Category Archives: Guest Post

Isabella Muir: For the love of dogs!

Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , ,

Welcoming, Isabella Muir as she celebrates the release of her latest cosy crime novel, Crossing the Line, and chats about one of my favourite things … dogs!

Over to you, Isabella:

For the love of dogs…

What is it about our four-legged friends that turns pet lovers into hopeless romantics?  Well, we’re not called pet ‘lovers’ for no reason!  My otherwise sensible and serious husband only has to see a dog – any shape, any size, any age – and he goes all soppy, making a fuss of the creature, who is often quite bemused by the whole experience. And I’m just as bad, which means neither of us can pass a dog on a walk without having to stop for a chat and a cuddle.

So, it was inevitable that I include a dog in my latest novel, Crossing the Line, even though it’s a crime story! Max, the lively Beagle, arrives at a critical part of the story when he joins the Rossi family. Six-year-old Stevie Rossi has been pestering the family for a pet for ages. Following a tragic event that rocks the seaside community of Bexhill-on-Sea, it seems like the perfect time for Stevie to have his wish granted. After all, having a dog around will always lighten the mood and is the perfect way to chase away all negative thoughts!

Despite his aunt’s advice, Stevie insists on taking Max to the summer beach bonfire, as we see here in this brief extract from the book…

‘Stevie was asking about it, last night, when I was putting him to bed. I told him he’s got Max to think about now. Most dogs don’t like fireworks.’

‘What did he say?’

‘He told me that Max isn’t most dogs.’

Max and Stevie are clearly well suited –  they are both as spirited as each other. A dramatic incident occurs at the bonfire…but don’t worry, Max is completely fine!

Crossing the Line is the first of a new series of Sussex Crimes, but it is not the first time dogs have appeared in my stories. In The Tapestry Bag – the first in the Janie Juke series of crime mystery novels – we are introduced to Charlie, the German Shepherd, the much-loved guide dog, who supports Janie’s father, Philip, who is blind.

It seems I can’t write a story without having at least one dog as part of the plot to give me a helping hand!

I am with your there, Isabella. I do love dogs in novels, they are generally a great judge of character and lend a little something extra to a story.

About the book:

Crossing the Line – tragic accident or cold-blooded murder?

Crossing the Line is the first in a new series of Sussex Crime stories, featuring retired Italian detective, Giuseppe Bianchi. He has been a detective for many years, but felt compelled to retire early because of a tragedy that happened almost outside his front door. (No spoilers!)

In Crossing the Line, Giuseppe travels to England to spend some time with his cousin, Mario, who runs a seafront café in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Travelling to England to escape one tragic death, Giuseppe then comes face-to-face with another. The body of a teenager is found on a Sussex beach, and Giuseppe is drawn to the case – a case with no witnesses, and a case about which no one is prepared to talk.

National news reports of a missing twelve-year-old in Manchester spark fear across the nation. The phrase ‘stranger-danger’ filters into public consciousness. Local reporter, Christina Rossi, already has concerns about her local community.

As the sea mist drifts in and darkness descends, can Giuseppe and Christina discover the truth and prevent another tragedy?

 Set in July 1964, Crossing the Line is the perfect summer escape. If you have seen the Italian police series, Montalbano, you’ll know all about charismatic Italian detectives. Combine that with the atmosphere and flavour of life in the ‘swinging sixties’ and you have all you need for a cracking read.

Crossing the Line is available now from Amazon as an ebook, or paperback – you can also read it for FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

Grab your chance for a FREE book when you sign up to Isabella’s mailing list to keep up to date with the latest news on Sussex Crime! https://isabellamuir.com/ 

Isabella’s books are on my kindle waiting to be read, and my mother-in-law has recently read the whole of the Janie Juke series and highly recommends it.

About the author:

Isabella Muir is never happier than when she is immersing herself in the sights, sounds and experiences of the 1960s. Researching all aspects of family life back then formed the perfect launch pad for her works of fiction. Isabella rediscovered her love of writing fiction during two happy years working on and completing her MA in Professional Writing and since then has gone to publish five novels, two novellas and a short story collection.

