Sunday, 8 May 2016

My Book Corner | Rebecca Pugh

I'm absolutely delighted that Rebecca Pugh, author and fellow blogger, joins me on the blog today to talk about her reading and writing corner.


Tell us about your Book Corner/Writing Space?
I would love to tell you about the quaint little summerhouse that sits at the bottom of the garden. The summerhouse I sit inside during summer with the window propped open, allowing the sweet birdsong to trickle inside. Unfortunately, this summerhouse doesn’t exist… (At least, not outside of my imagination) My writing space, which doubles up as my book corner, is on the bed. Oh, I have a desk, but no, cross-legged on the bed is where you’ll find me as I tap furiously at the keyboard. I know, I know, it isn’t glamorous or professional at all, but gosh it’s comfy!
Do you have a favourite shelf/collection of books? Or favourite part of your Book Corner?
I do indeed! The picture below is my “main” bookshelf, although over time, small mountains have begun to appear here, there and everywhere. My “main” bookshelf is rotated every so often, once I’ve read most of the books sat on it or new ones arrive. It’s just one of those little bookish habits. I like to see what I’ve acquired!

Do you have any reading/writing habits?
In terms of reading, I have a bad habit of taking my Kindle in the bath with me, which I must stop doing but can’t seem to get a hold of myself. I take my Kindle to bed with me religiously every single night. It’s been going on for so long now, I’m not sure I’d be able to sleep without it. As for writing habits, I don’t think I have anything quirky or strange to give you, but I will say that I cannot get started without a hot cup of coffee to kick me in the bum.
How do you keep apart, track and control your TBR to read books?
This is something I’m currently trying to tackle. I’m ridiculously disorganised, but I’m now putting pen to paper to list any titles I receive, along with their publication dates. Fingers crossed this helps me out.
Can you provide links to your social media handles please?
I sure can!
You can find me on Twitter - @beccasbooksUK
About Rebecca Pugh

Rebecca Pugh grew up in the green county of Shropshire, with a mind full of fairy-tales and happy endings. Enchanted by true love and Disney Princesses, she decided that no matter what life threw her way, she'd continue to see the world through a child's eyes. Through the pages of countless books, her adoration of reading blossomed, and it didn't take long for her to fall under the spell of hundreds of authors' words. 

Now, Rebecca's own story has taken a fairy-tale-like turn and her dream has come true. With her faithful companions: Bonnie the dog, her partner, and her gigantic family by her side, Rebecca is ready to share her stories with readers who enjoy falling in love and losing themselves within beautiful, fictional worlds again and again.

Rebecca Pugh is the author of women's fiction and romance, her all-time favourite genres. After all, who doesn't enjoy a good swoon?

Her debut novel, Return to Bluebell Hill, is was published June 18th 2015 by Carina UK, and her second novel. A Home in Sunset Bay, was published February 9th 2016. Her third novel is on its way!
Book Links
Return to Bluebell Hill - Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads
A Home in Sunset Bay - Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads

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Monday, 2 May 2016

Cover Reveal | Four Weddings and a Fiasco - Catherine Ferguson

Hello again... I really hope you've all had a fabulous bank holiday weekend and have enjoyed the cover reveals I've been bringing to you on behalf of Avon publishers?

Tonight I bring you the last one, for now anyway as I'm sure Avon will have more up their sleeves soon!

This one is super special, so special there are two covers - one for the ebook and one for the paperback. So without further ado...


                         
                                               eBook                                     Paperback

Katy Peacock lives a life as colourful as her name.

As a wedding photographer, she spends her days making other people smile as she captures all sorts of fun and capers at celebrations that range from the wacky to the wild.

But her own life isn’t looking quite so rosy. Her mum is acting out of character, her menacing ex is back on the scene, and she is torn between two gorgeous men. And that’s before we even get started on the trouble her sister is causing . . .

