My new contract is for four romances, including my previously published book, Her Sister’s Baby. The book I wrote during my first NaNoWriMo last November, Centre Stage, has also been signed, as well as two Christmas romances!

For more details, check out this video over on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/dgHDVa38NX4

I’m so thrilled to be able to continue working with such an incredible publishing team!

‘Polly Pressman is a London girl through and through. So when she’s asked to help save an old family friend’s struggling farm, she’s way out of her depth.

She arrives at Nightingale Farm trying to impress John and his gruff-but-hunky son Mark with her business know-how. But it’s clear from her sky-high stilettos that she is woefully unprepared.

Polly knows how much the farm means to John, and she’s doing everything she can to get it back on its feet. Soon people are flocking to visit the petting zoo and cute coffee shop and go strawberry picking.

Finally Mark sees that Polly truly cares about Nightingale Farm. And one night after too much of John’s homemade cider, the pair find themselves alone and unable to deny their attraction . . .

Romance is blossoming at Nightingale Farm. Will Polly trust her instincts and leave behind the big city for good?’

I’ve been having a lovely day with a gorgeous card and present from all my boys, a beautiful dog walk in the sunshine, and an enjoyable live stream with the fantastic Genevieve from the YouTube channel My Complicated Life: https://www.youtube.com/@mycomplicatedlife2488/featured

I put a call out for questions a couple of days ago on my social media channel and I had some great ones (and one absolute stinker!). You can watch the replay here: https://youtu.be/1bbVp_vqlf4

There’s also been a fair amount of sharing on social media and vlogging for a new YouTube video involved, but once I finish writing this blog post and I’ve sent off my newsletter, I am done with work for today and date night commences!

It’s #LoveMyIndieBookshopWeek so I thought I’d take the opportunity to give a shoutout to my favourite independent bookshops.

I live in Wales, so how could I not start with a shop from the town of books itself, Hay-on-Wye? If you haven’t visited this sweet little town before and you get the opportunity to go, make sure you do. There aren’t as many bookshops in Hay as there used to be, but the original Booth Books is still going strong. Founded by the King of Hay, Richard Booth, Booth Books is on three levels and sells a mixture of new and second-hand books, with a particularly good children’s section, and has a cafe and cinema. https://www.boothbooks.co.uk/index.htm

We lived in Brecon for several years, and have many happy memories of visiting The Hours Cafe and Bookshop for the monthly storytime they used to hold there. A beautiful selection of books, hand-picked by the owners. https://www.thehoursbrecon.co.uk/

Also in Brecon is Brecon Books, a labyrinth of second-hand books, which I never manage to leave empty handed. https://www.facebook.com/Brecon-Books-100495511730168

In Crickhowell, you’ll find Bookish, a bookshop with lots of lovely booky gifts and a lovely cafe. https://www.book-ish.co.uk/ 

Crickhowell is also the home of Wales’ first zero waste shop, Natural Weight. https://naturalweigh.co.uk/ which I’d really recommend if you’re in the area.

Finally, hidden away in the middle of Carmarthenshire’s countryside on a market garden, and requiring a pre-booking so you have the whole shop to yourself for an hour is The Dragon’s Garden. The shop is small, but crammed full of beautiful books and you can also pick up fairtrade food and drink, gifts and fresh veg. https://dragons-garden.com/

Happy shopping!x

Hi, my name is Pauline Morgan, a debut author of a cosy women’s fiction novel, The Ballynoon Friendship Circle, published in May 2021.

This year has been an inspiring time for me. Not only did I see my debut novel published as an eBook with SpellBound Books Ltd, but, in addition, I signed a further two-book deal with the same publishers.

As a child, I always enjoyed writing. Even today, I write shopping lists or messages whenever I see fit for the occasion. It has taken me over twenty years of hard work, and many rejections. But, I can vouch for a significant learning curve in creative writing since joining the social media scene many moons ago.