Her first Sussex Crime Mysteryseries features young librarian and amateur sleuth, Janie Juke. Set in the late 1960s, in the fictional seaside town of Tamarisk Bay, we meet Janie, who looks after the mobile library. She is an avid lover of Agatha Christie stories – in particular Hercule Poirot – using all she has learned from the Queen of Crime to help solve crimes and mysteries. As well as three novels, there are three novellas in the series, which explore some of the back story to the Tamarisk Bay characters.

Her latest novel, Crossing the Line, is the first of a new series of Sussex Crimes, featuring retired Italian detective, Giuseppe Bianchi who arrives in the quiet seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, to find a dead body on the beach and so the story begins…

Isabella’s standalone novel, The Forgotten Children, deals with the emotive subject of the child migrants who were sent to Australia – again focusing on family life in the 1960s, when the child migrant policy was still in force.

Discover more about Isabella and her work via: Twitter | Facebook | website | Goodreads

Stories that will make you smile: Morton S Gray

Author Interview, Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , , ,

A very warm welcome to fellow Apricot Plots author, Morton S Gray, as she shares an uplifting extract from The Truth Lies Buried.

Hello Morton, it’s lovely to have you back on my blog. How are you keeping in this strange new world? Do you have a top tip to promote wellbeing?

Hello, thank you for having me.

I normally spend a lot of time on my own and so this strange time has been a little bit of a challenge with five of us home working! My husband usually works abroad and this is the longest time we have spent together consecutively during our married life! My eldest son and his girlfriend moved in ‘temporarily’ at the beginning of the year when a house purchase went wrong and have had to stay much longer than they expected, both homeworking in my dining room. My youngest is studying for his A Levels and has been having online lessons.

So, I have found myself without my usual alone time thinking space, without my coffee shop writing time and having to spend far more time cooking than usual with five of us here for every meal. Having said that, I am grateful we are all safe and well and so far in work. And, while we have our ups and downs, we generally get on pretty well.

I’ve been taking solace in my crafts – weaving, soap making and now mask making. I’m never bored and always have far more to do than time to do it in and I give thanks for that at the moment too.

My tip to promote wellbeing is to get out into nature for a walk each day and to notice the wildflowers and birds. Things change subtly every day and there are always new colours and things to make you smile.

Wow, what a busy house! After a trip to the beach early this morning, I have to agree, taking time to be out in nature definitely helps.

Reading, of course, is also a great occupation during lockdown, could you tell us a little about your latest novel?

I’m going to talk about my second novel, The Truth Lies Buried, a romantic suspense novel, which tells the story of Jenny Simpson and Carver Rodgers as they uncover secrets from their past.

This is what it says on the back of the book –

Two children in a police waiting room, two distressed mothers, a memory only half remembered…

When Jenny Simpson returns to the seaside town of Borteen, her childhood home, it’s for a less than happy reason. But it’s also a chance for her to start again.

A new job leads to her working for Carver Rodgers, a man who lives alone in a house that looks like it comes from the pages of a fairy tale – until you see the disaster zone inside …

As Jenny gets to know Carver she begins to unravel the sadness that has led to his chaotic existence. Gradually they realise they have something in common that is impossible to ignore – and it all links back to a meeting at a police station many years before.

Could the truth lie just beneath their feet?

I have read and enjoyed it, but, for those who haven’t read it yet, could you share an uplifting extract?

The extract below is the point where Jenny Simpson meets Carver Rodgers in The Truth Lies Buried:

With renewed determination, she went back down the steps and across the clearing, weaving through the trees in the direction of the overwhelming sound of the saw.

Another clearing lay ahead and she noticed a man moving. As she got closer, she could see he wore faded blue overalls, huge ear defenders and goggles. With movements reminiscent of a boxer trying to decide when to strike, he appeared to be sizing up a tree trunk propped up on the ground. The chainsaw purred in his hands and his body braced as he moved in and connected with the wood. Shavings rained through the air.

