J M Ralley ~ Falling for Katie ~ New Release

Welcome to  The Heart of Romance Janet, and congratulations on your new release,  Please will you share a little bit about Falling For Katie?

Falling for Katie ~ blurb

A romantic suspense set in modern-day Scotland.

After a car accident, Katie Gowen wakes up in a house with a man she doesn’t recognize. Unable to remember anything about her past, Angus persuades her they are married. Held against her will, Katie struggles to come to terms with her predicament, but as they are snowed in, she can see no way out.

Returning to Gretna wasn’t on Finlay Gallach’s itinerary. Memories of an unhappy childhood still haunt him. However, the moment he opens the email from Katie’s father, he knows he’s in trouble. As a photo of Katie stares back at him, his heart breaks for the missing woman, and he vows to do anything to bring her home. 

It becomes a race against time for Finlay to save her. But can Katie recover from her ordeal and allow the love to blossom between them?

Other info

Why this story?

After the success of Falling for a Duke, I knew I needed to write Katie’s story. Therefore, the Romancing in Scotland series became born.

With her best friend now happily settled, I felt Katie needed her own set of problems. And they arrived in perfect style.

My love of Scotland really comes out in this book. I added several details I’ve come across, and for those who have visited Gretna Green and Braemar, some of those details may pop out at you.

This story would only work if Katie could become snowed in, which is why I chose Braemar, having nearly been snowed in myself there. There really is only one road in and out, and the small village can be snowed in easily, as the main road blocks with heavy snow. Everything came together beautifully. 

What inspired you to write it?

My love of Scotland runs deep within my blood. I have no idea why, I’m all English, but I always feel at home once I cross that border. I try to visit at least once a year and the first stop is usually Gretna Green.

I’ve seen plenty of change. One of these was the lose of the Highland Cow. So, that was one of the first things I added. Being wildlife mad too, I make sure to add a dedication to the native wildlife in these books. If you want to know which ones, you’ll have to read the books. And, yes, I’ve seen the animals mentioned in the wild.

However, I wanted to add some twists in the story. I’m not one for those romances with no grit to them, I’m afraid my characters do have to suffer to gain their happiness. And I think I’ve managed to get the right amount of twists in.

How do I feel now it’s finished and close to release?

I enjoyed writing Falling for Katie, and when I wrote ‘The End’ I knew instantly I’d done a respectable job. Now it’s due for release, I’m getting nervous. It’s like letting your baby into the big, wide world. Will they swim or sink? I can’t do no more, no mater how much I want to continue tinkering.

Now, I’ve got them marketing to roll out which I find harder to do. I’m not a natural seller. On the plus side, it means I’m free to begin another story. That helps to keep my mind of this one.

All I can do now, is cross my fingers.

Sales links

Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com

Author Bio

  

When not writing, J M Ralley works full-time as a veterinary nurse. The long hours mean writing happens early morning and late evenings, most of the time.

She enjoys hiking, photography, wildlife watching, and is an avid reader. And can often be found playing with her pet rabbits.

She is the author of the Romancing in Scotland series, romantic suspense, and Persecuting series – a dark psychological romance thrillers.

Based in England, she prefers to dwell in Scotland, whenever she can.

Social sites

Website – www.jmralley.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/jmralley

Twitter – www.twitter.com/jmralleyauthor

Author Spotlight... Pernille Hughes

Thank you for visiting The Heart of Romance today Pernille, and congratulations on the success of your debut RomCom novel Sweatpants at Tiffanie’s.

And best wishes for your new novel 

Probably the Best Kiss in the World 

which releases today.

Pernille Hughes (pronounced Pernilla) studied Film & Literature at uni and took her first job in advertising, having been lured by the temptation of freebies, but left when Status Quo tickets was as good as it got. 

After a brief spell marketing Natural History films, she switched to working in Children's television which for a time meant living in actual Teletubby and, sharing a photocopier with Laa-Laa.