First, I became friends with writers and like-minded people who shared a love of writing. Then I joined The Romantic Novelists Association who had a New Writers Scheme. After relocating to Northern Ireland, this was the foundation of becoming a serious writer. Next, I joined another creative writing group called Writing. ie. Writers Ink. My mentor encouraged me to write short stories for competitions and magazines. Two magazines based in the South of Ireland published my short stories. My faith in creative writing restored my confidence as a published women’s fiction author. Once more, I sent samples of my work to publishers with a relaxed approach. Then, out of the blue, I received an email from one of the publishers offering me a book deal based on my sample chapters. I got my better half to read the email out loud. He confirmed that SpellBound Books Ltd would like to publish my novel. All of this happened during the beginning of the Covid Pandemic.

I look forward to 2022 as book two, a standalone women’s fiction, will be published in spring. Book three is complicated, awaiting my editor’s eagle eye of perfection before forwarding it to my publisher’s. I have started work on book five.

It is always exciting creating new characters and plotlines, the glue to writing a novel.

The Ballynoon Friendship Circle is available from Amazon: https://amazon.co.uk/dp/B0949S21FF

To find out more about Pauline and to follow her writing journey further, find her on social media: https://www.facebook.com/paulinemorganachievingauthor

https://twitter.com/paulinemorgan56

https://www.instagram.com/paulinemorganauthor

I hoped to read at least 50 books and I wanted to make an effort to get through at least some of the books that have adorned my shelves for years and I’ve never got round to.

I ended up reading 87 books, which was a bit of a surprise, but wish I’d included the books I read-aloud to my two youngest sons as part of their lessons – there are a few I’d really like to recommend and it would have pushed me over the hundred mark I reckon.

I was pleased with the mixture of books I managed to get through, especially some of the classics, and it was lovely to read some books written by friends. It was definitely tempting to focus on shorter books to get numbers up, but how could I resist two Marian Keyes novels I hadn’t read before?

It would have been great to have all the books together at the end of the year to photograph in a pile or on a shelf, but as a lot of them were borrowed from the library, this just wasn’t possible.

Here are my top 5, in no particular order:

Dracula by Bram Stoker – this was a surprise as I really wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it at all as I’m not a horror fan.

Names for the Sea by Sarah Moss – the descriptions of Iceland are wonderful and made me desperate to travel there.

Circe by Madeleine Miller – I adore the Greek legends and this was so original and gripping.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – is there anyone who doesn’t love this?

Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks – tragic in places, but I loved all the espionage and sneakiness.

I really enjoyed having a challenge for 2021, so I’ve decided to do a different one for 2022 – each month I’m going to read a book recommended to me by someone else – I’ll be posting on social media at the beginning of the month asking for suggestions, so keep a look out and give me some good suggestions!

Happy reading.x

𝑨 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔.

Amazon: https://geni.us/D0AkqQ

Amazonhttps://geni.us/TtkIDgo

Amazon https://geni.us/KbGHN0

Amazon https://geni.us/Btxr

I’m so excited about publication day, I’ve booked a table at a seafood restaurant on the Welsh coast that I’ve heard really good things about, I may even have to have a cheeky cocktail to celebrate… I can’t wait!

Here’s the blurb:

‘Woken in the middle of the night by the horrific news that her estranged sister has been killed in a fatal car crash, Sophie abruptly finds herself guardian to a niece she never knew existed.

The baby gives Sophie a way out of her grief and a focus to her life, but the unexpected appearance of Samson, Alana’s father, wanting his daughter to now live with him, threatens to destroy Sophie’s newly formed family.

Can Sophie and the seemingly feckless Samson, reach a compromise, or will Sophie be forced to give up her sister’s baby?’

And there’s going to be a blog your!

