Fifteen miles from nowhere, we saw a faded sign for ‘Fish Shack’. We followed a road to the middle of the beach desert until we reached a decaying old boat that was almost as big as a whale. Yes, and the B52’s track was playing in my head…
Parking the car on the uneven tarmac, we hobbled over the pebbles to the shack. Luckily, I found a table overlooking abandoned boats and Dungeness Power Station. Optimistic that my husband had reserved a love shack to celebrate two decades of marriage, I congratulated him on this romantic setting. Alas, always thinking of his stomach, the Fish Shack was the destination.
Expecting greasy fish and chips, I was handed plaice and salad with a large cup of builder’s tea. The food was absolutely delicious! The plaice, caught only hours earlier, was cooked in olive oil on a hot plate. The fresh salad had an olive oil and lemon dressing. It was served in a small cardboard box, but they will probably steal this idea on the Great British Menu. And builder’s tea could be the new Pinot Noir. I must confess that I declined the bread roll, but understood that it was a nod to the fishermen who eat this food.
Seizing the moment, we decided to go for a walk on the beach. We were told it was fine to walk on the beach if we didn’t touch the ‘fishing tackle’!! Forget visiting a maritime museum, there were artefacts on the beach such as rusty anchors and abandoned nets. These savvy people are obviously protecting the objects d’art to prevent art galleries and Michelin starred restaurants from displaying them in their gaffs. The food and the setting were perfect: The Fish Shack is indeed a funky little shack. Get yourselves off to the food getaway!
Who knows? Maybe this place will become either the Dungeness Modern Art Gallery or even the Derek Jarman Modern. An art gallery and restaurant without walls could be the new concept of the 21st century. Visit now as in the future you may need a credit card without a limit.
Funky Fact
Derek Jarman, the artist and filmmaker, lived in Prospect Cottage, Dungeness.
The Lost Girl is a significant, groundbreaking novel about our troubled times. The stories of two women, born decades apart, breathes life into well documented periods of history. Marguerite, the actress, was a young woman in France during the forties. Kurtiz, a photographic journalist, began her emotional journey in the nineties. The poignant parallel between the life experiences of Marguerite’s and Kurtiz provides the engaging narrative structure of this novel.
View Paris through Kurtiz’s lens
Marguerite and Kurtiz meet in a Paris bistro, on the fatal night of November 2015. Kurtiz is searching for her missing daughter and husband. Loneliness drives Marguerite to visit the bistro daily, thus she is delighted to have an audience for her memories.
The tension surrounding Kurtiz’s search for her daughter, Lizzie, made me afraid to read on. We all know what happened, we all watched the news footage of the terrible events in Paris. This novel takes the reader into the centre of the action, via Kurtiz, and makes your heart ache with her anxiety.
‘She hugged the building, bouncing her shoulders off walls as she advanced, keeping herself clear of the line of fire…’
This happened in Paris, in 2015, and we are taken into the heart of the terrorism. This is such a stark contrast to the relaxed scene before the attack. The guests in the bar were ‘such fresh young faces rouged by the cold November air, energized by life. Paris gearing up for the weekend.’ As a reader, one instantly connects with the irony of the statement, and raw emotions are exposed.
We view the atrocities of Paris, 2015, through the lens of Kurtiz’s camera, filtered with the anxiety for her daughter and husband. The rhythm of the camera clicking is conveyed in the pace of the language and repetition; a vivid visualization of the scene.
‘Heads in laps, heads thrown backwards, eyes closed or open, staring, dead-eyed, fisheyed. Locked in a nightmare.
The fragility of civilization is cracked via the words! This document of events is then viewed through Kurtiz who asks, ‘Was he shielding Lizzie? Was she also in the old theatre at gunpoint, or had she managed to escape?’ I was there, with Kurtiz shouting ‘LIZZIE!’ My head pounding with the intensity, involuntary tears escaping.
The terrorism in Paris is contrasted with Kurtiz’s time in the Middle East where a mother loses her son. Kurtiz worked a photographer in conflict zones, in the Middle East . During Kurtiz’s time in the Middle East the reader observes her despair at the death of the young boy, whilst also gaining insight her relationship with her daughter.
Kurtiz’s emotional life is explored from the beginning of her relationship with Oliver, her husband. The tenderness and hope of love is beautifully conveyed after her first night with Oliver. She wakes up to the ‘glorious summer morning. A morning like no other, blossoms abounding, soaking up the heat, bees and butterflies flitting from one flower head to another.’
The colours of Marguerite’s love for Charlie
Similarly, the colours of Marguerite’s love for Charlie are conveyed in La Cote d’Azur when ‘she was happy. She was energised, shot through with a rush of joy as she had rarely known before.’ Until then, Marguerite’s joy had been blighted with events that happened during a screen test: such a relevant message in the wake of the #metoo campaign.
Perspective shifts from close-up of the character’s life to the long shot of the world issues. The texture of this novel reliant on skilful blending of time-frames and layers of emotions. Marguerite felt ‘such a tangle of emotions’ while Kurtiz deals with ‘more emotions than she would ever be able to identify’. The movement from disequilibrium to disequilibrium across time-frames is both exhausting and powerful.
I lingered on each word and viewed the book from different angles. There were infinite and subtle shades of colour in this outstanding writing. Drinkwater explores the shifting light between troubled times and people’s lives. The cruelty of war, cruelty of innocence and cruelty of waiting are explored in the perfect language choices.
‘I have come to realise that kindness and laughter are two of the richest gifts I can share and enjoy.’ Carol Drinkwater
Like Kurtiz, I released a ‘strangled cry’ as I moved towards the end of the novel. Marguerite’s loss continues to ‘gnaw’ at my thoughts. Despite the trauma, there is a message of hope. This novel rendered me speechless. I cared deeply for the characters, and the power of the mother’s love guided me until the end. The emotional landscape of this novel will never leave me!
I would like to thank Carol Drinkwater for this brave and beautiful novel.
‘It is a story with a miracle at its heart and, from time to time, we all need one of those. Through the bleakest of days, though we may not be aware of it, hope and redemption are always present. The light always returns. The sun always rises.’
Carol discusses The Lost Girl, in my Chat Room. Find out about the inspiration behind the novel and what motivates Carol to write.
Carol is an award-winning actress and Sunday Times bestselling writer
About Carol Drinkwater:
Carol is an award-winning actress and Sunday Times bestselling writer. She was probably most famous for her role of Helen Herriot in the fantastically popular TV series, All Creatures Great and Small. She lives on an olive farm in the south of France with her husband, Michel, and several dogs.
Romance, cosy tradions and hygge. A really frosty wind is making Holly’s life absolutely miserable but…
Having read and enjoyed an escape to Summer Island, I am thrilled Natalie Norman has released Christmas Island. Readers will enjoy a delicious insight into a Nordic Christmas and traditions. It is my pleasure to invite you to Norway via an extract from Natalie’s novel, so sit back and unwrap this beautiful story.
Holly could smell cinnamon as they got closer. ‘You’re not feeding me more waffles, are you? Because I’ve had lots of those already.’
‘No, this is different. This is proper old fashion yummies. I bet the Vikings made this, although most likely without the cinnamon,’ he said.
When they approached the market stall, they saw lots of people in front of it. Holly stretched her neck to see what they were looking at, and Tor pulled her in so she could watch.
It looks like a cooking show, she thought. Two women, both with colourful headscarves, were having a great time showing off their skills.
The centrepiece was a large cooking plate. One of the women was using a huge rolling pin to roll out a thin dough, while the other stood by the heat and picked it up on a long, thinner rolling pin.
‘Is it a pancake?’ Holly asked Tor.
He shook his head. ‘Not even close,’ he said.
The woman folded the not-really-a-pancake gently out on the plate, then she just as gently flipped the sides and lifted it up, putting it on a cloth next to her.
All the while she was talking to the audience.
‘What is she saying?’ Holly looked up at Tor.
‘She’s explaining the process. These are called lefser, and there are variations all over the country. You can use them with savoury food or as cakes, depending on what you put on them. What she’s making is used with kling, which is basically a spread made of butter, cream, sour cream, and sugar.’
Inspiration for the magical Winter Island (Photo taken by Peter Lloyd on Upsplash.)
He laughed when he saw the expression on her face. ‘This is what we do at Christmas. All year round it’s all about healthy and moderation, and at Christmas it’s upside down world.’
‘Do you eat them hot?’ Holly couldn’t see that the women were handing out the fresh lefse.
‘No, I don’t think so.’ Tor pointed at the end of the counter where there were several plates of square cakes. ‘These are the ones we want.’
He elbowed his way to the counter and bought a few pieces. When he got back to her, he had a lopsided grin on his face and two paper bags in his hands.
‘Here. I had to buy a few potato lefser too. They are good with smoked salmon or gravlaks,’ he said.
He opened one bag and showed it to her. ‘Take one. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it.’
Holly was game. She took one of the lefser and eyed it. It was rectangular, not round, and there were layers in it, and when she took a bite, there was the taste of creamy, buttery sugar and cinnamon that just melted on her tongue.
In the bleak midwinter… A really frosty wind is making Holly’s life absolutely miserable
After all the years of hard work it took Londoner Holly Greene to become a doctor, now it could all be taken away and she only has herself to blame. She’s retreating to her brother’s rustic home on an island off the coast of Norway to lick her wounds. Only, it’s the middle of winter and icy slush plus endless darkness isn’t exactly the cheery, festive getaway she had imagined.
Nearly stumbling off the edge of a cliff in the dark, Holly is saved by Frøy, a yellow-eyed cat of fearsome but fluffy proportions, and his owner – grouchy, bearded recluse, Tor. Tor has his own problems to face but the inexplicable desire to leave a bag of freshly baked gingerbread men on Holly’s doorstep is seriously getting in the way of his hermit routine.
Call it kindness, call it Christmas, but Holly’s arrival means midwinter has never looked less bleak.
About Natalie Norman
Photo of Natalie with her cat, Flip, taken many years ago. Flip inspires all of her fictional cats.
Natalie Normann grew up in a shipping town on the west-coast of Norway and always wanted to be a writer. Actually, she wanted to smoke cigars and drink whiskey like Hemingway but settled for chocolate and the occasional glass of Baileys.
Her writing journey started with short stories in women’s magazines until her first book was published in 1995.
Summer Island is her first romance written in English.
Kitty Wilson is author of the bestselling Cornish Village Series. How can anyone resist a visit to Cornwall at the most magical time of year? Her novels are celebrated as the ‘perfect escapist read’ by her dedicated readers. I have invited Kitty to tell you more about her Christmas novel.
