The author in my spotlight is ....Clare Chase..

I am delighted to welcome the author

Clare Chase

Author

 of

Choc Lit
September 2015

***Happy Publication Day***

 You Think You Know Me is published in paperback and all other e-book platforms from 

7th September 2015

Clare ~ Welcome to Jaffareadstoo

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Jo! It’s lovely to be here.

Where did you get the first flash of inspiration for your novel, You Think You Know Me? 

I was watching a documentary about psychopaths, which emphasised how their charisma can disguise their emotional detachment. It made me think how much I tend to take people at face value, and how dangerous the consequences of that might be. 

Tell us three interesting things about your novel which will pique the reader’s interest? 

It’s a murder mystery that starts on Halloween, when Anna Morris meets a charming stranger at a smart gallery party. She falls for him on sight, but finds he’s given her a false name. 

The story’s set in the arts world, where paintings exchange hands for a fortune, rivalries are rife and the desire to own something unique is a powerful force. 

Much of the action takes place in London, in a frenetic, wintery world of bright lights, smart restaurants and parties. But, eventually, Anna’s search for the truth leads her to the Lake District, with its towering mountains, lonely roads and isolated cottages. 

Why do you choose to write in your particular genre? 

It’s the genre I most enjoy reading. There were lots of crime paperbacks lying around when I was a child, as my mother and grandmother also enjoyed them, and that got me hooked. I started out on golden age crime, then moved on to Dick Francis, PD James and Ruth Rendell later in my teens. I also really enjoyed Mary Stewart’s romantic thrillers. 

Are you a plotter...or ...a start writing and see where it takes you, sort of writer? 

Definitely a plotter. Personally, I find having a plan lets my writing flow. Because I know where I’m going, I can get my first draft down quite quickly, without worrying I’ll plot myself into a corner! Not that anything’s set in stone – I always have unexpected ideas as I write, and modify as I go. 

Do you write the type of books you like to read and which authors influence you? 

Although I love reading crime fiction best, I enjoy lots of other books too, from comedies and love stories to historicals. My influences are many and varied, and include Sue Grafton and the writers mentioned above. In particular, it was reading Mary Stewart’s novels that made me want to write suspenseful adventures with strong heroines and dashing but enigmatic male leads! 

When do you find the time to write, and do you have a favourite place to do your writing? 

I have a part-time day job, so I write around that and family commitments. I’ve got a very small laptop that’s easy to cart around, which really helps! Although I’m happy to write pretty much anywhere, my favourite place is our dining room. It’s very light and overlooks the garden. 

Can you tell us if you have another novel planned? 

Yes, my second novel’s actually due out in December. It’s another murder mystery, this time set in my home city of Cambridge, and is the start of a new series. Meanwhile, I’ve written a novella sequel to You Think You Know Me, which is with Choc Lit’s reading panel at the moment.

Website: www.clarechase.com

Amazon international buying link: http://authl.it/2cx?d

Choc Lit: http://www.choc-lit.com/

Amazon UK 

My thoughts about You Think You Know Me

Anna Morris is a freelance journalist working in London when she gets invited, by her friend and gallery owner Sebastian Rice, to view an art exhibition by the mysterious artist, Zachariah Shakespeare. At the gallery she meets the enigmatic Darrick Fallon, a mysterious figure who appears to know rather more about Anna than is at first welcome. However, Anna is beguiled by Fallon and quickly becomes embroiled in the art world, a world of which she knows nothing, but which very soon threatens to overwhelm her.

The mystery at the heart of the story is well controlled. There is a tense atmosphere throughout the whole of the story and the numerous twists and turns in the plot kept my interest well. I like not knowing what characters are going to do next, and I’m pleased to say that I was kept guessing, particularly by Fallon. The other characters, who flit into and out of the story, especially Anna’s friends, add another interesting layer to the story ,which is a nice contrast to what’s happening overall. I think to say more would be to reveal too much of the plot, but the main feeling I take away from the novel is that we never really know people and that there is always room for surprises, secrets and occasionally regret.

I think this is a really good debut novel, by an author who clearly loves to tell a good story and I’m sure that her writing career will continue to go from strength to strength.

I would certainly read more of her work in the future.

Huge thanks to Clare for sharing her novel with me and for being such a lovely guest on my blog today.



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Sunday War Poet...

The theme for this months poetry

 is

The Soldier

The Soldier

by 


A J Mann

'Tis strange to look on a man that is dead

as he lies in the shell-swept hell,

And to think that the poor blackened corpse

Once lived like you and I 

'Tis stranger far when you come to think

That you may be soon like him

And it'sfear that tugs at yor trembling soul,

A fear that is weird and grim.

