friend and her son took me and my daughters out for a day trip. We visited the town of New Brighton on the Wirral, and despite the rain we had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. We certainly plan to return for a beach day when the weather improves. And the town also gave me ideas for new stories, which is fabulous.

On the way home we were hungry and tired, and on impulse we stopped at the Chef and Brewer Blue Cap pub in Northwich. It is near my home but I have never been for a meal. I highly recommend it. The service was excellent, the meal was yummy, and the price was very reasonable.

Quite by chance we were approached by a lady sitting at a nearby table. So preoccupied with our children were we, that my friend and I never even saw the table full of brand new books situated near to the main entrance of the pub. We had no idea it was World Book Night. That was until we were offered a stack of free books, which we duly accepted very gratefully!

Now, when will I find the time to read all of these new treasures? I have no idea, but I will do it...


*Image of New Brighton seafront courtesy of Liverpool Pictorial

It's Official! The Middlewich Literary Festival is Coming Soon #MidLitFest

We  have seen the official launch of the all-new Middlewich Literary Festival, taking place on May 23rd and 24th this year. There are two short story competitions for children, and one design competition for any budding marketing professionals and illustration artists currently at school...

See the full story in The Middlewich Guardian, and if you are in the East Cheshire area during that time, we will be very happy to see you at the festival!

#SampleSunday The Darkness of Love

It has been a while since I shared an excerpt from one of my novels, so here is something from my latest release, The Darkness of Love...

         “Do you desire me, Marcus?” she asked, grabbing his hand.  What was this?  She was never so bold, never so brazen with a man!  Yet she didn’t feel light-headed or intoxicated.  Her words came naturally.
“Yes, Sarah, I desire you very much,” Marcus replied, shaking.
She grabbed his hand and clasped it to her bosom, and  he couldn’t contain himself any longer.  He embraced her in his strong arms, pressed his lips to hers, and she kissed him hungrily.  She tasted so sweet, so addictive.  Marcus groaned as he pressed her body to him, wrapping his arms around her slender waist, feeling her delicate skin beneath his fingers.  Then he broke off as he realised what he was doing.
“Sarah!” he gasped, “What are we doing?  This is madness!”
She laughed, reckless suddenly.
“I know,” she said, “It is completely insane.  But I cannot ignore it any longer Marcus.  I love my husband, I always will, but I am no cuckold.  I know that he has mistresses.  Why, then shouldn’t I take my own pleasure elsewhere?”

Did you enjoy this article? Join my tribe today, and I will send you a fabulous FREE book to get you started… (be warned, my vampires do not sparkle, and my wolves will bite!) 

The #AtoZChallenge is Underway

The #AtoZChallenge is underway and so far I am sharing my experiences as a breastfeeding mother, the unique nature of our children, and today I have more photographs of my adorable Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross dog...

If you would like to see more about my personal life, take a look at the #AtoZChallenge over on my sister blog, SpookyMrsGreen. Have a lovely weekend!

Author Feature Annamaria Bazzi #ReadMe

The day has finally arrived. I would like to present to all of annamaria's readers the wonderful cover for:

Book: Incantation Paradox

Author: annamaria bazzi

Cover Designer: Natasha Brown

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: Undetermined

Blurb:

A car accident cuts Dolores Reynard’s life short, leaving her with a long list of unfulfilled dreams. When she awakens in a strange bed, inside a much younger body, and living with a new family—she can’t worry she might be going insane. How can she be a teenager again?

Jason Richmond understands the danger awaiting his new houseguest. Wanting to ease her concerns, he works to earn Dolores’ trust. But attraction flares in the most unexpected way, and he finds himself caught between setting the situation right and following his heart.

An enduring evil threatens not only the blossoming love but their lives as well. As Dolores and Jason struggle to unravel the truth behind her resurrection, they find themselves tangled in a web of murder, intrigue and magic. Only together can they hope to overcome the incantation paradox holding them captive.

