Words that tug on the heartstrings
If you’re in Bradford or surrounding areas why not pop in and meet this phenomenal line up of authors on Saturday 27th July 2019 in Kala Sangam Arts Centre.
For more information and a chance to get to know the attending authors, why not check us out on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukindielitfest
1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
My name is Catherine Green, aka SpookyMrsGreen: The Pagan Housewife, and I am from Cheshire, UK. Originally, I come from the Staffordshire Moorlands.
2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
Of course I love reading, always have done! My early inspiration came from authors including Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. As I grew older I discovered Judy Blume, LJ Smith and Anne Rice. More recently my inspiration comes from Laurell K. Hamilton and her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series.
3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
I write paranormal romance and contemporary English Gothic. My stories are primarily romance and stories about what happens when you fall in love, but my characters usually turn out to be supernatural or magical in some way. It just happens! I do have some humans in the stories as well…
4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
I wouldn’t like to take on another author’s character, but I do admire Anita Blake from the author Laurell K. Hamilton. She is a heroine, but she has many flaws, and these are explored and even worked on throughout the series, which I think is important. I don’t like my book characters to be perfect, it gets boring that way!
5. When did you first start writing?
I have been writing since the first time I learned to form words. As a child I would copy out pages of prose from my favourite story books simply because I loved the act of writing, and the way my writing flowed across the page. As I grew older I wrote diaries (journals), and eventually I began to dabble in short stories and poems. My novel writing only began about eight years ago.
6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
Oh no, I’m too impatient for that! I tried planning my first novel, Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel), and I still occasionally refer to my character notes and location details if I get confused with my current manuscript. But I am what we refer to as a “pantser” – I write by the seat of my pants, typing away furiously and seeing what happens. Then I tidy up the writing later.
7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
Hmm, that’s a tricky one because I love them all! Alright, I do secretly have a favourite: Marcus Scott. He appears in my very first novel, Love Hurts, and he was only supposed to be a minor support character. He is a vampire, friends with the Mason brothers, and he develops a fixation with my heroine, Jessica Stone (read the books to find out why!). Marcus Scott became very insistent while I was writing the first three Redcliffe novels, and eventually I gave in and wrote his story, which was published as The Darkness of Love. He became a vampire during the late 1800s, on the whim of his Lord and Master on an English country estate.
8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
My books are really a collection of memories and experiences with added supernatural twists. The main theme throughout all my stories is the entity of being in love, and what it means to love another person. I have a very passionate relationship with my husband and we have been together since we were teenagers. A lot of our personal drama has appeared in my novels in some guise or other, along with themes I have observed from my peers.
9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
Oh yes, lots of things! Let me see… Well primarily I am working on the final three books in the Redcliffe novels series. Jessica Stone has transitioned fully into the person she was supposed to be, and now she and her spirit animal are learning their place in the Redcliffe werewolf pack.
In other news, I am working on a series of novels set in and around the North West of England featuring vampire hunters and their adventures. One is about a vampire hunter who lives on a narrowboat and takes on a hit that unravels some very deep, very dark and very surprising secrets about herself and her occasional work partner. If angels and demons are your thing, you might like to read this one…
I have a first draft of a novel about a retired vampire hunter who is married with young children when she is persuaded to return to her old job for one last target – the female vampire that almost killed her ten years previously. She must hide her previous identity from her husband in order to protect her family, but of course it never works out that way, does it?
And then we have Hunting the Hunted. This is almost ready for publication, and might even lend itself to a sequel, I haven’t decided yet. This one follows the story of a vampire called Frederick James who haunts the old tunnels beneath Manchester city centre. He is targeted by a group of hunters, but they struggle to capture him when he meets a witch who entraps him in a love affair before revealing the true nature of his intentions. This novel has strong homosexual themes and is a bit more experimental for me as a writer. I like it!
10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Always be positive. When you feel the urge to write, just do it, and don’t worry about the consequences. If you decide to share your work with the world then fabulous, but be prepared for a long and arduous journey on your quest for fame and fortune. Ultimately, we write because we have to. It is in our nature.
11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
Mostly I wrangle children! I have two daughters, one aged 6 and one aged 3, so they keep me busy. We also have a big soft dog and two pet turtles. When I’m not desperately trying to tidy my messy house, I like to indulge in hobby crafts, mainly card making. My current obsession is craft stamps, but I also enjoy decoupage. I am also a Tarot reader, and am doing a Tarot reading every day for my #365DaysofTarot challenge. I plan to compile a non-fiction book with the results when it is finished.
12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
Definitely marketing. It is such a complicated, huge and confusing task. Where do we start? Who do we advertise to? How do we advertise to them? I am still exploring this one, so I will get back to you with an answer eventually (I hope!)
13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
I don’t really have a bug bear because truthfully my friends and family don’t discuss my writing all that much. We are often too busy being consumed by the demands of the children and whatever domestic crisis is taking centre stage. I sort of get on with it quietly in the background.