The howl of the saw began to make her head thud and her pulse race. Watching the man carving was like observing an intimate scene between lovers, as he shaped the log. There was something fascinating about the undulations of his back and his deliberate movements, as his strong arms handled the heavy saw like a paintbrush. She watched mesmerised as the shape of a bird began to emerge from the wooden block. The man ducked and dived, wielding the saw with obvious skill. Jenny’s best pair of smart shoes sank deeper into the muddy leaf mould as she waited patiently for him to notice her.

Suddenly, a huge grey dog leapt out of the undergrowth. The animal was as tall as Jenny when it jumped up, close enough for her to see flashes in his eyes. She backed against a tree, her heart in her mouth, stifling a scream. The dog circled around her, barking and snarling. Climbing out of harm’s way was impossible in her tight skirt, even if she could climb a tree. Enormous teeth came close to her face and saliva dripped from the animal’s jaws. Jenny clutched her handbag in front of her and stood as still as she could, given that she was shaking so violently. Scared of passing out, she closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle.

After what seemed a lifetime, during which she’d had plenty of time to imagine being eaten by the baying dog, the chainsaw silenced.

‘Wilf, away. Come here, you mangy beast.’

Jenny chanced opening her eyes. The dog retreated instantly in response to the man’s words. She sank down to the ground, her terror taking away all care for her suit.

The chainsaw man came towards her, removing his ear defenders as he walked. He took off his goggles, revealing slate grey eyes that showed concern, but maybe a hint of amusement too. Wood shavings coated his long curly hair.

‘Are you all right? I wasn’t expecting visitors.’

Jenny stuttered when she finally found her voice. ‘You w-weren’t ex-expecting me?’

‘No.’

‘But you rang me? Unless I have totally the wrong place.’ Her voice sounded much higher in pitch than normal.

A look of puzzlement passed across his features and then his whole body tensed.

‘You’re the cleaning lady. My brother-in-law, Kieron, said he’d rung you. I’d completely forgotten.’

Jenny attempted a smile, while she contemplated how she felt about being called a cleaning lady.

He took off a thick glove and extended his hand. ‘Carver.’

Was that his name? The ‘C’ from the heart above the house door?

Jenny couldn’t decide if he intended for her to shake his hand or to use it to haul herself from the ground. She grabbed his palm and pulled. Her skirt made an ominous ripping sound as he lifted her to her feet. Meanwhile, she was puzzled by the tingles that ran up her fingers in response to his touch.

‘Jenny Simpson.’ She was annoyed at how weak and squeaky her voice sounded.

He nodded, the corners of his mouth turned up, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. On one side of his face there was a scar that went over his jawline and disappeared beneath his overalls. Trying not to stare, she dislodged her shoes once again from the mud. He had an unkempt look, definitely needed a haircut, but somehow all her eyes saw was the wound. How did you ask someone about such a thing? How did you get your scar? could be considered a rather personal question after only five minutes of acquaintance. The mark began on his bottom lip and that part of the scar was silvered. Goodness, she was staring at his lips. Jenny began to feel hot with embarrassment.

Carver, thankfully, appeared unaware. ‘Come up to the house and I’ll show you around. You’ll probably run a mile rather than take on the job, or that was my sister-in-law’s opinion in any case.’

She trailed after his boot prints, keeping a wary eye on the dog, who now followed close on her heels, as if daring her to step out of line. She felt so far removed from the cool, calm, businesslike image she’d hoped to portray. She wished she could rewind to when she first rang the doorbell; this time Carver would open the door when she knocked.

They reached the building, he whistled twice and Wilf trotted obediently to a large kennel inside a fenced area beneath the wooden structure. Carver drew a latch across the gate to contain the dog.

He bounded lithely up the steps and pushed open the front door. It hadn’t been locked, Jenny realised, but it only opened halfway and they had to squeeze through the gap into the house. A mountain of unopened post towered against the wall behind the door. She debated whether to remove her mud-caked shoes, but Carver didn’t take off his boots and the floor looked little different to the forest floor anyway, so she didn’t bother.

He led the way down the central hallway. Jenny spied a living room with every surface piled high with books, magazines and an assortment of stuff. The kitchen was full of dirty dishes, takeaway bags and plastic trays, liberally peppered with empty beer cans. It didn’t smell particularly pleasant. She tried not to let Carver see her wrinkling her nose against the odour.