As Katy weathers the ups and downs of the season, she revisits problems from the past, discovers new friendships and finds that four weddings and a fiasco have the power to change her world beyond measure.

A funny, feel-good read, perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond and Jenny Colgan.
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Blog Tour ~ Guest Post + Giveaway | The Trouble With Seduction ~ Victoria Hanlen

Today is my stop on this gorgeous blog tour and I've a lovely guest post from Victoria for you so read on for this plus all the information you need about the book - there's also a giveaway for you to enter too!


Rebellious, Scandalous and Irredeemable

Sarah, Lady Strathford is ready for a little harmless frivolity with a man of her own age and her own appetites…surely that’s not too much to ask! After the death of her beloved husband years before Sarah is ready for an adventure… Enter the dashing, roguish – and baffling – Mr. Cornelius Ravenhill.


Ravenhill, however, is not the gentleman he seems, and soon Sarah finds herself battling against the corrupt and harsh world around her as it threatens to destroy all she holds dear. The question is, will her seduction at the hands of Mr. Ravenhill prove to be her saviour or her downfall?





About Victoria: 
Award winning, historical romance author, VICTORIA HANLEN, has worked at a wide range of jobs, from fashion, to corporate business, to treading the boards of stage and professional opera. A lifelong writer, she once put her skills to use in PR and advertising. But her favorite form of writing is stories with happily-ever-afters.

Additionally, she likes to bake (especially pies), paint (especially barns with cows), and take photographs (especially of sunsets and critters) Victoria and her husband live in rural New England surrounded by a host of wildlife.


GIVEAWAY for a £15 Amazon Giftcard


GUEST POST: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

For me, character development is a lot of fun. Since my novels tend to grow out of one other, I often recruit secondary characters from earlier stories. I equate it to looking out over a classroom filled with possible characters, give them the steely eye and say, “Okay, which one O‘ you wants to be the star of this next book?”
My nice characters, the ones with stellar personalities who live good, respectable lives, usually take a nose-dive under the desk and clam up.
My villains or semi-villains throw their hands into the air and start bouncing up and down, yelling, “Me, Me, Me! You need to let me tell my side of the story!”
Since I already know them quite well from previous writings, they usually get the nod. Plus, the villains are always more interesting than the nice, well-mannered characters.  They have hang-ups, behave unpredictably, have nerve endings too close to the surface and usually have tons of conflict in their backstory—all good things for a starring character.
The main thing is, they need to possess strong motivations with enough intensity to carry a scene and give the story momentum all the way to the end. Even if they appear to be calm seas on the outside, it’s great if they have a Category 5 hurricane stirring them up on the inside.
I also enjoy choosing my character’s names and take care to make them distinctive.
Some people tell me they can’t begin writing until they have the perfect character name. I usually start by typing in any old name because I know it will change several times before I settle in on the perfect moniker.
After I’ve nailed down their idiosyncrasies, physicality and personality I have more of a feel for what their name should be. I also take into account the time period, where they were born, their occupation, heritage and anything else that makes them unique.
I write lists of names and collect them like some people collect tchotchkes. I have books that include historical names. I do internet research and make more lists. Then I try the winning names out on my already written scenes. Sometimes a name doesn’t suit the character’s manner of speaking, or how they look, or the kind of individual they’re portraying, or even what the other characters think and say about them.
Take for instance, my hero’s father in The Trouble With Seduction. I tried several names but none of them resonated. Then I typed in the name ‘Ebenezer’. His character is one of the largest slumlords in London in the 1850’s. The name fit him perfectly! (Thank you Scrooge)
Sarah’s suitor was frequently clumsy, both physically and in social situations. He was portly and lumbered along when he walked. He became Lord Lumsley.

In my previous book, The Trouble With Misbehaving, my hero was a notorious blockade-runner in the American Civil War. Beaufort was a North Carolina port town during that war. My hero’s name became Beauford. And since he was very handsome, his friends called him Captain Beau.
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