Box Sets Anyone?

 

I love a good book box set! In fact, I love them so much I was given two sets for Christmas! There is something satisfactory about seeing them on a bookshelf - sitting there all neat and organised... hinting at the personality of the owner who owns them.

I think it may stem from when I was younger. The first novels I enjoyed were series, written by the formidable and talented Enid Blyton. A series, written by the same author, provided a reassurance that the book you were spending your pocket money on was going to be of the same standard as before. Of course, it was also the era of the Reader's Digest book sets.

Once again, they were neat, organised and appealing to look at. As a teenager, I was fascinated by their gold embossed lettering and swirls. Unfortunately, I also found them a little daunting and didn't read them. Their hardback covers reminded me of the sort of books found in the libraries of a grand stately home so I assumed they were too educated for the likes of little old me, a farmer's daughter growing up in rural Cornwall. It wasn't until I was a young adult that I came across the set again and took another look. To my surprise I discovered that the books were just normal books and that I had read several of them already, just with another book cover. This experience taught me a lesson... book sets are just as much about being ornamental and projecting an image of the owner, as it is about the books inside the covers.

Now is the era of the box set, which has all the advantages and intrigue of the above but now neatly slid into a carefully designed box. They are so popular that publishers now use box sets in a number of ways in an attempt to get a reader to buy not one but several books in one hit.

So what are the types out there? Lets take a look and the categories I have found.

Standalone novels by the same author.
My Jane Austen box set, published by Wordsworth Editions, is a perfect example of this. Austen's six novels, which were published anonymously in her lifetime, proudly bear her name on each spine and take pride of place on my shelf. Notice that the spine area is just as important, if not more so, than the book covers inside, which is unusual for a book.

Box set include Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey,
Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility

Series by the same author
The Complete Anne of Green Gables Collection by L. M. Montgomery is published by Arcturus. Over a series of capers and experiences, it tells the 'coming of age' story of Anne during the 1800s. Although written in the early 1900s, we can see that great care has been taken to appeal to today's reader. Bright colours and contemporary illustrations on the box cover and spines are used to appeal to a demographic that may not normally go for historical fiction.

Standalone novels by the same family.

The Complete Brontë Collection, once again published by Wordsworth, is a good example of family box sets where the customer gets three authors (Anne, Charlotte and Emily) for the price of one box set. These types are less common for obvious reasons as not many families can boast so many successful writers. This particular box set is a good example of how publishers can use box sets to sell less popular books. How many of you have read The Professor, Shirley or Villette? If you had a box set you might give them a try.

Agnes Grey, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Jane Eyre, The Professor,
Shirley, Villette, and Wuthering Heights

Standalone novels with the same protagonist

Although the Anne of Green Gables collection has the same protagonist throughout, I see it more of a series due to the fact that she grows up through the books. Sherlock Holmes Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle, published by Arcturus, is in a different category again as each story is a stand-alone tale, yet with the same protagonist throughout.

Collections by age

Box sets are perfect for children - and their parents who are desperate to encourage their children to read.  Little Miss: My Complete Collection Box Set is published by Farshore. It includes all 36 Little Miss books. Designed to appeal to toddlers and children aged 2+, careful consideration has been made regarding who the protagonist is and the readership it is likely to attract. You will also note the change in design of the box. Less important is the 'ornament' appeal, now its about keeping the books together so they can be tidied away at the end of the day, hence the lid.

Collections by company

Box sets are about reassuring the reader that the publisher has done the work for the reader by choosing good quality books for them. That reassurance can also come from the company or business that has produced something else but can be linked and add sparkle to the books that inspired them initially or were inspired by them. A good example of this is Disney Storytime Collection, published by Autumn Publishing. The reader knows the stories and the illustrations already, but now have the books to read too!

I am sure I have missed out on other types. I suspect there are box sets by genre rather than author too (ie horror) but this post is long enough already. So next time you are in a book shop or surfing the net, take a look at what box sets are on offer and ask yourself why do they look like they do? Will it look good on the bookshelf in my home? Are there any books you've not heard of before nestled next to the well known ones? Is it the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy second cousin? Happy hunting everyone!