Dolores: 

Hello, my name is Dolores and I'm a forty-something mother of two high school girls, Ella and Chloe. On my way to their recital, I was in a car accident that changed my life forever. We all desire to be young again, but never in someone else's body. If you think magic doesn't exist, think again. There truly are people in the world who can wield magic, and I'm not talking the illusion kind we see on stage, I'm talking real magic, the magic you read in books with wizards and sorceresses. You don't have to take my word, read my story and find out for yourself the ordeal I had to go through to find my way back home.   Author Bio: Although born in the United States, annamaria bazzi spent a great deal of her childhood in Sicily, Italy, in a town called Sciacca. Italian was the language spoken at home. Therefore, she had no problems when she found herself growing up in a strange country. Upon returning to the states, she promised herself she would speak without an accent. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computers with a minor in Spanish. annamaria spent twenty years programming systems for large corporations, creating innovative solution, and addressing customer problems. During those years, she raised four daughters and one husband. annamaria lives in Richmond Virginia with her small family where she now dedicates a good part of her day writing. You can visit annamaria at:

Blog - website - Facebook page - twitter - Amazon - email

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I’m Doing the #AtoZChallenge 2014!

I have decided to go for it once again, and participate in the April #AtoZChallenge for 2014. If you are not familiar with this blog hop, it is a very simple, and very enjoyable, way to bring more traffic to your websites. It is also a great writing exercise, and gives you a real challenge with wordplay and subject matter. I participated in the blog hop in 2013 and found it great fun, and also very useful. This year I didn’t think I would be able to participate after several chaotic incidences on the domestic front, but today I feel energized with the promise of Spring, and I am going for it!

My topic of choice for 2014 will be Lifestyle. For me this will encompass all things family oriented, since this is my current focus of activity for many reasons. I may throw in a few posts about my work-life balance, my personal spiritual journey, and my experiences as a mother of two young children and one daft dog… The point is, I plan to use the #AtoZChallenge as a way to liven up my Wordpress blog and give it a boost of energy. The blog challenge will keep my brain ticking over, give me a focus for work when I need it, and of course, remind people about my fantastic adult paranormal romance novels!

 If you are in the #AtoZChallenge this year, give me a shout and I will check out your blog during April. Maybe we can compare notes… If you are new to the challenge and want to join in, there is still time… here is the link. See you later friends!

Book Review: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

I finally got round to reading this classic novel just before Christmas, and I finished reading it in January. I loved it! Dickens had me chuckling from the very first page with his witty description and conversational tone.

Pip is a thoroughly loveable character, and the story is just as relevant now as it was all those years ago when it was first written. In some ways I found it a little sad that British society still has parallels with the austere and oppressive Victorian era, although there is a part of me that thrives on nostalgia. I also felt quite surprised to see the ‘text speak’ in the sections where Pip was teaching Joe to write on a tablet (you know, the old-fashioned chalkboards, not the modern electrical versions). I couldn’t help but think that maybe Mr Dickens was something of a prophet when he described these activities… anyway I highly recommend this book to everybody.

Oh, for the Love of Books!

I am feeling rather sorry for myself at the moment. I am an avid reader. Well, I was an avid reader. I mean, I adore books, always have done, and I always have reading material to hand wherever I go. But lately I have found myself exhausted as a result of several domestic upheavals, and as a result I finished reading one book and actually didn’t start reading another for nearly two weeks. That is shocking!

I don’t think I have ever gone so long without holding a book and taking time to savour the pages and their contents. Anyway, I am relieved to say I have since rectified this problem, although I am only two chapters in to my latest paperback from the pile in my bedroom. I have chosen to read Torment by Lauren Kate, since I enjoyed her first book in the series, Fallen, so much. The novel itself is a hefty paperback, which is what I needed, since I also feel like I have neglected my beloved friends recently in favour of my new Kindle Fire HD.

I suppose we all have times of drought, so to speak. This particular drought was not a surprise to me in the circumstances, but it was quite distressing nonetheless. My fellow book lovers will understand, I am sure. Well, my children are in bed, I am catching up on some work, and then I am off to read a chapter… or two!

*Image of Catherine reading from personal collection; Image of girl reading courtesy of Tumblr

Middlewich Literary Festival Launch Event #MidLitFest

I am pleased to announce that our official launch party for the Middlewich Literary Festival will take place this Thursday, 20th March, at 4:30pm in Middlewich Library. Come along and meet our resident authors, get some industry advice and insider information, and find out more about our fabulous writing and design competitions. See you there!

