Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape. There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone. I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha. I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then. When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time. I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.

Now For Something Completely Different.

Published February 4, 2014 | By Laura

Writing Room: February 2014.

Now for something completely different. For this month’s writing room, it’s about changing history.

Pick an event in history that particularly interests you and that you know a little about or something you can easily research.

Now, think about what could happen if you change the facts. For example, Continue reading →

Which Plot Has Been Done To Death?

Published February 3, 2014 | By Laura

Charlotte Ledger

Charlotte joins us again from Harper Impulse. This week, we ask her, what kind of plot do you think has been done to death?

Ooo tricky… I guess it really depends on the writing and the author’s voice… if it’s a fantastic story that makes you laugh, cry, fall in love, and keeps you up all night turning the pages then a familiar plot isn’t so much of an issue… Having said that though, Continue reading →

Book Corner: February 2014

Published February 3, 2014 | By Laura

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (published by Penguin, 2014,) is our book club title for February.

About the book…

‘I’m not good at understanding what other people want.’

‘Tell me something I don’t know . . .’

Love isn’t an exact science – but no one told Don Tillman. A thirty-nine-year-old geneticist, Don’s never had a second date. So he devises the Wife Project, a scientific test to find the perfect partner. Enter Rosie – ‘the world’s most incompatible woman’ – Continue reading →

Who’s Coming To Dinner?

Published January 31, 2014 | By Laura

Fiction Friday

Fiction Friday – 31st January 2014.

Today’s prompt: Pick three to five guests that you’d like to invite over to dinner. It could be anyone you like; friends, celebrities, people you admire. Write about the evening starting from the moment your first guest arrives.

Write for five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. When you’re done, post in the comments below.

Continue reading →

The Bookshop Strikes Back by Ann Patchett

Published January 30, 2014 | By Laura

Bloomsbury Paperbacks, August 2013.

A sweet little book that shows us the value of a book shop.

Ann Patchett is the author of six novels and three works of non-fiction. She was very unhappy when she realised that there were no longer any more bookshops in her home town of Nashville, Tennessee. When she released her next novel after the last shop closed, she realised that the only place she could sell her book in her home town was in the local Framing shop. She met her business partner, Karen Hayes and Parnassus Books is now a thriving independent bookshop. This book chronicles the idea and eventual opening of the shop.
This book is only about twenty pages long but it was such a great thing to read. I will admit, I do have a kindle but I love going into book shops, browsing the shelves, picking up the book and flicking through – something you can’t do when buying a e-book or buying online.
In the current economy, Continue reading →

The Postcard by Leah Fleming

Published January 30, 2014 | By Laura

The Postcard

How far will she journey to uncover a long lost family secret?

It’s 2002 in Australia. When Melissa discovers a postcard addressed to ‘Desmond’ among her recently deceased father’s effects, she is determined to discover this person’s identity and his relationship to her father. She soon embarks on a journey that will take her across oceans and to 1930’s, London.

Caroline grew on a secluded Scottish estate with her ‘Aunt’ Phoebe. Now, the shocking realisation that Phoebe is actually her mother fuels a rebellious streak in Caroline, who elopes to Cairo to get married. But her marriage quickly turns Continue reading →

First Impressions

Published January 29, 2014 | By Laura

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen, 1813

In January 1813…

Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first published on in 1813. She first started writing in 1796 and had originally titled, First Impressions it’s now one of the most popular classics in literature and has one of the most famous opening lines, ‘“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” It has also been the basis of many adaptations including the BBC version with Colin Firth, Bridget Jones’ Diary and it was even given the Bollywood treatment with Bride and Prejudice.

Setting Writing Goals?

Published January 28, 2014 | By Laura

Are setting goals important or a distraction?

Many writers approach their writing in many different ways. Some plan whilst others wing it. Others set goals when others wait to see what happens.

Setting goals is important for me. I lack focus when I don’t have something to work toward, like a deadline. I don’t have the discipline to not set goals.

I find them important.

That’s not to say I am not always good at keeping my deadlines Continue reading →

What kind of books are you currently looking for?

Published January 27, 2014 | By Laura

Charlotte Ledger

We welcome back Charlotte from HarperImpulse. Today, we ask about what kind of books she is currently looking for?

Our mission is to make HarperImpulse the home for good story telling, however you want to write it, however you want to read it – so really I’m looking for anything! Saying that, I’m a big fan of WWI Literature – Pat Barker’s Regeneration trilogy, Birdsong, Susan Hill’s Strange Meeting – and with 2014 marking 100 years since the Great War, it would be wonderful to publish some fantastic stories Continue reading →

Claudia Carroll’s Five Writing Tips

Published January 27, 2014 | By Laura

Claudia Carrol

Claudia Carroll, the author of Me & You offers her five writing tips.

First tip, Persevere, persevere, persevere! And write every single day, as every day that you do is a day that your work is improving, trust me.

Second tip? Be brave too; remember it’s highly unlikely that a publisher is going to knock on your front door and ask if you’ve any manuscripts lying around they could publish. Nothing will happen unless you take the first step and get your work out there.