Victoria Cornwall

Welcome To Our Reading Room

Welcome! Come in! Pull up a chair! You have entered our reading room where the writers on the Novel Points of View blog are reviewing a book they have read this summer. The views expressed in each review is purely subjective to the reviewer, but we do hope you enjoy the selection of books chosen and what we thought of each one! 

Meghan and Harry: The Real Story by Lady Colin Campbell 
Review by Victoria Cornwall

The author, Lady Colin Campbell, is a Jamaican-born British writer, socialite and a television and radio personality. She is well connected to the aristocracy and has written several books on the royal family. She has a detailed knowledge of the history of the British monarchy, and how and why it is run the way it is.

In Meghan and Harry, The Real Story, Campbell provides a snapshot of Meghan and Harry’s childhood and how she believes their experiences moulded them into the adults they are today. Her connections and sources, from both sides of the couple, provide a fascinating insight into how this couple responded to life’s experiences pre and post marriage, which shaped their characters, personalities and goals in life. These traits will, in turn, ultimately effect their response to advice, guidance, protocols, criticism and restrictions placed upon them. 

She is far kinder to Meghan than many others have been, and gives her perspective on why Meghan found it so difficult to work and live within the Royal Institution, where hierarchy and protocols are very different to anything found in America, different cultures clash and the reality that 'duty' (many of which are low key royal visits) is not always glamorous. This has resulted, we are lead to believe, to misunderstanding, anger and hurt by all. Campbell also attempts to explain the press scrutiny of the Royal Family (whether fairly or not) and why it is unique to Britain. The reasons are based in history and are too long to explain here.

If you are interested in royalty or human behaviour, this will be of interest to you, which will leave you with a greater understanding of what was going on behind the scenes and leave you unsettled by the complexity of human behaviour. I wish Harry and Meghan well in their new life. Everyone in this book deserves a happy, stress-free life, from the lowest member of staff to the Queen herself, and if that is achieved by Harry and Meghan striking out on their own, that can only be for the good of all concerned. If only it was possible for all those involved to have read this book first, then perhaps they would have had a greater understanding of the pitfalls ahead and how to overcome them to benefit all... but that would have been impossible because the people involved are the story itself. This book may not change your opinion about the couple or the reason and method of how they stepped down as senior royals, but you will be left feeling that you had a glimpse of what has been going on behind the scenes over the last few years, which is why I chose to read it in the first place.

Last of the Moon Girls by Barbara Davis
Review by Terry Lynn Thomas

I’ve read all of Barbara Davis’s books. The audio version of When Never Comes nursed me as I recovered from my broken wrist in 2018. The Last of Moon Girls, Barbara’s latest, is a brilliantly crafted story. Tight writing is Barbara’s jam, and this book does not disappoint. Not only is the story well plotted, but Ms. Davis’s sentences invoke a rich feel of magic in this charmingly witchy story. The author takes us full circle as her characters explore important memes such as tradition, loyalty, and confronting darkness. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I would give it ten stars if I could. 

Escape to the French Farmhouse by Jo Thomas

Review by Linda Mitchelmore

I’ve read very little this summer. At first it was because the thought of what was to come was too terrifying for me to concentrate on reading. But then I began to get to grips with it and got back to writing. I rarely read other authors when I’m writing something of my own. But the book has been sent off and a friend came round with Jo Thomas’s Escape to the French Farmhouse.

This should really be my friend’s review. For the past thirty-four years she’s spent the entire summer in Provence. But not this year. And she is missing it. ‘This,’ she said as she handed me the book, ‘is what I’m missing. Her sense of place is absolutely spot-on. For the time it took me to read it, I was there.’

So I thought I’d give it a go.

I see Jo Thomas is a previous holder of the Katie Fforde Bursary, as am I. While the title – in my opinion – is very unimaginative I like that Escape to the French Farmhouse is written in first person present tense – it gets you inside the head of the protagonist. It is very fast-paced. The sentences are short, as are many of the chapters – not even half a page some of them. It makes you want to read the next page. I like that the French is accurate – not always so in novels. I liked Del immediately and wanted her to succeed, alone in this huge mas with no furniture and very little food and no man as the story opens. Soon a whole cast of characters appear and while I thought some of the romances that evolved were a bit unrealistic I’ll forgive that because the characters were all so well-rounded. There was, perhaps, a bit too much walking along the riverbank with attendant flora – however beautifully described – and if you didn’t know what lavender looks and smells like you will by the time you reach the end. I felt it held up the story at times but those short sentences and the cliff-hangers Jo Thomas throws in every few chapters kept me reading to the end. It’s rare for me to read a whole book in a day (a very wet and dark August day) but this is what happened here. I agree with my friend – this book is as close to being on holiday in Provence you could get

without actually being there. 