So, how are writers, and romance writers in particular, dealing with setting their fictional works in either 2020 or 2021 i.e. a world dominated by Covid-19? A world where we haven’t been able to hug, kiss, go out to meet new people, or get stuck in a log cabin in Colorado with a hunky cowboy for two weeks.

My own romances aren’t set in any particular year, so I’ve been able to skirt around this issue with my latest book, ‘Her Sister’s Baby’, due out June 1^st, but I asked around to see what others are planning to do.

A few authors have embraced the challenge. During the first lockdown, I can remember the cover image of an erotic novella doing the rounds on Facebook. Apparently the book depicted a ‘romance’ between a woman and the Coronavirus… not my cup of tea, but good on the author for coming up with an (extremely) original idea and getting it out there, I say.

But for more ‘regular’ romance authors, staid enough to want the focus of their book to be on love between humans, are any brave/daft/imaginative enough to set a contemporary romance in the middle of a global pandemic? Perhaps unsurprisingly, most say they wouldn’t touch Covid with a barge pole:

“…my books are a complete Covid-free zone. Had so many readers thanking me for the escapism and I think that’s why so many of us read. And I don’t want to write about it either. Been a grim year & just want to escape from it between the pages.” Jessica Redland.

https://www.jessicaredland.com/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jessica-Redland/e/B00PO9I1Y4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3&qid=1619691102&sr=1-3

“I’m definitely pretending COVID doesn’t exist in my books, but what I am including is lots of crowd scenes, hand holding, hugs and closeness because we need to see and feel these things again after 12 months missing out!”  Kiley Dunbar

http://www.kileydunbar.co.uk/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kiley-Dunbar/e/B07NQKQS64?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1619702433&sr=1-1

Others, like romantic comedy author, Jane Lovering, may write about it in the future:

“I won’t be writing about Covid until it’s all well in the past. Rather like with the war, I think people want to know how the end works out before they start reading about the subject. I don’t think they can suspend disbelief enough to enjoy fiction on the subject just yet.” Jane Lovering.

https://www.janelovering.co.uk/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jane-Lovering/e/B003NYBX9M?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1619702487&sr=1-1

Of course, some writers are lucky enough not to have to worry about whether or not to include the C word in their books:

“Good question! I’m able to avoid mentioning it because my novels are set in the medieval era. As a reader, I’m loving escaping to parallel contemporary worlds where the craziness of real life is not happening and people are able to hug and travel.” Ella Matthews.

https://www.ellamatthews.co.uk/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ella-Matthews/e/B085WN62LF?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1619702297&sr=1-1

                I’ve recently begun work on a very different type of story set in a different genre. For part of this tale, I’m actually going to ‘utilise’ the lockdown period. I want to place my protagonists in this very unusual situation, where they’re stuck together with all their joint and individual issues, and wait to see the sparks fly! I’ll let you know if it all comes together as I hope!

It’s rare for me to read one book at a time. I can hear you now…sacrilege! I know. But it gets worse. They are usually different genres. Currently, I’m reading a romance (The Princess Trap), a young adult mystery/suspense (One of Us Is Lying), and a sci-fi/fantasy (Seveneves). Just this past week I finished a horror (Nocturnal) and a paranormal cozy mystery (Accidentally Hexed).

Some might hint that I have attention issues and they wouldn’t be wrong. I’m a multitasker. I handle social media while watching TV. I listen to the news while working. I solve world crises while cooking seven course dinners. Ok, not really. I burn microwave dinners on a regular basis.

The truth is, though, I love all genres of books and find each genre, just like each author, brings a unique viewpoint to the reader.

Consider the world building that happens in a paranormal or sci fi novel. It can be a subtle difference that alters the universe familiar to the reader or a brand new planet and species the author must create from scratch. I’m amazed at the creativity that goes into such books, how an author can look at the typical and turn it on its side with a simple what-if. What if vampires were real and given the same rights as humans? What if aliens landed and took over the planet?

