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Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Maddie Wade

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

 

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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.

  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Tea
    Cash or credit? Cash
    Cats or Dogs? Dog
    Beach or Mountain? Beach
    Summer or Winter? Summer
    Sweet or Savoury? Sweet
    Early riser or late riser? Late
    Morning or Night? Morning
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
    Sex – Lights on or off? Don’t care

    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.

Website is www.maddiewadeauthor.co.uk

Email:maddie@maddiewadeauthor.co.uk

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maddieuk/?fref=ts

Twitter @mwadeauthor

Instagram @mwadeauthor

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

#Booksarenotfree

gibbsdream15 Comments

 

There is a growing trend in society to believe that books should be free or heavily discounted and we have all been guilty of feeding into it. I pick up freebies but I am also happy to pay for the books I want. Maybe I can’t get all the ones I want but hey isn’t that just life? I see lots of clothes I like and I might be able to pick up a new dress for a special occasion or a new pair of jeans because my old ones have holes in where no self-respecting forty-something wants holes but I can’t buy every item that my heart desires. Certainly not on my non-existent income as an author. Just as well I have a full-time job that stops me from being a starving artist languishing in a garret with only bread and water to sustain me. My day-time job takes up a huge portion of my week and often leaves me drained but from somewhere I have to find the time for my passion which is writing. My dream would be my writing to take off and be able to write full-time but alas that can’t be at the moment.

Everyone of us has had people who ask for a free copy, I’d like to quote my friend and fellow author Chris Turnbull “erm No! There is no such thing as a free copy…even I don’t get a free copy and it’s my book.” 

We do have a free copy on our computers, sure and we can send it to our Kindle device but if we want a print copy of our book, we have to pay – the proof copy isn’t even free. But let me tell you a bit more about what we’ve paid for: A beautiful cover, a feast to the eye, to tempt you, an editor to shape our words and spot mistakes and inconsistencies. And let’s be clear on this my editor and cover designer, both wonderful women who are also authors won’t accept it if I ask them to provide their services for free–which I wouldn’t do. Some people pay for marketing and do promotional giveaways.

I have three novelettes on the market at the moment and a pending novel (having the red pen treatment). A novelette is small, doesn’t require the same time frame to write it but I still used my time and I still paid for the above items. Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of my first novelette ‘As Dreams are Made on.’ Based only on the cover and editing alone I have lost £36.00 on it. So to recap, two years on and with 104 kindle sales and 16 paperback copies I am still in the red. I haven’t set my price high 0.99p/c because it is a short read. An hour or so of entertainment for under £1.00/$1.00 but still people want it for free. You could argue that if they like it they might buy one of my other books and yes that is true but lets also go back to the earlier paragraph where I acknowledged that I can’t buy all the books or clothes I like. So maybe it would generate sales–but maybe not.

Books aren’t just entertainment they are often an escape from reality –a reality that many people find challenging so given the duality of the product why do we question its value?

I’ve got an experiment for you to try (I won’t do it myself as I previously mentioned my busy schedule 🙂 )

Walk in to or phone your hairdresser and ask them if they will give you a free haircut.

Ring your garage next time your car needs a service or MOT and ask them to do it for free

Who loves having their nails done? Manicure? Pedicure? Facial? Let’s see about this freebie

The list is endless.
I would love to hear back from anyone who gets a freebie. Good luck and happy hunting.

But for this author who works endlessly and pays for the services I receive the only freebies I will consider are those that I choose to give for a promotional event which will require your participation.

For anyone who believes that authors should be paid for their work please leave a comment in support and it you are so inclined please share it with the hashtag #Booksarenotfree let’s get it trending.

If you are interested in my books follow the links:

US: https://www.amazon.com/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

If you want to know more about my books have a look at the other pages on this website. You can even see the reviews that I have left for the books I’ve read recently.