14. What is your idea of happiness?
Happiness to me is an equal partnership between myself and my husband, where our parental duties are shared and I am free to work on my craft without hurrying or having to stop for mealtimes and bedtime routines etc. You’ve probably guessed that I am still struggling to achieve that balance!
15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
My personal library is a room at the back of my house. It is average size, square, with French doors opening out onto a picturesque garden where colourful flowers bloom in the borders, and my children play happily on the lawn. I have a Victorian antique desk to the left of the French doors, on which sits my laptop, notebooks, printer and coffee mug. Two of the walls are lined with floor to ceiling bookshelves, and in front of the Victorian fireplace sits a small, velvet sofa on which I can rest and read when I need a break. The polished floorboards are covered with a soft rug, and the colour scheme is a mixture of muted purples and greens.
How does that sound?
Lovely (me)
16. What makes you laugh/cry?
My children, my husband and my dog mostly.
17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
Ooh, I haven’t thought about that! I might say I will just take my husband for now, because at least then I would get some quality time with him.
18. What is your most annoying habit?
Impatience! I cannot wait for things to happen, I always try and hurry them along. It doesn’t always work, and I am trying to calm down a bit and let things happen naturally.
19. Please tell me about your books?
Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel) is about a young woman who runs a bookshop in Cornwall with her best friend. She falls in love with a local police detective and later discovers that he is a vampire, and that his identical twin brother is a werewolf. She is dragged into their complicated and dangerous lives, to her detriment, where secrets are told and lives are lost…
Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel) is book 2 in the developing Redcliffe series. In the quiet Cornish seaside town of Redcliffe, Jessica Stone recovers from an horrific werewolf attack and comes to terms with revelations that her lover, Jack Mason, is a vampire, his brother, Danny, the werewolf pack leader, and her best friend, Simon, is a werewolf. Add to that her discovery that she is a witch, and life is suddenly a whole lot harder than it used to be. Jessica has to fight for her own life and Jack’s when faced with his jealous vampire master who wants her old lover back. But things are never easy, and a vampire master is not so easy to defeat…
Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel) – Life has changed forever in Redcliffe, Cornwall. Jessica Stone used to be a normal, happy human. Now she is an angry, conflicted and confused witch. It all happened when she met Detective Jack Mason and his identical twin brother Danny. Jessica almost died twice, fell into a love triangle, and she became a murderer. Now she faces the ultimate challenge as she continues the fight to save the man she loves, while simultaneously struggling with her lust for his werewolf brother and their vampire friend. Can she survive, or will love finally end her life completely?
The Darkness of Love – Lord Gregory Stockton is a powerful and respected businessman embracing the modern era of the Victorian industrial revolution. He has a grand and beautiful manor house complete with a repertoire of servants, and his young wife is charming, attractive, and the perfect lady to his gentleman. The only thing they lack is an heir to the family estate. Lord Gregory knows he can never produce a child, for he is a vampire, although his wife and servants know nothing of his secrets. There are other ways to provide heirs for his estate, however, and Lord Gregory has noticed the romantic attraction between his wife and the young stable hand Marcus Scott. He hatches a plan to bring the would-be lovers together, and then cruelly tear them apart as he continues to build his empire and secure his power base in the south of England. The humans are pawns in the vampire’s game of lust, love and control.
The Vampire of Blackpool – The vampire, the witch, and the hunter battle it out in a contemporary Gothic adventure in Northern England.
Meredith Hanson lives in Blackpool, the former Victorian holiday hotspot of Northern England. She masquerades as a reclusive author, feeding on the blood of unsuspecting tourists without remorse. Her life takes on new meaning when she meets a young witch in a local pub one evening. Despite Meredith’s cold demeanour, she finds herself oddly fascinated with Samantha Morris, and falls into an accidental relationship with the girl. It is at this time that a vampire hunter arrives in Blackpool. He is tough, he is determined, and his next target is an ancient vampire that has been spotted in the tourist town. He intends to bring her down and destroy her to save the lives of innocent humans.
Will he succeed? Or will the experienced vampire seductress be the cause of his undoing?
My Vampire Boyfriend: A Redcliffe Short Story Anthology – The pretty seaside town of Redcliffe in Cornwall is a popular location for holidaymakers during the summer season. It has good waves for surfing, good pubs for socialising, and a vibrant tourist industry. It is also home to a hidden werewolf pack, and several vampires and witches, who all live within human society, pretending to be just like the rest of us.
Bookshop owner Jessica Stone used to be one of those humans. Then she met Detective Jack Mason and his twin brother, Danny. They took her on a wild adventure that shows no sign of slowing down. Now she is deeply embedded with the vampires and werewolves, and learning the power of their lust, and a magnetic attraction that is just too hard to ignore. She is also learning about her own true heritage, and how to feed her desires and satisfy her powerful animal familiar that resides within.