Now, she lives in actual Buckinghamshire, sharing a photocopier with her husband and their four spawn. While the kids are at school she scoffs cake and writes RomCom stories in order to maintain a shred of sanity.

Previously, Pernille's writing has been printed in The Sunday Times as Confessions of a Tourist and in the fabulous SUNLOUNGER summer anthologies. 

 Here is a little bit about her current Book ~ Sweatpants at Tiffanie’s ~ which is Pernille's debut RomCom novel  (Harper Impulse)

Tiffanie Trent is not having a great week. Gavin, her boyfriend, has dumped her unceremoniously on their tenth anniversary, leaving her heartbroken and homeless.

Frank Black, the owner of Blackie’s boxing gym and where Tiff has been book-keeper for the last decade, has dropped dead. He's not having a great week either.

And if that wasn’t enough, Mike ‘The Assassin’ Fellner, boxer of international fame and Tiff’s first love, is back in town and more gorgeous than ever. Tiff can’t seem to go anywhere without bumping into his biceps.

When she discovers Blackie has left her the gym, Tiff, with her saggy trackies and supermarket trainers, is certain she’ll fail. Can Tiff step up and roll with the punches, or will she be down and out at the first round?

Buy Links

Ebook available from online retailers including;

Amazon 

Itunes 

Google Play 

Kobo 

Paperback available from online retailers including;

Hive 

Book Depository 

Waterstones 

Barnes & Noble 

Booktopia (Aus) 

Indigo books (Canada) 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pernille also kindly answered a few questions for us.

1 Where did the ideas for both your books come from?

Sweatpants At Tiffanie’s came from simply making a pun on the film title and stopping to wonder what that story would be about. A ‘fish out of water’ idea seemed to fit, especially as I am a reluctant exerciser myself. The new one, Probably the Best Kiss in the World, was inspired by several trips to Copenhagen, but particularly one with my husband where we navigated the city entirely by micro-breweries. It got me thinking about a woman who wants to be a Brewster.

2- What is your favourite book to read, and have you read it more than once?

I have a book by historical crime writer Lindsey Davis. It’s a stand-alone romance she wrote a long time ago called The Course of Honour and I just adore it, for no other reason than the characters existed and it depicts a love that spans decades and long absences.  My husband used to be away for a longer stint every year for work, and I always read it then. I know, I know, I am such a sap.

3- Chocolate or ice cream?

Chocolate, without doubt, especially truffles, the round ones with the hard chocolate shell and the soft middle,(not the cocao dusted ones) maybe a strawberry filling, or mocha, or the fresh cream chocolates from Leonidas, or a Jewel box from Prestat…mmmm… sorry, where were we…?

Ice cream is good too though…

4- If you were to write in another genre, what would it be?

Maybe funny crime? I love Janet Evanovitch’s writing.

5- Cut flowers or house plants?

Cut flowers are gorgeous but there is something sad about them dying. I’m going with a hydrangea in a pretty pot.

6- What do you do to relax?

A hot bath, a glass of prosecco or an Aperol Spritz, a book or a romcom film. I find being by the sea very relaxing too.

7- And finally, have you started working on your next novel and if so, please will you give us a hint about where your story it set?

Actually, I’m about to start from scratch as I’ve just shelved the story I was working on. Sometimes a story isn’t ready to be told, I suppose. So I’ll be ‘watching this space’ as much as anyone else!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Probably the Best Kiss in the World  

(Harper Impulse) ebook is published today, April 12^th 2019, 

and the paperback will be available on 27^th June 2019 )

Can control freak and app-fiend Jen Attison stop listening to her head and start following her heart?

Author links

www.pernillehughes.com

www.twitter.com/pernillehughes

www.instagram.com/pernillehughes

www.facebook.com/pernillehughesauthor

www.bookbub.com/profile/pernille-hughes

www.pinterest.co.uk/pernillehughes

www.amazon.com/Pernille-Hughes/e/B00DTAXQSG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

www.amazon.co.uk/l/B00DTAXQSG?_encoding=UTF8&redirectedFromKindleDbs=true&ref_=ntt_dp_epwbk_0&rfkd=1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Discover Therese Caruana's Science-fiction book Symmetry

Welcome to The Heart of Romance Therese, and for sharing your debut book, Symmetry, in your Science series. 