She’d never seen a house in such a state, even in her student days. It was almost scary. Was she really going to agree to clean up this mess, this … total devastation?

Carver turned and she schooled her face so as not to reveal her shock. She wished she could stop her gaze travelling to his scar, as she was wondering what sort of accident or attack had caused his disfigurement. Pity, he was a good- looking man, when he wasn’t scowling. She forced herself to meet his eyes.

‘Can you do anything with this place? It was my in-laws’ idea to get a cleaner. I’m not too bothered, to be honest, but they suggested a thorough sort out and then regular maintenance. What do you think?’

Jenny searched for a tactful reply. ‘It will be … a … challenge.’

He sort of grinned, or was it a grimace?

All her senses were telling her to walk away, this was a big job, but she badly needed a new start and something about Carver intrigued her, not just his scar. ‘Will you want me to do every room? Or are there no go areas?’

‘If you are going to take on the job, I guess we may as well do it properly. My wife … died … I haven’t been able to face sorting her things. Could you do that for me too, or rather help me to do it? I’m sure it might be easier with someone standing over me.’

‘Oh, I’m so sorry. My condolences. How long ago did she die?’ At least this gave a reason for the state of the house.

‘Nearly three years now.’ He looked away and rubbed at his eyes.

Her heart contracted at his so obvious pain.

He turned back. ‘When can you start?’ There was a definite crack in his voice.

‘We haven’t discussed my rates yet.’

‘Kieron said twelve pounds an hour.’

‘That’s my normal rate for simple cleaning.’ Wow, she was talking as if she did this all the time.

He frowned. ‘I guess this isn’t a simple cleaning job.’

What a great extract. To add to your teaser, here’s my review of The Truth Lies Buried:

I really enjoyed my first visit to Borteen Bay in The Girl on the Beach, and so I was greatly looking forward to reading The Truth Lies Buried. It certainly didn’t disappoint.

The two main characters grow as the story progresses, as does your empathy for them as you read. Carver was a good male lead, strong and yet sensitive, with a backstory that explains his state of mind and the manner to which he has become accustomed to living, before Jenny enters (or re-enters his life). He also has a dog, which in my opinion, is a bonus in any book.

The story and action unfold at a steady pace, with some lovely tender moments along the way. With likeable characters, a wonderful setting (I’d quite like to live in Borteen Bay) and a good amount of intrigue to hold you to the end, it’s an absorbing read.

The Truth Lies Buried is available now from all eBook platforms, as a paperback and audiobook, see Choc Lit | Amazon Kindle | Kobo | Apple iBooks

Finally, what can we expect from you next?

For those who have read my three published titles, The Girl on the Beach, The Truth Lies Buried and Christmas at Borteen Bay, all set in my fictional seaside town of Borteen, my next novel features two characters you will recognise – Mandy Vanes, who runs the Owl Corner craft centre and teenager, Nick Crossten. The novel begins when Nick turns up at Owl Corner saying that his mother has gone away leaving him to fend for himself and he’s being followed by a man who says he is Nick’s father.

Very exciting times ahead, and I wish you every success with the continuation of the Borteen series. Thank you so much for stopping by. xx

About the author:

Morton lives with her husband, two sons and Lily, the tiny white dog, in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel aged fourteen. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors.

Her debut novel The Girl on the Beach was published after she won the Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Starcompetition. This story follows a woman with a troubled past as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding her son’s new headteacher, Harry Dixon. The book is available as a paperback and e-book.

Morton’s second book for Choc Lit The Truth Lies Buried is another romantic suspense novel, The book tells the story of Jenny Simpson and Carver Rodgers as they uncover secrets from their past. This book is available as an e-book, paperback and audiobook.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is Morton’s first Christmas novella. It is set in her fictional seaside town of Borteen and follows the story of Pippa Freeman, who runs the Rose Court Guesthouse with her mother, and local policeman Ethan Gibson, as they unravel a family secret as Christmas approaches.

Morton previously worked in the electricity industry in committee services, staff development and training. She has a Business Studies degree and is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She also has diplomas in Tuina acupressure massage and energy field therapy. She enjoys crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.