 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Nicola C. Priest

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

 

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  1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
     I write under my given name, Nicola C. Priest, but people tend to call me Nicky. Midlands girl, born & bred.
  2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
    Completely true.  When I was younger, I used to love reading Stephen King and James Patterson, mainly because my mom loved to read those authors so I picked up her books, but now I’m predominantly a romance girl and love to read Nicole Edwards and Kristy Bromberg
  3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
    Most of my books are contemporary romance, but one of my in progress books, Perception, leans towards the Crime genre, with a touch of romance thrown in.
  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?
    Just one character? Don’t think I could do that, but Id happily take all seven of the Walker Brothers from Nicole Edwards’ Alluring Indulgence series.  Seven hot, sexy cowboys; what’s not to love there?
  5. When did you first start writing?
    I’ve loved writing since I was in school. Our creative writing classes were always my favourite.  I started writing fanfiction based on various TV shows but it wasn’t until a certain trilogy came out that I decided to have a go at writing something original. I figured if she could do it, then so could I.
  6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
    I do plan to some degree, but I tend to just write and go where the characters take me.  I never know how a story is going to end until I get there. Two of the books I’ve released ended in completely different ways to what I originally envisioned.
  7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
    Tough one, but I’d have to say Jackson MacKenzie out of Somewhere Love Remains.  I won’t go into details, but there are parts of that book that mean a lot to me and I’ll leave it there.
  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?
    Somewhere Love Remains.  I had an armed forces penpal back when I was a teenager.
  9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
    Yes.  I’m working on the sequel to Heart & Soul, called Mind & Soul which has a couple of twists people won’t see coming.  The second I’m working on is Perception, which is a little different to what I usually write.
  10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
    Just write.  I’m a firm believer that everyone has at least one book inside them, but you won’t get anywhere unless you write.  All the editing and formatting comes after, just get the words on the paper and the rest will follow.
  11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
    I work full time as a financial services contractor so that takes up most of my day.  When I’m not working or writing, I go to the gym and catch up on my reading list.
  12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?
    Definitely the marketing.  Getting a new book out there is hard and I hate pestering people or posting repeatedly on pages/groups.  I know how it makes me feel seeing the same post over and over, but then I remember that this person is trying to do the same things as me, they’re just being a bit more forward lol
  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 hate it when people assume that just because I have a book on Amazon, I must be raking in the cash.  I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve heard “You’re an author? You must be loaded” or words to that effect.  I wish I was loaded, but as most of us indie authors can attest, that’s just not the case
  14. What is your idea of happiness?
    Being able to give up my full-time job so that I can write for a living instead.  I’d love to be able to earn my living as an author.
  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.
         For me it would have to be a log cabin in the middle of nowhere, with an open log fire and huge armchair.  I’d have a glass of my favourite wine next to me with the fire roaring, warming the room and casting a soft glow over the furnishings.  I’d have my Macbook on my lap and just let the words flow.
  16. What makes you laugh/cry?
    I’m a big softie.  Anything that my nieces and nephews achieve always has me in tears, and they’re not even m kids!  My niece recently took park in the Children in Need choir which was televised and when I caught a glimpse of her on the TV I teared up.  I’m a sucker for sappy movies too.
  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. Hmmmmm.  I think I’d take the inspirations behind my leading men.  Henry Cavill inspired Alistair Lockwood; there’s just something about him and I could look at him all day.  That man can wear a suit like no other.  Canadian actor Yannick Bisson inspired Jason Harper, again, very easy on the eyes, but also a fantastic cook so he’d be able to keep all of out energies up.  The last one, and I’m not giving a name here as it’s personal, is the inspiration for Jackson MacKenzie.  He’s a good friend of mine and has helped me through some tough time.  I wouldn’t be without him in my life.
  18. What is your most annoying habit?
    I’m the queen of the saying “I’ll do it in a minute.” It drives my husband mad as whatever it is never gets done and he ends up doing it himself.  My memory is terrible so unless I do something there and then, I completely forget about it.
  19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)
         I have three books out at the moment: Heart & Soul is part one in the Heartland series.  You have Alistair Lockwood, Hollywood moviestar and heartthrob, you meets clerical assistant Samantha Westfield during a meeting.  There’s an instant attraction, but both have dark secrets that they want to keep hidden.

Somewhere Love Remains tells the tale of Olivia and Jackson, two people who connect when Olivia places an advert for an armed forces penpal.  Throughout the years Olivia falls for Jackson, but he falls for someone else and they lose touch.  Jump to 14 years later and a chance encounter has them reconnecting, but they’re both different to what the other remembers.