Symmetry

Blurb: Susy finds herself deep within CERN, isolated with no recollection of her past. Her dear cousin and only friend, leaves unexpectedly and bestows upon her a mysterious key-like jewel as a farewell gift. His sudden departure drives her to escape from the facility where she encounters the members of the Honorary Knight Order.

They have searched in every corner of Earth for Susy and the map that will lead them home. In the completion of their quest they face many obstacles and challenges as they realise that Susy has lost more of her powers and memory than they had previously anticipated.
The Earth, affected by Susy’s extended stay, continues to deteriorate as the members of the Order hunt for the missing power stones, lost since the time of Susy’s kidnapping. Whilst on their journey, Susy struggles to remember her true connection to them, as they try to infiltrate her senses. Love and secrets delay the completion of the mission and concerns grow that the balance of life will not be re-established in time.

Therese's debut fantasy novel 'Symmetry' in the Science Series, published in February 2014 and marked the start of her writing career. 

It is a FREE e-book when joining the author’s newsletter.

Newsletter link: http://eepurl.com/c8wydn

Bio: Living in Gibraltar, having earned an MBA and being a member of the ACCA, Therese. M. Caruana is an author who likes doing too much rather than too little. Apart from consuming too much coffee and chocolates she also enjoys writing complex stories with a vivid imagination, manifesting in new worlds and versatile characters. Having always been a free spirit at heart, her dream had always been to write fantasy novels in which to escape to. Your life is your dream -if you can dream it, you can live it.

Therese's  Website: www.tmcarauana.com

Symmetry can also be found Amazon and Goodreads

Cindy Davis ~ On The Hook ~ Interview

Please welcome Cindy Davis who is best known for her murder mysteries and romantic suspense, many of which were set in her home state of New Hampshire. And have achieved considerable success. Now, a transplant to Florida, Cindy has found herself changing not only place of origin but also genre since her latest work is a New Age fiction penned with her husband Rick

She is an award winning freelance editor who's worked in both fiction and nonfiction with over a thousand authors. 

Today Cindy is sharing an interview with Smith and Wesen, but first here is the blurb for On The Hook.

The multi-million dollar painting is there, then it's not. It's gone, but it can't be. 

* Kendra Jean Valentine, underwriting agent for the policy, is on the hook. She scrapes together enough to hire two women to work the case.Two 'regular' women no self-respecting insurance agent would look twice at. Which is exactly why KJ thinks they're perfect.

* Westen Hughes owns a failing pet shop. With creditors phoning daily, she jumps at the chance to earn a bundle of easy money, even though the offer comes from high school nemesis KJ Valentine, who stole everything in high school:head cheerleader, homecoming queen and the star quarterback.

* Phoebe Smith is a snake-loving, underwear-hating, tuba player with more baggage than Logan Airport--Westen's total opposite in all ways.
Ten percent of a hundred million is...

Well, it's a lot so Smith and Westen join forces on a roller coaster ride to find one of the world's most valuable paintings.

On Th Hook

Interview Smith and Westen

Interviewer: Tell me a bit about your childhood. How did it shape the adult you are now?

Westen: I had a normal childhood with parents who cared what I did. They kept me in line, taught me right from wrong, made sure I did my homework.

Smith: Same here.

Westen: Wait a second. You told me your parents let you run wild.

Smith: That showed my brother and I that they cared. We learned from our mistakes.

Interviewer: Tell us about your parents. And siblings, if you have any.

Westen: I am an only child. My parents were both elementary school teachers. They died within two years of each other when I was nineteen. I had moved out of the house by then but it still affected me a lot. We were very close.