This anthology contains adult themes, and scenes of a sexual nature.
20. Lightning round
Tea or Coffee? – Coffee
Cash or credit? – Cash
Cats or Dogs? – Dogs
Beach or Mountain? – Beach
Summer or Winter – Spring!
Sweet or Savoury – Sweet
Early riser or late riser? – Late riser
Morning or Night? – Night
Christmas Tree – real or fake? – Fake
Sex – Lights on or off? – Lights on!
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
Author of British paranormal romance series The Redcliffe Novels, Catherine Green was raised on books from a young age, and has happy memories of Saturday mornings spent in her small local library, devouring the contents of the shelves. Catherine has always been fascinated by the supernatural world, and it feels natural for her to write about vampires, werewolves, witches and other mystical creatures in her contemporary stories.
If you sign up to Catherine’s newsletter, she will send you a free copy of her Redcliffe short story, It’s Complicated, to introduce you to her fictional supernatural seaside town in Cornwall, England.
More recently, Catherine released her contemporary English Gothic novel, The Vampire of Blackpool. These novels will show you the darker, sexier side of our favourite British seaside resorts!
You can find Catherine in the following places:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpookyMrsGreen
Author blog: http://www.catherinegreenauthor.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter page: https://twitter.com/SpookyMrsGreen
The Pagan Housewife Blog: http://spookymrsgreen.com/
My Mother had bee one of those alluring women, a flaming redhead, who had men baying at her feet like enslaved dogs. Not for her the indifference of men, she had played the game to the hilt and every man that walked out of her life was a man she had send packing.
Find out more about Athena’s journey to self-discovery as she throws aside the shackles that bind her in.
Novelette pricing:
Kindle 0.99
Paperback: £3.50/ $5.00
Amazon Link: http://mybook.to/ALifetime
For more information and reviews: https://gibbsdream.wordpress.com/my-published-stories-a-lifetime-or-a-season/
Jennifer Aniston, because I just love her
David Beckham because I need something sexy to look at
The impractical Jokers because we all need to laugh
Moving On –
Everyone has a past. For most people their past is their worst nightmare, haunting them day by day. Such a person with a past is Kim Turner. But everything changes when Nicolas Webb comes into her life.
Nick on the other hand, is your typical hot shot. With money comes powers and with powers come happiness, or so he thought until he met Kim.
Haunted by her past and stalked in his present, are they destined to be together? Will Kim be able to let go of her past and trust Nick or will Nick just cause another heartbreak?
Moving Forward –
“I knew then, that I will never be safe!”
Moving on, Kim Turner finally let go of her past. She trusts Nicolas Webb with more than her life. Just when she thought she could move on from her haunted past, James Foster comes back into her life; together with the painful memories and disturbing nightmares. But this time, it’s all real.
The untold story of Kim and Nick continues as more secrets and lies begin to unravel. Following as the sequel to “Moving On” with James Foster out of Prison, will Kim and Nick be able to move forward? Or will this time be the last time they fight for each other?
Moving Together –
The Final instalment of the Moving Series
James’ persistence is taking its toll on Kim. With what he’s done goes above and beyond trying to get her back; it’s hurting her in the worst way imaginable. Using her love for Nick against her has Kim deciding if she can continue to fight James, or give in.
One thing’s for sure… She won’t go back to the hell he made for her.
COURAGE TO TRUST –
I knew I should have stayed away from Rhett Johnson. Captivating, beautiful, talented not to mention a UFC prize fighter, and a man who knows what he wants and he wants ME.
Who am I? Scarlett Parker. A maid in a luxury Vegas hotel. I’m damaged, broken and running away from the darkness around me. I don’t believe in happily ever after.
The attraction between us is like a drug, one we both dangerously need. Wounds break open as my past returns. Is this my happily ever after or is this a disaster waiting to happen?
COURAGE TO FIGHT
He told me that I could trust him.
He told me he loved me.
I put myself in a place where I thought I would be safe again. Never did I think I would hurt more than I did before. But I do.
I let the wall fall around my heart, only for it to get burned.
I cried, but now I’m back and I won’t let the demons get me again.
I won’t make the same mistake twice…
But there he stands in front of me.
The man who hurt me.
Rhett Johnson
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
1.Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
My name is Holly, I’m from Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire
2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
Yes, I love reading. I have always read since being a child, paperbacks and now my Kindle is full and the paperbacks I have now, are signed and stay grease free.
I never had any particular authors who inspired me as they all did. I read so many genres, including the gippy ones the teachers use to pull out.
3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
I guess I should say, it depends what genre my mind is working on. At The moment all my current published works are erotica, as that is where I initially started. However, my mind started wondering and has taken me to genre’s I never expected I would write, romance, supernatural, action thriller, ghost…if my mind is thinking it, it will write it.
4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
Gosh I truly have no idea. I have read so many amazing books, it’s too hard to choose.