Third tip, an agent is your best friend though, and I’d advice anyone starting out to secure and agent first and the rest will follow.

Continue reading →

Monday 27th January 2014

Published January 27, 2014 | By Laura

Lewis Carroll

On this day in…

Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) was born on this day in 1832 in Cheshire, England. Alice Liddell, the daughter of a friend, asked Carroll to complete a story he’d started telling her on a boat trip. These eventually became, Alice Adventures Underground which was then renamed Wonderland.

The Engagements Blog Tour: Five Signed Copies to Give Away.

Published January 27, 2014 | By Laura

We were very happy to be invited to take part in the blog tour for J. Courtney Sullivan’s, The Engagements.

Here’s the blurb:

1947: Mary Frances Gerety, a young copywriter in an eminent advertising agency, has to convince the world of two things – that marriage means a diamond ring on every woman’s finger, and that she is as good at her job as any man. And then, in one moment of brilliant inspiration, Mary Frances writes down four words which will achieve both her aims . . .Moving from a Harvard swim-meet in 1927 to the three-martini lunches of 1940s advertising, from the back streets of 1980s Boston to an exquisite Parisian music shop in 2003, The Engagements is a novel about love, marriage, commitment and betrayal; it is as sharp, as fiery and as beautiful as the stone we have taken to represent our dreams.

We have FIVE signed copies to give away.

To enter:

Comment on this post with your name and town before the closing date of Monday 3rd February 2014 at 23.59. The five winners will be picked at random from the entrants and announced on the Novel Kicks blog on Tuesday 4th February 2014. The winners will also be notified via e-mail.

UK and Ireland only.

Good Luck.

Read my review here.

The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan

Published January 27, 2014 | By Laura

An interesting look at relationships and the attitude toward that diamond ring.

1947: Mary Frances Gerety, a young copywriter in an eminent advertising agency, has to convince the world of two things – that marriage means a diamond ring on every woman’s finger, and that she is as good at her job as any man. And then, in one moment of brilliant inspiration, Mary Frances writes down four words which will achieve both her aims . . .Moving from a Harvard swim-meet in 1927 to the three-martini lunches of 1940s advertising, from the back streets of 1980s Boston to an exquisite Parisian music shop in 2003, The Engagements is a novel about love, marriage, commitment and betrayal; it is as sharp, as fiery and as beautiful as the stone we have taken to represent our dreams.

The Engagements focuses on five different decades and five apparently unconnected people who are all at varying stages of their relationships. Continue reading →

Think Big

Published January 24, 2014 | By Laura

By Maria Vassilopoulos- Organic Books

You are the author of your book (s) and that makes you, by default the king of their world. Without you, they wouldn’t exist. If you hadn’t been inspired, nobody would now own your masterpiece. Correct.

However, now you are king (or Queen) you have to decide how to rule. There are a few types of reigning authors:

The dictator– You believe your book is the greatest thing ever read and that if people aren’t paying attention to it or doing enough for it they have a problem.

The Laid Back Larry– It’s done, you are sure somebody will read it and you are far too busy to tell everyone about it – that’s what the bookshops are for – right?

Continue reading →

Purbeck Literary Festival

Published January 24, 2014 | By Laura

The Purbeck Literary Festival is taking place between 17th February – 2nd March 2014.

Tickets are now available for events happening over the two weeks in areas including Wareham, Swanage and Bere Regis.

The events include story slams, poetry and writing workshops. There will also be guest authors including Julie Cohen, Freda Lightfoot, Jason Goodwin and Katie Fforde.

For more information and to book tickets for events, visit the website.

Interviewing Your Character.

Published January 24, 2014 | By Laura

Fiction Friday

Friday 24th January 2014: Asking your character questions.

The Fiction Friday prompt this week is about getting to know your character. Do you have a piece of fiction you are currently working on? If so, ask these questions about your main character. If you don’t, pick a random name out from a newspaper or a book you’re currently reading.

Ask these five questions:

1. Who is your hero and why?

2. What is your earliest childhood memory?

3. Does your character have a secret? Continue reading →

Five Bookmarks

Published January 23, 2014 | By Laura

We love these five bookmarks.

I have almost as big an obsession with bookmarks as I do with books. I am not the kind of reader that likes to turn down corners (although it does occasionally happen,) and I am always on the look out for pretty or cute ones. These bookmarks would be some of the ones on our wish list…

These book clips are just adorable. I love them. Available from Etsy (Imaginative One,) they are a bargain at just a £1 each (before postage) and there are four designs: Heart, Flower, Gift or Cupcakes.

These are just brilliant. We love Jane Austen Continue reading →

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Published January 23, 2014 | By Laura

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Review by Helen Jackson.

Errand requiring immediate attention. Come.

The note was on vellum, pierced by the talons of the almost-crow that delivered it. Karou read the message. ‘He never says please’, she sighed, but she gathered up her things. When Brimstone called, she always came. In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she’s a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in ‘Elsewhere’, she has never understood Brimstone’s dark work – buying teeth from hunters and murderers – nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn’t whole. Now the doors to Elsewhere are closing, and Karou must choose between the safety of her human life and the dangers of a war-ravaged world that may hold the answers she has always sought. (Daughter of Smoke and Bone is published by Hodder Paperbacks, July 2012.)