Chase the Knight is a novella you can read in 45 minutes.  Abigail’s life is threatened by her dad’s shady work dealings so he hires Alexander Chase, and undercover cop, to protect her.  Can’t really say much more without giving it away.

Mind and Soul & Perception are currently in progress. Mind & Soul carries on six weeks after Heart & Soul ended with Alistair and Samantna trying to move on with their lives.  Perception is a little different to the other books in that it is a crime book where several girls have gone missing, with two turning up later, apparently murdered.

  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Tea
    Cash or credit? Cash
    Cats or Dogs? Cats
    Beach or Mountain? Beach
    Summer or Winter? Summer
    Sweet or Savoury? Savoury
    Early riser or late riser? Late Riser
    Morning or Night? Night
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Real
    Sex – Lights on or off? Both

    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.

 

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nicola-C.-Priest/e/B00GW2VPUE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1484058652&sr=1-1

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolacpriest

 

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NicolaCPAuthor

 

Website: https://www.nicolacpriest.co.uk

 

 

 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Attending Author: Laura Morgan

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

 

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1.Can we start with your name and where you’re from?

I’m Laura Morgan, originally from Essex but I now live in the West Midlands.

2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?

Oh absolutely. I love reading anything dark and powerful. I found there was a real gap in that market a few years ago and that was what inspired me to write my first dark novel. They say if you can’t read the book you’re trying to find, then you have to write it, and that’s exactly what I did!

I do have a few big influences though. JR Ward is one of my all time favourites, as is Pepper Winters and Colleen Hoover.

3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?

I’m one who crosses over. I have a dark paranormal series, a contemporary romance duology and a crime novel coming out soon. I also write dystopian science fiction under another pen name too. I just write what comes to me, regardless of genre.

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’d have to say Rhage from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I’ve always had a thing for the bad guy with a heart and he was the one character who stayed with me long after reading about him. I’d love to take him and make him my own. To pop him in my worlds and see what happens!

5. When did you first start writing?

I’ve always made up stories since being a child, but I only started properly writing them down around four years ago. I hadn’t even realised that coming up with stories in my head wasn’t what everyone did. I figured it was the norm to conjure up characters and storylines, but got the shock of my life when I realised that wasn’t quite the case. That realisation gave the push I needed to finally put pen to paper.

6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?

Both really. I plan some, usually at night while I tell myself a story to fall asleep. Then the next day, I type up what I came up with and then some more.

7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)

My favourite character has to be Cate, the Dark Queen in my Black Rose series. She’s dealt some pretty bad cards in the first book and is pushed in directions she doesn’t want to be, but then she finds her strength and turns it all around. She becomes a force to be reckoned with and I absolutely love her for every moment of it.

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. There are a few real moments I have added along the way. Secret scenes only those who know me really well will spot, but most of all I will see a real-life scenario and ask ‘what if?’ That’s what makes it into the story rather than a real event as such.

9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?

I’m about to release a new story called Rough Love. This one is a modern day tale of both the good and bad in our world. A world where love can conquer all, but at the same time the monsters can also win a few of the battles along the way. It’s a contemporary crime with elements of romance, but fundamentally it’s a mystery and a dark one at that!

10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?

Don’t get too swallowed up in sweating the small stuff. Just sit down and write. Blurt out an initial draft and don’t give up. It’s better to have a rough draft you can work on a million times than nothing at all.

11.What do you do when you’re not writing?

I love to sing and am part of the Military Wives Choir, through which I’ve had some great opportunities to sing with famous artists and even go on the radio with the amazing Chris Evans. I’ve written poems and songs for them as well and hope to have even more input as time goes on. It’s something I hadn’t thought I’d love so much when I started out doing but now couldn’t live without!

12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you?

The marketing. I’m too nice and don’t like to bombard people or shove my cards under anyone’s nose I find. I’m awkward like that, but I guess it comes with the territory or being a loner who sits in front of a computer for hours on end talking to imaginary people lol!

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?

Because I write romance, the amount of people who tell me random stories about their lovelife is unreal! But then they almost always follow up their story with a, ‘but don’t put that in your book!’ Really?! I think you fail to comprehend the complexity of the writers’ imagination if you think I’m going to put you in my next book 😉

14. What is your idea of happiness?

Being able to write and do what I love for the foreseeable future. I truly love what I do and would adore being able to write full time. My family are incredibly supportive and it’d also be amazing not to have to sacrifice my family time so much.