Happy St Patrick's Day! #IrelandInspires

I couldn't let the day pass without a nod to my grandmother's homeland... I do after all carry the flame red hair that is associated with Ireland! Although I have never visited the country (my family are in Northern Ireland, and it was not safe to visit when I was younger), I feel a kinship with the country because of my beloved Nan. She has lived all over the world, and has lived in the UK throughout my lifetime, simply because my Grandad is a retired naval officer and therefore they travelled with his work. But my Nan has never forgotten her country, and she loves telling stories about her upbringing and family life.

Anyway, Happy St Patrick's Day everybody! Perhaps there is the reason why my Mason brothers are Irish... although they are from Dublin, quite randomly, and I cannot explain why! Check out the Redcliffe novels to learn more about the vampire and werewolf identical twins...

*Irish blessing courtesy of mythnic.com

There’s Something About the Water in Redcliffe! #ReadMe

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of being invited as a special guest author to my local book club. I am actually a member of the book club anyway, so it was quite a strange experience. I was very anxious when I learned that our book of the month for February was my first novel Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel). What would my book club friends think of it? What if they hated it? What if they loved it? What would I say?

As it turned out they all did enjoy my book, and that included a few friends who have never read any paranormal novels before. I take this as an added compliment. I was also very honoured when one of the women brought all three of my Redcliffe novels with her and asked me to sign them because she enjoyed reading them so much. We settled down and got stuck into conversation.

I was happy to be told that the readers liked my book because it provides a bit of ‘easy reading.’ It is genre fiction, primarily paranormal romance, and the chapters are short. I did this based on my personal experience. As a reader I always like to finish a chapter when reading my book. I hate having to put a book down with the bookmark in a random page. It just doesn’t feel right, I can’t explain it. So I chose to write short chapters in my novels.

The characters and setting were all well-received. There were warm feelings and mixed feelings towards everyone in Redcliffe, just as I had intended, and there were also a few unexpected reactions. Two of my readers asked about the significance of drinking water. That surprised me! Apparently there are lots of references to drinking water in Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel). I’m not saying yes or no to the question “Is it relevant?” I will admit that the question was unexpected and gave me something to think about for my continuing series… And the same goes for the storyline of pregnancy and having a baby. Take a look!

I Celebrate World Book Day Every Day! #ReadMe

I cannot allow today to pass by without celebrating the official World Book Day, even if it has been rather lacking in book-related activities for me. I suppose really I celebrate books and reading every day, so on a personal level it doesn’t actually matter.

Every day I take a few minutes to stand before my tall bookcase situated on the landing by my bedroom, and I stare lovingly at the piles and stacks of paperbacks, hardbacks, and special edition magazines carefully stashed away. Then I glance at the overflowing pile on my bedroom floor with the same fondness. Then I walk downstairs, sit on the sofa, and stare across at my small bookcase proudly displaying my collection of Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter books by Laurell K Hamilton… OK I do have a lot of books! But I need more, dammit!

Happy World Book Day everybody!

It's All About the Books! #MidLitFest

As we move into a new month and the promise of the Spring season, I feel especially excited because this coming week it is all about the books! I mean, every week is all about books for me (and children of course), but this week we celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 6th March.

World Book Day not only means my daughter can dress up for the day at pre-school, and we get vouchers for money off children's books, but World Book Day UK sees the (un)official launch of the very first Middlewich Literary Festival, and I have been invited as a guest author. I am very honoured! There will be short story competitions for local school children, featured authors and poets showcasing their work, the offer of literary critiques from speakers (possibly me), and a general gathering of readers and writers sharing the book love. In fact, I want to start a new Twitter handle for it: #MidLitFest

Not only that, but on Monday 2nd March the Middlewich Readers book club will be discussing my first novel Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel), and I will be present to answer questions and join the chat. I am excited but a little bit nervous about the experience... 

Have a fantastic week everybody! 

Meet the Author! Middlewich Readers Book Club #Cheshire

I am a member of the Middlewich Readers book club in Cheshire, UK. We meet once a month at our local cafe, Drinks and Bites at 35, where we chat about the latest book on our list, discuss what we liked or disliked about it, and generally have an hour where we can bring our reading passion to life. Our next meeting is on Monday 3rd March, and this month the book under scrutiny is one of mine, eek!