A J Mann

1896 - 1917

Died of wounds after the Battle of Arras, 10th April 1917



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Review ~ Harcourt's Mountain by Elaine Dodge

Tirgearr Publishing
2014

Set in the frontier land of nineteenth century British Columbia, and during a time of tremendous change for the country, this story looks at what it was like to be a settler in a strange land. When Luke Harcourt buys himself a bride from the mysteriously named bride ship, he at first thinks that he is merely rescuing Hope Booker from a life of prostitution and hardship. Not really wanting a bride, and recognising that Hope is not like the usual sort of woman who finds herself on a bride ship, Luke is determined not to foster any romantic notions about her. However, gradually the two of them, forced together by circumstance, develop feelings for each other. What then follows is an interesting story of the struggle both Luke and Hope must encounter before they are allowed to let their love grow and develop into something meaningful.

I enjoyed this story, which, I thought, at first, would be a rather light-hearted wilderness story but it is so much more than that. Most of the characters are lovely, and such is the emotional bond between them that you begin to care about what happens, and equally, the unscrupulous  rogues who seem hell bent on making life as difficult as possible for Luke and Hope, are just as compelling. Throughout the story, I was quite beguiled by both Luke and Hope and enjoyed seeing how their individual stories developed. Hope is a determined and courageous young woman, imbued with that frontier spirit which was such an important and necessary trait in the early settlers and, of course, from the author's descriptions, and in my imagination, Luke is very easy on the eye, which of course helps enormously in bringing him to life !

The author does a good job in describing both place and people, and there is such an authentic feel to her description of the frontier land around Harcourt's Mountain that I really felt like I was there with them all. In Harcourt's Mountain, the rugged landscape, the inherent danger of the times and the uncertainty of Luke's and Hope’s future happiness, all combine to make this an interesting historical romance.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

About The Author

Elaine was born in Zambia, grew up in Zimbabwe and currently lives in South Africa. Books have filled her life from the very beginning. She trained as a designer, worked in that industry for years, even running her own company for a while. A long stint in advertising followed. In the last few years, she's been toiling away in the TV industry, winning an odd international award. But that wasn’t enough. She wanted to “tell stories”. She is passionate about it. She feels most alive when she's writing, and delights in letting her imagination run riot. In November 2011, she finally took the plunge and decided to “wrestle the Rottweiler” and started putting all those stories on paper.

Follow the author:

Website
On Facebook
On Twitter @ElaineRosemaryD

Amazon UK

My thanks to the author for sharing her novel with me.

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Review ~ Blind Arrows by Anthony J Quinn

No Exit Press
23 September 2015

The early twentieth century and the tumultuous affairs of Ireland feature prominently in this story of treachery and subterfuge, skilfully weaving between the political strife in Dublin in 1919, and the story of Lily Merrin, a young secretary at Dublin Castle, who becomes embroiled in a political backlash. After a chance encounter with Lily, Martin Kant, an English journalist, is concerned when he learns that she has gone missing and sets out on a mission to track Lily down. However, these are dangerous times, and Martin’s involvement is not without extreme risk. Intertwining the story with that of the charismatic revolutionary IRA leader, Michael Collins, gives an authentic historical feel to the narrative, and the air of menace which ensues, allows the story to evolve in compelling detail.

I’m always impressed by this author’s ability to tell a good story. He obviously writes about subjects he cares passionately for, and, in Blind Arrows, he shows the very human side of political strife. The characterisation is good, and the added inclusion of real political figures makes the story all the more thought-provoking. Inevitably, as the history of the period shows, this was a dangerous time in Irish politics, and the multi-layered stranding of the story clearly emphasises the uncertainty of living through such treacherous times.

About the Author






Follow the author on his website
Twitter @TT_Anthonytt
Blind Arrows is available to pre order now on Amazon UK

My thanks to Real Readers and NoExit Press for my copy of this book to read in advance of its publication.

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Giveaway :The Ice Twins by S K Tremayne ~ Now out in Paperback !

Happy

****Paperback Launch Day****

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read and review this exciting book in

February 2015

and

 I'm even more delighted to be able to offer a copy of The Ice Twins to one lucky UK winner of this giveaway.

Praise for THE ICE TWINS:

‘Beautifully paced, teeming with psychological shivers.’ The Times, Best Crime Thrillers

‘A magnificently creepy thriller’ Spectator

‘A knife-sharp thriller.’ Daily Mail

 

Second best selling thriller debut of 2015

Third best selling hardback debut of 2015

One of Sarah’s daughters has died, but can she be sure which one? A terrifying psychological thriller that poses the question that haunts every parent – how well do you know your own children?

A year after one of their identical twin daughters Lydia dies in an accident, Angus and Sarah Moorcraft move to the tiny Scottish island Angus inherited from his grandmother, hoping to put together the pieces of their shattered lives. As winter encroaches Angus is forced to travel away from the island for work. Sarah starts to feel increasingly isolated as the only inhabitants of Angus, and their surviving daughter Kirstie is growing more disturbed, outcast by her classmates at her new school. When she claims her parents have mistaken her identity – that she, in fact, is Lydia – their world comes crashing down once again.