Paris for One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes

Review by Rae Cowie

Fans of Jojo Moyes, author of best-selling Me Before You trilogy, were recently treated to a follow-up short story, entitled Lou In Lockdown, available HERE. Not only is it timely, but Lou and her mum made me laugh so much that I was delighted when I remembered I had a copy of Moyes’ Paris for One and Other Stories on my bookshelf, waiting to be read. A warm hug of a collection, these stories were first made available on radio and in magazines, brought together to create an easy-to-read coffee break compendium.

Composed of nine short stories plus two that are bit longer (arguably novella in length) they are feel-good tales with a cast of relatable characters, focusing on the everyday issues that beset women, told with gentle humour. Not all are set in Paris, but those that are – Paris for One, and Honeymoon in Paris - were my favourites. Perhaps because I honeymooned in Paris too – although without the fictional drama! An uplifting read, perfect for dipping into when a pop of positivity is needed.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Review by Jennifer Young

I’ve just finished reading Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale — heavily gothic, crammed with increasingly implausible events and written with incredible intensity. The author gives no date for when it’s set and references no historical events with which to fix it, but it feels set in the seventies or thereabouts, with flashbacks perhaps as far as the turn of the century. Lonely bookseller Margaret Lea is approached by reclusive author Vida Winter to tell the extraordinary tale of her life, which she does in a book that pays clear and sometimes clumsy homage to the likes of Charlotte Bronte, Wilkie Collins and Henry James. 

I think I liked it, though I don’t think it’s a great book, unlike Setterfield’s extraordinary Once Upon a River. I found it a bit OTT. Vida Winters’ story itself had perhaps just a few too many twists. There’s a full cast of Bronte/Collins/James characters and tropes in there if you fancy a game of Gothic Novel Bingo and I thought some of them could have been left out. (Governess: check. Aged housekeeper: check. Missing baby: check. Violent lunatic: check. Ghostly figure: check. Narrator with a secret of their own: check. House fire: check…and so many more.) Most problematically for me, too many of this full cast of characters were not just not likeable but downright unlikeable. (More on this in my next blog post!) 

It’s beautifully written, though, and worth a read for that alone. When I looked up the author afterwards I found this was her first book, written twelve years before her most recent, and I think the development in her writing is obvious. The Thirteenth Tale is good…but Once Upon a River is much better. 

Black and British - A Forgotten History by David Olusoga

Review by Kath McGurl

Write a review of a book you've read this year, asked Victoria Cornwall, for this week's joint blog. I have read loads - I always have 2 or more books on the go - but the one that immediately jumped into my mind is a non-fiction book. I read it initially to educate myself, but ended up being inspired to start a novel based on something I read in it...

The book is Black and British - A Forgotten History by David Olusoga. He's the chap who presents the House Through Time series on TV, so I was already following him on Twitter as I love those programmes. It was the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, and he tweeted a link to his book that he wrote a few years back; I think it accompanied another TV programme. Anyway, I decided to buy the book and learn more about this aspect of English history.

It's a hefty tome - over 500 pages of quite small print - but really well written and therefore easy to

read. It's fascinating - did you know there were blacks in Britain in Roman times, part of the Roman

occupying army? The book covers everything from then, through the years of the English slave

traders, the abolition of slavery, to black American GIs charming young women during the war, and

right up to the Windrush generation.

It was a chapter on blacks in Georgian England, and an early abolitionist I had never heard of,

named Granville Sharp, that inspired me the most. He became a friend to runaway slaves in

London, and over the course of a number of court cases, paved the way for the eventual ending of

the slave trade and subsequent abolition of slavery in Britain. There's a novel in there I am sure, and I am having a go at writing it, although it's a long way from my usual genre!

I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes to get their teeth into social history books. It's a long

but worthwhile and fascinating read.