The book in question is my very first novel, Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel). Check out the free Wattpad link if you haven't read it, or find it on Amazon. Alternatively, if you are local to Middlewich, join us at the book club meeting on Monday. See you later!

Happy Valentines Day, Book Lovers! #ReadMe

Today I have a special gift to you all. My Redcliffe novels are all on a special offer price for the entire weekend. You can purchase my new novel The Darkness of Love for just £0.77, or $1.26. How cool is that?

And the same applies to my first three novels in the Redcliffe series; Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel), Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel) and Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel). Perfect Valentine’s reading!

 

Hot Week on the #Valentine Hump Day Hook #HDH

I think this year we will make our Valentine’s Day a Hot One, you know what I’m talking about! So here is a *hot* Hump Day Hook excerpt for you. This is from my third Redcliffe novel, Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel):

As I turned to walk into my bedroom he suddenly appeared behind me.  I cried out in surprise as he grabbed my arms, turning me to face him.  I almost spilled the glass of water, but I just managed to reach down and deposit it on a nearby dresser.  Jack crushed his lips to mine, kissing me hungrily.  I couldn’t help myself.  I wrapped my arms around him, returning the kisses, welcoming the surge of heat and desire that roared through my body.  We tore our clothes off and ended up on the floor right there in my living room doorway.  It was hot and passionate, both angry and exciting.  I experienced the most amazing ecstasy I had ever endured.  Eventually we fell into bed together, naked and exhausted.  I slept through until morning with no dreams or visions, and no interruptions.

If you enjoyed this one, why not pop over to our dedicated Hump Day Hook blog and see what my fellow authors have to offer. We write about romance, love, science fiction, fantasy, erotica and everything in-between, so you are sure to find something that delights the senses. You can also find us on Facebook. Happy Humping!

Rediscovering the Joy of Reading

I have been reading continuously all of my life, but recently found that my rate of reading declined sharply after the birth of my second child. It’s the same old story; I spend all day running around after a toddler and a baby while juggling housework and the occasional bit of writing, and by the time they go to bed I am exhausted and barely able to look at a book, never mind pick one up. However, I am determined not to lose out on my favourite pastime.

Since I have a bookcase of overflowing shelves, books stacked up in my bedroom, and a Kindle loaded with novels and short stories, I have plenty of material to keep me occupied. I decided that for now I will read one ’real’ book, one digital book, and maybe the odd non-fiction alongside. I joined a book club late last year, and that interrupted my loose schedule because my reading time has been dominated by prescribed books. That isn’t a bad thing, because as I result I finally read a classic novel all the way through, and what’s more I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The novel was Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.  A review will follow, but suffice to say I look forward to reading more of his stories. I read it on my Kindle, and it took me roughly two months to complete, because I have been reading other books around this. One I am currently reading is a review copy from an author friend. That one is in the publication process at the moment, and the review will follow in due course. This novel is a Chick Lit story called Catch the Man (If You Can) by Naomi Chance. Again I am reading on my Kindle, but then I found myself staring wistfully at my bookshelf and feeling the urge to hold a proper book in my hands again.

Subsequently I picked up a copy of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. It is a paperback book leant to me by a friend, and was on our book club reading list about five months ago. I am not even halfway through reading it yet, and that is shocking for a self-confessed bookworm. I have never taken so long to read a book! I admit this one took a little while to catch my attention. The first few chapters were a little rambling and seemed to show little significance to me and my interests. However, at some point it suddenly became a gripping read. I now find that I am desperate to return to it, and will probably spend most of the weekend reading, while I juggle my children… Happy reading my friends!