5. When did you first start writing?
I started writing when I was about 7 or 8 years old. The only time the teacher got my attention was when she said essay. I loved my imagination taking over. I recalled in my English class when I was 13 or so, the teacher (who was a cowbag) told me off for handing in an essay of 30 pages, she said ‘next time only give me 5.’ I hated her, I thought teachers were meant to encourage students. I guess not. Anyway after that, I handed in 5 pages and once marked went home to finish it.
My first ever novel was written, handwritten might I add called ‘Full of Surprises’ a cute sweet romance, back when I was 16 and I still have it to hand now.
6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I allow the words to flow. I have an idea where the book is going, but nine times out of ten it will turn. Wowzers! I never saw that coming. I just allow the characters to tell me where and what they won’t me to write.
7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
Hmm, I am not sure I can answer this question. It’s a cruel question as I love all my character even the badass. If I was really to say…gosh…Holly in All That We Are, why, because she in some respects is telling a story of me. Her character lacks confidence. She hides behind her laptop, keeps herself at a distance of anyone and hates any form of confrontations. And there is also a scene of bullying in there which is true, to each and every word. I had a little cry after I wrote it, no one should ever go through such acts, ever.
8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
For me I guess all my novels are my autobiography, there is something in them all that has stolen a little snippet of my life. The worst one for me is in All That We Are regarding the bullying and how that affected my adulthood. For me when writing the scene through the tears, brought it all back, some would say why write it, because to me it was like a sense of relief, sharing a part of me and possibly getting the message across that bullying isn’t acceptable, do something about it, don’t dwell as it will only hurt more.
9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
I’m currently working on four books, one I’m writing an action erotica thriller which appears to be my favorite genre at the moment.
I have one book I had to take down from publication is with an editor called Innocence BK 1. This book is a romance, and a little taster, Two pasts, one direction. When pain hits full force. Emotions run high. Guilt and protection. Can two hearts hold it together?
Book 2 is awaiting an editor, booked for March called Destiny BK 1. Sexy Erotic Billionaire Romance. Taster, Destiny is a girl who wants for nothing! Compromise Mr. Wright, compromise.
Book 3 is awaiting the editor, booked for June called Target, Scar Lover series BK 1. Action Erotic Thriller. Taster, He was sent to kill her, only instead unearthed more problems.
10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Write to enjoy it. Write for it to be a hobby. Write what you want to write. Never give up, keep writing. Don’t allow anyone to spoil your illusions. Write the first manuscript in draft, then leave and go back and polish, re-write, make it better, stronger and fuller. Stalk authors, get yourself on social media, talk to authors, that is what I did, and even today I reach out for a little help. We are a great community, yes we can get some nastiness, but generally we are all there doing the same thing, getting our work promoted.
11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
I have a part-time job as a care assistant in a residential and nursing home so that takes care of two days working 12 hour shifts. I am a nana to twins a girl and boy who I see as regular as possible. I enjoy reading, spending time with family, going camping in the summer months and visiting places in the UK.
12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
Editing, I loathe it especially as I cannot see the errors. I intend to sink back into the characters and pulling myself out can be tricky. Authors told me to step away. Leave the book for a year or so…doesn’t work I still end up back in their minds and bodies. This is why I hire editors as trust me I need it.
Marketing is a nightmare. It rather daunting at times, you write the book, find a good editor, get it proofread and then start arranging the formatting, and boom hit the big button…and you start hitting social media, crying out to all those bloggers. It’s hard work, and even more so to get it out there.
Will I ever give up…no. I love allowing my imagination to do its stuff, giving up isn’t an option.
13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
I’m lucky, I think a majority of my fans I work with they are just brilliant, all so supportive and buy my books. At my last place of work, one woman did suggest telling me her life story and wanted me to write about it…I don’t think so. I think because people think your write stories that you would like to write theirs…nope I have enough people screaming in my head without your story, which isn’t all that exciting.
My family and friends are very supportive, well my hubby has to be he, he’s my assistant for the book signings, at least my muscle man.
14. What is your idea of happiness?
To always be a naughty woman, who is well known for making rude gestures from nothing. Live life to the full and be who you want to be. I don’t worry about much, as life is too short.
15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
Large room, sofa bed, desk with draws, book shelves, chair, notice board, images of characters staring at me, a wall decorated in my published works and another wall with my family, walls can be white and wooden flooring with a rug under my feet.
In a corner would be a desk with draws underneath, in oak. The desk will sit my laptop in the center. My glasses, notepad and dictionary will be to my right and my kindle, headphones, phone on silent with fruit and bottles of juice to my left. To the right a large window with blinds to block out the dazzling sunlight in white and white curtains. And between the window and wall to my right fixed book shelves where I can easily reach for research.
In front of me above my laptop will be a notice board in shabby chic, with pins with ideas and inspiration and other possible ideas that spring to my mind.
I will also have at the far side more book shelves with swag, signed books and a list of names and contacts when looking for promotional ideas, which will also contain all the links to where my books are published.