I hope you enjoyed reading the reviews of our little mixed selection. Whatever book you choose for your next read, we hope you enjoy it and come away feeling the better for reading it. Happy reading to you all!

WHAT DOES YOUR BOOKSHELF SAY ABOUT YOU? by Victoria Cornwall

I have spent the last month undertaking a big clear out of my home. The things I no longer needed (or liked) were either sent to our local charity shop, recycling centre or thrown away. It was hard work, cathartic and a good time to identify what material things really mattered to me. One of the things that had a good sort through was my bookshelf.

I am a Poldark fan. Many years ago I bought the complete series which were twelve books in all. Over time, and after several readings, the pages have become yellow and dogeared. The first six books were very special to me as their covers had the actors from the 1970s TV series on them. However the remaining covers were mismatched, some of which displayed people who, in my mind, had no resemblance to the characters in the books. It was time to treat myself and buy a new complete set, preferably with the up-to-date, gorgeous covers which display the actors from the most recent adaptation. They would look neat on my bookshelf, thought I, make a perfect stylish set and show I was a big Poldark fan. It also accurately reflected my hobby of reading quality fiction with realistic historical facts. The size of the series would show any visitor that I am a serious reader (yes ... I have read all 12 books folks!) and I know a good thing when I see it (it's a classic after all!). This got me thinking, was I trying to project an image of who I wanted people to think I am or would the bookshelf silently show the real me?

I began to wonder if all bookshelves told us something about the reader. Could a chaotic, mismatched, overloaded bookshelf point to someone who is disorganised and unwilling to part with material things? Or did it tell us that the owner just loved books and wanted to keep them to read again and again?

If a bookshelf is arranged alphabetically or by colour, is the person organised and efficient or painfully controlling with too much time on their hands? Are books arranged by genre preferred by people who like to compartmentalise their lives, or does a variety of genres show that their owner is open to trying new things and will have a broad outlook on life?

By now my mind was in overload. Does the actual type of book chosen for display tell us something? Crime, fiction, autobiographies, travel ... there are certainly lots to choose from. Are we showing the world our innermost soul or the sort of person we aspire to be?

The "coffee table book" is a good example of the latter. It is usually large and expensive, with a lot of pictures, specifically designed to be looked at rather than read. Needless to say it is usually placed where people can see it easily, such as a coffee table. Is the owner really saying, "I am a good host as I have provided a book for you to look through while I prepare you a drink" ... or is it less about the guest's comfort and more about the owner wanting the guest to know that they are stylish and can afford a luxurious quality book that they don't really need.

Of course the books that don't make it to the bookshelf are just as telling. Reading an erotic book, but hiding it in the bottom drawer rather than displaying it on a shelf would certainly show there is a part of one's life the reader would rather keep private, despite the enjoyment it may give. Yet if the erotic book did make it to the shelf, it would show that the reader exuded confidence and had a "take me as you find me" attitude. This attitude is admirable, although one's reaction to viewing such a bookshelf might depend on the book ... and the number of them. Too many and too jaw droppingly kinky, one might just be tempted to run ... unless you are into that kind of thing. In that situation you will be delighted to discover you have found a kindred spirit who might enjoy dressing up in black studded straps and leather chaps too.

Does an array of fiction or travel books show that the reader is looking for an escape? Perhaps "real crime" books show a forensic, inquisitive mind? Do self-help books show someone seeking to take control of their lives or are they mere followers of yet another fad? I am intrigued to know the truth and will look at other people's bookshelves a little more closely next time.

Did I bin my original precious Poldark books with the original actors on the cover? No, I did not. My reorganisation and expensive purchase may hint that I am organised (the new book series is complete and in perfect alignment), stylish (they do look pretty and photogenic) and  show my interest in historical fiction with a strong romantic thread, (which is my preferred genre and the type of book I like to write myself). However, sitting neatly beside this spanking new set will be my six dogeared original Poldark books, which I like to think shows my soft nostalgic centre and undying loyalty to something that once played a big part in my teenage years.

Sometimes something which is losing its colour and curling at the edges is every bit as special as something sexy and spanking new ... at least that is what I remind my husband as I celebrate another birthday and spot yet another grey hair in the mirror. 

