Category: Chick Lit

Meet Maisie Bloom

The tempting front cover of A Gift for Maisie Bloom

Maisie Bloom is a newly qualified teacher who lives in the Yorkshire Dales. She is kind, fun and full of hope, and she is one of the reasons I have been absent from my blog.

A Gift for Maisie Bloom has been my great writing escape and is my debut romance novel. The story follows a newly qualified teacher who becomes an accidental sleuth and falls in love. I adore romances and indulge in those delicious cosy mysteries on television, so I have combined these genres.

An escape to the Yorkshire Dales

Conversations with my niece Maria inspired the relationship between Maisie and her Aunt Ada. I love my niece’s perspective on life, but it always amuses me that she forgets I was her age once upon a time. It was a joy to send Maisie on her adventures and hide tiny jewels of observations that may one day connect with Maria. And I must confess I also listened carefully to all other nieces and nephews, so I’ll leave them to dig for a few treasures.

A Gift for Maisie Bloom has a special place in my heart. What a thrill to create my own idyllic village in the Yorkshire Dales, then send Maise to Paris. Of course, I also insisted on lots of sunshine, good times and laughter.

A research trip to Yorkshire

I can’t wait for readers to meet Maisie and her nosy neighbours.

More about A Gift for Maisie Bloom:

You’re not supposed to fall in love when investigating your aunt’s disappearance.

When Maisie Bloom inherits her aunt’s cottage in Yorkshire, life is perfect, including her two love interests. But when mysterious mail and blog posts arrive, she discovers Aunt Ada was investigating the disappearance of a prolific author in Paris. Was it murder? Soon Maisie is hot on the trail.

But can you sleuth in Paris without falling in love?

Early reviews of A Gift for Maisie Bloom:

‘Readers are going to fall in love with Maisie.’

‘This wonderful mystery is a gift for readers who enjoy cozy crime, intrigue and romance.’

‘Refreshingly different! Laugh-out-loud humour laced with whimsy, eccentric characters and delightful glimpses of the Yorkshire countryside and romantic Paris.’

‘I defy you not to laugh out loud at the antics of the nosy neighbours.’

‘A curl up on the settee and read the winter blues away novel.’

It’s a gorgeous cosy mystery mashed up with romance and is all about books, love and family, starting in a Yorkshire village and then whisking you off to Paris.’

 

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Jan Brigden’s ‘As Weekends Go’ is Calorie Free Indulgence

Jan Brigden writes in a lively, witty style and captures her characters beautifully.

Jan Brigden’s ‘As Weekends Go’ is a great escape. Visiting a hotel described as ‘a vast stretch of grandeur’ is a perfect destination.  I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca whose life is turned upside down when she receives an invitation from her friend.

I had a great time with cast of characters during a visit to Hawsley Manor, York.  Brigden writes in a lively, witty style and captures her characters beautifully.  She skilfully incorporates four perspectives in order to build the tension to fever pitch.  I wanted to join Abi and Rebecca on their weekend retreat.  I loved the way Bridgen draws these characters and represents the heart of their friendship. The lively exchanges between these Rebecca and Abi makes you feel as if you are sitting there joining in the conversation.  Similarly, the dialogue during scenes of smouldering tension or conflict is outstanding.  This novel would make a great film.  I have just discovered it is an audio book and would be ideal for this medium.

Could this be an inspiration for Hawsley Manor?

I must also praise Jan Brigden for the way she presents the male characters and explores their perspective.   The contrast between the arrogant, ambitious Greg and calm, considerate Alex is perfect.   The book had me shouting at the horrible characters and racing towards the outcome.  Challenging the stereotype of the celebrity footballer is a clever idea.

I laughed at portrayal of characters.  You will meet ‘the suited gorilla’, ‘Doberman’, the woman ‘with a face you could chop wood on’.  An there’s Martina who ‘hijacked’ Alex, then ‘cross examined him resting her boobs on a side plate’ in the restaurant.  The thread of comic observation adds to the fast pace of the novel.

Rebecca and Abbi escape to York for the weekend

I enjoy a positive, upbeat message in a novel: love, friendship and honesty are key qualities throughout the novel.  As a reader, one is loyal and supportive of Rebecca until the very end.  And ‘if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be’ and will happen.  Brigden shows that we gain strength and warmth from friends and families and hungry ambition needs to be fed to the wolves.

Reading ‘As Weekends Go’ is like indulging in a luxurious bar of chocolate without the calories.  ‘As Weekends Go’ is a perfect must read for the weekend.

Meet the author

More About Jan Bridgen

Jan lives in South East London with her husband and motley crew of cuddly toys. Jan’s written for pleasure from a young age; short stories for classmates, odes for workmates, fun quizzes for family and friends, progressing to her first novel, the idea for which sprang from a script she composed as part of a creative writing course assignment via The Writers Bureau. Following much secret plotting, research and feigning of passion for the customer accounts she was supposed to be reconciling during the day job, the chance finally arose to put pen to paper.

After attending many author talks, literary events, and connecting with writers and readers on Facebook and Twitter, Jan learned of and joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers’ Scheme.

Jan’s debut novel As Weekends Go subsequently won the 2014/2015 Choc Lit and Whole Story Audiobooks Search for a Star Competition , which led to a publishing contract with Choc Lit.

An avid reader and all round book devotee, Jan is also one eighth of online group blog The Romaniacs who proudly received the RNA Industry Media Star Award and even got a mention in The Bookseller.

 

Please see all my reviews at Books In Handbag and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.