The far wall would have pictures of my family, grandbabies and below a sofa bed where I can go and relax and read my kindle or sneak a snooze.
One the left wall will be my book covers in all their glory.
The lighting will be variable, depending on what I am doing, reading my kindle would be a small lamp in the corner and when writing a bright light so I’m not squinting. I will also have a Bluetooth speaker if needed to help with inspiration when ideas might run dry.
16. What makes you laugh/cry?
For me, bullying, child cruelty and hearing a baby has died, it breaks my heart.
17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
This is going to sound drab but my hubby, Nigel. He is amazing at knowing what to do when stranded, he would know what to do in every department, how to build things, go hunting and how to please me. He is always watching programs where people are dumped and left to survive. For entertainment my hubby as he knows me, he knows what I like and would protect me from anything, well sort of unless he gets hungry and decided to eat me lol.
18. What is your most annoying habit?
I’ll ask my hubby…he said, ‘I cannot cook.” I hate cooking lol!
19. Please tell me about your books?
Desires the series, there are 5 books up to date. This series is about a sex club, an exclusive club where you can go and enjoy your erotic side without being judged. The series tells us the story of a couple, Stacie and Dan. Stacie is the guest who is seeking confidence sexually after being in a bad relationship. Dan the sex worker a serious hot toy boy is her tutor, and well he teaches all she needs to now and more. Heck, he blew me away, the cutie. The series also brings in a scorned woman, jealous of the couple and spends most of her miserable time trying to spilt Stacie and Dan up.
All That We Are, this book is about a promoter called Holly who starts talking on social media to Ashton Noir, who is a bestselling author. They start talking, building up a friendship and helping in areas where they both lack confidence. This is an internet love story which in the author world I bet has happened.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
Desires Series: Erotica, BDSM, kinky romance.
Bk 1 Desires
Bk 2 Touching Angel’s Desires
Bk 3 Desires’ Secrets
BK 4 Embracing Desires
Bk 5 Dan’s Desires
Trust series
All That We Are
Buy Links
Amazon UK :
Amazon US :
Amazon CA :
https://www.amazon.ca/All-That-Are-Trust-Book-ebook/dp/B01GIPN1AG
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/search?query=Holly%20J.%20Gill&fcsearchfield=Author
Barnes and Noble :
Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/holly-j.-gill/id656813976?mt=11
Links to me
E-mail mailto:holly_gill@btinternet.com
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjgillauthor?ref=hl
Erotic Holly BLOG :http://hollyjgill.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=b9ccabad8f15e367
Romance BLOG Holly : http://hollyjodygill.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/HollyJGill
Google + : https://plus.google.com/u/0/107879443337932231480/posts
Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6860426.Holly_J_Gill
Pinterest : http://uk.pinterest.com/gill0839/
Wixhttp://hollygill.wixsite.com/hollyjgill
1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
Maddie Wade and I am from Hereford
2.Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
I love reading and always have I`m never without a book. My inspirations are people like Marie Force and Melody Anne. They have both been trailblazers for indie authors, proving that you can start from scratch and make it.
3.What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
I write Romantic Suspense with a paranormal twist.
4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
Oh wow that’s a tough one. It would have to be Sherlock Holmes. He is so deliciously complex.
5. When did you first start writing?
Not that long go really. I started writing in 2015.
6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I plan the basic plot and story arc and then an idea of where I need to go. Then I just write and see how it pans out. Quite often things change and surprise me which I love.
7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
I would have to say Lucy. I`m writing her book now and she had a beautiful mix of kick ass and take names mixed in with a sweetness and vulnerability that you wouldn’t expect from a woman who works for an all male badass security firm.
8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
Not really it was more that the idea wouldn’t shut up or go away and kept growing so I decided to let it out and see where it went. Best thing I ever did.
9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
As I said I`m working on Lucy and Jaces book Love Divided, which is book three in this series. It`s really surprising me and has already made me cry. Let`s just say it`s going to be emotional and yet you still get the pace and action. Obviously the rest of the team make appearances too.
10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Don’t procrastinate, just do it and see what happens.
11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
Reading or spending time with my family. I also like watching T.V series like the Blacklist and Blindspot.
12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
Marketing and promotion because you never know if you’re getting it right and I find it hard to blow my own trumpet.
13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
Oh you mean “My little hobby?” I guess that people think if you self publish that you are not a Real author. Drives me crazy.
14. What is your idea of happiness?
Easy my kids happy and safe.
15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
Oh love this okay. The sun is hanging low in the sky, the orange and red embers just touch the top of the sea. My feet are bare and buried in the warm sand under my desk. Warmth from the fading sun kisses my face, and caresses my shoulders. The gentle breeze is bringing with it the smell of the sea and the sound of a child`s laugh. Laptop open, curser idling waiting for the next adventure to begin. I take a sip from the cold mojito by my side and let the words flow.