Hello everyone,
I am delighted to present the fourth in The Cornish Village School series, Christmas Wishes. This series of romantic comedies centre around a primary school in the fictional village of Penmenna with each story featuring a member of staff and involving the whole community. This is the first Christmas-themed one and tells the tale of Alice, a teaching assistant in class four, and Dan who moved to Penmenna to be its vicar a couple of years ago. Alice and Dan are firm friends with a penchant for getting into mischief but when Dan’s grandmother, Annie, moves into The Vicarage with him she is determined to push the two of them together.
I wanted to choose an extract for you that both summed up the Christmassy nature of this book, the sense of community and the romance between Alice and Dan so I hope this short piece does that.
I have really enjoyed writing Christmas Wishes, the antics of Annie and her new best friend Ethel, make me giggle every time I read them and I hope they raise a smile for other readers too. I am so fond of Alice and Dan, both have had very different upbringings yet carry the same values and hopes for their future, I think the two of them are perfectly matched.
All love, Kitty
Meet the lovely Kitty Wilson
Here is the extract:
One minute Alice had been sipping Ethel’s mulled wine, giggling at the memories of last year as she cast her eyes over the church they were all in. A church that smelt strongly of Christmas with mulled wine spices mixing with the scent of pine from all the greenery. Ethel’s brew packed such a serious punch that it had had Bill Meacher attempting to Elvis dance down the aisle last year – very definitely ‘All Shook Up’ – as he chased Mrs Talbot and promised her the moon if she would consider his hand in marriage. Luckily Mrs Talbot was a Very Sensible Woman who cordially informed him that it would take a bit more than a gyrating pelvis to persuade her to give up her hard-won independence. Although if he was available for the evening and promised to be silent then a one-off arrangement may be possible.
The next minute everyone had left, she was alone with Dan and needed to take a gulp as she realised what he had just said to her. At least what she thought she had heard him say. She asked him to repeat it, just so she could be sure.
Jessie: Your Christmas novel sounds as if it is full of Christmas sparkle and delicious humour. I can’t wait to step inside your world. What did the reviewers think of your Christmas Wishes?
Kitty: The reviews warm my heart and it’s great to connect with the readers. It is lovely when readers connect with the characters. Here are a couple of reviews that capture the essence of the feedback.
‘Full of romance, letting go of the past to move forward and plenty to do with Christmas and children. It’s a heartwarming read and has great characters and just a brilliant read and we’ll worth more than five stars.’ (Nicola – Amazon reviewer)
‘Kitty Wilson continues to please with warm tales of the people that make up the little village school in Penmenna. I will be sad when I come to the end of the series as I have become so attached to the characters in these books. Easy to get absorbed in they are easy cosy reading.’(Lorna Vickers – Amazon reviewer).
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Penmenna…
‘The magic of Christmas shines through the pages, and I loved everything about this one – it’s an amazing addition to a superb series and Kitty Wilson has done a first-class job. A joy to read and fully deserving of every one of the five shiny stars I’m more than happy to give it. Highly recommended!’ Grace J Reviewer Lady
‘Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming… the perfect escapist read.’ Beanie L.
Jessie: You must be so proud of the positive responses to your novel. It is wonderful the way the readers connect with the characters. How did you feel when you had finished writing your book, and did you miss any of the characters?
I loved writing this book but part of the joy of writing a series is that the characters remain the same throughout, it’s only the level of focus upon them that changes. This makes it so much easier as I don’t have to say goodbye to them yet. I am writing the fifth book now and both Dan and Alice will certainly pop back up. The downside is that when the series does finish I am going to be slightly heartbroken. I have spent almost every day over the last few years in Penmenna with these characters so I suspect there may be a big Cornish Village School shaped hole in my future. I shall just have to come up with characters that I love even more in my next books.
Kitty Wilson lived in Cornwall for twenty-five years having been dragged there, against her will, as a stroppy teen. She is now remarkably grateful to her parents for their foresight and wisdom – and these days spends her time writing romantic comedies with heroines who speak their mind.
I’ve heard very positive comments about Kitty’s Cornish Village series. Indeed, a blogger explains: ‘I have read a few books by this author now and one thing I will say is that she never disappoints. She produces well planned out stories that leave you feeling warm and cosy inside and that was exactly how this heart-warming book made me feel – and I loved it!’ Donna’s Book Blog.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Penmenna…
Teaching assistant Alice has sworn off men, which is fine because with Christmas coming she’s super busy organising the school Nativity. This should be a blast with the help of close friend and village vicar, Dan – if she can ignore those more-than-just-a-friend feelings she’s developed for him…
Dan is happy to help Alice – his secret crush – but not only is his beloved Granny Annie about to be made homeless, the church choir has disintegrated and he’s battling some dark demons from his past.
With meddling grannies and PTA wars thrown in the mix, can Alice and Dan overcome their past hurts to move forward? Will they be spending Christmas together as friends… or something more?
A festive feel-good romance perfect for fans of Tilly Tennant and Holly Martin.
Imagine walking into a bookshop and buying the entire shop. Three years ago, Mel Griffin bought a bookshop. It was an honour to meet the woman who is living my dream. Step inside Griffin Books, located in Penarth, and turn the pages of Mel’s bookshop story. Meet Elin who is the social media guru for the business.
Jessie: Owning a bookshop has been my dream since I was a little girl. Tell me about your story. Why did you decide to buy a bookshop?
Bookshop in my Handbag
Mel: As a teenager, I had a Saturday job in a bookshop and dreamed of owning one. Having worked in a global IT company for thirty years, I decided it was time for a new challenge. I visited this bookshop regularly and it rekindled my ambition to own a bookshop. The owners talked of retirement, so I asked if they wanted to sell. An impromptu question changed my life. Following a two year hand over period, I received the keys in 2014.
Jessie: It must have been exciting to receive the keys to your new life. Wow! This sounds like the narrative for a feel-good story.
Mel: I suppose it does but it is also hard work. It was great fun to rename the bookshop then build a new identity. My daughter helped me to choose the name. Initially, we were considering ‘Books, Books, Books’. In the end we decided to use our surname – Griffin – which then enabled us to create a great logo based on the mythical creature.
Jessie: How has the bookshop changed?
Rachel and customers present reviews and recommendations for the readers
Mel: I’m trying to emphasise contemporary literary fiction as well as more popular fiction and the classics. The stock is split equally between: fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature. I aim to stock unique books: different to the supermarkets. I’m delighted when my customers compliment me on my choices. Customers, friends of Griffin Books, are encouraged to write the reviews we display around the shop. I select books to suit my regular customers’ taste – it is their bookshop. For example, I bought the first in Julia Chapman’s Dales Detective Series with a customer in mind – the customer then wrote a very positive review which built up a bit of a following for Julia locally, eventually resulting in an invitation to the author. We hosted a lovely afternoon tea with Julia where she talked about the series and her future writing plans.
Jessie: Is it the customer focus that gives your bookshop its unique identity?
Elin: We have a regular customer base and it’s a friendly, warm environment: the bookshop is the hub of Penarth. Customers know we can make recommendations. But, the bookshop’s ethos involves more than selling books. We reach out to the community in lots of different ways.
Mel: Yes, this is a bookshop for the local community. The monthly book club is so popular we have set up a second group. Story time for the under-fives is great fun.
We also like to tackle issues to support the wellbeing in our community. Recently, we organised an event to help people reconnect with those suffering from dementia. We invited two local, self-published authors who had written about dementia. Elizabeth Webb-Hooper’s ‘Pennies from Heaven’ is about her personal experience of caring for a father with Dementia. Jane. M. Mullins’s ‘Finding the Light in Dementia’ is written from her viewpoint as a dementia nurse. Members of the local community supported the event and it was very successful.
To celebrate World Book Day, we visited the local schools and took the free books to the pupils. We are also happy to act as a base for ticket sales for local events.
Jessie: I’m impressed with the way you’ve developed a significant role in the community. I noted you narrowly missed Independent Bookshop of the Year 2018. Do you work with other independent bookshops?
The author events have also been building up over the years
The author events have also been building up over the years, because we have been working with Bookish, Crickhowell and Cover to Cover, Mumbles: we have formed the South Wales Independent Bookshop Consortium thus enabling us to attract higher profile authors. On Sunday, 3rd June, former Chancellor and PM Gordon Brown will be featuring in an event to talk about his memoirs: My Life, Our Times. Griffin Books is also organising the Penarth Literary Festival from 6th – 8th July. This will have an emphasis on writing from and about Wales, including local authors.
Jessie: What is the most popular genre?
‘Children’s books are the most popular genre.’ Elin
Elin: Children’s books are the most popular genre. I featured A Year in the Wild, by Ruth Symons and Helen Aspornsiri, on Instagram. Children like the experience of choosing a book here, as we have such a vibrant selection. I have been coming here since I was a child. I completed my Work Experience here and now I am working here. I love it! It is exciting to watch the business develop.
Jessie: Elin, your enthusiasm is evident, and your job will inspire job envy amongst the bookish community. I love your tweets about the statements your customers have made – so funny.
Mel, do you have plans to buy more bookshops?
Mel: No, I want to keep my arms around this shop where I am living and feel part of the community. I’m dedicated to developing the shop as the hub of the town.
Reading Journeys
Step inside Griffin Books, located in Penarth, and turn the pages of Mel’s bookshop story.
I was made to feel very welcome in Griffin Books. Walking into the shop is like stepping into a friend’s house. It was incredible to go behind the scenes and find out more about the life of a bookshop. I certainly don’t think there is much time for reading. However, I couldn’t resist finding out what inspired Mel and Erin’s reading journeys.
Mel, Elin and Rachel laughed about the impact of Enid Blyton Chalet School Series and Malory Towers Series. Apparently, they enjoyed the midnight feasts, skiing and adventures. Mel recalled reading Swallows and Amazons books at the age of six. She is currently reading Midwinter Break by Bernard Maclaverty.
Meet Rachel, Mel and Elin at Griffin Books.
I recommend you visit Griffin Books if you like to talk about books. Mel, Elin, Rachel, Dawn and Annie will be delighted to welcome you and offer you a complimentary cup of coffee while you browse. A bookshop very similar to Griffin Books was responsible for inspiring my own love affair with books. I wish I could cram this entire bookshop in my handbag, so I could escape there at a moment’s notice.
The quirky vintage appearance of this shop symbolises the essential old-fashioned focus on the customer. However, the website and social media pages display Mel and her team’s vision for a twenty first century bookshop that reaches out to the community.
I hope Griffin Books will celebrate Independent Bookshop of the Year 2019.