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.

I love to sit down in my nice and warm writing cave with my coffee brewed to perfection and perhaps a biscuit or two for dunking. Next, it’s on with the writing playlist and I choose whichever one ties in with my current piece of writing. With (ideally) no distractions, I then close my eyes, focus on the story, and begin to type. The words are then not simply black and white symbols on a page, but the narration of the movie playing out in my head. They flow perfectly and only stop when I say so…

16. What makes you laugh/cry?

I’m a sucker for love. I cry at the sweetest of stories and the heart-warming ones. Laughing wise, I’m like a twelve year old. A good fart joke or someone falling over will get me giggling every single time!

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’ve got a serious fan-girl situation going on with a singer/writer called Corey Taylor so he’d be first on my list for shooting the breeze, singing together and having some fun (he also comes across as a hilarious guy.) After that, I’d have to go with some eye candy—the one and only Tom Hardy. He’s a great actor and has been the inspiration behind many of my leading men so he’d have to come along to keep on inspiring me 😉 Then, I’m thinking some more eye candy and my other inspiration, Henry Cavill. He seems so nice and gentlemanly, but also like he’d fun and perhaps let me ogle him while he’s swimming and hunting 😉

18. What is your most annoying habit?

I don’t think I have one really? My hubby might tell you differently though, but I do know I can be quite annoying with grinding my teeth at night. I sometimes wake myself up with the noise it’s that bad, oops!

19. Please tell me about your books? For each one please send a pic (kindle cover would be perfect)

I have quite an extensive collection now! The Black Rose series is my dark paranormal collection. They have angels and demons galore, and of course all the dark deeds you might expect given the setting. I cover controversial and taboo subjects, as well as the age-old concept of balance between the worlds of light and dark. I drag the reader kicking and screaming through both the good and bad in this and other worlds.

My contemporary romances Forever Lost and Forever Loved are set in the real world, but one just as dark in its own way. You have hookers and gangsters, but also the story of a young woman who’s overcoming her own history via their world. Plus, you have a hot alpha lead you cannot help but fall in love with haha!

With my science fiction, I wrote from another perspective. One of a futuristic society where the human race is no longer in charge of the earth. Following an alien invasion, the series begins with the story of a young woman who has been brought up under their reign, but she has a bright future ahead of her, if only she can overcome the obstacles in her path first.

  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Both! Earl grey tea for me though, if you please
    Cash or credit? Cash
    Cats or Dogs? Dogs – I have a furry friend who sits by my feet as I type
    Beach or Mountain? Beach, but always in the shade otherwise I melt haha
    Summer or Winter? Winter
    Sweet or Savoury? Savoury – I’m a crisp monster
    Early riser or late riser? Late riser for sure!
    Morning or Night? Night
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Fake
    Sex – Lights on or off? 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.

http://www.facebook.com/lauramorganauthor

https://www.facebook.com/LCMorgansauthor

www.lauramorgan.co

www.lcmorgan.co.uk

http://www.twitter.com/lauram241

http://www.goodreads.com/laura_morgan

https://www.goodreads.com/LC_Morgan

http://lauramorgan1.blogspot.com

https://instagram.com/lauramorganauthor/

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

West Midlands Valentines Book Signing Attending Author Interview: C A Bell

gibbsdream1 Comment

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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.

 