This is my book club January book.

When we were discussing books in December, I complained that there hasn’t been a really good book for a while, and that The Night Circus was still my favourite ever. The person who chose the book (or the selection of books, which we then vote on) Continue reading →

The Illusionists by Rosie Thomas

Published January 23, 2014 | By Laura

Rosie Thomas is the Sunday Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including The Kashmir Shawl which has sold 300,000 copies.

The Illusionists (HarperCollins) is due for release on 27th February 2014.

There is no such thing as magic. There is only truth.’

London, 1870. A terrifying place for a young, beautiful woman of limited means. Life on the streets is relentlessly tough, where fortunes can be bought or sold and danger lurks around every corner. But Eliza Continue reading →

Wednesday 22nd January 2014

Published January 22, 2014 | By Laura

On this day in 1788…

George Gordon Byron, commonly known as Lord Byron was born on this day in 1788.

He was an English Poet and a leading figure in the romantic movement. His works included Don Juan and She Walks in Beauty.

Laurence O’ Bryan

Published January 21, 2014 | By Laura

Laurence O’ Bryan

Laurence O’ Bryan’s latest novel, The Manhattan Puzzle (Avon, 2013) is available now. Laurence tells us about his best writing moment so far…

Getting offered a global three book publishing contract by Harper Collins. I have never felt such exhilaration. I had waited ten years for the moment. I felt light, dreamy, and was filled with an anticipation that ached.

Read our review of The Manhattan Puzzle.

Visit Laurence’s Website.

Garrett Addison

Published January 21, 2014 | By Laura

Garrett Addison

Garrett Addison is the author of The Traveller.

He grew up in Perth, Western Australia and now lives in Melbourne. We chat to Garrett about his book, what makes him laugh and what he would want with him on an Island…

Welcome Garrett. Can you tell us about your latest book, The Traveller?

It’s the story of a family man failing on all fronts; travelling too much to be a good parent and husband and yet still failing at work at the whims of a merciless manager nicknamed variously ‘the bitch’ and ‘the antichrist’. But when he is strangely metamorphosised into a higher functioning corporate genius on an otherwise usual trip, he enjoys a walk on the dark side and inevitably embraces the lure of revenge on his boss … but nothing lasts forever.

It’s a good fun roller-coaster Continue reading →

Do You Keep a Diary or a Journal?

Published January 21, 2014 | By Laura

Diaries or Journals have always been a popular thing to keep.

I have kept a diary on and off since I before I was a teenager. If something is bothering me, I tend to want to write it down. This is common practise amongst many – whether it’s to work through an issue or simply to keep a memory of your life at the time of writing. Some write for themselves and others write on a blog for public viewing. My blog tends to be about general thoughts and opinions Continue reading →

Tuesday 21st January

Published January 21, 2014 | By Laura

George Orwell

George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, died on this day in 1950. He died in London at aged forty-six. He was known for works like Animal Farm (1945) and 1984, which was published in 1949.

Rebecca Braunton

Published January 20, 2014 | By Laura

On The Air

Rebecca is the author of On The Air. Today, she talks about the book that has made an impact on her.

I moved house recently, and when faced with my monolith-like bookshelf I decided it was time for a little cull. A few books that I had read once and enjoyed were tossed (sorry: placed, lovingly) into a hessian bag and ferried across the road to the local Age Concern shop, but there was one book I knew I wouldn’t have parted with in a million years.

I first met Captain Corelli and his mandolin at college (steady on, I’ll make the jokes). I’d been given a beautiful virgin copy of the book ready for my annotations, and as a class we began to read through certain chapters in class, ending each ‘lecture’ as we called it with a series of questions on each chapter. This method had been practiced before with many texts from Shakespeare to McEwan. Normally the books you study at college or uni are groundbreaking and vastly important, but oftentimes boring and irrelevant; especially for a lovelorn sixteen-year-old who thought her life made up the centre of the whole universe.

Continue reading →

What does an Editor Do?

Published January 20, 2014 | By Laura

Charlotte Ledger

We’re very happy to welcome Charlotte, an editor at Harper Impulse.

We ask, what does an editor do?

Wow what a start to our new feature… And such a good question – I know lots of people think editors just sit and read all day! 🙂

Obviously, reading is a big part of our job, whether that’s reading new submissions with the view to buying new books or reading existing authors manuscripts in order to give them feedback on how the story is shaping up. Continue reading →

Skeletons by Jane Fallon

Published January 20, 2014 | By Laura

It’s all about secrets and lies….

We are stupidly excited about this upcoming release from Jane Fallon. Skeletons is due for release in March. It’s published by Penguin.

Here’s the blurb…

Jen has discovered a secret. It’s not hers to share, but is it hers to keep?

If she tells her husband Jason, he might get over the shock but will he forgive her for telling the truth? She might drive a wedge through their marriage.

Continue reading →

West Sussex Writers 2nd National Short Story Competition.

Published January 17, 2014 | By Laura

Courses and Competitions

Entries are now open for the 2nd West Sussex Writers National Short Story Competition.