The river meandered through the valley and spring was in the air in Delfryn.
Planes are grounded, but we can travel. As writers we can allow our characters explore the places we long to visit. I am forcing my fictitious friends to visit restaurants, parties and the fairground. I am delighting in the hustle and bustle of the crowded locations and soaking up the atmosphere more than ever before. A lockdown cannot lock my imagination and the silence helps me to find the words.
I have selected my seventies outfit, added some powerful eyeliner and made my way to a Valentine’s party
My work in progress, Loving You (working title) is set in the seventies so I escaped to another time and place. I selected my seventies outfit, added some powerful eyeliner and made my way to a Valentine’s party in a café located in Dockers Row, Aberynys. Lorenzo and Stella Ferrari introduced a community to Italian food. It may be a simple menu, but I enjoyed the comforting aroma of garlic. Food was plentiful and the atmosphere was heavy with the laughter. I departed from the café before there was any sign of love, but I heard some soulful singing. There were whispers of strike action at the sewing factory from some of the other guests. I may need to share some of my store cupboard recipes with the factory girls.
Welcome to Aberynys, the home of my characters.
I bought a lovely red Mini Cooper and followed a Ford Zephyr out to Delfryn. Oh, it is so beautiful there. The river meandered through the valley and spring was in the air. I spotted a young man absorbed in a painting. I did not chat to Jim as I found myself back here in front of my laptop when the news headlines disturbed the flight of my imagination. Cake o’clock with and strong pot of filter coffee always gets me through the days at the moment.
I bought a lovely red Mini Cooper and followed a Ford Zephyr out to Delfryn.
Time to leave reality again, I travelled to France via Roseanna Ley’s novel, Her Mother’s Secret. I met a writer in the novel who explained that:
‘The writer could be as selfish as he pleased. He could nip into that other world whenever the urge arose, returning to reality only when the necessary work was done.’
I love nipping in and out of reality and I find myself breaking simple rules of life to shake it up. I can have cake for breakfast, bacon and eggs for tea and make up a silly dance to Abba music if the mood takes me. I don’t care if the neighbour sees me dancing in the garden room: anything goes at the moment.
I invite you to make up your own rules in the comfort of your own home. Book yourself into a good book or write yourself into the places you miss. Seek solace in good old fashioned comfort food. For instance, I made tomato soup with fresh tomatoes that were too soft and squishy. I roasted the tomatoes with dried herbs, seasoning and olive oil at 180 degrees. When the tomatoes were cooked and deliciously sweet, I blended them with stale bread to thicken up the soup. Delicious! This upside-down world meant we ate the soup at midnight and then I went on to plan a new village I will immerse myself in when writing my third novel. When my editor checks into Delfryn and Aberynys, I am going to write a light-hearted story set in Yorkshire. I have already met Maisie and called in at Heatherbridge.
I am going to love you and leave you and wish you the power of your imagination to help you through this difficult time.
Carol Cooper is a doctor, journalist, and author who turned to fiction after writing a string of popular health books. Her second novel, Hampstead Fever, was chosen for a prestigious promotion in WH Smith travel bookshops. She lives in Hampstead and Cambridge, and has three grownup sons.
As Dr Cooper, Carol is a frequent face on Five News, Sky News and other TV channels, as well as on radio, where she often comments on a range of topical health matters. I was excited about meeting this celebrity author with such a wealth of experience.
Carol had been invited to speak at Cardiff University, and we managed to grab some time in Cardiff Bay to chat about her second novel.
I waited for her in my favourite coffee shop, Cadawaladers, in Cardiff Bay. Cadawaladers sits above the water, on a jetty, and is accessed via a small bridge. Carol hurried over the bridge and was wearing a red dress. She joined me at a table, located on the balcony, overlooking the water. We ordered coffee and some muffins. It was Graduation Day, in Cardiff, and a constant stream of chattering graduates walked past. We took our time to absorb the vibrant atmosphere before beginning the chat about Carol’s new book.
Jessie: Can you capture the essence of your new novel, Hampstead Fever, in a couple of sentences?
Instantly, she retrieved a copy of her novel from her large blue handbag.
Carol: Hampstead Fever is about six Londoners grappling with life’s problems in the sweltering summer of 2013. Emotions are already at boiling point when a mysterious actress arrives on the scene, upsetting those around her and forcing decisions they may later regret.
Jessie: It sound like another great read. Read me an extract that will tempt the reader.
Carol flicked through the book and winked as she restrained a mischievous grin.
Carol: “What are you going to do about this?” complained Geoff.
“Do about what?” said Daisy, even though it must have been blindingly obvious.
He threw the sheet back dramatically, hoping to amuse her. “This.”
Carol’s fun manner is infectious. It was clear that the women on the neighbouring table were straining to catch a glance of the new novel. Carol left the book peeking out of her blue bag, and it was impossible to miss the tempting front cover. One of the ladies searched for the book on her phone.
Mischief lit up Carol’s face again as she read out a review so that the ladies could hear.
Carol: I’ve had some great reviews for Hampstead Fever, but these three are my favourites so far:
“Wow! With its racy storylines, dovetailing plots, fascinating characters and a well-known but equally interesting setting, Hampstead Fever is one of those books you just can’t put down.”
“Fast-paced and sharply observed. I whipped through this in one sitting!”
“Cooper just makes these characters come alive. Why can’t all love stories be like this?”
Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished writing your book, and did you miss any of the characters?
Carol: My characters have become very special to me, even the less likeable ones, so I did miss them when I stopped writing. There are six main characters in Hampstead Fever, and I’d like to spend more time with some of them, so I’ll be taking them into another book to have new adventures.
Jessie: Who would you like to read your book and why? This could be another author, someone famous, a friend or a member of your family.
Carol: As I’m sure most authors say, it would just be nice if lots of people read and enjoyed my novel. Having said that, I’d quite like my English teacher from school to see it as I think she’d be proud of me (and hopefully not too shocked by the racier passages).
Jessie: Why should I keep your book in my handbag?
Carol: While Hampstead Fever has some important themes like parental anxiety, ageing relatives, and sick children, it’s also an easy and entertaining read with fairly short chapters. That makes it a good book to pick up while you’re waiting, or whenever you find you have a moment to read.
Jessie: What is the last sentence written in your writer’s notebook?
Carol: It’s for the novel I’m currently writing. The story is set in Egypt, where I grew up, and many scenes are from a child’s viewpoint.
‘Tante Zahra was famed throughout Alexandria for her burping, a habit she blamed on swallowing air with her meals. She wore a towelling turban to hide the fact that she was too old to have any hair left.’
Jessie: What is the biggest challenge for an author?
Carol: I think it’s making your work visible. You could write the most wonderful book ever, but nobody will buy it if they don’t know it exists. There are over two million new books published every year, nearly 200,000 of them in the UK. So, even with the backing of a big publisher, most authors have to work very hard (and need a bit of luck) to get their book noticed.
Jessie: What is the best advice that you have received as a writer?
The best advice I ever had is to keep my writing simple. When writers start out, they often use flowery words, and far more of them than they need. As Somerset Maugham put it, “The best style is the style you don’t notice.”
On opening this beautiful book, I arrived in the ‘early morning sunshine at Perugia’, with Anna. I sat back as she drove the Italian car and observed the way that the road ‘…cut its way through tobacco fields sprouting green shoots and [took] a mountain road joining Sansepolcro to Rimini.’ I admired the olive trees and waited as the ‘road climbed’. It was impossible not to see the ‘lake glistening’ and to imagine the people sheltering in this setting during World War Two.
On arrival at Rofelle, I found my way through the tangle of ivy, listened to the river rushing past the stones and opened the large wooden door to the mill. The paint was peeling, but the knocker of the lion’s head stood proud; as if to announce the courage of Davide, Ines and their parents. I opened the door to enter the past, with Anna, through the letters and diaries. It was wonderful to meet Anna’s mother, in the diaries, but painful to discover that her ‘heart began to shrivel a little each day…’ during her traumatic life.
I stopped at the mill ‘hidden in the folds of the Alps of the Moon, where the sun sets from the jewel red skies behind misted blue peaks.’ Anna’s mother once lived in a mill, and she explains ‘…the old building in ruins, crumbling into nothing seems to mirror what I am leaning of Mamma’s past.’ The Mill is ‘fragile’ and is a symbol of lost history and lost dreams that could be rekindled by the new generation. Sitting on the steps to read the letters and diaries, I sensed the ‘breeze that dances on the river’. Listening to the ‘sound of the river and distant sheep bells’, I could feel the loneliness of Ines. I am sure I heard the voices of the German soldiers who would have bathed there, and the whispers of the POWs and partisans hidden in the mountains.
I was completely spellbound by the characters and the clever structure of this novel. ‘Tuscan Roots’ is a beautifully written novel examining cultural differences, the impact of war and the risks that ordinary people will take. I was intrigued by the details of post war Britain, but wanted to stay in Italy. The contrast between the two settings and cultures reinforces Ines’ emotional landscape. The patchwork of history and the present are sewn together effortlessly with Angela’s distinctive prose. How much do we really understand about our grandparents and parents’ experiences? Such a poignant message is presented:
‘We should not bury our memories, even if they are painful, even if mistakes were made in those times, which causes us anguish…we must learn from them.’
I discovered Anna’s history, trusted her observations and understood her pain. I was very fond of the vulnerable, innocent Ines who demonstrated incredible bravery. The descriptions of the setting rooted me to the novel, and made me understand how it bound Ines to her homeland. I pondered the way that a landscape can remain untouched throughout the generations but people leave clues about the place’s history. The author examines how war changes circumstances and the simple things that we take for granted. I was in awe of the people who made sacrifices for others during the war, in Italy. The romance of the setting presents the reader with the hope of love. The romance in the novel is wonderful, natural and tender. Angela’s writing style is captivating.
The food prepared by the locals, in the Italian Apennines, transcends time and bridges the gap between the generations. I enjoyed ‘the stuffed zucchini flowers, little squares of crostini topped with spicy tomatoes, liver pate and a creamy relish made from dandelion flowers, roasted bay leaves topped with ovals of melted cheese.’ Food is prepared to celebrate feasts, to welcome people into the home, to celebrate family occasions and to woo.
This novel evokes the senses and leaves the reader firmly fixed in Tuscany. Not the tourist’s Italy, but rural, down to earth Italy – ‘this landscape feels lived in’, and the author breathes life into ‘the ghosts from the past’. The story of the POW and partisans provide another dimension to this story, and I was impressed with how this was skilfully woven into the story.