Smith: My parents were both referees—Dad for the NFL, Mom for women’s basketball. They were gone pretty much all the time from October to April. Which gave me a solid disdain for all sports. I have a twin brother named Bellamy who was a pro basketball player until his retirement. Now he’s a coach for the Toronto Raptors. I try not to hold that against him.

Interviewer: Did you participate in extracurricular activities?

Westen: Not really. I was in the drama club. And I was head cheerleader.

Smith: Snorts loudly. You were valedictorian of your high school class. You were prom queen. And you dated the captain of the football team.

Westen: Those aren’t positions a person applies for. They are often thrust upon you. Remember what happened.

Smith: Oh yeah.

Interviewer: What happened?

Smith: KJ Valentine. ‘Nuff said?

Interviewer: Not really. Who is KJ Valentine?

Smith: Snarky laugh. More like what is she. She stole all those things from Westen.

Interviewer: You’re kidding.

Smith: Hell no. Tell her, Westen.

Westen: You just did. Why don’t you stick to the subject?

Smith: Offended. I thought that was the subject. Okay, okay, I played the tuba.

Westen: Snarky laughter of her own.

Interviewer: Tell us about your first boyfriend.

Westen: The aforementioned captain of the football team.

Smith: Stolen by the aforementioned KJ Valentine.

Westen: Clears her throat.

Smith: Jeez, okay it was a guy I met while working in a fast food shop.

Westen: Working there! You owned it.

Smith: Clears her throat. Just for a few years. Gave it to my brother when he fell on hard times.

Interviewer: What sort of job did you have before becoming insurance investigators?

Westen: I was a stay at home mom until my husband and son were killed in an auto accident. Then I inherited my husband’s business, Hughes Pets.

Smith: Breaks into hearty laughter.

Interviewer: Why is that funny?

Smith: She hates animals.

Westen: Unlike you who fawns over snakes. Big shiver shakes her entire body.

Smith. Okay, okay, I’ve owned a print shop, a sandwich shop, and a gift shop. She laughs again then sobers. I have a short attention span.

Interviewer: Does that mean you’ll walk out on your partnership with Westen pretty soon?

Smith: Only if she keeps making fun of my snakes. And my tuba playing.

Interviewer: Okay, last question…What was your most embarrassing moment?

Smith: Nothing embarrasses me.

Westen: Face turns red. I was in the middle of a cheering routine when my Kotex pad fell on the gym floor. The boys were practicing basketball at the time.

Smith: Shivers. Eeuw. You never told me that before.

Westen: And if you tell anyone, your body will never be found.

It's been a pleasure having you here today Cindy. Thanks for visiting The Heart of Romance. 

You can find Cindy at:-

 www.fiction-doctor.com

www.fiction-doctor.com/blog

www.cdavisnh.com/blog

www.cdavisnh.com

Jenni Keer interviews her characters

I am delighted to welcome Jenni Keer, author of The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker to The Heart of Romance today. 

I asked Jenni if she would agree to let her heroine Lucy, and her hero George interview her...and Jenni has come up with some fascinating and unexpected answers :-)


Thank you Jenni for giving us an insight to your connection with your characters, developed and the changes they faced, and how writing The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker became a three-way partnership. 

Jenni Keer is a history graduate who embarked on a career in contract flooring before settling in the middle of the Suffolk countryside with her antique furniture restorer husband. She has valiantly attempted to master the ancient art of housework but with four teenage boys in the house it remains a mystery. Instead, she spends her time at the keyboard writing women’s fiction to combat the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere with her number one fan #Blindcat by her side. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy-dress and is part of a disco formation dance team.

Thanks for inviting me on your blog Sherry. It’s wonderful to be here. I love your approach – asking me to interview Lucy and George from “The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker”. It has produced some interesting answers and made me think. So without further ado, I shall interview them and see what they say...

Why did you want Jenni to write your story?