The maximum word count is 3000 words and there is no specific theme.

The closing date for applications is 31st March 2014. The fee to enter is £5.

1st prize is £200, 2nd Prize is £75 and 3rd prize is £50.

The winners will also Continue reading →

Snippets

Published January 17, 2014 | By Laura

Fiction Friday

Fiction Friday – 17th January 2014.

It’s amazing what lines of dialogue or ideas for books we can get from accidentally overhearing other people’s conversation.

For today’s prompt, try to catch little pieces of information from conversations going on around you. Anything you find interesting, write down. Once you’ve got between five and ten lines, put them into a paragraph of dialogue. Once you’re done, post.

Write for a minimum of five minutes, then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’re done, then post in the comments below.

Continue reading →

Wish Upon A Star by Trisha Ashley

Published January 16, 2014 | By Laura

Book review by Mick Arnold.

(Wish Upon a Star published by Avon, November 2013.)

Forced to move back in with her eccentric mother, Cally has to juggle caring for her sick daughter Stella and doesn’t believe that she has time in her life for love as well. That is until handsome baker Jago comes into their lives. Trying to juggle fund-raising for an operation to potentially save her daughter’s life that is rapidly approaching in the USA just before Christmas, Cally tries to stop her growing feelings for Jago from taking over her every waking moment.

This is a heart-warming tale of love and hope Continue reading →

Mhari McFarlane Winners

Published January 15, 2014 | By Laura

Here’s Looking At Yo

And the winners are…

Thank you to everyone who entered our competition to win a copy of Here’s Looking at You by Mhairi Mcfarlane.

Well done to Marie-Claire Mowlam, Rebecca Minton, Emma Miller, Rebecca Bromley and Linda Russam who have all won a copy.

Have you read it? It’s our book club title this month. To head over to Book Corner, click here.

Sue Moorcroft

Published January 14, 2014 | By Laura

Sue Moorcroft

Sue Moorcroft is the author of Want to Know a Secret, Starting Over and Is This Love?

Today, Sue tells us about the book that’s had the most impact on her…

Dream a Little Dream. When I chose to give Dominic Christy the neurological condition of narcolepsy, which causes uncontrolled sleep, I hadn’t realised what a fantastical and hard-to-understand condition it is. I became a research junkie and in September 2013, Narcolepsy UK asked me to speak at their conference about why I wrote that book and how I did my research. Quite a few people with narcolepsy have now read Dream and they seem to feel that I’ve done OK with my portrayal. Satisfying.

Lynne North

Published January 14, 2014 | By Laura

Lynne North

Lynne North is the author of two children’s books, Caution: Witch in Progress’ and ‘Zac’s Destiny.’ Lynne joins us today to chat about her latest book, her ideal dinner guests and her tips for new writers.

Can you tell us about your latest book, ‘Caution: Witch in Progress.’

Caution: Witch in Progress is a children’s humorous fantasy novel aimed at the eight years of age to young teen market. Gertie Grimthorpe comes from a long line of witches. Unfortunately, she hasn’t really got the hang of it. Being blonde-haired, blue-eyed and free of warts isn’t much of an advantage. Try as she might, Gertie’s spells fall flat. She manages to give her bat-headed umbrella the ability to talk, but then wishes she hadn’t when all he does is complain and insult people. Even finding an owl to be her Familiar doesn’t help. Then again, he is extremely shortsighted… Gertie is sent to The Academy to improve her spell casting skills and soon has a best friend in the form of Bertha Bobbit, a big girl, with a matching appetite. Add to that a Moat Monster with a flatulence problem, the weirdest array of witch’s Familiars possible, and a warlock determined to ruin Gertie’s chances of success, and the story unfolds. Not to mention the demon…

Continue reading →

Opening Lines

Published January 14, 2014 | By Laura

Books

The Top Ten Opening Lines…

I recently found an article from The Guardian from April 2012, about the best opening lines in fiction. The first sentence of a book sells it. It can be the difference between someone buying your book and putting it back on the shelf, or deciding to carry on and finish.

There are many first lines I like, one of my favourites is the line from Pride and Prejudice. It’s one of the most famous ones for sure. Below is the list of the ten from The Guardian. Do you agree? Are there any that aren’t in there that should be?

James Joyce: Ulysses (1922)

“Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed.” This is the classic third-person opening to the 20th-century novel that has shaped modern fiction, pro and anti, for almost a hundred years. As a sentence, it is possibly outdone by the strange and lyrical beginning of Joyce’s final and even more experimental novel, Finnegans Wake: “riverrun, past Eve and Adam’s, from swerve of shore to bend of bay, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs.”

Continue reading →

Lucinda Riley

Published January 13, 2014 | By Laura

The Midnight Rose

The Midnight Rose by Lucinda Riley.

(Published by Pan, and due for release on 16th January 2014.)