Read Tuscan Roots, and you will not want to leave the romantic beauty of ‘indigo blue mountains’, or the ruins of Il Mulino (The Mill). You will be impressed with the bravery of the Italian community during the war, and you will not want to leave the blossoming romance. I highly recommend this book!
‘If you enjoyed “Eat, Pray, Love-You will love this travel memoir!’
It’s exciting to be presenting the first Golden Chapter of 2019. I challenged the lovely Jena to find something uplifting and appropriate for the start of a new year and she didn’t disappoint. I know you will find this choice intriguing. The book is a wonderful ‘life-journey’ that teaches ‘first learn to love thyself’. ‘If you enjoyed “Eat, Pray, Love-You will love this travel memoir!’
I chose Brigid P. Gallagher’s book, Watching the Daisies– Life Lessons on the Importance of Slow from the Golden Handbag and now I’m “Feelin’ Groovy”. The opening Prologue and first chapter had me humming…
Slow down, you move too fast You have to make the morning last… Hello lamppost, what’cha knowing I’ve come to watch your flowers growin’
Brigid invites you to live life slow and ‘love thyself’
Singer/Songwriter Paul Simon and Author Brigid Gallagher have something in common- the importance of SLOW. I don’t know about Paul Simon, but as I read the beginning of Watching the Daisies, I learned that Brigid Gallagher wasn’t always slow.
The book begins in 2012, where we meet a vibrant and radiant Brigid, dancing at a Tom Jones concert. (The author helpfully points out that Sir Tom is a legendary singer and sex bomb.) If this is the secret to healthy living, I’m all in!
We learn that the author “senses rainbows around everything, for she has been blessed with the gift of clairvoyance or clear seeing.” The prologue ends with this insight, “No matter how difficult your journey has been, you will find blessings on every corner.” (Or Lampost according to Paul Simon!)
The next section of the book is titled “Busy as a Bee”. And the first chapter in this section is, “The Kippen Girls”. This book is a first-person memoir and Author Gallagher shares her origin story in this part of the book. She grew up in a cozy family in a small town in mid-twentieth century Scotland, although she and her family frequently visited their extended family in Ireland. Charming stories of daily life and holiday activities make for pleasant reading. The first chapter ends with a family sadness, and also personal questions for Brigid as she grows up and leaves home.
What comes next, I wondered. I glanced at some of the chapter headings:
Life Can Turn on a Sixpence Egypt Slowing Down India Rome
How exciting and inspiring! I choose this book from the Golden Handbag because I wanted to be encouraged and uplifted as I started this new year of 2019. My personal hashtag is #StayGolden and this book will help guide me!
At the end of the book are Ten Tips for Self-Healing. Here are a few:
Have faith in a Higher Power
Appreciate every day and its gifts
Learn to be gentle with yourself
Find a JOYFUL form of exercise
Jena C Henry
Start your new year with this positive and golden read. Let’s talk about this book. If you have read it- we’d love to hear your comments. If you haven’t read it, we can discuss these questions:
Brigid P. Gallagher aspired to becoming a doctor but God had other plans! She spent thirteen years in the life assurance industry, including Actuarial and Life Underwriting departments, before following her heart and training as a Natural Medicines therapist. Brigid trained in colour and crystal healing, aromatherapy, reflexology, nutritional medicine, flower essences, electro-crystal healing, radionics and E.F.T or Emotional Freedom Technique. She practised and taught Natural Medicines for 20 years, teaching at Stirling University’s Open Studies and Summer Schools from 1993 to 1999, setting up the Scottish School of Holistic Healing plus a therapy centre and shop in Stirling, Scotland. In 1999, she relocated to Donegal, Ireland the home of her ancestors. Four years later, she succumbed to a mystery illness which was eventually diagnosed as fibromyalgia and possible rheumatoid arthritis. Stopping the world for 2 years, forced Brigid to reassess her life, and thus she began retraining in Organic Horticulture. She taught this subject in schools part time until early 2016. Her garden was featured in the Donegal Garden Trail in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Brigid continues her lifelong passion for gardening, singing and writing in her new life of SLOW.
I have invited Diane Need to present an extract from ‘Press Three for Goodbye’. Her debut novel is a humorous exploration of second chances. Beth, the central character, has been compared to Shirley Valentine, but she doesn’t travel to Greece in search of answers.
Without further ado, I will hand over to Diane who has a message for her readers.
Beth is a gentle and caring heroine, but a lot of fun, too, with the scrapes she gets into. The story deals with some serious issues, but there’s also plenty of humour.
I’ve chosen the extract as I believe it gives an insight into Beth’s character and one of the scrapes Beth finds herself in.
It’s an easy, feel good and uplifting read, ideal for the airport, on holiday or sitting by the fire with a cuppa (or a glass of wine!)
Happy Reading!
Diane Need
Presenting the Extract
Paul scrutinised the paw prints and cleared his throat before continuing. ‘I’m –’ he blustered, looking to Emily as if for support. ‘Well, the thing is – we’re here about Rodney; we think he should come and live with us. I paid for him, after all – and it’s obvious you can’t cope with him.’
‘I don’t care who paid for him; Rodney stays here!’ Beth cried. ‘He loves being with me –’
‘Well, I think –’ Emily interrupted.
Beth’s head spun round like the girl possessed by the devil in the film The Exorcist. ‘What the hell’s it got to do with you? God knows why you’re even here!’
Right on cue, Rodney pawed at the door. Expecting him to demonstrate his love for her by jumping up, Beth pulled it open. He darted past her, something bright pink dangling from his mouth, and headed once more for the sheepskin rug.
Beth clapped a hand over her mouth. OMG – it was a pair of her old knickers – her “Bridget Jones’s”! To her total horror, Rodney held the material between his front paws and gleefully began tearing the gusset apart.
Paul and Emily stood aghast as she dived to retrieve her tatty pants.
Panting like a madwoman, she finally managed to wrestle them free from the dog’s jaws.
Paul shook his head and Emily gave a loud snort.
‘Why don’t the pair of you just piss off?’ Beth yelled. ‘And you’re not having the bloody dog – he stays with me. RIGHT?’
When Beth, fast approaching forty and a stay-at-home wife, decides to put some romance back into her flagging marriage, her plans are thwarted when her husband announces he’s leaving her for his intellectual equal. All he leaves Beth with is an order to vacate the family home and the wrath of her acid-tongued mother-in-law. Beth has no career, no money and no self-esteem.
Beth’s best friend Jackie manages to find her a job at a care home. The work is challenging, and, with a string of obstacles being dropped on her, one after another, her life descends into chaos.
There is a flicker of light on the horizon when handsome Ryan Morgan enters her life and offers to dog-sit her beloved dog, Rodney. But are Beth and Ryan meant to be together? And will they be able to pursue a relationship when she discovers more secrets about those she thought she knew so well?
What do the reviews say?
“Great read which grabs your attention straight away and moves on at good pace.”
“This has everything: love and heartache, humour and friendship, courage and compassion.”
“Diane’s debut novel is a reminder that we have the power to rebuild ourselves even when we feel as though we’ve hit rock bottom.”
More about Diane
Diane Need
I’m a trained Counsellor with a background in education and social care, and I believe my work and personal life has given me insight and understanding into how life issues can impact upon people.
It felt a bit surreal when I’d written “The End.” I couldn’t quite believe it! I missed all of the characters, especially Beth, Jackie and Paul – and Rodney the dog, of course!
The novel explores the adage: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I wanted Beth to work through the chaos and obstacles. I adored the lolloping dog, and enjoyed booing at the annoying characters. Grab a large glass of wine, and read this book during a weekend, to find out it Beth survives.
I had no idea what to expect from an anthology entitled ‘Paisley Shirt’. I drifted along with the words and became hooked. Enigma, shock and a wry smile accompanied me as I read these stories. Each evening, I sipped another story and savoured the unanswered questions. I searched beyond the words and entered the territory of the unsaid. As I travelled in the gaps between the words, I admired the meaning squeezed into the story. Even the child’s perspective temps the reader with the innocent gaps in the narration.
‘Stepping back as the glass shatters, his blood speckles the paintwork.’
Some stories are presented as vivid a flash of emotion whispered in black and white tones while other stories are sounded in blast of colour. Aldwin explores: love, domestic violence, families, political asylum, memories, loneliness, divorce, other cultures and more. She is not afraid to challenge her reader and is skilled at presenting economical use of dialogue. This compressed narrative form showcases Aldwin’s poetic style. To unravel each story would spoil the surprise for future readers.
‘The gift is an entry into his world.’
Tension spins in the narratives like a storm waiting for the finale, but the reader often must imagine the conclusion. Aldwin writes,
‘And there was something tuneful about Australia. Sitting on the veranda at night, listening to the rhythm of the cicadas or hearing the wind ripple through the gumtree that build to a crescendo when the storm came.’
Here in ‘Blue Skies’, Aldwin captures the way I felt when reading the flash fiction. Even the titles of the story add to the compressed meaning of the narrative form. Indeed, one must have blue sky thinking to appreciate flash fiction and look into the characters’ world.
Indeed, one must have blue sky thinking to appreciate flash fiction and look into the characters’ world.
As a tribute to Gail’s writing, I have presented words that left images on my mind. Images presented throughout the post are a snapshot of emotions that flashed in my mind long after reading. The poetic quality of this writing conjures powerful images, and I hope they will tempt you to read on.
The stories have also inspired me to experiment with this genre and have enjoyed reading the language into shape. Indeed, Gail explained:
‘I write every day and love to see my stories change direction and become more textured through redrafting and editing.’
“‘If she lives it will be thanks to God’, said the doctor, ‘If she dies, she will not be alone.’”
About the Anthology
‘Paisley Shirt‘ is a fascinating collection of 27 stories that reveal the extraordinary nature of people and places. Through a variety of characters and voices, these stories lay bare the human experience and what it is like to live in our world.
Gail Aldwin
About the Author:
Gail Aldwin is a prize-winning writer of flash fiction, short stories, and poetry. Her work can be found online at Ink, Sweat & Tears and Slamchop and in print anthologies including What I Remember (EVB Press, 2015) Dorset Voices (Roving Press, 2012) and The Last Word (Unbound Press, 2012). Gail works collaboratively with other women writers to develop comedy for the screen and stage. With the Dorset Writers’ Network, Gail supports isolated writers in rural communities. She is an experienced teacher who delivers workshops to young people and adults in community settings.
I sat outside of the café enjoying the winter sun, as I waited for author, Shelley Wilson to arrive. Thankfully, I had decided to wear my walking jacket and hiking boots and purple ski hat to ward off the chill. The blue sky breathed glorious colour into the sea, and the sun brushed my face. Mesmerised by the magical light bathing the scene, I contemplated what I would drink to warm me up. Finally, the fresh icy temperature drove me inside the café to wait for Shelley’s arrival.