You can find out more about Morton and her work via: website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Apricot Plots

Stories that will make you smile: Jan Brigden

Author Interview, Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , , , ,

A very warm welcome to Jan Brigden as she celebrates the release of her novel, If I Ever Doubt You.

Hello Jan, how are you keeping in this strange new world? Do you have a top tip to promote wellbeing?

Well I’m a bit of an introvert so have found the peace and solitude quite comforting. I’m used to my own company as most writers are. My husband Dave can’t work at the moment so the two of us have been on some soul-soothing and very scenic walks. We live in a town but it’s amazing how many green and fairly secluded walks there are on our doorstep. I miss all my family and friends.  Mum and Dad are safely cocooned at home for their own protection. When I feel a dip in my mood, I console myself with knowing that when we’re liberated from this crazy, unnerving experience, we’ll all have the biggest hugs ever.

My top tip to promote wellbeing would be to not let those pesky negative or worrying thoughts spiral. Don’t dwell on the what ifs, let them pass and focus on the now/reality.

That sounds like a good idea to me!

I loved As Weekends Go, and so was super excited to hear you were releasing a sequel, tell us a little about your latest novel:

If I Ever Doubt You is the sequel to As Weekends Go but can be read as a standalone novel. It follows the ongoing relationship between small town divorcee Rebecca Dunning and big league professional footballer Alex Heath. How will Rebecca cope with the reality of living a life so different from her own; the pre-judgement, the jealousy, the doubts and fears? Alex may be unstereotypical given the reputation of some of his fellow footballers, but can their love survive the emotional turbulence of outside influences?

OO it sounds great, could you share an uplifting extract?

They resurfaced an hour later with Alex declaring that he was taking Rebecca for a late lunch at Hawksley Manor – a statement that set her off jumping around the bedroom partly with joy, her staple reaction to any potential revisit, especially alone with Alex – and partly to freshen up, dress and get out of the apartment in half an hour so they stood some chance of arriving there before lunchtime service ceased in the main restaurant. York’s outer ring road traffic could be monstrous.

The staff at Hawksley Manor would no doubt accommodate them even if they rocked up late, as had previously happened at a different establishment, much to Alex’s embarrassment; another thing Rebecca loved about him – his refusal to exploit taking advantage. She knew he was neither naïve nor hypocritical enough to think his name, position and profession couldn’t open doors and opportunities or that he hadn’t, on occasion, utilised and enjoyed those very privileges, but the less gushing and fawning he could maintain in his day-to-day life, the better.

Rebecca loved Hawksley Manor’s long, tree-lined drive, the sight of the fountain sparkling up ahead, the sound of it tinkling as they drove around it and into the car park, the majesty of the manor itself never failing to lift the hairs on her arms.

Our special place.

How often during the darkest moments of her divorce, the endless tears and doubts and fears, the brave faces, the ache in her belly for Alex whenever they’d parted, never really knowing for sure if the two of them could sustain their unity, had she taken comfort in the memories of that magical weekend they’d first set eyes upon each other, images of them together, every look, every conversation between them, the chemistry, how her mind, heart, and gut had screamed its significance. It made her shudder with horror to think that if she’d never accepted Abi’s original invitation to spend the weekend there, she and Alex would never have met.

‘Penny for your thoughts?’ Alex said to her now, cutting the engine and laying his hand over hers in the lap of her coral tie-dye sundress.

She smiled across at him from the passenger seat. ‘What do you think?’

He nodded, glanced ahead through the tinted windscreen at the manor, and squeezed her hand. ‘Great minds think alike.’

To buy: Amazon | Kobo | iBooks

If I Ever Doubt You is my current read, what can we expect from you next?

I am currently working on a Christmas novella which I hope to have submitted in time for this year’s festivities, fingers crossed. If not, next year’s. I’m also outlining a third contemporary novel.

That sounds great, best of luck with it, and every success with If I Ever Doubt You. Thank you for stopping by. xx

About the author:

Jan Brigden lives in South East London with her husband and motley crew of cuddly toys. Jan’s written for pleasure from a young age; short stories for classmates, odes for workmates, fun quizzes for family and friends, progressing to the contemporary uplifting dramas she writes today.