The Midnight Rose spans four generations and sweeps from the glittering palaces of the great maharajas of India to the majestic stately homes of England. It follows the extraordinary life of a girl, Anahita Chavan, from 1911 to the present day. In the heyday of the British Raj, eleven-year-old Anahita, from a noble but impoverished family, forms a lifelong friendship with the headstrong Princess Indira, the privileged daughter of rich Indian royalty. Becoming the princess’s official companion, Anahita accompanies her friend to England just before the outbreak of the Great War. Continue reading →

What’s it like to be an Author?

Published January 10, 2014 | By Laura

By Maria Vassilopoulos- Organic Books

I don’t know. I can’t write all that well – although one of my fondest school memories is of penning an A5 sticky backed plastic novella called “Small Adventures” which was about Titchyfoot the little little person who had got shrunk by a witch and was trying to get back to her mother. I got 5 house points and staples to hold it together.

However, when I have tried to write anything else, my brain gets bored and my inherent laziness takes over. I stop the story, give it a bad ending and leave the characters I partially created hanging in limbo and feeling pretty cheated.

Blogging is better for me as it’s shorter and punchier. At one point I thought maybe Journalism was for me but as I found out when doing work experience at a local newspaper whilst at university, it really wasn’t. I didn’t enjoy the structure of how I had to write and there wasn’t a lot going on that summer.

It was more about the actual books for me. I didn’t have Continue reading →

Popular Woman’s Fiction Course

Published January 10, 2014 | By Laura

Rowan Coleman

Courses and Competitions: Guardian Masterclasses – Popular Women’s Fiction with Julie Cohen & Rowan Coleman with guest speaker, Madeleine Milburn.

There is still time to take part in this great sounding course with two very successful writers. This course is for people who are looking to originate or develop an idea, or who have been working on a novel and want to bring it to a high enough standard for submission.

It’s taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January 2014 at The Guardian, 90 York Way, Kings Cross.

Attendees will be asked to submit a plot synopsis and five pages of the first chapter of their novel ahead of the course to enable the tutors to provide tailored feedback.

You will learn Continue reading →

The Conversation

Published January 10, 2014 | By Laura

Fiction Friday

Fiction Friday: 10th January 2014.

The aim of Fiction Friday is to take the prompt below and write for a minimum of five minutes, then keep going for as long as you can. Don’t edit, just post your attempt in the comments below.

Today’s prompt: Keep this conversation going:

‘Don’t I know you?’

‘No, I don’t think so?’

‘No, I do. Weren’t you the woman who, you know, got involved with all that business a while back?’

What comes next?

Continue reading →

A Moment with Matt Dunn

Published January 9, 2014 | By Laura

Penguin (re-issue edition,) January 2014

Matt Dunn is the author of seven novels which includes A Day at The Office and Best Man

Today, Matt talks about the book that has made the most impact on him.

I owe my entire writing career to High Fidelity. While I’d known I wanted to be a writer since my teens, it wasn’t until I read this brilliant book that I knew that was what I wanted to write. Of course, actually writing that would have been pointless (mainly because Nick Hornby had already written it), but I reasoned that surely something like it wouldn’t be a bad thing to aim for, so I sat down at my desk and gave it a go. Eight novels later, I’m still trying to match his breathtakingly spare prose, skilfully-crafted set-pieces, wonderfully-drawn characters, and – most importantly – laugh-out-loud humour. It’s not a long book – perhaps the author was mindful of the old showbiz maxim of ‘always leave them wanting more’ – but as far as I’m concerned, it’s as close to perfection in a novel as you can get.

Book Themed Phone Cases

Published January 9, 2014 | By Laura

Five Book Themed Phone Cases.

I love books. I also have an equal obsession with my phone (and sadly, am usually not far away from it. I blame smartphones.) Although I will never completely go over to electronic books, the book app on my phone does make it very easy to sneak in a page or two of a book whenever I get a moment. Today, I’ve combined the two and found some beautiful phone cases (for iPhone and Samsung) with a bookish related theme and that would be on my wish list.

This lovely case (for a Galaxy S3,) features a wooden bookshelf full of books. You can even customise it and it’s perfect for book lovers. This is the kind of book shelf I wish I had space for in my house (although I am almost there with all the books currently stored in the garage.) This case is available from Zazzle for £38.95. There is also a similar cover available for iPhone if you like the vintage book shelf look which is £39.95 from Zazzle, this one is available for the 5, 5s and 5c.

Continue reading →

How To Look Like You by Rose McClelland

Published January 9, 2014 | By Laura

How To Look Like You

Book review by Helen Jackson.

Have you ever had a frenemy? Someone you smile at sweetly but secretly you are filled with jealousy? Meet Chloe and Ella.

While Chloe sees herself as dowdy, quiet and going nowhere, Ella is brimming with talents: acting, singing, and outward-sitting, bronzed boobs.

Yet, Ella envies Chloe’s steady relationship with Aidan, her stick-thin figure and her perfectly poised style. As a result, Ella feels overweight, over-single and over-the-hill.

As Ella begins to work alongside Aidan, she develops feelings she shouldn’t have. When he invites her to join his band, it’s no surprise Chloe reacts by slamming the door off the handle.

Then Chloe begins a strategy of her own: Operation Simon. If she starts to go out more often with the bloke from work, surely Aidan would take notice?