Shelley celebrating a publishing deal.
Having travelled from the Midlands, by car, Shelley arrived bright and early and full of enthusiasm; her positivity shone from the moment she arrived. Wearing black knee-high Timberland boots with black leggings and a Harry Potter slogan t-shirt. Shelley delighted in the location of my Bloggers’ Café. I ordered an Americano and pain au chocolat, Shelley ordered a skinny latte and a croissant.
Shelley has recently gained a publishing contract from BHC Press and has written shelves full of books. Beside writing young adult fiction, she is also a motivational blogger. I was excited to meet with an author who has pursued a successful writing career through the indie route. Intrigued, I asked Shelley to tell me more about her novel Oath Breaker.
Where is the werewolf assassin?
Shelley: What would happen if little red riding hood was a werewolf assassin?
Mia is torn between training to hunt wolves and becoming one of the pack.
Jessie: Ah, so you have challenged the fairy-tale. It sounds fascinating and scary. How has the novel been received?
Shelly removed her gloves to retrieve pre-printed page of reviews from her large brown bag trimmed with a beige piping.
Shelley: I have been so excited with the overwhelming responses.
Shelley Wilson’s best book by far…a fast-paced, excellently written young adult novel. – Barb Taub.
The reader will enjoy the build-up of tension and suspense, the riveting and likeable characters, the surprising plot twists, and spine-tingling secrets to be found behind the locked doors of Hood Academy. Paranormal YA fans will not want to miss this one — it is a true delight! – InD’Tale Magazine.
Shelley Wilson Oath Breaker
Oath Breaker is gritty, fast-paced, and addictive, and the need for answers drove me alongside Mia until the whole truth was discovered. – The San Francisco Book Review.
Jessie: Wow! Brilliant accolades. Please, give me a tempting couple of words from the novel
Shelley: How could I tell him that my dad was the one who tried to kill me and that a wolf had jumped through the window and ripped out his throat? Who would believe me?
Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished writing Oath Breaker, and did you miss any of the characters?
Shelley: I was filled with a sense of satisfaction when I’d finished writing Oath Breaker as my protagonist, Mia, had come such a long way. From the broken young girl at the start of the book, she had evolved into a strong and independent young woman. I guess I did miss having her around. Perhaps that’s what spurred me on to write the sequel!
Jessie: Who would you like to read your book and why? This could be another author, someone famous, a friend or a member of your family.
Shelley: Ooh, what a fabulous question *ponders this for way too long.* I’ve been a fan of young adult (YA) books for many years, but before discovering the delights of Maggie Stiefvater, Sarah J Maas and Jana Oliver I was an avid follower of the TV Shows and script writers that shaped this genre. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a firm favourite of mine so I’d love it if Joss Whedon read my book and then called me to say ‘Hey Shell, loved Oath Breaker and think we should make an epic TV series based on your characters!’ – It could happen!!
Jessie: Why should I keep your book in my handbag?
I listened for the werewolves when the moon shone bright.
Shelley: The full moon rises every month and we all know that any werewolf worth his salt will be shifting and howling well into the night. Think of Oath Breaker as your go-to guide for dealing with these hairy neighbours. If the top tips laid out by the hunters’ doesn’t sit right with your ‘all animal are cute’ vibe then at least you’ll have something to read when the wailing keeps you up until the early hours!
Jessie: What is the last sentence written in your writer’s notebook?
‘To every pack, a cub is born. Unleash the hunter to protect and serve.’
Jessie: It sounds as if you are planning another novel, but I won’t pry. What is the biggest challenge for an author?
Shelley: For me, I would say that marketing, and encouraging readers to leave a review are the most challenging aspects of being an author. Writing and editing the book is the easy bit!
I love social media and I’m fortunate that my YA Facebook followers are great at engaging with me online. The writing and blogging community on Twitter is also hugely supportive. Fellow authors know the importance of reviews, sharing special offers, and cross promotion but getting the reading public to do the same is much harder. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one size fits all remedy so having, and maintaining, an author platform on social media and through a blog are vital tools which can eat into valuable writing time.
Jessie: What is the best advice that you have received as a writer?
I’m not sure this piece of advice is purely for writers’ as I tend to use it in all areas of my life – ‘fake it until you make it.’
I’ve never declared myself as an aspiring author, instead I’ll shout from the rooftops that I am a writer. My writing career started on the self-publishing stage and I was proud to be an independent author. Thanks to my ‘faked confidence’ many of my fellow traditionally published author friends were surprised when they found out I was self-published. I was proud when they complimented me on how I handle myself and my author platform.
All that fake it until you make it paid off as I recently signed a ten-book publishing deal with American publisher BHC Press and sold the audio rights for two of my non-fiction titles to WF Howes.
Shelley waiting for Harry Potter
About Shelley:
Shelley Wilson divides her writing time between the fantasy worlds of her young adult fiction, and her motivational non-fiction for adults.
She is an obsessive list maker, who loves pizza, vampires, and mythology, and can be quite excitable around a castle ruin.
Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire but raised in Solihull, West Midlands, Shelley lives with her three teenagers, one eleven-year-old fat goldfish and a black cat called Luna.
It was a pleasure to meet a fellow Leeds lass! I met with Shelley the day of the Super Blood Moon, and our conversation did pique my imagination. I confess that I listened for the werewolves when the moon shone bright in the night sky. I am intrigued by the way Shelley manipulates fairy tales and applies mythology to her novels. There are many layers to her novels and she presents a very contemporary, motivational message in her novels. She is lively, fun and energetic – all the qualities required for a successful writer. Her self-belief and ‘fake it till you make it’ philosophy is great advice. Oath Breaker has received wonderful accolades and she should expect that phone call very soon…
Time travelling with Anna Belfrage and the golden handbag
This week Jena is time travelling with her golden handbag, so she delved into the wonderful world of Anna Belfrage’s novels. She selected two novels from The Wanderer Book series and let Anna take her back in time with her characters. If you are in the US you’ll be time ‘traveling’ but here in the UK we’re time ‘travelling’. Have a great time wherever you are.
Time travelling with Anna Belfrage and the golden handbag
If you love to read, then author Anna Belfrage is the writer for you. She has crafted many wonderful-looking and enticing books. There are nine books in her The Graham Saga series, all Time Travel Romances. Then there’s The King’s Greatest Enemy series, four Medieval Romances. Or how about The Wanderer Book series, two so far, again more exciting Time Travel. Her storied have also appeared in several historical anthologies. The focus on historical times and time travel is not surprising as according to Anna’s bio, “Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a professional time-traveler.”
Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a professional time-traveler.
I found the Two Books in The Wanderer Series in the historical area of Jessie Cahalin’s Handbag Gallery. I’ve always been intrigued by time travel, and history gets me excited too, so I knew I had found my latest Golden Chapter reads.
What are The Wanderer Books about? Here’s part of the book blurb from the first book.
“In the long-lost ancient past, two men fought over the girl with eyes like the Bosporus under a summer sky. It ended badly. She died. They died.
Since then, they have all tumbled through time, reborn over and over again. Now they are all here, in the same place, the same time and what began so long ago must finally come to an end.”
Ask the heroine Helle Madsen what she thinks about reincarnation and she’ll laugh in your face.
Well, I don’t want to be laughed at, but I was curious about reincarnation and time travel, so I found this helpful list online.
Past Lives: 11 Signs Your Soul Has Reincarnated Many Times
Recurring Dreams
Out-of-Place Memories
Deja-vu
You’re an empath
You Have Strong Intuition
Precognition
Recognition
You Feel Older Than Your Age Reflects
You have a great Affinity for Certain Cultures or Time Periods
Unexplainable Fears or Phobias
You Feel as though this Earth is not Your Home
While we ponder the list, let’s get started on the Golden Chapter reviews. Yes, I decided to review the first Golden Chapter of each of the two books in the series, because I was so intrigued by the idea of reincarnation and time-travel.
Jena C. Henry
The first book in The Wanderer Series is A Torch in His Heart. And the first chapter starts dramatically.
“His eyes snapped open! She was here!
Jason- His lost woman…so many centuries ago….so many lives in between
And in a bed, in a room several streets away, a young woman twisted in her sleep.”Let’s meet the three souls that have tumbled through time and been born and reborn. Helle Madsen is a young American woman, in London for a new exciting financial internship. She’s smart, beautiful and sophisticated but her girlfriend thinks Helle prefers to date milksops.
Helle’s boss is Sam Woolf, a man who radiates power. We learn that he has ancient Turkish blood. He has black, black eyes that bore into people. Such as when he tells Helle, “For a moment, you reminded me of some I used to know- a long, long time ago.” Definitely not a milksop. Helle’s not sure if Sam is “hot” but she thinks he’s definitely predatory and handsome. When she’s with him, she feels like she’s being pulled into a dark vortex.
And then there’s Jason…
At the end of the first Golden Chapter, we leave the present day and get a glimpse of the ancient past. Jason is meeting a King and a young girl with hair the color of the sun. A small girl who walks into his heart.
What an exciting book and series this promises to be! Time travel, reincarnation, souls seeking each other over and over. Plenty of action and romance will enhance the unique story-line, I’m sure!!
Are you ready for a peak at the second book in the series?
At the start of this Golden Chapter, we are immediately thrown into a crisis.
The successful young career woman, Helle Madsen, is dirty, and covered in blood. Jason, Sam and Helle are in the present day and have been involved in a situation with a car fire, and a shooting. Helle has attacked Sam. Jason has used his special gifts. The police don’t know what they are investigating. And they certainly don’t know that it involves 3,000 years of history.
As Helle keeps watch over Jason in the hospital, she longs for him, her eternal torch-bearer.
She wonders-“ was it the Fates, those fickle spinners of destiny, who had decided it would be good to throw all three of them together again?”
Yes, Jason and Helle are reunited, but Sam Woolf, erstwhile Prince of Kolchis, is a hard man to kill.
Plenty of adventure and thrills in this Golden Chapter, too!
Thanks to Jessie Cahalin and author Anna Belfrage for introducing me to this adventurous Time Travel series! I hope you visit the Handbag Gallery to learn more about Anna Belfrage’s books and all the other titles there. Have you read this book series, or any of the other books by Ms. Belfrage? I’d love to talk about them with you in the comments. Here’s some questions I’d like to chat about and feel free to leave your own thoughts, too!
Are you a reincarnated soul?
Would you love to be a time-traveler?