16. What makes you laugh/cry?
The big Bang Theory makes me laugh. Videos of soldiers returning home and surprising their families makes me bawl like a baby.
17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
Okay from a mum’s point of view I would have to pick my kids. From a woman`s point I would have to say Chris Hemsworth (I`m totally obsessed with him), Jason Momoa and Henry Cavil. Please don’t tell my hubby (sniggers)
18. What is your most annoying habit?
Not putting the washing away.
19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
Healing Danger is my Debut Novel and the First in the Fortis Security series. It follows Dane and Lauren as they try to find her best friends killer and stop Lauren from being the next victim of the Divine Watchers. The Divine Watchers are a sick cult out to use people with special abilities like Lauren`s to start Armageddon.
Stolen Dreams is book two and follows Nate and Skye as they try to get Skye`s very sick son back. He has been kidnapped for his ability and the race is on to get to him before it is too late.
Each book has its own story but the series as a whole has an overreaching arc. Each character in the Fortis team will get a book.
Website is www.maddiewadeauthor.co.uk
Email:maddie@maddiewadeauthor.co.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maddieuk/?fref=ts
Twitter @mwadeauthor
Instagram @mwadeauthor
1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
Julie and I write under my maiden name JF Holland. I still live in the small town I was born in Partington in Manchester.
2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
I read contemporary and paranormal romance, and I have a few authors who inspire me. Jill Shalvis, my good friend Kate Hardy (who write for Mills & boon) Lynsay Sands, JR Ward, Lara Adrian, Gena Showalter, Kresley Cole, Hannah Howell and a few others.
3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
I write what I read, contemporary and paranormal romance, but I do cross over slightly. I enjoy a bit of humour in my books, so I try to add that in too. as well as sass and a little intrigue.
4. If you could take any character from someone else’s book and make him/her your own creation who would it be and why?
Oh my, so many, I’d have to say Mary from JR Wards the Black Dagger Brotherhood though. She has the strength to face down the brothers and she’s lifemate to Hollywood, I mean, nom.
5. When did you first start writing?
I don’t ever remember I time when I didn’t write, even when I was little I wrote. I’d re-write books I wasn’t overly fond of and change them to my liking. If I wasn’t reading I was writing or drawing. I’ve wrote seriously for about the last 10 years though, but I didn’t release my first book until last July.
6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
I tried for years to plan, to work out each chapter, and have quite a few partial manuscripts I never finished due to it. I’m now what is termed a pantster. Basically, I sit down at my laptop, maybe with a rough idea, and just write. I see the story in my head as a movie, what they say how they move, surroundings etc., I just write what I see. I’ve actually explained my writing process in Blue Christmas, as that’s about a writer.
7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
That would have to be Maya from my paranormal series. She takes no shit from her mate and gives him a run for his money.
8. Was there an event in your life that triggered a particular book, or even a scene in a book? If so what was the book and what was the event?
My paranormal series is bases on The Big Black Cat sightings in the UK. I’ve listened about big black cat sightings for years, strange in a country where we don’t have any. Then you add in the sightings of wolves (or should I say werewolves) and a Lion too at one point and I instantly went down the shifter route. So between the stories on the press, sightings and Maroon 5’s ‘Animal,’ my Bound Series was born.
9.Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
I’m working on 2 books, but several more in the pipeline. I’m writing the book that Lorie, the main character is writing in Blue Christmas, called Date Night, which is a contemporary romance. Also, I’m writing the 3rd book in my paranormal series, this one is called Fire in The Moon, and Balin now gets his story. The 3rd book will bring more fighting and intrigue as the immortals fight for the lives of the women they love, and rescue one of the males. Also, we’ll see more of what some of the characters are capable of bringing to the table. So intrigue, hot sex, fight scenes and a little payback is expected.
10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
Don’t give up, read a lot, and write. Write whatever comes to mind. You may not use everything that you write but your confidence grows with each piece that you produce. As the saying goes, you can’t edit a blank page.
11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
I read, or draw, I also crochet, and a little cross stitch. I also have children so family time is important. One of my sons is a drummer in an indie rock band, so I go to their gigs and attend rock concerts if they come up.
12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
Marketing and writing the blurb, that to me is like pulling nails. I’d rather write another manuscript than have to do my marketing and write the blurb.
13. We all have those friends or family members who make sweeping statements about our writing or the process, which is your particular bug bear?
You write filth (which I don’t) I don’t write erotica per se, I write heated romance with a story. I also hate how people assume you can just switch it off at a certain time. Unfortunately, characters don’t have a stop clock. Ideas and scenes can come to you at the most inopportune moments.
14. What is your idea of happiness?
I’m pretty easy to please, a book, and a cup of tea and I’m good.
15. For this one I want you to showcase your creativity by painting me a picture, with words, of your ideal setting to write in.