‘I am stalling. For the last two weeks I've called her ‘darling’ and ‘Moomin and anything-but-her-real-name, because I am scared she will turn and give me her tranced, passive, blue-eyed stare and say ‘I'm Lydia. Not Kirstie. Kirstie is dead. One of us is dead.

Published in paperback 3 September 2015 by Harper Collins

About the Author

 S. K. Tremayne has previously written under a different name and is also an award-winning travel writer, and a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines around the world. Born in Devon, the author now lives in London. He has two daughters.

Read my review here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My thanks to Louise Swannell and Harper Collins for their generosity in providing this giveaway.

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Review ~ Ordinary Joe by Jon Teckman

The Borough Pres
July 2015





Ordinary Joe stars Joe West, a happily married accountant for a film production company, who gets himself in all manner of trouble after an accidental one night stand with leading lady Olivia Finch.

What would you do if…

…you were happily married

…with two gorgeous children

…and the most beautiful film star in the world walked up to you

…And it wasn’t a joke.

…Could you resist?

First of all, I have to say that I was completely taken in by this book cover. It's so bright and cheery that you can't help but want to peek inside to see what's going on ..and believe me when you do peek inside, you will find that there's a lot going on for the hapless Joe West, who is about to commit a sexual folly of epic proportions, something that will have repercussions for a long time to come.

We know very early on in the book that Joe, a very ordinary middle aged accountant,  finds himself in bed with a beautiful film star, it's the stuff of his dreams, the only problem being, that Joe is,....a) very drunk and.... b) very married...and, so, of course,  neither misdemeanors show him in a very good light. When his boss, Joseph Bennett, a man Joe despises,  finds himself unwittingly drawn into the whole sorry affair, well, ...you just know that therein lies disaster.

What then follows is a comedic story which at times reads almost like a farce, you can so well imagine everyone rushing round madly trying to set the just right balance of damage limitations. When I finished the novel, I realised that I had found most of the characters unlikable, but looking back, I think that's a deliberate ploy on the part of the author, and for me it worked well, as then, regardless of outcome, I didn't need to have any sympathy for any of them.

I read the book quickly, it's not one that you need to ponder over too much. And it did make laugh out loud in places, so my advise is just go along with it and enjoy a quirky and wry look at modern life.

About the Author

Jon Teckman was born in Northampton in 1963. He served as an advisor on film policy to both Conservative and Labour governments before becoming Chief Executive of the British Film Institute in 1999. ORDINARY JOE was born at an Arvon course in 2007, inspired by Jon’s experience in the film industry. A graduate of Curtis Brown’s creative writing programme in 2013 – tutored by Jeffrey Archer, Jojo Moyes and Tony Parsons – Jon was offered a book deal by Borough Press after sending in his manuscript through their open submission window. He now lives in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire with his wife Anne and sons Joseph and Matthew. ORDINARY JOE is his first novel and film rights have been sold to Trademark.

My thanks to Rosie Bathurst at Harper Collins for my copy of Ordinary Joe

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Review ~ The Curvy Girls Baby Club by Michele Gorman

Notting Hill Press

August 2015

LOVE, LIFE AND A CHRISTMAS DUE DATE

Ellie is fresh back from her honeymoon and can't wait to share her news with her best friends Katie and Jane. To everyone's surprise, mother-of-two Jane has news of her own... The women are due a day apart and Katie can't wait to be an honorary auntie to the babies.

But it's hard to keep your sense of humour, not to mention your self-esteem, in the face of hemorrhoids and elasticated waistbands. Add a clingy mother-in-law, a career in cardiac arrest and a sex life that makes Mother Theresa look lusty, and soon their lives are as out of control as their bodies.

As the co-founders of The Curvy Girls Club, where loving yourself is the only rule, will the friends be able to practice what they preach?

Amazon UK

Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble

My thoughts:

I read The Curvy Girls Club last year and really enjoyed the introduction into the lives of Ellie, Kate and Jess. In this latest novella, we meet up with the girls again, but this time they have rather more on their minds than their Curvy Girls support group. With two out of the three friends expecting their first babies, Katie can't help but feel left out, until the fickle finger of fate intervenes.

As always, the story is really fun to read, whilst at the same time it covers some fairly serious topics, like what happens to couples when a baby starts to loom on the horizon,  how clingy mother-in-laws can be more of  a hindrance than a help, and of how pregnant women are viewed in the work place.

The story is warm and witty and filled with such a sense of joie de vivre that you can't help but be pulled into this charming story of impending motherhood. The characters are nicely portrayed without ever becoming caricatures and infuse such a sense of friendship , that you end up wishing you had such a group of friends to rely on.

The novella is really easy to read in one sitting, it's a real feel good story that will bring a smile to your face, and that for me,  is what fiction is sometimes all about.

About the Author

 The Curvy Girls Baby Club officially launches this week

Here are #13 Reasons to Love Yourself More

 Click here to download your own copy of Reasons to Love Yourself more





My thanks to Michele and Notting Hill Press for sharing this novella with me

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