What do you think about the heroine, Helle? There she is, an up and coming financial wizard…and then she learns about her past lives!
During lockdown, I missed coffee shops and the luxury of eavesdropping on conversations as I searched for characters. Fortunately, I discovered the OK Boomer podcast. I now listen to Jean and Laura chat about US life while I sip my coffee in Wales. Perfect! I learn so much about Millennials and the US way of life, but I enjoy the connections between our cultures. Anyway, these blogs cheer me up, so I wanted to share them with you. I invited Jean and Laura to tell us more about their podcast.
Jean: Jessie, thank you so much for inviting The Real Jean and Laura to your lovely blog. And thank you for listening to our podcast, OK Boomer. We want everyone to be happily OK. My little sister wanted to start a podcast and we developed OK Boomer. ‘OK Boomer” has become a dismissive act of ignoring a comment a Boomer says. Instead of feeling upset or put off by eye rolls, we are here to gently remind Millennials and Boomers we are all OK! Let’s laugh and lean in together. So here we are! Let’s get to know each other.
Meet Jean
Meet Jean, a writer, blogger, book reviewer, bon vivant and encourager
I have lived my entire life in Tropical Ohio. My goal is to make friends with everyone in the world. I enjoyed careers in Speech Therapy and Law, but my favorite job titles are Wife and Mom. I also answer to “Can You Help me find My…”
I am currently a writer, blogger, book reviewer, bon vivant and encourager. I wrote a fiction series, The Golden Age of Charli that showcases the problems and praises of family life and retirement, mixed with a few surprises. As writers say, I am a work in progress.
I am now in the penultimate stage of my life and I’m exploring the world of retirement. My husband and I are still searching for those matching soaker tubs.
Meet Laura
Meet Laura. ‘I have no intentions of retiring or slowing down ever. Our motto is retire and do what?’
I don’t always feel the Tropical but have also lived my entire life in Grey Skies, nothing but Grey Skies Ohio (thankfully grey is a popular color these days). I do truly love my Beautiful Ohio which does have sunny days and can’t imagine moving, mostly because I have too much clutter to ever sell my house.
My various jobs have included human resources, substitute teacher, website/app creator for Wear This One and realtor, but my life and loves always revolve around my faith, family, now five children, friends, neighbors and a very patient husband. This world indeed is very good.
Life is short and why not try various hobbies and careers while I can still move and function, somewhat! I never learned a good golf swing, can’t hit a tennis ball, crafts are nonexistent and not a big reader, but alas I can talk, travel and eat!
I have no intentions of retiring or slowing down ever. Our motto is retire and do what? My goals are to keep moving, set foot in all fifty states, learn to bake a perfect coconut cake and find humor along the way.
Jessie: I think the OK Boomer sisters are funny, hopeful and positive. I love the jolly title sequence music at and the way you introduce yourselves. Tell the readers what you chat about
I think the OK Boomer sisters are funny, hopeful and positive.
Jean: Great, thanks. Here’s the start of one of our podcasts- to give you an idea!
Hello Hello! I’m Jean…
And I’m Laura and we are here to encourage all you Boomers, Millennials and everyone in between to be happily OK together!
Hi Jean, How are you?
I’m feeling ok, but right away I have to start off with a question for you. Ready? We had a great reason for naming our podcast OK Boomer. What was it exactly? Do you remember?
Well, luckily I’m on my fourth cup of coffee. Oh Jean that seems so long ago. I think it was our kids were using the expression “OK Boomer” and we thought they were just being nice, fun and positive, like “Hey Ok you are a Boomer!” So we thought that would be a fun name for our podcast.
Like a pat on the back! Ok Boomer! Wham!
Yes, a positive affirmation. I’m Ok. You’re Ok!
But we decided to look up “Ok Boomer” on the Google machine and we were a little horrified to realize it was actually a derisive term. Like it’s “an eye-rolling, silly old person, you know nothing” comment.
(Jean says “OK Boomer” in a contemptuous way.)
It’s all in the expression and the eye-rolling.
But, that is not what we mean- our way is to be positive and encouraging.
Yes we want to be happily ok together, with ourselves and with our Millennials.
So we should get the Nobel Prize?
I never thought of that! Maybe we could. For bringing Millennials and Boomers together!
Drop in and listen to a podcast here:
Episode 15: Willy Nilly we’re still OK, and Boomer be Careful of what you Say!
We’d love for you to listen to us. Keep the comments coming! You can find our podcast episodes at OKBoomerPod.com or on any of your favorite podcast apps. We are also on
Twitter and Instagram at @OK_BoomerPod
Jessie – your readers might also like Episode 14: Awful Waffles and Playful Porcupines. We discuss our American view of British cream teas.
‘Alex made the images look like big cartwheels bursting with droplets of fresh juice’
Determined to confuse my senses, Susan Willis has sent me her take on a foodie extract. The fruit is alive with colour but isn’t as delicious as it seems. Let Susan tempt you another cheeky extract from The Girl in the Dark. Find out if all is well and whether the kitchen is too hot.
‘Kim sliced large Jaffa oranges and bright, full Sicilian lemons’
Kim sliced large Jaffa oranges and bright, full Sicilian lemons while Alex made the images look like big cartwheels bursting with droplets of fresh juice. He’s such a clever guy, she thought.
She began to peel a kiwi fruit while Alex watched. He grinned at her. ‘I haven’t had this much fun for ages,’ he teased. ‘What do you think about this, Kim?’
‘Hmm, not a shade of lipstick I’ve ever used before, but, I suppose there’s always a first time for everything?’
Kim giggled. ‘Hmm, not a shade of lipstick I’ve ever used before, but, I suppose there’s always a first time for everything?’
Alex stared into at her mouth. ‘Maybe not, but you do have those big kissable lips!’
She felt her cheeks flush and touched her bottom lip. It feels as though I’m in some type of trance, she thought, and knew for certain that she was falling for this guy in a big way.
‘Let’s see what this pineapple looks like when sliced?’
Kim shook herself. ‘Let’s see what this pineapple looks like when sliced?’
Alex danced a little jig from one of his big loafers to another. ‘God, I love it when a plan comes together.’
Kim laughed at the sight of his huge feet skipping lightly.
Alex placed three apples together, but Kim frowned knowing the image didn’t look original compared to the rest of the work.
Touching his arm, she suggested, ‘How about if we make long rows of the apples?’
‘But maybe the first one could be cut in half to show the white crispness inside, or, I could always take a bite out of one of them?’
He nodded as she placed the fruit. ‘Fab.’ he said. ‘But maybe the first one could be cut in half to show the white crispness inside, or, I could always take a bite out of one of them?’
‘What a marvellous team we are,’ Kim cried.
Alex agreed and came up close to her. He bent down to her ear. ‘Not just a pretty face, then,’ he whispered. ‘But more of a very clever lady, methinks.’
‘Oh, I think any stylist can come up with new ideas,’ she said gently shaking her head.
Alex smiled. ‘Aah, but you’re my food stylist and nobody else comes close.’
End of Extract
The Girl in the Dark
About the Novel
The Girl in the Dark is the latest Grip Lit novel from Susan Willis. A thrilling romantic suspense story that will keep you turning pages long into the night.
When Kim goes to old friend, Sidney’s, photography studio to start a new food styling contract she meets his new assistant, Alex. Kim is catapulted from her mournful existence into an explosive romantic relationship with Alex. Sidney, however, is wary. He thinks, there’s something not quite right about Alex, and urges caution.
Will Kim look back and wish she’d listened…
Susan Willis
Susan Willis is a published author of three novels, and five novellas’. She lives in the North East of England surrounded by family and friends. Following publication of a love story about a chef and her boyfriend, she wrote more foodie-based love stories and wove them into her first novel, ‘Yes Chef, No Chef’.
Now Susan has ventured into romantic suspense with her latest novel, The Girl In The Dark.
Set in her home town of Durham City, this storyline is not a who done it thriller, but, a psychological page-turner which she loved writing. We can only hope the heroine hasn’t put her trust in the wrong man?
Best of luck to Susan with this novel.
The heat is certainly on with this great summer read set in a photography studio in Durham. Kim is styling fruit for the new photographer, Alex, but it’s not only the July sunshine that is making her sizzle with anticipation.
A beautiful, moving letter arrived in my mailbox. Angela Petch sent me a letter she had penned to her late friend, Olga. Inspired by her friendship with Olga, she has composed a glorious seaside adventure about two heart-warming, hilarious characters called Mavis and Dot. Mavis and Dot will be released on 14th November. Proceeds from sales of the fun novella will be donated to a cancer charity. It is my privilege to share Angela’s moving letter with you.
Dear Olga,
Instead of thinking too much about what I’m going to write to you, I’ll just dive in. Otherwise I’ll get maudlin and I only want to remember you with smiles.
When you stayed with us in Italy and you were already ill, in about five minutes you painted a water colour of tomatoes we were about to eat for lunch. It still hangs in Il Mulino.
Call me silly, but each Christmas I still pull out your beautiful home-made cards. When you stayed with us in Italy and you were already ill, in about five minutes you painted a water colour of tomatoes we were about to eat for lunch. It still hangs in Il Mulino.
You were talented. I laughed my head off when you were kind at my attempts – remember the day you held an art class and I tried to sketch your free-range chickens? They wouldn’t keep still, and I scribbled them out. Everybody thought I’d produced abstract art, when it was my temper. I can’t draw, but I write. And when I sent you my first Mavis and Dot story, you sent me an illustration. It’s in the front of Mavis and Dot, dedicated to you. (I’ve added Wendy Whiting’s name. She died of cancer a couple of months ago. You would have liked her – she was a painter too.)
Olga and Angela all dressed up: a special friendship.
We were Mavis and Dot when we went on our charity shop hunts – struggling up high streets with our goodies in various towns around Suffolk where we both lived, hamming it up. Our children were young, and it was an escape for us to have these days out. I hope you like the adventures I’ve given our two personae. In the novella, you do your art, but as a life model; we find a hideous bargain or two… do you remember that sketch we did together at your summer party, when we dressed up as Mavis and Dot, entering stage with our winter overcoats and shopping trolleys? And ending up doing a strip tease. We were dressed in huge plastic bags of a particular bargain store we used to haunt. Whenever I hear Shirley Bassey’s “Big Spender”, I smile at the memory.
And when I sent you my first Mavis and Dot story, you sent me an illustration. It’s in the front of Mavis and Dot, dedicated to you
We both loved days at the seaside. Once, with daughters in tow, we embarrassed them by stripping to our undies and jumping in to the waves; their shocked cries of “Mummm” encouraged us further.