  1. Can we start with your name and where you’re from?
    A.Bell, originally from a lovely little town just outside of London, but now residing in the much more rural county of Shropshire.
  2. Most authors love reading, is this true for you and if so who was/is your inspiration?
    To be honest I’m not a BIG reader. I don’t get a lot of time to myself, so when I eventually do, I want to write instead of read. I have been inspired by lots of authors, though – Sylvia Day, Stephen King, Portia Da Costa, Saskia Walker. There’s lots more.
  3. What genre do you write in or do you cross over into many?
    I write erotica and all the wonderful sub-genres that come with it. I first started writing erotic romance, then went down the f/f road before trying my hand at paranormal. I’d like to cover it all one day.
  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?
    Ooo, tough one. I’d probably take Gideon Cross from Sylvia Day’s crossfire series. Purely because I have a huge crush on him.
  5. When did you first start writing?
    I first started writing seven years ago. And that was The Architect. Which coincidently was my first ever publication J
  6. Do you plan every inch of your books or do you just let the words flow?
    I plan at the start but it never ends how I planned. Ever! The characters evolve as I write and end up taking me down routes I never saw coming.
  7. Who is your favourite character and why? (your own character)
    Another tough one… I’m probably going to have to go with Ruth Watson (my first female lead from The Architect) just because she was the first character I connected with and had fun writing. She’s classy, naughty, childish, and fun.
  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?
    Yes, a break up inspired me to write The Architect. I found the love of my life but unfortunately we had to go our separate ways. Then I found myself wanting to live my life out with him in some way, and that’s when I first started writing. Little fact – That love of my life is now my husband J
  9. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so can you share any tasty morsels?
    I am always working on something. I can’t give anything away, but what I will say is it’s nasty, gritty, sexy, and is sure to pack one hell of a punch.
  10. What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out?
    Never give up. Don’t let bad reviews or rejections put you off. Keep at it.
  11. What do you do when you’re not writing?
    Run around after a two-and-a-half-year-old, a twelve-year-old, and a fifteen-year-old. Not to mention the husband 😉
  12. What is the hardest part of the whole writing, editing, marketing process for you? Marketing, definitely. I love the writing part and the editing is even better, but the marketing is so hard. With tons of other authors out there in the same genre, it’s hard to been seen in the crowd or get help without paying through the nose.
  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?
    That I write, ‘mummy-porn.’ That REALLY bugs me! I’d like to go into a rant here, but I won’t.
  14. What is your idea of happiness?
    Just having the people I love around me and happy.
  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 room is quiet with only the soft sounds of a saxophone from my stereo across the room filling the air. The lights are low, and the candles either side of my computer flicker softly. The room is warm from the gentle fire crackling in the corner, and my tea is steaming, just waiting for me to dunk a digestive in it, lol. I was doing so well until the biscuit wasn’t I?
  16. What makes you laugh/cry?
    My children.
  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.
    My husband, Ryan Reynolds, and Nigella Lawson. My hubby because I couldn’t live without him. Ryan for the eye candy and manual labour (sorry hubby), and Nigella for the cooking.
  18. What is your most annoying habit?
    My crazy OCD of having to switch all lights on and off before going to bed. It drives me crazy, but if I don’t do it, I feel uneven, lol. Weird, I know.
  19. Please tell me about your books?
    My books are always of the erotic nature, so if you ever see my name, you know what you are getting. My books aren’t just pure filth. They always have a story behind them, they are always real, and they are always sexy.
  1. Lightning round
    Tea or Coffee? Tea
    Cash or credit? Cash
    Cats or Dogs? Cats
    Beach or Mountain? Beach
    Summer or Winter? Both
    Sweet or Savoury? Savoury
    Early riser or late riser? Early
    Morning or Night? Night
    Christmas Tree – real or fake? Real
    Sex – Lights on or off? Candles

    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

Books · Life · Uncategorized

West Midlands Valentine’s Book Signing

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I can’t wait to take part in this event. Tickets on #sale 50% discounted for a short time only. Check it out.

#Books #Books #Books

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

IT’S OUR LAST TICKET SALE!

50% OFF ALL TICKETS!

CODE: 50_OFF

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/west-midlands-valentines-boo…

February the 4th 2017 is set to be a day filled with books, romance, laughter, and live 1940’s style music all thanks to The West Midlands Valentines Book Signing & 1940’s Ball. With over 25 confirmed authors covering genres such as romance, chick-lit, erotica, young adult, horror, and children’s fiction, there is sure to be something here for you or your loved one just in time for Valentine’s Day. Or at least something to occupy the kids with.

When the door close to the signing at 16:30 we will be reopening them at 19:30 for our 1940’s swing ball where The Vintage Vocalist will take to the stage and take us back in time with classics from The Andrew Sisters, Vera Lynn, and Anne Shelton. (1940’s dress is very much encouraged).

So, why not come and mingle with the authors and get those books signed before joining us for a swing around the dancefloor?