The kids are in bed, and the house is quiet. The fire is lit, so the room is nice and cosy. I’m sat with a lamp on and a couple of candles flickering on the mantelpiece. The television is on, low, in the background (I can’t listen to music as I write as I get more story ideas) and my dogs are curled up snoring beside me.
I sit beneath a blanket, wearing slippers on the sofa, with my laptop on my knee and envision the scene I’m working on. At the side of me sits my warm mug of tea and either a bag of bacon Wheaties or a bar of dark chocolate.
16. What makes you laugh/cry?
My children can make me do both, my dogs the same.
17. You’re stranded on a desert island and you can take three men/women who would they be and why? This can be practical or purely sexual in nature.
I’ll take Jesus as he was a carpenter, so the skills will come in handy. Plus, he’s in with the big guy and you never know when you’ll need a favour. Gordon Ramsey as he can cook and I find his swearing highly entertaining. Lastly I’d take Liam Neeson as he has a particular set of skills and they may also come in handy to survive.
18. What is your most annoying habit?
I’m always on the last minute or late, my mum said I was even born late lol
19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
Dennison Property Story Series (contemporary)
The Only One (book 1)
This Time (book 2)
Second Chance (book 2)
Blue Christmas (holiday Romance)
The Bound Series (paranormal)
Moon Sworn (book 1, introduction)
Bound by The Moon (book 2)
20. Lightning round
Tea or Coffee? Tea
Cash or credit? Cash
Cats or Dogs? Dog
Beach or Mountain? I’d have to say both for this.
Summer or Winter? Summer as it’s warm, winter as I love the crisp air.
Sweet or Savoury? Savoury
Early riser or late riser? Late riser
Morning or Night? Night
Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake, I have dogs.
Sex – Lights on or off? Lamp lol
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
You can find me on facebook:- www.facebook.com/JFHollandRomanceWriter
Twitter:- www.twitter.com/JFHollandwriter
Or I have a website:- https://www.jf-holland-romance-author.com
My name is Lindsey, and I am from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands
Yes, definitely. I started out reading. Initially good old paper backs many moons ago, and then hoards of different things on my Kindle.
If I were to pull out 3 names that inspired me to give it a whirl, they would be Teresa Gabelman, Melissa F Olson, and Ashley Stoyanoff. Love their series’ so much!!! Very good paranormal reads!
I started off writing Paranormal. They were meant to be Erotic as well, but my first novel kind of veered off into a thriller instead. Which suited the story more than filth. So I wrote the dirty books seperately.
I hope to also branch out into Post-Apocalyptic (though, probably under another name) as well as eventually combining the Paranormal and Erotic genres.
Oh wow, this is difficult because I have come across so many bad ass characters. It would come down to 3… Jill from Teresa Gabelman’s Warrior series, Scarlett from Melissa F Olson’s Scarlett Bernard series, or Rachel from Maggie Shayne’s Brown and de Luca series, because each are strong, powerful, alpha women and I adore them and how they are written. For me, a good, strong MC makes for awesome reading, and these were no exception!
I’ll need to hazard a rough guess over this one… I would say about 3-4 years ago. It took me a long time to get my first book polished enough for me to be happy with. It took at least 12 months for me to publish it because the first draft was utter rubbish! I had to seek help!
I’d like to think that I plan, but in reality, it doesn’t always work that way. I get a basic plot and I go with the flow… sometimes even the plot changes a few times before I settle on something I like.
The book I am currently writing, for example, is only 3 chapters in and already I’ve changed my mind 4 times! I have moments where something will just come to me, and then something else will work on top of that, etc., etc., and I have to write it all down before I forget it.
Hmm, another difficult choice. I have my female fave and my male fave. My female fave is Amelia Ellis from the Faction series. She is a kick ass cop with a feisty attitude, and she takes no crap.
My male fave is from the same series, and that’s Nate Turner. He’s a sarcastic, scruffy, loveable rogue.
Without going into too much detail, there are elements of a past life / relationship used in my first book, Invoking the Witch. More specifically, relationship elements, control issues, domestic abuse… I won’t give too much away because I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone who might read it, but I did have to draw on a lot of memories and past hurt / emotions to fully convey what the MC was going through.
I’m currently working one 3 pieces at the moment. One just loosely, which was originally a short story for an anthology that never happened. So, I am turning it into a novella. It’s an Erotic Spy Thriller.
The 2nd is a carry on from my first full-length Erotic novel, Graceful Damnation. Not so much one of a series, but I am giving each character their own book which usually follows on from where the previous left off.
The 3rd I’m working on, which I am currently focusing on at the moment, is Nate’s series which follows on a little from the Faction series previous to that, but rather than vampires, it’s going to be more about werewolves and packs, though some familiar faces will make an appearance.
I’d always tell someone never to give up. Write as though no one will ever read your words, because they come across more raw and honest that way. Don’t let someone tell you you’re wrong, but do let other help advise and polish your work, because some of the best advice I had came from other authors, and I still cherish and use it to this day.