Will Aidan smell Simon’s advances? Will Chloe and Aidan’s shared plans go ahead?

Will Ella become a friend or an enemy?

Find out How To Look Like YOU.

The saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover. When it comes to fiction though, that’s exactly what I do. If I don’t like the cover, there’s very little chance I’ll pick it up or read it, but if I like the cover, it’s possible I’ll pick it up to read, before even reading the blurb. Which is why I’m Kindle’s dream target.

Continue reading →

Win a copy of Here’s Looking at You by Mhairi Mcfarlane

Published January 8, 2014 | By Laura

Here’s Looking at You by Mhairi Mcfarlane. Published by Avon, December 2013.

We have FIVE copies of Here’s Looking at You by Mhairi Mcfarlane to give away.

Here’s Looking at You is the title over in our book club this month and to celebrate, we have five copies to give away thanks to Mhairi and the lovely people over at Avon. (Scroll down for entry details.)

The blurb:

Anna Alessi – history expert, possessor of a lot of hair and an occasionally filthy mouth – seeks nice man for intelligent conversation and Mills & Boon moments. Despite the oddballs that keep turning up on her dates, Anna couldn’t be happier. As a 30-something with a job she loves, life has turned out better than she dared dream. Continue reading →

Which Fictional Character Would You Be?

Published January 7, 2014 | By Laura

Which fictional character would you be?

There are many fictional characters but which one would you want to be?

Being a big reader I meet so many amazing characters. At the end of The Fault in Our Stars, I had fallen in love with Hazel and Augustus. I want to have a drink with Bridget Jones and I want to go to Hogwarts with Harry Potter – no, on second thoughts, I want to be Hermione Granger for a day.

That’s what I love about being a writer. I get to create characters that come alive in my head (it’s like being able to have imaginary friends in adulthood,) even though Carrie, the main character in my current work in progress, won’t shut up.

It has me thinking… Continue reading →

My Writing Room – Julia Williams

Published January 7, 2014 | By Laura

I work in a small office next to my bedroom. When we moved into our house seventeen years ago it was billed as another bedroom, but was a bit impractical as you had to walk into our bedroom to get into it. So we decided to turn it into a bathroom and dressing room. Then I decided to go freelance and started writing, so we thought, how much space do we really need for clothes? and turned it into a study instead. My husband is very handy round the house, so he built the desk and shelves himself, and a lovely decorator pal of ours painted it for us.

Author, Julia Williams

Julia’s Writing Space

I love it because Continue reading →

A Moment with Jane Green

Published January 6, 2014 | By Laura

Author, Jane Green

Jane Green is the international best-selling author of Straight Talking, The Accidental Husband and The Patchwork Marriage. She joins us for a moment to talk about her memorable experiences and what she does when she’s not writing.

What has been your most memorable experience as an author so far?

It is mostly the little things that blow me away. Someone recognising my name from my credit card in a shop and saying, ‘wow, you have the same name as my favourite author!’, or being shown to a table in a restaurant and have someone whisper that Jemima J was her most favourite book ever. But I have to confess, Continue reading →

Upcoming Releases with the Theme of Love

Published January 6, 2014 | By Laura

It’s 2014 and we can’t wait for all the new and upcoming releases coming this year.

We’ve picked the five we’re looking forward to reading that have a romantic theme. We can never get enough of the love stories and the heroes, the happy endings and the heroines, Also these beautiful covers…

The Perfect Match by Katie Fforde

The Perfect Match by Katie Fforde.

Published by Century and released on 13th March 2014.

Three years ago Bella Castle left her home town nursing a broken heart over Dominic Thane, the man she fell in love with but couldn’t have. Now she’s made a new life for herself in the country, working as an estate agent. Bella loves her job and she loves her boyfriend. But recently he’s been preoccupied, and she’s starting to question if his future hopes and dreams are a perfect match for hers. Continue reading →

Fiction Friday: Strange Happenings.

Published January 3, 2014 | By Laura

Fiction Friday: 3rd January 2014.

You wake up to find that a household product is having a strange effect on your pets and children and they start to act strange. What happens next?

Write for five minutes minimum and then keep going. When you’re done, post in the comments box below.

Continue reading →

Writing Room – January 2014

Published January 2, 2014 | By Laura

Writing Room – January 2014: Write a diary entry.

It’s 2014. A new year. For this month, write a diary entry from the point of view of your character. If you’re currently working on a book, write as your main character or maybe you’d like to pick a supporting character? If you’ve not got anything you’re working on, write from the point of view from a person named Sam.

What would they write about? What are their resolutions for the year?

Write between 500 – 1000 words and post in the comments section. Continue reading →

Book Corner: January 2014.

Published January 2, 2014 | By Laura

Here’s Looking At You by Mhairi Mcfarlane (published by Avon, December 2013.) – our book club title for January.

About the book:

Anna Alessi – history expert, possessor of a lot of hair and an occasionally filthy mouth – seeks nice man for intelligent conversation and Mills & Boon moments.

Despite the oddballs that keep turning up on her dates, Anna couldn’t be happier. As a 30-something with a job she loves, life has turned out better than she dared dream. However, things weren’t always this way, and her years spent as the ‘Italian Galleon’ of an East London comprehensive are ones she’d rather forget.