Victoria Cornwall

What does your bookshelf say about you?

THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER by Victoria Cornwall

I love the film You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It tells the story of  Kathleen Kelly, an independent children's bookshop owner who is trying to compete with the large bookstore along her street. Her relationship with the owner, Joe Fox, initially develops (unknowingly) via email. In their day to day life they are at loggerheads, but online their friendship and romance blossoms.

     Kathleen's shop was called The Shop Around the Corner, a production nod towards the 1940's Hollywood adaptation of the same film starring Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart. The film portrays the financial and emotional impact small bookshop owners face as they try to compete with the larger chains and supermarkets.

     Vast numbers of small independent bookshops have closed over the decades. The decline started when the Net Book Agreement (which existed from 1900 to 1997 and ensured that all books had to be sold at roughly the same price) ceased. It was hoped it would encourage competition, but in reality led to a two tier system which placed the smaller shops at a huge disadvantage. Supermarkets and larger shops, which had greater buying power, were able to buy in larger quantities and negotiate better dealer discounts, something the smaller shops were unable to do. This resulted in the larger stores being able to sell the books for very low prices and the practice continues today.

     This price cutting makes it difficult for the smaller shops to compete as do the rise of eBooks and crippling rates on the highstreet. Gradually the smaller bookshops began to leave the larger cities or were forced to close.

     Independent bookshops have had to adapt to the changing landscape around them. Many "go the extra mile" for customers that some of the bigger shops are unwilling to do. Book themed events, author signings, storytelling, breastfeeding friendly environments, coffee corners and unique decor have all been used to entice customers to step inside and browse.
   
     The more successful have identified their customer base. Many of the bookshops in Cornwall have done this. They have embraced the local talents and culture of Cornwall to cater to the tourists seeking keepsakes as a reminder of their holiday. This tactic became evident to me when I toured the independent bookshops in Cornwall and discovered that most were located in the tourist hot-spots, such as the many picturesque coastal towns.

     The idea of a tour was inspired by talking to the co-owner of Lost in Books, a wonderful independent bookshop in Lostwithiel. It was refreshing to speak to a bookshop owner who had a real passion and enthusiasm for books.

      There was only one way to tour Cornwall on a sunny summer day and that was in Ruby, the camper.

     The first stop was The Falmouth Bookseller, in Falmouth

     The second was the Edge of the World Books in Penzance.

     The third stop saw me in St.Ives at The St.Ives Bookseller.

     Fourth stop was at The Padstow Bookseller in Padstow.

     Closer to home, I just had time to pop into The Bookshop in Wadebridge.

     The tour came to a sudden halt when our brakes failed driving down a hill. Luckily we managed to avoid an accident, no thanks to me! I was too busy screaming while my husband steered our runaway camper! Ruby spent the next few days  recuperating in a VW specialist garage. She is fighting fit again and ready for the next stage in our tour, which will include Spencer Thorn of Bude, The Bookshop in Liskeard, The Bookshelf and Tearooms at Saltash and Bookends in Fowey.

     I had a great time (apart from my near-death experience) and recommend a visit to an independent bookshop.

     If you would like to find your local independent bookshop, search them out by clicking HERE

     Independent Bookshop Week is celebrated every year. It will take place 20-27th June in 2020. To find out what it is about and how to get involved, just click HERE

     Or you could take part in a tour, as I did, and visit some bookshops you may not normally come across. Find out more about a #bookshopcrawl by clicking HERE

     Support your local bookshop. Use it or lose it, before your unique little Shop Around the Corner is lost forever.

Victoria Cornwall

   

WRITING OUT OF SEASON by Victoria Cornwall

I've lost count how many times I've written a scene describing the season in some way. Often, my fictional timeline is in a different season to the one I'm experiencing in reality. I've written about the burnt amber leaves of autumn while wearing shorts, a t-shirt and with the pungent smell of suntan lotion on my skin. I've written about the blustering gales of winter as I munch on an Easter egg. I've written about the fresh new shoots of spring  ... well you get the picture.

Last year I began writing my first Christmas novella. I was in the middle of a novel at the time, but I was advised that if I was going to write a Christmas themed story it would be a good idea to set the other novel aside as it would be easier to write about Christmas around the Christmas period.