The idea for her debut novel, As Weekends Go, sprang from a script she composed as part of a creative writing course assignment via The Writers Bureau. The novel went on to be published by award winning UK independent publishers Choc-lit after winning their Search for a Star competition.

Jan’s latest novel, If I Ever Doubt You, also published by Choc Lit, is the sequel to her debut.

An avid reader, reviewer and all round book devotee, Jan is also one eighth of online writing group The Romaniacs who successfully self-published an anthology of short stories and flash fiction entitled ‘Romaniac Shorts: Fashionably Brief’.

Discover more about Jan Brigden and her work here: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Don’t miss Morton S Gray, when she stops by to share an uplifting extract on May 29th. xxx

Stories that will make you smile: Lucy Keeling

Author Interview, Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , , ,

Today, I am welcoming, Choc Lit author, Lucy Keeling, as she shares an uplifting extract from her novel, Just Friends.

Hello Lucy, how are you keeping in this strange new world? Do you have a top tip to promote wellbeing?

Thank you for inviting me onto your blog Carol.

It’s very strange times, and I hope that you and yours and everyone reading is keeping as safe and as well as possible. I don’t know about you but I’m so thankful that we have books, now more than ever, to provide us with a little bit of escapism.

I’m still working, writing and trying to homeschool, and honestly finding the whole experience quite overwhelming at times. But I very quickly learnt that I needed to take the pressure off all of us as a family. Our priority is getting through the day as best we can. If that means I have an early night with a book and bar of chocolate then that’s fine. If it means that the children have a film on in the afternoon (like right now whilst I type this) then so be it. There’s no textbook for this, there’s no guidance on how we best mentally survive a pandemic, so really I just get through the day, anything else is icing on the cake.

That sounds like good advice to me!

Lucy was runner up in Choc Lit’s search for a star competition with her wonderful romantic comedy, Make It Up To You.

This was a book I greatly enjoyed, and as I haven’t shared it on my blog before, here’s my review:

This was a thoroughly modern rom-com with likeable characters. I especially liked the rather gorgeous, male lead, Marcus. I enjoyed spending time with the group of friends and finding out a little more about each of them (though not all is given away, as it is to come in future books). The central love story is sweet, believable and left me with a big smile.

Overall, it is a funny, warm and cosy read with tea and biscuits thrown in, what’s not to like?

As you can imagine from my review, when I heard I was going to get to revisit the characters from Make It Up To You in your new novel, Just Friends, I got more than a little excited about reading it. Can you tell us a little about the story?

Just Friends follows on from Make It Up To You, but believe me it can be read on its own. Just Friends has some of my favourite romantic tropes. There’s a fake relationship, a best friends sister thing, and not to mention a moment where there’s only one bed. Yikes. It follows a group of friends who are fiercely loyal to each other, and it’s how they navigate through their lives together.

Make It Up To You focussed on the relationship development of Sophie and Marcus. Just Friends focuses on Marcus’s sister Polly, and his best mate Bailey. Sophie and Marcus agree that Polly and Bailey should be their best man, and maid of honour, in the hope that it might bring them closer together. But of course it’s never that straight forward. So fans of the first one can enjoy seeing a little bit more of Sophie and Marcus, and fans of banter, cheekiness and endless flirting can enjoy Just Friends too.

That sounds great, I’d love it if you could share a sneak peek, with an uplifting extract?

Sophie and Marcus are moving in together and the friends are all ‘helping’ move their stuff into their new home.

‘You know what we should do?’ Bailey said, deliberately making his voice suggestive.

‘What?’ asked Polly cautiously.

‘We should get into the bed before it’s trashed and take a selfie to send to them later.’

‘Oh my God, that’s genius.’ With that agreement, Bailey quickly took off his shoes and gently got into the bed and watched as Polly did the same on the other side.

‘Oh man, this is one awesome bed.’ Polly stretched out at the same time she pulled the duvet up to her chin. Bailey grinned at her. He knew he shouldn’t but he couldn’t help but think of them in their own place, in their own bed. His heart warmed at the thought. Until Polly started wriggling around.