Anyway, that’s all for now. I’ll finish with a poem I wrote at a party held in your honour not long after you left us. Big hugs and I hope you enjoy Mavis and Dot.
And we were there.
September sun warmed stubbled, Suffolk fields The sky leant down and kissed the earth with warmth; Woodsmoke spiralled up with laughs and squeals and times remembered. Everyone shared, linked memories of A girl who was there.
Not there to sit inside the tepees That cocooned the lovers, friends and young; Not there to dance upon the beer-stamped floor, To music coaxed from eager, nervous hands.
She may have slipped in quietly To welcome us with summer’s long-lost rays Or been the breeze that fanned the brazier’s picture flames And gently shook her father’s tree…
But she was there In stories of her kindness and her gifts; And she was there In daughters’ eyes or silhouette or turn of phrase. In ideas whispered to the man she loves, Who magicked them to being. And she was there because she always is And always shall be. How could she not?
And we were there.
Call me silly, but each Christmas I still pull out your beautiful home-made cards.
The wonderful friendship is conveyed in Angela’s magical words. Angela is a wonderful lady and her words brighten my day: her sensitivity and humour are amazing. She has a very special place in my heart, because I blogged my very first review about one of Angela’s novels. Since reading Now and Then in Tuscany, Angela has become one of my favourite authors. I would not have discovered Angela without my own accidental blogging adventures. I can’t wait to share my review of Mavis and Dot very soon.
Since getting to know Angela, I have followed her writing journey. She has published numerous stories in People’s Friend and is about to embark on her second publishing deal.
A warm slice of life, funny, feel-good, yet poignant. Introducing two eccentric ladies who form an unlikely friendship. Meet Mavis and Dot – two colourful, retired ladies who live in Worthington-on-Sea, where there are charity shops galore. Apart from bargain hunting, they manage to tangle themselves in escapades involving illegal immigrants, night clubs, nude modelling, errant toupees and more. And then there’s Mal, the lovable dog who nobody else wants. A gently humorous, often side-splitting, heart-warming snapshot of two memorable characters with past secrets and passions. Escape for a couple of hours into this snapshot of a faded, British seaside town. You’ll laugh and cry but probably laugh more.”This book is quirky and individual, and has great pathos…[it] will resonate with a lot of readers.” Gill Kaye – Editor of Ingenu(e). Written with a light touch in memory of a dear friend who passed away from ovarian cancer, Angela Petch’s seaside tale is a departure from her successful Tuscan novels. All profits from the sale of the books will go towards research into the cure for cancer.
“…Clever, touching and powerful writing… Embark on a series of adventures with Mavis and Dot but prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions.” Books in my Handbag.
More from Angela
I live in the beautiful Italian Apennines for several months each year. Such an inspiring location.
My love affair with Italy was born at the age of seven when I moved with my family to Rome where we lived for six years. My father worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and he made sure we learned Italian and visited many places during that time.
Later on I studied Italian at the University of Kent at Canterbury and afterwards worked in Sicily, where I met my husband. His Italian mother and British father met in Urbino in 1944 and married after a war-time romance.
I wanted to write “Tuscan Roots” not only for my amazing mother-in-law, Giuseppina, but also to make people aware of the courage and hospitality shown by families of our Italian neighbours in our corner of war-torn Tuscany.
This is my first novel and is a story about ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times. (Please note it is a revised version of “Never Forget”). I have just been signed by BOOKOUTURE for a two-book deal and one of these will be a slight re-write of “Tuscan Roots”. I am so proud to be a part of this publishing “family”, as they describe themselves.
A sequel to this book was published at the end of April 2017. “Now and then in Tuscany” features the same family that appeared in “Tuscan Roots”. The background is the transhumance, a practice that started in Etruscan times and continued right up until the 1950’s.
My research for both these novels has been greatly helped by my kind Italian, country friends, who have vivid memories of both the Second World War and the harsh times they endured in their childhoods.
Italy is a passion but my stories are not always set there. My next book is about two fun-loving ladies of “a certain age” who live by the seaside in Sussex and get up to all kinds of adventures. Watch out for Mavis and Dot! They will be launched on December 1st 2018 at St Paul’s Centre, Worthing, West Sussex.
This clever novel may force you onto the psychiatrist’s couch to analyse your own life as well as searching for answers to the characters’ questions. For instance, Jenna asks:
‘Do you think that we all start out good and learn to be bad or are we just inherently good and others bad?’
‘Practicing Normal’ explores how the emotional landscape of our families influence who we are. Achterberg presents a skilful construction of modern family life that the reader can ponder and deconstruct: these are real people, with real issues, there is no ‘phoney’ nonsense because you get right inside of their minds.
The changing dynamic of Kate and Everett’s love is contrasted with the self-absorbing excitement of teenage love. Achterberg intelligently observes how our relationship with our parents and other experiences shape the capacity to love and the need to be loved. She explores the impact of children and other demands on a relationship. Achterberg’s style of writing is intelligent and measured, as she provides the reader with the knowledge of the issues that torment the characters. Kate explains that ‘It wasn’t until the kids came along that loving him felt like an effort.’ Everett tells Kate that she ‘completes him’ yet admits that he is addicted to sex with other women. The different perspectives from the characters are skilfully juxtaposed so that you gain a balanced perspective on events: Achterberg teaches her reader to empathise with all characters.
Kate moves from one crisis to another but believes that ‘crisis is better than real life’. Sadly, she is a prisoner to routine and everyone else’s emotional needs: She is a very astute observer of her family members but doesn’t confront them. The reader knows why she isn’t happy and wants to shout at her to take action. We gain insight into Kate from her daughter, Jenna. Although Jenna is a disaffected teenager ‘pelting everyone with her anger’, she is the most insightful. Indeed, her father, Everett, is not as mature as his daughter. He says, ‘I don’t buy the Asperger’s shit’ even though his son has been diagnosed with this condition. Jenna observes that her father is angry because ‘his kids are not living up to his expectations’ of ‘normal’, and she luxuriates in wearing a mask of rebellion. As a reader one despises Everett’s lack of empathy as much as one adores the boundless empathy of Jenna and her mother.
Everett doesn’t celebrate the amazing qualities of his own son who is ‘clever’, ‘funny’ and ‘awesome’. In contrast, Jenna and Kate are great at helping JT to be himself but they both struggle to celebrate their own qualities. Through Kate and Jenna, we learn about the challenges and rewards of supporting a child with Asperger’s. JT is the happiest character, living in his own world without the burden of worrying about others; ironically Everett is living in his own world, without a concern for others, but it isn’t making him happy. Is there a similarity between the emotional literacy of father and son that help them in the end? Maybe Everett needs to learn that, that ‘Love isn’t romance. It’s a grind. It’s being there every day, even when you don’t want to be.’
The characters in this novel are not static. You will have to read the novel to see if the characters settle themselves like ‘the sun settles itself in the sky’ at the end of the day. Be warned that this isn’t a cosy romance novel and it will challenge you.
I suggest that you bury yourself in the novel and let Achterberg teach you why, ‘the perfect house with the perfect family’ is only ever a veneer because everyone has issues and emotional baggage to handle.
Judith Barrow, originally from Saddleworth, near Oldham, and on the wrong side of the Pennines but still in Yorkshire
Judith waited for me in a department store while I waited for her in Cardiff Library. Would the meeting take place? Neither of us had thought to share our phone numbers prior to the meeting.
Judith emerged from the lift, in Cardiff Library, wearing a silk purple top that was co-ordinated with her fabulous lilac hair. I warmed to her instantly! Her beaming smile lit up her face and I knew she’d make me laugh. She travelled from Pembrokeshire to take part in a panel on agents, traditional and Indie publishing and agents at the Crime Cymru event, and her huge canvas bag bulged with goodies for the day ahead. I was lucky to grab some time with her.
We almost didn’t meet at Cardiff Library
Judith: At last, I thought you’d got lost in your handbag. I waited in the department store and realised I had no contact details. After I finished my mint tea, I asked three strange women if they were Jessie. They thought I was mad.
Judith’s Yorkshire accent and mischievous blue eyes instantly made me giggle. Great to meet someone who spoke the same lingo.
Jessie: I’m so sorry but I thought you’ be able to read my mind. Couldn’t you hear me calling you in my dulcet tones across the streets of Cardiff? Don’t ask me why I didn’t send you my mobile number and confirm the meeting. I also approached a couple of potential Judiths but the real Judith is much better. So pleased, I found a representative of Honno Press and she had your number.
We laughed and grabbed some coffee from a coffee station in Cardiff Library. The staff set up a couple of chairs for us to conduct the chat. Having spilt the coffee all over my hand, we settled down to chat about Judith.
Jessie: Judith, tell me what a Yorkshire lass is doing in Pembrokeshire.
Judith: We went on holiday to Pembrokeshire, loved it and never returned to Saddleworth. We bought a half-built house and renovated it.
Jessie: Do you miss Yorkshire?
Judith Barrow – Secrets
Judith: Pembrokeshire was a great place for our kids to grow up. I miss Yorkshire stone, craggy landscape and the meandering moors. I love our house, in Pembrokeshire, but I always expected I’d live in a stone cottage in my old age. As you can hear, even after forty years in Wales my accent hasn’t changed – I’m still a Yorkshire lass. People say they can hear my voice in their heads when they read my books. Lucky them!
Jessie: Obviously, people love your voice as you have written eight books. How did the writing start?
Judith: Well, I hope they do. As for the writing, I’d written since I was a child but never done anything much about it. Then I went to night school with my daughter. I finished A Level English and went on to gain a degree through the Open University. Whilst studying for the degree, I had breast cancer, and this made me see life differently. I decided to follow my dream to become a writer. Initially, I had an agent but she wanted me to write as an author of Mills and Boon so I parted company with her.
A place that inspired the setting of Judith’s novels
Jessie: That’s ridiculous; your books are not of that genre. The books are historical fiction with engaging stories of the Howarth family. The books have complex plots and characters.
Judith: I write people driven, gritty dramas and wasn’t prepared to adapt my writing. Eventually, I got a contract with Honno Press – an independent publisher in Wales- and found their approach personal and supportive. My first book ‘Pattern of Shadows’
Jessie: What’s Pattern of Shadows about?