I’m fascinated by modern YA novels. The complicated world in which teens and young adults must interact is somewhat beyond me as a child of the 70s and 80s. The issues of privacy, individuality, and sexuality are explored at a depth previously unknown to me and today’s YA authors introduce these subjects in thought-provoking ways.

There are, of course, elements of writing and stories that are universal. As a reader, I want strong characters that evoke emotion at a visceral level. These characters need to be thrown into an extraordinary situation that tests their mettle through twists and turns. I want to doubt until the very end whether or not they will emerge as victor or victim.

As a reader I’m always searching out the perfect balance in a book. We can all name a few that check off the boxes for us. LaVyrle’s Spencer’s Morning Glory. Kate Quinn’s The Alice Network. The Harry Potter series. Since I don’t always know when I’ll be lucky enough to find that unique blend, I fill my to-be-read list with a variety of books from a variety of genres and authors.

The other great aspect of reading for me is the joy of finding another reader who has read the same book. Hopefully, we’ll have the opportunity to talk about the story, the symbolism, the plot, and the characters. If I’m lucky, maybe they can recommend another book by that author or a similar author, and I’ll find yet another book to add to my TBR list.

For me, books are about connections. Connections to the past, present, or future. To fact and fiction. To people who think the way I do or think differently. To learning and teaching. To laughter and tears. The more I read, the more connections I make.

Maggie Preston fell in love with romance before she knew what it was, stealing paper back novels from her grandmother’s closet when her mother wasn’t looking. She finished her first novel in college, written during class when she was supposed to be taking notes. Luckily a very good friend would trade notes for new pages. She currently balances her life between the right brain and left brain, technical writer and quality management consultant by day, romance writer by night. Visit her at www.authormaggiepreston.com or @maggie_preston.

Love and Miss Fortune by Maggie Preston

Book 3 in the Hearts of Louisiana series is available for pre-order https://tinyurl.com/48tql3he to be released on March 18, 2021.

‘Harley Fortune was born bass-ackwards on the unluckiest day of the year. Things have gone downhill from there. She’s been fighting to save the family business- a moonshine distillery – and make it a success but can’t seem to catch a break. Lady luck hasn’t given up on her, however. When a bossy consultant arrives, Harley can’t decide if he’s the answer she’s been looking for or the final straw. 

Chance Gold has the golden touch when it comes to making whiskey. He’s never met a challenge he can’t meet or a competitor he can’t beat. He sees a bright future for Fortune’s Brew if he can keep Harley’s family from pouring it down the drain. And if he can keep his mind on business and not on Harley Fortune. 

Can two people with their minds on business find time for a little romance?’

I read a fair bit usually, and certainly every day. I don’t think you can really be a writer if you’re not a big reader as well. I read for at least half an hour every night before going to bed, I find it a brilliant way to relax before going to sleep. I still struggle to read during the day though as it just seems too decadent somehow!

One of my resolutions, or goals, for this year is to read at least 52 books, so at least one book a week. It doesn’t matter what the topic, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, for pleasure or for work, every book counts. Although, having said that, it’s just occurred to me that I won’t be counting books read to my children, of which there are a lot as we’re big fans of read-a-louds. I’ll be posting my progress on my Instagram account

https://www.instagram.com/romanceemma

I’m just over 2 weeks in and I’m almost finished reading my fifth novel, which was a present from my mum at Christmas, ‘The Hypnotist’s Love Story’. It’s very good and is by Liane Moriarty, who also wrote ‘Big Little Lies’, which has been made into a brilliant television series starring Reese Witherspoon, who also produces the show.

In fairness, the only reason I’ve got through four books already is that I was on holiday for the first bit of the year and had more time to read, and they were all easy and very engrossing reads by authors I knew I liked and which I’d borrowed from the library. There will be some weightier tomes thrown in during the year as well as more non-fiction.

Have any of you set yourself a reading goal for 2021? If so, leave a comment below, I’d love to hear about them!