‘What’s the matter with you?’ Bailey asked.

Polly sighed. ‘I’m on the wrong side and I don’t like it. Hang on.’ Without warning, Bailey was suddenly transported into a place where his fantasies were quickly coming true. Polly had her hands on his shoulders and was swinging her leg over until she was on top of him. He had a moment of feeling her body heat on his chest before she swung the other leg back over.

‘Sorry about that. There we go, that’s better.’

Bailey blinked several times until he could gather the use of his body to move over to the side Polly had vacated. She was right this was better, but now he thought of a hundred ways it could be better still.

‘OK, it’s selfie time.’ Polly stretched her arm up but couldn’t quite get high enough to get the picture right.

‘Hang on, I’ll take it with mine.’ Bailey used his longer arms to try and aim the camera at them but as luck would have it they were too far apart, and before he could suggest it, she moved closer, the next thing he knew she had curled up next to him and moved his arm until it was behind her around her back, her head resting on his shoulder. Taking the picture a few times with them sticking their tongues out, laughing and pulling faces, he reluctantly pulled his arm down, but not before Polly twisted slightly, her body still leaning into his, close enough that he could smell the shampoo that she used, feel the heat of her against his side, feel her hair as it tickled his arm.

She grabbed his phone and looked at the picture. ‘Perfect.’ Polly grinned mischief making her shine. Turning round to look at him, their bodies warm under the duvet and surrounded by each other, Bailey was not able to move. He couldn’t, he wouldn’t, he didn’t want to ruin this tiny fragment in time that he doubted he would ever forget. Studying her eyes he was desperate for some kind of sign that she was interested, something that would tell him it wasn’t one-sided. But, more importantly, he was looking for a sign that he was worthy. Her brown eyes looked nearer gold, and Polly wasn’t looking away either. In fact, she was moving nearer, their faces getting closer, her breath on his cheek.

‘Helloooo. Bailey? Polly?’ Mya must have said something quietly to Paige as the pair of them burst out laughing. Polly jumped up fast enough to injure herself. So fast that he could almost believe the last few minutes had been another one of his intense dreams. He got out of bed and put his shoes back on.

‘We’re up here. We’ve nearly finished the bed. We’ll be down in a minute.’

Bailey watched stunned as Polly flawlessly carried on as if everything was normal, that she hadn’t been leaning forward to kiss him. Bailey shook his head, trying to re-group.

‘Here get going.’ Pulling the duvet completely off they covered the bed sheet with glitter and streamers and confetti and everything, the pair of them laughing quietly the worse they made it.

‘Right. That’s probably enough.’

Polly snorted. ‘It was enough three bags of confetti ago.’

Aww, that was fab! (I’ll confess that Lucy sent me two extracts of the novel to chose from and I loved them both.)

**Just Friends is available to preorder, here, and is released on May 26th.**

What can we expect from you next?

Well, I am now trying to write book three in this series. If you’ve read the first one then you will know that Mya’s occupation is a mystery, maybe by the end of Just Friends you will have an idea, but book three will be all about Mya and I can’t wait to get that written, and hopefully share it with you all in 2021.

Thank you so much for inviting me on your blog, Carol x

That all sounds very exciting, best of luck with it. Thank you so much, Lucy, for stopping by and I can’t wait to read Just Friends. xx

About the author:

Lucy Keeling writes fun, sexy, stories with all of the happily ever afters. When she’s not typing at the kitchen table, she’s arranging and then re-arranging to see her friends for the occasional spot of day drinking. Lucy is currently writing the third book in a Contemporary Romance series, the first of which was Runner-Up in ChocLit’s ‘Search for a Star’ competition. This story has become her romantic comedy debut ‘Make It Up To You’. The second book in the series ‘Just Friends’ is available to pre-order now.

Discover more about Lucy and her work, here: Facebook | Twitter | website

Don’t miss author Jan Brigden, sharing an extract from her novel, If I Ever Doubt You, on Friday 22nd May! xx

Stories that will make you smile: Kirsten Hesketh

Author Interview, Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , ,

A big welcome to Kirsten Hesketh, as she shares an uplifting extract from her exciting debut novel, Another Us. 