So when James Fraser – the architect of Anna’s final humiliation at school – walks back into her life, her world is turned upside down. But James seems a changed man. Polite. Mature. Funny, even. People can change, right? So why does Anna feel like she’s a fool to trust him?

Buy the book.

Discuss Here’s Looking At You… Continue reading →

Winner: Mslexia Diary 2014.

Published December 23, 2013 | By Laura

Thank you to everyone who entered our competition to win Mslexia’s 2014 diary.

Well done to… Sarah Miles from Gloucester.

About the diary:

Mslexia’s diary is a unique, attractive and essential creative companion. This year’s theme is ‘your creative journey’: whatever your starting point, the diary will be a motivational map to guide you through the year ahead. And every month, like signposts along the way, they provide insights from classic and contemporary writing guides by some of the wisest and wittiest women authors of the last 100 years – along with exercises to help you apply that advice to your own work. The sturdy user-friendly format has a rigid plastic outer cover, wiro binding, ribbon bookmark and stout elastic to keep extra papers secure. Measuring 14cm x 18cm, it’s the essential toolkit for the creative woman on the move. Features include:

·       editing symbols and manuscript layout guide
·       need-to-know directory of writers’ resources
·       weekly inspiration and reading recommendations from top authors
·       key dates in the literary year
·       chart for tracking your submissions
·       section for recording books lent and borrowed
·       A-Z telephone and email contacts
·       week-to-view diary pages
·       lots (and lots) of blank pages for your own notes and writing

This year’s diary has been produced in partnership with Anam Cara, Bath Spa University, Birmingham City University, Circle of Misse, Faber Academy, Literature Works, The Poetry School, Tŷ Newydd and Writing West Midlands.

To find out more about Mslexia, click here.

Your Ideal Christmas Guests

Published December 20, 2013 | By Laura

We’re less than a week away before all of the festive celebrations begin and we’ll be opening presents, seeing family and friends or nestling down in front of the TV or snuggling with a book. I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to Christmas so much this year. It has got me thinking about (aside from family and friends,) who I would want to have over for Christmas dinner? Ideal dinner guests is one of the questions I like to ask the most as the answers are always so varied.

Mine would be: Tom Hiddleson (as Loki. It would make it interesting.) John Lennon, Queen Elizabeth 1, JK Rowling and Benedict Cumberbatch (as Sherlock.)

Who would you have over for a Christmas Dinner Party?

Continue reading →

Win Mslexia’s Diary for 2014.

Published December 18, 2013 | By Laura

We have one 2014 diary from Mslexia to give away.

Mslexia’s diary is a unique, attractive and essential creative companion. This year’s theme is ‘your creative journey’: whatever your starting point, the diary will be a motivational map to guide you through the year ahead. And every month, like signposts along the way, they provide insights from classic and contemporary writing guides by some of the wisest and wittiest women authors of the last 100 years – along with exercises to help you apply that advice to your own work.

To enter:

Comment on this post with your name and town before the closing date of Sunday 22nd December 2013 at 23.59. The winner will then be picked at random from the entrants and announced here on the Novel Kicks blog on Monday 23rd December 2013. UK and Ireland Only.

Continue reading →

Book Review: A Cinderella Christmas

Published December 16, 2013 | By Laura

A Cinderella Christmas by Holly Kingston. Released by Novelicious Books, November 2013.

Lucy Tilley dreams of a career in show business. But this isn’t quite what she had in mind …

This year’s Cinderella pantomime is the hottest production in town. What’s more, Lucy is starring alongside Ryan Aspall: famous TV actor, sex symbol and potential love of her entire life. One teeny problem – Lucy is tripping the light fantastic as … the back-end of the comedy cow. Surely nothing kills a flirty moment quite like wearing a massive set of udders?

At least she has the support of glamorous (if potentially flammable) Charmaine; a reality star diva of a Cinderella, who Lucy is completely fascinated by. But behind the fame and beauty, Charmaine is not all she seems.

With more drama off the stage than on it, and everyone

wanting to be star of the show, will Lucy find the confidence to make it out of the cow suit and into the spotlight this Christmas?

A Cinderella Christmas is the new novella from Holly Kingston. Set during a pantomime in Manchester just before Christmas, this was a warming, lovely story that had me laughing out loud in many places. Lucy is such a likeable, relatable character. Charmaine, Ben, Ryan and Bridget are great supporting characters. This story flowed so well and I wish it was longer. This book has well and truly put me in the festive mood and will be great for snuggling up on the sofa with a glass of wine and the Christmas tree lights on. Romance and Christmas… I loved this book.

Blog Tour: Holly Kingston

Published December 16, 2013 | By Laura

We’re excited to be a part of the blog tour for Holly Kingston’s fantastic debut novel, A Cinderella Christmas which was released by Novelicious Books in November. We’ve had a chat with Holly to find out about her new book, what she’d take to a desert island and which Sherlock she’d have over for dinner…

Can you tell us about your book, a Cinderella Christmas.