*Image of girl reading courtesy of Sarah Brennan Blog; image of Great Expectations via website; image of Catch the Man via Naomi Chance

Romancing the witch, werewolf style! Hump Day Hook #HDH

This week we showcase romance in the Hump Day Hook. Here is an excerpt from my second Redcliffe novel, Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel):

“This is all for you, Jessica,” Danny said, “I can no longer deny my feelings for you.”
My heart skipped a beat and the room spun around me.  It was nothing to do with the whiskey.  I swallowed nervously, again glancing from Jack to Danny.  My boyfriend was silent at my side, and I was aware of Simon standing just in front of the desk.
“W-what do you mean?” I asked shakily.
Danny placed his hands on my knees, and I sat rigid, unable to move.  Suri stirred again within me.  I was aware of her lifting her head, surveying the scene with interest.  I could hear her thinking how useful this situation could be to her.  She pleaded again for me to allow her release.
“Not now, Suri,” I whispered, and Danny looked at me sharply.
“Your tiger is here,” he said with a faint smile, “I can feel her.  She wants me.  Do you want me, Jessica?”
I licked my lips nervously.  Yes, I wanted Danny, and it terrified me.  How could I do this to Jack?  Surely I could not be in love with two men.  It wasn’t possible.  Well, maybe it wasn’t love.  But I certainly felt something for Danny, and I could no longer deny it.  He knew.  He stared at me with growing comprehension, and his expression grew triumphant.

If you enjoyed this one, why not pop over to our dedicated Hump Day Hook blog and see what my fellow authors have to offer. We write about romance, love, science fiction, fantasy, erotica and everything in-between, so you are sure to find something that delights the senses. You can also find us on Facebook. Happy Humping!

Telling the Stories of Antique Furniture #WritingInspiration

This week is National Storytelling Week in the UK. My world is full of stories. Just this morning I can tell the tale of how my three-year-old daughter woke up late for pre-school after a restless night of sleep, and about the conversations we had on our short walk out. Our dog insisted on stopping to sniff every wall and bush we passed, and then I had to explain for the hundredth time why we stopped at traffic lights before crossing the road. It is never a dull moment being a mother, that’s for sure!

I recently celebrated my birthday, and for a treat I got to visit my local craft and antique centre. Dagfields Crafts and Antiques is a fabulous place. It is a collection of converted barns out in the Cheshire countryside, and it contains a wonderful array of treasures and curiosities. I was able to visit it twice within a week, and without children in tow, which is a novelty these days! Subsequently I found time to browse all of the units and inspect everything on display, which set my imagination alight once again. Each piece of furniture, every ornament, and every seemingly tired object has a story to tell. Here are a few that I particularly liked:

This beautiful antique telephone table looked to me like it would not be amiss in a luxurious Victorian home. It might be a twentieth century piece of furniture, hence being sold as a telephone table, but when I looked at it I pictured in in the sitting room of Lady Sarah Stockton from my recent novel The Darkness of Love. The sofa is luxurious and delicate, it looks comfortable enough to seat a lady of a dainty disposition, and there is a useful table on which she can place her book, her cup of tea, and maybe her fan if the weather is warm.

I really liked this sideboard and am still contemplating purchasing it for my home, although my husband may not like the piece. It has a pull-out writing desk feature, and I could see myself seated there working on my laptop if I were to bring it home. I also pictured this in the Victorian home of Stockton Manor from The Darkness of Love. It was not grand enough to warrant a place in Lord Gregory’s personal rooms, but perhaps it would suffice for the office of his butler, or maybe as a side table in  a hallway. It is very small, so it would only work in a less important room of the house.

These are just a couple of examples of what I saw recently. There were so many treasures to discover that I didn’t even make it all the way round Dagfields on two visits. I was constrained by time on those occasions, but that only means I have to return so I can finish my visit of course! Ah, the simple pleasures of life…

Join my tribe today, and I will send you a fabulous FREE book to get you started… (be warned, my vampires do not sparkle, and my wolves will bite!) 

New Year, New Hump Day Hook Style! #HDH

We’re back, hooray! Hump Day Hook was hanging in the balance at the end of 2013, but we simply could not let it go. Instead, our wonderful organiser, Kerrianne Coombes, has revised the format and today I present an ‘Action’ sequence from my debut novel Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel).