I seriously considered the advice given to me, as although I can easily imagine a winter season in the summer, there is something magical about Christmas that is not so easy to capture when the celebration has come and gone.

I know that many of my friends have successfully written a Christmas story outside the festive season. They've told me that they have used decorations, mince pies and Christmas music to recapture the mood as they write. This sounded like a great idea and probably works well, but I wasn't so sure if it would work for me and this is why ...

1. Christmas is very special to me and I wanted it to remain that way, neatly tucked away between November and January ... a warm, cosy, spiritual oasis filled with generosity, family and a well known biblical story. Did I want to recreate it in March and April? I'd rather be munching on a chocolate Easter egg by then.
2. By the time Christmas is over I've had my fill and quite relieved to pack the decorations away and give the house a good clean (a task which is so much harder with a wilting fir tree wearing tinsel). The house clean signals that the hard work (and stress) of the big day is finally over. Did I want to be reminded about it during the summer? I didn't think so.

So I set my current novel aside and began to write my first Christmas novella around Christmas time last year.

Did my plan work? Was it easier to write a Christmas themed story around Christmas time?

I loved writing A Daughter's Christmas Wish during the build-up to Christmas. It felt special and not like work at all. I hope I managed to capture the build-up and magic of Christmas, but perhaps only someone who is an expert on Christmas will know the answer to that. What do you think, Father Christmas?

Did I keep Christmas neatly tucked away between November and January?
Not quite. I finished the book in February/March. During the late summer and early autumn I was working with my publisher to prepare it for publication, which inevitably requires immersing myself into the build up to Christmas outside of the festive period.

Although my mind has been pre-occupied with Christmas far longer than I had anticipated (6 to 7 months in all), I've loved every minute of it. Maybe immersing myself in the festive spirit of goodwill outside the Christmas period is not so bad after all!

Now, I think its time to put my feet up. I have a little respite ... until, of course, the real countdown to Christmas begins!

A Daughter's Christmas Wish will be released on 20th November as an ebook and audiobook.
It will be available to pre-order soon!

To find out more about Victoria Cornwall's books click HERE

BEHIND THE SCENES OF A BOOK LAUNCH by Victoria Cornwall

Tuesday was a Double Book Publication Day for me! Yaaayy!
The Thief's Daughter was released as a paperback and The Captain’s Daughter was released as an eBook.

The publication day is the day a new book is launched. For me, the day passed in a bit of a blur as I immersed myself into the social media world to spread the news. But the launch of my new books didn't begin on Tuesday morning or end on Tuesday night. As many writers will know, the publication day is just one day of several events organised to launch a new book. So whereas the publication day itself may last only 24hours, the launch of a new book starts far earlier and lasts quite a bit longer.

For me it started on the day I received my advance copies of The Thief's Daughter in paperback. My experience will differ from other writers and their access to various promotional opportunities will vary depending how well known and successful they are. I can only share mine, so pull up a chair and I will share with you my experience ...

I think most writers will agree that the moment they see their novel in print for the first time is a very special moment. I captured my moment on video just so I could relive it when I wasn't in such a state of shock. I was also relieved they had arrived as I had a book launch event to plan.

Having never been to a book launch myself, I had no idea what it entailed and if anyone would even come. Thankfully it all turned out okay and I sold all of the advanced copies I had brought with me. 

As both novels are about women who face (and overcome) difficulties in their lives, I thought it was fitting to donate a portion of the proceeds from the event to a charitable organisation whose aim is to develop a girl’s potential in order to make a difference to the world – my local Brownies & Guides.

The day before the publication day, I received a lovely review of The Captain's Daughter from writer, reviewer and blogger, Jo Lambert, on her writer's blog. It was just what I needed as the nerves had started to set in. American novelist, Luanne Rice once said, "After 30 novels, release day is still a thrill. It's also a little bittersweet too." I understand what she meant as the books are now out in the big wide world, a bit like a child going to school for the first time. It is also about to be read by other people whose opinions really matter.

Publication Day finally arrived and I spent much of it celebrating the event online. Lots of friends, bloggers, readers and fellow authors sent congratulatory messages and helped me to spread the news. The "book world" is a lovely community, where friends are made and good news is shared. Writing can be quite a solitary career and this online community really helps to make one feel part of something very special.