It’s a festive, fun read about a girl called Lucy, who gets the worst job in the Christmas panto. Assigned to being the back end of the comedy cow, she also has to contend with the fact that Ryan Aspall, her superstar heartthrob of a crush, is also starring in the show. Lucy tends to lose the ability to speak when Ryan’s around, which is a little irritating when she’d quite like the confidence to flirt. Then there’s diva Charmaine to contend with, the reality TV star playing Cinderella. Lucy is massively star struck by Charmaine, but Charmaine has a few secrets to hide and things aren’t quite as they seem. Lucy needs to up her confidence to improve her love life and career, but things keep going horribly wrong for the poor girl. There’s a lovely ending though, promise!

Is there a character from fiction you’d like to meet?

Great question! I’d like to meet Continue reading →

Dead Gone by Luca Veste

Published December 10, 2013 | By Laura

Dead Gone by Luca Veste, published by Avon, December 2013.

A serial killer is stalking the streets of Liverpool, gruesomely murdering victims as part of a series of infamous unethical and deadly psychological experiments.

When it becomes apparent that each victim has ties to the City of Liverpool University, DI David Murphy and DS Laura Rossi realise they’re chasing a killer unlike any they’ve hunted before – one who doesn’t just want his victims’ bodies, but wants their minds too.

I read a lot of this book when I should have been doing other things (including sleep.) I was hooked from the very first page. I do like a good mystery and this book does that very well. Right until the last few pages, Continue reading →

Knomo Competition Winner…

Published December 10, 2013 | By Laura

Aurora (Terracotta)

Thank you to all who entered our competition to win the lovely Aurora bag from Knomo.

Congratulations to Diane Ayres from Cirencester.

To see the whole range of bags from Knomo, click here.

Blog Tour – Luca Veste

Published December 10, 2013 | By Laura

Luca Veste’s debut novel, Dead Gone, was released on E-book by Avon earlier this month with the paperback being released in January. As part of his blog tour, Luca had a chat with Novel Kicks about his new book and who’d he’d like over for dinner….

Can you tell us about your new book, Dead Gone.

Dead Gone is the first in the DI Murphy and DS Rossi series. A body is found in Sefton Park, Liverpool and when the victim is identified as a local university student, Murphy and Rossi begin looking at those close to her, expecting to find her killer amongst them…ignoring the letter attached which linked the murder to a historical and unethical psychological experiment. Then, another body with its own letter is found…and then another. Murphy and Rossi realise they’re tracking a serial killer who is playing the ultimate game of life and death with them.

Can you tell us about your writing process – are you a planner, do you edit as you go, are you a writer who religiously writes a certain amount of words per day?

I’m a planner of sorts, in that I know roughly what the beginning and ending of a novel is when I start. It’s the bit in the middle that takes the time! I usually write long drafts, which helps find the linear plot of the story and then write up from there. I don’t edit as I go along within a draft, but I do write around 1500-2000 words a day most of the time.

Who would you invite over to dinner?

Continue reading →

Luca Veste: Dead Gone Blog Tour

Published December 10, 2013 | By Laura

Novel Kicks was very pleased to be a part of Luca Veste’s blog tour for his great debut novel, Dead Gone. Later on, Luca will be chatting to us about his book. Be sure to also check out the other stops on the tour.

Coming up, a review of Dead Gone which is available now in e-book format. Below, a sneak preview (warning, there is a small amount of bad language.)

Experiment Two

She hadn’t been afraid of the dark.

Not before.

Not before it entered her life without her knowing, enveloping her like a second skin, becoming a part of her.

She hadn’t been claustrophobic, petrified the walls were closing in around her. Crushed to death without knowing they’d even moved. Not scared of things that crawled around her toes. Wasn’t afraid to sit alone in a darkened room and wonder if something was touching her face, or if it was just her imagination.

Nope. She wasn’t scared before.

She was now.

Continue reading →

Jon Rance: My Route to Publication

Published December 9, 2013 | By Laura

Jon Rance, the author of This ThirtySomething Life and Happy Endings, talks about his route to publication…

Whenever I talk or write about my route to being published, I always end up using the same words. Unusual. Different. Unconventional. When you think about getting a publishing deal you generally think about someone having an agent first and then the book being shipped around various publishing houses until the inevitable bidding war results in a large three book deal. This generally isn’t true either, but I didn’t even have an agent and I wasn’t really looking to get a publishing deal at all. I guess I should start at the beginning.

I started writing properly ten years ago. I wrote four full-length novels and followed the traditional path of trying to get an agent and failing each time. It always felt a bit strange though. I would spend a year and a half pouring my heart and soul into a book and then I’d send off thirty letters to different agents, wait for the rejections to come back before starting all over again. It’s a strange thing to do. So after I finished writing my fifth book, THIS THIRTYSOMETHING LIFE, I decided not to approach agents and instead self-publish it.

Continue reading →

Fiction Friday: Mistaken Identity

Published December 6, 2013 | By Laura

Friday 6th December 2013

The prompt today – you get mistaken for someone else? Who do you get mistaken for? What happens?

Write for five minutes and then keep going. Don’t edit, just post.

Continue reading →