Suddenly he was on his feet, so fast I didn’t see.  He lunged at me and I screamed, jumping back as he grabbed for my neck.  He fell to the floor and I backed up, finding myself pressed against the wall, staring at him in horror.  He had tried to bite me!  He wasn’t human.  I couldn’t move; my body was frozen in fear as I watched Jack gather himself and stand up slowly.  It wasn’t Jack that looked at me from those beautiful blue eyes.  It was the monster from my dreams and I screamed as he lunged at me again. I called his name, trying desperately to bring him back.
Suddenly in a blur of movement someone pushed me away from Jack and put himself between us.  It was Marcus.  His eyes were glowing silver, his face white, and then he turned to Jack, restraining him, whispering to him.  Jack went still in his arms and Marcus turned his head to me, looking very human again.  
“Are you alright, Jessica?” he asked gently.

If you enjoyed this one, why not pop over to our dedicated Hump Day Hook blog and see what my fellow authors have to offer. We write about romance, love, science fiction, fantasy, erotica and everything in-between, so you are sure to find something that delights the senses. You can also find us on Facebook. Happy Humping!

Feeding Your Imagination on Instagram

This year I plan to take a more focused route when it comes to social media networking. For the past three years I have concentrated my efforts on Twitter and Facebook, which in the beginning seemed a good idea. I tried a little paid advertising, but with a reduced budget I had to pause that for a while. I joined several Facebook groups for authors who post re-tweets on Twitter for each other as a way of cross-promoting. This also worked for a while, until late last year I realised that I spent a large portion of my week posting tweets for other people and I was simply not seeing any benefit for myself. So I stopped.

One fairly new social network caught my attention in 2013; Pinterest. It was originally suggested by a friend who uses it to research recipes and home décor ideas for her family. I explored it one afternoon and quickly became hooked. I now have a whole collection of boards where I pin photos, links to blogs, ideas for stories and all sorts of random fun and quirky aspects of my personality. If you don't already know it, take a look, but be warned, it is highly addictive! If you are already a seasoned Pinterest follower, join me if you like...

Finally, I was introduced to another popular new social network; Instagram. A friend uses it to feed her addiction to knitting crafts, home cooking and general pretty pictures, and now she has drawn me into the fold so to speak. Indeed, when I upgraded my mobile phone last summer I was determined to switch from Blackberry to Android so that I could specifically download the Instagram app and get started. And I am so glad I did! I find photographs, quotes and infographs very useful for fuelling my imagination when I need a little help.

How about you? Do you use Instagram or Pinterest? Are there any other social networks I need to explore? I am always open to suggestions...

A Playground for the Imagination #amwriting

There is inspiration for stories everywhere. I know this is an oft-repeated phrase and many struggling writers are probably fed up of hearing it. But I think it really is the truth. Every day I am bombarded with snippets of inspiration, little sentences and scenarios that could be transcribed into detailed stories. It could be anything from watching my children interacting and wondering what goes through their minds, to taking a walk and seeing the world around me.

 One day I took my children to a local playground when I collected my eldest daughter from pre-school. The day was very average, with nondescript weather and no special occasions or events. We visited the playground and my daughter spent some time running around and enjoying the swings, slide and climbing frame. I stood watching and felt compelled to take these photos.

Looking at the empty rocking animals and the swings blowing gently in a faint breeze, I was struck by how atmospheric the playground had suddenly become. Was it simply my overactive imagination and the fact that I am a writer constantly seeking inspiration? Or was it a genuine mood in the area? I don't know, but I found my mind coming alive with possibilities for ghost stories, horror stories, and all sorts of macabre creations centred around this innocent children's playground.

Do you see the possibilities too?

The Female of the Species is Deadly

It occurs to me that I haven't shared any excerpts from my novels for a while, so in the spirit of the new year and my current feisty mood, here is a seductive snippet from my latest novel The Darkness of Love...

         Gregory nodded, keeping his cool silver gaze fixed on her black eyes.  He tried so hard to ignore his Mistress’ advances, but he could never refuse her.  He belonged to her, and he was not strong enough to break free.
“Yes,” he said, “I am sure he will be compliant, for he is a man with vigorous appetites, or so I hear from the villagers.  He has a reputation among the workers’ daughters.”
Amelia smiled and nodded, her eyes glowing with excitement.  She licked her lips, and her eyes showed a glimmer of fire, deep in the pupils.  She was a contradiction of everything the vampires knew about themselves.  She burned with both fire and ice, and no-one could escape her trap when she set it. 
“I will not disappoint my oldest friend.” she said simply.

