International Kissing Day - Giveaway!

S.W.A.K.

I've been reliably informed that 6th July is International Kissing Day. So moisturise those lips, lay off the garlic and find yourself someone to smooch. However if you prefer to get close and personal with stories instead, you could always try my Kiss Collection...

In fact if you visit my Author Facebook page and share your first or last kisses I'm randomly choosing a someone who will receive free copies of the stories The Last Kiss, The First Kiss and Lipstick on His Collar.

This will get you all into the mood for when the final three stories from the collection come out later this year!

Book Review: Murder Most Unladylike - Robin Stevens

I'm not usually one to review books but I got a copy of this Middle Grade book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review. I so wanted to read it, I promised a review :-)

As a fan of both classic boarding school tales and the golden age of crime I was intrigued by ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ and got stuck into it as soon as I could.

I wasn’t disappointed. Robin Stevens has written a wonderful mash up of the two genres. Hazel Wong makes an excellent if slightly more critical Watson to Daisy Well’s Holmes. The two have set up their own secret detective agency and when Hazel finds the science mistress dead in the gym they set out to investigate.

The book is a wonderful murder mystery and friendship story. As a former boarder at an all girls school, Deepdean School was extremely familiar. The rhythm of the day and the intrigues of teen girls that feels even more intense when you are together 24/7. Hazel’s view on this world as an outsider to both the school and English society gives it a realistic feel rather than a parody. When she works out what she needs to fit in, I shivered in remembrance.

The murder mystery was well plotted and with enough twists to keep you guessing. I also appreciate anyone who name checks my favourite crime writer of all time, Dorothy L Sayers.

I raced through the book and can’t wait for the next case from Wells and Wong.

Murder Most Unladylike is published 5th June 2014 in the UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Most-Unladylike-Wells-Mystery/dp/0552570729

Christmas-tastic!!

You can't get rid of me this month! Today my Christmas anthology, 'A Stocking Full of Romance' is published at all good purveyors of ebooks.

It is a collection of Christmas themed short stories that have been described as:

"A funny, charming and irresistible collection of seasonal short stories. Perfect for enjoying a little bit of escapism in between last minute Christmas shopping and mince pie making!"

And I wouldn't want to argue with my publisher...

I really enjoyed writing these six stories although it did mean listening to Christmas music in August with the sun beaming through the windows to get in the mood. 

Anyway go here to buy... enjoy. And if you like a bit of country in your Christmas there is a special treat for you.

First Kisses

First Kiss - awww

There is nothing more important or memorable than a first kiss. In life and in fiction. Much of my writing is for teens so some of the first kisses I am writing are FIRST KISSES. You know, that first ever kiss that some of us had earlier than others. The first kiss from which every subsequent first kiss is merely a reflection.

I know that one of the reasons I read and write romance is to remember that feeling of excitement and discovery at the beginning of a relationship. To shiver with the memory of hands touching, those careful looks from the corner of eyes, feeling dry mouthed, my heart thumping and stomach churning before that first kiss.

I wrote 'The First Kiss' because I wanted to create the prefect kiss for a teenager. Teen kisses can be as much about crossing a threshold to adulthood as the person you actually kiss. But if you happen to kiss the perfect boy then lucky you!

My very first kiss was when I was seventeen and at a school dance. It traumatised me so that I can no longer eat chicken flavoured crisps - enough said. So when I wrote this I thought back to a date I had about a year after that disastrous first kiss. It was a perfect day and I've always wished it could've been my first kiss. Luckily I'm a writer so I can make it happen.

But writing it also reminded me of all my first kisses (and being a woman of a certain age there have been a few). Some have been memorable for all the right reasons and some for all the wrong.

Standing under a lamppost in Leeds in the snow stealing kisses every time we got to a curb or lamppost. On a river bank with me nervously talking and him kissing me to shut me up. At a Christmas party with a guy I had liked for a long time. On the bus after a night out at a ski resort, having held hands under the table all night. On my birthday on a sofa after having been cooked a beautiful lunch. Coming out of a pub on a cold night giggling because the brim of my hat was in the way and then afterwards being left breathless and stunned. At a bus stop when a kiss missed a cheek and hit the lips.

Each kiss was as different as the person it was with and this is what I have to remember when I'm writing. Each hero and heroine are different and so their first kisses need to be to.

What do you remember about first kisses?

'The First Kiss' is now available to buy here

First Kiss... the Kiss Fest Continues!

I'm still giddy from last month's release of 'The Last Kiss' and before I could catch my breath it is almost time for 'The First Kiss' to come out.

Now I have a bit more time to think and plan I am hoping to bring you posts by other authors about kisses they have had or written. 

Interspersed with all the kisses (a veritable kiss fest), there will be some Christmas themed posts because next week I have another publication day to celebrate!

So keep coming back for more kisses x

All I Want for Christmas...

What do you want for Christmas? Tom Hiddleston, maybe? Or how about six perfectly formed short stories? With the bestest cover EVAH!!!

My Christmas collection is due out on 19th December. More news to follow.

PUBLICATION DAY!!

It is finally here! Publication day!! I'm all over the place today being over excited but mostly at The Heroine Addicts playing 'Spin The Bottle'. 

There will be some posts from lovely fellow authors in the next few weeks telling us about kisses from their books. 

Thanks for all the support. Onwards and upwards!!!