Hello Kirsten, how are you keeping in this strange new world? Do you have a top tip to promote wellbeing?

Hello Carol. We’re all OK thank you and I hope you are too. I’ve found myself in the slightly strange position of having a fuller house than normal as daughter’s A levels have been cancelled and my son is home from university. Also having my debut come out next week in this very strange new world takes some getting used to. Part of me wants to celebrate this lifelong dream coming true and part of me feels that that is so totally inappropriate with everything else that is going on – so I flip between the two.

I don’t have any real tips to promote wellbeing save to say that as emotions and moods can change so quickly, it’s best to take it one day at a time. I have also found my daily walks in the beautiful Chilterns to be a life-saver.

Can you tell us a little about the story?

My latest novel is also my debut novel and it is being published by Canelo on May 14th. Another Us is the – hopefully – ‘funny, compassionate and poignant’ story of a marriage under pressure. Emma and Daniel’s son, Jack, has just been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and Emma is horrified to discover that 80% of such marriages are doomed to fail. Can she save her own marriage against the odds?

It sounds a great read, could you share an uplifting extract?

Sure. This is the beginning of the book – which I hope fits the bill:

‘Mum?’ Jack stopped stirring his Coco Pops and stared at the plumber. Chocolate milk dripped from his spoon and Jack blotted it with the forearm of his sweatshirt. ‘Mum, why is that man so ugly?’

The moment hung, poised, like the one droplet of brown milk about to plop off the edge of the table. 

Of course, it had to happen now; on a Monday morning when I hadn’t engaged my brain and there was breakfast to finish, teeth and hands to clean and bags to gather before school. And it would be thisparticular Monday morning, September 14th. The date that had been eyeballing me from the calendar for weeks. At least Freddie, our teenager, had already taken himself off to school. He would have cackled with loud, delighted laughter and made the whole thing twice as bad.

If that was possible. 

What were the options?

Think, Emma.

Think!

Plan One: ignore the question and move on. But eight-year-old Lily was rigid with appalled fascination and the plumber was staring at me in mute humiliation, so this was unlikely to do the trick.

Plan Two: the whispered apology. ‘So sorry. Jack tends to blurt stuff out. Tells you how it is.’ No. No.Definitely not an option. Jack was right; the plumber was – how could I put this nicely? – aesthetically challenged. Bald pate. Receding chin. Protruding teeth. How on earth could I say anything without making it twice as bad?

Plan Three: ‘Jack, sweetie,’ I said. ‘You must stop calling everyone ugly. It’s getting very boring.’

That was quite clever.

But Jack just screwed up his face. ‘Don’t lie, Mum,’ he said. ‘I’ve never said it before.’

The plumber gave us all a ‘look’ and went upstairs without a backward glance. 

There was no Plan Four.

With a teenager with Aspergers I think it sounds a great read. We’ve had this situation when my daughter told a close family member they were fat 🙂 I’ve preordered my copy and can’t wait to read it. Find out more and preorder Another Us here.

What can we expect from you next?

Something quite different. I’m thrilled to have signed a two book deal with Hodder for a story set in London during the First World War. The first will be published in 2021.

Oh Wow! Congratulations, how exciting.

Thanks so much, Kirsten, for stopping by and best of luck with Another Us and your WWI story.

About the author:

Kirsten Hesketh has a background in advertising and now runs her own consultancy specialising in psychological interviewing and focus groups. Over the past 25 years, she has interviewed the Great British public on everything from Rolos to razors.

Married with a teenage son, daughter and two exceptionally fluffy moggies, Kirsten is also a keen amateur archaeologist and loves to spend her weekends hacking through the mud on a local Roman dig. She is also a staunch supporter of Wycombe Wanderers – especially when they are winning!

Another Us is her debut novel.

Discover more about Kirsten and her work, here: Facebook | Twitter | website | Sister Scribes.

Don’t miss author Lucy Keeling, sharing an extract from her latest novel, on Friday 15th May! xx