Lucy: I wanted my story to be told first and foremost because I needed to tell the world about Brenda, and for others to hear about our very special relationship. She is my elderly neighbour and my best friend. Our relationship is uncomplicated and she wants the best for me. More than with anyone else, I can be myself with her. Her calm and wisdom complement my vitality and youth. It’s a relationship that benefits us both. I am also proud of how I grew in confidence over the course of the story and, of course, fell in love. All things that make for an interesting tale.

George: I would add that Brenda was key to everything that happened to us. She even helped to change me – without her I’d still be a grumpy loner! We owe her a lot. I was pleased that Jenni wrote our story because she did so with humour – and a lot of funny things happened as I got to know Lucy. I think humour is important in life because if you can take a bad situation and laugh about it, it is much more manageable.

Did you get tough with your author?

Lucy: Of course! Because I am the total opposite to Jenni, it was hard for her to write some scenes and she had to think carefully about how I would react, and not how she would react. For example, I put up with a lot at my place of work. Jenni is a more confident person and would have high fived some of my colleagues – in the face – with a chair! Jenni also kept forgetting I liked tea because she doesn’t drink it very often – she’s more of a coffee girl. I think she found it tricky to remember how different we were. I also happen to know she doesn’t like it when bad things happen to good people so I had to remind her to ramp up the tension in the story.

George: I know she had to rewrite a lot of my dialogue to ensure my monosyllabic nature came across. As a wordy girl, she had to trim some of my sentences. I do speak more now. Lucy and Brenda helped me open up.

How hard was it to share your deepest secrets with Jenni?

Lucy: It was hard admitting my relationship with my mother. I love her but have always felt a poor second best to my sister, Emily. I had carried that with me for so long and it had a negative impact on my confidence and goals. The saddest thing is I think it was my mother’s own failure to achieve that meant she praised my sister and chided me. I guess she was living her dreams through Emily.

George: Without giving away spoilers, I was carrying around some baggage. It was hard to share this with Lucy, so even harder to share with Jenni. I think she did a good job tough, and perhaps it will help people to understand why I was so withdrawn to start with.

What character quirks are you pleased that Jenni wrote about?

Lucy: I love that she talked about my knitting. It’s unusual for someone my age

but knitting is growing in popularity with younger people again. I think it emphasises that I am different from a lot of my peers, but it also gave me a skill I was proud of. Have you seen my knitted Poldark! He’s become legendary.

George:  My allergies became more and more important as the story went on. It was a great touch because Scratbag, a local stray, just wouldn’t leave me alone, and I am the last person in the world who would go near a cat. But then cats are curious creatures. And very contrary…

Book blurb
Meet Lucy, aged 25, and Brenda, aged 79. Neighbours, and unlikely friends.

Lucy Baker is not your usual 25-year-old. She is more at home reading and knitting in her cluttered little flat than going out partying and socialising.

79-year-old Brenda is full of wise and wonderful advice, but when she’s diagnosed with dementia her life begins to change. Before her memories slip away for ever, Brenda is desperate to fulfil one last wish – to see Lucy happy.

Gifting Lucy the locket that helped Brenda find her own true love, she hopes to push her reticent neighbour in the right direction. But is Lucy Baker ready for the opportunities and heartbreaks of the real world? It’s about time she put her knitting needles aside and found out…

The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker will be the most charming, heart-warming and feel-good novel you will read this year, perfect for fans of Ruth Hogan and Gail Honeyman.

Thank you for inviting me over to your blog, Sherry. I’ve enjoyed your take on the author interview.

You are very welcome Jenni, and thank you for sharing a fascinating insight into Lucy and George.

Facebook JenniKeerWriter

Twitter @JenniKeer

Instagram jennikeer

Website jennikeer.co.uk

Buying link http://bit.ly/JKHopes

Available in eBook or paperback formats

If you'd like to Meet Jenni in person she is visiting 
 Diss Publishing Bookshop
on April 13th
For more information visit...
https://www.facebook.com/events/2759420950950939/