ALL PROCEEDS MADE ARE BEING DONATED TO HELP FOR HEROES

West Midlands Book Signing.jpg

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Goodbye 2016 – Hello 2017

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2016 has been on the whole a great year for me, there have been ups and downs but I can honestly say that it has been more positive than negative.

I started the year in one job where I wasn’t happy and in November got a new job which is in walking distance (three minutes door to door). Although I am still learning the ropes in this new field my stress levels are so much lower. I’m sleeping at night instead of waking up at ridiculous o’clock worrying what the next day will bring. My health had started to be affected by my job and now I feel as though I am getting back to where I was before. We spend so much time at work that its important that we enjoy it, when you realise that you are dreading it you know the time is ripe to move on.

I look forward to getting to know more about my new job in 2017 and feeling like I know what I’m doing. My previous role was in the motorcycle industry and I am moving into investment and acquisitions predominantly dealing with property and construction. I think this will keep me interested for a while to come.

In 2016 I was lucky enough to get some motorbike training on a 600cc motorbike from one of the instructors, Tony, who has also moved on to another company. In 2017 I hope to do some more training and hopefully take my full licence.

I was lucky enough to go on two fabulous holidays this year, in May I went to Portugal and in November the Dominican Republic. For anyone who knows me they will know that holidays are my main priority, foregoing many other things in order to get my fix of holidays. Each holiday gives me the chance to relax and unwind. I love to explore new areas and spend time reading and writing in the most beautiful of settings. I was very fortunate with the Dominican Republic holiday being upgraded from a 3* to 5* hotel with premium service. The room was bigger than my ground floor at home. I had a hot tub on the balcony which looked out over the sea which was lucky as they had unusual weather with 5 out of 10 days being solid rain. Needless to say I spend a lot time writing. During my time there I went on an adventure excursion which included a zip wire, this was quite a challenge for me as I hate heights but loved it so much that they allowed me a second turn.

I published another novelette this year, which I wrote for an anthology for the first UK Indie Lit Festival but decided to publish when I received such positive feedback on it. The festival was a blast and was a chance to meet up with the fantastic authors that I have been talking to online. We have now forged strong bonds and the support network is phenomenal in particular my friendship with Su Echo Falls S’ari (aka Rose English). We have formed a partnership for book signings and online parties, Roses & Dreams which goes from strength to strength.

In 2017 I have signed up for The West Midlands Book signing which is being held on 4th February and the UK Indie Lit Festival later on in the year, date to be confirmed.

My new book (novel) A Boy from the Streets is with my editor now and will be published as soon as is humanely possible. I am very excited about this book and can’t wait to share it with everyone.

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A few little teasers:

 

I have two more novels lining up for 2017 as well as about thirty other ideas in various different stages.

‘Is this Love?’ and the sequel ‘Illicit Love.’

Last but not least I have spent quality time with my family who are as always amazing, the biggest blessing in my life. I am proud of each and every one of them and look forward to spending time with them next year.

I look forward to seeing where 2017 will take me in all areas of my life.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2017.

 

Books · Life · Self-publishing · Uncategorized

Coming Soon -A Boy from the Streets

gibbsdreamLeave a comment

 

The cover for my new book was revealed on the 18th December and I am now waiting for my fabulous editor to wave her magic wand over my words so that I can get it ready for publication. Ideally I would like this to be on the first week of February when I have a book signing in the West Midlands. The schedule will be tight and I have no doubt that I will be burning the candle into the night to achieve this.

I have already received some fantastic feedback from my good friend and beta reader Su (Aka Rose English).

This is my most exciting project to date. I can also reveal that there will be another book, not really a sequel but more of a spin-off using one of the characters Carlos which already has a cover.

Short teaser:

“Carlos what’s wrong?” His body was rigid now. Our joyfulness of earlier had fled with the speed of a greyhound let out of the traps.

I heard the sobs before I saw his tears but now they splattered unheeding down his cheeks and over his ragged shirt.

“Tell me what’s wrong Carlos? Did Martinez say something––do something?” I probed as he shook his head.

“Was it the other political?”

I knew from the wild, dilated eyes that I was right.

“Did he do something to you?”

He bowed his head.

“Did he hurt you? Beat you?”

 

Keep tuning in for more details.