Although publication day was over by the following day, the launch of the books continued. The day after I was heading for Truro to appear on the Debbie McCrory Show on Radio Cornwall. I have been a guest on Debbie's show once before and when she invited me back to talk about my next release, I jumped at the chance.

Two days after publication, I was hurtling down the road again in my second-hand Honda Jazz to the seaside town of Penzance to appear on Coast Afternoon with John Pestle on CoastFM. This radio program was a first for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. John and the team put me at ease and the 30 minute slot flew by. Thank you to CoastFM for allowing me to use their photograph.

The online blog tour had already kicked off by the time I was sitting down behind a microphone. It's a challenge to keep guest posts fresh and interesting, so I decided to talk about some of the important elements of writing a novel, choosing a particular one for each blog, with the odd fun blog post in-between. Here is the blog tour, if you would like to follow it.

Linda's Book Bag 05/10/2017
The perfect hero

Choc Lit 6/10/2017
The fourth character

Jaffareadstoo 11/10/2017
The perfect heroine

Morton S.Gray Blog 16/10/2017
The heroine of The Captain's Daughter sharing her secret thoughts

Jera's Jamboree 18/10/2017
Q&A

Portobello Book Blog 23/10/2017
The perfect antagonist

With Love for Books 30/10/2017
Talking about prejudice against the past

So the past few weeks have been busy and I look forward to putting up my feet. In the meantime, perhaps I should tell you a little about each book.

The Captain's Daughter

The Captain's Daughter was inspired by the kitchens and servants' quarters of Lanhydrock House, which is a National Trust property in Cornwall. I was also inspired by my visits to Bodmin's historic jail and court house. Both are wonderfully atmospheric buildings with a vast history behind them.

Book Blurb

Sometimes you need to discover your own strength in order to survive …

After a family tragedy, Janey Carhart was forced from her comfortable life as a captain’s daughter into domestic service. Determined to make something of herself, Janey eventually finds work as a lady’s maid at the imposing Bosvenna Manor on the edge of Bodmin Moor, but is soon caught between the two worlds of upstairs and downstairs, and accepted by neither, as she cares for her mistress.

Desperately lonely, Janey catches the attention of two men – James Brockenshaw and Daniel Kellow. James is heir to the Bosvenna estate, a man whose eloquent letters to his mother warm Janey’s heart. Daniel Kellow is a neighbouring farmer with a dark past and a brooding nature, yet with a magnetism that disturbs Janey. Two men. Who should she choose? Or will fate decide. 

Available to download from all eBook platforms.
Coming to audio at a future date.

The Thief's Daughter

The Thief's Daughter was inspired by Bodmin's debtors' prison and a rocky inlet on the North Cornish Coast, called Pepper Cove. The cove was named after the large quantities of spices smuggled into Cornwall during the 18th and early 19th century. It provided the perfect backdrop and plot for my characters to live through.

Book Blurb

Hide from the thief-taker, for if he finds you, he will take you away …

Eighteenth-century Cornwall is crippled by debt and poverty, while the gibbet casts a shadow of fear over the land. Yet, when night falls, free traders swarm onto the beaches and smuggling prospers.

Terrified by a thief-taker’s warning as a child, Jenna has resolved to be good. When her brother, Silas, asks for her help to pay his creditors, Jenna feels unable to refuse and finds herself entering the dangerous world of the smuggling trade.

Jack Penhale hunts down the smuggling gangs in revenge for his father’s death. Drawn to Jenna at a hiring fayre, they discover their lives are entangled. But as Jenna struggles to decide where her allegiances lie, the worlds of justice and crime collide, leading to danger and heartache for all concerned …

Available to download from all eBook platforms.

Paperback available to order from Amazon and all good bookshops.
Coming to audio at a future date.

Thank you for my publisher, Choc Lit, and the Choc Lit Panel and Stars for bringing my novels to publication.
Also thank you to all the bloggers and reviewers who helped make the book launch a success. Finally, thank you to you for sharing in the celebrations of my double book launch by reading this post. I have enjoyed sharing my novels and book launch preparations with you.

Now where is the wine and soft fluffy socks? It's time I put those feet up for a rest!