Judith: It’s the story of a nursing sister, Mary Howarth, and her family, during World War Two and is set around a POW camp located in a disused cotton mill in a Lancashire town. When I was a child my mother was a winder in a cotton mill and I would go there to wait for her to finish work; I remember the smell of the grease and cotton, the sound of the loud machinery and the colours of the threads and bales of material. Pattern of Shadows was meant to be a standalone book, but the characters wanted me to carry on with their lives. Eventually, it developed into a family saga trilogy. My recent book, the prequel, is A Hundred Tiny Threads. The two main characters, Winifred and Bill, are the parents of the protagonist in the trilogy, Mary Howarth. They wanted me to explain their, how they had become what they are in the trilogy. I was happy to; I think, as we get older, we are made by our life experiences.
Hundred Tiny Threads. The two main characters, Winifred and Bill, are the parents of the protagonist in the trilogy, Mary Howarth
Jessie: I’m reading One Hundred Tiny Threads. I’m about a third of the way through. It’s a great read. The opening is engrossing with Winifred waking up to another day in the shop. The characters are so real, and I love getting inside their heads. I’m shouting at them all the time. The way you thread the characters’ attitudes towards women is brilliant. I’m fascinated by the Suffragettes in Leeds. For some reason, I always imagined the movement to be concentrated in London.
Judith: Researching the Suffragettes opened up my eyes. I wanted to tell their story through the voices of the characters and show how women, in the society at that time, were ready for the change. Stories draw people into to the political background of the era, and life was certainly a challenge then. People say my books are dark. Have you got to the gory bits?
Jessie: Well, there has been a murder.
Judith: No, I’m thinking of scene after that – you wait. Bill’s a bastard but it’s his background. I don’t know why Winifred married him.
Jessie: Oh no, what was Winifred thinking of? I’m furious with her, as I haven’t read the terrible news yet. I’m intrigued as to why she didn’t marry the love of her life and scared for her.
Judith: oh ‘eck, hope I haven’t I haven’t spoiled it for you, Jessie. But, you must understand Bill had a terrible life as a child with his father. And then he was a soldier in the horrendous First World Wars. He was also one of the Black and Tans when he returned from the Front. He’s a bastard but didn’t have it easy. As I said, our lives shape us.
Jessie: I agree and people interest me too.
Judith: Yes, well your novel, You Can’t Go It Alone, is also character driven and could become a family saga. I can see it now. I want to know more about Luke and Rosa and their parents.
Jessie: I plan to do that, and you have inspired me to complete historical research. I would have to look carefully into the eras the generations were born into. Thanks for your advice.
Judith: No problem, I teach creative writing in Pembrokeshire, so I just can’t help myself (some would say it’s interfering!!). Writing is like looking at the world through the eyes of a child and I love it. I watch folk walk past my window, at home. It’s hilarious how people walk. I can’t stop people watching and passing it on through my books. I never stop watching and am always so busy.
Narbeth book fair – a great book fair for readers and worth a visit
Jessie: I notice you also organise Narberth Book Fair.
Judith: Yes, I organise it with a friend, author, Thorne Moore. It started in Tenby, but we had to move because we outgrew the venue with so many writers wanting to take part. I think it’s so important to attend these events; to get out there and meet the readers.
Jessie: What advice would you give to fledgling writers?
Judith: Get a professional editor and be prepared for a slog. The first draft of the book is the best bit. I always cry when I get my editor’s comments.
Jessie: Tell me, what have you got in your handbag today?
Judith handed me a copy of Pattern of Shadows and a book entitled Secrets; an anthology of short stories of the minor characters in the trilogy. She proceeded to let me in on the secret life of her handbag. She had some very colourful reading glasses, pens, more pens, bookmarks, a spare blouse, her mobile and an agenda.
Judith: As you can see I do love a bit of colour. I try to be organised and I absolutely love writing. I want you to place these books in your handbag and let the Howarth family keep you company. You’ll love some of the family and dislike some of the other – but that’s life!
Judith is fabulous fun, and I had a blast meeting with her. Meeting face to face is so much better than communicating on line. I delighted in her humour, straight-talking and infectious sense of fun. Judith is a natural storyteller, and this translates in her animated dialogue. She told me she is ‘living each day’. She thrives on her writing and engagement with authors. Her generosity was evident in her willingness to share the benefit of her experience.
Judith Barrow, originally from Saddleworth, near Oldham, and on the wrong side of the Pennines but still in Yorkshire, has lived in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for forty years.
She has an MA in Creative Writing with the University of Wales Trinity St David’s College, Carmarthen, a BA (Hons) in Literature with the Open University and a Diploma in Drama from Swansea University. She has had short stories, plays, reviews and articles, published throughout the British Isles and has won several poetry competitions. She has completed three children’s books.
She is also a Creative Writing tutor for Pembrokeshire County Council.
Winifred is a determined young woman eager for new experiences, for a life beyond the grocer’s shop counter ruled over by her domineering mother. When her friend Honora – an Irish girl, with the freedom to do as she pleases – drags Winifred along to a suffragette rally, she realises that there is more to life than the shop and her parents’ humdrum lives of work and grumbling. Bill Howarth’s troubled childhood echoes through his early adult life and the scars linger, affecting his work, his relationships and his health. The only light in his life comes from a chance meeting with Winifred, the daughter of a Lancashire grocer. The girl he determines to make his wife. Meeting Honora’s intelligent and silver-tongued medical student brother turns Winifred’s heart upside down and she finds herself suddenly pregnant. Bill Howarth reappears on the scene offering her a way out.
‘Autumn is the best time of year for me to write because the tranquillity inspires reflection.’
The light is magical in October and bathes everything in a warm glow. There is also a stillness in the air, suggesting nature is waiting to go to sleep so that it can create more colour in the spring. Autumn is the best time of year for me to write because the tranquillity inspires reflection.
As leaves flutter to the ground, characters come to life. The promise of the festive season hovers as winter waits patiently to present the first shimmer of frost. It is no wonder, then, that I am delighting in penning a Christmas scene at the moment.
I am writing a novel set in World War Two. It is a joy to escape to the era where my grandmother was a young woman and the festive season required creativity. At Christmas time, my grandmother made her own festive wreaths and table decorations with foraged holly, ferns and berries and added bows and gold paint. She told me stories of how my great grandfather spent months making and renovating toys in the lead up to Christmas. I have given this resourceful nature to the characters. Everyone was creating Christmas decorations the last time I visited my novel.
‘Thanks to my grandmother’s memories of the era, love and laughter are shining in the scene packed with friends and family.’
Thanks to my grandmother’s memories of the era, love and laughter are shining in the scene packed with friends and family. Furthermore, families are collaborating to celebrate Christmas and there are some heartwarming moments, especially when gifts are exchanged. Romance is also sparkling but a mystery lurks beneath the Christmas magic.
‘As leaves flutter to the ground, characters come to life’
When I listen to the characters chat, I reflect on how we can create a unique Christmas without all the expense. Recent events have made me very aware of how much people matter and my characters teach me new things all the time. I am excited to share this heartwarming story one day, but for now I am enjoying the process of cutting back the scenes and walking amongst the words that have fallen.
Wishing you all a calm and creative autumn.
For more information about my writing and how Wales inspires my stories, please click on the links to the Frost Magazine below.
Fifteen miles from nowhere, we saw a faded sign for ‘Fish Shack’. We followed a road to the middle of the beach desert until we reached a decaying old boat that was almost as big as a whale. Yes, and the B52’s track was playing in my head…
Expecting greasy fish and chips, I was handed plaice and salad with a large cup of builder’s tea. The food was absolutely delicious! The plaice, caught only hours earlier, was cooked in olive oil on a hot plate. The fresh salad had an olive oil and lemon dressing. It was served in a small cardboard box, but they will probably steal this idea on the Great British Menu. And builder’s tea could be the new Pinot Noir. I must confess that I declined the bread roll, but understood that it was a nod to the fishermen who eat this food.
Seizing the moment, we decided to go for a walk on the beach. We were told it was fine to walk on the beach if we didn’t touch the ‘fishing tackle’!! Forget visiting a maritime museum, there were artefacts on the beach such as rusty anchors and abandoned nets. These savvy people are obviously protecting the objects d’art to prevent art galleries and Michelin starred restaurants from displaying them in their gaffs. The food and the setting were perfect: The Fish Shack is indeed a funky little shack. Get yourselves off to the food getaway!
Who knows? Maybe this place will become either the Dungeness Modern Art Gallery or even the Derek Jarman Modern. An art gallery and restaurant without walls could be the new concept of the 21st century. Visit now as in the future you may need a credit card without a limit.
Instantly, she retrieved a copy of her novel from her large blue handbag. 
Carol’s fun manner is infectious. It was clear that the women on the neighbouring table were straining to catch a glance of the new novel. Carol left the book peeking out of her blue bag, and it was impossible to miss the tempting front cover. One of the ladies searched for the book on her phone. 
Carol: My characters have become very special to me, even the less likeable ones, so I did miss them when I stopped writing. There are six main characters in 
Tuscan Roots
I stopped at the mill ‘hidden in the folds of the Alps of the Moon, where the sun sets from the jewel red skies behind misted blue peaks.’ Anna’s mother once lived in a mill, and she explains ‘…the old building in ruins, crumbling into nothing seems to mirror what I am leaning of Mamma’s past.’ The Mill is ‘fragile’ and is a symbol of lost history and lost dreams that could be rekindled by the new generation. Sitting on the steps to read the letters and diaries, I sensed the ‘breeze that dances on the river’. Listening to the ‘sound of the river and distant sheep bells’, I could feel the loneliness of Ines. I am sure I heard the voices of the German soldiers who would have bathed there, and the whispers of the POWs and partisans hidden in the mountains.
I was completely spellbound by the characters and the clever structure of this novel. ‘
This novel evokes the senses and leaves the reader firmly fixed in Tuscany. Not the tourist’s Italy, but rural, down to earth Italy – ‘this landscape feels lived in’, and the author breathes life into ‘the ghosts from the past’. The story of the POW and partisans provide another dimension to this story, and I was impressed with how this was skilfully woven into the story.
I have invited Diane Need to present an extract from ‘
Beth is a gentle and caring heroine, but a lot of fun, too, with the scrapes she gets into. The story deals with some serious issues, but there’s also plenty of humour.
Paul scrutinised the paw prints and cleared his throat before continuing. ‘I’m –’ he blustered, looking to Emily as if for support. ‘Well, the thing is – we’re here about Rodney; we think he should come and live with us. I paid for him, after all – and it’s obvious you can’t cope with him.’
When Beth, fast approaching forty and a stay-at-home wife, decides to put some romance back into her flagging marriage, her plans are thwarted when her husband announces he’s leaving her for his intellectual equal. All he leaves Beth with is an order to vacate the family home and the wrath of her acid-tongued mother-in-law. Beth has no career, no money and no self-esteem.