Inspiration for a Bestseller #ReadMe

Earlier today I was walking into town to collect my daughter from pre-school when a very insignificant event gave me a flash of inspiration that set my imagination alight. Hooray! Finally I have that million-dollar idea for a bestselling literary novel. I'm not even joking. The idea might not sound like a bestseller to a lot of people but I can see its potential. I won't give too many details, suffice to say it involves a doppelgänger and everyday situations.

Since I have several works in progress at the moment I won't drop everything to write this one. Besides, I feel it needs time to manifest in my mind and for me to collect more life experience to include in the novel. It will be written for a female audience and include themes of motherhood, the work/life balance, and ideas about what makes for an exciting life in 21st century Britain. I might even need a little more genre-specific academic training so that I can produce a fine manuscript to attract an agent, but I will decide that in due course.

I love being a writer!

*Image courtesy of Artsyville

Being a Writer vs Being a Mother

I am really struggling to write anything at the moment. It is such a strange feeling, because in the space of three years I wrote and published 4 novels and 3 short stories. My Muse was shouting at me constantly so that I always had some form of dialogue or story running circles in my mind, until it was written down. I have notebooks full of scribbled excerpts, blog ideas, story ideas, and even prompts to help me out on occasions like this. Yet with all of this material, I have nothing to say.

What  is this bizarre affliction? Is it writers' block? Is it laziness? Or is it something much more simple; children? Ha ha, that made you stop. Yes, I blame the children. Not that they have done anything wrong, you understand. My biological clock was ticking and so while I was frantically writing my masterpieces of literary fiction (or rather, commercial paranormal fiction), I was also incubating and birthing children. I now have a very active 3 year old daughter, and a very demanding but totally adorable 5 month old daughter.

During the Christmas holiday I took time to rest and recuperate after a very hectic year in 2013. I spent some time thinking about my situation and mulling over my options. Where could I fit in time to write and continue to develop my professional career? Ultimately I decided that it is not feasible right now. Technically I am still on maternity leave, and I have the luxury of a husband whose job pays the bills, so for now I will focus on my family and leave my notebooks alone. I will still write. I intend to develop my blogs more and update them regularly throughout the year. I will also return to my manuscripts and story prompts as and when I find the time and energy. I am still a writer, but I am also a mother, and that is my priority right now.

Join my tribe today, and I will send you a fabulous FREE book to get you started… (be warned, my vampires do not sparkle, and my wolves will bite!) 

New Year, New Start

Many people are beginning 2014 with plans to give up drinking alcohol, to get back in the gym and lose weight, to eat healthily and any number of other physical efforts to improve themselves and their lives. I have never actually tried to do the traditional New Year's Resolutions. I was always very smug and said that I didn't need to. Well actually, there are some new resolutions that I should be trying, and here they are:

• Play more. I spent so much time in 2013 just trying to push my book sales that I forgot to take time out. My books are out there. I can let them do their job now.
• Be kinder to myself. I have become a martyr to my situation. I only realised at the very end of 2013 that I have become the very thing I dreaded: a downtrodden housewife. Actually I am nothing of the sort. It is all in my mind and my attitude. That will change.
• Live my life for me. I suppose this one sort of relates to the other points above, but ultimately we all have to take responsibility for ourselves as individuals. I wanted to have children, and I love being a mother, but I also need a break every so often. That is not a bad thing. I can be myself and I can be mother, wife and author. I just have to give myself time, space and understanding.

One of the ways in which I can reclaim some time and energy is to stop wasting so much time on social media. Yes, I enjoy interacting with people, but in 2014 I want to do it genuinely, rather than always thinking about what kind of result my efforts will bring. Our culture is so focused on bringing immediate results to our efforts that we feel like failures if something takes longer than 24 hours to improve. 

This year I want to be a genuine networker. I will not simply pay lip service to several social networks because I feel like that's what I should be doing. I would love for more people to comment on my blogs, even to offer suggestions of where I can make improvements, or to compliment me when I write something of particular interest or importance. 

2014 is the year for ME. How about you make it the year for YOU too? Happy New Year!