Despite the occasional ups and downs on Social Media, the author world is quite a friendly and tight-knit community. There’s always someone willing to help, because there’s always somebody who’s experienced the same struggles you likely will. Don’t be deterred, just be determined.
I have a full time job in recruitment currently. I also have my (almost) 5 year old Bedlington who still thinks he’s a puppy to keep me on my toes. Recreationally I love my PlayStation and First Person Shooter games.
On top of that, I also design book covers and other imagery for myself and other authors, as well as Swag and Jewellery. As you can well imagine, I’m kept busy – but I like it that way.
The writing can sometimes be hard. I will, on occasion, find myself struggling for ideas, or how to connect one piece of the story to another. But, at the same time, it’s the most enjoyable part.
Editing is tedious, but necessary. And it helps when you have a great group of Beta readers, as I do. They point out things I have missed, even after reading it over thousands of times!
Marketing is definitely the hardest. It’s great writing the book and then hitting publish when all the bits and pieces have come together, but the hardest part is definitely trying to get it shouted about.
There are plenty of tools, don’t get me wrong, and I would probably find it so much easier if I spent more time and money on it. But, as you can see, my time is stretched thin as it is, so I do what I can in the hopes that, one day soon, a PA will take pity on me and help me out for free Swag and books!!
The dream is also to do it full time, but it’s swings and roundabouts at the moment – though, I will persevere because I love it so much.
I’m quite lucky in the sense that my family and friends support what I do. Sometimes, you get the odd one that calls it a hobby, which I understand because, to them, it would seem that way. I mean, I have a full time, paying job and I write in my spare time, which is almost the definition of a hobby in a way. However, it’s so much more than that, but I don’t sweat it. I know what goes into the whole process, and I know how I feel when I get something out of it. I’m just glad there are people that stand behind me while I do it.
To feel fulfilled, and for those around me to be content in their lives. No have minimal worries and to be involved in doing things that I love with the people I love.
A large room, the walls fairly plain, in some off-white colour – not to be boring, but to enable me to fill them with my achievements and accomplishments. One wall with hoards of pictures of family and friends in varying white and oak frames – my inspiration and my happy thoughts. Another wall with glossy, a4 framed photos of all my book covers, in all their glory.
In one corner, a large desk, big enough for my laptop, my storage devices and all my materials for making swag and jewellery. Some of them will even be on shelving, fixed to the wall above the desk.
The desk itself will be fairly minimal, but will have ample lighting and a large notice board pinned at the back, covered in lined paper and Post-It notes with scribbles and ideas on.
In another corner will be a unique, novelty bookcase with all my signed paperbacks that will slowly grow. Somewhere on that shelf, there will be a reserved space for my paperbacks, too.
There’ll be at least two windows, with linen blinds drawn up, allowing in sunshine. Simple bright green plants in white pots will sit on the window sills.
The lighting will be variable, depending on the mood and what I am doing, and, though I prefer the quite when I am writing, there will an iPod on a docking station, ready to blast out my choice of song when I need that inspiration for a difficult scene, or I’m working on swag or jewellery.
And, last, but not least, a black pyramid kettle with an endless supply of Nescafe decaf cappuccinos!!
Usually PMT! Or animal / child cruelty if I see / read about it
Hmmm… this is a difficult choice. I’d have to have some eye candy, so Andrew England is a must! Or Drew Truckle… I’d be perfectly happy with either. Having met Drew, he would be my first choice in actual fact, because he is a lovely guy who can hold a conversation, so I’d be entertained.
Ray Mears would be another choice because he is an expert on survival in the wild. He would be able to show us how to live off the land
My third choice…gotta be a woman so I’m not the odd one out, so let’s go with Doon Mackichan because I love her sense of humour!
As if I have any, lol!! Erm… I can’t think of one off the top of my head. Perhaps leaving my plates and cups upstairs instead of taking them down to be washed!
My books, so far, are a 3 part Paranormal Thriller series involving Witches, Vampires and Werewolves at the moment. They can be kind of grisly in nature, so not for the faint hearted. I tend to research my subject matter to death to get it spot on, and sometimes it’s a little dark.
The erotic are exactly that, and they will vary depending on the nature. My novella is quite light and breezy, whereas my full length novel includes murder and revenge, and that, too, is a little on the dark side. The opening chapter is certainly not to be taken lightly, and might be disturbing to some.
I like to fully develop my characters, and I always try to fully describe everything – every feeling / emotion, location, scene, so there is a lot of descriptive passages.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
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I will be doing a regular interview slot in the lead up to the book signing which is being held on Saturday 4th February in Telford. The first author is rather aptly the event organiser C A Bell who gives us a wonderful insight into her life and writing.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.
Please leave Facebook, Twitter, Website links so we can check you out further.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorC.A.BELL/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbellAtrix09
Website: http://cbellatrix.wixsite.com/cabell
Maria Gibbs 